Everyone has a story. Where we come from, the people who shaped us, the culture we grew up around and the experiences that have made us who we are.

Black History Month is an opportunity to find out more about people’s history. It is a time to learn about the people who have shaped history, celebrate achievements that deserve recognition and explore the stories that don’t always get told.

We spoke to Tari Fundira about what Black History Month means to him, why representation matters and how something as simple as asking a question can help bring people together.

Why Representation Matters

For many young people, seeing someone who looks like them achieving great things can make a real difference.That’s one of the reasons Black History Month remains so important.

Tari explained that sharing the stories and achievements of black people gives younger generations the opportunity to see what’s possible for themselves. Whether it’s in business, education, sport, the arts or another industry entirely, seeing people from similar backgrounds succeed can help raise aspirations and encourage young people to aim for more.

Starting a career, building confidence and working out where you want to go next can be challenging enough without feeling as though there are few examples of people like you in the spaces you’re trying to enter.

Learning about Black entrepreneurs, leaders, creatives and pioneers can help motivate young people. Stories like theirs can offer inspiration, highlight the barriers they’ve overcome and show how different paths to success can look. The more these stories are recognised and told, the more opportunities there are for the next generation to see themselves reflected in them.

Beyond the History Books

Black History Month isn’t only about looking back at the past, It’s also about recognising the contributions black people continue to make today. Black history includes the entrepreneurs building businesses, leading teams, influencing culture and the community leaders making a difference in people’s everyday lives.

Who are the Black leaders changing the way their sector operates? Which entrepreneurs are building something new? Whose work has influenced the way we live, work or think? Sometimes, the most interesting stories are the ones we haven’t come across yet.

It Starts With a Conversation

So, how can we celebrate Black History Month beyond reading about historical figures or attending an event? According to Tari, it can start with something as simple as asking a question.

“Everyone has a history that makes them who they are. So why don’t you just take the time and ask a friend about their history?”

It’s a simple idea, but one that can open the door to meaningful conversations. Taking the time to learn about someone’s journey can help us understand them a little better, while discovering things we might never have known otherwise.

Perhaps it’s learning about a tradition their family has celebrated for generations or hearing about the people who inspired them, discovering more about their heritage or understanding the journey that brought them to Manchester. These conversations can help us recognise the differences that make our communities interesting, while finding the experiences and values that connect us. This creates space for people to share their stories, and to listen without making assumptions.

Understanding one another starts with being willing to learn. This is something we can all take into our everyday lives, whether it’s with meeting new people, building friendships or getting to know colleagues at work.

The Stories We Should All Know

When asked who people should learn about this Black History Month, Tari highlights Nelson Mandela. A central figure in the fight against apartheid in South Africa, Mandela spent decades campaigning against racial oppression before becoming the country’s first Black president in 1994.

His story is a reminder of the people who challenged injustice and helped bring about lasting change. It also highlights why learning about the past matters when thinking about the society we want to build in the future.

There are countless people whose achievements have shaped industries and communities, many of whom don’t always receive the recognition they deserve. From campaigners and political leaders to scientists, writers, athletes and entrepreneurs, there’s so much more to discover.

Black History Month Is More Than a Month

For Tari and many others, Black History Month is a reminder of the voices that share history and the achievements of Black people across different industries. But it’s also a reminder that these stories deserve to be recognised throughout the year.

It’s easy to spend October celebrating Black history, sharing inspiring stories and recognising the people who have made a difference, only for those conversations to become less visible once the month passes, it is important to make sure this does not happen. 

That might mean learning about the people who helped shape your industry, celebrating the achievements of Black colleagues and leaders, supporting businesses or making more space for different perspectives in the workplace.It can also mean recognising that representation isn’t just about who we celebrate, but whose voices are heard and whose contributions are acknowledged.

Black History Month gives us an opportunity to start these conversations, but the effort to recognise and champion Black achievements should continue long after October.

Black History Month is an opportunity to pause, reflect and celebrate. But what we do with that opportunity matters just as much. Tari’s message is a reminder that history isn’t only something we read about in books. It’s something carried by the people around us, passed down through families, shared through conversations and kept alive by the stories we choose to tell.

So, take the time to learn something new. Explore Manchester’s Black history. Find out about a Black leader or pioneer whose story you haven’t heard before. Celebrate the achievements of Black people in your industry.

As Tari reminds us, we should continue to remember these people, share their stories and champion their achievements every day.