The fifth annual Windrush Day takes place on 22 June 2022.
Windrush Day commemorates the arrival of Afro-Caribbean migrants to the UK and is observed to celebrate the contribution British Caribbean people have made to the UK.
On 22 June 1948, after 30 days at sea, 492 Afro Caribbean migrants arrived at Tilbury docks in Essex aboard the Empire Windrush ship.
This was one of many ships that arrived from the Caribbean during the late 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, with the term Windrush generation coined to recognise these people.
Over the course of the next 60 to 70 years, British Caribbean people would go on to contribute to all areas of Britain's economy and society including healthcare, transport and the production of steel, coal, iron and food.
This contribution was especially significant given the losses that the UK suffered after the Second World War.
Anti-racist council
Councillor Martin Osborne, co-chair of the Tourism, Equalities, Communities & Culture committee, said:
“We’re marking Windrush day to celebrate the value of the British Caribbean population and the outstanding contributions they’ve made to the UK.
“That value has not always been celebrated by everybody, with first generation Caribbean migrants experiencing severe racism from most of the White British population.
“We’ve seen plenty of evidence that racism is still a problem throughout the UK and there’s a lot of work needed to tackle it on many levels.
“Our pledge to become an anti-racist council means we are committed to using our resources and changing what we do to actively dismantle racist structures and challenge racial inequality.
“There is a lot of work to be done but we’re fully committed to the pledge and to work with others to become an anti-racist city.
“We want everyone to have their voices heard, make the changes they’d like to see and create a society that treats everyone with fairness and respect.”
Locally, activities are taking place in June to celebrate the Black British experience and highlight the experiences of residents in the city.
On 29 June, Brighton & Hove BARCO (Black Anti Racism Community Organisation) are running a networking event for the Black community in Brighton & Hove.
The BMEYPP (Black & Minority Ethnic Young People’s Project) is running a quiz activity to match inspirational quotes to the Black leaders that said them at drop-in sessions for Black & Minority Ethnic young people in the city.
The BMEYPP are also running a project interviewing people of commonwealth heritage about their experiences in the UK, which will be made into a film and photography display.
You can find out more about the BMEYPP by following BMEYPP on facebook and BMEYPP on instagram.