“I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality…. I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.
During October the UK celebrates 'Black History Month'. Although 'Black History Month' has been celebrated every February in the USA since 1970, it was not officially celebrated in the UK until 1987. The first 'Black History Month' was celebrated only in London, but in the years since, the celebration has spread across the whole of the UK.
The main aims of 'Black History Month' are to celebrate the achievements and contributions of black people not just in the UK, but throughout the world and also to educate all on black history.
During October there are many events to celebrate 'Black History Month'. Across the country, special classes and celebrations are arranged within schools and African and Caribbean societies at universities put on special events and lectures. Museums and art galleries have special themed exhibits, and there are also many special themed shows about 'Black History Month' on the TV and Radio.
If you would like to get involved and discover more about black history, you will find a full listing of events and exhibitions taking place across the UK on the official 'Black History Month' website www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk.
Begin the session with a warm welcome to the group of all members, regardless of their colour, ethnicity, religion, sexuality or gender.
Explain the session is about celebrating the massive contribution to society that Black British citizens, with African and/or African-Caribbean ancestry, make. Black Britains are the largest ethnic minority population, at 3% of the total UK population. This session looks at some of our more famous black brothers and sisters, both British and (mostly) American.
Ask members to say who their favourite person of colour is, perhaps a celebrity, musician, actor or TV presenter, or of course a best friend.
IDIOMS
Ask members to complete the following idioms, about dignity, respect and equality ...
- Hold someone in high ESTEEM
- With all due RESPECT
- A man of HONOUR
- Redress the BALANCE
- Give and TAKE
- Build BRIDGES
- Offer the hand of FRIENDSHIP
- Band of BROTHERS
- A friend in need is a friend INDEED
- Colour is only skin DEEP
- Manners maketh MAN
- It costs nothing to be KIND
- See the best in OTHERS
- We are all in the same BOAT
- Two heads are better than ONE
- Through thick and THIN
- Get on like a house on FIRE
- See eye to EYE
- Speak the same LANGUAGE
- Love thy NEIGHBOUR
- All you need is LOVE
Can anyone think of any more to add?
MUSIC & PICTURE QUIZ
There are 5 rounds.
Icons
The Bad Old Days
Movies
Things Are Getting Better, But We Still Have A Long Way To Go
More Icons
If you click on the first photo, a slide show will open.
YouTube links are provided, just click on them.
Make time for discussion and story-telling.
Simplify as necessary.
Give lots of clues, such as first names, to help members achieve.
Round 1. Icons
 | Clue. He was a track-and-field athlete who set a world record in the long jump at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin which he kept for 25 years. Jesse ***** |
 | Clue. She played a pivotal role in the 'Montgomery Bus Boycott' in 1955 and was known as the 'First Lady Of Civil Rights'. Rosa ***** |
 | Clue. He was a civil rights activist and Baptist minister who gave his "I have a dream" speech in 1963. Martin ****** **** |
 | Clue. He was a professional boxer and activist. Nicknamed "The Greatest", he is regarded as one of the most significant sports figures of the 20th century. Muhammad *** |
 | Clue. One of the best football players ever, he played in three World Cup Championship winning teams for Brazil? P*** |
 | Clue. He was the first black president of South Africa from 1994-1999, previously held captive moon Robben Island for 18 of the 27 years he was imprisoned? Nelson ******* |
 | Clue. He is a professional golfer and ranks second in men's major championships. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest golfers of all time? Tiger ***** |
 | Clue. Born in Hawaii in 1961, he was the first black president of the USA from 2009-2017. Barack ***** |
 | Clue. She is is a talk show host, television producer, actress, author, and philanthropist? Oprah ******* |
 | Clue. She is widely considered among the greatest tennis players of all time and won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, the most by any player in the Open Era? Serena ******** |
Song break ...
What was Aretha's nickname?
Round 2. Looking Back
Outdated images - What year did Robinson's stop making Golliwog Badges?
Racist TV sitcoms - What year did 'Till Death Us Do Part' finish? (In fact, the aim of the joke was on racists who identified with Alf Garnett)
Discriminatory language and politics - What year did Enoch Powell give his 'Rivers Of Blood' speech?
Different standards of acceptability - What year did 'The Black And White Minstrel Show' end?
Racist comedy - Name the 'comedian' whose comedy largely focused on racial stereotypes?
Poor representation - Name this comedian, actor and philanthropist, who was one of our first positive role models in the public eye?
Song break ...
What record label was Marvin Gaye signed to?
Round 3. Movies
 | Name the 1939 movie about the American Civil War? Who was the first black African-American to win an Oscar (for Best Supporting Actress)? 'Gone **** *** ****' Hattie ******** |
 | Name the 1962 movie about a lawyer defending a black man charged with murder? Who wrote the book? 'To Kill * ***********' Harper *** |
 | Name the 1977 TV series about slavery? Name the lead character? 'R****' Kunta ***** |
 | Name the 1967 movie about a black schoolteacher? 'To Sir **** ****' Who had a hit single with the theme song? L*** |
 | Name the 1966-69 sci-fi TV series? Name this character? 'Star ****' Lieutenant U***** |
 | Name the 1972 movie about an iconic American blues singer? Name the singer & actor? 'Lady ***** *** *****' Billie ******* & Diana **** |
 | Name the 1985 movie about overcoming abuse and oppression? Who wrote the book? 'The Color ******' Alice ****** |
 | Name the 1988 comedy about an African prince moving to the USA? Who did it star? 'Coming ** *******' Eddie ****** |
 | Name the 1992 musical movie about a singer receiving death threats. It is the highest grossing soundtrack album ever? Who did it star? 'Body*****' Whitney ******* & Kevin ******* |
 | Name the 1994 movie about the relationship between two prisoners and their bid for freedom? Name the two actors? 'The Shawshank **********' Tim ******* & Morgan ******** |
Song break ...
What song did Paul McCartney duet with Michael Jackson on in 1983?
Round 4. Things Are Getting Better, BUT There Is A Long Way To Go
Correcting past wrongs - 'The Windrush Scandal' came to light in 2017, when it was revealed that many people who were recruited from the Caribbean in 1948 were illegally deported in their older age. How many?
Removing images associated with past trauma - In 2020, a statue of Edward Colston, an international slave-trader, was vandalised and thrown into the docks. In which city?
Taking the knee - The 'Black Lives Matter' campaign started in 2020 after American police killed an unarmed black man in Minneapolis. What was his name?
Ongoing discrimination - 'Stop And Search' is one of the most widely used and highly criticised police powers. What percentage of people stopped by The Metropolitan Police are black men?
Discriminatory immigration policy - There continue to be no legal routes for asylum to the UK, leading to too many people from war torn countries facing the risk of crossing the Channel illegally. This man continues to stoke fear. What is his name?
Anti-Woke forces - There is currently a lot of political rhetoric about 'Being Woke' and how that is a bad thing. But what do you think 'Woke' means?
Song break ...
Who were the members of the 'Rat Pack' (a group of Las Vegas entertainers)?
Round 5. British Icons
 | Clue. He received a KBE in 199 for services to journalism? Which black comedian used to impersonate him? Trevor ******** Lenny ***** |
 | Clue. He is a celebrity chef and TV presenter? Ainsley ******* Complete this show title - 'Ready, Steady ****' |
 | Clue. He was the exercise guru on GMTV? What is his real name? Mr ********** Derek ***** |
 | Clue. She was a BBC news anchor until 2007? On which radio station does she now present? Moira ******* 'C****** FM' |
 | Clue. She is the 2012 Olympic champion, a three-time world champion, and the 2010 European champion? In which sport? Jessica *****-**** H********* |
 | Clue. He received a KBE in 2017 for services to athletics. What is the symbol he made at the end of each race called? Mo ****** M***** |
 | Clue. He is a Formula 1 racing driver with 7 championship titles? Which ex pop star was he dating until recently? Lewis ******** Nicole *********** |
 | Clue. Professional footballer who called the UK government out over free school dinners during COVID 19? What is his name & his team? Marcus ******** M******** U** |
 | Clue. British singer songwriter. UK's biggest 'grime' artist? What is his name? Name is his style of performing? S****** R** |
 | Clue. Two professional dancing sisters? On which hit TV show did they both, until recently, appear? Oti & Motsi ******* 'Strictly **** *******' |
Video break ...
Ore Oduba and Joanne Clifton dance to 'I Got Rhythm'
To finish, we have some positive images of equality ...
Which black actor is our new 'Dr Who'?
What is the name of the multi-racial cast period drama?
Who is our next (rumoured) 'James Bond'?
Name our new Tory government cabinet (not for long, perhaps?)
Name our new duchess?
Name our BBC News at 6 anchor (noting his bravery in Ukraine)?
Final Top 10 songs ... (Take your pick)
'Feeling Good', Nina Simone - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHRNrgDIJfo
'Say A Little Prayer', Dionne Warwick - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dERmrf48qe4
'I Heard It Through The Grapevine', Marvin Gaye - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZnrZnFSlWU
'I'm Coming Out', Diana Ross - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-mjl63e0ms
'The Tears Of A Clown', Smokey Robinson - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcd9N62nOLg
'Blame It On The Boogie', The Jackson Five - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqxVMLVe62U
'I Will Always Love You', Whitney Houston - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbCmXmaZgdM
'Let's Stay Together', Al Green - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COiIC3A0ROM
'I Am What I Am', Gloria Gaynor -
Singalong ...
Singalong ...
PRACTICAL ACTIVITY
You could make a Creative Mojo 'Black History Month Peace Quilt'. They cost between £20-40 a kit, depending on size. Or you could make something similar from scratch. Either way, it's a great idea. https://www.creativemojo.com/product/black-history-month-peace-quilt/
Round 1 Answers
Jesse Owens
Rosa Parks
Martin Luther King
Mohammed Ali (Cassius Clay)
Pele
Nelson Mandela
Tiger Woods
Barack Obama
Oprah Winfrey
Serena Williams (Pictured here with her sister Venus)
'Queen Of Soul'
Round 2
What year did Robinson's stop making Golliwog Badges? 2002
What year did 'Till Death Us Do Part' finish? 1980
What year did Enoch Powell give his 'Rivers Of Blood' speech? 1968
What year did 'The Black And White Minstrel Show' end? 1978
Name the 'comedian' whose comedy largely focused on racial stereotypes? Bernard Manning
Name this comedian, actor and philanthropist, who was one of our first positive role models in the public eye? Lenny Henry
'Motown'
Round 3
'Gone With The Wind' / Starring Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O'Hara & Hattie McDaniel as Mammy
'To Kill A Mockingbird' / Starring Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch defending Tom Robinson as Brock Peters / Harper Lee was the author
'Roots' / Kunta Kinte, played by LeVar Burton
'To Sir With Love' / Starring Sidney Poitier / Lulu had a hit with the theme song
'Star Trek' / Lieutenant Uhura played by Nichelle Nichols
'Lady Sings The Blues' / Billie Holiday & Diana Ross
'The Colour Purple' / Starring Whoopi Goldberg / Alice Walker was the author
'Coming To America' / Starring Eddie Murphy
'Bodyguard' / Whitney Houston & Kevin Costner
'Shawshank Redemption' / Starring Morgan Freeman & Tim Robbins
'The Girl Is Mine'
Round 4
'The Windrush Scandal' came to light in 2017, when it was revealed that many people who were recruited from the Caribbean in 1948 were illegally deported in their older age. How many? - 164
In 2020, a statue of Edward Colston, an international slave-trader, was vandalised and thrown into the docks. In which city? - Bristol
The 'Black Lives Matter' campaign started in 2020 after American police killed an unarmed black man in Minneapolis. What was his name? - George Floyd
'Stop And Search' is one of the most widely used and highly criticised police powers. What percentage of people stopped by The Metropolitan Police are black men? - 77%
Discriminatory immigration policy - There continue to be no legal routes for asylum to the UK, leading to too many people from war torn countries facing the risk of crossing the Channel illegally. This man continues to stoke fear. What is his name? - Nigel Farage
Anti-Woke forces - There is currently a lot of political rhetoric about 'Being Woke' and how that is a bad thing. But what do you think 'Woke' means? The meaning of WOKE is aware of and actively attentive to important societal facts and issues (especially issues of racial and social justice).
Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Joey Bishop and Peter Lawford
Round 5
Trevor McDonald / Lenny Henry
Ainsley Harriott / 'Ready Steady Cook'
Mr Motivator / Derrick Evans
Moira Stewart / 'Classic FM'
Jessica Ennis-Hill / Heptathlon
Mo Farrah / 'Robot'
Lewis Hamilton / Nicole Scherzinger
Stormy / Rap
Motsi & Oti Mabuse / 'Strictly Come Dancing'
Round 6
Which black actor is our new 'Dr Who'? - Ncuti Gatwa
What is the name of the multi-racial cast period drama? - 'Bridgerton'
Who is our next (rumoured) 'James Bond'? - Idris Elba
Name our new Tory government cabinet (not for long, perhaps?) - Kwasi Kwarteng, James Cleverly, Liz Truss & Suella Braverman
Name our new princess? - Meghan Markle
Name our BBC News at 6 anchor (noting his bravery in Ukraine)? - Clive Myrie
