GumGum EMEA Celebrates Black History Month

October is Black History Month in the UK and several other European Countries. In celebration of Black History Month, we’ve teamed up with a range of UK & European Black Owned Businesses to support knowledge and growth.

We know everyone is very busy at this time of year, but if you can make some free time over lunch or the afternoon to attend any/ all of these events, there is so much to be shared and to learn! 

Lunch & Learn - Music Evolution Tour

Wednesday , 5th Oct 1pm GMT / 2pm CET

Duration: 1 hour 

Join us for the first Black History workshop of the month, The Evolution of Music with a focus on Black Music. This is a live virtual tour of some of the most iconic locations for music in the USA. Vibrant and knowledgeable guides trace the history of American Music, tying together country, trap, hip hop and R&B. This event seamlessly integrates Black History into an experience that everyone will love. You will learn about the story behind how musical genres have evolved, from west African and European influences to modern day chart topping trends. Additionally, you will create jam bands in breakout rooms for a fun interactive element where you will create some music of your own. 

BHM Spoken Words x Alain ‘Fusion’ Clapham

Monday , 10th Oct 12:30pm GMT / 1:30 CET

Duration: 1 hour 

Alain ‘Fusion’ Clapham has presented shows for MTV and Sky, hosted events at Wembley Arena, interviewed the likes of Beyonce, Dr Dre and Marvel-mastermind Stan Lee, and shared his story on the TED stage. 

An experienced educator and creative producer, he is now a lead facilitator for

YouTube - empowering thousands of young people to better navigate the digital

landscape – while also helping award-winning CEOs discover their own

stories of transformation. He has consulted for Wellcome Collection, Historic Royal Palaces, the Department of Culture Media and Sport and is the driving force behind BMT - an immersive live experience and online platform celebrating the ‘awesome everyday stories of black men and women’. 

BHM Spoken words is a workshop exploring cultural identity and heritage through spoken word and conversation. It is a creative workshop designed to raise cultural awareness in the workplace and explore how diversity enriches communities. 

The outcome is for you to create a poetry collection/ anthology. 

Safe Space Race Talk with Brooks 

Wednesday , 19th October 3:30pm GMT / 4:30 GMT

Duration: 1 hour  

Brooks E.Scott, the Executive Coach and Chief Culture Curator of Merging Path Coaching, will join us as a guest speaker for Black History Month.  Many of us have worked with Brooks before as part of our DEIB training series, and we are excited to bring him back to speak on his personal and professional journey in navigating the world of tech.  Our focus will be on how our actions can either positively contribute to or act as a barrier to the future and creation of history that has yet to be written by Black people. 

15 Facts You Didn’t know about BHM (hosted at the LDN office & virtual) 

Wednesday , 26th October 1pm GMT / 2pm CET 

Duration: 1 hour 

Hidden figures who have helped to shape British Society Today - A talk that reframes British History and helps us understand the significant and consistent contributions black people have made to everyday life in the UK 

Most of us have been led to believe that the mass migration of black people to the UK began in the 1940s with Windrush. However, black people have been here and have played a major role in British society since the times of the Romans. 

Types of stories include: 

Lucius Septimiums Severus - The African Roman Emperor who built the London Wall 

Dido Elizabeth Belle - The British heiress who was born into slavery VII for a pay rise 

Claudia Jones - The Activist, feminsit and intellectual behind Notting Hill Carnival 

GumGum EMEA - Bookclub with a focus on Black Authors  📚

This month, we’re launching the #EMEA-BookClub with the focus on Black Authors. 

Our first intro all will be in the second week of October, and then the group will vote on a book they wish to read!