FROM podcasts and culinary classes to award ceremonies, there are plenty of special ways for Bradfordians to mark Black History Month despite ongoing coronavirus restrictions.

The event, which has been observed since 1987, aims to shine the spotlight on Black voices as well as commemorate the people and events in the history of people of African and Caribbean descent.

And while people may not be able to gather this year, there’s an array of online events that can help you get involved.

Events are listed by date order.

If we missed out your event, please email natasha.meek@newsquest.co.uk and brad.deas@nqyne.co.uk

Tanya Vital’s Black History Month series

Twitch streamer Tanya Vital is set to bring a series of Black History month specials to her ‘For T’ Culture’ podcast, ranging from musicians, artists and actors to poets and anime lovers.

It will feature people from not only Bradford but neighbouring Huddersfield and Leeds.

The show streams on Twitch every Thursday at 8pm with a repeat airing again on the following Monday.

To join the Twitch stream, go to twitch.tv/tanial_san

You can tune in on Youtube by searching @tanyavital and on Twitter by searching @ForTCultureWY

Speaking to the Telegraph & Argus, Tanya said: “Black History Month for me is an opportunity for us all to celebrate and learn about the incredible contributions African & Carribbean people have made to our country and beyond. Too often these stories have been omitted from the history books but actually Black history is British history, warts and all.

“Ideally we wouldn’t need a special month to tell these stories, they would be told alongside mainstream history but, until that happens, we will use this month to balance the scales.”

- Tanya Vital

Flag raising ceremony

A flag will be raised in Bradford's Centenary Square on Saturday, October 3 at 11am.

The event is expected to last until 11.30am.

It has been organised by the Black Health Forum and will include a video message from Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Doreen Lee.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the ceremony can be viewed on the Black Health Forum Facebook page, by visiting www.facebook.com/blackhealthforum.

Read similar articles: Black History Month: What is it - and why do we celebrate it every October?

Reggae Roots & Culture Show on BCB

Nigel Guy of the Windrush Generation Charity and Robert Dunn host the Reggae Roots & Culture Show at 9pm every Saturday on BCB106.6fm.

Speaking on the importance of Black History Month, Nigel said: "Love is the answer. So come on people we need you. It's not just for Black people as it’s a full month to raise awareness of an array of Black cultural, history, heritage achievements, gains and losses in all walks of life which are intermingled with, in and around the world past, present and futures.

Please don’t feel excluded, be a part of what we hope will be a vibrant October.”

- Nigel Guy

Business Action Momentum Enterprise talk

This Saturday (October 3) between 6pm and 8.30pm, Business Action Momentum Enterprise will be hosting ‘Let’s Talk Black History Panel Discussion and Entertainment Theme: The struggles and triumph of the Black Community’.

To listen in, open up Zoom video conferencing and use Meeting ID: 620 060 7075

Food parcels

On Wednesday, October 7, the Black Health Forum will deliver a ‘Cultural Food’ parcel will be delivered to all the elders who attend the A/C Wellbeing café. 

Learn how Parliament works

On Wednesday, October 14, the Black Health Forum will be providing an educational session online on all things Parliament.

Between 6pm and 7pm, the session will look at how the system works, how you can influence decision making and the difference between Parliament and Government.

The session will be hosted on Microsoft Teams using Conference ID:976 919 663#

If you need help or would like to attend, email Carol.peltier@hotmail.co.uk

Black History quiz night

On Friday, October 23, you can put your knowledge to the test and learn something new at the Black Health Forum’s Online Quiz.

It will take place between 7pm and 8pm online via Zoom.

Meeting ID to be released nearer the time.

We’ve got a great heritage way back before slavery and beyond that.

- Carol Peltier

Carol Peltier, the chair of the Black Health forum, told the T&A what Black History Month means to her.

The chair said: “Black history month is around celebrating all things from the Black perspective. I know everybody says Black History Month is not just a month, our history is 24/7. It’s about the contributions that a lot of people from the Black community have made to society, have made to the world.

“We’ve got a great heritage way back before slavery and beyond that. At the moment the Windrush has been the forefront of everything but we had history back before that and just to celebrate and educate and raise awareness to those people that don’t know the contributions Caribbean and African people have made to society.

“I didn’t really know about my own history until my late 50s. Until I took a Black history course I really didn’t know anything. It’s to let people know we have made a great contribution to this community we live in now.”

University of Bradford's series of talks

The University of Bradford is hosting a series of talks to start conversations around a number of important topics. 

More details on these events and past events can be found on the University's events page here.

  • October 20, 6pm-7.15pm - Through My Eyes. The experience of a Black woman in pathology
  • October 23, 1pm-2pm - Decolonising Conversations with Prof A Goldman
  • October 26, 12.30pm - Black, Female and Professor in the UK: Is the world ready for you?
  • October 29, 6.30pm-8pm - Journey and experiences of BME academics

The Windrush Achievement Awards

Taking place on Saturday, October 24, this is a chance to celebrate the great contributions and achievements of African Caribbean people in West Yorkshire.

You can vote for your community champions by visiting https://acap.org.uk/windrush/  

The awards will take place between 6 and 8pm via Zoom.

Meeting ID to be released on the ACAP website on the Windrush page.

A special church service for Black History Month

To end Black History Month, there will be a church service hosted by the New Testament Church of God on Sunday, October 25.

 The service will take place via Zoom in collaboration with other Black Churches in the area online via Zoom.

Meeting ID to be released nearer the time.

Shineday Sunday by Arise Creatives

Podcasters at Arise will have two special episodes each week dedicated to shining a light on black creatives' work.

You can tune into Shineday Sunday and Motivational Monday - where the hosts give examples of success stories to inspire young females - on Spotify.

To listen, visit Spotify here.

Interviews with key sound men from West Yorkshire

In a look at the key sound men from West Yorkshire and beyond who shaped the future, there will be an online series of interviews on October 30.

Taking place between 7pm and 10pm, you can tune in via Zoom, Youtube and Facebook

Search for ‘Windrush Sound Systems’ - ‘Remember the man dem’

Meeting ID to be released nearer the time.

Read about Black History Month events in Parliament

Published writer and International community blogger Tony Tokunbo Fernandez has written a booklet on the journey of organising Black History Month celebrations at Parliament, Westminster, London.

The events, run over many years, celebrate the historical achievements and changemakers of the Black community.

Read more about the most influential members of the community in Tony's booklet.

The booklets are free for Black History Month but a small donation can be given.

For more information, contact Tony on +447882809005

TBC – Natural hair films

Two natural hair films will be shown via zoom with Madam C.J. Walker and Good Hair.

The date and time will be announced shortly.

Stories of culture, history and culinary delights with chefs

Watch out for a series of films produced by the African Caribbean Achievement Project (ACAP).

 The films show the community’s chefs from different Caribbean Islands cooking their traditional dishes.

Whilst the cooking is taking place, the participants are interviewed about their stories of coming to England from the Caribbean and their experiences of growing up in a Caribbean household.

The short version of the films will be shown on ACAP social media while the longer film versions will be available to view on ACAP Youtube channel.

ACAP director Claudia MacFarlane said: “Black History Month is important. I personally believe that every month is Black History Month, Black history is intertwined with English history but the fact we’ve got a month where we put the spotlight on the community is important. It’s important for future generations to know about the achievements and contributions we’ve made in the UK.

“I celebrate Black history every single day but it’s good to acknowledge we’ve got a growing community of people that arrived from 1948 onwards. We’re British people.

“I was born in Bradford but my parents came from the Caribbean. There’s a lot of us here, we’ve been here years and as British as we may be, we’re still very Caribbean and very Black. To have a month we can celebrate some of the things we’ve achieved and some of the significant people in our history.”

ACAP's Social Media: