BMECP was pleased to be invited to take part in the Diocese of Chichester’s Black History in Church Spaces exhibition as part of this year’s Black History Month programme.
Our Centre Manager, Juliet, and Community Engagement Officer, Obi, attended on behalf of BMECP, joining others for an afternoon of learning, reflection and remembrance.
The exhibition explored the many ways Black histories are connected to and woven into the history of churches, communities and wider society. It was also an important reminder that Christian history has many faces and includes stories from communities across the world.
Discovering stories within Christian history
Throughout the event, we had the opportunity to hear about people, projects and histories that are not always widely known.
We learnt more about Project Spire and the work being undertaken to explore and better understand Black history within church spaces.
Kwesi Ochosi also shared the story of Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther, offering an opportunity to learn more about an important figure within African and Christian history from a p
erspective many of those attending may not previously have encountered.
Another important contribution came from Flo Sparham, whose reflections challenged those attending to think beyond simply celebrating Black History Month during October.
Her contribution emphasised that recognising Black history and celebrating diversity become more meaningful when they influence our attitudes, behaviours and practices throughout the rest of the year. Black History Speech_original
She also reflected on the importance of creating cultures of belonging in our institutions and communities, asking us to consider who is visible, who has a voice and whose stories are being heard.
Remembering the Ugandan Martyrs
One particularly meaningful part of the event was the opportunity to remember and honour the Ugandan Martyrs.
BMECP was privileged to participate in this moment of remembrance, with our Centre Manager, Juliet, reading their names on behalf of the organisation.
It was a simple but powerful opportunity to remember the lives and experiences of people whose stories form part of a much wider Black and Christian history.
History, identity and community empowerment
At BMECP, much of our work focuses on supporting people and communities to access opportunities, develop skills, build relationships and participate more fully in the wider community.
But empowerment is not only economic or practical.
It is also about identity, representation, belonging and understanding the histories that have shaped us.
Creating opportunities to hear these stories helps ensure that histories which may previously have been overlooked or marginalised become part of our shared understanding.
It is also why Black History Month should provide more than a mom
ent of celebration. It can create opportunities for communities to listen to one another, learn from the past and consider what we want our institutions and communities to look like in the future.
We would like to thank Vitalis Ngwambi, Racial Justice Co-ordinator at the Diocese of Chichester, for coordinating the event and for inviting BMECP to participate.
Our thanks also go to all the speakers, contributors and everyone involved in bringing the Black History in Church Spaces exhibition together.
BMECP was delighted to be part of the conversation and to continue learning alongside our wider community.
