Liverpool Black History

Introducing the Liverpool Black History Month Group

The Liverpool Black History Month Group (LBHMG) is a not-for-profit group who are proud of all of the Liverpool Black History Month celebrations during 2002 - 2006 and of the developments for 2007. The Group will be organising and supporting the co-ordination of many Merseyside events celebrating the historical and promotional opportunities of the many black and racial minority communities and has invested a significant amount of time and effort in ensuring that Black History Month 2007 will be a success.

The LBHMG has been working to develop and deliver a calendar of events that represents the best of partnerships working between the public, private and voluntary sectors.

Over the last three years, the Group (representatives from the sectors and individuals not attached to any sector) has been working diligently to ensure that the LBHMG continues to develop and promote equality and diversity commitment from all sectors.

October 2007 promises to be an exciting time with a calendar of events that represents the commitment from the various sectors and many individuals from the Black and Racial Minority Community of Liverpool. We hope to continue to improve and stage even more events this year than we did last year. 2006 saw us exceeding the 100 events mark during October, for the first time in our short history. The 2007 calendar of events will be released towards the end of September.

This partnership work approach is taking place throughout the year to ensure that Black-led initiatives and businesses are promoted and supported continuously. Black History Month celebrates the cultural diversity within Liverpool and Merseyside and is an integral part of the city's cultural events agenda especially leading up to special events of 2007 (the City Charter Celebrations, the World Heritage status and the Bi-Centenary celebrations) and 2008 (the European Capital of Culture Year).

THE OUTPUTS OF THE GROUP 2005 - 2007 Over the last year the Black History Month Group have supported individuals and groups to ensure that event projects became more self-sustaining by accessing funding from the many funding opportunities that were available throughout the year. New relationships were developed with the Merseyside Community Service Fund and Creative Communities Team to ensure that information about funding was transparent, clear and had enough lead in time to allow people to apply for funding. A series of funding workshops were organised and people could access the information, advice and support for their individual bids.

New partnerships were made throughout the year, namely with the Sefton and Knowsley Councils who were actively involved by having representation in the Group.

There has been an increase of involvement from young people, both in their attendance at the meetings and their participation of organising events that will be on the calendar this year.

A number of measures were put in place to ensure a coordinated approach to events, these included the introduction of: The Black History Month Wish List (a signposting tool used to capture what was required to take part this year) and The Black History Month Event Details Form (a tool that captured the details of events in order to ensure individuals and groups event information could be given at all times).

The Cultural Caterers from the Black History Month Cultural Food Feast have participated in a number of large key events in the city over the last year, namely, the World In Princes Park Event, the Slavery Remembrance Day and the Real Liverpool Food Festival. They were also commissioned to work in the public sector providing training to kitchen staff in local prisons and organisations.

Overall, the commitment to ensure that black social and economic progress is made in the city has been of importance, especially as the city is host to: The 800th City Charter Celebrations; The World Heritage status and The Bi-centenary celebrations in 2007 and The European Capital of Culture in 2008.

THE FUTURE Continued Partnerships - There has been an increase and introduction of new partnerships, which is clear in terms of venues, events and projects.

Profile Raising - The constant profiling of the history of the diverse communities of Liverpool and Merseyside takes place continuously throughout the year locally, nationally and internationally.

Job Creation - Opportunities have increased for individuals and groups who have been part of the Black History Month development over the last 3 years and this will continue.

Sustainability - The momentum to developing Black History Month has increased and this year, funders worked with the BHMG to ensure promotion and the understanding of application processes for funding available, was in place for individuals and groups to access.

Positive Representation - This has continued and there has been an increase in activities from the voluntary sector and young people.

Involvement in the City's Cultural Agenda - The increase of cultural events in the city is evident, not only in Black History Month (October), but increasingly throughout the year.

The increase of partnership development, improved relationships, commitment to involvement and an increase in social and economic growth in Black History Month is leaving a legacy of involvement in a city that is rich in the history of its many communities.

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