Black History Month: Birmingham museums announce events

Angela Kroell Jan BlakeAngela Kroell
Storyteller Jan Blake will host Family African-Caribbean Stories and Arts at Soho House

Museums across Birmingham have announced a programme of events to celebrate Black History Month.

Running throughout October, the events are aimed at commemorating the history and achievements of black people in the UK.

They include learning about black Tudors, discovering Handsworth's food history and an exhibition about the fight against racism.

The events are all taking place at Birmingham Museums Trust sites.

The programme of events includes:

A Talk About Black Tudor Society, with historian Dr Onyeka Nubia

  • When: Wednesday, 19:00 BST until 20:30
  • Where: Blakesley Hall, Yardley

Dr Nubia, also a writer and presenter, is set to discuss his research into the history of black Tudor society.

"England's history is the histories of everyone who has lived or been connected to these islands. I am looking forward to presenting my work at the talk in Birmingham," Dr Nubia said:

After the talk, visitors can explore Blakesley Hall, one of Birmingham's remaining Tudor houses.

Birmingham Museums Trust Dr Onyeka NubiaBirmingham Museums Trust
Dr Onyeka Nubia will share his research into black Tudor society at Blakesley Hall

Black Heritage Walks Network tour: Black History is Birmingham

  • When: Wednesday, Saturday and 22 October, from 12:00 BST until 13:00 BST
  • Where: Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery

Starting and ending at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, visitors will go on a guided tour celebrating the untold stories of black history in Birmingham.

The 90-minute tour will be led by Black Heritage Walks Network CIC which has created 10 unique walking tours within Birmingham, showcasing black culture and heritage.

They feature an interpretation of the Round Room and travels through a mini-circular walk of Victoria Square and Centenary Square.

The tour will showcase the impact of colonialism, black culture and significant black influences that have made a difference within the city.

Black History Month Festival

  • When: Saturday and Sunday
  • Where: The Round Room and Industrial Gallery at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery

Saturday will feature the first We Are Birmingham Poetry Jam organised by We Don't Settle x BMT Poets Corner, along with a number of musical and poetry performances programmed by Red Earth Collective.

Sunday will showcase a screening of The Tower of Dreams, a new documentary by Pogus Caesar about the Tower Ballroom in Edgbaston along with free art workshops and musical performances.

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery will fully reopen in 2024

Blacklash: Racism & The Struggle for Self-Defence 'Moments to Movements' - Exhibition Reception & Public Rally

  • When: Saturday from 17:30 until 21:00 BST
  • Where: Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery

From the mid-80s and over the next two decades Mukhtar Dar documented the struggles of Asian and African Caribbean communities against racism.

Drawing on his extensive archive of photographic, video, and political ephemera, Blacklash is a multi-disciplinary installation which takes its audience to the heart of the struggle.

On Saturday a public reception and rally, Moments to Movements, will see a reunion of activists from the 1980s with local and national speakers.

For a full list of events, head to the Birmingham Museums website.

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