TTCT Black History Event 2023

On Wednesday 15th November, students from all nine schools in The Two Counties Trust gathered for a day dedicated to Black history. The event aimed to delve into the roots of diversity and shed light on the contributions that have shaped our shared history.

The day kicked off with a poetry workshop led by Nottinghamshire poet, Cara Thompson. Her performance of the poem ‘we remember’ set the stage for a day. Students actively participated throughout the workshop, exploring the significance of Black history. Their insights were woven into a powerful poem by Cara and was delivered to a very captivated audience.

Then historian Dr. Onyeka Nubia took centre stage, guiding us through the diversity of British history spanning over a thousand years. Dr. Onyeka highlighted the importance of recognising key figures who have influenced modern Britain and show how diverse British history really is. His presentation aimed to educate and inspire, encouraging students to appreciate our shared heritage.

In the afternoon, students engaged in roundtable discussions. The focus was on creating a more inclusive school environment and how we can celebrate the contributions of Black individuals throughout history.

After presenting her workshop, guest speaker Cara Thompson said:

“It was a pleasure to deliver a workshop to the students and teachers of The Two Counties Trust in celebration of Black History. Being able to bring poetry into the mix while considering big topics like the purpose of celebrating Black History Month every year opened up the students’ conversations and creativity in such a fantastic way. Every contribution was thoughtful and unique!”

Claire Nulty, Trust Lead for PSHE added

“This year’s TTCT Black History Month event was an inspirational and creative triumph for students and adults alike. The poetry workshop from Cara Thompson empowered us to write a collective poem to celebrate Black culture as well as remember Black History. The powerful talk from Dr Onyeka Nubia opened our eyes to the wealth of evidence available to us as learners to support our understanding of Black British History.”

The Two Counties Trust extends sincere thanks to Cara Thompson and Dr. Onyeka Nubia for their contributions. Their presence enriched the event, deepening students’ understanding of our shared history and promoting inclusivity within our schools.