Celebrating Black History Month 2022
Publication date: 30 September 2022
October is Black History Month.
Each year, Black History Month has a different theme and this year’s is Time for Change: Action Not Words.
This year’s Black History Month in October is more important than ever. It’s not just a month to celebrate the continued achievements and contributions of Black people to the UK and around the world. It’s also a time for continued action to tackle racism, reclaim Black history, and ensure Black history is represented and celebrated all year round.
The College is proud of our actions to promote equality in general practice as a profession. Our Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic GP Forum was set up in 2019 to address the racism and unacceptable treatment that GPs have experienced. We agreed a plan for 2020-23 with the Forum and are working hard on delivering these actions on race equity and inclusion.
The College also has an Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Steering Group that is co-chaired by both of us and is made up of a wide range of staff, Officers and members from Faculties across the College. This work aims to address prejudice and discrimination in all its forms.
Of course, Black History Month is a good opportunity to bring conversations on diversity to the fore. We are looking to facilitate these conversations with a programme of activity for members throughout the month. Alongside this our social media campaign will highlight inspirational figures from the past, changes happening in the present, and action we hope to see in the future.
Read more about the national campaign and use the hashtags #BHM22 and #shareblackstories to connect with us over the month.
In case you missed it...
Something to listen to
#TeamGP Perspectives on Women GPs beyond their intersections
Hear from women GPs about how intersectionality has been central to their lived experiences and why it matters for the future of general practice.
#TeamGP Perspectives on Black women in general practice
Join GPs from across the UK focusing on being a Black woman in general practice.
eLearning podcast - Dermatology: skin of colour
Dr Sally Higginbottom talks to Dr Morounkeji Ogunrinde about common and complex skin conditions in darker skin tones.
Look out for...
- Member stories across our Twitter with @TeamGP, Instagram with @royalcollegeofgps, and Facebook
- Virtual Sunday Bookclub 2022 on Instagram: Sharing thoughts and reflections on Black writing, and live conversations with authors
- Sunday 2 October: 'Born a Crime' by Trevor Noah, 'The Story of Afro Hair' by Kandace Chimbiri, in conversation with Kandace Chimbiri and Jody Burton, co-author of 'Black London'
- Listening exercise for International Medical Graduates in Northern Ireland, Friday 7 October, 13:00 to 14:00
- Protecting the Crown: health and heritage of black hair and skin
- #RCGPLive: EDI Two Years On
- #TeamGP Perspectives on Black male doctors' experiences
Get involved
Talk to us
In keeping with this year's theme of 'Time for change: Action not words', tell us what change you want to see not only from society but also from general practice.
Advocate for change
Become a Champion for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in your Faculty.
Join the conversation
About the writers
Valerie Vaughan-Dick, Chief Operating Officer
Dr Vaughan-Dick (PhD) has worked at a senior level in the public, private and voluntary sectors. Valerie joined the RCGP as the Executive Director, Planning and Resources in September 2014 and her directorate covered Finance, Human Resources, IT, Facilities and Estates, Procurement and the Programmes Office.
Professor Martin Marshall, Chair of Council
Martin Marshall is a GP in Newham East London and Professor of Healthcare Improvement at UCL, Programme Director for Primary Care at UCLP Partners. He leads Improvement Science London, an initiative to promote and embed the science of improvement across the health service and academic sectors. He is immediate past Vice Chair (External Affairs) of the RCGP.
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