Black History Month 2020 in Sutton

This year, the planned activities and materials are all online, and offer Sutton residents the chance to delve into the rich culture and traditions of the African and Caribbean Community.

Black History Month is a national celebration of the historic and current contributions made by Black people to our nation and to our local communities.

This year, look out for events and content on social media from Sutton Council, Community Action Sutton, Sutton College, and Sutton Housing Partnership and follow #SuttonBHM2020 to make sure you don’t miss out. There will be:

• Weekly reviews of books by Black authors from the Sutton Libraries Team

• A chance to take part in the Object-ive project run by Sutton Council’s Cultural Services team. What one possession or item in your family represents something meaningful or important to you about your cultural heritage?

• An Afro-Caribbean focussed Rhymetime special 

• An online conversation about the rewards and challenges of being a Black Councillor with Cllrs Moral and Bande

• Remembering, Honouring, Celebrating.  An event with Una Maud Victoria Marson, Jamaican Feminist, Writer and Shailja Patel, Kenyan poet, playwright, and political activist plus writers from Sutton Women’s Network will read their poems and autobiography extracts in response to the works of women writers to celebrate Black History Month (12 October and 26 October).

• An online History Club run by Sutton College on Africans in Early Modern England (13 October)

Councillor Ruth Dombey, Leader of Sutton Council, said: “The historical and current day contribution of Black people to the cultural, political and civic life of our country has often been ignored and misrepresented. This annual celebration of Black history and culture reminds us of the importance of, and pleasure we can take from, learning more about our Black neighbours, relatives, friends and colleagues’ cultural heritage and history. 

“This year, especially, has brought into painful focus the inequalities that Black people still face and the challenge to have their voice heard and experience validated. From the stark difference in COVID outcomes for Black people and other minority ethnic communities, to the ongoing injustices against Black people exemplified this year by the horrific murder of George Floyd by US police and the response to the protests that followed: there are many challenges still to overcome. 

“In Sutton, the diversity within our community plays a vital part of making Sutton a great place to live, work and raise a family and is something that not only during Black History Month, but all year, we value, support and celebrate.”

Alison Navarro, Chief Executive of Community Action Sutton, said: “Black History Month is an opportunity for us to recognise the contribution our BAME communities have made in Sutton over the years. This year is even more important because of the tragic death of George Floyd which re-energised the Black Lives Matter movement across the world. Not only Black Lives Matters, but COVID 19 has also had an impact on our local communities.  This has not stopped our local community groups hosting a number of events, poetry, forums and workshops focussing on Black History throughout the month of October.  We will also be celebrating again in February 2021 (during US Black History Month), so watch this space.”

If you are holding an event for Black History Month 2020 in Sutton, let us know at communicationsteam@sutton.gov.uk.