Cover and back of the last copy of the Women's Equality Group Newsletter

This was the last issue of the WEG News which was issued in March 1988. The London Strategic Policy Unit, responsible for the implementation of BHM was also dissolved in this year. The WEG was a staunch supporter of African Jubilee Year, and had worked eith the LSPU to organise joint projects on women in southern Africa and International Women's Day.

This is the flyer advertising the first BHM even that took place on 1st October 1987. Dr. Maulana Karenga, professor of Pan African Studies in California and the man who introduced Kwanzaa to the world gave the inaugural keynote address entitled The Meaning and Challenge of African History. The strapline under Black History Month says, 'Retreiving the past is no taboo'.

August 17th 1987 was the centenary year of Marcus Garvey's birth and was celebrated as African Jubilee Year. Click on flyer to see a larger image

Kofi Ghanaba

Jazz musician, broadcaster, journalist and author, Ghanaba was famous for his African talking drums interpretation of the Halelujah Chorus by Beethoven and his Drum Concerto 'Third Phase', based on Beethoven's 5th Symphony. He was one of the participants of A Historical Concert in Dedication of Africa's contribution to the World, held in March 1986 at the Royal Albert Hall in London as part of a series of concerts that took place that year.

Max Roach, internationally acclaimed percussionist and composer also came to London to perform with Ghanaba in the concert at the Royal Albert Hall. A park in Lambeth was also named after him.

Flyer for the concert

Odetta standing in front of Max Roach Park in Lambeth

Ken Livingstone, Paul Boateng and Sally Mugabe (click on image for larger picture)

Ken Livingstone was leader of the GLC until its dissolution in 1986. He supported all of the initiatives put forward to helped to bring focus on celebrating African history and culture.

Paul Boateng served on the GLC representing Walthamstow, and was vice chairman of the Ethnic Minority Committee. In 1987 he became one of the first black MPs, along with Bernie Grant, Diane Abbott and Keith Vaz.

Sally Mugabe (1932-1992) former first lady of Zimbabwe was a political activist and campaigner. She mobilised African women to challenge the Smith regime during the 1960s and was jailed for this. On becoming Zimbabwe's first lady in 1980 she served as deputy secretary and later secretary of the Zanu's Women's League. She launched the Zimbabwe's Women's Co-operative in the Uk in 1986 and supported Akina Mama wa Africa, a London based African women's organisation concerned with development and women's issues in Africa and the UK.

Dr. Frances Cress Welsing (on left)

Dr. Cress Welsing, psychiatrist, is author of The Isis Papers and creator of the Cress Welsing theory analysing the nature of white supremacy. She gave her talk in November 1987 at the Commonwealth Institute.

Sally Mugabe and Herman Ouseley

Herman Ouseley was head of the GLC's Ethnic Minority Unit. In 1993 he was appointed chair of the Commission for Racial
Equality, a position he held until 2000. He was given a peerage in 2001. Currently, Lord Ouseley is chairman of the Kick it Out campaign, aimed at eradicating racism from football.

A woman promoting African Jubilee Year at an open air concert.

Sally Mugabe receiving a bouquet of flowers at a reception held for her at the GLC offices in County Hall. Click on image for a larger picture.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson, civil rights leader, founder of the Rainbow Coalition, politician and special envoy,also lent his support. Click on image for larger picture.

Dr. Maulana Karenga and Edward Oteng

Dr. Karenga introduced the celebration of Kwanzaa in the United States in the late 60s and is currently celebrated in Africa, the Caribbean, Britain and South America. He is professor and chair of the Black Studies Department at California State University.

 

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