Independent Media marks Black History Month

Independent Media has announced a series of initiatives across The Independent and Seasoned to recognise Black History Month 2024. The publisher says both brands will run special features and activity throughout October, aiming to inspire, celebrate and make change happen.

Seasoned

Throughout October, in-depth features and exclusive interviews will run across Seasoned, a content channel dedicated to amplifying Black British voices. Seasoned will spotlight Black excellence in various sectors including arts, business, culture and politics. The publisher says there will be a special focus on individuals and groups driving positive change in the UK:

• The Seasoned Sessions podcast will feature special guests including chef Kiano Moju and Nadine White.
• The award-winning Blackxellence series, which highlights Black individuals uplifting their communities, will release two new episodes to coincide with Black History Month. The first episode is with Danielle David, co-founder of Kromanti Rum, and the second will feature Jackson McClarty, founder of Black Eats LDN, who aims to reshape the perception of Black food across the UK.
• A new video series, Out of Office with Kim, also launches this October. Hosted by creator Kimberley Cumberbatch, it will air interviews with a range of guests from diverse career paths. Guests include sex and relationships expert Paul C. Brunson (Married at First Sight), chart-topping musician Cat Burns, and fashion designer and ex-Love Island star Dami Hope.

The Independent

Together with editorial led by The Independent’s Race Correspondent Nadine White, the news brand says it is launching a month-long experiential activation. From 3 October, The Independent will present a powerful Black History Month exhibition, Black History in Focus, in partnership with Outernet London; one of the most visited cultural attractions in the UK. The free exhibition will appear on Outernet’s screens and marks the third collaboration between The Independent and Outernet, following previous acclaimed activations for International Women’s Day and Pride.

In response to this year’s Black History Month theme, ‘Reclaiming Narratives’, the gallery will showcase archival photographs and news clippings from The Independent’s extensive library — some publicly displayed for the first time. The exhibition also includes a narration by Nadine White, who will read from her piece “Why celebrate Black History Month? Perhaps ask yourself, why not?” QR codes will be placed next to select articles, allowing visitors to interact with the gallery and read in full online, added The Independent.

The Independent X Seasoned X UK Black Comms Network

To close the month, The Independent and Seasoned say they will come together with the UK Black Comms Network to hold a celebration lunch event in London for invited guests. Speakers will discuss what ‘Reclaiming Narratives’ means to them, with attendees’ thoughts on the subject published on the brands’ channels. It is the third year that the UK Black Comms Network — which was founded to increase the number and seniority of Black professionals in the UK PR industry — and The Independent have marked Black History Month together.

Nadine White, The Independent’s race correspondent, commented: "Black History Month is a special time in the calendar. The Independent's coverage reflects the significance of highlighting Black experiences and achievements."

Ada Enechi, head of culture at Seasoned, remarked “Seasoned celebrates Black stories and individuals every day of the year, but in Black History Month these stories get a chance to shine a little bit brighter. We're excited to celebrate the month alongside The Independent this year by launching brand-new shows and community-lifting events.”

Jessica Dracup-Holland, CMO of Outernet, said: "Our collaboration with The Independent for Black History Month at Outernet is something we're incredibly proud of, and we're thrilled to partner with them once again to celebrate another key cultural calendar moment. Beyond this initiative, we're excited to be working with a diverse range of clients and artists, using our platform to support authentic and diverse storytelling around Black history. Together, we're amplifying voices and celebrating diverse cultures in a way that resonates with our audiences."

Added Amy Smirk, library and distributions executive at The Independent: “This October, The Independent archive is proud to bring you another exclusive digital exhibition at Outernet, showcasing the powerful stories of changemakers and a broad celebration of the vastness of the Black experience, inclusive of the joys and the struggles, to the creative expansion of our collective culture in Britain.

“We have been privileged to document some of this history and are thrilled to incorporate an interactive and educational element into this exhibition. We hope the audience will enjoy discovering the first-hand accounts and changing narratives through this exploration of our imagery and journalism.”

Kamiqua Lake, founder, UK Black Comms Network, said: "This year's BHM theme, 'Reclaiming Narratives', serves as a call to action to the marketing, advertising, PR and media industries who play a crucial role in appropriately representing Black experiences in the UK and beyond. We are thrilled to partner with The Independent and Seasoned to recognise trailblazing leaders and to ensure Black stories, in all their colour and shade, are seen, heard and remembered."

Black History Month was founded in the UK in 1987 to raise awareness of anti-Black racism and empower people to end it; and celebrate the contributions of British people with African and Caribbean heritage. Black History Month is an important moment in continuing to highlight the progress made — and the work which still needs to be done — in achieving racial equality.