The BAM! Sistahood! Project is an intergenerational project that will focus on the cultural, social and political heritage of four generations of Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and Refugee (BAMER) women in the North East of England.

The project aims to engage these diverse and underrepresented communities in the mapping, researching, digital archiving and promotion of North East BAMER women’s cultural and political heritage. This participatory project, led by the women involved, will explore their personal and community histories and place it within the greater context of the rich tapestry of BAMER women’s movement in the region.

Some of the fascinating stories that will be explored include that of Pakistani women’s involvement in the trade unions in the 1970s, and the creation of Panah in Newcastle, one of the first black women’s refuges in the country.

An extensive skills programme will form an important part of the project, providing opportunities for the women to learn skills such asdigital design, governance and archiving, equipping them with valuable skills which will enable them to continue the archive long after the project ends.

Ivor Crowther, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund North East, said: “The BAM! Sistahood! project will reveal a hugely important but currently undocumented area of the North East’s social history. It will help bring women, from a variety of backgrounds and with very different experiences together to explore issues including family life, migration and their social and political histories – all of which have helped shape the cultural landscape of the North East we know and love today.”

Chi Onwurah, Labour MP for Newcastle Central, said: “All too often it is women’s voices and particularly BME women’s voices which are lost from history. I’m really pleased that this project will help us to hear those voices and their stories.”

Notes to Editors

About The Angelou Centre
One of the few surviving ‘black-led’ women’s projects in the North East, the Angelou Centre is well known and regarded as a quality community organisation and training provider where BAMER women are supported by a team of multilingual and culturally diverse staff and volunteers. Our passion and commitment to advance economic and social independence for BAMER women and children has enabled us to establish and develop an organisation that addresses the wide-ranging needs of our beneficiaries. Visit the official website for further information.

Further information
HLF press office, Laura Bates, on tel: 020 7591 6027 or email: lbates@hlf.org.uk.

BAM! Sistahood! Project Research & Development Co-ordinator, Rosie Lewis, on tel: 0191 226 0394 or email: rosie@angelou-centre.org.uk.