Blackstory Partnership event marks Windrush anniversary

BIRMINGHAM’S arts and events collective Blackstory Partnership is looking to bring the curtain down on its historic six-year stewardship of the city’s Black History Month celebrations with an event to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Windrush Day on June 22.

In collaboration with the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, where the event will take place, it will acknowledge Birmingham’s Windrush Generation for its contribution to the rebuilding of the country and trailblazing for future generations.

Hosted by BBC presenter Nikki

Tapper and Mykal ‘Wassifa’ Brown MBE, the event will include a performance from the newly-formed children’s choir, The Next Generation Choir Birmingham, plus guest speakers and presentations.

The Blackstory Partnership’s Audrey Hayles-Parkes said: “This year’s National Windrush Day is of great significance as it marks the 75th anniversary of the generation’s presence and contribution to the fabric of the country. We are pleased to host the anniversary event at such a prestigious venue and hope our guests are enthused by the evening’s content.”

In a joint statement, Sean Foley and Rachael Thomas, Birmingham Rep’s Artistic Director and Executive Director respectively, said: “It is an honour for The Rep to be working with our friends at Blackstory Partnership on this very special event to mark the 75th anniversary of Windrush Day.

“Every one of us can celebrate the huge economic, social, and cultural contribution that the Windrush Generation and their descendants have made to Birmingham and the nation.

“To be hosting this evening on our main stage is a privilege. We will be coming together to remember an extraordinary generation.”

Following the devastation to UK infrastructure following the Second World War, a series of calls were made to people of British Empire to help rebuild the ‘Mother Country.’

The arrival on June 21, 1948, of the SS Empire Windrush at Tilbury Docks, carrying scores of Caribbean people, mainly from Jamaica, in response, was recognised as an annual day of national observance by the UK government in 2018, with the passengers commonly referred to as The Windrush Generation.