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WHAT HAVE WE GOT ON THIS MONTH...
Listen with us + Support Black Owned Independent Entrepenuers
We're shining a spotlight on the incredible Black founders, artists, entrepreneurs, and trailblazers who have transformed our world through innovation and creativity. From iconic figures who changed history to today's rising stars shaping the future, this is your chance to explore inspiring stories and discover the lasting impact of Black excellence.
Black History Month book club: This year we have some incredible and inspiring books from black authors that you can borrow and be inspired by.
Fenty Beauty Lunch and Learn (Date: TBC).
Black history Month Webinars to join.
Black History Month Quiz on Wednesday 14th at 16:30-17:30pm.
Black History Month Book Club!
Some Non-Fiction bestsellers for this black history month: Please find all of these books in our Head office Book club!
WHAT I KNOW FOR SURE by Oprah Winfrey: a 2014 collection of intimate essays adapted from her popular monthly column in O, The Oprah Magazine.
BLACK and BRITISH by David Olusoga: a comprehensive historical examination that traces the deep, intertwined relationship between the British Isles and the people of Africa and the Caribbean over nearly two thousand years.
I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS by Maya Angelou: a 1969 autobiographical coming-of-age memoir about her life aged 3-16.
THE WOMAN WHO WALKED PEOPLE FREE by Harriet Tubman: is a biography that tells the true story of Harriet Tubman's life from her enslavement to her work as a freedom fighter.
TINA TURNER BIOGRAPHY, EXTRAORDINARY JOURNEY AND MY LIFE by Shameka Brown: is an overview of Tina Turner's life from her early musical roots to her status as a global music icon.
BLACK HERO'S by Bill O'Neill: you’ll learn about thirty of the greatest black heroes and heroines from three different continents over a span of more than 2,500 years of history.
Also some Fictional Favourites...
RHIANNA AND THE CLOTHES SHE WEARS by Terry Newman: a book by veteran fashion journalist Terry Newman on how Rhianna uses fashion as an essential form of self-expression.
ORIGINAL FLAVA, EASY CARIBBEAN by brothers Craig and Shaun McAnuffa: vibrant cookbook featuring 80 quick, modern, and authentic Caribbean recipes designed for busy modern kitchens
BEYONCE ICON OF OUR TIMES HER LIFE, HER MUSIC, HER STYLE by Carolyn McHugh: a visual celebration of Beyoncé’s journey from her early days in Destiny's Child to her rise to super stardom.
BECOMING MICHELLE OBAMA by Michelle Obama: a 2018 memoir that chronicles the former First Lady's life journey across three main sections: "Becoming Me," "Becoming Us," and "Becoming More.
BIOGRAPHY OF RHIANNA FENTY by David J. Franklin: With her biography showcasing a holistic, unfiltered rise from humble beginnings in Barbados to global domination.
LIFE IN MOTION By Misty Copeland: details her historic rise from an unstable, impoverished childhood to becoming a ballerina.
As well as some beautifully written fictional stories with black protagonists that showcase powerful and inspiring plots:
Black History Month Watch List:
SELF MADE: is Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker is a four-part Netflix biographical miniseries about Sarah Breedlove, who rose from a washerwoman to become America's first Black, self-made female millionaire.
HIDDEN FIGURES: is the true story of three brilliant African-American women mathematicians—Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson—who overcame racial and gender segregation to work as "human computers" at NASA during the Space Race.
THE SIX TRIPLE EIGHT: is an inspiring true story of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the first and only all-Black, all-female Women's Army Corps (WAC) unit to serve overseas during World War II.
THE GREAT DEBATERS: is the inspiring true story of the Wiley College debate team in 1935 Jim Crow-era Texas.
KING RICHARD: is a biographical drama that follows a meticulous 78-page plan to guide his daughters, Venus and Serena, from the neglected tennis courts of Compton to global tennis superstardom.
COLIN IN BLACK & WHITE: is a six-part biographical drama miniseries on Netflix that chronicles the high school years and coming-of-age journey of activist and former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
SHIRLEY: is political drama details the groundbreaking 1972 US presidential campaign of Shirley Chisholm, who made history as the first Black woman elected to the US Congress.
SUMMER OF SOUL: is a 2021 documentary that explores the forgotten 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival.
BARRY: is the 2016 biographical drama follows a 20-year-old Barack Obama as a junior at Columbia University in New York City in 1981.
RUSTIN: is the true story of openly gay civil rights strategist Bayard Rustin (Colman Domingo) as he overcomes fierce political opposition and personal prejudice to organize the historic 1963 March on Washington.
BLACK PANTHER: is a 2018 superhero film about T'Challa, who returns to the hidden, technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda to become king after his father's death
PRINCESS AND THE FROG: is a Disney animated musical set in 1920s New Orleans that follows a hardworking waitress named Tiana who dreams of opening her own restaurant.
Films and Biopics that celebrate Black excellence, history, and culture.
Beyonce Knowles:
Founder of Cécred, award-winning recording artist, businesswoman and cultural icon.
She built Cécred, a science-backed haircare brand developed alongside her mother, Tina Knowles, to support healthy hair across all hair types and textures.
Transforming music, fashion and beauty while using her platform to celebrate Black culture, excellence and innovation. Through Cécred, she has brought greater visibility to textured hair care and inclusive beauty.
Legacy in Diversity:
Built one of the most successful Black-owned celebrity beauty brands globally.
Highlighted the importance of products that perform across all hair textures and types.
Created a brand inspired by Black hair traditions and generational knowledge.
Continues to use her influence to champion representation and inclusive beauty standards.
Contributions to Beauty:
Elevating Haircare Innovation: Inspired by her childhood growing up in her mother's hair salon, Beyoncé spent six years developing Cécred before its launch in 2024. The brand combines scientific research with hair rituals passed down through generations.
Creating Products for All Hair Types: Rather than focusing on a single hair texture, Cécred was designed to support all hair types and concerns while recognising the unique connection many people have with their hair.
Bringing textured hair into Mainstream Beauty: Through her global influence, Beyonce has helped normalise conversations around hair health, protective styling, scalp care and textured hair, bringing these topics into mainstream beauty spaces.
Current Projects:
Founded in 2024, Cécred has rapidly become one of the most talked-about haircare brands in the industry. Products focus on scalp health, strengthening hair, boosting shine and supporting long-term hair health. In September 2026, Cécred launched exclusively into Space NK across the UK and Ireland. "Introducing our award-winning formulas and high-performance innovation to Space NK is a natural next step for Cécred." – Beyoncé Knowles
Luxurious, sophisticated and modern.
Celebrates healthy, strong and versatile hair.
Combines heritage, science and high-performance beauty.
Promotes confidence, individuality and self-expression.
What people had to say about the Cecred x SpaceNK event...
Current Projects:
Founded by Rihanna in 2017, Fenty Beauty continues to be a global leader in inclusive beauty, offering innovative makeup products designed for all skin tones and skin types. The Fenty portfolio has since expanded to include Fenty Skin, Fenty Hair, and Fenty Fragrance, all built around the brand's "Beauty For All" philosophy.
In 2026, Fenty is continuing its global expansion through new product launches and the growth of Fenty Hair, Rihanna's inclusive haircare line. The brand is also reaching new audiences through international launches and continues to lead the beauty industry with a strong focus on innovation, inclusivity and representation.
Singer, entrepreneur, and beauty pioneer, Rihanna founded Fenty Beauty in 2017 with a mission to create products for all skin tones. Her focus on inclusivity helped reshape the beauty industry and made Fenty a global success.
As part of our Black History Month celebrations, we are proud to spotlight Fenty Beauty, the groundbreaking brand founded by Rihanna. Since its launch, Fenty Beauty has challenged industry standards by championing inclusivity and creating products designed for people of all skin tones and backgrounds. Its commitment to representation has helped shape a more diverse and accessible beauty landscape.
At Space NK, we are passionate about bringing innovative and inspiring beauty brands to our customers. Our partnership with Fenty Beauty reflects a shared commitment to self-expression, individuality, and celebrating diversity, making it a fitting brand to feature during Black History Month.
Fenty Beauty launched with an extensive range of foundation shades, setting a new standard for representation in beauty. The brand quickly became known for its "Beauty For All" philosophy.
Fenty x Space NK Lunch & Learn:
As part of our Black History Month celebrations, we're excited to be hosting a Lunch & Learn with Fenty Beauty. This upcoming session will offer colleagues the opportunity to learn more about the brand's inspiring story, its impact on beauty inclusivity, and the legacy of its founder, Rihanna. Join us for an engaging discussion and a deeper look at one of the industry's most influential beauty brands.
Keep an eye out for our FENTY BEAUTY LUNCH AND LEARN: Date: TBC
Legacy & Impact:
Founded one of the most influential beauty brands of the modern era, redefining industry standards through inclusivity and representation.
Revolutionised the beauty industry with an extensive foundation shade range designed to serve traditionally underrepresented skin tones.
Created a brand built on the belief that beauty should be accessible to everyone, regardless of skin tone, background, or identity.
Inspired the "Fenty Effect," encouraging brands across the industry to adopt more inclusive product ranges and messaging.
Continues to champion diversity, self-expression, and representation through the work of Rihanna and the Fenty family of brands.
Empowers individuals to celebrate their individuality with products designed for all skin tones and types.
Has become a global symbol of inclusive beauty, confidence, and authenticity.
Combines luxury beauty with accessibility and inclusivity.
Champions confidence, individuality and self-expression.
Encourages creativity, authenticity and breaking boundaries.
Listen with us:
Scan our unique Spotify code to listen to our empowering SpaceNK Black History Month playlist to celebrate:
Music has long been a powerful force for storytelling, connection, and change. In honour of Black History Month, we've created a playlist that celebrates the achievements and cultural influence of Black artists, featuring a diverse selection of songs that have shaped genres, inspired audiences, and left a lasting legacy around the world.
Some great recommendations:
Supporting Black-owned small businesses on Etsy is an excellent way to discover unique, handcrafted products while investing directly in independent creators. Etsy features a dedicated 'Black-Owned Shops Page' highlighting diverse creators across various categories. Here are some examples of what they offer:
Home Decor & Candles
Bespoke Binny: Founded by Natalie Manima and based in London, this vibrant home interiors shop is famous for its handcrafted West African cloth homeware. Their products bring an instant pop of warmth and cheer into any space.
Interlude Candles: Based in London, this exceptional vegan shop specializes in highly artistic, sustainable soy wax creations. They are fantastic for adding an immediate visual statement to a shelf or coffee table.
MichaelaRoseDesign: This shop offers gorgeous boho and abstract Afrocentric wall decor.
Jaiveness: Known for beautiful, inclusive, and high-quality greeting cards, affirmation cards, and celebration stationery.
JOASAccessories: Known for highly affordable and distinctive handmade pieces, this UK Etsy shop blends culture and modern style. Their inventory features traditional Kente and Akarna chokers, personalised necklaces, and statement chunky earrings.
CeCe Finery: Headquartered in London, this shop infuses strong African heritage into modern fashion accessories. They specialise in mood-boosting earrings, face coverings, and vibrant crossbody bags designed for standout, day-to-day styling.
Role: Award-winning hairstylist, founder of the Charlotte Mensah haircare brand, and owner of the renowned Hair Lounge salon in London.
Current Venture: Creator of the award-winning Manketti Oil haircare collection, developed to nourish, strengthen and celebrate textured hair
Known For: Transforming the perception of Afro, curly and textured hair within the British beauty industry and becoming one of the UK's leading authorities on natural haircare.
Charlotte Mensah:
Contributions to Beauty:
Championing Textured Hair: For more than two decades, Charlotte Mensah has advocated for the beauty and versatility of Afro, curly and textured hair. Her work has helped move natural hair into the mainstream beauty conversation and encouraged greater representation within the industry.
Creating Award Winning Haircare: Drawing inspiration from her Ghanaian heritage, she developed the Manketti Oil range, using nutrient-rich African ingredients traditionally known for their moisturising and strengthening properties. The collection has gained international recognition for caring for textured hair.
Educating the Industry: Beyond styling and product development, Mensah has spent years sharing expertise through education, workshops and industry commentary, helping improve understanding of textured hair across the beauty sector.
Visual Style:
Blends wellness, heritage and modern science.
Celebrates natural beauty and healthy skin rather than unrealistic perfection.
Uses clean, minimalist branding with a strong connection to African culture and storytelling
Focuses on authenticity, community and representation.
Visual Style:
•Celebrates the beauty of natural texture and healthy hair.
•Blends luxury haircare with African heritage and traditions.
•Known for creating beautifully shaped, healthy-looking curls and coils.
•Uses a holistic approach focused on hair health, moisture and scalp care.
Legacy in Diversity:
Advocates for greater visibility of Black consumers within the beauty industry.
Created a brand specifically designed around the needs of melanin-rich skin while remaining accessible to all.
Promotes ethical sourcing and supports farming communities through partnerships such as Farm Africa.
Uses beauty as a platform to celebrate African innovation, ingredients and heritage.
Legacy in Diversity:
•Three-time winner of Afro Hairdresser of the Year.
•Inducted into the British Hairdressing Hall of Fame.
•Helped raise the profile of textured hair within mainstream beauty and fashion media.
•Founded the Charlotte Mensah Academy, supporting skills development for young people in Ghana.
•Established L.O.V.E. (Ladies of Visionary Empowerment) to support educational opportunities for young women in Africa.
Current Projects:
Through her academy and charitable work, Mensah continues to invest in the next generation of talent, particularly young women and aspiring hair professionals across Africa. "I want women to embrace their natural texture and understand that healthy hair is beautiful hair.“ – Charlotte Mensah.
The Mensah product range continues to expand globally, bringing African-inspired ingredients and expertise in textured hair to a wider audience.
Current Projects:
Founded in 2022, S'ABLE Labs continues to expand globally, including retail partnerships with retailers such as Space NK. The brand's mission is to create effective, science-backed skincare inspired by African beauty traditions and designed for all skin tones. “I was looking around and not seeing myself, my skin tone, my heritage, my values, reflected in the wellness and skincare space.” – Sabrina Elba
Profile Overview:
Current Venture: Leading S'ABLE Labs, an award-winning skincare brand developed with Idris Elba that focuses on melanin-inclusive skincare and tackles hyperpigmentation using African botanicals and modern science
Known For: Championing representation in beauty, celebrating African ingredients and traditions, and creating products designed with melanin-rich skin at the forefront.
Sabrina Elba:
Contributions to Beauty:
Redefining Inclusive Skincare: Elba launched S'ABLE Labs after recognising that many skincare products did not effectively meet the needs of melanin-rich skin. Her focus has been on creating products that are inclusive without being exclusive, benefiting all skin tones whilst addressing concerns often overlooked by the industry.
Bringing African Beauty Traditions to All:
Drawing inspiration from her Somali heritage, Elba has helped spotlight African beauty rituals and botanicals, including ingredients long used across the continent for skincare and wellness.
Tackling Hyperpigmentation: A key focus of S'ABLE Labs is addressing hyperpigmentation, one of the most common concerns for people with melanin-rich skin. The brand combines clinically tested ingredients with African botanicals to create targeted solutions.
Discover through Uptime!
Search for your book and learn more:
Diversity in the Workplace by Bärí A. Williams.
Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging by Pat Wadors.
The Leader's Guide to Unconscious Bias by Pamela Fuller, Mark Murphy, Anne Chow.
Local things you can do to celebrate and support:
COBO Comedy Shutdown (Black History Month Special): For a dedicated celebration of Black comedy talent, head to The Top Secret Comedy Club in Holborn. They are hosting a massive Black History Month Special featuring heavy hitters like Slim, Gbemi Oladipo, and Micah Hall. It’s a high-energy night that highlights the best of the UK’s Black comedy circuit. Date: Thursday, October 29, 2026
Black Cultural Archives & Heritage Museums:
Located in Brixton’s Windrush Square, the Black Cultural Archives is the UK’s leading centre for Black British history. Dedicated to preserving and celebrating the histories of African and Caribbean communities, it offers exhibitions, archives, and valuable insight into the rich cultural and literary heritage of the diaspora. Free to access by appointment from Thursday to Friday (11:00–17:00) and Wednesdays (12:00–17:00).
Pop-up Market at Cardinal Place: Located in Victoria, this bustling daytime marketplace run in partnership with Pop-Up Africa showcases incredible street food, textiles, and independent African and Caribbean makers. Date: 15th October 11:30-2:30pm.
London Manya Sparkling Palm Wine Tasting: Hosted at Cococure in Aldgate: 208 Wandsworth Rd, London, this unique tasting experience pairs premium, traditionally brewed sparkling palm wine with cultural storytelling. Dates: Wednesday, 28 October at 6:30 PM & Saturday, 31 October 2026
Black Owned Market at Poplar Union: A dedicated market celebrating local Black-owned businesses, featuring makers, designers, and food vendors.
Date: Saturday, 24 October 2026
Venue: Poplar Union, 2 Cotall St, London E14 6TL
Support Charities: Donate to or volunteer with local anti-racism charities, youth mentoring programs, or community heritage groups
Out & Wild Spoken Word Night: An open, inclusive, and relaxed evening spotlighting queer Black poets, writers, and performance artists at YOTEL London City in Clerkenwell. Date: Thursday, October 29, 2026, 7-10pm
Ballet & Dance: Keep an eye out for performances by Ballet Black, a phenomenal professional ballet company based in London made up of dancers of Black and Asian descent. They regularly perform at venues like the Barbican and Linbury Theatre (Royal Opera House), completely changing the landscape of classical ballet. Upcoming Dates: Wednesday 14 October – Saturday 17 October 2026
We hope you have discovered something new and inspiring this Black History Month at SpaceNK.