The community came together at the Bernie Grant Arts Centre last Friday (4 October) to hear speeches from special guests including Foreign Secretary David Lammy MP, Leader of the Council Cllr Peray Ahmet, Mayor of Haringey Cllr Sue Jameson as well as local MP, Catherine West.
David Lammy MP gave a powerful and moving speech about his long journey in Tottenham and his pride at becoming the new Foreign Secretary.
He also paid tribute to the hard work that goes on across the borough and thanked councillors and staff for ensuring a “wonderful programme,” adding, “we're building on a very precious history in Haringey.”
Cllr Ahmet said she thought Haringey had one of the best programmes in London which is co-produced with so many local people. “We should be proud we are the borough that has pushed the boundaries – the Rebel Borough,” she added.
The event marked the formal launch of Black History Haringey 365, the council’s annual programme to highlight the fascinating and diverse history of Black communities in Haringey and promote Black history education.
Joint Assistant Director for Culture and Creativity Kenneth Olumuyiwa Tharp CBE chaired a star-studded panel for a discussion on #ReclaimingNarratives – the theme of this year’s National Black History Month.
Underscored by a commitment to correct historical inaccuracies and showcase the untold success stories as well as the full complexity of Black heritage, this year’s theme is about honouring the heroes and taking control of the stories while challenging the narratives that have often overlooked the achievements and contributions of Black people – both in the UK and globally.
Speakers from a diverse mix of backgrounds and disciplines shared their experiences and insights into the power of stories as a tool for change.
The Black History Haringey 365 webpages include all the event listings, but also contain a wealth of resources such as activities, quizzes and timelines that you can access whenever you want to learn more about our borough’s rich and diverse Black history.
