The main aim of Black History Month is to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black people not just in the UK, but throughout the world and also to educate all on Black history.

This October, Richmond Council has launched a programme of events and activities, including a virtual exhibition, community discussion, podcast series and cultural events.

Councillor Michael Wilson, Lead Member for Equalities and Diversity, said:

"It's important to recognise the diverse cultural make up of our country daily and especially to take time to celebrate our rich heritage during Black History Month.

"I would encourage everyone to get involved in – either by participating in any of the local activities or the many more virtual events happening across the country."

Internally, the Council will also be recognising Black History Month. Activities include the launch of a new Black Workers Network, celebrating diversity events with external speakers, online discussions and a 'Show Racism the Red Card' event.

The staff Race Equality Network will also be holding a series of events – including an online Hall of Fame to give credit to Black people throughout history.

Programme of Activities

Community Stories Virtual Exhibition

The council are appealing for residents to come forward and help shape a virtual exhibition which will include stories, experiences, photographs and videos.

Stories will explore family histories, traditions, achievements, cultures, and experiences of racism. The exhibition will be shared online and the resulting records will be kept by the Local Studies Library and Archive in order to ensure that our collection is representative of the whole community

The exhibition will launch online at the end of October. You can email in your story on [email protected]

Community Conversation

The council are keen to understand the experiences of local Black residents living in the borough to help us improve local services in the future and help challenge any prejudices and behaviours that impact the lives of local people.

On the 28 October at 5pm, we will be hosting a virtual discussion with Black residents to understand their experiences, how well supported they feel, what matters most to them and what barriers they think exist as a Black resident living or working in the borough.

Click HERE if you would like to attend.

Youth Podcast series Xcast

In partnership with young people at Heatham House in Twickenham, Project X will be publishing a podcast series from mid-October on a series of topics ranging from sports to prisons from a BAME perspective, to understand how their ethnicity affected their experience and shaped their success.

Future podcasts include Paul Canoville, the first black footballer to play for Chelsea and Rodney P, the godfather of British Rap. To listen to the podcasts, follow @AfC_project_X on Instagram.

Cultural events

As part of the borough's Literature Festival, a number of events will be held – including No Word Unspoken (an evening of spoken word withJolade Olusanya and the Repeat Beat Poet), Sway: Unravelling Unconscious Bias with Pragya Agarwal and House of Music with Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason.

Find out more HERE

Libraries Digital Reading Group

The libraries team are hosting a social media discussion on two books:

The Colour Purple by Alice Walker – the story focuses on the life of African-American women in USA in the 1930s.

Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People about Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge – the book explores the link between gender, class and race.

You don't even need to visit your library to pick up the books. You can now use Borrowbox, a new eAudio platform which allows hundreds of people to read them at the same time.

If you would like to talk part in the chat, go to @RichmondLibs on Twitter and have your say using the hashtag #RichmondReads