Sankofa Journeys

2006-12-19T23:22:00.000+02:00

What did you think of Black History Month 2006 in Brighton & Hove?

Image of Evaluation Newsletter, Dec. 2006

An evaluation stall was held in Jubilee Library, central Brighton earlier this month, to provide people with the opportunity to give their views on how they felt Black History Month 2006 in Brighton & Hove went.
In order to encourage people to participate, everyone who completed a questionnaire and left their contact details with us, were entered into a prize draw to receive a free Afrolosophi Hamper. Tim Ojo, of Afrolosophi, picked the winner at random today.

To visit the Afrolosophi website, please click here: http://www.afrolosophi.co.uk/

The winner, who has already been notified, is to receive a Party Hamper.

Thank you once again to all those who took part in the evaluation. If you would also like to complete a questionnaire and have not yet had the opportunity to do so, please contact us to receive one electronically.

2006-11-02T14:37:00.000+02:00

Black History Month 2006 in Brighton & Hove has now come to an end.
Thank you to all of you who supported the events with your presence, donations in money and time and your good wishes.

While October is over, legacies have been created which, it is hoped, will endure for the rest of the year and beyond.

Zindika Black Books Group, having been launched during Black History Month, continues to meet regularly.
The BME Business Network had a successful and invigorating inaugural social event, and it was agreed that a formal network should be founded. Sussex Enterprise have been extremely supportive and the next meeting is due to take place in November 2006.
There are plans to establish a Black Film Society with the support of the British Film Institute (BFI).

If you would like to be involved with the evaluation of Black History Month 2006 in Brighton & Hove, or if you would like to know more about the initiatives described in the bullet points above, please contact us. We would very much like to hear from you.

Roll on October 2007!

2006-10-26T11:08:00.000+03:00

It's nearing the end of October.
See out Black History Month in style by taking part in our long weekend...

Saturday 28th October, 10pm til late: 'Soul Train' The Black History Month Benefit Party
Venue: SUMO, 9-12 Middle Street, Brighton
Price: £5 - free rum punch to everyone arriving b4 12pm, free BHM T-shirts to 1st 20 people

Sunday 29th October, 2pm - 6pm: Momma Cherri's Gospel Brunch
Venue: Momma Cherri's Big House
Price: £7 / £5 including Brunch Buffet

Monday 30th October, 8pm: Conversations with Jean 'Binta' Breeze
Venue: The Old Market, Hove
Price: £10 / £8

Combined ticket for Momma Cherri's Gospel Brunch and Conversations with Jean 'Binta' Breeze will be on sale on Sunday 29th October for £15.

For more information read the most recent entries on this website or contact us.

2006-10-25T11:19:00.000+03:00

Be there!

2006-10-23T14:20:00.000+03:00

Special offer! 'Momma Cherri's Gospel Brunch' and Conversations with Jean 'Binta' Breeze' Combined Ticket for £15

'Momma Cherri's Gospel Brunch'

Date and Time: Sunday 29th October from 2pm until 6pm.
Venue: Momma Cherri's Big House, Little East St., Brighton.
Tickets: £7 for adults, £5 for children. Includes Brunch buffet.

After Momma Cherri’s Soul Food Shack was featured on Gordon Ramsay’s TV series last year, Charita Jones (aka Momma Cherri) has become a regular TV chef. So many people wanted to come and sample her home cooked goodness that she has had to move to a bigger place: Momma Cherri’s Big House, 2-3 Little East Street. Come and meet Momma Cherri and experience her warm personality and hospitality at the first Gospel Brunch in Brighton!

There will be an interactive presentation on Slave Cuisine by Peggy Brunache, PhD student from the Center for African and African American Studies, University of Texas at Austin. Following this Momma Cherri will give us her live cookery demonstration and tell us the story of her journey from the United States to Brighton. The afternoon will close with a Gospel sing-a-long accompanied by live music.

Conversations with Jean 'Binta' Breeze

Date and Time: Monday 30th October from 8pm.
Venue: The Old Market, Hove.
Tickets: £10 for adults, £8 concessions.

Jean 'Binta' Breeze is a renowned Jamaican dub poet and storyteller. However as an actress, dancer, choreographer & theatrical director - Jean brings all of her artistic experience to bear on her work as a poet. She has a striking stage presence - generating all the power & excitement of a full-blown theatrical performance.

The Fifth Figure, Jean's fifth book, is a sequence poetry and prose which chronicles the lives of five generations of Caribbean and Black British women of mixed ancestry.

This event is kindly supported by GScene Magazine.

Tickets for both events will be on sale at Momma Cherri's Gospel Brunch on Sunday 29th October for £15.

2006-10-22T23:08:00.000+03:00

Printable Programme of Events for Black History Month 2006 in Brighton & Hove

Please click on image below to enlarge.

Forthcoming events in the next few days:

Tues 24 Oct, 6pm: BHM Film Night 'Handsworth Songs' with Q&A with Director John Akomfrah
Venue: Jubilee Library, Brighton
Entrance: Free
Organisers: Black History Month 2006 in Brighton & Hove

Wed 25 Oct, 6pm: Games Night
Venue: Jamaica Inn, Brighton
Entrance: Free
Organisers: Justice for Afrikan History

Thu 26 Oct, 5.30pm: Food Night
Venue: Friends Meeting House, Brighton
Entrance: Free
Organisers: African, Caribbean and Asian Society (ACAS)

Sat 28 Oct, 10pm: Black History Month Benefit Party
Venue: Sumo, Middle Street, Brighton
Entrance: £5
Organisers: Black History Month 2006 in Brighton & Hove

Sun 29 Oct, 2pm: Momma Cherri's Gospel Brunch
Venue: Momma Cherri's Big House, Little East Street, Brighton
Entrance: £7 / £5
Organisers: Black History Month 2006 in Brighton & Hove

Mon 30 Oct, 5.30pm: History of Pan Africanism
Venue: Brighthelm Centre
Entrance: free
Organisers: Justice for Afrikan History

Mon 30 Oct, 8pm: Conversations with Jean 'Binta' Breeze
Venue: The Old Market
Entrance: £10 / £8
Organisers: Black History Month 2006 in Brighton & Hove

Please contact us to request a copy of the Souvenir Programme with full details of events and venues.

2006-10-20T17:22:00.000+03:00

BHM 2006 in Brighton & Hove Schools: Today we are 'Coming to England'!

This morning, Floella Benjamin is in Brighton talking to local school children about her experiences of 'Coming to England'

Floella Benjamin is a major figure in Britain's television history. Presenter of such TV classics as Playschool and Playaway, she has been a household name since the 1970s. ‘Coming to England’ is a film adaptation of her autobiography, charting her journey from Trinidad to Britain in the 1960s. It is an inspiring story of how she adjusted to her new life and surroundings with the spirit and good humour for which she is known.

Floella Benjamin will be present at the screening and will lead a discussion of the film immediately afterwards.

The book Coming to England is National Literacy Strategy recommended reading for year 6, and this screening provides a fantastic opportunity to consolidate or begin work around the book. The National Film Theatre (NFT) has produced a pack containing classroom activities designed to explore geography, PSHE and citizenship, as well as history and English. The NFT has agreed to provide this pack for schools attending this event.

Key Stage: Key Stage 2
Subject: Literacy

Children and teachers from Middle Street Primary School, Carlton Hill Primary School, Elm Grove Primary School and St. Paul’s Church of England Primary School will be in attendance.

2006-10-10T00:08:00.000+03:00

Photos from the Opening Event: Sunday 1st October 2006

Photos courtesy of Bert Williams (thank you!)

2006-10-06T09:04:00.000+03:00

Did you know?
On this day in 1862 Abraham Lincoln declared the freedom of all slaves? This is how The Guardian reported the news.

2006-10-06T01:13:00.000+03:00

Over twenty people attended the screening of 'Pressure' and participated in the post film discussion on Wednesday night. There was lively debate and plenty of interest shown in the planned screening of 'Burning an Illusion' which will be next Wednesday evening (from 6pm) in the Millwood Centre (between Kingswood and Milner Flats on Kingswood Street). This event will also include an opportunity for discussion with the director Menelik Shabazz. More about that on this site soon.
Tomorrow morning will the the first of two Black Brighton tours on Bert's Bus. This one on Saturday will be for BME Elders, in honour of their contribution to our community. The tour will start at 11am from Goa, Spice of Life (4-5 Richmond Parade, Brighton - near St. Peter's Church). Anyone wishing to attend needs to reserve a place at the Black History office (01273 234835) and then be at Goa by 10.30am. Following the tour, refreshments will be provided at Goa and participants will be able to view Bert's exhibition inside the restaurant. See y'all there!

2006-10-04T14:00:00.000+03:00

Over 50 people attended the launch of Zindika Black Books Group last night. Everyone present enjoyed the fascinating talk given by Joshua Kwesi Aikins - 'Keepin' it Real' Black Cultural Symbols in Music and Literature.
The food, provided by Jolloff Bites, was delicious. The whole event was over all too soon. The next time Zindika meets they will be discussing 'The Fire Next Time' by James Baldwin. If you would like to know more about Zindika contact us.

This evening will be the first in a series of film screenings for Black History Month. 'Pressure', released in 1975, is about a British-born teenage, whose attempts to fit in backfire as he is forced to see and react to the effects of racism. This is showing in the Jubilee Library, Jubilee Street, Brighton from 6pm. The screening is free and all are welcome.

2006-10-03T12:18:00.000+03:00

The BME Business Cocktail Party last night was a big success. Many thanks again to our local Black historian, Bert Williams, for taking some fantastic pictures. If you attended the party and would like to see photographs please contact us to have them sent to you by email. The contacts list is being complied as you read and will be emailed to everyone who provided their email address. Many thanks again to Sussex Enterprise for their sponsorship of the event.

Tonight will be the launch of the Zindika Black Books Group. This is taking place in Jubilee Library from 6pm. Refreshments will be provided by Bisi of Jolloff Bites, the very same who provided the catering for the launch event on Sunday. Joshua Kwesi Aikins will provide the keynote talk on Black cultural symbols in literature and music.

All are welcome!

2006-10-02T16:43:00.000+03:00

Finally it's October again! As in previous years, in Brighton & Hove we will be highlighting, celebrating and commemorating the achievements of Black individuals and communities throughout the month. This year's programme of events aims to explore the historical emigration of African, African-Caribbean and other Minority Ethnic people, as well as the impact that these journeys have had on the Britain we live in today.

We hope everyone who attend events during the month will not only enjoy themselves but take away something new and be inspired to continue learning about achievements of Britain's Black communities throughout the rest of the year, always bearing in mind that:

Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history.
Dr. Carter G. Woodson, 1926

Kind Regards,
Black History Month 2006 in Brighton & Hove

2006-10-01T20:45:00.000+03:00

Today is the day! The Opening Event of Black History Month 2006 in Brighton & Hove:
Sunday 1st October 2006, 2pm - 7pm
Jubilee Library, Jubilee Street, Brighton

Scroll right down to the bottom of the page to see the calendar for the whole month.

Please click on image below to see the official invitation

2006-09-27T21:48:00.000+03:00

The Opening Event, Family Fun Day, 2pm until 7pm, Sunday 1st October 2006

A vibrant and fun afternoon of acknowledging and celebrating Black History directly in the heart of Brighton: an event for people of all ages. Doors open at 2pm and there will be a Gospel music performance by Kingdom Choir prior to the official welcome by Cllr Simon Burgess and the launch of the logo competition. Following this there will be a West African Dance and Drumming Performance. Throughout the afternoon there will be various activities, the majority of which will take place outdoors.

These activities include:

the sale of West African, Caribbean and Asian food
face painting (courtesy of MOSAIC Black and Mixed Parentage Family Group)
a bouncy castle
various stalls selling food, music, clothing and literature of particular relevance to BHM
various stalls for BME community and voluntary sector organisations to publicise their services
Music by a Steel Band
a Capoeira performance

In addition, there will be activities taking place inside the library:

story telling
an exhibition and a short film about the Taino and the Carib Indigenous peoples of the Caribbean
various music and dance workshops

The afternoon will be rounded off by a rousing dance performance by Bhangra Group Four by Four.

Come and join in the fun!

2006-09-17T01:59:00.000+03:00

All BME business owners and entrepreneurs are invited to this networking event organised in association with Momma Cherri and Shae Shae Creations taking place on Monday 2nd Oct. 2006.
Please click on the image above to see more details.

This event is kindly sponsored by Sussex Enterprise.

2006-09-15T11:25:00.000+03:00

The programme of events for Black History Month 2006 in Brighton & Hove is almost ready...

This is an opportunity for all organisations that support the aims of Black History Month but are not in a position to put on events themselves to publicly demonstrate their commitment.

One page of the programme will be headed: "Wishing you every success for Black History Month"
We still have space to add logos under this heading, from various organisations willing to make a financial contribution. 10,000 copies of the programme will be produced.

Please act fast if you are interested

For a minimum donation of £50 we will include your logo in the programme of events for Black History Month 2006 in Brighton & Hove. The size of the logo appearing in the programme will be approximately 3cm x 4cm.

For more information please contact us

2006-08-20T19:53:00.000+03:00

Logo Competition for BME Young People Aged 11-15. Please click on image to enlarge.

2006-08-15T17:03:00.000+03:00

Findings of Consultation Event, Monday 17th July 2006

The draft report is ready and will be distributed shortly. If you are not on our email list please contact us in order to request an electronic copy.

Key points raised from the adult session

General feeling that it is important to raise awareness of and educate about the history, experiences and culture of BME people in Britain
Positive response of people wanting to be involved at a planning level
Recognition that there is a need to make specific contact with persons from Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Chinese communities to determine what level they would like to be included however people felt that there should be a 70% focus on African / African-Caribbean history.
Positive response to the idea of Journeys theme and the idea of strand
Positive response to having a planning/steering group. Both individuals and community organisations/groups should be included at planning level
It is imperative that schools are involved
Arts and Music should be included
Business, Learning and Achievement should be focussed on national achievement to develop the concept of role models
Begin planning for 2007 now.

2006-07-25T17:10:00.000+03:00

Good turnout at the Consultation Event, Monday July 17th 2006

A consultation event for Black History Month 2006 was held in Brighton on Monday 17th July for adults, children and young people predominantly, though not exclusively, from Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities. In all 32 adults and 10 children attended. We also heard from 14 people who had wished to attend but were unable to, but wanted to demonstrate their support for any work on Black History Month.

The next steps are:

to write up the findings of the consultation and of the evaluation - report to be issued shortly
to make contact with other BME voluntary and community organisations who may wish to be involved with Black History Month events planning - ongoing meetings planned for July and August 2006
to continue work on planning the events

If you would like to be involved please contact us.

2006-07-22T01:39:00.000+03:00

Sankofa

The concept of SANKOFA is derived from King Adinkera of the Akan people of West Africa. SANKOFA is expressed in the Akan language as "se wo were fi na wosan kofa a yenki."

Literally translated it means "it is not taboo to go back and fetch what you forgot".

"Sankofa" teaches us that we must go back to our roots in order to move forward. That is, we should reach back and gather the best of what our past has to teach us, so that we can achieve our full potential as we move forward. Whatever we have lost, forgotten, forgone or been stripped of, can be reclaimed, revived, preserved and perpetuated.

Visually and symbolically "Sankofa" is expressed as a mythic bird that flies forward while looking backward with an egg (symbolizing the future) in its mouth.

Source: http://www.duboislc.net/SankofaMeaning.html

2006-07-20T17:25:00.000+03:00

What is Black History Month?

Dr. Carter G. Woodson established 'Negro History Week' in the United States in 1926. The aim was to encourage young African-Americans to become productive citizens of their country by providing them with a strong knowledge of their past. Dr. Woodson is reported to often have said that he hoped the time would come when 'Negro History Week' would be unnecessary; when all Americans would willingly recognise the contributions of Black Americans as a legitimate and integral part of the history of their country.

'Negro History Week' was originally held in the second week of February, a month of significance because of the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. This eventually grew to become Black History Month.

In Britain, Black History Month is celebrated in October and often encompasses the histories of a range of Black and Minority Ethnic communities.

Why do we need Black History Month?

Black History Month is an opportunity to recognise, commemorate and celebrate the contribution of Black and Minority Ethnic people's contributions to the Britain we all live in today. Additionally, Black History Month provides Black and Minority Ethnic individuals and communities a sense of identity, a sense of heritage and a sense of accomplishment. Furthermore, communities benefit from learning from our past in order to build a better future. Black History Month, like any other celebration of learning, should be embraced as a reflective time, shedding light on areas of history which have hitherto been overlooked or forgotten.

2006-07-19T23:06:00.000+03:00

Welcome to Black History Month 2006 in Brighton & Hove

Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history

Dr. Carter G. Woodson, 1926

Black History Month (in Britain this takes place in October) is a season which has the potential to bring together disparate sections of Brighton & Hove communities in a genuine effort to promote greater community cohesion and further the drive towards race equality. This weblog will outline proposals for a sustainable Black History Month designed to truly reflect the needs of Brighton & Hove’s Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities as well as provide a point of departure for learning opportunities to be created throughout the year.

The key concept behind the design of the Black History Month 2006 is to empower individuals and communities to identify with and participate in event planning and hosting for this year and beyond. This is an inclusive agenda: all sections of Black and Minority Ethnic communities are invited to share their ideas, provide their input and time in order to make this year’s Black History Month in Brighton & Hove a real success.

Would you like to be involved? Please contact us.