African Lives in Northern England
The North East of England African Community Association (NEEACA), founded in 1997, is a long-standing united body for all Africans, those of African descent and those committed to the well-being of Africa and Africans. Working with other voluntary groups, local authorities and government agencies. NEEACA is a charity organisation & provides:
- signposting, support, advocacy and advice to people of African descent
- befriending to people of African descent
- social and cultural events for all
- assistance to those of African descent in negotiating different cultural expectations
- workshops to assist others in negotiating different cultural expectations
- opportunities to learn about African achievements, culture, art and music
- Show Racism the Red Card have worked together with NEEACA on a number of initiatives including jointly hosting an awards night at SRtRC’s Honorary President Shaka Hislop’s Freedom of Newcastle City Award earlier this year.
Shaka also features in the ‘African Lives in the North East’ booklet published byNew Writing North, to which he also contributed along with SRtRC Education Co-Ordinator Justine King. NEEACA, in line with its commitment to work with all, had engaged with the African Lives in Northern England Project to produce this booklet, school resources with Historic England and a sell-out 2021 calendar. NEEACA members with others in the African Lives in Northern England Project, including Justine King, have now made available a 2023 calendar. New personalities, local, national and international, like Frederick Douglass, feature in this calendar as well as some old favourites, like Archie Sibeko.
This calendar focuses on those of African descent, one segment of the historical and current diversity in Northern England. Starting with the first recorded African community in the United Kingdom, in Burgh-by Sands in Cumbria, it encompasses subjects from the breadth of the North East. Some are aristocratic, like the Roman Emperor, Septimius Severus, others professional, like the actor Ira Aldridge and others, free and working class like Elizabeth Hunter from Gateshead. The calendar also showcases amazing women such as Ida B. Wells, Dr. Irene Ighodaro and Connie Yabantu.
Beverley Prevatt Goldstein from NEEACA says:
“The purpose of the calendar is to tell the people the truth of the long established African and African descended presence in the North East. It is to assist children from those groups to know they have a place in the north east, to know that they have history and roots here. Equally it has a role in fostering understanding and combatting racism, alongside Show Racism the Red Card, in helping everyone know and understand that many diverse people, including those of African descent, belong here and have contributed to building our society locally and nationally.
It is important for us to get our history out there to combat racism and give people pride. This is the second calendar we have produced and we hope it inspires other groups and communities, so one day we can have many calendars that reflect all of us in the north east.”
Justine King, SRtRC Education Co-Ordinator says:
“From the recent collaborative event to celebrate Shaka Hislop being awarded Freedom of the City, to their educational resources promoting Black History in schools, we have shared a close relationship with NEEACA. So of course we are happy to support them in this new African Lives calendar, an informative and effective way to share Black History knowledge throughout the year.”
The calendars are only £6 each, with £2.50 for postage and packing of up to 2 calendars. This beautiful, educational gift is for everyone. Order your copy now while stocks last.
To order the calendar please contact: caroline@s4a.org.uk
For information on NEEACA please contact neeaca.ourheritage@gmail.com
Contributors to the African Lives in Northern England Calendar:
- Caroline Afolabi-Deleu, Trustee, Success 4All
- Donna Chambers, Professor of Tourism, University of Sunderland
- Bill Griffiths, Head of Programmes and Collections, Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums
- Runde Hlalo, North East England African Community Association (NEEACA) member
- Justine King, Regional Education Coordinator, Show Racism the Red Card
- Austin Oshegbu, NEEACA member
- Pat Poinen, Equalities Activist, NEEACA member
- Beverley Prevatt Goldstein, Equalities Activist, NEEACA and Culture Against Racism member
- Sue Ward, News Bulletin Editor, Newcastle Antiquaries
