Black History Month 2026: Honouring Our Communities
Celebrating Black History Month 2026
October marks Black History Month in the UK, and this year’s theme, ‘Honouring our Communities’, celebrates the people and cultures that shape our lives and industries.
It’s been another busy year here at Neg Earth, lighting stages and supporting productions for a wide range of incredible clients. Black British music and culture continue to have a significant influence on the live events industry, with genres such as grime, drill, UK garage and Afrobeats all rooted in African and diasporic communities. These genres have helped shape the UK’s rich and diverse musical landscape and continue to play an important role in live music today.
Supporting Black British Talent
Over the years, we’ve had the pleasure of working with some incredibly talented Black British Artists, including Stormzy, Dave, and Craig David. This year, we were proud to support Dave on his ‘The Boy Who Played the Harp’ tour, helping bring his powerful live production to audiences across the UK.
The theme of community strongly resonates with us at Neg Earth. Whether it’s our colleagues, clients, industry partners, or the local organisations we work alongside, we know that strong communities help us grow and succeed together.
Bringing Our Community Together
To mark Black History Month, we brought members of our community together over a delicious lunch in our canteen. As a company full of foodies, sharing great food felt like the perfect way to connect. We welcomed Erica from Reeka’s Kitchen, who prepared a delicious selection of African and Caribbean dishes for everyone to enjoy.
We were also pleased to welcome guests from Garden Studios and Bloom Skills Employment to join us in celebrating the communities that support and inspire us. Bloom Skills Employment provides bespoke support to help individuals identify and overcome barriers to employment and connect people with opportunities. The lunch gave everyone the chance to share stories and reflect on the people who have made a positive impact on their lives and careers.
Creating Opportunities for the Next Generation
Our commitment to supporting communities extends beyond a single event. Through our alliance with ABEP, an organisation representing Black professionals, businesses, and suppliers across the events industry, we are working to create more access and opportunities for future talent. We are launching a Student Experience Day with ABEP, providing young people with valuable industry exposure and hands-on experience into the many career paths available within live events. By helping the next generation gain their first experience of the industry, we hope to inspire future talent and support them in taking their first steps through the door.
Honouring Those Who Inspire Us
Alongside the lunch, everyone was invited to write down the names and stories of people who inspire them, or who have played an important role in their personal or professional journeys. These reflections were added to a communal bulletin board, creating a lasting reminder of the individuals and communities that continue to motivate us every day. We are grateful to everyone who joined us and helped make the occasion so meaningful.
Curious to see how we supported Dave’s The Boy Who Played the Harp tour?
Discover the project here: https://negearth.co.uk/our-clients/
Celebrating community has always been important to us.
Read about last year’s Black History Month celebrations here: https://negearth.co.uk/black-history-month-spotlight-neg-earth-celebrates-with-new-partner/
Think Neg Earth could be the next step in your career?
Take a look at our current vacancies and learn more about life at Neg Earth: https://negearth.co.uk/negearthcareers/
