What is Black History Month?

The history of Black communities has often been misrepresented, oversimplified, or entirely overlooked. Black History Month is an opportunity to celebrate the heritage of Black history, work together to address racism and use our platform to reclaim the narrative around race and homelessness.  

Race and homelessness

Poverty, racism in housing, unemployment, and systemic biases in school and child welfare systems disproportionately affect young Black people. This often results in homelessness. At EveryYouth, we know that young Black individuals are disproportionately represented in our services. Over 10% of the young people we support are Black, despite Black people comprising only 4% of the population in England and Wales, according to the 2021 Census.   

Sector research has also found that Black people are three times more likely to experience homelessness than their white counterparts (Heriot-Watt University, 2022). This highlights the unique challenges or circumstances that can lead young Black people to seek support at a higher rate than their non-Black counterparts. 

EveryYouth reclaiming narratives 

At EveryYouth, we are using this month to reflect on how we can more effectively remove injustices and ensure fair and just treatment for all young Black people. 

EveryYouth’s CEO, Nick Connolly: “Homelessness is a function of poverty, but the statistics make plain the staggering inequalities that blight our society.  More Black children become homeless young people and adults because; they are more likely to be removed from mainstream schools, they are more likely to be removed from their parents, they are more likely judged to have mental illness, and more likely to be imprisoned. These facts are old news and cannot be acceptable.” 

EveryYouth is committed to platforming representative voices of young people, challenging societal perceptions and proving that with the proper support at the right time, young people can overcome almost any barriers. We’re proud to provide a platform for young people, especially young Black people, to showcase their talents and potential and break down the stereotypes that surround them.   

What can you do to help:

• Attend Sleep Out to show that there is a community where everyone is empowered to come together and make a difference in the lives of vulnerable young people.  

• Donate to EveryYouth to help us continue our work of providing every young person with a safe space.  

• Share shining stories, like Sallie’s, to help amplify their voices within your network. 

Organisations that support young Black people

This Black History Month, we want to celebrate the work of some excellent organisations working to improve the lives and futures of young Black people in the UK:  

• Access UK – an organisation that provides employment and training opportunities for young BME (Black Minority Ethnic) people to achieve their potential. Their community-based services help improve the education and employability of BME people across the UK.  

• Amos Bursary – an organisation that supports and empowers young people of African and Caribbean heritage to achieve their academic and professional ambitions.  

• BALM (Black Learning Achievement and Mental Health) – a not-for-profit organisation that provides education and mental health support to young Black people.  

• Black Minds Matter – an organisation with the mission to connect Black individuals and families with free mental health services and remove the stigma surrounding mental health in the community.  

• Colours Youth Network – an organisation that uplifts, empowers and supports young people of colour who are LGBTQI+ aged 16-25 to explore and celebrate who they are through meaningful connections to other young people and a team of experienced youth workers. 

• Sistah Space – a community-based non-profit initiative created to bridge the gap in domestic abuse services for African heritage women and girls.  

• Stephen Lawrence Day Foundation – an organisation providing marginalised young people mentoring, coaching, work experience opportunities, and bursaries for education and training to create a more equitable and inclusive society in the UK. 

• Show Racism the Red Card – a campaign that produces educational resources to challenge misconceptions, stereotypes and negative attitudes in society and delivers educational workshops to young people and adults in schools, workplaces and at events held in football stadiums.  

Please show these organisations your support this month. We are all responsible for making the UK a more equitable society and everyone at EveryYouth is committed to that objective.