As part of its work to promote equality and understanding across the borough, Knowsley Council is marking the month with a programme of events and activity.
Call out for stories and experiences
To launch the month Knowsley Archives is encouraging residents from the borough’s diverse communities to come forward with stories of their own experiences, their achievements and any documentation or photos which they would be willing to deposit for the benefit of future generations.
If you have a story to share with Knowsley Archives, please email infoheritage@knowsley.gov.uk or call 0151 443 4291/ 4365 and the friendly staff will be happy to help.
Inspiring Black entrepreneurship
The council’s role in encouraging and facilitating black entrepreneurship in Knowsley, will be highlighted on Tuesday 18 October at an event in Huyton Library from 5pm to 8.30pm.
Black owned businesses will be showcased, and Charles Otim from North Mersey Business Centre will speak about the ‘Opportunities for Black Entrepreneurship in Knowsley’ and the support available from agencies including Knowsley Council Business Growth Team and Knowsley Chamber of Commerce.
As part of the event, Huyton Library will live stream The British Library’s ‘Inspiring Entrepreneurs: Black creatives – Building the Black economy’ session and its live follow-up discussion on community building with Black Pound Day founder and So Solid Crew member, Swiss.
If you would like to attend the Knowsley’s Black Entrepreneurship event at Huyton Library please email: jack.newsham@knowsley.gov.uk.
Diverse communities celebrated
Later in the month ‘Different Voices – Shared Lives’, an incredible collection of writing by members of black, Asian and other racial minority communities from across the Liverpool City Region, including Knowsley, will launch at a special event in Liverpool Central Library on 27 October at 6pm.
Participants in Knowsley took part in a series of creative writing workshops with writer, Natalie Denny, at Kirkby Library, creating work which placed their diverse voices at the forefront.
These stories, along with those of participants from Halton, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens, and Wirral will be showcased at the event in Liverpool Central Library. To book to attend this free event please register through Eventbrite.
Meanwhile, a multicultural celebration is planned in Huyton Library on the afternoon of Friday 28 October. Families for whom English is not their first language have been invited to share their heritage through their music and dance and traditional food, providing an opportunity to highlight some of the diverse communities within Knowsley.
Cllr Shelley Powell, Knowsley’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods said:
“Black History Month is a wonderful opportunity to recognise and celebrate the many contributions made by Black people in Britain – but it’s important to remember that this isn’t just about one month.
“We are proud to support Black people and promote equality in Knowsley in many ways; from cultural programmes curating unique stories and experiences to supporting Black entrepreneurship and reflecting on and understanding the impact of Black history so that in the future residents of any ethnicity are respected and able to thrive.”
The World Reimagined
Black History Month is a great time to visit Court Hey Park in Huyton and view the huge globe sculpture on display as part of the national art education project, The World Reimagined.
Available until 31 October and part of a public art trail, the installation is one of 10 large globe structures located around the City Region which aim to transform how we understand the Transatlantic Trade in Enslaved Africans and its impact.
In addition to the large sculpture at Court Hey Park, smaller sculptures painted by Knowsley school pupils and youth groups are on display at the Culture Hub in Huyton.
Knowsley’s participation in The World Reimagined forms part of the borough’s wider programme of events for its year as Liverpool City Region Borough of Culture.