LAUNCHED in July 2022 by the North West Migrants Forum and funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the aim of our Black Heritage in NI: Hidden History Project is to promote racial equality and challenge racism by uncovering and celebrating the often-overlooked contributions of Black communities in Northern Ireland.
The project has its roots in the Black Lives Matter protests of 2020 which brought to the fore like never before discussions and debates around Black history as well as what it means to be Black and living in 21st century Ireland.
From that discourse sprung our first Black History Summit in 2021 followed by the establishment of the Hidden History Project.
With the support of our primary funder, the National Lottery Heritage Fund along with the dedication of our supporters and the tireless work of our researcher, Dr Naomi Green, we successfully completed the project’s development phase. It involved uncovering stories which had never been heard before as well as oral interviews with the descendants of Black people who helped shape this island in one way or another.
We are now in the delivery phase of the project. It has opened with an exhibition (schedule below) which we hope will break down myths and stereotypes by highlighting how Black people have been sculpting and contributing to Irish life for centuries.
We as an organisation believe our history should be representative and inclusive of everyone, reflecting how migration and interactions with the wider world have shaped our experiences.
To find our more about the Hidden History Project and where and when you can view our excellent exhibition, go to our dedicated website, www.hiddenhistoryni.org.uk.
You can also follow our progress here: Hidden History Facebook and here: Hidden History on Instagram
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If you have any questions about the Black Heritage NI: Hidden History Project you can email the Project Manager Aynaz Zarif: aynaz.zarif@nwmf.org.uk
