Kent Equality Cohesion Council

Tag: North Kent Caribbean Association

  • Communities Come Together For Black History Month

    Communities Come Together For Black History Month

    Wednesday 20th October saw the diverse communities of North Kent come out to celebrate Black History Month by attending a free screening of community led and made films at the Woodville Hall Theatre in Gravesham. Kent Equality Cohesion Council working in partnership with Cohesion Plus, North Kent Caribbean and People Dem Collective delivered the in person Black History Month event since 2019.

    Supported by Kent County Council and Gravesham Borough Council, the event saw dignitaries and community members alike come together to view films around the themes of race, diversity and identity.

    Chief Constable of Kent Police Alan Pughsley QPM delivered the keynote speech of the evening and spoke at length about the extensive work that Kent Police were doing around Equality, Diversity and Inclusion within the force as well the continued work around the recruitment scheme. He also spoke about the steps that the force were taking to instil confidence around the issue of violence against women and girls.

    The Chief went on to address the audience of over 150 attendees about his commitment to the diverse communities of Kent. He stated that he hoped the gesture he made when he took the knee during a peaceful memorial to mark the death of George Floyd at the hands of American police in 2019, showed his solidarity and commitment to equality within policing. Mr Pughsley was then presented with an award for outstanding support and service to diverse communities in Kent by event organisers Gurvinder Sandher, CEO of KECC and Michelle Bramble, Chair of the North Kent Caribbean Network.

    Local residents were also recognised for their outstanding work in their respective communities as they received awards presented by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant Bhargawa Vasudaven and Mayor of Gravesham Cllr Lyn Milner.

    The event was part of a series of taking place across Kent as part of Black History Month. Further activity will also be taking place in Margate and Canterbury over the coming week culminating in a screening of cult classic ‘Babylon’ at the Gulbenkian on Friday 29th October with a coach making its way from Gravesend.

    Gurvinder Sandher, CEO of KECC commented, “It was an absolute pleasure to be able to deliver the first in person Black History Month celebrations here in North Kent for the first time since 2019. It is important that we use events like Black History Month to understand our shared history and heritage. It is vital to stress that Black History isn’t confined to just one month rather it is a yearlong recognition that Black history is in fact British history. We are incredibly grateful to our valued partner the North Kent Caribbean Network and I am immensely proud of what we have been able achieve during this time.”

  • 70th Anniversary of the Windrush herald a success

    70th Anniversary of the Windrush herald a success

    The 70th anniversary of the arrival of the SSE Windrush took place on Tuesday 16th October at the Woodville in Gravesend. The event was organised by Kent Equality Cohesion Council in partnership with Gravesham Borough Council, the North Kent Caribbean Network and 2B Scene Theatre and celebrated the significant contributions made by the Caribbean communities to the borough. The event was also supported by funding from the KCC Members Fund.

    The celebrations were opened with band Common Denominator who played classic reggae songs as some 250 guests made their way into the Woodville. There were also poignant dramatic performances around the theme of immigration and early racism experienced by the Windrush generation upon their arrival into the UK in the 40s by artists Caroline Muraldo and Gravesham resident Gary Cordice.

    Guests included Deputy Lord Lieutenant Dr Bhargwaren Vasudaven, Deputy Mayor Cllr Lesley Boycott, KCC Cllr Lauren Sullivan and Chief Officer Gavin McKinnon from Kent Police amongst others. Talks were also given by local charity Refocus who work with young people and there were performances by the Common Denominator Band, North Kent Caribbean Association and Folkin Fusion Drumming Collective.

    Special awards were presented during the evening recognising the many achievements and contributions to the borough by local entrepreneurs, business owners and community workers. Winners included Elliot Reid from Revitalize Health and Fitness Clinic and Thomas – James Bramble a young footballer currently playing for Gillingham FC. Others recognised included local barbers, Kimoy Kirnon and Paul Williams, Claudette Bramble who runs the Caribbean Active Retirement Group, Earlyn Francis local restaurant owner, and the Gravesend West Indian Football Club who enjoyed much success between 1984 and 1995.

    A special life time achievement award was presented to local celebrity/midwife Sister Ursula Sullivan affectionately known as ‘Sully’. The award recognised Sister Sullivan’s journey from Trinidad to the UK in the early 40’s where she encountered social isolation and racism through to her extensive and ground breaking work as Head Nurse at the Antenatal Clinic at the Gravesend and North Kent Hospital. It is believed that Sister Sullivan stopped counting at 1,500 when asked how many children she had delivered over the years.

    Gurvinder Sandher the CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council commented, “I am incredibly proud to have put on this event in partnership to not only celebrate 70 years since the arrival of the SSE Windrush but to also recognise the many positive contributions the Windrush generation have made to the UK. To have so many guests in attendance celebrating the 70th anniversary during Black History Month really speaks volumes and I am so pleased that we were able to recognise and commemorate the prolific legacy the Caribbean community has established over the years here in Gravesham.”