Black History Month 2011

What is Black History Month?

Black History Month is held every October in Britain to celebrate the positive impact that Black and Asian communities have had on British society, as well as raising awareness of the culture and heritage of these communities.

The aims are:

to promote knowledge of Black and Asian history, culture and heritage
to promote the positive contribution and achievements of Black and Asian people to British society
to build awareness amongst Black and Asian people of their cultural heritage

The origins of Black History Month go back to 1926 when Carter G. Woodson, established African Caribbean celebrations in America. It is still celebrated there in February each year.

Akyaaba Addai Sebbo is recognised as introducing Black History Month to the UK with the initial event taking place on 1 October 1987 to mark the contributions of Black people throughout history. Shortly after, this was expanded to recognise the positive impact Black and Asian communities have made on British society.

What is happening in Salford this year?

Salford will be celebrating Black History Month in 2011 by staging a programme of events across the city. This will include creative arts performances, lectures and cross cultural exchange with the aim promoting greater understanding of the contribution of Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities to the city.

There is an events programme which provides full details of some of the events taking place in Salford during October. This is available to download below. The following sites provide further information on Black History Month:

Stop press

To mark Black History Month, on 19 October, the Working Class Movement Library on Salford Crescent is hosting a talk by author and researcher Marika Sherwood on Malcolm X and his visits to Britain. The talk is free and starts at 6.30pm. Further information is available from the Working Class Movement Library website.