Black History Month (BHM) returns to Cardiff for the ninth time with a programme of events designed to celebrate black history and honour the contribution of black communities in Wales.
Carwyn Jones, First Minister for Wales, has publicly endorsed BHM for the first time this year. Reinforcing the importance of diversity, he says that Wales is home to one of Britain’s oldest multi-ethnic communities in Cardiff and Tiger Bay and that “This is what makes us such a vibrant and tolerant nation.”
Theresa May has also commended the incredible achievements of black individuals in every sector and in Wales the activities coordinated by Race Council Cymru (RCC) aim to showcase the positive impact of the African diaspora on Welsh culture.
Black History Month Wales, #younggiftedblack
Under the title Young, Gifted and Black, this year’s celebrations focus on younger generations and include BHM Wales’ first youth awards. Uzo Iwobi, chief executive of RCC, has said that educating and commending young people is vital to BHM. In her words, it is a, “Month where our children can learn about their own history as well as teach others” and gain power from a better understanding of dual nationality.
Such celebrations have been running in America for 90 years and were first officially recognised in the UK in 1987. Wales itself has a very special connection with BHM as Tiger Bay resident Betty Campbell organised talks and workshops to underline minority history as early as 1973.
With much support from the Millennium Centre, The Princes Trust and National Museum Wales, the events this year are bigger than ever before. Ultimately aiming to have black history threaded through the agenda in Wales, Uzo is clear that BHM is here, “To ensure that black history does not die.”
She adds that everyone’s history should be celebrated and BHM presents the perfect opportunity to do just that.
