INTERNATIONAL
BLACK HERITAGE
MONTH
EDUCATION
CELEBRATION
UNITY
JUNE 2024
Welcome to International Black Heritage Month (IBHM) 2024! Media and cultures gives a window to the world, and it’s these two anchors that bring IBHM to life. As the creators of (IBHM), for 2024 we are excited to celebrate and honor the rich cultural contributions of Brazil, recognize the vibrant Wolof people, and pay tribute to Financial Mavericks of color who against all the odds have created phenomenal financial success.
IBHM is held in June to connect the significant cultural observances of 1) Juneteenth in the USA (June 19), 2) Windrush Day in the UK (June 22), 3) Portugal Day (June 10), 4) Keti Koti in Utrecht, Netherlands (June 30), and 5) Youth Day, South Africa (June 16) (Search online for any 2024 events).
:ANCHORS:
Why June each year?
Supporting:
International Decade for People of African Descent 2015-2024
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
:ANCHORS:
Join us in embracing the diverse heritage, achievements, and stories that continue to inspire and empower us all. Together, let’s make this month a celebration and catalyst for greater unity and understanding. Happy International Black Heritage Month 2024!
Click each flag to read more
Windrush Day (UK) June 22nd honors the period and contributions of Afro-Caribbeans, who arrived in the UK on board HMT Empire Windrush in 1948, to help rebuild the UK and the economy after WWII.
Ketikoti (Utrich, Netherlands) June 30th, Ketikoti means ‘broken chains,’ and it commemorates those who lived in slavery and celebrate the abolition of slavery in Suriname and the Dutch Antilles in 1863.
Portugal Day, (Portugal) June 10th, pays tribute to poet Luis de Camões, the country of Portugal, the Portuguese people, and the Portuguese presence worldwide (Lusophone culture): Brazil, Angola, Cabo Verde, East Timor, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe.
Youthday, (South Africa) June 16th, previously known as Soweto Day, marks the anniversary of 1975 when student protested in African schools against apartheid and commands that Afrikaans, a derivative of Dutch, had to be used on an equal basis with English as a language of instruction in secondary schools.
Juneteenth (USA) June 19th, commemorates the end of slavery and final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation (freed from slavery, servitude, legal, social, political restrictions of African-Americans, in Texas in 1865, over 2 years after President Lincoln declared all enslaved persons free.
1.BRAZIL
Brazil Overview
Capital: Brasilia.
Language: Portuguese.
A few key dates in Brazil’s history:
(1500) – Portuguese arrive and claim it for the Portuguese crown; (1530 – 1540) Slavery activity began; (1822) – Separates from Portugal and declares independence. Led by The son of the Portuguese king. declares and crowns himself Pedro I, emperor of Brazil; (1888) – Slavery is abolished. A year later, Brazil’s monarchy is overthrown and a federal republic is established; in subsequent decades, government is dominated by European coffee plantation owners.
Brazil is South America’s most influential country, and is half the continent’s landmass. The fifth largest country in the world, the other four are Russia, Canada, China, and the U.S. Brazil is the fifth most-populated country on earth, and accounts for one-third of Latin America’s population, and is one of the world’s largest democracies.
People / Society
Brazil consists of Indigenous, Portuguese, and African descent. Other major groups include Italians, Spaniards, Germans, Lebanese, and Japanese. In 2022, data showed for the first time since 1991 brown people became the predominant group, with approximately 92.1 million people (45.3% of the country’s population) reported being brown, 88.2 million (43.5%) reported being white, 20.6 million (10.2%) black, 1.7 million (0.8%) indigenous, and 850.1 thousand (0.4%) Asian.
The Brazilian population was formed by Portuguese settlers and African slaves, mostly from Bantu and the West African populations (Yoruba, Ewe, and Fanti-Ashanti), into territories occupied by indigenous South American tribal populations, mainly Tupi, Guarani and Ge.
WATCH
How did Brazil Become a Country
Duration: 11:53
The Animated History of Brazil
Duration: 8:03
Maroons in Brazil
Duration: 5:26
READ
NOTABLE PEOPLE PAST AND PRESENT
Zumbi dos Palmares (1655 – November 20, 1695)
Also known as Zumbi, he’s a key figure in Brazilian history. Zumbi was a leader of the Quilombo dos Palmares, a settlement of Afro-Brazilian, and a community of escaped slaves in the colonial period. He is celebrated as a symbol of resistance against slavery and oppression. One of the pioneers of resistance to slavery of Africans by the Portuguese in colonial Brazil.
READ
WATCH
Who is Zumbi dos Palmares?
Duration: 11:46
Zumbi dos Palmares and Dandara: Celebrating Black Resistance in Brazil
Duration: 2:18:37
Hilária Batista de Almeida (Tia Ciata) (13 January, 1854 – 1924)
Known as Tia Ciata, a Brazilian saint mother, healer, and samba singer, she’s considered as one of the most influential people for the emergence of Rio samba.
READ
WATCH
TIA CIATA - Filme | Doc | 25' | 2017 | RJ - Brasil
Duration: 26:30
Tia Ciata, Hilária Batista de Almeida (1854 - 1924) - Heróis de Todo Mundo
Duration: 2:00
Machado de Assis (Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis) (28 January, 1897 – 1908)
A pioneering Brazilian novelist, poet, playwright and short story writer. Regarded as the greatest writer of Brazilian literature, he founded and became the first President of the Brazilian Academy of Letters. He was multilingual, and taught himself French, English, German and Greek later in life. With his personal touch, he transformed his raw material into new and original works of a real Brazilian character. Through the use of Brazilian elements, he became a universal writer, like Miguel de Cervantes and William Shakespeare.
READ
LISTEN
The Fortune-Teller by Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis
Duration: 30:54
Pelé (Edson Arantes do Nascimento) (23 October, 1940)
Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known by his nickname Pelé, was a Brazilian professional footballer who played as a forward. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. A global icon and a symbol of Brazilian excellence in sports.
READ
WATCH
Pelé | The Greatest Football Player Of All Time | King Of Football | Full Documentary
Duration: 48:46
Marta Vieira da Silva (19 February, 1986)
Known simply as Marta, she is one of the most successful female football players in the world. Marta has won numerous awards, including FIFA World Player of the Year multiple times, and is a prominent advocate for women’s football.
READ
WATCH
Brazil’s Marta broke down barriers to become one of football’s best players"
Duration: 16:26
Marta | FIFA Women's World Cup Goals
Duration: 7:49
Taís Araújo (25 November, 1978)
A talented actress, TV host and model. Araújo has broken barriers in Brazilian television and film as the first Black woman to star in a telenovela as the protagonist.
READ
WATCH
Taís Araújo | TEDxSaoPaulo
Duration: 10:24
The Chivas Venture Brazil: Regina Ferreira, CEO of Hutu Casting Agency – Chivas Regal
Duration: 9:31
2.WOLOF PEOPLE
Overview
The Wolof people are one of the largest ethnic groups in Senegal, a country in the continent of Africa. Senegal is located in West Africa, and Wolof people have significant populations in neighboring countries such as The Gambia and Mauritania. Here are some key points about the Wolof people:
- Language: The Wolof people speak the Wolof language, which is one of the major languages of Senegal and is widely spoken throughout the country.
- Culture: Wolof culture is rich and diverse, characterized by traditions, customs, music, dance, and cuisine. Traditional Wolof society is organized around kinship ties, and family is highly valued.
- Religion: The majority of Wolof people are Muslim, and Islam plays a significant role in Wolof culture and daily life. However, there are also Christian and animist Wolof communities.
- Occupations: Traditionally, Wolof people have been involved in agriculture, fishing, and trade. In urban areas, many Wolof people are also engaged in business, commerce, and other professions.
- Diaspora: Due to historical factors such as the transatlantic slave trade and migration, Wolof people can be found in other parts of the world, particularly in the diaspora communities of Europe and the Americas.
- Music and Dance: Wolof music and dance are vibrant and diverse, with traditional instruments such as the sabar drum being commonly used. Wolof music genres like mbalax have gained international recognition.
- Clothing: Traditional Wolof clothing includes the boubou for men and the m’boubou for women. These are loose-fitting garments typically made from colorful fabrics and are often worn on special occasions or ceremonies.
READ
WATCH
The Most Influential Community in Senegal: The Wolof People
Duration: 3:52
Learn About The Wolof People of Senegambia
Duration: 19:23
SENEGAL (Documentary, Discovery, History)
Duration: 50:44
Where did the Wolof originate from?
Duration: 13:18
NOTABLE PEOPLE
Aminata Sow Fall (27 April, 1941)
A Senegalese-born author. While her native language is Wolof, her books are written in French.
Cheikh Anta Diop (1923 – 1986)
Distinguished historian and Pan-Africanist political leader, Cheikh Anta Diop was born in Diourbel, Senegal on December 23, 1923 to a Muslim Wolof family.
3.BUSINESS MAVERICKS OF COLOR
Black financial mavericks and entrepreneurs play a critical role in driving economic growth innovation, and social progress. Their businesses create jobs, generate income, provide essential services and products, create economic development within communities and contribute to the global economy. They bring unique perspectives and solutions to the marketplace, fostering innovation and creativity. This representation is critical for breaking down stereotypes and encouraging more inclusive participation in the business world.
They also serve as role models and inspire future generations to pursue entrepreneurship. In summary, Black mavericks and entrepreneurs are vital for economic vitality, innovation, and social progress, they help build a more inclusive and prosperous society.
READ
WATCH
17 Richest Black Billionaires and how they made their wealth
Duration: 21:25
Aliko Dangote: Africa's richest man | Talk to Al Jazeera
Duration: 25:00
A Conversation with David Steward, Founder and Chairman, World Wide Technology
Duration: 1:02:36
African Millionaires in America
Duration: 43:33
Fireside Chat with Peace Hyde at Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI)
Duration: 18:30
:CULTURE-OLOGY:
THINGS TO SEE + DO
Kult
We’re proud to partner with groundbreaking platform Kult. The social platform for culture lovers to discover, share and organize content. Founded on the belief in building a platform that values culture in its diversity, through a healthy exchange between people above algorithms. This International Black Heritage month community channel exists on Kult to share and promote diverse voices from across the Afro Diaspora, Africa, and beyond because media content is a window to see the world.
Currently only available in Brazil, Portugal, and Spain
Mansa
Streaming platform focused on curated content from the best in Global Black stories.
PORTUGAL
Lisbon
HANGAR exhibition By Paulo Nazareth opening June 12th 2024.
HANGAR is an Artistic Research Center located in Graça, Lisbon. The HANGAR includes an exhibition center, artistic and curatorial residencies and studios for artists.
Based on the concept of unifying some geographies, cultures and identities, HANGAR seeks to organize and produce the development of transdisciplinary artistic projects in the area of Visual Arts, integrating public presentations and looking at urban Lisbon as a focus of intervention.
Goethe-Institut
Goethe-Institut is a globally active cultural institute of the Federal Republic of Germany, committed to promoting understanding between Germany, Europe and the world.
Check out their Lisbon location for the curated selection of books by Afro-German authors that include:
Porto
June event in Oporto (Porto), Portugal, Portugal:
Satellite program of Greenhouse Quintais from the Portugal Pavilion, Venice Biennale
Juneteenth in Lisbon
Algarve
Afro Nation
June 26th-28th, 2024
Portimao, The Algarve, Portugal
ITALY
Venice
The Venice Biennale, Italy (La Biennale di Venezia)
Greenhouse
Official Portuguese Representation at the 60th International Art Exhibition
The Venice Biennale, Italy (La Biennale di Venezia)
Greenhouse, a key project that is representing the Portugal Pavilion at the 60th Biennale di Venezia with Hangar as partner.
June Events/Programs/Talks in Venice, Italy:
Quintais and Biomes
Quintais — Greenhouse (greenhouse2024.com)
Biomes — Greenhouse (greenhouse2024.com)
Audio Experience here:
New York
The Africa Center presents ‘I Hope This Helps’, a multi-sensory exhibition by Samiya Bashir. Featuring 20 works that are developed in 20 Standards, the exhibition explores the complexities of human interaction and engages with critical issues impacting our society.
Giants Exhibition
Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys
Los Angeles
Black Cultural Events your gateway to the rich cultural life of the Black Community in LA
UK
London
Black Cultural Archives museum mission is to collect, preserve, and celebrate the histories of people of African and Caribbean descent in the UK
Sound System Culture Day Curated by Linett Kamala
BRAZIL
Sao Paulo
ArPa is a Brazilian contemporary art fair that brings together gallery owners, artists, curators, collectors, and art enthusiasts.