Black History Month, celebrated in October, is a time to commemorate and celebrate the achievements, contributions, and experiences of Black people throughout history.
Dear friends, the Diocese of London is observing Black History Month as part of our wider pursuit of racial justice. We have brought together various activities to tell and hear our stories, so that we can better reflect God’s unfolding story.
We all have a story to tell. Our stories form us. But some stories have not been told or heard. Sadly, some stories have been intentionally shunned and written out of our popular or religious imagination. Such forgotten, or untold, or unheard stories are often that of marginalised, powerless and disposed people.
Maya Angelou in her celebrated poem I know Why A Caged Bird Sings, writes “Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with shades of deeper meaning…The caged bird sings with a fearful trill, of things unknown, but longed for still and his tune is heard on the distant hill, for the caged bird sings of freedom.”
Mainstream history is predominantly told from a privileged, selective, and preferential place. Black History Month offers us an expansively welcoming remedy. It is an opportunity to delve into wider stories of struggle, resilience, perseverance and freedom. It is an occasion to pay attention to the still small voices that are too often lost in the loud cacophony of our society. Stories have the power to stretch our imagination and cultivate a sense of community; they build a sense of belonging to each other, and dreams of equality and justice.
This month I pray that we are challenged to participate and engage with the untold stories and storytellers in our midst.
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.
Black History Month 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
St Paul's Adult Learning
On 6 December 1964 Dr Martin Luther King Jr preached to a packed St Paul’s Cathedral.
During October’s Black History Month the Cathedral’s Adult Learning weekly reflections will explore some of the core principles of Dr King’s thinking. Additionally, they will include bible texts and questions for group discussion.
Sign up to receive the reflections every Friday morning
Local events during October:
If your church is marking BHM with an event please let us know (esther.pannell@london.anglican.org).
Bush Tea and Cake
Every Friday during October, 6-8pm
St Michael and All Angels, N16 7ED
Bushtea and Cake is an edutainment show that supports the talent of up-and-coming artists in the community. There’s also free Bushtea and cake for all.
Soul at Saint James: Gospel Greats
Sunday 6 Oct 2-5pm, St James Piccadilly
Held in the courtyard, this event features the Soul Sanctuary Gospel Choir led by choir director Clarence Hunte and Musical Director Peter Yarde Martin.
In conversation with Monica Clarke
Tuesday 8 Oct 7.30pm, St James Piccadilly
As part of Black History Month, Monica Clarke will be in conversation with the Revd Dr Ayla Lepine about history, racial justice today, and the complexity and challenge of St James’s local parish history.
Lessons from America: Martin and Malcolm in England in 1964
Wednesday 30 October, 5-7pm, Diocesan House, Sw1P 4AU
With Dr Robin Whitburn. A talk with dinner at Diocesan House for Black History Month.
As we mark the 60th anniversary of their London visits in 1964, this talk will explore the significance and impact of the work of Martin Luther King and Malcolm X.
Fulham Palace & seeds of sedition: talk with Akosua Paries-Osei
Tuesday 19 November, 7-8pm. Fulham Palace, SW6 6EA
Join Akosua Paries-Osei as she connects her research into the medical use of botanicals by enslaved African women with the English plant collectors like Bishop Compton who was growing over 1,000 plant species from all over the world at Fulham Palace in the late 17th century.
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.