Celebrating Bristol’s Black History & People
October marks Black History Month in the UK. The event was officially recognised by the US government in 1976, and was first celebrated in the UK in 1987.
Black History Month recognises the achievements and contributions of people with African or Caribbean heritage. It's also an opportunity for people to learn more about the long-term effects of racism.
Most British schools still teach a history curriculum which mainly focuses on the achievements of white people. Black History Month gives everyone the opportunity to share, celebrate and understand the impact of black heritage, history and culture.
In recent times, more attention has been paid to the significance of black history as a result of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Black History in Bristol
In the 1950s, descendants of enslaved Africans arrived in Bristol as Caribbean migrants. Many settled here in Bristol to fill the skills gap after World War II – they are known as the Windrush generation.
During this time, St Pauls provided affordable housing for people and maintains a strong association with Bristol’s Caribbean people to this day. St Paul's Carnival – an annual African Caribbean carnival was started by early migrants and still attracts tens of thousands every year.
In the ongoing struggle for acceptance and equality, Bristol’s black citizens played an important role in changing British laws forever:
1963: The Bristol Bus Boycott started out as a protest against the company’s racist recruitment policies and ended up influencing the UK’s first Race Relations Act which sought to outlaw such discrimination.
1980: St Paul’s Riots occurred when police raided the Black and White Café on Grosvenor Road in the heart of the area. The riot happened due to issues like increasing racial tension, poor housing and alienation of black youth. As a result of the disturbances local authorities and the national government began to pay attention to these issues. The Black and White Café was closed in 2004 and eventually demolished.
1990s: Somali Migrants arrived in Bristol and diversified the city, with thousands of Somalis arriving as refugees and economic migrants. Somali is now the third most commonly spoken language in Bristol and enjoys its own annual festival.
2010s+: An increasing numbers of migrants and refugees arrive from Sudan, Eritrea and other areas of Africa.
Celebrating Influential Black People from Bristol
We’d like to shine a light on some of those who have made a significant difference to our city and have paved the way for a more inclusive and hopeful future for people from Caribbean and African backgrounds.
Hyacinth Hall
Hyacinth was Bristol’s first black headteacher. She dedicated her life to tackling inequality, transforming the many lives of young students and families in Bristol’s black communities. Hyacinth was born in Jamaica and arrived in England in 1958. She then became headteacher of St Paul’s’ St Barnabas Primary School in 1985.
Cleo Lake
Cleo was elected Lord Mayor of Bristol in 2018 and is a Green Party Former Councillor for Cotham. She is a strong social justice activist and campaigner, particularly regarding anti-austerity and issues affecting African communities. Cleo has an extensive background in the arts and culture sector, having been a dance teacher, film maker, poet, and Chair of St Pauls Carnival.
Poku Osei
Poku is the Founder and CEO of Babbasa, a social enterprise designed to respond to high levels of youth unemployment in Bristol’s ethnically diverse inner-city communities, Poku predominantly supports BME young people unleash their potential.
Barbara Dettering
Barbara was born in British Guyana in 1939. She moved to Bristol in 1961. Living in Clifton, then St Werburghs, then Bedminster and finally settling in Eastville.
As a social worker, Barbara dedicated her professional life to assisting others. In her personal life, she did the same. After 50 years of community service in Bristol, Barbara remains committed to being an agent of change.
Dr Paul Stephenson, OBE
Paul is a community worker, activist and long-time campaigner for civil rights for the British African-Caribbean community in Bristol, England.
In 1964, Paul Stephenson walked into the Bay Horse pub in Bristol and ordered a drink. The pub manager told Stephenson to leave, saying: “We don’t want you black people in here – you are a nuisance.” Stephenson refused, and the police were called.
Eight officers arrived to arrest him for refusing to leave and held him in the police cells until midnight.
Marvin Rees
Marvin has served as the Mayor of Bristol since 2016, he is a British Labour Party politician. Marvin is the founder and programme lead at The Bristol Leadership Programme, which helps a dozen people annually from impoverished backgrounds to attain what they aspire to.
Dolores Campbell
Dolores was a member of numerous local and national committees that supported the well-being of people. Over 18 years, Dolores was a foster carer to more than 30 children. She was also the first woman member of the Commonwealth Coordinated Committee to highlight open racial discrimination in Bristol in the 1960s and is one of the founders of St Paul’s Carnival.
Clayton Planter
Clayton is the founder of Street2Boardroom, a Community Interest Company which helps people use their illegal 'street skills' to get off the street and excel in the corporate world and wider society instead.
Mena Fombo
Mena is one of the cities biggest influencers on issues of equality and representation. She is the driving force behind the international campaign, ‘No You Cannot Touch My Hair’ and creator of the Black Girl Convention.
Carmen Beckford
Carmen Beckford is one of the most important and iconic women in Bristol’s history. Carmen was a figurehead for race relations in Bristol, having moved from Jamaica to Bristol in 1965 at the age of 17 to train as a nurse. She is also one of the founding organisers of St Paul’s Carnival.
Anndeloris Chacon
Anndeloris is a registered nurse and CEO of Bristol Black Carers. She is a visionary leader whose passion and purpose is to help others, particularly young carers in Black and Ethnic Minority communities.
Sado Jirde
Sado is the CEO and director of Black South West Network. Their over-arching strategic intent is to build dynamic, independent, and strong Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, businesses that are empowered to flourish while challenging systemic barriers.
Proud To Be: Black History Month 2021
Black History Month UK has launched a new campaign. Inspired by the 2020 Black Lives Matter events, the new campaign is called 'Proud To Be'.
It will invite Black and Brown people of all ages throughout the UK to share what they are proud to be. For example, Proud To Be Black, Proud To Be Brown, Proud To Be Black & LGBTQ+, Proud To Be Me.