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Black History Month 2020

Every year in October we celebrate Black History Month. This year we feel it is important to acknowledge the context of widespread Black Lives Matter anti-racism protests that have become a defining feature of 2020, and the ongoing discussion about how to tackle racism. We should be mindful of this as we enter Black History Month and beyond.

Black History Month 2020

This year we will be drawing on various themes such as literature, politics, art, sports, historical moments, and culture. We will be shining a light on the inspirational Black British figures within our society today.

We will continue to encourage visibility and representation. Without seeing figures in the public eye that mirror a part of your identity, it can be extremely difficult to apply for that role, reach for those achievements and become that person. While we can’t cover everything in one month, and we encourage your exploration of Black history to continue outside of October, we’ll be updating this page with various resources on some of the above topics.

Dig deeper, look closer, think bigger

In addition to the Black Lives Matter protests, the Covid-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the various complexities of longstanding social and racial inequalities in the UK. For more information on this you can read the Public Health England report by Professor Kevin Fenton.

The impact of these huge challenges directly affects the physical and mental wellbeing of the Black members of our community. Without a doubt this reinforces the urgency to discuss, tackle and confront the institutional and systemic racial structures within our society.

As a public organisation representing the diverse groups in Sheffield, we acknowledge the importance of taking full ownership and responsibility for striving for positive change.

Events Calendar 

20th - Off the Shelf Festival of Words, I’m Not Your Baby Mother – Candice Brathwaite in conversation with Désirée Reynolds, 7.30pm - 9pm, Online 

22nd - Off the Shelf Festival of Words, Poetry and Prose – Selina Nwulu, Keisha Thompson and Irenosen Okojie, 6pm - 8pm, Online

23rd- Amalgam Network, Black Muslim Woman in Tech, 6pm, Online

26th - Writing on the Wall, Black History Month @Wow presents: The Art of Disruption with Magid Magid, 7pm - 8pm, Online

27th - Off the Shelf Festival of Words, Creative Writing for Bi-lingual Tongues – Warda Yassin, 11am - 12pm, Online

Off the Shelf Festival of Words, A Portable Paradise – Roger Robinson Plus Support: Lauren Hollingsworth-Smith & Georgie Woodhead, 7pm - 8.30pm, Online

29th - Off the Shelf Festival of Words, Black History in the Age of Black Lives Matter – David Olusoga in conversation with Colin Grant, 7.30pm - 8.30pm, Online

30th - BFI, Film Africa 2020, Online, Various dates and times through month

31st - Off the Shelf Festival of Words, Hive Young Writers’ Day: Young Actors & Writers Monologue Masterclass – John Rwoth-Omack, 11am - 1pm, Online 

Off the Shelf Festival of Words, Kit de Waal In conversation with Désirée Reynolds, 6pm - 8pm, Online

All month and beyond