Black History Month is an annual celebration of Black people throughout history which is celebrated across the world. It aims to highlight and celebrate the stories of prominent Black people across the globe, especially those who may have been excluded from the mainstream historical narrative.  

Black History Month was first celebrated in the UK in October 1987, it was founded by Ghanaian analyst Akyaaba Addai-Sebo and has now become a permanent fixture in the UK calendar that is celebrated annually.

Middle Temple first supported the vision of having a Black History Month Qualifying Session in 2018 and it has since become an annual event.

On Monday 17 October 2022, MTYBA and MTSAheld a panel event featuring:

1. Laurie-Anne Power KC from 25 Bedford Row Chambers
2. Bibi Badejo from 4 Brick Court Chambers 
3. Stephen Lue from Garden Court Chambers
4. Natasha Shotunde from Garden Court Chambers
5. Patrice Blackstock - Middle Temple Diversity & Inclusion Coordinator

Image: Bibi Badejo, Laurie-Anne Power KC, Stephen Lue and Patrice Blackstock

This was truly a celebration of Black excellence, achievement and talent in all industries, not just the legal arena, with uplifting soulful music provided by singer Ruth-Ellen and pianist Elliott Adgomar. The event was organised and hosted by MTYBA Vice President, Emma Hughes and MTSA Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Leah Arthur.

Image: Singer, Ruth-Ellen

Photographer Samuel Akinwumi of Simple Sam Photography took stunning photographs and captured the essence of the event. The Hall was filled with the scent of traditional West African cuisine, from moinmoin to jollof rice, stewed beef and more provided by the phenomenal Angel Catering and Events company.

Speakers shared their battles with imposter syndrome, self-doubt and spoke about the discrimination they faced because of their race or sexuality, and the deep-rooted problems of systematic racism within the UK and abroad. The rate of school exclusions amongst Black Caribbean pupils in English schools are up to six times higher than their white peers i . This highlights the importance of speaking to young people, visiting schools and opening their minds to the prospect of a legal career. Black and Asian barristers are also underrepresented in taking silk. It is reported that in 2021, there were just 5 Black British female barristers in the King’s Counsel and 17 male Black British KCs in England and Wales. This compares to 1,303 White male and 286 White female KCs ii.

Stephen Lue recited a profound autobiographical poem which noticeably resonated with the audience. He courageously shared the pain of loss and the battle against homophobia. Lue also highlighted the development of AI tech and the way in which the technology, due to the way it is programmed, can disproportionately affect those who are Black or from ethnic minorities. Natasha Shotunde spoke about the competitive nature of the Bar, as well as the negative impact pupillage rejections had on her self-esteem and that of her peers. She emphasised the need to have resilience and a support network to encourage you to keep going and embrace the journey.

Natasha Shotunde

It was wonderful to have chambers colleagues, Jayne Harrill (Head of Four Brick Court Chambers), James Norman and Ummar Farooq Ahmad attend in support of the event and panellist Bibi Badejo. Bibi spoke about her own challenges in perfecting her craft and creating an excellent advocacy course for practitioners which enhances advocates’ delivery, style and content. This course is kindly provided to 4BC pupils but is also generously being delivered to candidates from the charity Bridging the Bar, which supports candidates from statistically underrepresented backgrounds.

It was truly a remarkable night with Jessica Inaba, the first ever Black blind barrister to be Called to the Bar in attendance! Jess explained her challenges in obtaining appropriate resources and textbooks in braille and highlighted the need for perseverance in the face of adversity.

Jessikah Inaba

A number of the panel sit on the Bar Council Race Working Group (BCRWG). Attendees were referred to the Bar Council Race Report 2021, produced by the BCRWG. The BCRWG was commissioned to produce a set of recommendations for Bar Council and Bar-based stakeholders to consider, in order to tackle race inequality at the Bar and provide insight into the issues of retention and career progression.

The panel are also involved in pioneering organisations and work that enhances diversity and equality at the Bar, builds up practitioners’ and students’ advocacy skills and legal knowledge. Laurie-Anne Power KC is part of Women in Criminal Law; Bibi Badejo founded The Advocacy Podcast: with over 90,000 views the podcast has featured a wealth of barristers, including Jerry Blackwell and Steve Schleicher, who reflected on the techniques they used to successfully prosecute in State of Minnesota v Derek Chauvin. Professor Leslie Thomas KC has also featured on the podcast, speaking about case preparation and strategy, as well as Professor Jo Delahunty KC who discussed winning an unwinnable case. Both Jo and Leslie are champions of Bridging the Bar, have done considerable work regarding diversity, and delivered lectures at Gresham College, which give immense insight into family and criminal law. 

Stephen Lue, Patrice Blackstock and Natasha Shotunde

Stephen Lue is involved in the Bar Lesbian and Gay Group (BLAGG) and the Middle Temple LGBTQ+ Forum and Natasha Shotunde founded the Black Barristers Network. Patrice Blackstock, with the assistance of Middle Temple Archivist Barnaby Bryan and Master Elaine Banton, produced a BHM timeline celebrating Black Middle Templars both past and present. From Edward Cragg Haynes, the earliest known Black Middle Templar, admitted as a student in 1842, Thomas Moore Chester admitted to the inn in 1867 and Stella Thomas in 1929, to members of the present day; Baroness Scotland, Sir Trevor Carmichael KC and Leslie Thomas KC, to name a few. Click here to view the Black History Month timeline on the Middle Temple website.

A hugely powerful moment during the evening was when Laurie-Anne Power KC, who does outreach work in schools, invited Michelle Brown, Middle Temple Queen Mother Scholar and her daughter on stage and got her to proclaim “When I leave school I want to be a lawyer, study law, work hard and make mummy proud!” There was such power in giving her ownership of the moment, a platform on stage and allowing her to publicly speak of her desire to become a barrister in the future! Especially in an environment where she could see the reality of that hope manifested in a room filled with exceptionally talented Black barristers in a range of practice areas and seniority. Michelle also asked how to handle situations where you are asked to represent clients who do not wish to be represented by you because of your race. The speakers also spoke about the need for visibility and referred to the Middle Temple exhibition of portraits featuring members from diverse backgrounds in 2020-21.

A very special thanks to Benjamin Hammersley, MTYBA North Eastern Circuit Representative and MTSA incoming D&I Officer and Wajma Zazai for hosting the online Zoom platform. Thanks is also extended to MTYBA colleagues Merlene George, Hayley Blundell, Phyllida Spackman, and Daniel Holt; MTSA colleagues Anjali Keeping, Edmund Mawoko and of course, the wonderful Middle Temple staff; Sally Yorke, Alex Baguley, Oliver Muncey and Richard Frost for their assistance.

Please note the event is recorded and will be available on the Middle Temple and MTYBA websites so please tune in.

[i] Exclusion rates five times higher for black Caribbean pupils in parts of England | Race in education | The Guardian

[ii] Race-at-the-Bar-Report-2021.pdf (barcouncil.org.uk)