Published on 14th October 2016

Black history month logo

October has started well in Cheltenham with a popular offering of black culture, art and dance in celebration of Black History Month.

Events continue to run throughout the month with many free of charge:

Heike Schmidt will be talking about nationalism in Zimbabwe on Monday 17 October, 7.30pm at the Park Campus, Cheltenham. Tickets are £3 for non-members.

Seyi Rhodes will explore race in the media at 6pm on Wednesday 19 October at Francis Close Hall, University of Gloucestershire.

Dr Madge Dresser will explore black history at 6pm on Wednesday 26 October at Francis Close Hall, University of Gloucestershire.

A free drumming workshop will take place with Kulcha Lee from 1pm to 3pm on Friday 28 October at the St Paul’s Hub, St Paul’s Walk.

Events for the month come to a close with comedy from Mister Cee on Saturday 29 October from 7pm til late at the Midland Pub, Gloucester Road. Tickets to this event are £5 each.

Florence Thomas, chair of Gloucestershire African Community Foundation, said: “We are really pleased that the month has started so well. Congolese percussion group Bana Kin were amazing and busked on the High Street and the Promenade which brought big crowds and kicked off the launch weekend with flavour!

“This is the third year that we’ve marked Black History Month in Cheltenham and we’re really looking forward to the rest of the events. We hope that lots of local people will come along and get involved.”

Councillor Flo Clucas, cabinet member for healthy lifestyles, commented: “I’m delighted that Cheltenham’s offerings to this celebration are proving to be so popular. These events help us remember the challenges that black communities faced here in Cheltenham and across the UK and to honour the achievements, culture and history of black people.”

Black History Month (BHM) celebrates the contributions and achievements that black African and Caribbean communities have made locally in Cheltenham and Gloucestershire, as well as the world over. It aims to promote knowledge of black history, culture and heritage; share information on the positive black contributions to British society; and to heighten the confidence and awareness in black people of their cultural heritage.

For full details, please see Black History Month Cheltenham on Facebook or email [email protected]

Black History Month in Cheltenham is organised by the African Community Foundation Gloucestershire with support from Cheltenham Borough Council.

For media enquiries, contact: Laura Carter, communications officer, telephone 01242 264154, email [email protected]