Black History Month 2025

Published: 01/10/2025

“Black History Month is a time to reflect, recognise, and celebrate the vital contributions of black anaesthetists to our specialty and to the NHS. This year’s theme, Standing Firm in Power and Pride, highlights the strength, resilience, and excellence of the black community, while reminding us of the importance of visibility and representation. 

I hope that this month sparks meaningful conversations across anaesthetic departments in the UK and beyond, and that it strengthens our collective resolve to build a more inclusive specialty where every member can thrive.” 
Dr Claire Shannon, President 

Our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion 

At the Royal College of Anaesthetists, we are committed to supporting our fellows, members, staff and patients from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities. Guided by our Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee, we strive to ensure that everyone feels valued, represented, and empowered. This work is rooted in our core values of justice, fairness and respect. 

Share your story 

Black History Month is an opportunity to amplify voices and share lived experiences. We invite our members to take part by sharing stories of pride, resilience, and achievement. 

  • If you would like to participate in a short interview to be published on our blog, please contact Rachel Yeager at ryeager@rcoa.ac.uk.
  • If you are posting on X, Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn about your own experience, or celebrating a friend or colleague, please tag @RCoANews so that we can share it more widely. 

Your stories help inspire and strengthen our community. 

Resources 

We have shared some of our relevant resources below. In addition, members may find the following useful: 

If you know of additional resources that could be added to our list, we would welcome your suggestions. 

Doctor

To Grow and Thrive Podcast
18 April 2024
In this episode of Anaesthesia on Air Dr Sekina Bakare hosts a discussion with Dr Desire Onwochei, Dr Sethina Watson and  Dr Daniel Olaiya on the experiences of Black Anaesthetists, managing microaggressions, promoting equity within anaesthetics, and anti-racist practices following the 'To Grow and Thrive' session at February Updates 2024.
Dr Rochelle Pierre smiles at the camera wearing dark blue scrubs and a light blue hair cap. She has on glasses with rimmed lenses and a bright smile.

The strength of our communities
18 January 2024
For Black History Month, Dr Rochelle Pierre spoke with our Media and Communications Officer Rachel Yeager, about the importance of community in empowering the individual.
Dr Thungo Kuwani is pictured looking into the camera while wearing glasses and a dark blue sweater.

Confidence and calm
29 November 2023
For Black History Month, Dr Thungo Kuwani spoke with our Media and Communications Officer Rachel Yeager, about confidence and calm as a black female anaesthetist.
Sethina (blog)

You can do amazing things
23 November 2023
For Black History Month, Dr Sethina Watson spoke with our Media and Communications Officer Rachel Yeager, about the importance of diverse role models, and ignoring doubters.
Photograph of Dr Felix Fombon wearing a suit against a pale background

Don't let your dream remain a dream
23 October 2023
For Black History Month, Dr Felix Fombon spoke with our Media and Communications Officer Rachel Yeager, about his life and career.
Dr Sekina Bakare

Being a minority of a minority
16 October 2023
For Black History Month, Dr Sekina Bakare spoke with our Media and Communications Officer Rachel Yeager, about why now is a great time to talk about issues that uniquely affect black women. 
Dr Sethina Watson speaking at Diplomates Presentation Sept 2023

Past, present and future
14 September 2023
Dr Sethina Watson gave the address at our Ceremony of Presentation of Diplomates on 8 September 2023. We share Sethina's inspirational words with gratitude.
GasReach Logo - Listing

GasReach
13 July 2023
GasReach is an exciting new collaborative project between the Widening Participation Medics Network (WPMN) and the Royal College of Anaesthetists which aims to increase diversity within anaesthesia.
Education, training and exams

Tackling disadvantage in medical education
7 March 2023
The GMC report on tackling disadvantage in medical education shows persistent inequalities in the progression of doctors in postgraduate medical training across the UK. In our response, our President and Chair of our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee set out the action we are taking.