91Èȱ¬

Black History Month was established in the late 1980s following research that young black Britons didn't get taught about their history.Ìý It was felt this was because the only images coming out of Africa were negative.Ìý AHM attempts to redress this view.

In Suffolk, the name was changed to "African" a couple of years ago, but in other parts of the country it's kept its original name.

Beauty & The Beast by C Chukwougo-Roy

That means art exhibitions, theatre, concerts, poetry, comedy, films, lectures, talks, walks and family history projects.

This year's 'B4We' theme looks at the people who came before us, how African history relates to us today and how it can inspire us in the future.

The programme of events in Suffolk has been co-ordinated by the Nia Project which is based on the Cornhill in Ipswich.Ìý Its director Del White says the month is a taster for people to then go on and make their own discoveries about black history in Britain: "We see young people embrace and enjoy the experience of exploring cultural history in relevant and creative ways.Ìý We consider such growth in awareness and self-esteem as one of our essential outcomes."

Ipswich Caribbean Association Project

"History is not stagnant.Ìý It forever speaks to us and provokes us to empower ourselves with the wisdom of our ancestors."

That includes the regular African History Trails around Ipswich, the ICE history project, workshops from the Suffolk Constabulary Youth Group, poetry and the celebration of the 40th annivesary of the independence of Barbados.

What's On

(Venue phone numbers underneath)

25th September: Nia Memorial Lecture, New Wolsey Theatre 7pm
1st October: Mek Mi Laugh feat. Tony 'Paleface' Hendriks, Special P, Stefano, Janet Williams and Shirza Mirza, New Wolsey 7.45pm
6th Oct: Missile 20 years beyond, Zest 10pm-4am
6th Oct: Anna Mudeka, Old Chapel Hall, East Bergholt
6th, 7th, 10th Oct: Film - UCarmen eKhayelitsha, Ipswich Film Theatre 6pm
7th Oct: African History - overview, Nia Project, ICVS, Cornhill, Ipswich 10am-3pm
10th-14th Oct: Township Stories - New Wolsey Theatre 7.45pm
11th Oct: The Black Panthers - lecture/discussion, Ipswich Central Library 7.30pm
14th Oct: Who Do You Think You Are? - family history, Ipswich Record Office, Gatacre Road, 10am-4.30pm
15th Oct: Jazz Jamaica, New Wolsey Theatre, 7.45pm
20th Oct: Poetry Cafe, Sanctuary Cafe, Ipswich 7.30pm
21st Oct: African Women's Day, Ipswich Town Hall Council Chambers 12-4pm
23rd, 25th, 27th October: African Storytelling, Waterstone's Bookshop 2-3pm
24th Oct: Film - Six Days in Soweto, Ipswich Film Theatre 6pm
25th Oct: Making Faces @ Big Read & Big Draw, Big Barn, Museum of East Anglian Life, Stowmarket, 11am-4pm
27th Oct: Anna Mudeka, Palace House, Newmarket, 10am-1pm
28th Oct: Gospel Power Praise, Ipswich International Church, Burlington Rd., 7pm
4th Nov: Diaspora Travel, excursion to London (contact Nia Project)
25th Nov: Black Books & Craft Fair, Ipswich Town Hall (Imani 07909 516343)

Throughout October:
African Heritage Trail,Ìý Ipswich Tourist Info Centre (Mondays and Saturdays)
African Art and Artifacts, Ipswich Central Library
ICE Project, Ipswich Museum
Nubianlocks poetry, hair salons across Ipswich
B4We exhibition, Tower Ramparts Mall & Suffolk County Council's Endeavour House
Ancestral Spirits visual art, Suffolk College ForeFront Gallery
Ipswich@Play, boardgames etc., Gallery Three, Ipswich Town Hall


Phone numbers:
New Wolsey 01473 295900
Zest 01473 230666
Old Hall Chapel, E.Bergholt 01206 299235
Ipswich TIC 01473 01473 458070
Ipswich Film Theatre 01473 433100
Ipswich Central Library 01473 583710
Ipswich Museum 01473 433550
Ipswich Caribbean Association 01473 230656
Suffolk Records Office 01473 584541
ForeFront Gallery, Suffolk College 01473 255885
Gallery Three, Ipswich Town Hall 01473 433550
Nia Project 01473 221715
Sanctuary Cafe, Cutler St., Ipswich 01473 433100
Waterstone's, Buttermarket, Ipswich 01473 289044
Museum of East Anglian Life, Stowmarket 01473 612229
Palace House, Newmarket 01638 667200

Fuller details of all the events can be found in the pocket-sized programme which is available across Suffolk.Ìý The Nia Project is based at 1, Cornhill, Ipswich, IP1 1DD opposite O'Briens and Evolution.

91Èȱ¬ Radio Suffolk is sponsoring the "Exploring Your African Roots" event on the 14th October.Ìý Ebony Eye (Sundays 4-6pm) will also keep us abreast of African History Month.