October will see the return for the second year of Black History Month (BHM) in Cheltenham, malady with lots of events taking place across the borough. The month is an exciting time for all communities that live in Cheltenham and Gloucestershire to join together and share ideas about how to overcome some of the challenges each of them may face.
BHM celebrates the contributions and achievements that Black, African and Caribbean communities have made locally in Cheltenham and Gloucestershire, as well as the world over. The aim of the month is to promote knowledge of Black history, culture and heritage; to disseminate information on positive Black contributions to British society; and to heighten the confidence and awareness of Black people to their cultural heritage.
This year we are delighted to have some prominent guest speakers coming to Cheltenham: Bonnie Greer OBE, Gary Younge, a journalist for the Guardian and in partnership with Cheltenham Literature Festival, George the Poet. There will also be film screenings, busking in the Promenade, music nights, talks by the Gloucestershire Historical Association, book readings for children, a drumming workshop during half term, an art session, a discussion about the history of black people in Gloucestershire and finally, the culmination of the Barnwood Trust’s Kanga making competition and judging of the winning entry.
Black History Month in Cheltenham is a collaborative effort by the African Community Foundation Gloucestershire, Cheltenham West End Partnership and Cheltenham Borough Council.
Florence Thomas, Chair of Gloucestershire African Community Foundation, said: “We are really excited about this year’s events. We ran a successful programme in 2014 for the first time, but this year is bigger and better and we hope that lots of local people will get involved”.
Councillor Rowena Hay, cabinet member for healthy lifestyles, commented: “Black History Month has been celebrated widely for many years honouring the achievements, culture and the history of black people. It has really grown in Britain in recent years, and now thousands of events currently take place all over the country.
“It is important to remember the challenges that black communities faced here in Cheltenham and across the UK. I’m delighted that Cheltenham is joining in the celebrations this year with a programme of exciting and inspirational events.”
The events are for everyone. For full details of all of the events, please see the Facebook page at Black History Month Cheltenham, emailblackhistorycheltenham@gmail.com or call 01242 774960.