A series of Black History month events which celebrate Bristol’s soundsystem culture will take place in St Pauls throughout October. The family-friendly events will take place at The Kuumba Centre every Saturday in October, from 12-9pm.
The free events will showcase Bristol’s local Black heroes. These themes are set to be explored through a photo gallery, music, talks, poetry, dance and graffiti.
There will also be food and refreshments, community stalls and arts and crafts. The events have been put together by The Cause Bristol, a local Community Interest Company (CIC).
The Cause is one of the charity partners involved in the South Bristol Youth Centre, 224, run by Youth Moves and set to open in 2025. Jason Ward is the founder of The Cause and co-host of their radio show on Ujima Radio.
Speaking about the events at Kuumba in October, Jason said: “We aim to showcase local Black heroes and pillars of the community, and pay homage to Bristol’s soundsystem culture, celebrating the past, present and future. We chose Kuumba Community Centre not only for its historical significance but also to show our support for this long standing community hub, which is currently in need of community backing.
“Kuumba was established to provide the essential link in heritage and cultural learning that children may miss by not growing up in their ancestral towns and villages. Many parents recognise the importance of understanding their roots, and Kuumba Arts and Community Resource aims to provide that education and cultural reference.
“For this celebration of Black History Month, we welcome everyone from all walks of life and diverse backgrounds to help us celebrate and possibly learn more about the culture, heritage and history.”
The Cause Bristol runs a variety of programmes, including creative workshops, one-on-one mentoring, group support, cooking sessions and youth engagement activities at various locations across the city. They also work with different age groups and host a weekly radio show on Ujima Radio, which brings communities together through music, conversation and showcasing local talent.
You can find out more about the upcoming events in St Pauls and reserve a free ticket here. You can support the event by donating via the online booking system or making a donation on the day.