The latest news, updates and events in Birmingham
Birmingham’s first and only sculpture celebrating Black history and heritage has been defaced with racist graffiti, in an incident described by a city MP as “sickening vandalism”. Earlier today, local residents in Winson Green were shocked to discover the ‘Black British History is British History’ artwork – launched less than two weeks ago – had been…
A West Midlands author who was inspired to write a children’s book based on her parent’s Windrush journey, is taking part in a special storytelling event aimed at families this weekend. Local writer G.M. Linton will be coming to the Library of Birmingham on Saturday 20 May for a free and inclusive event celebrating the 75th anniversary…
The Tony award-winning Broadway musical The Color Purple arrives in Birmingham in an exciting new production. The highly anticipated show, based on Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize winning novel, is now playing at The Birmingham Hippodrome until Saturday 17 September.
A new short film, shot on location in the West Midlands, shares a timely story about past, present and future, and makes an urgent plea for understanding during divisive times. Director Neil Paul’s contemporary tale The Forgotten Soldier touches upon the sacrifices made by Sikh soldiers during World War I which have been largely confined…
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…
A prominent Sikh leader is concerned about the lack of engagement by the organisers of the Commonwealth Games with Birmingham’s South Asian community. Jatinder Singh, president of Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Smethwick, says the lack of diversity funding in the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games is worrying and claims requests to become involved have been ignored.
Local residents have been left horrified after shocking racist slurs were discovered painted across a public walkway in the Small Heath area of Birmingham. The abhorrent graffiti – which includes the notoriously anti-Black racist term “n*****” along with offensive expletives – was scrawled along a public passage connecting Kenelm Road and Somerville Road.
While thinking about what to write for Black History Month, the recurring question in my mind came from a panel discussion at University College London in March 2014 – “Why isn’t my professor Black?” Although Britain is a multicultural society with a rich migration history, however according to official figures, only 155 out of the…
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…
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…