Black History Month is more than a date in the calendar. For nurses in the UK, it is a reminder of the legacy we inherit and the future we are shaping.

This year’s theme, “Standing Firm in Power and Pride,” challenges us all. Power in nursing is not about dominance - it is about influence, advocacy, and the quiet strength to demand justice. For Black nurses, it also means confronting bias, breaking barriers, and leading in spaces where representation is still too rare.

Pride is equally vital. To be proud is to stand unapologetically in your identity, heritage, and story. It is not a distraction from professionalism - it enriches it, strengthens teams and improves care.

But standing firm cannot be done alone. It requires solidarity. It requires colleagues and leaders to recognise inequality, challenge discrimination and create spaces where every nurse can thrive.

As we celebrate Black History Month, let us commit to more than remembrance. Let us commit to action: to equity, to representation, and to ensuring that the future of nursing reflects the diversity, strength and pride of all who serve within it.