> Black History Month - WALES
>
> Dear Members  and selected organisations and individuals !
>
> For the last two years, I have been involved in compiling a national
> listing of  events organised for  Black History Month.   Now based in
> Cardiff, it makes sense  for me  to contribute to a listing of BHM events
> in Wales.
>
> Are you planning, or do you know of information days, conferences, talks,
> seminars, displays, exhibitions, educational activities etc. being
> organised by health and social care organisations?
>
> As health care is part of social life, can you provide details of music
> and drama performances, oral histories and other social events organised
> by local community organisations, schools, colleges and universities?
>
> If you are planning to host a Black History Month event this October (or
> have read about an event taking place in your locality) - which targets or
> celebrates the life experiences and  health, social, or cultural issues of
> Black and Asian Ethnic groups in Wales- please take a few minutes to
> collate  the following details:
>
> *     Name/ title of the event
> *     Date(s) when the event is to take place / programme schedule
> *      Venue (incl. full address please)
> *     Time / venue opening hours
> *     Short description about the event(s)
> *     Contact details for further enquiries (preferably specifying a
> contact name and email address): Telephone/Fax number for bookings (if
> applicable),URL / Web site for further information
> *      Any additional information (e.g. costs, access conditions, travel
> details, etc.)
>
>
> The aim is to advertise the events in the local press, so please let us
> know of your plans as soon as possible in order to give your event(s)
> maximum publicity in the run up to October 2002.   Please pass this
> message on accordingly!
>
> Event details can be mailto:[log in to unmask]
> Where possible, please use the heading ' WALES BHM 2002' in the subject
> line of your replies to this email, and include a contact name so that I
> can reply with requests for further information, if required.
>
>
PLEASE NOTE:  For those of you based  outside of Wales, it is possible to
send information on to a national listing!



> I look forward to hearing from you.
>
> Best wishes, Roiyah Saltus - Blackwood
>
>
> For information:
>
> A Brief History of Black History Month in Britain
>
> The Origins of Black History Month
> Black History Month was established in the United States of America by the
> Harvard educated African American scholar Dr Carter G Woodson. In the US,
> February has been recognised as black history month since 1926. It was
> thought that such a month was necessary in an effort to celebrate and
> acknowledge the achievements of African Americans in keeping alive their
> heritage, traditions and histories.
>
> Black History Month in the UK
> October is designated as Black History Month and was first celebrated in
> 1987. The Greater London Council facilitated the introduction of Black
> History Month. The Council selected October because this month coincides
> with the Marcus Garvey celebrations and London Jubilee. Therefore, the
> first Black History Month celebrations formed part of the African Jubilee
> celebrations organised by the London's Race Equality Unit. From the London
> Boroughs the interest in black history month soon spread to other cities
> like Bristol, Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham, and Birmingham.
>
> Since 1997, Black History Month has gained national profile. The
> Commission for Racial Equality has become involved in co-ordinating a
> national events programme. This national awareness of Black History Month
> has also been augmented by Channel 4, which features a range of
> documentary and discussion programmes during the month.
>
> BHM in the UK developed in the 1980s when 'black' was used as a political
> term and the month highlights the histories and contributions of African,
> African-Caribbean and Asian groups.  'Black' in Black History Month
> continues to be used   in this political sense and all groups continue to
> take an active part in the activities - either in collaboration or by
> events of their own - to show support and to recognise the underlying
> anti-racist thrust in which the Month's celebrations are based.
>
In Wales, a growing number of organisations actively celebrate Black History
Month.  The events range from informal gatherings of small associations, to
large public celebrations. Please provide information so that  BHM becomes
set in the health and social care yearly agenda and that BHM Wales becomes
a  vibrant part of the  wider celebrations taking place in England, Northern
Ireland, and Scotland.
>
>
>
>
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