South Gloucestershire Council in conjunction with the Partnership Against Hate Crime will be celebrating Black History Month throughout October.
The celebrations include local history talks, children’s and adult events in libraries, photographic exhibitions and talks by black authors.
This will include a talk on the ‘Bristol Bus Boycott of 1963’ by Paul Stephenson at Bradley Stoke Library on October 18.
Paul was instrumental in organising a small campaign group who worked towards ending official Bristol Omnibus Company policy not to employ “coloured labour” on its buses.
The bus boycott and publicity campaign soon split the city and captured world-wide attention.
At Emersons Green, Kingswood and Patchway libraries there will be a photographic exhibition by Gemma Angell John which visually explores the theme of race and difference, focusing on the subject of dual heritage and multicultural Britain.
During the October school holiday there will be events for children and adults in various libraries organised by Kuumba, the South West’s leading Black Arts Centre.
The library service will be promoting a range of black authors who are at the cutting edge of modern fiction writing. The list includes writing to suit every taste providing insights into the universal themes of love, loss, displacement, hope and identity.
Cllr Shirley Potts, cabinet member for Communities said: “One of the aims of Black History month is to promote knowledge of Black History and experience.
“This exciting programme of events taking place throughout South Gloucestershire to celebrate Black History Month will be a very positive contribution to the celebration of Black Cultural heritage.”
ENDS