Black History Month 2025

Celebrating Black History at LSE

This year's theme for Black History Month is “Standing Firm in Power and Pride,” a powerful tribute to the resilience, strength, and unwavering commitment to progress that defines the Black community across the globe.

History has shown us that courage can be contagious, and hope can take on a life of its own.

Michelle Obama

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.

The theme focuses on two core values: power and pride.

Power represents the influence, leadership, and capacity to effect positive change. It acknowledges the visionaries who have led political, civil rights, and social movements, as well as those who have broken barriers in business, education, and the arts. Their legacies remind us that true power is not about titles but about the collective strength, courage, and unity used to forge a more equitable future for all.

Pride reflects cultural identity, heritage, and the celebration of Black excellence. From the art and music to the stories passed through generations, pride is the heartbeat of Black communities worldwide. It’s about knowing where we come from, embracing our history, and walking boldly into the future without compromise or apology. Pride is a declaration of the beauty, the resilience, and the unmatched contributions of Black culture to the world.

This year’s theme is not only about remembrance but a call to action. It invites individuals and communities to stand firm in their power with pride and to actively shape a world where Black voices are heard, valued, and celebrated. Black History Month 2025 will challenge us to break down barriers, continue pushing for progress, own our spaces and walk confidently into the future.

Join us in honouring Black history, recognising the visionaries, and working together to build a brighter future. Black History Month 2025 will be a celebration of power and pride, inviting everyone to stand firm in both and continue the work of shaping an inclusive world.

Upcoming events hosted by LSE EmbRace 

Wednesday 8 October | Wellbeing Fair: LSE Wellbeing Talk 

EmbRace presents a Wellbeing Fair for Black History Month, putting a spotlight on self-care as a form of resilience. To kick things off, Lucy Mu, LSE’s Staff Disability & Mental Health Adviser, offers a relaxed lunchtime talk, held online, on how we can nurture our wellbeing and make the most of the support available at LSE.

When: Wednesday 8 October 2025, 12.30 - 1.30pm
Where: Online (Zoom)

This is an LSE Staff only event.

Sign up here.

Thursday 16 October | A Fireside Chat with Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman

Anna Gifty 200x200

Embrace and Power are delighted to welcome Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman an award-winning Ghanaian-American researcher, writer and doctoral student at Harvard Kennedy School.

Anna is the author of The Black Agenda: Bold Solutions for a Broken System, the first trade publication to exclusively feature Black scholars and experts across economics, education, health, climate, criminal justice, and technology.

Her upcoming book, The Double Tax, explores the costs women face and shows why the bill runs higher for women of colour. It will be published by Penguin/Portfolio on September 16, 2025. Anna’s work has been featured in TIMEBloombergNPR, and The New York Times, and she is the youngest recipient of the CEDAW Women’s Rights Award—an honour previously awarded to Vice President Kamala Harris.

This event is open to all LSE staff and Students, whether or not you’ve read the book. Come along to hear Anna’s insights, join the conversation, and connect with colleagues over refreshments.

When: Thursday 16 October 2025, 12.00 - 2.00pm
Where: Vera Anstey room, Old Building

Register your attendance here.

 

Tuesday 28 October | Wellbeing Fair: Morning Meditation

EmbRace presents a Wellbeing Fair for Black History Month, putting a spotlight on self-care as a form of resilience. Join LSESU’s Avinash Mandalia for a morning meditation session to start your day with clarity and calm. The session will be held online, so you can participate from wherever you feel most comfortable.

When: Tuesday 28 October 2025, 12.00 - 1.00pm
Where: Online (Zoom)

This is for both LSE Staff and Students

Sign up here.

Wednesday 29 October | Wellbeing Fair: Acupuncture sessions

EmbRace presents a Wellbeing Fair for Black History Month, putting a spotlight on self-care as a form of resilience. As part of our Wellbeing Fair, we are offering 2 x 30-minute group auricular acupuncture sessions at the LSE Treatment Clinic, led by Panilla Marott. Clinically supported to reduce stress, ease tension, and promote relaxation, these sessions are a perfect way to pause, refresh, and support your overall health. Note that each session is limited to 5 staff members and offered on a first-come, first-served basis for ethnic minority staff and EmbRace members. Please use the link below to request your place.

Hosted by Panilla Marott - LSE Treatment Clinic Acupuncturist

When: Wednesday 29 October 2025, 11.30am-12.00pm & 12.00-12.30pm
Where: LSE Treatment Clinic

This is open to LSE Staff only.

Sign up here.

Wednesday 5 November | Wellbeing Fair: Hobby Hour

EmbRace presents a Wellbeing Fair for Black History Month, putting a spotlight on self-care as a form of resilience. Join our Hobby Hour, and discover the passions of our LSE community as colleagues give a relaxed, lunchtime talk about their favourite hobbies and interests. If you’d like to volunteer to speak at our Hobby Hour, please send us an email at embrace@lse.ac.uk and we’ll help with the rest! 

When: Wednesday 5 November 2025, 12.30 - 1.30pm
Where: Hybrid: online Zoom or in-person at the Hall-Carpenter Room, SAW.3.02

This is for both LSE Staff and Students

Sign up here.

Ongoing events through October and beyond

LSE Yoga
Wednesday mornings, 8.30-9.30am
Saw Swee Hock Building, Desert Room, Faith Centre
Sign up here.

EmbRace x Power walks
LSE staff networks EmbRace and Power are launching a new series of weekly circular walks near campus – each week, we’ll meet at a different time (morning, lunchtime, or after work) to make it easier for everyone to take part.
Sign up for the first walk here.
Join the Weekly Walks Teams Group for updates on times and routes

Discounts and offers throughout October for the EmbRace community  

Get access to LSESU Gym

We’re offering 10 x voucher cards for access to the SU Gym between October and December 2025.

If you're interested, please email su.gym@lse.ac.uk to have your name added to their system. Once registered, you can collect your voucher card from the SU Gym on Level 4 of the SAW building.

Please note:

  • Only one voucher card per person 
  • Each voucher card allows you 10 visits to the gym 
  • Distributed on a first-come, first-served basis

LSE Treatment Clinic – 50% Off Vouchers Available

We have 12 vouchers available for 50% off the staff price at the LSE Treatment Clinic:

  • 4 for acupuncture 
  • 4 for osteopathy
  • 4 for massage

 

To request a voucher, email embrace@lse.ac.uk

Please note:

  • Limit of one voucher per person 
  • Vouchers will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis

For more information on services and pricing, visit the LSE Treatment Clinic website