[EMEA] Recap on Black History Month 2022
Recap of BLM 2022
Last month, in EMEA, we celebrated Black History Month. We celebrated in a range of different ways, hosting some virtual, some in-person workshops.
We kicked off the month with a virtual Music Evolution Tour.
This workshop gave us a tour of some of the most iconic locations for music in the world. Vibrant and knowledgeable guides traced the history of American music, tying together Country, Trap, Hip Hop and R&B to Black spirituals and jazz. The event seamlessly integrated Black history into a 60 minute experience that we all enjoyed!
We also hosted a virtual Spoken Word x Cultural Storytelling Workshop.
The workshop explored cultural identity and heritage through spoken words and conversations. This creative workshop designed to raise awareness and gave us the opportunity to explore how diversity enriches communities.
We also hosted a SAFE SPACE RACE TALK with our DEIB strategic advisor Brooks E-Scott.
Brooks spoke about his personal and professional journey in navigating the world of tech. We all focused on how actions can either positively contribute to or act as a barrier to the future and creation on history that has yet to be written by Black people
We ended the month with an in-person Lunch and Learn with a workshop that went through the Hidden Figures who have helped to shape British society today.
The talk reframed what we know about British History and helped 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 1940’s with Windrush. However, this workshop taught myself and others, Black people have been here and have played a major role in British society since the times of the Romans.
If you are keen to do more research here are a few more useful links below...
General info....
Famous Black Britons (for the kids)
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A film about Dido Belle....
Trailer for Belle
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For those interested in the sports stories....
The Arthur Wharton Story: An educational documentary
Life Stories: Arthur Wharton | Black History Month
A spoken word tribute to the footballer Jack Leslie
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A few good books
Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire - By Akala
Black and British: A Forgotten History by David Olusoga
Black England by Gretchen Gerzina
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