1. Black History Month Unsung Heroes / Unheard Voices St Michael’s History Department Assembly BLACK HISTORY MONTH OCTOBER 2007

2. How does someone make it into History?

3. Why might someone not make it into the history books? Biased HistoriansBiased Historians They don’t fit the right imageThey don’t fit the right image They don’t have a voice to tell their storyThey don’t have a voice to tell their story What if the colour of your skin stopped your story being told? BLACK HISTORY MONTH OCTOBER 2007

4. Black History Month is held every October in Britain Black History Month was started in America in 1926 by Dr Carter Woodson, an American historian, who felt that the history taught in America’s schools did not recognise the achievements of African Americans. He launched a week to highlight those achievements, and by the 1970s this had become Black History Month in the United States. Black History Month started in Britain in 1987. The aims are to: Promote knowledge of Black History Spread information about positive Black contributions to society BLACK HISTORY MONTH OCTOBER 2007

5. Who celebrates it? Can anyone participate or is it just for Black people? Black History month is for everyone! It should be an educational experience and historical educational experience African heritage should be shared by everyone as world history

6. Why do black people need a history month? As long as the great contributions made by these people remain little known we will need Black History Month; until the time when everyone’s history is recognised. We need a history month, as an opportunity to share with the world the incredible contribution of all nations to this planet. BLACK HISTORY MONTH OCTOBER 2007

7. Unsung Heroes/Unheard Voices Julius Caesar The most famous Emperor of The Roman Empire. He ruled for 5 years. Septimus Severus Was from North Africa and was Was from North Africa and was Emperor of the Roman Empire. He ruled for 5 years. He rebuilt and restored Hadrian’s wall.

8. Unsung Heroes/Unheard Voices Florence Nightingale was a nurse in the Crimean war. Mary Seacole – was rejected from helping Nightingale, she opened her own hotel and treated soldiers there.

9. What important contributions have black people made? Black people have invented many things and persevered throughout time... BLACK HISTORY MONTH OCTOBER 2007

10. Protest

11. Benjamin Banneker inventor of the first clock

12. Adversity

13. M.A Cherry inventor of the tricycle

14. Struggle

15. Charles Richard Drew Started up blood banks for blood transfusions

16. Justice

17. Daniel Hale Williams First person to successfully perform open heart surgery

18. Success

19. P.B Dowling inventor of the street letter box

20. Demonstrate

21. George Crum inventor of crisps!

22. Success

23. D.A Fisher inventor of the joiner’s clamp

24. Courage

25. T. Elkins inventor of the refrigerator

26. Strength Malcolm X

27. How have black people moved forward in today’s Society??

28. Black People Today StrengthIntelligenceSuccessDiversityInspirationDrive

29. England Rugby Star Talented at both football and Rugby Extremely proud to represent his country in this year’s World Cup Strength Paul Sackey

30. Black People Today StrengthIntelligenceSuccessDiversityInspirationDrive

31. Diplomatic correspondent Presenter of ITV news and Tonight with Trevor MacDonald Knighted for his work in 1999 Intelligence Sir Trevor MacDonald

32. Black People Today StrengthIntelligenceSuccessDiversityInspirationDrive

33. Jamelia- Successful RnB star Rio Ferdinand- successful international footballer Theo Walcott- youngest ever player to score for England Success Jamelia Rio Ferdinand Theo Walcott

34. Black People Today StrengthIntelligenceDiversitySuccessInspirationDrive

35. Black people are successful in all areas of society Prestigious positions are held in politics, education and fashion Diversity

36. Black People Today StrengthIntelligenceDiversitySuccessInspirationDrive

37. Determined athlete Persevered with her dream Excellent role model Inspirational Kelly Holmes

38. Black People Today StrengthIntelligenceDiversitySuccessInspirationDrive

39. Youngest British Formula 1 driver Ambition Hertfordshire Hero! On the verge of making Formula 1 History Drive Lewis Hamilton

40. What does MTV Base think about Black History Month? DREAMACHIEVE BE HISTORIC BLACK HISTORY MONTH OCTOBER 2007

41. How have black people moved forward in today’s Society?? Black people will not settle for mediocrity Black people are inspirational, passionate, successful, driven and determined Black History month is a way of celebrating all of these qualities

42. Black people will not settle for mediocrity Black people are inspirational, passionate, successful, driven and determined Black History month is a way of celebrating all of these qualities As a result of Heroes are being praised And Voices are being heard in abundance!

43. Let us finish with a prayer to celebrate Black History Month "Thank you Lord for those who have brought light to world with their kindness and courage. Help us never to forget the past and those who have worked to make the lives of others better. Give us the strength that many black people had as they strived to make a difference in the world. Help us to keep their memory alive and to use the stories from the past to help us make good choices in the present. Amen."