Black History Month
Thursday 15 October 2009
Want to celebrate Black History Month? Here’s the lowdown on different events going on around the country.
Black History Month
In Britain, Black History Month (BHM) is celebrated in October every year. The entire month is a buzzing celebration of African and Caribbean history and culture. It also explores positive contributions that black people have made to British society.
The very first BHM celebrations began during the 1920s in America. Carter G. Woodson, an African-American historian, was the first to teach about the achievements that black people made to the country.
Since then, BHM has been celebrated every February in the US and Canada. February was chosen as the month for celebration because it marks the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass - two people who fought for black equality during the slave trade.
Celebrate BHM
Got anything planned for BHM? Take a look at our top picks.
Adventures in Anti-cool
Get a load of hip-hop theatre and dance performances at the Norwich Playhouse on 27th October. Here you’ll get to watch artists like Banxy, Cool Rules and Adventures in Anti-Cool. Each of their shows will explore the history of the black community through lyrical rhymes and B’Boy moves.
We heard there’s going to be plenty of baby freezes and Star Trek jokes. Expect the unexpected. Find out more.
Comic book heroes
There’s more to comic books than Marvel and DC. The Swiss Cottage Library and Gallery is focusing an entire exhibition on the representations of African and African-Caribbean comic characters over the last century. How are they different from Spider-Man or Batman? Check out World of Comics for a head start.
Plus, you'll get to catch a sneak peak of an exclusive new comic book character created especially by London-based graphic designers. Excited? We are.
Kick Racism Out Of Football
Kent Youth Service is running a host of activities throughout October. Each event is aimed at encouraging equality through different activities. As well as football tournaments, there are also street dance and MC workshops, theatre productions, multicultural food sampling (yum), and loads more.
What’s more, everyone who takes part in the footie tournaments will be awarded with trophies and medals. Want to get involved? Visit Kick It Out.
Black Britannia
Black Britannia is a photographic showcase that celebrates black culture and role models in Britain. The 30 snap shots are a mix of normal everyday people and celebrities. However, they all have one thing in common - achievement.
Represented are surgeons, teachers, firefighters, plus well known stars like Lewis Hamilton, Ms Dynamite-ee and Estelle, to name a few. The aim of the exhibition is to give youth different role models to look up to.
Black Britannia is free to everyone and takes place at the International Slavery Museum Albert Dock in Liverpool.
Who inspires you?
Want to tell the world how someone has inspired you? Get your creative juices flowing in this creative writing competition. You can write about anyone you want – dead, alive, funny, dry, as long as they’ve impacted your life.
If you’re between 10-19 years old and have a flare for telling a story, then get writing. All entries must be in by 16th October. Email CaribbeanRC for more info.
BBC 1Xtra
If you haven’t got anything planned this BHM, then why not visit the 1Xtra pages. Throughout October the site will be playing exclusive mixes that celebrate black music and the icons that sang or produced them.
In one heavy playlist, 1Xtra’s Seani B managed to mix 50 tracks into just five minutes. Listen up for some Jackson 5, Run DMC, Dizzee, MJ, Mary J Blige, Jay–Z and more.
Each week will focus on a different decade. Tune in to make sure you don’t miss out.
