Black History Month, celebrated in October, is a time to commemorate and celebrate the achievements, contributions, and experiences of Black people throughout history.
First celebrated in the UK in October 1987, Black History Month provides a platform to educate people about the often-overlooked history of Black people and communities. It also encourages conversations around Racial Justice, which is one of the priorities of the Diocese of London’s 2030 Vision.
This year, Black History Month is dedicated to honouring the achievements of black women.
Resources:
- The Racial Justice page on this website includes a 10-point action plan for churches
- The Church of England has liturgical resources
- blackhistorymonth.org has event listings, articles, and resources
- The BBC has a collection of programmes exploring Black History and culture
- After the Flood: The Church, Slavery and Reconciliation is a documentary showing how the 18th century Church became embroiled in chattel slavery.
The GMH/UKME communication network for clergy
The Church of England Racial Justice Unit is encouraging all Global Majority Heritage (GMH) / UK Minority Ethnic (UKME) clergy, ordinands and lay ministers and leaders to register with the GMH/UKME communications network.
Find out more and register
Local documentaries
St Michael and All Angels Church, Stoke Newington Common, has been involved in producing three documentaries about the Windrush Generation. All are available on YouTube:
- Windrush Pioneers 2021 Six members of the Windrush Generation are part of the congregation at St Michaels, and feature in the Windrush Pioneers documentary.
- Windrush Allies 2022
- Sadness and Sweetness 2023 Produced by the church’s artist-in-residence Sheba Montserrat, the film explores the long-lasting impact on the families who moved to the UK from the Caribbean, and the children who were initially left behind.
Highlighted local events
God is Not a White Man Sunday 1 October, St Paul’s Cathedral
Chine McDonald will reflect on what happens when we face hard and painful truths about race, identity and the imago Dei.
Soul at Saint James – Justice Sunday 1 October, St James Piccadilly
This month they will be joined by The Repeat Beat Poet. Expect spoken word steeped in history, enrapturing and educational in the present, with a hard political edge, that points towards a more just future.
Cugoano250: Ben Okri – Thursday 5 Oct 7pm
In response to the 250th anniversary to Ottobah Cugoano’s baptism at St James’s, Ben Okri will read from his recent books. Cugoano was one of the most prominent abolitionists of the time and a significant but largely forgotten figure in the history of Black Britain.
Bushtea & Cake – every Friday in October (poster below), St Michael & All Angels Church, N16 7ED
A series of free edutainment celebrations.
Racial Justice Pilgrimage – Monday 16 October, route across London
Join the Bishop of Willesden Lusa Nseng-Ngoy in a Journey of Lament and Praise.
