Black History Month, which runs all of October, celebrates the cultural heritage and contributions of the community throughout the UK, including in Birmingham.
Several events, including musical performances, exhibitions, workshops and more, are taking place across the city in October. The event launched officially on September 30 in Birmingham and the schedule of events taking place this month is perfect for anyone who is curious to learn more about the community.
It will feature empowering stories about individuals who for decades have continued to advocate Black Heritage & Culture in respect of social justice, economics, education, health, welfare, and business. This year is also the 75th anniversary of the HMT Empire Windrush arriving in Britain on 22 June 1948 and celebrations for it took place in June 2023.
For next year’s celebration, the Blackstory Partnership CIC - which has produced Birmingham City Council’s Black History Month Brochure for eight years - is looking for the Windrush Carnival Queen 2024. The auditions will take place in January 2024 and you can find more information on the Birmingham Black History Month website.
1. History in the Making - Black History Special - Family-friendly production of Black History timeline at Birmingham Hippodrome at 2pm and 7pm. Tickets are from £7.50.
1. The Tiny Spark - Film Screening & discussion - Filmic intervention reimagining the Handsworth riots of 1985. Taking place at the Thinktank from 6pm. Tickets are free.
1. Tour of the George Saunders Collection from 5:30pm – 6:30pm, 6pm-7pm, 6:30pm – 7:30pm at Birmingham Back to Backs.
George generously gave the contents of his business and a series of oral history recordings to the National Trust when the Back to Backs became a museum, ensuring that his story could be enjoyed and understood by future generations. On this special tour, you’ll get more time to explore George’s collection, listening to stories about his extraordinary life and standing in his shop and workspace. If you’d like to know more about either event, or to book tickets, visit National Trust website .
2. Barrel Children Screening celebrating 75th year Windrush anniversary - The screening of the documentary will take place from 2-4pm at Blakesley Hall.
1. Black STEAM 10 showcase - Awards show for excellence in Science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics from 12.30pm at ThinkTank.
For booking information and more details, visit Birmingham Black History Month website.
1. A guided tour of Birmingham's last surviving court of back to backs.
A guided tour of Birmingham’s last surviving court of back to backs. (Photo - National Trust)
2. Soho House, Birmingham
This is the elegant home of industrial pioneer Matthew Boulton, who lived in Soho House from 1766 to 1809. Matthew Boulton (1728-1809) is one of the most important historic figures associated with the city of Birmingham. During his lifetime Boulton was a world-famous figure, but since the twentieth century his name has been largely overshadowed by that of his business partner, James Watt. But without Boulton’s entrepreneurial vision, drive and ambition it is unlikely that Watt would have fulfilled his potential as an engineer and inventor. Boulton’s work as well as Watt’s pushed the technological boundaries of his time and led directly to Britain occupying centre-stage as the world’s first industrial nation, something which has shaped our lives ever since.
3. George Saunders
4. SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 01: Birmingham City and Sheffield United players wear Black History Month shirts during the warm up prior to the Sky Bet Championship between Sheffield United and Birmingham City at Bramall Lane on October 01, 2022 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
Black History Month events (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)