Celebrating Black History Month 2025
Throughout October, Westminster Adult Education Service (WAES) is celebrating Black History Month 2025 with the national theme: “Standing Firm in Power and Pride.” This year’s theme recognises the strength, resilience, and influence of the Black community, honouring pioneers and changemakers past and present, while inspiring continued unity and progress.
As part of this year’s campaign, WAES created powerful visual displays throughout its centres. Posters featuring WAES staff members showcased their roles, career journeys, proudest achievements, and inspirational figures. These displays were more than decorations, they served as learning tools.
Tutors across our centres are actively embedding the posters into classroom activities, sparking rich discussions and meaningful learning experiences. By bringing real-life stories and role models into lessons, staff helped learners connect more deeply with the values and history behind Black History Month.
The WAES Learner Hub also included quotes from WAES staff on the challenges they’ve overcome and the wisdom that’s guided them, as well as book, film, and music recommendations and details of Black History Month events taking place across London.
“Being undermined, labelled and put in a box based on people’s stereotypes and biases. For me, like most women of colour, it’s a double whammy – racial and gender stereotypes interplay depending on the situation. What I like to do is prove anyone who has underestimated me wrong, that has required me to sometimes work twice as hard as my peers, have a thick skin, never giving up and being unapologetic for who I am. It’s also meant that I can empathise with individuals who face similar challenges and provide some practical support and advice.” – WAES Principal, Arinola Edeh CBE
“One of my greatest challenges was starting over after migrating to the UK in my late twenties. I had to retrain and reinvent myself professionally which was not easy, but it taught me resilience and adaptability. By committing to further study, gaining Chartered CIPD status and embracing new opportunities, I was able to transition from Architecture to Human Resources. Over time, I was able to carve a fulfilling career path.” – WAES Head of Human Resources, Shade Soyinka
WAES is proud to stand with the Black community not only in remembrance, but in action. By celebrating identity, empowering voices, and embedding these values in education, we move closer to a future where everyone is seen, heard, and valued.
