By Steve Cooke
Inspired by Black Lives Matter, Black History Month UK are launching a new campaign for Black History Month 2021 called ‘Proud To Be’.
The campaign will encourage Black and Brown people including celebrities to share what they are proud to be – as part of a month-long celebration of the incredible richness and diversity of Black and Brown heritage in the UK.
One such event will be held in Middleton Arena on Thurs 21 October when Caring and Sharing Rochdale present "Proud to be” A celebration of black people who have contributed to society as well as the rich history of the black community
5.30pm – 9.30pm
Middleton Arena, LCpl Joel Halliwell VC Way, Middleton, M24 1AG
This year’s Black History Month in October is more important than ever. It’s not just a month to celebrate the continued achievements and contributions of Black people to the UK and around the world. It’s also a time for continued action to tackle racism, reclaim Black history, and ensure Black history is represented and celebrated all year round. As 2020 showed, and 2021 continues to show, Black history is being made every day, in all kinds of ways. To shine a spotlight on Black history in the making, Black History Month UK magazine is inviting Black people around the UK to share their stories and experiences.
They want Black people of all ages to tell their stories – the stories they want to share and be heard. Black History Month UK is a platform for the whole community to share their stories in their own words. You don’t need to be a journalist or a writer to get involved. Just tell them what’s important to you – whether it’s a story from your own life or community, your thoughts on a topical issue, a little-known person or event that deserves celebrating, or anything connected to Black history, heritage and culture – past, present or future.
Traditionally, Black History Month in October has quite rightly celebrated key figures and events in Black history. This year, they want to go beyond that to recognise the achievements and contributions that Black people make to the UK every day – from the Black people working on the Covid-19 frontline in our hospitals, care homes, schools, supermarkets and warehouses, to the children and young people leading the fight for equality in the classroom, to the household names using their platforms to push for change. That’s why we’re encouraging people of all ages, from all walks of life, to share their stories. ‘We’re all making Black history, every day and we deserve to share and celebrate our stories.’
Black history isn’t just for October
To help integrate Black history into schools all year round, across the curriculum, Black History Month UK has created a brand-new resource pack for secondary schools. The pack includes lesson plans and teachers notes for Key Stage (KS) 3, 4 and 5, support for teachers and young people to talk about and understand issues of race and equality in a post-2020 world, resources for celebrating Black History Month 2021 in October, and ‘Proud To Be’ campaign sheets for students to fill in and share what they are proud to be.
The new schools pack has been produced in partnership with Museumand, The National Caribbean Heritage Museum, and Bishop Grosseteste University in Lincoln, supported by 30 of the university’s Secondary PGCE trainee teachers.
Got a story to share for Black History Month 2021?
People are welcome to share their stories and experiences via letter, email or social media, including video and audio clips. To find out more and get involved please:
Email: editor@blackhistorymonth.org.uk
Visit; https://www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk/
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