Black History Month holds a special place in our community as it provides an opportunity for us to reflect on and honor the invaluable contributions and rich heritage of Black culture. In celebration of Black History Month 2023 and in collaboration with Waltham Forest Council, we wanted to showcase the artistic talents and creativity of the community of Waltham Forest, while fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of Black history and culture.
We achieved this by running an art competition for schoolchildren and visitors to the Waltham Forest Community Living Room Network (https://www.walthamforest.gov.uk/get-involved/community-living-rooms),
This project is more than just art; it's about promoting unity and understanding among our diverse community. We strongly believe in the importance of preserving and educating future generations about the rich heritage, traditions, and achievements of Black women. By coming together, we can learn, appreciate, and celebrate the invaluable contributions of the Black community in the UK and Waltham Forest.
The competition criteria were straightforward:
Create a piece of art in any format that represents your interpretation of the theme 'Saluting Our Sisters.' This could be a song, a poem, a picture, a photo, a textile work, a print, and it can be modern or traditional, digital or made from clay.
Choose a pioneering Black woman or subject that relates to the theme 'Saluting Our Sisters.'
Our esteemed panel of judges: Cllr Ashworth, local black historian Peter Ashan and Xioness - Artist/DJ/Host of Déjà vu FM evaluated the artworks based on their creativity, relevance to the theme, and overall artistic merit. The judging took place at another Black History Month event which The Skills Within produced - a 'Saluting Our Sisters' themed quiz curated and hosted by Peter Ashan in collaboration with Waltham Forest council on Sunday 22nd October at Age UK Waltham Forest.
Following the judging panel's deliberations and scoring, The Skills Within team identified the first, second, and third-place winners. These entries are the most closely align with the established criteria and the consensus of the judging panel:
1st - Joseph Clarke School
2nd - George Tomlinson Primary School
3rd – Tabitha Wilson
The winning artwork will be published here on The Skills Within website (www.theskillswithin.com) and exhibited at Waltham Forest Town Hall, Fellowship Square, from Monday, 23rd to Friday, 27th October 2023, as part of Waltham Forest Council's Black History Month Celebrations.
A prize will be presented to the first place winner by The Skills Within.
The Skills Within Developments CIC (The Skills Within) is a non-profit grassroots project management company established to create opportunities to enable individuals and businesses to gain new skills or utilise their existing skills to benefit the community.
As a Community Interest Company, The Skills Within pledges to plough back all profits for community development.
Founded in January 2022, our mission is to drive positive change by forging new pathways, fostering economic empowerment that paves the way for financial self-sufficiency. Our aim is to reduce dependence on social services or illicit means of making ends meet, while also promoting the growth of businesses and support for grassroots initiatives.
Our approach centres around enhancing skills, knowledge, and self-esteem, ultimately bolstering the prospects of individuals and enterprises alike. We achieve this by identifying gaps, offering innovative solutions, and providing essential support, enabling both businesses and individuals to concentrate on honing their unique ‘Skill Within’.
Utilizing our extensive experience and well-connected network of both businesses and individuals, we offer feedback and recommendations through a concise solution-focused therapy approach.
We support individuals and businesses who operate within our company ethics and values, from natural health and fitness, to nutrition, horticulture & permaculture, art & music to music production, acting and film producing to life coaching and therapy.
Our aim is to create interdependence on a global scale.
We run integrated community initiatives in the most deprived regions, encompassing a wide range of activities related to culture, education, heritage, wellness, social engagement, and cost-of-living assistance. Empirical data indicates the essential nature of our services, their positive reception, and the strong demand for them.
Our primary focus is on individuals who face isolation, vulnerability, anxiety, neurodiversity, homelessness, grief, marginalization, and poverty-related challenges.
For more about our work, to get involved or for information on how you can support please contact us
Thank you to everyone who took part and Congratulations to the Winners!
We appreciate the significant contribution of Waltham Forest council, our judges and Age UK Waltham Forest to the success of this event. If you have any feedback, please feel free to contact us at 07985 122654 or information@theskillswithin.com.