Wales Celebrates its Great Black Women

October is Black History Month and the Black History Association Wales, in partnership with the African Community Centre, Wales Millennium Centre, Unison Cymru, Radio Cardiff and The Prince’s Trust Cymru, is pleased to announce an exciting and educational programme of events including workshops that will take place across Wales until November, and we are pleased that many will be celebrating this year’s theme – ‘Great Black Women, Past & Present’.

 

The Black History Month Wales 2015 Steering Committee has chosen together to deliver a programme of activities with ‘Great Black Women, Past & Present’ at its core. The evolution of women's rights and equality between black and white, male and female are two issues that continually cross paths. There have been many bold, brave and successful black women throughout history, some widely known and many others the unsung and forgotten sheroes of our time.

 

Some up and coming highlights of the programme include:

Watch-Africa Film Festival featuring filmmaker Q&As, panel discussions, music, food, African arts & crafts, workshops and screenings including La Noire - Black Girl, Kirikou and the Sorceress, Kanye Kanye and Cairo Station.

Diary dates –

Aberystwyth Arts Centre: 23 October

Cinema & co, Swansea: 23 – 25 October

Haydn Ellis Building, Cardiff University: 27 – 30 October

Chapter Arts Center, Cardiff: 21 November

 

A Tolerant Nation? Revisiting Ethnic Diversity in a Devolved Wales: Book Launch and Seminar. This event, taking place at The University of South Wales’ Atrium Building on 22 October, is an opportunity to celebrate this new publication, for contributors to discuss their chapters, and for participants to shape the critical conversations necessary to move forward the debate.

 

Black Women, Black Heritage event celebrating Black women at Glyndwr University on 25 October. Join Ofuobi Consultancy, BAWSO, The Portuguese Community and the African Community Centre for an afternoon of music, poetry, dance, African art and African food. There will also be a homage to Queen Nanny of the Maroons.

 

Echoing Voices cultural concert will feature the melodies of four local community choirs and new drama – I Remember When … at the Riverfront Theatre & Arts Centre. Join Age Alive, New Seasons Church, Coffee & Laugh Ladies and Newport City Church on 31 October from 7pm.

 

And this Saturday 24 October, for the seventh year, Wales Millennium Centre will host the highlight of Black History Month. The free day-long music and dance showcase will be an excellent opportunity to celebrate African Diaspora culture and its contributions to Wales and beyond with music, song, dance, great food and great company.

Great Black Women Exhibition featuring large scale murals sketched by autistic artist Chris Baker of 3 inspirational Black Women in Wales; Betty Cambpell MBE, Vernester Cyril OBE and Charlotte Williams OBE, will also be launched at this event at the Wales Millennium Centre on Saturday.

To discover the full pan-Wales programme please visit the website www.bhmwales.org.uk

 

The origins of Black History Month stretch back to 1926 when Carter G Woodson established African Caribbean celebrations in America. BHM in the UK, which is celebrated in October, has now grown to over 6000 events that recognise the contributions and achievements of Black people to British society. In Wales, the family origins of many black residents link to a number of key ports and in particular Cardiff, Newport, Barry and Swansea Docks, which were once bustling coal ports. The sea brought people from all over the world; wherever coal ships plied their trade.

 

BHM Wales aims to capture and share the contributions of African Diaspora people as part of our shared history, through a wide range of creative activity for people of all ages. And following last year’s tremendous success, over 11,000 people are anticipated to attend the 100 + events of the 8th pan-Wales Black History Month season.

 

UNISON Cymru / Wales Black members chair Kebba Manneh said “We are very proud to be working closely with Black History Month in Wales again this year and it is pleasing to see the events and activities are growing stronger each year, it is something our members identify positively with. Celebrating the role of black history in Wales as a union is key in our objectives and working towards shared goals for the UNISON membership and wider community will ensure that we enhance and maintain a vibrant multi cultural Wales”

 

If you are planning any BHM events and would like www.bhmwales.org.uk to promote them, or if you would like to be involved or book a stall at the showcase, please contact The African Community Centre on 01792 470 298. Also get in touch if you’d like to sponsor an activity or discuss a new project.

 

Follow @BHMWales #BHM2015 and like at Facebook/BHMWales

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