The truth is when it comes to Black History Month, there is always a little bit of awkwardness within the team. It can often feel like for many, October is a temporary change of state for some when they realise those of us with a deeper and darker skin tone exist.

This year when thinking about what did we want to say during Black History Month - did we want to do a huge event, do a content series or work with partners and collaborators we have and haven’t worked with for- the answer was yes. However, circumstances beyond our control meant that the plans we had have been scrapped. Yet despite this, Jendella Benson said: “October is business as usual for Black Ballad.”

It was the reminder I needed that while Black History Month is important and while there should always be the option for Black Ballad to push the limits of what we can do, Black History like all history is made up of consistent moments. Black Ballad has consistently documented this history and making history ourselves in some ways is more aligned with how we should see Black History in the first place. It is an ever evolving nonlinear line of big and small moments of our individual identities coming together to create our beautiful collective culture.