​Bury celebrates Black History Month

The enormous contribution that black Britons have made to our vibrant and diverse society is being celebrated in Bury during Black History Month.

Art, literature, history and above all people’s stories will be highlighted at venues across the town during the month of October and beyond.

Bury Art Museum is working with artists Alison Erika Forde and Seleena Laverne Daye to inspire discussions about diversity and museum collections. With the help of the Contemporary Art Society, the museum has acquired new artworks by Samson Kambalu for the Text and Language art collection, as it seeks to address the balance of its permanent collection and the society it represents.

The Art Museum is open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from noon until 4pm.

Its social media channels are also highlighting past and present works from the collection, including “Abstract” by Maurice Mumpasi and the word of Lubaina Himid which reimagines the role of black women in history. Visit @BuryArtMuseum on Twitter and Instagram.

Bury Library Service has a reading list and selection of audiobooks to borrow, including “My Name is Why” by Lemn Sissay and the Booker Prize winning “Girl, Woman, Other” by Bernardine Evaristo. To read these, and a huge selection of online books on Borrowbox, visit https://www.bury.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=14147

The Seldom Heard Voices initiative, part of Bury’s Town of Culture activity, is developing proposals to amplify voices from Bury’s cultural landscape in conjunction with The Met, ADAB, BAME Project and Bury Active Women’s Centre. Working with artists and local communities, this project will draw upon people’s heritage and inspire new works across different media.

While September’s National Heritage Open Days focused on ‘bricks and mortar’ heritage, we are encouraging people to #shareyourstory to celebrate our distinct communities. For Black History Month we particularly encourage our BAME communities to share their inspirations, stories, cultural icons (both from within the borough and further afield). Send your stories to townofculture@bury.gov.uk

Bury Youth Service are highlighting influential black figures on their social media every day throughout October. If you would like to make a very short video about an influential black figure explaining why you have chosen them and want to honour them, please email Jenny Mills at j.k.mills@bury.gov.uk

Bury Active Women’s Centre is focusing on Muhammad Ali, one of the most significant and celebrated figures of the 20^th century to learn more about his life as an activist, philanthropist and inspiration. Follow @BuryActiveWomen on Twitter or www.bawc.org.uk for more information.

Councillor Tahir Rafiq, cabinet member for corporate affairs, said: “In Bury we are proud to be a rich tapestry of communities and this is a great opportunity to shine a light on black culture, heritage, voice and stories. While October is Black History Month, our focus all year round is celebrating diversity and opportunity, and I encourage people to share their stories to inspire others across our borough.”

Bury Council and Bury NHS CCG are committed to equality and are carrying out a review to see how inclusion can be improved.

The council’s website (www.bury.gov.uk) also contains specific coronavirus-related support for BAME communities.

Nestac have a support line for those recovering from the virus or whose family members have it, those who are self-isolating, bereaved families and those that are victims of violence or abuse. Advice is available in a variety of languages including Somali, Kurdish, Swahili, Urdu and Arabic. To access the service call 07862 279 289 or text ‘HELP’ to that number and Nestac will continue you.

Also at regional level, the Mayor of Greater Manchester is establishing a GM Race Equality Panel and people are invited to apply to become a member of it. For more details, go towww.GMConsult.org

ENDS

Issued: 9 October 2020.