Black-History-Month-South-Magazine-Oct-2015

BLACK HISTORY
Celebrating our past, present and future South • October 2015


Black History Month
So a year on and I feel privileged to have been given the opportunity alongside Jen Campbell to carry on the fantastic event that is Black History Month. I would like to thank Don and Jay for their support and guidance over the last 12 months in helping Jen and I bring the event on to the Southampton stage once again. One of the many pleasures I’ve had through this year has been the numerous fascinating encounters and conversations I’ve had with people from all over the community, many of whom I may not have met if hadn’t been for BHM.
For me Black History Month is such an important event in the Southampton calender as it gives us a moment in time each year as a community to re ect, embrace and celebrate the contributions Black, Asian and ethnic minority groups have made to the city.
Jen and I look forward to broadening the reach of Black History Month over the next few years to create a movement that informs and educates both young and old right across the southern region.
But for now...
Welcome to Black History Month 2015!
Lou Taylor
Black History Co-ordinator
Black History Month is a time when we can re ect on the contributions to society and achievements of people of African-Caribbean descent. It is a time when we celebrate those individuals and take pride in our history.
This year is no different, and through our theme of Women in Black History, you will hopefully gain a new perspective and learn more about the outstanding achievements of women of African-Caribbean descent in the realms of global commerce, media, sport,education and politics.
Jen Campbell
Black History Co-Ordinator
In memory of Sandra Bland
Magazine edited and designed by Don John.


Sponsors
Spectrum
Spectrum Housing Group is proud to support Black History Month and the many events that bring people together to celebrate the achievements of black communities in the region. Congratulations to Lou and Jen and the team who have worked hard to organise this year’s programme focussing on Black women. Spectrum owns and manages 18,000 homes and maintains over 45, 000 homes. We are committed to working in partnership to develop strong communities and great neighbourhoods.
Solent University
At Southampton Solent University we are marking our tenth anniversary this year and we are pleased to be again working with Black History Month to help deliver an educational and cultural series of events across the city. At Solent we celebrate the diversity of our community; staff and students together, and we are fully committed to preparing our students with the skills, knowledge and competencies they need to equip them for life in an increasingly globalised world.
Richard Hill
Chief Executive Spectrum Housing Group
Radian Housing
We are proud to support BHM’s values and ethos, as we have done since its inception. We have seen the ambition and reach of the events, exhibitions and activities it hosts grow year on year. It is a con dent and vital part of Southampton City’s annual calendar, recognised and valued widely beyond the black communities. This year Radian is organising and supporting a number of initiatives that will be celebrated at a very special BHM Event in October.
Professor Graham Baldwin, Vice-Chancellor
Southampton Solent University
City College
I am delighted that Black History Month is being launched this year at City College, as it’s very important to all of us at the College to be active members of our city community. Black History Month is an important time each year to think about the diversity of Southampton and to celebrate the cultural richness that we enjoy as a result.
Lindsay Todd Chief Executive
Sarah Stannard
Principal & Chief Executive Southampton City College


The Launch of Black History Month The Hub: Southampton City College
Thursday 1st October, 11:00 - 14:00pm
This year’s event will be hosted by Southampton City College. The Mayor of Southampton Councillor Linda Norris will of cially launch the activities for the month. The launch will feature contributions from the hosts and presentations from invited guests.
The keynote speaker will be Stephanie Pitter who has been campaigning for Black History to become part of schools curriculum for Primary school and encouraging secondary schools to embrace the teaching of Black History, as it was
approved for secondary in 2008. Stephanie believes that Black History is an enrichment history that children of all ethnic backgrounds should learn.
It also covers a spiritual, moral, social and cultural understanding that supports Ofsted ndings within school teaching.


Mae Street Kidd: Special Award
In past years Black History South have made three “Black Plaque” awards to individuals who have made an impact on the Black History of the region. These have included Bob Marley, Joe Harriott and Craig David. We are especially pleased that in a year that celebrates the special role of Black women in this movement that we recognise the work of Mae Street Kidd whose contribution to the war effort in World War II at a time when race discrimination was practised as a matter of course.
This is the story of Mae Street Kidd an African American woman born in 1904 in Millersburg, a small town near Lexington Kentucky to a black mother and a white father..
During World War II she served in Southampton, England as assistant director of The American Red Cross and evidence suggests that some of the services were in Netley Hospital. Her role was to ensure that the soldiers were fed and entertained. These were soldiers who were waiting to be shipped across the English Channel to the war front; not really knowing whether they would ever return. The soldiers had no sleeping facilities but Mae Street Kidd and her team did all they could for the
Adisa
At this year’s BHM launch celebration we have the pleasure of a performance from renowned spoken word poet Adisa.
With appearances around the world Adisa is on a mission to take poetry to the people wherever he nds them. He has taken his word from continent to continent and delivers his work in a format known as ‘Edutainment’ and believes a good performance should be able to entertain the audience but at the same time challenge them to look again and question what it is they hold to be true.
His performances are observations of life through the eyes of an African griot born on a European shore.
www.adisaworld.com
frightened and nervous soldiers who came to the club. Her clients were exclusively black because black and white soldiers were not allowed to mix in the armed services at that time.
Mae Street Kidd returned to the USA after the war and entered politics, where she was elected to the House of Representatives in the Kentucky General Assembly; and over the years she made civil rights the focus of her work.


One of the Originals
At the age of 94 Mr Alec Wilson is the oldest member of the Black Heritage Centre in Northumberland Rd Southampton. Born in Jamaica in 1921 Alec was brought up by his grandparents after his mother passed away when he was 5 years old. His grandfather was a farmer growing cash crops such as coffee, cocoa, bananas and coconuts on land passed down through the generations.
As a young boy Alec understood the value of money and quickly learned that a shilling could be earned from picking up the fallen coconuts and hawking them around his neighbourhood. This lesson in hard work for material gain stood him in good stead for what was to come in later life. Whilst working as a young man in Jamaica in 1954 he was contacted by a friend who had stowed away on a ship and made it over to the UK, his friend persuaded him sell up and make the same journey which Alec did...legally!
At the time Alec owned 4 cows which he sold to purchase his ticket. After concluding the sale and paying for his passage Alec left Jamaica for England in 1955 with £500 in his pocket (equivalent to £9000 today) and adventure ahead. The ship docked in Spain so Alec took a train journey across France then the ferry and train to London. After arriving in Victoria he made his way to Waterloo to catch the late night train to Southampton, unfortunately it had already left so his rst night in the UK was spent sleeping on the platform at Waterloo train station!
After arriving in Southampton Alec quickly found work (it took less than a week!) Initially as it was July the weather wasn’t an issue. However, as winter set in Alec was to nd out the hard way that UK winters were not to be tri ed with. One of his duties during his rst winter at work was moving a large barrow containing luggage across a loading bay, the handles of the barrow were metal and in temperatures of -2C shouldn’t be picked up with bare hands. Unaware of the hazard and without gloves Alec picked up the barrow and unfortunately got his hands stuck ...needless to say another lesson was learned!
After a working in Southampton for a year or so Alec sent for his wife and 2 children to join him. Working steadily over the years and saving hard, he purchased a house that has been his home for the last 59 years..
Black Heritage
The Black Heritage Association has been in existence for the better part of 26 years in the Southampton area as we continue to promote our rich and vibrant culture.
We have a Domino club which is always open to new members who love a challenge. If it sounds a little hectic at times, no need to worry! This is part of the Caribbean culture. We meet 5 times a week and we plan to increase our opening hours.
We are planning to start our choir in the autumn and welcome ALL who have an interest in Caribbean folk songs to join us, regardless of background... We want to share the sunshine of our rich and vibrant culture to all comers. Here you will always nd a warm welcome with tea, coffee, and home-made cakes!
We look forward to seeing you soon! 53 Northumberland Road Southampton
SO14 0EJ
Enquiries: Beverley Dowdell
02380 366 488 [email protected]


Walk tall, head high and back straight
On a sunny afternoon in July 2015 over a cup of tea and some biscuits, the ladies of the Black Heritage Centre in Northumberland Rd Southampton gathered together at the centre to chat about their experiences of living and working in Southampton, from their rst arrival, through to raising families and up to the present day.
Their conversation which was lively, humorous and often moving has been captured for posterity and produced as a CD for Black History Month 2015. The CD is free and available from various outlets across the city.
For details on how to obtain a copy please email [email protected]
Thank you to Audrey Smith, Dottie Vickers, Enid Miller, Jennifer Gordon, Sandra Davidson, Marlene Miller, Jane Aubrey-Grey, Berthlin Graham and Beverley Dowdell for their contribution.


Vilma Scott: Windrush Woman
2008 saw the 60th anniversary of the National Health Service, though the celebrations didn’t quite acknowledge the contributions of the Windrush women.
The 50s and 60s brought many black women to these shores. Some married, some mothers and others single.
With enticing advertisements in Nursing Times Abroad, many Caribbean women responded, looking for a career and an opportunity for change.
I was one of those women.
In 1955 ‘selection committees’ were set up in the Caribbean to recruit for hospitals in England and the British and Barbados governments started to provide loans for migrants. I left Jamaica aged 21 on a BOAC ight in 1964 to begin a two-year course training for the Nursing SEN (State Enrolled Nurse) certi cate. I must say, I knew no difference between SEN or SRN (State Registered Nurse) but soon realised the difference - it was a way of having cheap labour for a longer period!
Life was not always smooth sailing. The culture, the weather and the prejudices were not what we expected, but we felt it was worth continuing our training.
In Southampton we trained in four of the city’s hospitals. As the year progressed we found that many women, especially those who were wives and mothers, were of great support to us. All while working, and sometimes learning, to further their career.
Many of us made our way up the career ladders in the elds of Nursing, Medicine, Manufacturing, Teaching, Law, IT, Human Resources, Funeral Directors, Holy Orders, Hair & Beauty, Catering and many, many more. Let’s also not forget the great impact of our black business women within our local community.
Over the years I feel we, the Windrush women, have made a great contribution to society as a whole, across the UK, through our commitment, dedication and love for our second home.


Turner Sims Celebrates Black History Month YORUBA WOMEN CHOIR
Friday 23 October , 8:00 pm
The Yoruba Women Choir, founded by Funmi Olawumi, is one of Africa’s greatest choirs. Their rich harmonies and infectious grooves create music that uplifts the soul, an event bursting with joyful singing and dancing. The 10 singers of the choir and their 6-piece band create a stunning show that leaves you breathless from the minute they arrive on stage. With soloists from many genres of Yoruba-Nigerian music, expect a spectacular show in the grand tradition of Nigeria.
Ticket £20 Concessions £19 Friends £18 Students £10
www.turnersims.co.uk
‘Voice FM is THE voice of Southampton, broadcasting live on FM locally and online world-wide, with all shows available for streaming after broadcast. They currently have a reach of 250,000 people with around 75,000 listeners per week. They currently rank higher in the Media UK chart than some of the local counterparts of the bigger commercial stations. They are not for pro t and are run almost entirely by volunteers. They are located in St. Mary’s in the heart of Southampton; reputed to be the most culturally diverse part of the city. During October Voice FM will provide information about Black History Month all during October.
Soul Train: Black History Specials
Every Tuesday 6:00pm-8:00pm
This show is hosted and produced by Don John & Jim Baker veterans of the music and community scene in Southampton. The show is a selection of not only Soul and R&B, but includes Blues, Jazz, Hip-Hop and any music that has a “soulful” quality.
Night Moves:
Black History Reggae Specials Every Tuesday, 8.00pm-9.00pm
This show is hosted and produced by Don John and includes music forms such as Mento, Ska, Rocksteady, Reggae, Dancehall and the new Roots revival movement...... for those who know a little and those who know their stuff.
Soul Train Unity 101
Fortnightly Saturdays 6pm-8pm
Playing the best variety of soulful R&b, urban and old school


Black History South Celebrates the 20th Anniversary of The Million Man March
20TH ANNIVERSARY
The Million Man march was a gathering of African-American men in Washington DC on October 16th 1995 to highlight the condition of Black men in the United States. This year is the 20th Anniversary.
To this end we have brought together thirty Black men from the Southampton area who came together to identify with the global conditions that historically bind black men together and the James Brown song “Papa Don’t Take No Mess” was the perfect vehicle to further register concern about the more recent spate of violent deaths of Black men in the USA.
This short lm is primarily about highlighting the diversity of Black Men and to refute the one-dimensional portrayal that is, very often, how Black men are de ned and to also defy the stereotypes and to accentuate both the diversity and the commonality.
The production was inspired by James Brown & Spike Lee and the lm will première during Black History Month. Further details will be made known shortly.
Don John www.donjohn.co.uk [email protected]


ONE WORLD FAIR
Friday 30 October 2015, 2pm-5pm
Southampton Solent University Conference Centre,
Sir James Matthews Building, Guildhall Square, Southampton
Southampton Solent University will celebrate multicultural Southampton at its annual One World Fair, to be held on 30 October at the University’s Conference Centre.
Coinciding with Black History Month, the fair will showcase the cultural diversity of the city, through food, interactive stalls and workshops.
This free fair welcomes students from across the globe to multicultural Southampton whilst celebrating their home cultures. It will also provide essential information about their new community to help them settle in, network, explore the city and integrate into their new neighbourhoods.
Visitors to the fair will get to sample a free international buffet and participate in activities including dance classes, cupcake decorating, henna art and a free photo booth - all aimed at providing informal networking opportunities between students and the wider community.
In addition to the University’s support services, representatives from around the city will be providing community engagement activities.
For further information please contact [email protected].


The Concorde Celebrates Black History Month TOTALLY TINA
Friday 4 September 2015, From 9.00pm
The show goes all out to recreate the spectacle and energy of Ms Turners live shows with her live band and stunning dancers, combined with hand- made replica costumes and authentic dance routines this show encapsulates the look and feel of Tina at her best.
LEMAR with support from
Nya King as Whitney Houston Friday 9 October 2015, From 9.30pm
Lemar is one of the most successful male British solo artists of the last decade, having had seven UK Top 10 singles and selling over two million albums worldwide. His awards include three MOBO Awards (two for Best UK male and one for Best Album) and two BRIT Awards for Best British Urban Act.
LEROY JONES
with Katja Toivola, Dave Archer, Ferg
Ireland, Pedro Segundo, Giacomo Smith
Wednesday 7 October 2015, From 9.00pm
Over 18s only
The legendary jazz trumpeter Leroy Jones is known to music lovers as the “keeper of the ame” for traditional New Orleans jazz and his playing has been described as a blend of Louis Armstrong and bebop virtuoso Clifford Brown.
For further details please contact www.theconcordeclub.com


The Concorde Celebrates Black History Month
Evan Christopher’s DJANGO A LA CREOLE
Wednesday 14 October 2015, From 9.00pm
Over 18s only
In late August, 2005, the ooding after the wake of Hurricane Katrina left world class jazz clarinettist Evan Christopher and thousands of others without homes in New Orleans.
With little more than his clarinet and a suitcase full of clothes, Christopher chose Paris for his exile where he formed his band Django a la Creole in 2007, inspired by the legendary guitarist Django Reinhardt’s collaborations with New Orleans clarinettists in the 1930’s.
THE REAL THING
Friday 30 October 2015, From 9.30pm
Over 18s only
The UK’s own disco pioneers The Real Thing still whip up the crowds from the minute they hit the stage. Eddie, Chris and Dave give their all to such favourites as You To Me Are Everything, Can’t Get By Without You, Whenever You Want My Love and Can You Feel The Force.
THE STYLISTICS
Back by popular demand
Thursday 5 November 2015, From 9.30pm
Direct from the USA
The Stylistics with their charisma, style and harmony, evolved into one of the best-selling soul groups ever.
The Philadelphia group recorded a remarkable 10 straight-top ten hits during the early 1970s inc. the Grammy nominated hit YOU MAKE ME FEEL BRAND NEW, plus CAN’T GIVE YOU ANYTHING (BUT MY LOVE), YOU ARE EVERYTHING, BETCHA BY GOLLY WOW, I’M STONE IN LOVE WITH YOU, BREAK UP TO MAKE UP plus many more.
For further details please contact www.theconcordeclub.com


Southampton Ancient Egypt Society
Saturday 17th October
SAES
The meeting of the Southampton Ancient Egypt Society on Saturday 17th October is a talk by respected Egyptologist Reg Clarke entitled “Tomb Security from the Predynastic to the Pyramid Age”. Tomb security in ancient Egypt is the subject of some lurid speculation and fantasy in the popular media. This talk traces developments in tomb security in royal and private tombs up and until the end of Seneferu’s reign, comparing the need for protection with the consequences of architectural and religious considerations.
SAES meets at the Oasis Academy, Lord’s Hill, doors open at 1:30p.m. For a 2:00 start. Please see the website for further details.
www.SouthamptonAncientEgyptSociety.co.uk
You will be given free entry to this meeting if you bring this article with you.
The Southampton Ancient Egypt Society is a non-pro t organisation that hosts monthly Egyptological themed meetings that are opened to members and visitors alike.
Egypt in Africa
Since the rst antiquarians set out to investigate the Egyptian origins of certain Bible stories, ancient Egypt has tended to be associated with the Middle East, particularly the Holy Land and Mesopotamia. Graeco-Roman in uences in the latter centuries of Egyptian culture place that period of Egyptology rmly within the Classical eld. But the approaches of both Biblical scholars and Classicists often overlook one staggeringly obvious fact - Egypt is part of the African continent.
The Egyptians always saw the Middle Eastern area as ‘foreign’ territory, where they came into contact with other great powers such as Babylonia and Assyria, sometimes ghting erce wars for control of valuable resources and trade routes. But for most of its 4000 year history, ancient Egypt looked to Africa as its rightful home. The Egyptians considered themselves to be the most privileged people on earth, occupying a kingdom stretching from the Mediterranean to the First Cataract at Aswan. The ancient Sudanese cultures of Napata and Meroe show strong Egyptian in uences, for example in the use of pyramids for royal burials.
Article written by Hilary Wilson - Chairman Southampton Ancient Egypt Society


BHM would like to thank Aaron Sanchious for his musical contribution to the “Walk tall head high back straight” audio CD
AARON SANCHIOUS
“Hailing from right outside of Philly, producer Aaron Sanchious is one half of Lawless Collective. Although his roots are rmly in hip hop, the Lawless sound is experimental and expansive. Ranging from sweeping, cinematic instrumentals that wouldn’t be out of place on the soundtrack of your favourite indie movie to dark, dirty, gritty, grime-in uenced beats for your new favourite rapper – Sanchious’ brother Ayce Kaiden. As a duo the two have the kind of awless dynamic that most could only dream of emulating.
Sam Leimanis
Aaron has also provided the soundtrack to the forthcoming Southampton lm “Black” celebrating the 20th Anniversary of The Million Man March and highlighting the condition of Black men in the context of more recent events.
Don John
SOUL 45 Presents
BLAXPLOITATION ON ROTATION 3
The Final Cut
Friday 16th October
The Social, 21 Lower Banister Street. 8pm-1am
£3 ADV / £4 ON THE DOOR
SOUL 45 returns with their nal instalment, completing their trilogy of events for BHM and inviting you to revisit the BLAXPLOITATION era one last time, with projector screening some of the best and the worst lms of the 1970’s black action genre, set to a live DJ soundtrack!
Expect an intimate night of Funk, Rare Groove and street soul sounds from Marvin Gaye, Bobby Womack, Isaac Hayes, Willie Hutch, James Brown, Sly Stone and Curtis May eld all played out on glorious 7’ vinyl records accompany 100s of brand new clips from recently recovered and re- mastered movies.
for details visit www.facebook.com/soul45southampton




Youth Art Sessions and Exhibition
Get creative and honour Black History Month with Radian
We are supporting Black History Month by hosting several art sessions across locations and finishing with a final exhibition. They’ll be loads to have a go at, including T-shirt design & printing, henna tattoos and hair braiding. Get in touch with Kate Dench on 02380 628170.
Come along to our FREE creative art sessions in honour of black women in history and see your work in a final exhibition on 3rd October.
Basingstoke Celebrates Black History Month ARTIST TALK EVENT
Saturday 17th October 2015
Popley Fields Community Centre, Carpenters Down, Popley, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG24 9AE
BASINGSTOKE AFRICAN
AND CARIBBEAN CATHOLIC
ASSOCIATION (BACCA)
Sunday 18th October 2015
Annual Black History Month Celebration at Saint Bede’s Church, Popley Way, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG24 9DX.
For further details please contact
Susan Vanni (Chairperson)
email: [email protected] / Tel.07961 405731.
BASINGSTOKE CARIBBEAN SOCIETY AND FRIENDS (BCS)
Saturday 24th October 2015
Annual Black History Month Community Celebration Event at Popley Fields Community Centre, Carpenters Down, Basingstoke,
Hampshire, RG24 9AE.
For further details please contact Grace Powell (Chairperson) email: [email protected]




Dear White People
An opportunity to see this controversial lm!
Harbour Lights Picturehouse located at Ocean Village Southampton have a system called “Ourscreen” which allows members of the public to choose a lm of their choice if enough people are willing to come to the screening. The minimum number required is 30 people.
A number of people are keen to see the lm “Dear White People”; one of the most entertaining and honest depictions of black life in a so-called “white” world in years, and is a perfect lm for today’s generation” and unfortunately is unlikely to be shown in Southampton. Dee Butcher a supporter of Black History Month is collecting names of people who wish to attend and once the numbers have been achieved a date in October will be selected and monies will only be exchanged once the screening is con rmed
If you would like to be in the audience to see this lm please contact Dee Butcher [email protected] or Don John [email protected]
Positive Message
When it comes to “Race” issues of colour, immigration and nationality can cause some confusion. Black History Month clearly adopts the position that anything that springs from those of African descent is something to be specially celebrated as sometimes these origins are not recognised. And by way of knowledge, information and education we can create an environment where we can all be proud of this history.
We were the rst organisation to sponsor Black History Month and we are delighted that this event is now an essential part of the Southampton calendar. We are sure that Lou and Jen will carry on the tradition and Positive Message are committed to giving every support and we are proud to support Black History Month.
Directors, Jayanti Shah & Don John Positive Message Limited




Design Print Copy
We are proud to have produced design, print and copy for Black History South for the last 8 years and look forward to continuing our working relationship


The publication is available from:
October Books
243 Portswood Rd Southampton SO17 2NG Tel: 02380 581030
Waterstone’s Bookshop 69 Above Bar Southampton SO14 7FE Tel: 02380 633130
Positive Message Ltd.
6 Northlands Rd. Southampton SO15 2LF [email protected]




Black History South presents Black History South presents
THE BLACK WOMEN
THE BLACK WOMEN OF SOUTHAMPTON
OF SOUTHAMPTON
Exhibition Runs: October 6th - November 3rd 2015 Southampton Solent University: Sir James Mathews Bldg. Above Bar, Southampton SO14 7NN
Exhibition Runs: October 6th - November 3rd 2015
Southampton Solent University: Sir James Mathews Bldg.
Photographers: Don John & Southampton Solent University Above Bar, Southampton SO14 7NN
Exhibition designed by Don John
Photographers: Don John & Southampton Solent University
Opening hours: Monday - Friday 11am - 6pm, Saturday 11am - 5pm. Exhibition designed by Don John
ADMISSION FREE.
Opening hours: Monday - Friday 11am - 6pm, Saturday 11am - 5pm.
ADMISSION FREE.
Photographic Exhibition
Photographic Exhibition
2005-2015 SOUTHAMPTON
2005-2015 SOUTHAMPTON
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