While current Covid-19 restrictions make it difficult to hold physical events, Knowsley Council is inviting and encouraging residents to take part in the wide variety of online Black History Month activities. By taking part in activities including poetry nights, blogs, videos and training you can participate in this nationwide celebration of African and Caribbean culture, arts and history, which recognises the achievements and contributions of Black people to British society.
Cllr Shelley Powell, Knowsley Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods said: “Black History Month is an important opportunity to recognise and celebrate the many contributions made by Black people in Britain over many generations. I urge our residents to participate in the events and activities highlighted.
“However, it’s important to acknowledge that this work to recognise the contributions of Black people must continue after October and take place all year round. We are working on a number of projects to do just this and look forward to sharing details soon”
Black History and Beyond: Virtual Events That Inspire Action, Education, and Awareness
By following this link to the Eventbrite webpage you can see a range of virtual events you can take part in. The packed events programme aims to inspire action, education, and awareness and include discussions with influential Black voices, open mic poetry nights, and decolonised history lectures.
Online training (via Zoom)
Knowsley Council is offering anyone the opportunity to take part in the two-hour training session, Equality, Diversity and Unconscious Bias. This introductory course explains what concepts such Equality, Diversity and Culture mean and how you can ensure these are considered in your personal and professional life. The subject of unconscious bias is also explored, shining a light on the ways we make judgements and decisions about people and how we can reflect on and positively change how we do this.
The 2-hour course costs £30 and enquiries can be made by emailing workforce.developmentteam@knowsley.gov.uk
International Slavery Museum
Liverpool’s International Slavery Museum is the only national museum in the world to cover transatlantic slavery and its legacies as well as modern forms of slavery and enslavement. By following this link to their website you can explore stories, interviews, collections and features on Liverpool’s Black community, and find out how the city has become more diverse and culturally richer because of the African and Caribbean people who travelled and built new lives here. Items will be added to this page throughout October and beyond with new stories and activities to explore.
Share your experiences and achievements
Black members of Knowsley’s communities are invited to share their own stories, experiences and achievements by emailing Storytellers22@knowsley.gov.uk
You can read more about how to get involved by following this link to a Knowsley News article.
#NoMore
This invitation for residents to participate in Black History Month complements the work that is already well underway with Knowsley Youth Cabinet and Vibe to promote the #NoMore campaign which aims to eradicate hate of any form within the borough. You can read more about this campaign by following this link to a Knowsley News article.
Teaching children and young people about Black History Month
Knowsley Council has reached out to schools across the borough to encourage teachers to teach children and young people about Black History Month. If you’re a teacher here are some resources that are recommended:
- This BBC webpage suggests discussion prompts and goes into depth about Black people who have made history and includes short films and interview. There is also an assembly about the life of Rosa Parks, an African-American civil rights activist who became an important symbol of the Civil Rights Movement after refusing to give up her seat on a bus to make way for a white passenger, an act she was arrested for.
- This web page is recommended for KS2 and 3 and includes an assembly plan, a Windrush lesson plan and information on the legacy of Nelson Mandela.
- This website has a range of tasks, suitable for a range of ages looking at the meaning of Black History Month.