October is Black History Month in the UK.
It’s 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.
Proud to be campaign
Inspired by Black Lives Matter, Black History Month UK is also launching a new campaign for Black History Month 2021 called ‘Proud To Be’.
The campaign encourages 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.
Black History Month are keen for people to share their stories and experiences via letter, email or social media, including video and audio clips.
‘Still Breathing’ exhibition in Jubilee Library
To mark Black History Month, Jubilee Library is hosting the ‘Still Breathing: 100 Black Voices on Racism – 100 ways to change the narrative’ exhibition until 31 October.
The exhibition features excerpts from the seminal new book of the same name.
The book is a collection of essays by 100 Black British people about racism, edited by actresses Suzette Llewellyn and Suzanne Packer who wanted to highlight what it means to be Black and British in the society that we live in.
Black History Month reading
Our libraries also have specially curated stock throughout Black History Month.
Pop into Jubilee or Hove library to take a look and borrow a book.
You can also browse the online Brighton & Hove library catalogue to see our carefully selected collection to borrow, or download an eBook or eAudiobook from BorrowBox.
We have multiple copies of Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge and High Rise Mystery by Sharna Jackson to download and listen to.
Celebrating Black history all year round
Councillor Steph Powell, co-chair of the Tourism, Equality, Culture & Communities Committee said: “Black History Month is an opportunity to acknowledge an important part of our country’s and city’s history and culture that is too often not talked about or understood.
“It’s also a time for reassert action to tackle racism. Part of our work towards becoming an anti-racist council and city means understanding, sharing and celebrating our Black history - all year round, not just through October.
“I hope that everyone can get involved in Black History Month. If you can, come along to Jubilee Library to see the ‘Still Breathing’ exhibition.
“It's important to recognise the achievements and contributions that Black people make to the UK every day. Learning about the experiences of our diverse communities makes our city a stronger place.”
