Black History Month is a national event that runs throughout October to recognise and celebrate the invaluable contributions of black people to British society. This year, the theme is ‘Saluting our Sisters’ and will highlight the crucial role that Black women have played in shaping history, inspiring change, and building communities.

The start of Black History Month was marked by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council with a flag raising ceremony at the Civic Offices on Monday 2 October 2023, the flag will fly for the whole month of October.

Find out more below about how local people are joining the national celebrations and what upcoming events and activities are taking place locally.

Black History Month Basingstoke, led by the Caribbean Society and Friends with the support of the Cultural Diversity Consortium, will be holding a family event at Popley Fields Community Centre on Saturday 7 October 2023. They will also host an awards and cultural night for the third Community Achievers Awards, this is an esteemed platform dedicated to honouring exceptional accomplishments within the Black community in Basingstoke, a date is to be confirmed for this event. See their website and Facebook page for more details and tickets.

Rebecca Makaza from local company Money Wellbeing Ltd. part of Flourishing Fulfilled Futures will raise awareness and celebrate the contributions of Black people to the fields of finance and family well-being at Exploring Financial Empowerment and Stronger Family Connections on Saturday 21 October 2023 from 1pm to 5.30pm at The Apollo Hotel. There will be some inspiring stories and examples of Black excellence throughout the event. Bookable in advance.

Celebrate Black History Month with the incredible Chineke! Orchestra at Anvil Arts on Saturday 28 October at 7.30pm. They are Europe’s first majority-Black and ethnically diverse orchestra who perform a mixture of standard orchestral repertoire, along with works by Black and ethnically diverse composers both past and present.

Also during Black History Month, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council will be launching a community project to commission a new piece of public art as a permanent celebration of the borough's diversity. If you are interested in joining this steering committee, or would like to find out more, e-mail culture@basingstoke.gov.uk.

Keep checking back here for details of events and activities or if we have missed an event you are aware of please e-mail us at hello@lovebasingstoke.co.uk.

You can find out more about Black History Month here at
https://www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk/

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