Black History Month 2022

How everyone can celebrate!

Black History Month is a yearly recurring celebration that allows everyone to gather together and not only appreciate Black history, but also be educated and encouraged to help make a positive change to the Black community.

This year’s theme is Time for Change: Action Not Words, which focuses on the doubleburden Black people carry; for example actually experiencing racism and discrimination, whilst additionally being expected to fix the problem. This needs to change, and to do so in an educational and positive way, everyone should be learning beyond this singular Black History Month; they should be learning regularly about how they can help change current issues regardless of their race, gender or age. Black History Month is set in place with a purpose to spark the conversation, as well as to remind us to keep talking, learning and interacting.

This year, BHM is linking this by having Black people of all ages telling their stories. They want to go beyond just recognising key figures and events in Black history, to recognising the achievements and contributions that Black people make to the UK everyday - from Black people working on the Covid-19 frontline, to the children and young people leading the fight for equality in the classroom, and to the household names using their platforms to push for change.

The month began on Saturday 1st of October and finishes on Monday 31st of October. Throughout this time, there are many events, shows and concerts taking place to appreciate all Black people.

More than Peach

More than Peach is a project and the 1st multicultural art brand which was established in 2019 by then 8-year-old Bellen Woodard, the World’s 1st Crayon Activist. The meaning behind it is to have a range of skintone colouring crayons that are representative of every child found in education, and not just the normalised peach skin-tone crayons. Bellen’s hard work, fight for more representation in the classroom and refreshing take on inclusiveness, is a prime example of how we can every day, not just one month in the year, make a life-changing adaption to continuously support Black people and minorities.

www.morethanpeach.com

Prince of Peckham

The Prince of Peckham Pub has a large range of events in place throughout October including some fun and exciting events such as Soft Life Brunchin, Tens Studio: Young People Indigo Dye Workshop, Voguing with Bam Bam, Dele Sosimi’s Dance among many others.

www.princeofpeckham.co.uk

UK Black Business Show

The UK Black Business Show is set to take place on October 22nd in Islington, London. This event has been created to both inspire and connect Black business owners with professionals who can guide them through the process. The show will highlight the achievements and contributions Black businesses have made to the economy not only this month, but over a long period of time. The key aspect is to create a positive and a progressive arena that allows Black businesses to come together, whilst creating a platform that promotes the development and representation of Black talent.

www.ukblackbusinessshow.co.uk

Poet’s Corner: Canary Wharf

Canary Wharf is holding a poetry station throughout the month of October at Crossrail Place Roof Garden at 1pm for 30 minutes on a number of different dates, the next one being October 22nd. This is a chance for spoken-word artists to have a platform to amplify their voices and also explore, explain and read about the Black experience and Black culture.

www.canarywharf.com/ whats-on/black-historymonth

And more...

Black Finance Talks - 21st October Westminster Celebrating the Black Academic Pipeline in FoNS: Meet and Greet and Q/A - 24th October Kensington and Chelsea Author and Illustrator Ken Wilson-Max visiting Brixton Library - 25th October Black History Month-Coding Anasi The Spider - 25th October Pollards Hill Library Malorie Blackman: Just Sayin - 26th October Southbank Centre Black Noise: Experiment in Quiet - 26th October Kings Place Tina Turner Musical - 31st October Westminster

These are just a number of other events, amongst many, that are taking place in October for Black History Month. The more people, regardless of race, gender, age or any other qualities, that get involved the better!

The Black History Month wants any Black person with a story to tell to do so, make your voice heard or listen and learn from others. To do so email

editor@blackhistorymonth.org.uk

SARA KEENAN, Co-Editor