Honouring the past, inspiring the future - celebrating Black History Month

Abel Aboh, data and AI expert, and member of our Nomination Committee and Technology Law & Practice Committee, reflects on the opportunity that Black History Month brings to reimagine what is possible and build a truly inclusive society.

October is Black History Month — the theme for this year’s celebration is ‘dig deeper, look closer, think bigger’. The month is a time to reflect, celebrate and reimagine what inclusion, innovation, and leadership truly mean in today’s Scotland and the United Kingdom.

For me, this month is not just about honouring the past, but also about inspiring the future. A future where every person, regardless of background, feels seen, valued and empowered to lead and be part of a community. 

As someone who has had the privilege of serving on both the Law Society’s Nomination Committee and Technology Law and Practice Committee, I have witnessed firsthand how diversity and inclusion strengthens decision-making and innovation, and delivers tangible value.

It is within these spaces - where policies, strategies and professional standards are shaped - that representation truly matters! When diverse voices are present, conversations become richer, perspectives expand and the outcomes serve everyone better - which is what the Law Society and profession is all about.

People, data and technology

My journey to this point has not been linear. My career has spanned across financial services, central banking, aviation, defence, sporting and third sectors - with people management, data, governance, technology and artificial intelligence at the core.

What continues to drive me is a deep belief that people, data and technology - when combined with empathy and ethics - can transform how we build fairer, more inclusive societies.

At the Law Society, my work on the Technology Law and Practice Committee focuses on helping Scotland’s legal community embrace technology and innovation responsibly. This is through providing guidance and consideration of matters relating to technology law, ensuring that advances like AI, automation and digital justice serve people, not just processes. 

In parallel, my role on the Nomination Committee allows me to champion inclusion from another angle - by ensuring leadership and governance in the Society reflect the diversity and capabilities of modern Scotland.

For people from ethnic minority backgrounds and indeed all communities, my message this Black History Month is simple: you belong in every room where decisions are made that affect you. Whether your passion lies in law, data, technology or leadership, Scotland needs your ideas, your curiosity and your courage.

Black History Month reminds us that progress is not just about remembrance, but recognition and celebration. It’s about reimagining possibility. 

The pioneers who came before us broke barriers, often at great personal cost, so that others could stand taller. Today, our responsibility is to continue building, with collaboration, competence and confidence.

Let me pause here to remember an icon and trailblazer who inspired me greatly, the Late Professor Emeritus Sir Geoff Palmer KT OBE. May his legacy live on for generations across Scotland and beyond! 

Diversity creates strength

The Law Society of Scotland is not just a legal institution, it is a community that thrives on diversity of thought, talent, advocacy and experience. 

The more we open doors for a diverse range of people - through mentorship, representation, and inclusive leadership - the stronger the profession and our society becomes.

To every person reading this, especially those who feel unseen or uncertain, remember that excellence has no colour, innovation has no accent, and leadership has no single face. What matters most is your authenticity, your commitment to learning, and your belief that you can contribute meaningfully to Scotland’s evolving story.

So, as we celebrate Black History Month, let us move from awareness to action - from diversity to inclusion, from inspiration to empowerment. Let us continue to build a Scotland where data, technology, leadership and even law reflect the full spectrum of human potential.

The future belongs to those who are bold enough to create it. Don’t shy away from contributing your skills and experience to build a society that  works for everyone no matter their background, ethnicity or colour!

Abel Aboh serves on the boards of The Data Lab Scotland and West Lothian College. He is a strategic advisor of DataKirk and has been recognised in the UK Data Hall of Fame and by Heriot-Watt University and FJSS Group as a Plus100 leader and role model of Black African-Caribbean communities in Scotland.