Saluting The Sister
Black History Month (BHM) has grown from the National Negro Week founded by Garter G Woodson in 1926 where it expanded into BHM celebrated in February. It came to the UK in 1987 https://www.creativesupport.co.uk/the-history-of-black-history-month/ being marked in October.
The first BHM in Birmingham was launched as a pilot in October 1992 by Joan Collymore and Jagwant Johal of the City Council’s Race Relation’s Unit. Dr. Martin Gylnn was one of the many contributors at this first event. 5 years passed until 1997 for a city wide programme to be established, which has continued annually since, The City Council ran BHM directly, from 1997- 2007, when it was commissioned to the Black History Foundation, followed by the DRUM and now continued by the Black Story Partnership.
BHM has gone from strength to strength nationally, and in Birmingham, now being an annual staple, but we must always remember none of our intertwined diaspora histories can be simply confined to a single month of the year. We and our histories are all year, 365.
Enjoy BHM 2023 in celebrating and saluting black women. In doing so, let the sheroes and heroes be our inspiration for us to continue to make history by challenging and breaking down the barriers placed in our paths.
Here’s a taste of what’s happening in Birmingham and nationally.
Birmingham’s Black History Month 2023
birminghamblackhistorymonth.co.uk
University of Birmingham
birmingham.ac.uk/events/black-history-month/index.aspx
