History of British Black History Month

Wed, 27 Oct 2021 09:52:42 +0000

Re: 25 Years On...Black History Month in Britain 2012.The history research continues.. A video of a short segment from the 25 Years On... event*

The one evening and this video obviously is not enough to tell much of the story - so for us, the capturing of the BHM and Black Sections' histories continues. So if you have any resources, hints or links to the histories of the activities/players behind BHM and Black Sections, you are welcome to pass on to us editor@BritishBlackMusic.com
www.blackhistorywalks.co.uk

* On October 30 2012 WHEAT MST in association with Akoben Awards organised 25 Years On..., a Harrow African/Black History event that explored how Black History Month (BHM) was introduced in Britain, and the work of Labour Party's Black Sections in getting the first 3 African British MPs selected and elected, in 1987 - Bernie Grant, Diane Abbott and Paul Boateng (Keith Vaz, was not the first Asian MP -- that honour goes to Liberal MPs Dyce Sombre in 1841 or Dadabhai Naoroji in 1895).

The panel consisted of Addai Sebo (via video, former London Strategic Policy Unit (LSPU)/Race Equality Policy Group (REPG) policy team leader), Ansel Wong (former head of LSPU's REPG), Marc Wadsworth (former Black Sections chair), Kwaku (event chair, co-ordinator of Akoben Awards and TAOBQ (The African Or Black Question)), and Dr Hailu Hagos (WHEAT MST executive director). Special guests included Narendra Makanji (former Black Sections chair and Haringey councilor), Bernard Wiltshire (former deputy leader of the ILEA (Inner London Education Authority)), Mia Morris (former political aide and founder of black-history-month.co.uk), Jessica & Eric Huntley (community activists and publishers), plus Awula Serwah (community activist and organisational support).