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| Research work - In 2002, we received funding from the Hackney Community Empowering Network (HCEN) to conduct a research on issues of Black relations, including intra-Black violence. Most of the respondents, both Black and non-Black, displayed ignorance of Black history and culture, expressed desire to learn more, were distressed at Black on Black violence, and suggested that education, information and dialogue will be ways of remedying these difficulties |
| In summary, we provide the following services: |
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| Exhibition: |
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 Our exhibition is titled ‘A Taste of Africa’, which aims to educate the public at large on the history and culture of Blacks, The exhibition showcases the history, culture and arts of Africa and the Caribbean; it shows the illustrious past of Blacks, their political, technological, literary and artistic heritage; it shows how Blacks have shaped history just as significantly as any other peoples; it also displays the influence of Black history on other world cultures and civilisations. This information will educate the public, and promote good race relations.
There are textual and photographic displays of the great African and Caribbean kings, queens and leaders; sculptures, carvings, raffia and other related artefacts; clothing, dresses and other forms of attire; flags, national anthems, and posters of modern leaders of Africa and the Caribbean; books, magazine and a dedicated library of literature on Africa and the Caribbean. The exhibition is divided into four Departments: 1. The Great Kings and Queens of Africa; 2. The Slave Trade; 3. Great African-Caribbeans and Black Britons; 4. African cultural artefacts. (For a video tour, click on…)
Schools and other educational establishments are welcomed. We encourage schools to get a better appreciation by local schools of the value of Black history and culture, in the form of visits to the exhibition; use of our literature and related literature form other sources; inclusion of more Black-related material in the curriculum.
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| Schools and other educational establishments are welcomed. We encourage schools to get a better appreciation by local schools of the value of Black history and culture, in the form of visits to the exhibition; use of our literature and related literature form other sources; inclusion of more Black-related material in the curriculum. |
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| We wish to educate the public at large and also those of BME origins, of the contribution of Africa to world civilisation. Most of the news and reports we normally get from Africa is negative - wars, famines, genocides, plagues and the like. People are mainly unaware about the illustrious history of Africa, the great men and women of Africa’s past, as well as the contributions of modern men and women of African and Caribbean origins to the development of today’s world. |
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| African’s were among the first people to arrive in the now England. However, Black people have been subjected to the most dehumanizing treatment of races, the terrible Slave Trade. As 2007 represents the 200th anniversary of its abolition, we aim to educate the public of Africa’s suffering, present condition as well as our expectations for the future. We also aim to inform people of BME background about their history in order to instil pride appreciation and a sense of identity. |
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| To achieve these aims, we have organised various cultural activities like the annual Cultural Event, which we have discontinued for the present. We have also in place at our office a permanent exhibition, ‘A Taste of Africa’, which is open on Thursdays and Fridays. |
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| We also have now started a touring exhibition programme where we take parts of the exhibition to places such as Prisons, Educational Institutions, etc. |
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| But we also take the exhibition out in the form of our moving exhibition; this is taken to different ethnic communities as well as educational institutions and prisons in order to promote dialogue, cultural cooperation, as well as sessions on the truth behind Africa’s past atrocities. The programme of the moving exhibition includes first a viewing of exhibits session: ‘Great Kings and Queens’, and ‘The Slave Trade’. This is followed by a presentation and debates in which participants normally make contributions. To date we have visited Hackney Community College and Holloway and Brixton prisons. The touring exhibition is one of the main arms of our programmes now. This is because it brings culture alive to participants as well as provides broader access to culture for many communities. From the feedbacks we have received at the end of the programmes, many people have been greatly influenced by the sessions. Many have expressed that they have abandoned stereotypes about ethnic minorities. |
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We organise workshops based on our exhibition, for young people and sometimes children. This includes African art, dance and music sessions. Participants have benefited from these sessions and have developed their creative potentials. We have also organised sessions on preparing African snacks which many people have liked.
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| We encourage our young people to enter employment by providing training through volunteering and workshops in order to develop life skills, like effective communication, debating, conflict resolution, organising programmes, planning and evaluation. Also, we have applied to employers for positions for work experience, for example the Crown Prosecution Service. This is significant at various levels; firstly it provides opportunity for future employment by giving young people job experience as well as an acquaintance with mainstream public services; it also tries to present a positive aspect of law enforcement, especially as many of the young people are vulnerable to crime.
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Our workshops not only provide a source of positive diversion but also an incentive to avoid anti-social behaviour. The workshops and exhibition inform marginalized Black youths on their past, the achievements of their ancestors, involve them in the planning and execution of activities of the project, and in this way hopefully dissuade them form anti-social behaviour and instead induce them to live progressive lives and contribute positively to their communities. Topical debates like ‘The Police and You’ ‘Drugs and Abuse’, ‘Mental Health among BME youths’ provide avenues for democratic engagement with current issues affecting young people and gives them an opportunity for their voice to be heard.
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