(Summary at the bottom)

Throughout this month, we’ve explored hidden histories, celebrated vibrant communities and discovered the creativity that continues to shape Europe. But Black history is not only about the past. Black people continue to face barriers while also driving positive change in their communities, workplaces and wider society. This final week looks at both the progress that has been made and the challenges that still remain.

Progress Worth Celebrating

Recognising Black History

Museums, archives and cultural institutions are increasingly preserving and sharing Black histories, helping to bring these stories into the wider history of Europe rather than leaving them overlooked.

The House of European History in Brussels has expanded its exhibitions and educational resources to explore Europe’s colonial past and its lasting impact on modern society. The museum gives visitors a chance to learn more about the different experiences that have shaped the continent.

Driving Policy Change

In 2020, the European Commission adopted its first EU Anti-Racism Action Plan, recognising the need to tackle racism through coordinated action across the European Union. The plan encourages Member States to strengthen equality policies, improve data collection and promote inclusion across education, employment and public life.

The Action Plan has since supported the development of national anti-racism strategies and reinforced the importance of addressing structural racism across the EU.

 

 

Strengthening Communities

Black-led organisations continue to create opportunities through education, mentoring, cultural events and advocacy. By preserving heritage, supporting young people and creating spaces for dialogue, these organisations play an important role in their communities and give people opportunities to connect, learn and get involved.

The European Network Against Racism (ENAR) is a network of organisations working to promote racial equality and influence policies that create fairer opportunities for racialised communities.

 

Challenges Today

Racism 

Despite progress, racism remains a reality for Black Europeans. It affects people’s lives in many ways, from barriers in education, employment, housing and healthcare to racial profiling, hate crime and violence. These experiences can have lasting consequences for individuals, families and communities, showing why continued action against racism is still needed.

According to the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), 47% of people of African descent surveyed across 13 EU countries experienced racial discrimination in the five years preceding the survey. The report also found widespread experiences of racial profiling and discrimination in employment and housing, alongside low levels of trust in reporting racist incidents.

These figures only reflect the experiences people shared in the survey. They cannot capture incidents that go unreported, unrecorded or are never formally recognised.

What’s still needed: Stronger action against racism, better protection for victims, improved reporting systems and sustained investment in organisations working directly with affected communities.

 

Representation in Leadership

Who gets to make decisions matters. Yet Black Europeans remain underrepresented in politics, leadership, academia, public institutions and many of the spaces where decisions are made. When leadership doesn’t reflect the diversity of society, important perspectives and lived experiences can be missing from the decisions that affect us all.

Representation can shape legislation, public policy, education, media narratives and workplace culture. It can also give young people role models who show them that leadership is possible.

A 2019 analysis by the European Network Against Racism (ENAR) estimated that while racial and ethnic minorities make up at least 10% of the EU’s population, they accounted for only around 5% of Members of the European Parliament, with people of colour making up only 4%. After Brexit, those figures fell further.

What’s still needed: Fair access to leadership, stronger mentoring and sponsorship, more transparent recruitment and promotion processes, and institutions that genuinely reflect the societies they serve.

Whose stories are remembered?

The stories we choose to remember shape how we understand our history and who we see as part of it. Although Black people have been part of Europe’s history for centuries, their stories are still too often missing from school curricula, museums, monuments and public memory. As a result, many people continue to see Black history as something separate from European history, rather than an essential part of it.

What’s still needed: Greater recognition of Black history in education and public memory, continued support for community-led archives and cultural organisations, and a commitment to telling Europe’s history in all its diversity.

People Making a Difference

The future is shaped by people who challenge expectations, create opportunities and open doors for others. Today, Black Europeans are making an impact across all kinds of fields, from sport and science to film, education and beyond. Their achievements deserve to be recognised in their own right, while also showing what’s possible for the generations coming after them.

In Sport

Nafissatou Thiam is one of the greatest heptathletes of all time. Being a three-time Olympic champion and multiple-time world champion, she has become a role model for aspiring athletes through her determination and excellence on the world stage.

 

In Science & Technology

Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon is a computer scientist and the founder of Stemettes, an award-winning social enterprise aiming to inspire girls and young women – particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds – to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). 

Interested in her work? Read Dr Imafidon’s book She’s In CTRL: How women can take back tech – to communicate, investigate, problem-solve, broker deals and protect themselves in a digital world.

In Film

 

Ladj Ly is an award-winning filmmaker whose work explores contemporary French society, identity and social justice. His critically acclaimed film Les Misérables sparked international conversations about inequality and life in France’s suburbs, demonstrating the power of storytelling to inspire dialogue and change.

In Education & Advocacy

 

Dr Peggy Piesche is a literary scholar, educator and activist whose work has helped bring Black German history and Afrodiasporic perspectives into mainstream academic and public discussions. Through research, writing and education, she continues to challenge historical narratives and expand conversations about identity, memory and belonging.

Spotlight: Kuumba – Flemish-African House

Based in Brussels, Kuumba – Flemish-African House is a cultural centre that brings African and Flemish communities together. Working with volunteers, artists and local organisations, Kuumba hosts exhibitions, concerts, workshops, language courses and community events that celebrate African cultures.

Want to learn more about Kuumba?

Explore their programmes, events and community initiatives on their official website: https://www.kuumba.be/en/

Call to Action

The future of Europe depends on all of us. Keep learning, keep asking questions and keep challenging the assumptions that shape how we see one another. Support Black creators and community organisations, amplify Black voices and don’t stay silent when you witness racism or discrimination. Real change happens when ordinary people choose not to look away.

Black history is European history, not only in the past, but in the present and the future. The stories we recognise, the voices we elevate and the actions we take today will shape the Europe of tomorrow.

Did You Know?

The African Union has designated the African diaspora as the continent’s “sixth region”, recognising the important role that people of African descent around the world play in shaping culture, knowledge, innovation and development.

Summary

• Black history is not only about the past, it continues to shape Europe’s present and future.
• Progress has been made through greater recognition of Black history, anti-racism initiatives and stronger community organisations.
• Racism, underrepresentation and the exclusion of Black histories from public memory remain important challenges.
• Black Europeans are making a difference in every field, from sport and science to film, education and community leadership.
• Building a more inclusive future requires all of us to keep learning, challenge bias, amplify Black voices and stand up against racism whenever we encounter it.

As we wrap up Black History Month, remember that history doesn’t end in October. Keep learning, keep listening and keep standing up for a more inclusive future.

With Love,

The Inclusivity Group.