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Black History Month takes place each year throughout October. The theme for this year is health and wellness.

As we near the end of Black History Month 2022, we spoke to a few of our fantastic grant holders to find out what they have been up to during October.

UK Pivot received £23,220 earlier this year through our Ethnic Communities pilot programme. National Lottery funding allowed them to promote equal opportunities, encourage conversations and give members of migrant communities in Northern Ireland a voice. UK Pivot used their award to run workshops and host an event with expert speakers during Black History Month. They also created podcasts and a video during their Empowerment Symposium. The project promotes community empowerment, cohesion and cross-cultural integration.

Yolande Robertson-Greene, one of the Directors at UK Pivot, tells us more about the Empowerment Symposium and the impact it had for everyone involved:

“The Empowerment Symposium aimed to bring people together to share information and discuss the various issues affecting migrant communities across Northern Ireland. This was the first Empowerment Symposium we held in Northern Ireland.

The Symposium took place over two days and was well attended with over 30 people attending each day. Ten speakers took part in eight sessions covering a wide variety of topic areas including mental and physical health and wellbeing, entrepreneurship, Black History Month, social media awareness. There were also lots of activities taking place over the two day programme which included networking, poetry, music sessions and health and wellbeing demonstrations.

Overall, I am delighted with how successful the events were. Both days were thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended. I am so very proud to say that it definitely met our overall aim which was to improve community cohesion and increase awareness of the key issues affecting migrant communities. We will be sharing some audio presentations from the day soon as this will allow people to hear more if they could not join us for the event. We are looking forward to launching our series of podcasts which will follow up on the key discussion areas raised during the Symposium. I would encourage people to follow @UKPivot on social media if they’re interested in hearing more.”

On Wednesday, 26 October, JoinHer Network CIC, held a Black History Expo Belfast 2022 at St George’s Market. With funding of £9,800 through National Lottery Awards For All, they brought communities in Northern Ireland together to gain understanding and experience of the Black community’s histories, cultures and heritage. The event celebrated and showcased Belfast as a thriving, diverse and exciting city and activated stronger senses of belonging and pride for all, and in particular the Black communities.

The event was a huge success, with lots of people coming to hear more from over 30 exhibitors and a wide variety of speakers. Takura Makoni, Director at JoinHer Network CIC tells us more about what went on at their Expo:

“We were delighted to host the Black History Expo in the historic St George’s Market, Belfast earlier this month. This was an event where the community here in Northern Ireland (and across the UK) could gain understanding and experience of the Black community’s Histories, Cultures and Heritage. We shared stories of ongoing positive contributions, particularly in the Education, Health, Economic and Social Sectors.

This event was the first one of its kind in Northern Ireland.  Our overall aim was to bring communities together in a different environment to show the diversity of businesses from a range of cultural backgrounds. The day exceeded our expectations.

Businesses from black and diverse communities joined up to take part in this fantastic day.  Throughout the day community groups, entrepreneurs and businesses had the opportunity to showcase their work and services.  It allowed them the time out to link up and develop opportunities to learn from each other and strengthen relationships.

It was so important for all communities to be involved in this unique opportunity, not only to showcase the amazing work they are doing but also to increase relationships with local businesses, after all we all have a vested interest in economic development and cultural cohesion in Northern Ireland. The day helped to break down divides in communities and increased awareness of the variety of different cultures residing and working here.  

The event was very well attended despite being the first one held locally. 30 exhibitors took part including The Ulster Museum, Linen Hall Library, PSNI, National Museums, Queen’s University, Counselling All Nations Services (CANS), Rio Ferdinand Foundation, Windrush Cuisine, Awo’s Couture, The Rainbow Project, Nyaka Chana Band, Jam ‘N Irie, Belfast Made/I Love Africa, Northern Ireland Refugee & Asylum Seekers Women’s Association (BOMOKO), UK Pivot Ltd, iAssist NI, Hate Crime Advocacy Service, ParentLine NI, Children In Northern Ireland (CiNI), Black Leadership Group, Integrated Education Fund, Education Authority, Diverse Youth NI, Volunteer Now, African-Caribbean Support Organisation Northern Ireland (ACSONI), Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC), Strad Arts Centre, National Trust/Mt. Stewart, Whole Hearted Environments, Aleksandar’s Bakery Belfast, Reclaim The Enlightenment, Hotbox Entertainment, Wilson Magwere, DJ Nero Entertainment, Public Records Office Of Northern Ireland (PRONI), North Star Collective, Corporate AV Hire LTD, Grand Gareth Photographer, Apex Signs, CA Promotions LTD and EDA Media.

A wide range of speakers attended and took the time to chat to exhibitors.  Honoured guest speakers included; Minister for Communities of Northern Ireland – Deirdre Hargey,  Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast – Councillor Michelle Kelly, Reclaim The Enlightenment – Stephen McCracken, Black Leadership Group  – Robin Landman OBE, President of The National Black Police Association – Andy George,  Careers Success Tech Start Ups – Sylvia Ombati, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland – Chris Heaton-Harris, QUB – Dr. Lisa Whitten and honoured guests who networked and mingled with exhibitors included Minister of Health – Robin Swann.

The feedback we have received from attendees and exhibitors from the day has been brilliant and fantastic to read.  We are already looking forward to hosting another event during 2023.

I would really like to thank all of the exhibitors who took part and supported the Black History Expo 2022. Many thanks to St. Georges Market staff, all the visitors and artists & musicians that helped make this momentous occasion possible. 

I would also like to thank National Lottery players as without their support we would not have been able to fund the event.”

Recently, JoinHer Network CIC, received funding through our Ethnic Communities Pilot programme for their Developing Diversity Equality Inclusion across communities. The £47,000 grant will allow them to strengthen the strategic direction of the organisation and provide employment opportunities for people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities to utilise their expertise and experiences. Over the next year, they will recruit and train facilitators to deliver Diversity, Equity and Inclusion training programmes, gain accreditation for their training packages and build their organisational capacity.

If your group has received National Lottery funding and would like to tell us more about what you have been up to, leave us a message below or drop us an email at enquiries.ni@tnlcommunityfund.org.uk.

If you are developing a community led project and are interested in finding out more about our funding opportunities you can visit www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/northern-ireland