INTRODUCTIONS

MESSAGE FROM THE PRIME MINISTER THERESA MAY

I’m honoured to support Black History Month Magazine in celebrating the extraordinary contribution that our African and African Caribbean communities make to the United Kingdom.

FromIgnatiusSancho,thefirst black British voter and published poet;to Olaudah Equiano whose autobiography and experiences as a slave galvanised public opinion and became a key part of the abolition movement,the African presenceinBritainisinextricablywoven into the cultural history of our nation. Overmanygenerations,BlackBritish people have become part of the fabric of our country.

Some – likeVogue’s editor-in-chief, British-born Ghanaian Edward Enniful, are well-known to us.Others are the little-known heroes,such as Sergeant William Robinson Clarke who,in 1914, left Jamaica and travelled to Britain to play his part in the war and would go on to become Britain’s first black pilot in 1915.

While we’ve made great strides to improve equality of opportunity,I know there is still more work to be done to ensure our society works for everyone. That’swhy,onbecomingPrimeMinister, oneofthefirstthingsIdidwascommission the Race Disparity Audit to shine a light on how people from different ethnic backgrounds are treated across our public services.

Weare thefirst countryin theworld to do this and I have been clear that if these disparities cannot be explained they must be tackled.A year on from its launch,lastOctober,wehavemadeastart with a £90 million programme to help tackleyouthunemployment,areviewof exclusionsineducation,andacommitment to take forward a number of recommendations in the David Lammy Review of the criminal justice system. I’m determined to deliver on my promise to root out injustices wherever they occur in our society.That includes theWindrush scandal earlier this year, which made many Commonwealth citizens feel unwelcome in this country - their home - for which I am genuinely sorry.We have pledged to do everything we can to fix this,but it never should have happened.

We know that Britain today in the 21st Century is a diverse multi-ethnic democracy,and it is one that I’m immenselyproud tolead.I’mdetermined tobuildonwhatwehavealreadyachieved tomakeBritainacountrywhereeveryone, regardless of who they are or what background they’re from,can get on in life.

Once again,I’d like to thank Black History Magazine for taking this opportunity to mark the many ways in whichBlackBritishmenandwomenmake this country great – and for reminding us that Black history is British history, and belongs to us all.

MESSAGE FROM JEREMY

CORBYN MP

I am proud to lead a party that puts equality at its very heart and has a rich history of championing equal rights and opportunity for all.

Labour made history by electing the first black MPs to Parliament over 30 years ago, including the first Black woman MP Diane Abbott.I am proud to say that Labour’s Shadow Cabinet is the most diverse front bench of any party in British history.

As a lifelong campaigner for equal rights,I want to continue this legacy,so that we can build a strong and united society in which everyone’s contributionisvaluedwhatever theirbackground.

We cannot let this month of engagement and education pass without acknowledging the Windrushgeneration.Seventyyearsago,theEmpire WindrushdockedatTilburyandthecontributionof theseBritishcitizenswasindispensable.Amodern Britain without them,their children,and their grandchildren is unthinkable.

It has been deeply distressing for us to see theWindrush scandal unfold,our own citizens have been treated appallingly.Labour stands firmly with theWindrush generation.

TheWindrush generation and many other black communities enrich the UK socially, politically and culturally.

Let’s make Black History Month this year an opportunitytoputfrontandcentreourrejuvenated admiration for the many who came here to help rebuild Britain.As a Labour party,we recommit ourpledgetodefendingtheirrightsandcelebrate the strength and unity of our diverse country.

Rt. Hon. Jeremy Corbyn MP Leader of the Labour Party

MESSAGE FROM

DAVID LAMMY MP

Remembering our history should begin with thepersonal.Myownfatherarrived in the UK in 1962.He was young and cocky as he boarded an old Dakota DC-3 warplane from his native Guyana to Trinidad,beforeembarkingonasixweek voyageaboard theSSLucianasteamship to Genoa. From there he made a winding journey across Europe to Southampton. He was able to immigrate to the UK thanks to an Assisted Passage Scheme which allowed him to become a taxidermist.For my mother,who arrived in 1971,thejourneywassimpler.Aplane took her from Guyana to Gatwick. Yet told in isolation my parents’ stories,andthoseofallimmigrantsfrom theWindrush generation,do not make sense.What drew them to the UK? And why did schemes exist to link countries thatwereseparatedbythousandsofmiles? The reasons are buried in a much earlier period history than post-war Britain.The connection between Britain andtheCommonwealthcountriesstems fromBritain’shistorycolonisation,slavery and subjugation of proud peoples from across the globe.A history our schools fail to teach.The Caribbean was turned into a warehouse from which to extract profit.Even the century following emancipation was still built on exploitation,as Caribbean labourers expressed discontent at the abuse of the Empire. AfterWorldWarTwo,the NHS was desperate for a workforce.Despite the abuses,despite the exploitation,and despiteslavery,ourforefathersheard the call.From1948,withdignityandpride,our parentsandgrandparentsworkedforthis country’ssickandinjured.TheWindrush generationdid thelow-gradeandpoorly paidjobsthatkeptBritainrunning–the jobseveryoneelseinBritainrefusedtodo. This year the Home Office scandal highlighted that this sacrifice was not met with the gratitude it deserved. Members of theWindrush generation were made homeless,jobless,and destitute;split from their families and denied treatment in the NHS because of a cruel and inhumane government Hostile Environment policy.If you look closely,you will see that this disrespect to minorities permeates our society. Awkward questions linger.Would the 72 people who died in GrenfellTower have had their concerns ignored for so long if they were white?

This year marks 70 years since the passingofthe1948 BritishNationalityAct, but it also marks 50 years since Enoch Powell delivered his“rivers of blood” speech.To this day,Powell’s xenophobic rhetoric continues to haunt our public discourse.AYouGov poll in 2016 found that 44 percent of Britons are proud of our history of colonialism.Only 21 per cent regretted it occurring. No decent-minded person is proud of slavery and exploitation.The failure of our society to understand its past is due to a lack of education.History in British schools skips from the Henrys to Hitler,ignoring the shame of what goes on in between.Black history month has to be about addressing this failure in our curriculum.Curing Britain’s colonial amnesia,so that prejudice and racism can finally be pushed out.

‘The Windrush generation did the low-grade and poorly paid jobs that kept Britain running – the jobs everyone else in Britain refused to do.’

MESSAGE FROM VINCE

CABLE MP

Black History Month is an established, nationally recognised observance that honours the lives,experiences and history of Afro-Caribbean people.For over thirty years, it has reminded us of the extraordinary men and women who achieved incredible things often in the face of unimaginable injustice and inequality. Black History Month is more important than ever this year,as the country continues to contend with the ongoing challenges of theWindrushScandalandthegovernment’s brutal treatment of a generation that contributed so much to Britain.Let us use this month to thank those affected for their brave,generous and selfless efforts. It seems fitting that this year marks the 70thanniversaryofboththearrivalofEmpire Windrush and the establishment of our NationalHealthService.Letusremember that BAME communities were key to the establishmentoftheNHSandhaveremained an essential part of all our public services for decades. Thisyear,whateveryourbackgroundand whoeveryouare,Ihopethatyouwillembrace Black History Month and everything it represents.Let us remember that black history is a part of British history and let us all work together to build and safeguard a Britain that is united,understanding and free of inequality.

Philip Rutnam, Permanent Secretary: AsthePermanentSecretaryandRaceEquality Championin theHomeOffice,Iampleased that thedepartment isappearingfor the second timeinBlackHistoryMonth(BHM) magazineand that wewillbehostingour largest numberofBHMeventsaround the country thisyear. The Home Office’s longstanding race equality staff support group,The NETWORK,have worked hard to organise these events.BHM has long been a key moment in the Home Office Calendar.This year,as we celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the docking of the EmpireWindrush in the UK,and simultaneously work to redress those people and communities affected by our role in theWindrush affair,our involvement is more paramount than ever. Multipleeventswill takeplaceat Home Officelocationsaroundthecountry,culminating in thefirst evercross-departmentalBHM celebrationwiththeHomeOffice,Department forFoodandRuralAffairsandMinistryfor Housing,CommunitiesandLocalGovernment. Theywillfocusonarangeoftopicsfromblack history,raceequalityandBlack,Asianand MinorityEthnic(BAME)rolemodels,toquestion andanswersessionswith theleadersfrom thedepartmentsinvolved.Presenterswill includehistorians,artists,museumcurators, seniorcivilservantsandprominent BAME membersof thecommunity.

With close to a quarter of our staff coming from BAME backgrounds, the Home Office is one of the most diverse government departments.WehaveanactiveHomeOffice RaceBoardand,ofcourse,TheNetwork to supportthedepartment’saimsforraceequality inthedepartment.Wehaverecentlypublished ourDiversityandInclusionStrategy:‘Inclusive byInstinct’tomakesurewecontinue to championandencouragediversityand inclusionineverythingwedo,representing andreflectingmodernBritainand the communitiesweserve,rightuptothehighest levelsin theorganisation.Wehaveset out ourambitiontotackleunderrepresentationof women,colleagueswithdisabilities,lesbian, gay,transgenderandbisexualcolleagues, andBAMEstaffacross theHomeOffice. Championingraceequalitycannot stop here.Thereisalwaysmoretodo,asWindrush highlighted tousearlier thisyear.Windrush hasbeenadeeply troublingaffairforall involvedandmost emphaticallyfor those whohavebeenpersonallyaffected.Wewill makegoodourpledge toprovideredress to thoseaffectedandweareworkinghard to rebuild the trust andconfidenceof those involvedand theirwidercommunities.The WindrushLessonsLearnedReviewwillhelp usunderstandexactlywhatwentwrongand makesureit doesnot happenagain.The reviewisbeingledbyIndependent Adviser WendyWilliamsandIencourageyou toget involved,providefeedbackandlookout for detailsofupcomingWindrushreviewevents inyourlocalarea. Iwasfortunate toattendseveralof the Windrush70celebrationsacross theHome Officeearlier thisyearand tohearfrom colleagueswhosharedstoriesabout their families’personalmigrationjourneysduring theWindrushera. Irecognisethatthereisstillawaytogoto becomingInclusive by Instinct.Wehavemade goodprogressbutwehavemuchmoretodo. Iamworkingcloselywithstaffandleaders intheHomeOfficetomakesurewearedoing allwecan toachieve thisambitionfor the benefit ofouremployeesand thediverse communitiesweserve. CelebratingandmarkingBHMintheway weareisjustonepartinmakingthishappen. Scott McPherson, Chair of the Home Office Race Board: “As the new chair of our Race Board, I know how important issues related to race are to both our staff and to the work we do to serve diverse communities across the UK. Black History Month is a great opportunity to celebrate the contribution made by colleagues from BAME backgrounds and to learn something new. The events are relevant to everyone, of every race - I’m going to attend as many events I can and encourage you to do so too.”

Allison Francis, Head of Diversity and Inclusion: “The activities taking place as part for black history month, are a small but crucial part of a much broader, deeper movement towards creating a truly inclusive culture so that all staff can succeed at the highest levels regardless of background.”

Wendy Williams, Independent Advisor, Windrush Lessons Learned Review: It is crucial that the Windrush review considers the experiences of those that have been directly affected. As such, I’ve been running a series of roadshows for members of the public. So far these have been in London, Nottingham and Bristol and I will shortly be going to Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester.

THE LEGACY OF NELSON MANDELA

Patrick Vernon editor of BHM,interviews Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela who is launching a major exhibition on the life and legacy of his grandfather in London in February 2019 as part of the centenary celebrations of Mandela’s birthday.

PV: What inspired you to create the exhibition that is coming to the UK in 2019? Are there any interesting facts and information that people will learn about your grandfather? NZM: This is the centenary of my grandfather’s birthday,if he was still alive he would be 100 years old this year and thus the family felt it was important as an icon and Global leadertodosomethingspecialtomarkthisoccasion.Thisyear inSouthAfricawehadamajoreventinSouthAfricawhere thecurrent PrimeMinsterofSouthAfricaCyrilRamaphosa plusprevious leaders like Zuma,leaders of other African countries plus faith leaders.We decided we wanted to have an exhibition withastrongfocuson therootsofMadiba.We choseLondon as thiswasanimportant placeforMadiba to visit and travelprior to his imprisonment in 1964 as part of his political campaigning for the injustice of the Apartheid and for freedom of our people. One of the key features that we will be exhibiting is the traditional head dress gifted to my grandfather byThe King of Xhosa people,King Xolilzwe Sigcawu.This is significant in the history of our tribe and family.There will be a range of artefacts and family heirlooms,and of course a selection of his famous Madiba shirts.

PV: Tell us about the rural area Mvezo in Transkei where your ancestors came from? What is the significance of this part of South Africa as part of your family and tribal history? NZM: This area is an important part of our history my grandfather and his ancestors were born and raised by the Mehahu River in the village of Mvezo in Umtata which in inTranskeinowpartofEasternCapeProvince. We can trace our family history from 1200 which was codified in writing from 1600. The homeland and ancestry is linked to theChieftainshipwhichIhad thehonour to be enstooled in 2007.

PV: How would you describe the legacy of your grandfather in Africa and internationally? NZM: Madiba dedicated 67 years of his life topublicserviceandhumanityand thebest expressiontodescribethisis‘service’.Nelson Mandela International Day is celebrated each year on 18 July,Madiba’s birthday is a way to promote and up hold human rights, justice and peace.

PV: The Mandela family is one of the most famous and high profile family names alongside the Kings, Ghandi and Kennedy in the 20th and 21st century. There must tremendous expectations for you and other families to live up to the values of grandfather, alongside media pressure and external scrutiny how do you and the family cope with this pressure? NZM: It is very difficult to follow in the footstepsofMadibaintermsofachievements and standards.It is just too big shoes to fill.What we can do is to live our life and make the best contributions we can which can have a collective impact.This is what I am doing to preserve his legacy and my role as the Chief to help improve the conditions of local people in my Province in South Africa.

PV: In Britain we celebrate every year since 1987 Black History Month. What is the importance of Black History to you? What can be done to promote the history and achievements of African and its diaspora in the West? NZM: African Unity is critical and it is important in the context of our changing world that we still preserve and hold on to traditionsandvaluesforfuturegenerations. More work needs to done on research, education and promoting African history anditsimpactandcontributiontotheworld. This is work is also important in the UK context too for Black History Month.