Black Excellence
Birmingham council to approve nearly £9 million for city arts and cultural sector
Birmingham City Council is set to approve nearly nine million pounds to support the arts sector and cultural activities in Birmingham over the next three years, it has been announced. The financial spend for the years between 2023 and 2026 is set to be approved by Cabinet next week (21 March 2023), according to a council statement.
LGBTQ+ activist becomes Birmingham’s new Poet Laureate
An award-winning writer and activist whose work has covered mental health and LGBTQ+ issues, including racism and intolerance, has been selected as the new Birmingham Poet Laureate. Jasmine Gardosi was handed the prestigious title at the Birmingham Literature Festival on Thursday (6 October).
Migrant media empowerment programme to launch in Birmingham
Members from migrant communities are being invited to take part in a media empowerment course to help them achieve better representation in local media. Working closely with local journalists and editors, West Midlands residents from migrant backgrounds can learn about how journalism works, what makes a good community story and how to pitch these stories…
Migrant mural featuring NHS nurse from St. Kitts painted for Birmingham 2022 Festival
A striking new mural has been painted in Erdington celebrating one of the migrant women featured in the Queens of the Commonwealth documentary. The gigantic art, painted by Bunny Bread, is a beautiful portrait of former NHS nurse Louvina Moses who migrated to Great Britain from St. Kitts in 1961.
LGBTQ activist Joshua Williams to carry Queen’s Baton ahead of Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games
A young social justice activist who has battled homelessness, mental health struggles and bullying, has been selected to carry the Queen’s Baton ahead of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Joshua Williams has been chosen by the University of Birmingham to be an official batonbearer during the Queen’s Baton Relay.
Migrant women tell their stories in powerful Birmingham 2022 Festival documentary
A powerful new documentary, which is to be screened during the Birmingham 2022 Festival, will showcase the untold stories of migrant women from the Commonwealth who made their home in Birmingham. The deeply moving tales reveal the trials and tribulations – including the horrors of racism and sexism – suffered by the women as they…
Sir Lenny Henry joins stars behind drama ‘My Name is Leon’ ahead of BBC television premiere
Ahead of the film adaptation of bestselling book ‘My Name Is Leon‘ coming to BBC Two this Friday, actor and executive producer Sir Lenny Henry joined the Birmingham writer behind the story, Kit de Waal, and the programme’s young star Cole Martin on the red carpet last night. They appeared along with the film’s director Lynette…
First Black mayor elected to Wolverhampton city council in its 200-year history
History was made in Wolverhampton today after a former NHS nurse was elected to become the first black Mayor of the city. Councillor Sandra Samuels (Lab, Ettingshall) said she was deeply humbled by the historic appointment and hailed it as “my life’s greatest honour” after spending 23-years in local politics.
INTERVIEW: Birmingham photographer Pogus Caesar turns his lens on history and life
Birmingham artist and photographer Pogus Caesar reflects on a life behind the camera and the inspirations that compel him to produce material which continues to arouse debate decades after it was produced. Pogus Caesar took time out from his busy schedule to chat to I Am Birmingham as a second edition of his emotionally searing book ‘Handsworth…
IN PICTURES: Grimeboy at the Birmingham REP theatre
Birmingham Rep have released the first production images from their world premiere production of Grimeboy, which launched at the theatre on Saturday (16 April). Grimeboy is the unmissable new play from Casey Bailey, the Birmingham Poet Laureate and winner of the Greater Birmingham Future Face of Arts and Culture 2020.