BHP 2023 | Expose. Explore. Empower.
Exposing and exploring inspirational stories of local influential ethnically diverse people and empowering black humanities.
In 2023, the BHP Team created a documentary podcast exploring inspirational stories of local ethnically diverse figures, began a podcast series interviewing UEA Alumni, and hosted an on-campus event for year 9 & 10 students from local schools.
The team aimed to;
- expose, explore, and empower black humanities;
- inspire young ethnically diverse students to consider studying an arts and humanities subject at higher education; and;
- champion a more diverse curriculum within arts and humanities subjects.
The event took place at the Sainsbury's Centre for Visual Arts where participants took part in a variety of activities including:
- Badge Making Workshop
- Creative Writing Workshop
- Sainsbury's Centre Discovery Activity
- Discussion session following the screening of Expose. Explore. Empower.
Love. Freedom. Equality.
Black Humanities Project Stories
The students taking part in the BHP event explored the pieces on display in Sainsbury's Centre for Visual Arts and used what they discovered to collaboratively create a new story. Here is the recording of those stories.
Listen to the soundscape below
Expose. Explore. Empower. | A BHP Documentary Podcast
This is a video podcast documentary created by the Black Humanities Project Team that exposes ethnically diverse stories within Norfolk including the first black Mayor in the UK, the daughter of the last Maharaja of Punjab, a Canaries legend, and stories of the Windrush Generation.
After watching the documentary, take a look at the following activities you can do with your students.
Discussion questions
Allan Minns was the first black Mayor in Britain in 1904. He worked within the medical sphere from 1884 until 1903, opening his own medical practise and promoting healthy living in a book he wrote and published called 'Fresh Air and Common Sense'. In 1903 he was elected to Thetford town council and in November 1904, he was appointed without opposition to be the town's Mayor. While he was Mayor he oversaw the construction of a new pavilion in the town's recreation ground, significant improvements to the fire service, the introduction of an improved refuse collection service and ensured that the town had cleaner drinking water by putting in new wells.
Discussion questions:
- What reception do you think he would have had from people today?
- Do you think Allan's impact would be the same now, in terms of town improvements
Classroom group activity:
In groups, you are collectively running for Mayor of your town or city. Create an election campaign video highlighting 3 improvements you want to make to your town/city that will improve people’s health and wellbeing.
Sophia Duleep Singh rose as a pathbreaking personality in the 1900s and used her platform, privilege and education to speak for women's right to vote, and social justice at a time when Britain was going through a political and economic unrest during the early 1900s.
Discussion questions:
- Did you know about Sophia, her background and her story before?
- What inspired you the most about her?
- Which social/political issue would you protest about in today's times?
- Do you think the outcome of Sophia's outcomes would've been the same if she belonged to this generation?
Classroom group activity
Create a poster / pictorial depiction of one social issue you can envision yourself speaking for. How would your poster advocate for change?
Fashanu was a British professional footballer who began his career at Norwich City and is best known for being the first openly gay footballer the first black footballer to command a £1m transfer fee. In 1990, Fashanu publicly came out as gay, making him the first professional footballer to do so during his playing career. Faced with discrimination and an increasingly difficult career, Fashanu struggled both professionally and personally and tragically took his own life in May 1998. Justin Fashanu's life and tragic end brought attention to the issues of homophobia and discrimination in professional football.
Discussion questions:
- Considering the time period when Justin Fashanu came out, what were the prevailing attitudes towards LGBTQ+ athletes in football, and how have they evolved since then?
- How do you think Justin Fashanu's life and legacy have influenced the acceptance and representation of LGBTQ+ athletes in professional sports today?
- In your opinion, what can be done to create a more welcoming and supportive environment for LGBTQ+ athletes? How can we ensure that athletes are judged solely on their talents and abilities, regardless of their sexual orientation?
Classroom group activity:
Allow students to choose a creative medium (art, writing, music, etc.) to express their understanding of Justin Fashanu's life and his impact on sports. They can create posters, poems, short stories, or songs that highlight the themes of inclusivity, empathy, and overcoming prejudices.
Danny Keen, ex-chairman of the Norwich Black History Month, is an example of the many decedents from the Windrush generation who have made a mark on their communities. Keen, in particular, has contributed to building bridges between different cultures and promoting inclusivity within Norfolk.
Discussion questions:
- The Windrush generation experienced hardship when the Windrush scandal erupted. What do you know about the Windrush scandal?
- What are some other notable individuals or descendants from the Windrush generation who have made a significant mark on their communities in Norfolk or elsewhere?
- What challenges might individuals from the Windrush generation face in maintaining their cultural identity while assimilating into a new society, and how can these challenges be addressed?
Classroom group activity:
Create a social media campaign using a dedicated hashtag to encourage people to share their own stories, family histories, and experiences related to the Windrush generation. Engage influencers and community leaders to amplify the campaign's reach.