WESTON-Super-Mare came alive last week as the town hosted its second annual Black History Month Forum.

The event at Weston College brought together community members, local businesses, and allies to celebrate, reflect, and engage in meaningful discussions.

This year’s theme, Reclaiming Narratives, echoed throughout the event, as 13 speakers, half of whom were local, shared their insights and experiences with a packed room of over 130 attendees at Weston College Conference Centre.

The forum was a space where the global majority and allies gathered to see themselves reflected, to learn, and to engage in deep discussions about identity, health, education, and anti-racism.

A college spokesperson said: “Our speakers came from diverse backgrounds, representing heritage from countries like Nigeria, Jamaica, Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Zimbabwe.

“The conversations were powerful, often challenging, but ultimately inspiring.

“From the rich tapestry of heritage to the sharp focus on issues affecting our communities today, this forum was about more than just celebration—it was about building bridges and understanding.

“Korede Adedoyin, who travelled from Essex on the day, took us on a journey through education, highlighting how we are often living decisions made for us long before we were born.

“Yet, as she reminded us, we hold the power to shape the future for the generations to come. Her call to action was felt deeply throughout the room.

“Chipo’s discussion on rest provided a powerful moment of reflection.

“After a first half filled with hard-hitting truths and intense discussions, Chipo, embodying the voice we all needed to hear, called out to everyone: Now rest.

“This powerful reminder reinforced the value of recuperation and taking time to care for ourselves.

“One of the key panels of the day was led by Louise, who facilitated a critical discussion on health and wellbeing.

“Vanessa, Sheridan, and Janneka joined her, with Vanessa captivating the audience with her passionate talk on health disparities and the unique challenges Black women face in the UK.

“Vanessa, a champion for Black women’s health, shared crucial data highlighting that our health experiences are not the same as others in this country.

“Her words sparked a rich discussion about the intersection of race and gender and why we must prioritise our health and wellbeing.

“The audience’s engagement was palpable during the Q&A sessions, where questions dug deep into the core of anti-racism as a humanitarian issue.

“One attendee asked about mending the broken trust between the Black community and the NHS, a conversation that many agreed was long overdue.

“Another question explored the power of narrative and the role of AI in shaping our health stories, leading to a vibrant discussion on decolonising archives and reclaiming our data and history.

“Kayode shared a particularly powerful story about his experience with discrimination in a hotel—a moment that left the room audibly gasping.

“His encounter was a stark reminder that anti-racism isn’t just about combating overt acts of racism; it’s about dismantling an ideology that affects all of us, including those within our own communities.”

The event was also attended by the Mayor of Weston, John Crockford-Hawley, who shared a few words of support, acknowledging the importance of this forum in bringing the community together and in promoting inclusivity.

This year’s event was supported by Weston College, Race Equality North Somerset, and Weston Health, and Race Equality North Somerset.