October is Black History Month.
Next year is the 20th anniversary of Southampton celebrating Black History Month.
Since it began to be marked, its impact and influence has increased across the community with local schools, universities and colleges playing a significant role.
Black History Month South is a Community Interest Company working alongside a range of partners including Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, housing provider Radian, Hampshire Constabulary, Voice FM, Nuffield Southampton Theatre, John Hansard Gallery, Southampton Solent University and Southampton University to create a vibrant inclusive Black History Month.
Don John founded BHM in 2005 and then collaborated with Jayanti Shah and together they have transformed this occasion into a significant event in the Southampton City calendar.
The aims of Black History Month are to promote knowledge of black history and experience, disseminate information on positive black contribution and heighten confidence and awareness of black people in their cultural heritage.
As always there are a wide range of events happening in Southampton to mark Black History Month.
Throughout the month an exhibition, Colourism, is happening at seven locations across the city, including Central Library, October Books and Solent University. The exhibition explores the damaging impact of colourism, the favouring of lighter skin tones within Black and Brown Communities.
There will be a talk from Don John on Colourism at noon on October 12th at October Books.
On October 6th The Mountaintop (pictured top) comes to MAST Mayflower Studios, looking at Dr Martin Luther King’s final hours.
Dancing in the Streets: Motown’s Greatest Live comes to Southampton’s O2 Guildhall on October 19th.
On October 31st, Our Version Media are presenting Reclaiming – a community stories screening on the big screen at MAST Mayflower Studios
.For full details of the programme, visit: blackhistorymonthsouth.com/events
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