Black History Month is an opportunity to celebrate the incredible mark and lasting impression that Black heritage, identities, and culture have made, shaping both our present and our future.

At Fight for Peace to honour this month, we are continuing what is fast becoming a new tradition: to build a collection of Black literature at our Academy in east London. A library that embraces and preserves fierce chapters, delicate stories and sincere words. 

Our shelves already pay tribute to Black legends from near and far; from the brave words of Maya Angelou to the revolutionary prose of Akala, from tales of sacrifice by the Windrush generation, to the tuned lyrical wit of the late poet, Gboyega Odubanjo. 

This year, we’re excited to expand this collection further with the likes of John Agard’s playful poems, to former Fight for Peace team member Jacob Whittingham’s remarkable book titled ‘What Being Black Is, And What Being Black Isn’t’. The collection is also enriched by brilliant authors and poets like Rhael ‘LionHeart’ Cape, Anthony Joseph, Shane McCrae, and P James Oliver and his biography of Mansa Musa. This is history, identity, and culture captured and immortalised within these precious pages.

This collection is open to all – young people, parents, volunteers, staff, and visitors – to take a pause and reflect on the triumphant legacy of Black History. 

It also directly embodies Fight for Peace’s value of Embracing, where we believe in a society without exclusion, and where the stories and histories of all people must be seen, heard, and celebrated. This literature brings vital Black voices and experiences from the margins into the centre, reflecting how a shared historical narrative is an essential part of the story we tell here.

The theme of this year’s Black History Month is “Standing Firm in Power and Pride,” which speaks to the global contributions of Black communities throughout history, while inspiring a future of greater empowerment and unity.

In the spirit of this theme, our incredible women-only personal development group – the Lutadoras (which translates as women fighters in Portuguese) – created personal and meaningful pieces of artwork that powerfully express their connection to Black History Month.

Woven throughout this artwork, alongside the faces of Black models, indigenous strength and pop culture moments, is a compelling collection of words, voices, and poems. Phrases like ‘I’m Black every month,’ ‘Black history is beautiful history,’ and ‘our history, our pride, our power’ form a loud, thoughtful, and proud chorus. In these pieces, the inspiring spirit of Black History Month is clear, it speaks to identity and a history that truly stands firm in power and pride.

It is the combination of Black literature and artwork brought together through creativity and fierce prose that make Black History Month a defining moment at Fight for Peace. While we embrace Black History Month, we are committed to raising awareness of these vital histories and stories throughout the year, and offering a safe space for any young person to engage, ask questions, and learn more. 

At Fight for Peace, we honour this legacy by ensuring this history is valued, remembered, and celebrated so its power continues to inspire our community and define the inclusive future we are fighting for.

If you’re interested in joining the Lutadoras or Man Talk, our men-only personal development group, these sessions are brilliant places to have conversations regarding experience and identity in a supported and safe environment. Facilitated by our incredible team of youth workers, the Lutadoras run from 5:30pm to 9pm every Thursday, while Man Talk runs 5:30pm to 7pm every Wednesday.