About Black History Conversations ...
Way back in 2020, when we were locked in our homes and learning to communicate online, the Learning Links International team used our new skills to try holding online conversations during Black History Month to enable community researchers and authors to share their work. This proved a great formula and soon we were hosting speakers from Nigeria, Canada, Jamaica and across the UK - hosted on Zoom by Simon Ferrigno, who was then leading community research with Belong Nottingham and we are grateful that they continue to hold the recordings.
Learning Links International's Founder Director, Liz Millman, who at the time was 'stuck in Australia' invited people to join the Zoom and soon the sessions were providing an effective way to learn more about Black History in the months and years that followed George Floyd's murder deeply shocked people across the world.
As the 'Black Lives Matter' campaigns rolled on, there was always something to talk about.
Many thanks to David Alston who shared his research about the Highlands and Slavery in the early days, showing that community research was a valid way to explore our shared history.
We also welcomed academic researchers and creative artists - but best of all we made links and developed friendships.
Over time we have taken time to focus on particular issues and challenges - for example to explore Windrush issues.
For Season 13 the focus was on the shared colonial history of Jamaica and Wales - as Learning Links International explored the shared history of Wales and Jamaica - we had already taken Black History on the road in Wales - so were expecting some interesting sessions hearing from people who are taken part in an innovative, experiential learning programme to explore Wales shared history with Jamaica, funded by the Welsh Government's Taith initiative.
And just to say - one day we will have time to upgrade this site and make past conversations more accessible - but the paperwork currently required by the Taith project has been overwhelming.