Oxford City Council is marking Black History Month with a community event organised by the Community Champions Programme in partnership with local leaders and groups.
The event will include thought-provoking discussions in a panel setting. Residents are invited to put their questions to the panel, as well as hearing from a range of different perspectives and experiences.
Topics for discussion include tackling health disparities within the black community, to shedding light on economic inequalities, policing, and recognising the invaluable contributions of black women in health and social care.
Speakers include Faith Ehigie, a specialist nurse who will discuss Sickle cell disorder and Thalassaemia, Dr Mary Akindola who will discuss mental health, Neil Bouse from the Thames Valley Police, Jacqui Gitau from African families in the UK (AFiUK), and Milli Khalia who is the Council’s Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) lead.
In the afternoon there will be market stalls from a range of different community organisations. These organisations will be ready to answer questions about the services they offer, ways to get involved, and community activities and support available for people in Oxford.
Partner organisations for the event include the City Council’s Youth Ambition team, African and African Caribbean Kultural Heritage Initiative (ACKHI), Transition Lighthouse, African Families in the UK (AFiUK), Oxford Hub, Public Health, Thames Valley Police, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care System (BOB ICB), and Oxfordshire Community Education Group (OCEG).
The event will take place between 10am and 3pm on Friday 13 October at Rose Hill Community Centre (OX4 4HF).
“Black History Month is an important opportunity not just for reflection, but also to look forward to the future we want to build together. This will be a day of learning, dialogue, and celebration as we come together to shine a light on the richness of Black history and its invaluable contributions.
“Your presence is more than an attendance; it's a participation in the narrative of history, a celebration of unity, and a commitment to growth. Let's make this event a resounding success, together.”
Councillor Ajaz Rehman, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Communities
"We are pleased to collaborate with the many organizations supporting this essential event to ensure that Black History Month becomes a permanent fixture in the Oxfordshire calendar annually."
Dolcie Obhiozele, Founder of the Oxfordshire Community Education Group (OCEG)
The Museum of Oxford
The Museum of Oxford is also supporting two activities for Black History Month. A lunchtime talk on 'Caribbean food in the UK' with Riaz Phillips, 11 October, will explore how food and identity are intertwined in the Caribbean community.
The Museum of Oxford is also supporting iCreative at Film Oxford to hold a free creative arts project (Oct-Nov), 'Spaces We Made Our Own'.
Led by African Caribbean artists, participants will create a short film about the social and cultural activities of the African Caribbean community ‘going out’ in Oxford in the 1960’s and 70’s.
There are limited places available for 16-25 year olds and over-50s to take part.
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