Standing Firm with Power and Pride
A Legacy of Global Black Excellence
Black History Month is a time to honour the resilience, brilliance, and unwavering spirit of people of African and Caribbean descent. The 2025 theme, “Standing Firm with Power and Pride,” invites us to reflect on those who have not only resisted oppression but redefined what it means to lead with dignity and purpose. Across continents and generations, some remarkable individuals stand out as beacons of this legacy.
Haile Selassie I - Former Emperor of Ethiopia
Standing Firm in Power and Pride: The Legacy of Haile Selassie
In the spirit of Power and Pride, we honour Haile Selassie I (1892 – 1975), the former Emperor of Ethiopia, whose legacy continues to shape African identity, unity, and pride.
A Visionary for African Unity
Haile Selassie’s reign (1930–1974) was marked by a profound commitment to Pan-Africanism. In 1963, he played a pivotal role in founding the Organization of African Unity (OAU) — now the African Union (AU) — in Addis Ababa. His vision was clear: Africa must unite to overcome the scars of colonialism and forge a future of self-determination.
In his historic speech at the OAU’s founding, Selassie declared:
“We seek… to determine whither we are going and to chart the course of our destiny. The task on which we have embarked, the making of Africa, will not wait.”
This call to action resonates deeply with this year’s Black History Month theme. Selassie stood firm against imperialism, not just with words, but through diplomatic leadership and strategic alliances that helped shape post-colonial Africa.
Legacy of Resistance and Reform
Selassie’s resistance to Italian fascist invasion in the 1930s made Ethiopia a beacon of African sovereignty. His impassioned plea to the League of Nations in 1936 — later immortalised in Bob Marley’s song ‘War’— was a bold denunciation of racial injustice and a rallying cry for global solidarity.
Beyond resistance, Selassie championed modernisation. He introduced reforms in education, infrastructure, and governance, laying the groundwork for a more progressive Ethiopia. His efforts to balance tradition with progress reflected a nuanced understanding of leadership — one rooted in pride for African heritage and a vision for its future.
Spiritual and Cultural Reverence
Selassie’s influence transcended politics. For the Rastafarian movement, he is venerated as a divine figure — the living embodiment of African redemption and dignity. His coronation in 1930 was seen as the fulfilment of Marcus Garvey’s prophecy that a Black king would rise in Africa to lead the people to liberation.
This spiritual reverence underscores the power of cultural pride — a central pillar of Black History Month 2025. Selassie’s image, teachings, and legacy continue to inspire music, art, and activism across the Caribbean, Africa, and the Americas.
Standing Firm Today: Lessons from Selassie
In a time when Black communities worldwide continue to confront systemic inequalities, Selassie’s life (50 years after his death), offers enduring lessons:
Unity is strength: His push for African solidarity reminds us that collective action is key to progress.
Pride in heritage: His embrace of Ethiopia’s ancient lineage affirms the importance of cultural identity.
Power through resistance: His defiance against colonial aggression exemplifies the courage needed to challenge injustice.
📚 Chinua Achebe
The Voice of African Identity
Chinua Achebe, the Nigerian author of Things Fall Apart, revolutionised African literature by reclaiming the African narrative from colonial distortion. Through his writing, Achebe stood firm against the erasure of African culture, language, and history. His work gave voice to the complexities of post-colonial identity and inspired generations of writers to speak their truth with pride.
“Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.” – Achebe
Achebe’s legacy is one of intellectual power—he challenged the world to see Africa through African eyes.
🛡️ Thomas Sankara
The Upright Man of Africa
Often called “Africa’s Che Guevara,” Thomas Sankara was the revolutionary president of Burkina Faso who led with radical integrity. He renamed the country from Upper Volta to Burkina Faso - “Land of Upright People” - and implemented policies that promoted self-reliance, women’s rights, and anti-imperialism.
Sankara stood firm against corruption and foreign exploitation, embodying the theme with fearless pride. Though his life was cut short, his ideals continue to inspire Pan-African movements and youth activism across the continent.
🌿 Wangari Maathai
The Green Warrior
Kenyan environmentalist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Wangari Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement, empowering women to plant trees and protect the environment. Her activism was rooted in the belief that environmental justice is inseparable from human rights.
Despite arrests and political opposition, Maathai stood firm - literally and figuratively - against deforestation and dictatorship. Her pride in African land and people made her a global symbol of eco-justice and resilience.
🕊️ Nelson Mandela
The Unbreakable Spirit
Nelson Mandela’s 27 years in prison did not break his resolve. Instead, it forged a leader who would dismantle apartheid and become South Africa’s first Black president. Mandela’s power lay in his ability to forgive without forgetting, to lead without dominating.
He stood firm in his principles, even when it meant personal sacrifice. His pride in his people and his unwavering belief in justice made him a global icon of peace and perseverance.
🎓 Dame Jocelyn Barrow
The Educator and Equaliser
Born in Trinidad and raised in Britain, Dame Jocelyn Barrow was a pioneering educator, activist, and the first Black woman to serve as a governor of the BBC. She co-founded the Campaign Against Racial Discrimination and worked tirelessly to reform education and media representation in the UK.
Barrow stood firm in the face of systemic racism, using her voice and intellect to demand equity. Her pride in her heritage and her commitment to justice helped shape a more inclusive Britain.
