Black History Month takes place every October. During this month Sefton Council will be celebrating the incredible history, achievements and contributions of black people in our communities and across Merseyside.
Throughout the month, we will also be shining a light on some of the people and organisations who are striving for equality and diversity in our Borough.
There is a range of exciting events happening across the Borough, some of which are based on this year’s national campaign TIME FOR CHANGE which encourages people from our black communities to share their own personal and unique stories.
Cllr Trish Hardy, Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing at Sefton Council, said:
“Throughout Black History Month and beyond we are proud to be celebrating our black communities. As a council, we are incredibly grateful for the contributions black people continue to make to not only our Borough, but across the UK.
“I’m looking to continuing conversations on how we can build a stronger, more united society. This month is a time for people to come together and hopefully learn lessons for the present and the future.”
We’ll be keeping people updated about these activities but firstly for this years Black History Month we’d like to share some exciting news about:
The World Reimagined Globe Sculpture Project
During BHM we’ll be highlighting our trail of uniquely painted Globes which run throughout Sefton
These globes have been designed by artists and the local community to illustrate and transform how we understand the Transatlantic Slave Trade and its impact on all of us.
This work is a collaboration with Sefton, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and the World Reimagined, an organisation which promotes racial equality through learning projects. Find more information on the World Reimagined at www.theworldreimagined.org
Explore Sefton’s Globe Trail
Sefton’s main globe which has been designed by artist, Any Bourbon. It’s Located at The Strand Shopping Centre in Bootle, Upper level. Find information on the Strand and opening hours at www.strandshoppingcentre.com
There is a community globe designed by Southport Against Racism – a group in Southport who promote community cohesion, and Christ the King School in The Atkinson Centre in Southport. Find information on The Atkinson Centre and opening hours at www.theatkinson.co.uk
At Crosby Library in Waterloo, you will find six thought-provoking globes, created by local schools in Sefton. As part of the education project to teach young people about the impact of the Slave Trade. Find information on Crosby Library and opening hours at www.sefton.gov.uk
More information on the globes can be found at https://mysefton.co.uk/2022/08/31/the-world-reimagined-art-education-project-comes-to-sefton/
Come and join us as we showcase Sefton’s Community Globe at and event at The Atkinson Centre on Saturday, 22nd October 12pm – 3pm. This open event includes Discussions from Southport Against Racism and CK school about the development of the globe. Also poetry readings and singing performances. Free tickets can be booked at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/black-history-month-event-tickets-428807884927?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=escb
An event is also being planned at The Strand Shopping Centre in Bootle. More details are to follow soon.
Other activities and projects across Sefton
Nwoko Arts presents Sweet Mother
A verbatim play written and directed by Maria Paul. The play tells the story and celebrates the strength of white women who fell in love with and married black men in the 60s and 70s.
Taking place at Lock & Quay, 2 Irlam Road, Bootle, L20 4AH on Wednesday, 26 October. The play is also returning for another performance at Lock & Quay on Wednesday, 16 November.
Tickets can be booked at > https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sweet-mother-tickets-432391934917?aff=ALLEVENTS
Different Voices Shared Lives
Sefton’s libraries have been involved in an extensive creative writing programme, delivered in partnership with the City Region’s six Library Services. Members of our ethnically diverse communities came together to work with professional writers to take part in creative workshops to write their stories about their background and experiences.
The book launch is taking place Thursday 27th October at Central Library in Liverpool. Find out at https://writingonthewall.org.uk/myevents/different-voices-shared-lives-book-launch/
The Unselfish Selfie Art Exhibition
The Atkinson is working with guest curator and artist Nahem Shoa to present the exhibition.  Alongside historic self-portraits, the exhibition shines a light on self-portraits by contemporary artists, who traditionally have not been given an equal voice and remained largely invisible, particularly women artists and artists of colour. The exhibition is hosted at the Atkinson from 8th October until 4th March 2023. Find out more at https://www.artinliverpool.com/events/the-atkinson-the-unselfish-selfie/
At the Library
These events are ongoing, and are not exclusively Black History Month events.
The Colour of Pomegranates
A collaboration between with Venus and the Red Cross to offer women learning English a space to practice their English speaking and listening skills with native speakers, through creative activity and conversation. An ongoing project, the sessions are taking place on Saturdays 15th October and 29th October at Bootle Library. Find out more at https://atthelibrary.co.uk/projects/the-colour-of-pomegranates/
Chopping Club
Community lunches at Bootle Library, cooked and eaten together in the library. These lunches are communally prepared and cooked in one pot, always in the library itself. Everyone chops, so everyone has made lunch for everyone else. Find out more at https://atthelibrary.co.uk/projects/chopping-club/
Training and Development
Sefton Council are completely committed to driving forward the race equality agenda, as an employer, service provider and as a partner both locally and regionally.
To celebrate Black History Month 1st – 31st October 2022 Sefton Corporate Learning Centre (SCLC) are offering the following eLearning courses at a reduced rate of only £15pp (usually £25pp):
- Equality and Diversity Awareness
- Equality and Diversity for Managers
- Unconscious Bias
Anyone enrolling onto any one of the courses above (or all!)Â from the 1st October and completing them by the 31st October will be eligible for the discounted price quoted.
Please go to www.seftonclc.co.uk to login or register. Or email training.services@sefton.gov.uk or Tel:Â 0151 934 2872
That’s why a new Better Health – Every Mind Matters campaign is being launched, helping us find those little things we can all do to look after our mental health and showing us how they can add up to make a big difference; helping us to lead happier, healthier lives and cope with life’s challenges.
Recruitment Team Manager Jennifer Rose Murphy said “We’re so excited to see the Angel Wings really coming together. We’ve been working with our children in foster care, children visiting libraries and other events and school children from across the borough, to really involve our communities and raise awareness.