Amidst a storm with heavy rains, a stirring and evocative statute called the The Emancipation and Freedom Monument was recently unveiled in Richmond, Virginia. The artistic work commemorates the 150th anniversary of the US Emancipation Proclamation that proclaimed the freedom of slaves in the ten Confederate states still in rebellion during the US Civil War.

The work also features the names and stories of ten African American Virginians whose leadership for freedom, equality, and liberty is an example to persons around the world. The statue and the stories of these valiant characters prompt us to ask how we can globally build on the legacy.

October is Black History Month in Scotland and the UK. In the United States it is observed and celebrated in February. The UK observation was influenced by what the US had been doing for many years to observe such a month.

One of the principal architects of UK Black History Month was a Ghanaian named Akyaaba Addai-Sebo, who came to America for further education, and while in the US saw first-hand how Black History Month instilled pride in African-Americans. He also saw how the month advanced dialogue and helped a wider population better understand the obstacles faced by African-Americans.

Later, when working in London, he pulled from this experience and alongside many colleagues worked to bring a similar month to the UK. UK Black History Month was first celebrated in London in 1987, and then spread across the UK.

The American civil rights leader Rosa Parks once said, “Today’s mighty oak is yesterday’s nut that held its ground.” The branches and limbs of global society are still in need of growth when it comes to realising a world free of racism and sexism. Yet, it is a tree that has matured as a result of visionaries like Parks who nurtured that progress by standing firm for equality and justice. Our time has inherited that growth, and we are all needed in helping not just to protect the progress, but to help it stretch more widely and to arch higher.

Of the many roads we can take to empower minority communities in Scotland and the UK, three avenues are: to shepherd deeper public and private investments that support Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) owned businesses, to enhance mentor networks for minority professionals, and to expand funding for BME students to study at college and university.

Barrington Reeves, who founded the Black Scottish Business Fund, marshalled his talents to advance a vision. The fund is providing financial, business and emotional support to those from BME backgrounds who face unique obstacles.

Reeves saw that there was a lack of funding and depth of support for minority-owned businesses. He knew that such approaches existed in the US, and was passionate about addressing obstacles and breaking down barriers in Scotland.

There are additional networks and entities such as Black Professionals Scotland (BPS) founded by Enoch Adeyemi. BPS empowers and mentors Scottish-based BME professionals with skills development, supports students entering the workforce, and aids Scottish organisations with inclusion and diversity goals.

Then there is the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE-UK) which has an active chapter in Aberdeen. AFBE is motivating people of BME origin to make contributions in their communities with engineering as a platform. It’s essential to support and grow these initiatives and networks.

Another area for deeper support is education. Yekemi Otaru, who made history by recently being named Chancellor of the University of West Scotland, is inspirational on many levels. One part of her journey that she often speaks about is that her Nigerian father got an education, and that he made sure that her and her siblings received an education as well. Otaru’s talents and leadership abilities are now motivating many. It is essential that minority students have such role models, but they also need practical support that helps breakdown financial barriers to higher education.

Three visionary and inspiring women – Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi – founded the Black Lives Matter movement in the US. As the world upholds the values that produced and sustain the effort, we should also proclaim that ‘Black Leaders Matter.’

Black History Month in the UK offers time for celebration, reflection, and education. But the month and every month thereafter must be about furthering action, providing government and private funding, and implementing policies that nurture and build leaders. Today, we should pick up our tools and talents with an eye to serving, asking ourselves a clear question, what can I do? We then go out and contribute where we stand in the world, cultivating that arching and mighty oak.

Ian Houston is president of the Scottish Business Network in the US and SBN Ambassador in Washington, DC.

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