Black History Month 2021: Proud to be
October is Black History Month and this year the BHM campaign is celebrating with the theme 'Proud to be'.
There are a number of things happening here at Connected Voice throughout Black History Month and we'll keep this page updated. If your organisation is planning an event or campaign then let us know and we'll share it here and on social media. Email connect@connectedvoice.org.uk with the subject BHM2021 or tag us on Twitter (@ConnectedVoice_) or Facebook (Connected Voice Charity)
Blogs
An interview with Sihle from 2 Way Tenancy Solutions CIC
In Black History Month we want to take the opportunity to showcase some of the amazing work of one of our Black-led member organisations and hear about what support they’ve received from the Connected Voice teams. Amy McKie, Marketing and Communications Officer, met with Sihle Mapanda, Managing Director of 2 Way Tenancy Solutions CIC, for an informal and eye-opening chat which covered everything from identity, culture and language to EDI (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) and the challenges brought about by the pandemic.
Providing advocacy services to ethnically minoritised communities - what we have learned
We reflect on our 25 years of experience in fighting for people's rights, how we came to develop the UK's first ever 'BME (Black and Minority Ethnic) Advocacy Service', the difference this made to people's lives and how we convinced the local Primary Care Trust to take responsibility for tackling health inequalities by funding independent advocacy. We also share our key learning that still applies today. The tips are relevant to any service that wants to better meet the needs of our diverse communities.
#MyNameIs
We'll be taking part in the My Name Is campaign from Race Equality Matters to promote inclusivity. Pronouncing other people’s names correctly does matter. Especially if you value dignity, respect and inclusion. Connected Voice staff will be adding phonetic spellings of our names to email signatures to promote this campaign.
Download the guide for tips and to find out more about how to get involved.
Tea Break Campaign
Race Equality Matters are also promoting the Tea Break Campaign. This provides the framework and opportunity for an organisation to hear the honest voice and feelings of colleagues about race inequality.
This initiative was developed through the Solutions Collaboratory™ in collaboration with Network Rail and its staff network, Cultural Fusion, Mental Health First Aid England and those with lived experience from other organisations. The How to do it right Guide provides a framework for running this initiative in an effective, safe way to ensure the best results.
SHEroes campaign from the Angelou Centre
Take a look at the Angelou Centre's Facebook page to see their 30 days of SHEroes - daily posts spotlighting the incredible Black women that they admire
Also, coming soon from the Angelou Centre - Young Women's Network Limited Podcast series to be launched on their Facebook page.
Resources from Show Racism the Red Card
Show Racism the Red Card’s North-East Education team has created an activities resource pack for secondary schools. These are intended to help enrich your organisation's education provision during Black History Month. Please feel free to pick and choose which activities best suit your school/group, hopefully you will find a way of integrating some into your current delivery/ lesson plans. Please email admin@theredcard.org for access to this pack.
Children's literature
Lynne Sesinye-Samwinga is a children’s author on a mission to teach children about racial equality through the use of diverse characters in her books and resources. While bringing up four children of her own, she started to notice a lack of representation of all races in children’s literature. In 2016, Lynne founded Mini Stewards, with the aim of publishing children’s books that imparts knowledge on being a responsible citizen of the world. Her books include six diverse characters from different racial groups, including European, African, and Asian, so children can see themselves in her books. After moving to the UK from Botswana aged 22 to study Sports and Exercise Science at the University of Wolverhampton, Lynne has experienced first hand the racial challenges that communities face and has since decided to focus on making a difference through children’s literature.
Featured in 11 Black Women in the North East to Celebrate this Black History Month
Events
Representation Matters: A Black History Month event
Wednesday 20 October, 1pm - 3pm (online)
Connected Voice is delighted to present this event, devised and delivered by Success4All, as part of our celebrations of Black History Month 2021: 'Proud to be me'.
• 9% of the voluntary sector workforce are from an ethnically minoritised background.
• 4% of North East CEOs are from an ethnically minoritised background. The lowest in the UK.
• 4% of North East Chairs of boards of trustees are from an ethnically minoritised background. Also the lowest in the UK.
Are you shocked that our region's non profit sector lacks representation?
Have you thought about the effects that a lack of representation can have on the people we support? Join us for a range of informative speakers and opportunities for discussion on the need for better representation of ethnically minoritised people in the North East non-profit sector. Our event aims to open up an honest critique of the sector in the hope of implementing change.
Haref Network meeting
Friday 1 October 10am - 12 noon on Zoom
At our next Haref Network meeting we will:
- Introduce Black History Month 2021 and this year’s theme
- Present the findings on our mental health peer research and recommendations made
- Have Connected Voice staff explain how they can help with applying for grants and funding, governance, and support available from advocacy.
- Facilitate networking to talk about the process of opening face-to-face services and providing peer support on the current situation with the pandemic
This meeting is open to all those in the Haref Network and you can become a member if you are:
- An organisation led by people from ethnically minoritised communities
- An organisation with a targeted project for ethnically minoritised communities
- This includes asylum-seeker and refugee groups and projects
If you are interested in becoming part of the Network or attending the meeting contact carrie.rosenthal@connectedvoice.org.uk
Haref Allies Meeting
Tuesday 26 October 10am - 12 noon on Zoom
At our next Haref Allies meeting we will:
- Introduce Black History Month 2021 and this year’s theme
- Present the findings on our mental health peer research and recommendations made
- Welcome Haref Network members talking about their culture, their community and access to health services
- Discuss the Haref Allies offer and membership plans
To become a Haref Ally your organisation must:
- Deliver at least some services within Newcastle or Gateshead
And either:
- Be an organisation that provides Health and Wellbeing Services or
- Be an organisation that has social value, tackles barriers to services, or addresses the wider social determinants of health (housing, benefits, employment, etc.) or
- Be funders of voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations
If you are interested in becoming a Haref Ally or attending the meeting contact carrie.rosenthal@connectedvoice.org.uk
Teakisi Woman Talk - 2021
Saturday 16 October, 2:30pm – 5pm, The Common Room, Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1SE
A Black History Month session focusing on African women and the community.
Teakisi is happy to announce the third annual Teakisi Woman Talk conference. This event takes place in October, which is also Black History Month. The annual Teakisi Woman Talk allows black women, plus the general public to have a conversation on topics that really matter to us - however uncomfortable they may be.
Theme: Community and Connectivity: Bridging The Digital Divide
Taste of Africa Events
Taste of Africa events is an annual celebration of Black History Month in Tees Valley. The events are aimed at celebrating Black History Month, promoting diversity and inclusion in the Tees Valley.
All events will be held virtually with the aim of returning to normalcy next year.
Taste of Africa is holding its 7th Annual Black History Youth Awards Dinner (Virtual) on Friday 22nd October 2021 from 6pm-9pm. This event recognises achievement of young people and promotes positive role models in the community. This year their Award is focused on Resilience. The evening will feature young people doing great things and also recognise past recipients who have gone on to achieve great heights.
The Taste of Africa Showcase (Virtual) in its 17th year will take place on the Saturday 16th October 2021 6pm-9pm. This hugely popular event is a showcase of traditional performances, local talents and artists, music, designer African fashion show, food, youth dance groups and more. Also as part of the event we will also showcase the inspirational project Irin Ajo Mi – My Journey developed by our young people celebrating the journeys of African elders in Tees Valley.
See flyers below for details
African Lives in Northern England: From Roman Times to the 21st Century
Various dates in Durham, Stockton, and Newcastle
This booklet, authored by the African Lives in Northern England project and edited by Beverley Prevatt Goldstein, celebrates the history of Black lives in northern England and dispels the myth that the North East is exclusively white and monocultural. From Septimus Severus, the Roman Emperor, to 19th century Cumbrian John Kent who was believed to be Britain’s first black policeman, to 21st century Newcastle MP Chinyelu ‘Chi’ Onwurah, this booklet reveals a rich and diverse history.
- Durham: This booklet will be launched on October 17th at Durham Book Festival. Click here for more information.
- Stockton: A talk and discussion will take place at Stockton Reference Library, October 21st, 6-7.30pm. For more information and to book your place at £3 contact 01642 528079, reference.library@stockton.gov.uk
- Newcastle: A free mini-presentation will be held at Newcastle Central Library on October 23rd, 3-3.45pm.
Each talk will be tailored to its location and signed copies of the booklet will be available to purchase. Booklets can also be purchased from Caroline Afolabi-Deleu at caroline@s4a.org.uk at £5.00 with £2.00 for packaging and postage This is a limited edition and copies will be sent out on a first-come, first-serve basis as payments are received.
Celebrating Black History Month - Film Screening at Culture Lab Newcastle, Stand Up to Racism North East
Sat 23rd Oct, 5pm at The Culture Lab, Newcastle University
Stand Up to Racism - North East are hosting a double-bill of documentary film screenings on Saturday 23 October at Culture Lab in Newcastle University. The events starts at 5pm. They will be screening the award-winning short film 'The Felling of Colston' (2020 / 10mins) by Arthur Cauty, about the magnificent toppling of the Colston statue in Bristol in the summer of 2020. This will be followed by a rare screening of 'The People's Account' (1986 / 50 mins), a hard-hitting account of police racism in the 1980s, with first person testimonies of the Broadwater Farm uprising which was sparked by police shootings of innocent black women.
You can book tickets here.
Black History Now!
Tues 26 Oct, 5.30-6.30pm (via Zoom)
Black History Now! is an online panel discussion that reflects on the state of the field in Black British History and affirms its centrality to the discipline of History more widely. What is going on in Black History in Durham and the North East? How can historians in Durham and the wider region continue to build the field? And what are the implications of recent developments in the field for the movement to decolonise the curriculum?
The panel includes the following speakers: Stefanella Julius, Nkechi Managwu, and Emilie Tenbroek are historians studying at Durham and Decolonising the Curriculum Interns with the Decolonise Durham Network.
Sean Creighton is an independent historian who has worked extensively on Black British History, radical history, and the history of slavery and abolition in the North East, including his role in the Tyne & Wear Remembering Slavery project in 2007 and North East Popular Politics Project in 2010-13. He maintains a blog on History and Social Action.
Liam Liburd is Assistant Professor of Black British History at Durham University. His research interests lie in the history, impact and legacy of Empire, decolonisation and race/racism in twentieth-century Britain. Recently he published the article ‘Thinking Imperially: The British Fascisti and the Politics of Empire, 1923–35’ in Twentieth Century British History and featured in the BBC Radio 4 series Britain’s Fascist Thread.
To register for the Black History Now! event, please click here.
