BLM
Birmingham City Council adopts new RACE code to tackle boardroom racial inequality
Following the launch of the RACE Equality Code 2020, Birmingham City Council has announced that it will become an early adopter of the framework to tackle racism and racial inequality. Developed by Dr Karl George MBE following the death of George Floyd in the United States and the global Black Lives Matter campaign, it draws together…
REVIEW: Handsworth Riots 1985 – Pogus Caesar’s photographs hold a tragic mirror to our age
Birmingham artist and photographer Pogus Caesar has released a new book, ‘Handsworth Riots 1985’, which revisits a notorious chapter in Birmingham’s history. In the publication, Caesar’s material showcases powerful and visceral moments of social chaos on the streets of Birmingham which were ignited by a Molotov cocktail of racism, poverty, and political unrest that continue to…
West Midlands migrants create and launch community magazine for Black History Month
A team of budding citizen journalists from migrant communities across the West Midlands have launched an online magazine for Black History Month. The group of mature students from Wolverhampton, Birmingham, Coventry and Walsall have made the leap from learning basic media skills only a year ago to producing their first fully-fledged professional magazine this month.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH | INTERVIEW: Joshua Williams
Proud Brummie Joshua Williams is a journalist, broadcaster, presenter and ambassador for several high-profile community initiatives and corporate brands. He’s also been crowned Mr Birmingham, is an avid fundraising fashionista, a vocal social activist and was elected President at his university’s student guild – and he’s still only 22. We caught up with him to find…
BLACK HISTORY MONTH | INTERVIEW: Sharon Thompson
Sharon Thompson has been a Labour Councillor for the Birmingham North Edgbaston ward since 2014 and has a genuine passion to improve her local area. Once homeless herself, and a single mother at an early age, Cllr Sharon Thompson is currently the Cabinet Member for Homes and Neighbourhoods and on the WMCA Housing & Land Delivery…
New photographic exhibition celebrates Birmingham’s commonwealth heritage
An exciting new photographic exhibition, which will take place during the Commonwealth Games 2022, will be previewed this Black History Month during a panel discussion celebrating Birmingham’s diversity through rarely seen photographs of some of its Commonwealth citizens, who settled here and enriched the city with their contributions. The panel discussion to launch the photographic exhibition will…
BLACK HISTORY MONTH | INTERVIEW: Tarik Ross-Cameron
Spoken word artist Tarik Ross-Cameron has developed his craft over the years and now delivers creative workshops and programmes to other young individuals. A performance poet, writer and facilitator, Tarik is an Associate at city arts collective Beatfreeks and a Development Coordinator at Punch Records. We caught up with him to find out more about his…
Black History Month launched in Birmingham with special virtual event
Birmingham’s celebration of Black History Month has been launched with a special virtual event held over the weekend. As well as reflecting the city’s diversity and heritage, this year’s programme also reflects on the Black Lives Matter movement and the impact COVID-19 has had on Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.
Simmer Down to host online gig celebrating BME contribution during coronavirus pandemic
A special online musical event has been planned by the team behind the Simmer Down Festival, as a tribute to BME communities affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Dubbed ‘Simmer Lock-down Lounge’, the event will be live streamed across YouTube and Facebook for people to enjoy on Sunday (September 20).
Coventry asylum seeker with disability launches crowdfunder to raise fees for his PhD study
The struggle of a Coventry-based, disabled and wheelchair-bound asylum seeker to raise tuition fees for his PhD in the UK is continuing with no end in sight. After applying for admission to five UK universities, asylum seeker Dickson Tarnongo was offered a place by a Midlands-based university. The university gave him an offer with a…