Voice-Online.co.uk: Story of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor at UK Black History Exhibit

The Voice

Stories of black people in Kent showcased at new exhibition

The contributions and lives of the incredible, but relatively unknown, figures in politics, the armed forces, sports, religion, society and the arts will be explored through the display

04/10/2018

THE HISTORIC Dockyard Chatham in partnership with the Medway African and Caribbean Association (MACA) and the Black History Live project team are launching a new temporary exhibition to celebrate black people in Britain.

Untold Stories: A Celebration of Black People in Kent will seek to tell the story of African and Caribbean people across Kent and Medway in the 19th and 20th Century.

The temporary exhibition, which will run from tomorrow, October 5 until December 2 at No 1 Smithery, will share some of the fascinating stories of the life and contribution of black people who lived with the historic boundaries of Kent - celebrating the incredible, but relatively unknown, contributions to politics, armed forces, sports, religion, society and the arts.

This community led and created exhibition, draws on ideas, thoughts, and research from local groups and volunteers.

The chair of MACA, Carol Stewart, said: “We wanted to display these stories in a venue that will allow us to tell those stories in a space that would allow us to do so in a creative and engaging way. It’s a fantastic opportunity to be the first organisation to enable the first regional black history exhibition at the award-winning gallery.” 

The stories of those who sought to make significant change such as William Cuffay (campaigner for political rights), Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (a distinguished composer) and Sarah Forbes Bonnetta (Goddaughter of Queen Victoria) will all be showcased at the display.