Elysium’s Braeburn House proudly marked Black History Month with a vibrant celebration which brought together service users and staff team in an event which explored unity, culture, and pride.
Nkoyo Shadracks, Ward Manager at the service, said: “The theme for this year’s Black History Month is ‘Standing Firm in Power and Pride,’ and that resonated deeply throughout the day’s events. We try to celebrate and learn about different cultures throughout the year, and Black History Month is always an important part of our calendar at Braeburn House.”
The celebration was the result of careful planning and enthusiastic collaboration, with everyone enjoying the warm, engaging atmosphere, which was filled with music, food, clothing and learning about different histories.
The kitchen team, ward staff and occupational therapy team joined forces to prepare a menu of delicious foods which included a range of dishes, including jollof rice, rice and peas, jerk chicken, Sadza with oxtail stew, and the snack puff puff — all showcasing culinary traditions from Southern and Western Africa, the Caribbean, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Nkoyo added, “The food was more than just a feast; it was a great way to start conversations and build connections. People had brought cultural dress which could be viewed or tried on, and people were encouraged to ask questions, share stories, and return for second helpings of the food! Music really added to the celebration, with patients stepping up as DJs playing Afrobeats.
“The event was a testament to the strength of diversity. We will have diverse views and opinions and cultures, but we are stronger in diversity. This was a great chance to get to know and understand each other better. It was a really warm and engaging event.”
