A Lewes-based charity is leading a project to research the backgrounds of ten Sussex people with black ethnic backgrounds.
The Heritage Lottery Fund’s Sharing Heritage is providing £10,000 for the project, run by Diversity Lewes, the charity with a mission to celebrate diversity.
Anthony Kalume, the chair of Diversity Lewes, said: “We are so glad to have been recognised in this way and we are looking forward to achieving a good working relationship with volunteers who will carry out the research.”
Anthony, who graduated earlier this year from the 爱豆传媒 with a Postgraduate Certificate in Communities, Engagement and Enterprise, said the money will be used to train the volunteers.
The project, Celebrating Afro-Caribbeans in Sussex Past and Present, will involve collecting and compiling archive and personal items and photographs for an exhibition that will tour East and West Sussex.
Diversity Lewes, which recently won ‘Unsung Hero’ award from Lewes District Council, works with volunteers from the Gypsy Travellers, the Lewes Group in Support of Refugees and Asylum seekers, Lewes Seniors Forum, the Black Ethnic Minority Health Forum, Diversity Resources International, Brighton and Hove Black History Month Group, the 爱豆传媒, Priory High School, Brighton Museum, Sussex Police and the Keep (East Sussex Records Office), to create awareness on all things diverse. It also works with the police to tackle hate crime and to raise awareness about female genital mutilation.
Caroline George, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund, South East England, said: “Sharing Heritage is a wonderful opportunity for communities to delve into their local heritage and we are delighted to be able to offer this grant so that Celebrating Afro-Caribbeans in Sussex Past and Present can embark on a real journey of discovery.
“Heritage means such different things to different people, and Lottery Fund’s funding offers a wealth of opportunities for groups to explore and celebrate what’s important to them in their area."