The Serendipity team are still searching for BHM brochures for the years: 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001 and 2004. So start searching through your cupboards as you never know what you might find…

Serendipity is marking and celebrating the achievements of the African and African Caribbean community with the anniversary of 30 years of BHM with a project supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Leicester City Council. The project, Lost Legends, aims to record the achievements of our local trailblazers through oral history recording and the donation of brochures and other memorabilia. Lost Legends will culminate in an exhibition in October 2017 which will include the launch of information on the Serendipity website and a dedicated publication – 30 years 30 voices.

Executive Artistic Director Pawlet Brookes said: “The Lost Legends project is a fantastic opportunity to record 30 or more people’s unique hidden stories and their contributions and opinions about BHM and what these events mean to the community. We want to find original copies of BHM brochures to add to our research and archives.”

Project Researcher Gemma Clarke said: “The BHM brochures offer us a valuable insight into the celebrations, and values of those who organised, maintained and attended BHM events across the East Midlands. The first BHM event was organised in 1987 and has since over the past 30 years developed and seen a wide range of community activities. The search for the missing brochures has begun! If anyone can locate a copy of the BHM brochures, posters and any other memorabilia relating to the events in Leicester from the years 1987- 1991 as well as 2001 and 2004 and donate them to the project then they will add a fantastic element to our collection, website and exhibition.”

One brochure found!

Success as Julie Smith Project Manager for Serendipity recently found an original copy of a BHM brochure for the East Midlands for the year 2000.

Inside exclusive… Celebrate Black History Month East Midlands 2000

‘BHM in the millennium year is a special occasion as it provides us with the unique window of opportunity to look back over a century of Black or African people’s endeavours and achievements.’

The BHM brochure shows all of the exhibitions and events from the year 2000 and the BHM Launch in Leicester took place at the African Caribbean Centre:

‘To mark the BHM in Leicester for the year 2000, the African Caribbean Centre bring a compact celebration within the heart of the community. Come along and see highlights of the season, exhibitions, poetry, theatre, dance, discussions and song. Wolde Selassie will be reminding us what BHM is all about and what it means to people in Leicester. Richard Hart will be signing copies of his latest book From Occupation to Independence. This event will be broadcast live on BBC Radio Leicester’s Talking Blues.’

If you manage to locate a BHM brochure and would like to donate the copy to the project, or are interested in being involved in other aspects of the project, please get in touch by emailing, gemma@serendipity-uk.com or call 0116 2577316.