Black History Month 2024 - ZamZam

Active Together are honoured to embrace the stories of organisations and individuals who represent our Black communities across the local area. Our third article, in our series, takes us into the wider community beyond the physical activity and sporting environment as we highlight the incredible work of ZamZam:

"Growing up in Leicester without any immediate family made it challenging to stay connected to my Somali heritage. Without elders to pass down stories or traditions, I often struggled with my identity, relying on the diverse cultures around me to shape who I was. When I became a mother, it became important for me to offer my children what I didn't have—a deep understanding of their Somali roots. This sparked my passion for delivering Somali culture and heritage workshops using artefacts and the stories behind them. Every day is a learning experience for me as I grow alongside my children and the people I teach, hoping to be the cultural guide I never had.

Through my work, I've seen that many young people of Black heritage face an identity crisis, much like I did. Leicester, while celebrated as Britain's most multicultural city, often highlights differences, but I've come to realize that many cultures share more similarities than we think. This motivated me to start a not-for-profit organisation to not only showcase the beauty of African cultures, but also to teach our diverse communities about the common threads that unite us, no matter where we come from.

Our festival, Made In Africa, is a week-long celebration of African culture, featuring food, music, dance, clothes, and artefacts, all with deep stories. Held at the Haymarket Shopping Centre from 21st to 27th October, this event coincides with Black History Month, creating an inclusive learning experience for the whole family to raise awareness and appreciation of African heritage and the connections between cultures."

Black History Months theme for 2024 is "Reclaiming Narratives. This theme will shine a brighter light on stories, allegories, and histories that underscore the commitment to correcting historical inaccuracies and showcasing the untold success stories and the full complexity of Black heritage. Black History Month 2024 has the following focuses:

Honour Our Heroes: Challenge the narratives that have often overlooked the contributions and achievements of Black individuals both in the UK and globally.

Embrace Our Stories: Take control of our stories, honour our heroes, and shine a light on the diverse and profound impact of Black individuals across various fields.