Every year October marks the start of Black History Month, and it has been celebrated in the UK and around the world for more than 30 years. This year’s theme of ‘Saluting our Sisters’ highlights the exceptional achievements of black women and their remarkable contributions to literature, music, fashion, sport, business, politics, academia, social and health care, and more.
To show our ongoing support for Black History Month and our black communities, members of the Positive Action team joined several events across Dorset and Devon & Cornwall.
The team have also marked the occasion by organising a dedicated Black History Month event taking place on Monday 16 November 2023 at Bournemouth Library. The event was well attended by various community leaders, key stakeholders, partner organisations and members of Dorset Police.
The audience was welcomed with opening speeches from the Mayoress of Bournemouth Councillor Anne Filer, Assistant Chief Constable Mark Callaghan and IAAC community hub manager Charmaine Beckles. Additionally, local talent Steve Beckles wrote & recited two original poems for the occasion.
The event continued with presentations from a group of inspirational female speakers. First, Dr Isi Nwokolo talked about the importance of making conscious steps towards thriving in any aspects of our lives, and not just surviving. Beckee White introduced us to Yep Bame Youth Empowerment platform, a community club for youth aged 11 to 18 BAME within Dorset. The club seeks to empower young people to be equal citizens & promote activities that improves physical, social & emotional wellbeing. Kathy Boston-Mammah from BCP Race and Cultural Diversity Staff Network Group defined the meaning of community engagement and raised awareness to local heroines & ongoing projects such as ‘Where We Can Call Home’.
Charmaine Beckles the IACC Community Hub Manager said: “This year’s Positive Action event based around BHM was amazing - with the recognition of women. Very interesting and formative speakers, and lovely to meet the Mayoress.”
Charmaine Beckles, IAAC
The event was a great occasion and showcased the power of communities and how we can support each other, no matter what our background may be. We were also grateful for all the members of other diverse communities who spent the afternoon with us, to show their support for Black History Month.
In addition to this Positive Action-led Black History Month event, the team also attended several community events across both force areas, as follows;
On 22nd October RCCG Exeter commemorated BHM and their 15th anniversary with a celebration that included prayers, a play, various readings, and lunch.
On 25th October PC Shields attended a presentation on Windrush resistance Caribbean anti-colonialism in Britain after 1945 and found it to be particularly useful in acknowledging the history of the black community at this time. This was particularly poignant due to her own family history.
On 26 October the BCP Race and Cultural Diversity Staff Network Group hosted a BHM event for the second year running at Bournemouth University and invited our team. PA Officer Klara Suto-Cort joined the occasion and listened to the motivational speakers focusing on the theme of Saluting our Sisters, whilst highlighting our local heroines.
On 31st October PC Shields supported BHM at a Rice and Peas community event in Redruth, Cornwall which was an African - Caribbean fusion event (Windrush). This celebration included a showcase of photographs from that particular era and various persons - including PC Shields - spoke about personal circumstances of life and work as a person of colour. Others spoke about their family members or their commitment in working with/thoughts around being an ethnic minority.
Our team in Plymouth were also actively engaging during Black History Month.
The Arts University hosted an amazing film event that included an opening ceremony with guest speakers and the screening of Hidden Figures, Belle and Get Out.
This event aimed to share the untold stories of how people from global majority contributed to the city. It takes the view that history – the stories we tell ourselves as a society about what happened in the past – is incomplete, and instead focusing on raising awareness of around a dozen Plymothians forgotten or erased from our collective consciousness.
Deputy Lord Mayor, Kathy Watkin said; "Plymouth City Council welcomes diversity and supports events that celebrate diversity and inclusion. In lots of ways we live in a more progressive society. But the fact that stories like this can be forgotten shows that history must continue to be minded for its hidden figures."
Deputy Lord Mayor Kathy Watkin
As part of the Plymouth Community History Festival, Professor Lucy Bland gave a presentation about her research into ‘Brown Babies’ of post-war Britain, and Dr. Chamion Caballero talked about her digital museum 'mixedmuseum.org.uk' that shows the history of mixed race people in Britain.
On the same evening, The Plot – Jabulani food court hosted 'African Night', an evening of African food, storytelling and proverbs. This was a vibrant event where over 150 of people popped in for a beautiful evening of celebration, with the opportunity to meet many people from very diverse backgrounds.
The Bazar is a monthly event at The Box museum, where if you go and visit you need to be prepared to indulge in different cultural experiences and immerse yourself in a vibrant atmosphere.
In October the event was dedicated to celebrate Black History Month, to provide a space for everyone to come together and learn, share and experience different stories and cultures from the past, present and future.
During the event, the dedicated PA officer engaged with members of the public in a very inclusive atmosphere. Great conversations with many people and information handed out on current vacancies and application processes.
As members of the Positive Action team, we work tirelessly to build trust and have meaningful relationships with diverse communities and remain committed to building an inclusive organisation where all communities feel seen, heard, respected and represented.