The national event is supported by Cambridge City Council and celebrates the history and contributions that black people with origins in Africa, the Caribbean, North and South America and other black communities around the world have made to Cambridge and the UK.
All the online events and full listings can be accessed at https://capturingcambridge.org/projects/blackheritage, a website run by the Museum of Cambridge, dedicated to sharing the human stories and lesser-known histories of Cambridge.
The programme for Black History Month includes the following events:
- Anglia Ruskin University presents Brown Babies – a digital exhibition until 31 Oct curated by Professor Lucy Bland, based on her book Britain’s ‘Brown Babies’: the Stories of Children Born to Black GIs and White Women in the Second World War. More information at https://capturingcambridge.org/blackheritage/brownbabies/
- Mojola Agbebi: Identity Matters – A short film by Rev Gale Richards about the co-founder of the first indigenous Baptist church in Nigeria. Screening Tues 6 Oct, 12.30pm at Zion Baptist Church, East Road (also available on Zion Baptist Church’s Youtube channel from 5pm on 6 Oct). Other short films by Rev Richards will be screened on 13 Oct, 20 Oct and 27 Oct. More information at https://capturingcambridge.org/blackheritage/mojola-agbebi/
- Anglia Ruskin University presents an Excellence in Sport Lecture with former England footballer John Barnes, talking about his successful career and the racism he encountered. Thursday 8 October, 7pm-8pm. More details and free ticket information at https://capturingcambridge.org/blackheritage/johnbarnes/
- Cambridgeshire Libraries’ The Library Presents Border Tales – A commentary on multicultural Britain told through dance, live music and dialogue. From Fri 9 Oct, 1pm-Thurs 15 Oct, 11pm. More information at https://capturingcambridge.org/blackheritage/event-border-tales/
- Cambridgeshire Storytellers present Rising Stars – traditional storytelling from around the world. Thursday 15 Oct, 7.45pm. More details and ticket information (pay what you can) at https://capturingcambridge.org/blackheritage/rising-stars/
- Cambridgeshire Libraries’ The Library Presents The Headwrap Diaries – A funny and uplifting dance theatre show by Uchenna Dance set in a hair salon. From Fri 16 Oct, 1pm-Thurs 22 Oct, 11pm. More information at https://capturingcambridge.org/blackheritage/headwrapdiaries/
- Anglia Ruskin University presents Constructive Invisibility, Dangerous Visibility – Dr Cynthia Okpokiri talks about her research on how authority figures interact with black children, young people and parents/carers in areas such as education, healthcare and law. Wed 21 Oct, 6.30pm. More details and free ticket information at https://capturingcambridge.org/blackheritage/constructiveinvisibility/
- Anglia Ruskin University presents Black History is British History – Asanté Boyce explores the presence of black people in Britain and how they have been misrepresented by the way history is taught. Details and free tickets at https://capturingcambridge.org/blackheritage/black-history-is-british-history/
Cllr Anna Smith, Executive Councillor for Communities, said: “I am really looking forward to joining in with this year’s fantastic online programme of events for Black History Month.
“Cambridge is home to people from such a wide mix of cultures and nationalities, and we have been proud to say that Black Lives Matter. Black History Month is a wonderful opportunity for people to celebrate everything that people of black heritage bring to our city and country.”