Celebrating Black History Month 2023 with Success4All

At Success4All, Black history is more than just a month-long observance; it’s a fundamental part of our identity and influences every facet of our charity’s work. We believe that Black history should be an integral part of our year-round conversations and learning. With this commitment in mind, Success4All celebrated Black History Month in 2023 by participating in a variety of events that aimed to raise awareness and share our knowledge and experiences with the wider community.

Here’s a summary of some of the key events and activities that took place during Success4All’s Black History Month celebrations in 2023:

Panel Event at Clifford Chance:

Success4All’s Director, Busola Afolabi, took part in a panel event hosted by Clifford Chance in their Newcastle office. This event provided a platform for Busola to engage with a diverse group of industry professionals, discussing the barriers that underrepresented groups face when pursuing careers in professional industries, including law.

BBC Coverage:

Success4All gained significant media attention during Black History Month with appearances on various BBC platforms, including BBC Look North, BBC Politics North, and the BBC News website. Young member Deborah passionately articulated her views on the importance of Black history education in schools, calling upon the government to diversify the Black curriculum.

You can read the full article on the BBC website here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-67010533

Community Engagement: Teakisi Black History Month Event:

Success4All actively participated in Teakisi‘s Black History Month event ‘Elevate Symposium’, celebrating remarkable women in the community. We also had a stall at the event which saw our team engage with community members, fostering a sense of unity and shared appreciation for the extraordinary women in the region.

Black History Youth Awards 2023:

The Taste of Africa Black History Youth Awards recognised outstanding young individuals who have made remarkable contributions to the North East. This year four members of Success4All’s youth group received awards. Congratulations to Peace, Bolu, Jesse, and Evidence, who received awards in various categories, including the Positive Role Model Award, Choices Award, Peer Mentor Award, and Enterprise Award. These awards acknowledge their dedication to making a difference in the community and beyond, and they serve as an inspiration to all.

North East African Awards by Culture & Identity Awards:

Success4All Founder, Caroline Afolabi-Deleu, received a well-deserved award at the North East African Awards, organised by Culture and Identity North East. Caroline was recognised for her unwavering dedication to education, particularly her tireless efforts in supporting and providing opportunities to children and young people of African descent. Her commitment to empowering the next generation has not only changed the lives of many but has also illuminated a path for others to follow, making her a source of pride for the community.

2023 ABC Annual Awards:

Success4All Trustee, Iqbal Syed, was shortlisted for the Public Sector Award at the Asian Awards organised by Asian Business Connexions. This recognition highlights his significant contributions to Success4All and the public sector.

Black History in the North East Panel:

Success4All’s Black History Month events culminated with a panel discussion at Durham University. Busola, along with Terry from Project Star, engaged in a conversation about Black history in the North East. The event, hosted by Durham University’s History Department, shed light on the importance of understanding historical figures such as William Johnson and their impact on the region.

In summary, Success4All’s Black History Month celebration in 2023 was marked by a series of impactful events, media coverage, awards, and community engagement activities. These endeavours served to amplify the importance of Black history and the contributions of Black individuals in the North East and beyond.

Success4All remains committed to advocating for the incorporation of Black History in educational curricula and fostering positive change within the community.