BLM
New children’s book challenges gender stereotypes by celebrating women bus drivers
A new children’s book celebrating women bus drivers from the West Midlands, is aiming to challenge gender stereotypes and encourage girls to consider a career as public vehicle operators. National Express bus driver Leona Kirwan, who is features in the book, went to a Birmingham primary school to read the book to young pupils.
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.
INTERVIEW: Photographer Alan Harniess on his ‘One Family’ portrait exhibition
Whether amateur or professionals, the people who make up the photography community are our eyes to the world. They inspire and amaze us. They put the world in a broader context for us to see, in some sense they show what it means when they say “a picture is worth a thousand words”.
Hooligan hurled shocking racial abuse at Raheem Stirling during Villa Park match
A football hooligan has been handed a three year banning order at Birmingham Magistrates Court on Tuesday (17 January) after he racially abused England and Chelsea player Raheem Sterling during a game at Villa Park last year. Timothy Hyslop was heard to shout out a shocking racist slur when Sterling was on the ball during the…
Vanley Burke’s migrant photography exhibition comes to Handsworth Library
Birmingham photographer Vanley Burke’s exhibition celebrating working class and migrant communities is now open to the public at Handsworth Library. Ikon Gallery is touring the critically-acclaimed photography exhibition at a location in Handsworth that is familiar to the Birmingham photographer.
Virtuoso Birmingham violinist to give free performances at Black History Month event
An award-winning Birmingham violinist is to give two free performances as part of Black History Month events on Sunday (9 October). Melika Queely will give informal musical performances at the Round Room in Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery on Sunday afternoon with selections of music from the works of Bob Marley, Ravel, Ed Sheeran, Brahms…
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).
Free film screening of Birmingham’s legendary Tower Ballroom by Pogus Caesar
Celebrated Birmingham photographer Pogus Caesar‘s film about the legendary Tower Ballroom – where music acts such as David Bowie and The Wailers performed – will get a special screening at a free event on Sunday (9 October). The Tower of Dreams film looks back at the social and cultural history of Birmingham’s Tower Ballroom at…
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…
Blacklash exhibition at Birmingham Museum highlights the fight against racism
A thought-provoking exhibition exploring the struggle for equality and human rights in the UK is currently running at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. The photographic exhibition, sourced from the archive of activist and curator Mukhtar Dar, reveals the untold stories of ethnic minority groups who united to confront racism and battled to usher in…