Today’s blog for Black History Month 2025 was written by Nicole Abela, Community Development Officer at Abri.
I’m mixed race with Maltese and Nigerian parents. My dad is Nigerian and my sister is living in Lagos. Africa is such a beautiful continent and so rich with culture, diversity and history.
Black to me symbolises beauty, resilience and strength. I’m proud to be black African and of the history of black people rising from oppression, stronger every time. You can see that strength in so many cultures across the world, with black artists developing some of the most popular styles of music, including blues, jazz and even rock and roll. Yet many of the black artists did not get the recognition of being the creators, which is why I believe championing local black artists to ensure they get the recognition they deserve is so important.
Another area of pride for me is afro hair. It’s something I feel passionate about, and to me is one of the main expressions of self-love that starts from being a child. Growing up across different areas in Southampton at very influential ages, I was exposed to people who thought afro hair is unkept and messy, and I would be bullied by children and adults because of my hair and skin colour. Now, as an adult, these are things I wear and experiment with pride. No other hair type has the versatility of black hair, from natural afros and kinky curls, to locs, braids, twists and more. It’s something we can really get creative with.
When I think of allyship, I think about amplifying black voices, not diluting them. I found the Black Lives Matter movement to be a pivotal moment for me. It brought worldwide attention to the racism, discrimination and inequality that black people face every day. Being surrounded by people who were actively fighting against systemic racism and for empowering black people, magnifying our voices and struggles was powerful. But it also highlighted the people and organisations who chose to ignore the violences and injustices against black people across the world. I thought: ‘you enjoy black culture, but are not willing to stand up for our rights.’
Black Lives Matter does not mean other lives matter less, just that we should be treated with the same dignity and respect, and have access to the same justice as everyone else.
Lastly, I wanted to recommend some black content creators for you to check out:
- Mikel Ameen – creator of Cheza Roho, a practice that uses ancestral traditions to heal and meditate through dance
- @Eatsbywill – sharing African, Caribbean and South American vegan recipes
- @veganezer (Ebenezer Odeniyi) – a vegan chef creating inspiring recipes
Black History Month takes place every October and is a time to celebrate heritage, recognise resilience, and champion equality. At Abri, we want to make a meaningful contribution to improving inclusion and equality of opportunity for all our customers and colleagues.
Please take a moment this October to listen, learn and reflect on the experiences of black people, and think about how the small acts of understanding and allyship can make a big difference to individuals, and in our communities.
In a time that divisive and hateful language is becoming more common, join us in creating neighbourhoods where everyone feels respected and valued so together, we can make our communities stronger and more inclusive.