text: Black History Month, Diversity and Newham Heritage | Forest Gate North – Rachel Tripp's councillor blog
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  Black History Month, Diversity and Newham Heritage
  Posted on December 13, 2014 by Seyi Akiwowo
  Cllr Seyi Akiwowo- Maiden Speech to Newham Council – Monday 8th December 2014
  October 2014 marked the 27th UK Black History Month – a significant milestone in the progress towards achieving racial equality in this country. Seizing the opportunity to discuss Black and world history and honouring the too-often neglected accomplishments of black communities is what inspired me as a young Black female growing up in Newham.
  It is this that has helped me forge my own strong British Nigerian identity – and has provided the grounding, knowledge and confidence to stand here this evening talking to you all.
  Newham has the highest proportion of Black and Minority Ethnic residents of all the London Boroughs from ALL parts of the globe. What an opportunity and advantage this gives Newham in this 21st century! And there are so many talented, pioneering black people living or who have lived in Newham that have gone on to achieve fantastic things including black actors Idris Elba from Canning Town and Chiwetel Ejiorfor from my
  Community Neighbourhood Forest Gate. Black British Athlete Christine Ohuruogu MBE, Black Rapper Kano and Mr Benjamin Zephaniah one of my favourite English writers. I remember reading Refugee boy in my English class at Sarah Bonnell and couldn't believe he was living in Newham!
  Moving forward I strongly believe it is important to build on Newham Heritage week. My ambition is to ensure that IN Newham, BHM and Newham Heritage Week becomes an explicit, whole community focal point, especially at a time when the deceitful UKIP's rhetoric on immigration is becoming so divisive. I feel it is even more important for us as local politicians to promote and maintain community relations through discussions on diversity and culture and their significant contributions to our shared Newham heritage,
  our future and our society in many many enriching ways.
  It is apt that the Borough's Coat of Arms proclaims "Progress with the People"
  – and for me this underpins our Community Resilience agenda, as it
  recognises that our strength comes from those around us and the community
  we belong to. By understanding each other's heritage we break down barriers and help combat isolation and marignlisation thus promoting a sense of shared identity and place.
  To encourage our libraries, key stakeholders, schools and each other to
  celebrate and be proud of all of Newham's diverse heritage not just in specific
  months but throughout the entire year.
  This entry was posted in Uncategorized and tagged Benjamin Zephaniah, Black History Month, Chiwetel Ejorfor, Christine Ohuruogu, Diversity, Forest Gate, Heritage, Idirs Elba, Kano, Newham, Seyi Akiwowo. Bookmark the permalink.
  1 Response to Black History Month, Diversity and Newham Heritage
  norman francis says:
  can you please explain to me why there is no participation from newham council in an important event as black history month considering its rich diversity