A host of speeches and performances marked the Royal Borough of Greenwich’s Black History Month 30th anniversary celebrations at Woolwich Town Hall.
Charlton Athletic Community Trust (CACT) Trustee Paul Elliott CBE, Mayor of the Royal Borough of Greenwich Cllr Peter Brooks, and Charlton Athletic Race and Equality (CARE) Partnership co-chairs Cllr Denise Scott-McDonald and Martin Simons all attended the event.
Elliott, a former Charlton Athletic and Chelsea defender who now chairs the FA’s Inclusion Advisory Board and is a CARE Partnership Ambassador, spoke about the importance of celebrating Black History Month and its role in recognising the achievements of the BME community.
Global Fusions Music and Art put on a range of performances, including sitar player Barinder Banwait, Ugandan drumming, singing and dance troupe Bantu Arts, and vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Freddy Macha.
Cllr Scott-McDonald, who is also the Royal Borough’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Creative Industries & Community Wellbeing, said:
“This year marks the 30th anniversary of Black History Month. Every year, it provides us with a great opportunity to recognise, appreciate and celebrate our diverse communities here in Britain.
“For the past 30 years, Black History Month has shone a beacon of light on the facts about Black and Asian history, heritage, legacy and the ongoing struggles for equality and justice.”
Dr Michael Seeraj, CACT’s Head of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion, said:
“Black History Month is a UK-wide celebration of the history and contribution that BME communities have made. Royal Greenwich is home to a rich and diverse range of communities with long and important histories.
“The CARE Partnership is incredibly proud to support the Royal Borough in promoting equality and inclusion.”