Theatre Royal Plymouth (TRP) is opening its doors this Sunday (25 October) for a free celebratory event to mark Black History Month in conjunction with Plymouth City Council and Citybus. ‘Honouring Our Communities: Our Untold Stories’ takes place at the theatre and will consist of talks, an exhibition, storytelling and drumming. The Black History Month Bus will be stationed outside TRP on Royal Parade, which features an exhibition celebrating the people who have shaped our city.
Taking place from 11am - 1pm, Honouring Our Communities will feature an exciting programme beginning with Cllr Chris Penberthy talking about Why Black History Month Matters, followed by Rachel Hawadi who will be talking about Bill Miller and a panel Q&A.
Bill Miller was born in Stonehouse in Plymouth, and was the grandson of a freed slave from Sierra Leone. During WWII, Bill worked as an air raid warden protecting civilians during the Blitz. Bill led the re-building of Plymouth’s Housing programme after the war, he became Plymouth's first Black councillor. The theatre’s Gallery will have an exhibition for visitors to discover more about the history of Bill Miller.
Storytelling and drumming will take place on the first floor or, weather permitting, outside the theatre.
Kadus Smith, TRP Director of Public Engagement, said: “Honouring Our Communities creates a space for people of all ages and backgrounds to come together, listen, learn and share in experiences through storytelling, music and conversation. We're proud to open our doors for this free event and invite everyone to join us in recognising the people and stories that have helped shape our city as part of Black History Month."
Rachel Hawadi, Senior Project Manager at Plymouth City Council, said: “I am incredibly grateful for the collaboration between TRP, Plymouth City Council and CityBus, for coming together to honour the history, heritage and contributions of all our communities during Black History Month. It is especially meaningful that we are celebrating the life of Bill Miller.”
Recruitment and Inclusion Partner at Go South West, Jabo Butero, said: “Our Black History bus says ‘it is not enough to just not be a racist, we need to be Anti Racist’. Let us always strive to make Plymouth a society that celebrates each other. To quote Maya Angelou; ‘I’d rather live in a society where I am celebrated instead of being tolerated’.”
The schedule for the morning is as follows:
The café will be open and serving food and drink from 10am.
11am – 11.20am Cllr Chris Penberthy - Why Black History Month Matters
11.20am – 12pm Rachel Hawadi - Bill Miller’s Story: How the Descendant of a Slave and Son of an Immigrant from Sierra Leone Led the Rebuilding of Plymouth After World War II
12pm – 12.30pm - Panel Q&A
Honouring Our Communities follows a similar inclusive event earlier in the year, Stories Without Borders, which marked Refugee Week and celebrated the diversity and richness of the Plymouth’s communities.
Honouring Our Communities: Our Untold Stories is a free event, but booking is advised. For more information and to book, visit: https://theatreroyal.com/whats-on/honouring-communities/
