US Embassy Barbados starts Black History Month celebrations

The Great Debaters' award-winning film was screened at the US Embassy to kick off its Black History Month activities on Tuesday. On Tuesday night, the free event at the Globe Drive-In drew more than 70 moviegoers. The film depicts the narrative of an underdog Black debate team in the 1930s and the rhetorical and racist hurdles they faced. The event is the first of many scheduled by the United States Embassy to commemorate Black History Month. The month of February recognises the accomplishments of people of African origin as well as the values of justice, equality, and diversity. The celebration, also known as African-American History Month, developed out of "Negro History Week," created by Carter G. Woodson, an American historian and author born to former slaves.

The Black History Month Speech Competition at the US Embassy will run until the middle of the month. The contest is available to all secondary school students in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, and recorded speeches of no more than four minutes must be submitted by Friday, February 18.

Officials said computers, tablets, and books would be awarded to the winners and their schools.

On February 23, at 6 p.m., a separate Black Health & Wellness virtual event will be held. All candidates can log on to the official website bb.usembassy.gov for further information on all of the US Embassy's Black History Month programmes.

Throughout February, the United States Embassy will emphasise the contributions of the African diaspora in both the United States and the Caribbean and the shared history, culture, and values that unite them today.