What is Black History Month?
Black History Month takes place every October in the UK as a way of celebrating the work of Black people throughout history.
The theme for 2026 is 'Honouring our communities'. This year's theme presents the opportunity to celebrate Black representation within the profession and to demonstrate how dietetic practice is serving Black communities. We'd love to hear what this year's theme means to you. If you'd like to share comments with us, you can contact us on email at [email protected] throughout the month.
Reflecting on this year's theme, David Simms, on behalf of the BDA EDI Committee, commented "This Black History Month, we celebrate the contributions, achievements, histories and lived experiences of Black communities and the ways these continue to shape our profession and wider society.
"The theme 'honouring our communities' invites us to recognise the strength, knowledge and diversity within our communities, while continuing to listen, learn and challenge the barriers that affect people’s opportunities and experiences. Within dietetics, this means recognising and valuing the diverse cultures, experiences and perspectives of dietetic colleagues, students and the communities we serve.
"As the British Dietetic Association EDI Committee, we are committed to supporting a dietetic profession where Black members of the dietetic workforce, students and colleagues feel valued, represented and able to thrive, and where the diversity of the communities we serve is reflected and respected in our profession and practice."
Representation in the dietetic workforce matters. According to our latest EDI data*, 4.3% of members identify as Black British of Caribbean, African or another Black origin, or as having mixed ethnic heritage including African or Caribbean heritage.
While representation has increased in recent years, there is still work to do to ensure the profession better reflects the diverse communities it serves.
*This is the data collected from members in the MyBDA area of the website. Some members may have chosen not to share this information with us.
How can members show support this Black History Month?
Throughout the month, we'll be sharing some content on social media that you can follow and engage with. However, check out some key dates for your diary below:
- On 16 October, stand firm and united against racism by taking part in Wear Red Day, a campaign by Show Racism the Red Card. Wear red in your workplace to show your support and to push anti-racism into the centre of conversations. Learn more about the campaign and register your involvement on Show Racism the Red Card's website.
- Read a blog by Philippa Allison Russell, a weight management and bariatric dietitian, who discusses her journey into dietetics and the value of representation in healthcare delivery.
Education
As a dietetic workforce, we are proud to deliver values-based care - acting with integrity, self-management and self-awareness. The BDA Curriculum 2020 outlines the expectations.
With reference to behaviours and values, the workforce must have the ability to demonstrate a critical, integrated and applied understanding of professionalism, with the ability to:
- Act with integrity in all aspects of behaviour and practice.
- Act in accordance with current legislation applicable to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
- Deliver values-based care; acting with integrity, self-management and self-awareness.
- Take an objective approach to meeting people's needs at all times, irrespective of personal beliefs and values.
- Discuss openly what constitutes professional behaviour, actively contributing to ongoing debate, sharing ideas whilst respecting the views of others.
- Act in a manner consistent with the values and priorities of the organisation and profession.
And in terms of knowledge, the workforce must have an understanding of:
- The role of dietetics in public health and public health nutrition.
- How social organisation including inclusion, exclusion, health inequalities, social injustice, social inequality and different cultural belief systems impact on health and disease.
- Broad knowledge and understanding of the roles of dietetics within the health and social care sector, third sector and industry.
- The legislation applicable to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and the important role registrants play in challenging discrimination and ensuring EDI is respected in the workplace.
Trade union support
Whilst Black History Month is a celebration of Black communities and their contributions and achievements throughout time, there is another important message underpinning the month. Many people across the world still face racism in their day to day lives.
The BDA Trade Union represents and supports members when things are not fair or equal and campaigns to protect and enhance protections for all workers. In light of events in recent weeks, the need for support has never been more evident.
As a trade union that is part of the TUC, we wanted to share some of their useful resources with our BDA Trade Union Reps. On the TUC website, you'll find supporting materials on topics such as:
- Equality Law
- Tackling racism in the workplace
- Handling difficult conversations
As always, if you have any concerns, please contact your BDA Trade Union Rep in your workplace. If you aren't sure who it is, please email [email protected].
Become a BDA Equality Rep
Are you passionate about equality and inclusivity in your workplace and union? Become an equality rep!
We're looking for BDA members who want to help create environments at work and within their union where both dietitians and patients feel included, safe and free from discrimination.
That's why at the BDA, we are prioritising the recruitment of equality reps, who, under the upcoming employment rights bill, will now get paid time off to fulfil their equality rep role.
As a BDA Equality Rep, you can:
- Help to promote equality, diversity and inclusion in your workplace - as a BDA Equality Rep, you'll receive training that will enable you to advise on equality issues to create a fair and safe environment, for both colleagues and patients.
- Shape and influence your workplace's strategic agenda on issues, such as menopause, the gender pay gap and the ethnicity pay gap - as a BDA Equality Rep, you'll play an essential role in ensuring that your employer addresses gender, race, disability and LGBT+ related issues, which will be required under the new employment rights bill.
- Ensure that the dietetic workforce reflects the diverse communities that the profession serves - by getting involved now, you can be part of building the networks that will embed equality, diversity and inclusion in dietetics and the BDA.
If you are interested in becoming a BDA Equality Rep or would like further information, please contact [email protected].