Fifty children from Rougham Primary School helped to launch African History Month in St Edmundsbury, with a gospel singing workshop, led by gospel tutor, Sandra McCalla, who taught the year 3 and 4 pupils seven songs with actions.
Later in the evening, she wowed a very different audience, including seven mayors, at the inaugural Nia Memorial Lecture hosted by St Edmundsbury Borough Council at the Athenaeum. She was joined in a celebration of Caribbean culture by international poet Malika Booker.
African History Month aims to educate and foster black culture and identity. Joan Anim-Addo, Senior Lecturer and Director of the Centre for Caribbean Studies, both at Goldsmiths, University of London, delivered a challenging and academically robust lecture about contemporary black experience to the 150 guests.
Cllr Lynsey Alexander, St Edmundsbury Borough Council Cabinet member for Culture and Sport said,
" Our area has associations with the Caribbean going back to the early seventeenth century and one of our citizens, Thomas Clarkson, was a leader in the movement to emancipate slaves. This evening has been a little like the chest of African artefacts that he travelled round the country with. It has showcased the rich intellectual and cultural contributions that Africans make to all our daily lives".
The month includes a programme of activities across the county, including the screening of ‘Wondrous Oblivion’ at the Hollywood Cinema, Bury St Edmunds on 7 October.
Ends
Notes to editors
Images available on request
Contact Del White, Director, Nia Project 01473 221715
Issued By Sally Easton, Communications Unit, St Edmundsbury Borough Council, Phone: 01284 757046 email: sally.easton@stedsbc.gov.uk
