Newham Council hosts official celebration of Black History Month for the first time in 10 years

Rhiannon Long

Published: 7:00 AM October 2, 2018 Updated: 10:17 AM October 13, 2020

Spearheaded by mayor Rokhsana Fiaz and deputy mayor Charlene McLean, Newham Council will be running a programme of events to celebrate Black History Month for the first time in more than 10 years. Picture: Rokhsana Fiaz - Credit: Rokhsana Fiaz

For the first time in 10 years, Newham Council is celebrating Black History Month.

Throughout October, there’ll be a full programme of events aimed at reflecting the diversity of the borough’s black communities.

Poetry readings, film showings, exhibitions and talks will be on the bill, with each event being followed by a Q&A or discussion.

Newham’s mayor Rokhsana Fiaz said: “It’ll be a chance for us to acknowledge the significant contributions, past and present, to our borough’s rich history of people.

“There’s a plethora of amazing black talent that has emerged from Newham and I’m really looking forward to seeing what happens during the month. We’re also asking how Black History Month can be reimagined so that in future it features in what we do throughout the year.”

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Ms Fiaz paid tribute to some of Newham’s most well-known black talent, from Frank Arthur Bailey, the first full time black firefighter in England who joined West Ham Fire Brigade in 1955, to East Ham’s Idris Elba and gold medal winning Olympian Christine Ohuruogu from Stratford.

For the full programme, visit newham.gov.uk/Pages/Services/Black-History-Month.aspx?l1=100004&l2=200125.