'Me, We – Making History' - New Bristol Black Archive Calendar 2007

The first-ever Black Archive Calendar simply and powerfully tells in pictures the story of Bristol’s African-Caribbean community.

There are many calendars around, but Me, We – Making History is unique to Bristol. Inspired by boxer Muhammad Ali’s shortest ever poem “Me, We”, its title conveys how individuals and their communities are connected.

And every month this 2007 calendar celebrates high-achievers in media, arts, academia, sport, business and other areas that make up the full cultural, political and economic life of the city.

Some images are historical – such as that of Joseph St Clair who was a dentist, lay preacher and herbalist in Bristol in the 1920s; the all black Empire Sports Club Rugby Club team of 1969; and Gylman Ivie’s baptism entry of1575 in the parish register for Dyrham.

Others are contemporary – including the internationally famous musician, Tricky, who was born and raised in Knowle West. But mostly the people featured are lesser known men and women who may otherwise go unnoticed by the history books.

The calendar is published by the Bristol Black Archives Partnership, a Heritage Lottery funded initiative.

It is raising awareness of the importance of preserving African-Caribbean history and encouraging more African-Caribbean and other black people to contribute documents, photographs, film and other records to the city’s official archive and objects to the city’s museums.

After an approach from veteran political activist Paul Stephenson about looking after his own archive, Bristol Record Office (part of Bristol City Council’s Museums, Galleries and Archives) teamed up with a number of black organisations and individuals, Equalities Team and local universities to form the Bristol Black Archives Partnership. 

Karen Garvey, Project Manager - Bristol Black Archives Partnership/Bristol City Council, said: “The calendar celebrates the community’s achievers, past and present - all positive role models for young people of African descent. But as well as showing black school children that their history matters, it also enriches all our understanding of Bristol's wider history.”

Rob Mitchell, Chairperson of the Partnership, said: “It’s important that ordinary people in Bristol contribute to the archives and be a part of the city’s historical records. We hope that when people see the calendar, they might ask, ‘Why am I not in there?’ and maybe come forward.”

Veteran civil rights campaigner, Paul Stephenson, said “The calendar is a bold attempt to show the contribution black African-Caribbean people have made to this city over generations. It should stimulate widespread interest in the way African-Caribbean people living in Bristol have made a cultural impact.”
 
Copies of the calendar will be available free-of-charge from various libraries and community centres early in the New Year.

A limited number will also be sold for a nominal cost of £2 each (plus postage and packaging). Anyone wishing to buy a copy of the calendar should send a cheque made payable to Bristol City Council for £2 for each calendar (plus postage at 55p for one calendar, 75p for 2-3).

Cheques should be sent to BBAP calendar, c/o Bristol Record Office, B Bond Warehouse, Smeaton Rd, Bristol, BS1 6XN.        

Ends

Press release issued: December 20 2006