North Tyneside Council is proud to support and celebrate Black History Month again throughout October.
The event has been celebrated in the UK for more than 30 years and the idea is to recognise and celebrate the important people and events in Black History that helped to shape our country over many generations.
It’s also an opportunity for people from all backgrounds to learn more about the lives and legacies of black people here in North Tyneside, with community groups, residents, our BAME Taskforce and council staff all getting involved.
And where better to start than with a good book?
Great Reads for Discovering Diverse Voices
A selection of books by prominent black and BAME authors will be available to borrow from North Tyneside libraries.
'Great Reads for discovering Diverse Voices' is a collection of works by celebrated black authors, in particular the work of Ugandan novelist, Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi. The multi-award winning writer, who lectures in creative writing at Manchester Metropolitan University and holds a PHD from Lancaster University. She was selected as one of the 100 Most Influential Africans by New African magazine in 2020.
Other distinguished writers to be featured include Lola Akinmade Akerstrom. Rosanna Amaka, and Natasha Brown.
All titles are available to order and reserve at libraries across the borough.
Talks in Honour of Black History Month
Guest speakers will appear at Whitley Bay and North Shields Customer First Centres to give talks ‘In Honour of Black History Month’
Brian Ward, Professor of American Studies at Northumbria University, is set to speak at Whitley Bay Customer First Centre on Monday 18 October, 2.30pm.
His talk is entitled: ‘Beyond Jimi, Martin and Muhammad: Celebrating Two Hundred Years of African Americans on Tyneside’.
David Young of the North Shields Heritology Project is to appear at North Shields Customer First Centre to deliver a two-part talk about the 1846 visit to North Shields of Frederick Douglass, one of the great antislavery activists, who orated at the Baptist Church on Howard Street.
His talk will also explore the remarkable life story of Charles Udor Minto MBE, a Nigerian former boxer who settled in North Shields.
‘Two Talks Towards Freedom: Frederick Douglass and Charles Udor Minto MBE’ takes place on Wednesday 20 October, 2.30pm
Video: The Boxer who fought for his people, Charles Minto in North Shields
Video: Two Talks Towards Freedom: Frederick Douglass in North Shields
Show Racism the Red Card
The council will once again be teaming up with Show Racism the Red Card, the campaign which combats racism in football, to mark Black History Month.
St Mary’s Lighthouse will be illuminated red from October 18-23 and, on Friday 22 October, the campaign’s Wear Red Day invites people to wear something red as a visual expression of our commitment to oppose racism - and council staff will be joining in.
