BLACK HISTORY Celebrating our past, present and future South • October 2016 Black History Month 2016 has so far proven to be a year of loss and Much has happened in recent times which has change. A year where people who have been solidified my belief in the importance of history. a part of the very fabric of our times have sadly History is not just the recording of happenings departed and our country now facing economic in a bygone age. History viewed, in the context and sociological uncertainty. Change brings of the present, provides the basis for a record it’s own challenges but also provides us with of development and change. opportunities to speak about the advantages Many things have changed for the better but of cultural diversity which can lead ultimately as the Black Lives Matter movement and the to understanding and improving relationships social crisis in Zimbabwe show, that record of between all communities. development and change has much room for improvement. To inject some lightness and stability for us all this year’s Black History Month promises As in previous years, Black History Month to be one of colourful celebration. Our theme South will reflect on the contributions and for the 12th BHM is Role Models past, present, achievements of people of African-Caribbean international and domestic, examining the descent and we should continue to learn from positive effect the actions of others can have on and celebrate these examples. We should take pride in Black History and most importantly our own lives and experiences. share that history not just in October, but all year round and encourage each other to Southampton’s BHM has always sought to bring contribute positively to tomorrow’s history. The together our wonderfully diverse community phrase I came across recently that sums this up and I can honestly say this year we have perfectly for me is “Each one, teach one”. contributions from across the region. I hope you enjoy the numerous events that will be Jen Campbell running through the month and look forward to Black History Month Co-Ordinator meeting you all over the coming weeks. So... Let the celebration commence! Lou Taylor Black History Month Co-ordinator Black History Month South Lou Taylor: 07836 631485 Jen Campbell: 07968 753169 Dedicated to the memory of Angela Leonard E: [email protected] (Glenn), Barrister & Black History Month Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/ “Hero” 2009. BHMSouthampton Magazine edited and designed by Don John. Sponsors Spectrum Solent University Spectrum Housing Group is proud to support Southampton Solent University is working at the Black History Month and the many events forefront of Internationalisation. Black History that bring people together to celebrate the Month is a crucial part of informing our students, achievements of black communities in the region. Congratulations to Lou and Jen and the staff and the community about the history of team who have worked hard to organise this Internationalisation in and around Southampton year’s programme focussing on role models. and the hugely positive benefits that has brought to local culture and the economy. Richard Hill Chief Executive Spectrum Housing Group Professor Mike Wilkinson Radian Housing Southampton Solent University We are proud to support BHM’s values and ethos, as we have done since it’s inception. We are delighted to see the ambition and reach of this event grow year on year. Radian is committed to City College ongoing support for Black History Month as a key event in Southampton City’s annual calendar. I am delighted that Black History Month is being launched this year at City College, as it’s very important to all of us at the College to be This year Radian is organising and supporting active members of our city community. Black initiatives to celebrate the contribution of History Month is an important time each year to black role models in our communities and think about the diversity of Southampton and to offers a chance to celebrate and recognise the celebrate the cultural richness that we enjoy as achievements of positive black role models. a result. Radian is delighted to be a part of the vibrant events taking place this October. Lindsay Todd Sarah Stannard Chief Executive Principal & Chief Executive Southampton City College The Launch of Black History Month The Hub: Southampton City College Friday 30th September, 11:00 - 14:00pm This year’s event will be hosted by Southampton tough, however this was also an opportunity City College. The Mayor of Southampton for him as an individual with high ambitions to Councillor Catherine McEwing will officially go on and pursue his ambitions in journalism, launch the activities for the month. The launch social affairs and politics. He finished A’ levels will feature contributions from the hosts and in English Language, Media Studies and Level presentations from invited guests. 3 BTEC Applied Law in June 2016. He looks forward to starting university in September Our keynote speaker will be Rex Obano. Rex 2016, ans is looking forward to starting a Obano has written for the stage, television, bachelor’s degree in English and Media with radio and film. He was born in London and spent hopes to step in the Journalism and media a year in the United States on placement where industry. After completing his degree in he read Playwriting at City College of New English and Media along with work experience York. He has a Masters Degree in Feature Film in the journalism/media industry he hopes to Screenwriting from Royal Holloway, University follow this up by doing a Politics and Sociology of London, and is best known as a writer degree. for the award winning children’s animated series Rastamouse. His theatre includes Slaves (Theatre 503) and The Door Never Closes (Almeida Theatre). His radio includes Someone’s Making A Killing In Nigeria, Burned To Nothing, Lover’s Rock and As Innocent As You Can Get. He is under commission from ITV Studios. We are also pleased to welcome Musah Stamburi as keynote speaker. Musah was born in Bulawayo Zimbabwe and moved to the UK in early 2013. Adjusting to life in the UK was Muhammed Ali in Hedge End 1971 Black Plaque to commemorate the moment. In past years Black History South have made Bemused shoppers looked on in astonishment four “Black Plaque” awards to individuals who as the former world heavyweight boxing have made an impact on the Black History of champion, Muhammad Ali, created a “rumble” the region. These have included Bob Marley, in the aisles as he made an appearance at the Joe Harriott and Craig David. Fine Fare Supermarket in Hedge End. It was undoubtedly a surprising sight and not a little It Is not every day that the most famous incongruous to see a legend of Ali’s stature up sporting superstar on the planet walks into close and personal and it’s pretty safe to say your local supermarket. But in October 1971 that since that day no one with a bigger name that is exactly what happened in Hampshire. than Muhammed Ali has been spotted locally. This is part of a newspaper report at the time. Black History Month will be celebrating that moment by placing a “Black Plaque” at that very location. Details of the unveiling will be promoted during Black History Month. #Black Lives Matter 9/11 2001 marked, amongst other things, protesting about racism became embarrassed the moment when the issue of “Race’ in the about complaining and surrendered to the western world became inflamed and the heat perception that this was an ugly fact of life was felt all over the world; and the UK was no that they should be expected to deal with and exception. From that time,people of colour, failure to deal with it was a measure of their in worlds where they were in the minority, own inadequacy. In more recent times the were viewed very differently and the well “Black Lives Matter” narrative has become an worn struggles to achieve equality were international expression of that condition and seriously reduced. These times generated resurrected sentiments that were last seen in an atmosphere where ethnic minority the 1970s. communities seemed to lose the appetite to press for civil rights in the same way as before, I would like to think that the celebration of and authorities were less enthusiastic about Black History Month is an important means by offering it up. When such issues of civil rights which Black people can properly evaluate the were echoed individually and collectively they qualities of their own history and an affirmation were met with accusations of “playing the race of self worth. We in the South of England are card” or “political correctness gone mad” and making our small contribution and this year’s the philosophy of “enough is enough” were theme”Role Models” is one small step along more aggressively articulated. The notion of the way. fortress Europe gained momentum and the criminalisation of dissenting voices were Don John manifested in stop,search and arrests and the Founder: disproportionate presence of those groups Black History Month South in the criminal justice system. Even those Alison Heydari: Commander Southampton Police Alison joined Hampshire Constabulary in about supporting issues relating to Diversity, 2000, stationed at Southampton Central Station community engagement and she mentors in 2001. On promotion she joined CID and as extensively. a Detective Sergeant and Inspector, worked across many disciplines including Child Abuse Alison is married with two children. She has a Investigation and Cold Case Review. Alison PGCE, BSc in Social Policy, MSc Criminology worked in London as a staff officer and on the and Criminal Justice and CMI level 7 in Inspection Team at Her Majesty’s Inspectorate Leadership & Management and Coaching & of Constabulary.