2 October 2024

Black History Month UK 2024 – Reclaiming Narratives 

The brilliant Black Brits of technology and development! 

 

October is special to the UK as our Black History Month, but do you know why it was chosen for this annual celebration?  

 

Well, firstly October is marked in every African calendar as the harvest period when the famous Yam Festivals are held. And as everyone across the African continent is celebrating, it’s no surprise that October also signals a period of tolerance and reconciliation, during which chiefs and leaders would traditionally gather to settle their differences.  

 

So, October became the UK’s Black History Month (BHM, for short) as an annual chance for Black Brits to reconnect with their cultural and political traditions. 

 

Each year has a different theme, and the one picked for 2024 is ‘Reclaiming Narratives’. 

 

The aim of Reclaiming Narratives is to correct inaccuracies about Black history and culture, by concentrating on genuine Black stories and history.  

 

The theme will also shine a spotlight on the known and untold success stories, while simultaneously illustrating the complexity of Black heritage.  

 

We really couldn’t say it better than the BHM UK organisation itself: 

 

“It’s about taking control of our stories and honouring our heroes while challenging the narratives that have often overlooked the contributions and achievements of Black individuals both in the UK and globally.” 

 

So, in honour of BHM UK 2024, mustard TD is taking a good look at how these brilliant British Black stars in the world of technology and mathematics have driven humanity’s success forwards.  

 

First off, here’s a rather pertinent observation by Ansel Wong, one of the founders of BHM UK: “Africa gave the world the calendar,” he says. “Our ancestors built the Pyramids, knowing about mathematics, architecture and astronomy.”  

 

In which case, our list has got to start with the World’s Most Interesting Mathematician, AKA Dr Nira Chamberlain. 

 

Nira is not only a mathematical modeller and a chartered scientist, who’s developed mathematical solutions for the defence, aerospace and energy industries, but he also writes mathematical models that solve complex problems.  

 

That may have been enough for most people, but not Nira – in 2014 he was named as one of the UK’s Leading Practising Scientists by the Science Council. But probably his most flattering accolade was winning the 2018 title of the World’s Most Interesting Mathematician in The Big Internet Math-Off. 

 

Nira is, of course, a mathematician of the moment, but what about the Black maths and tech pioneers of yore, who forged the pathways we still tread today? 

 

We’d like to introduce you to Mr John Blenkhorn, a pioneering Black engineer who made substantial contributions to telecoms. John was instrumental to the foundational pathway for today’s communications and computing.  

 

Way back in the early 20th century he was involved in the development of long-distance telecommunication networks and was recognised for his expertise in underground cable technology. His work contributed to the expansion and improvement of the UK’s telecommunication infrastructure. 

 

We’re now swinging back to modern times to take a good look at what Dr. Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE has been up to. As a computer scientist and entrepreneur, Anne-Marie is an inspiration to women around the world, but did you know that she’s also the youngest girl ever to pass A-level computing at just 11 years old? 

 

At age 20, she received her Master’s Degree in Mathematics and Computer Science from the University of Oxford, so it’s safe to say that few are her equal.  

 

Anne-Marie also founded Stemettes, an award-winning social enterprise working to engage, inform and connect the next generation of women and non-binary people into Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths (STEAM). 

 

These are just a few examples of British Black brilliance, but there are many more. Click here for a deep dive! 

 

Do you have tech talent by the bucket full? 

Great! Then give the magnificent team at mustardTD a call. We hear about all the best jobs in the tech industry before you’ve got out of bed in the morning, and we have the cream of candidates on our books too. We’re waiting to hear from you, so dial this number now: 0117 929 6060 

 


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