Black History Month
Standing firm in power and pride
This theme for Black History Month (BHM) 2025 is 'Standing firm in power and pride'.
This year, the theme highlights the profound contributions made by Black people, be they leaders, activists or pioneers who have shaped history, while also looking towards a future of continued empowerment, unity and growth.
Black History Month is a brilliant time to talk about Black culture and heritage with your group, celebrate and educate on the history and historical inaccuracies of Black history and make sure everyone knows that Black history is a part of history that can (and should) be learned about all year round.
Why Black History Month matters to occupational therapy
Power
Power in occupational therapy means recognising and challenging the systemic inequalities that shape access to care, career progression and leadership opportunities in our profession – especially for Black professionals and service users. Let's use Black History Month to reflect on how power operates in health and social care and to amplify the voices and contributions of Black occupational therapists who are often underrepresented in decision-making spaces. By acknowledging this imbalance, our profession can take active steps to dismantle barriers and build more inclusive networks, leadership pipelines and services that truly reflect the communities we serve.
Pride
Pride is about celebrating the rich heritage, resilience and achievements of Black occupational therapists – past and present. It’s a time to honour the cultural knowledge and lived experiences that strengthen our profession and improve the care we provide. In the NHS, in social care, in independent practice and beyond, Black History Month is a chance to spotlight role models, foster meaningful connections and inspire the next generation of leaders. Pride fuels belonging – and when practitioners feel seen and valued, the whole system benefits.
What are we doing this year?
Our hero ‘O’
As we do every year to mark this month, we'll be changing the ‘O’ in our RCOT logo for this month to show solidarity with our Black members, colleagues and people everywhere.
Using a design celebrating the colours red, green, gold and black – colours with significant meaning, used widely to denote BHM.
The ‘O’ in our logo represents our identity as an organisation as well as ‘occupation’. We wouldn’t be here without the Black people who have significantly contributed to our profession.
Your member logo
For the first time ever, we’re able to provide members with a Black History Month version of the Member of RCOT (MRCOT) logo!
Add it to your digital platforms, celebrate in your signatures or wave it at an event near you!
Spotlighting the voices, stories and contributions of Black occupational therapists
OTnews
This year, we’re featuring a significant number of articles in October’s OTnews – written by members and non-members from across the world of OT.
You’ll also be able to read several blogs about people’s experiences working as Black occupational therapists, and personal stories on our website across the month.
Thank you to our members for their contributions, we’re excited to share them with the wider RCOT membership.
To read last year's October edition, you can visit OTnews (members only).
Internally
Our internal Ethnos colleague network continues to grow, and support colleagues from historically marginalised and racialised groups, we’re grateful for its presence and proud of the work it’s doing.
They’ve been working hard with colleagues from across our organisation to create a internal podcast series with Black colleagues that captures their experiences.
Black History Month is every month; this one is just marked in the calendar.
Ketan Davé, Equity, Diversity and Belonging Lead
What you can do
Read and share
If you’re looking for a place to start making a profound and positive impact, you may want to read Savania China's, Head of Inclusion and Involvement, new blog – Six ways to be inclusive.
You may also want to read:
- The inner strength of excellence that unlocks our potential from 2024
- The Story of Black History Month
- The colours of Black History Month
Join the conversation
Members can head over to the RCOT Communities platform to start conversations, share interesting resources, promote great research and celebrate BHM. Find connection and insights in our brand new BAME network.
Be a critical friend
You could join the Caribbean Network of Occupational Therapists by contacting Dr Blaine Robin via b.robin@leedsbeckett.ac.uk.
Or, join B.A.M.E. OTUK. You can visit their X (formerly Twitter) profile, which is frequently updated on activities and actions.
Challenge your own biases
Explore our Equity, Diversity and Belonging toolkit. This first toolkit focuses on critical self-awareness and will help you build insight into your own biases and guide you in overcoming them.
Show your support
However you recognise BHM, show your colours this October. Whether it’s updating your email signature, wearing a pin badge or simply starting a conversation – engagement matters.
We’d love to see our members sharing Black history across the world of OT. If you attend a local event, hold a talk at work or snap a photo of something you’re reading – share it on social media and tag us alongside the #BHM.
Our commitment to equity, diversity and belonging
We know that real change takes action. That’s why equity, diversity and belonging are core to our strategy, our leadership and our work with members. We're listening, learning and working together to create a profession where every person feels seen, valued and safe.
Check out our Equity, diversity and belonging strategy and action plan.
We want to thank the members of BAME OTUK, the BAME Expert Advisory Group, the Ethnos Colleague Network and all RCOT members who have worked with us to help make our work more equitable and accessible over the last few years.