For Black History Month this year the theme is ‘Proud to be’, and we’re creating a new community murals in Shadwell and Bow by finding out what makes Tower Hamlets proud to be diverse borough.

This campaign aims to make Black History Month 2021 personal and unique to individuals, families and communities, focusing on how we’re all making history all the time in our own ways, as well as the contributions and achievements of Black people throughout history.

Catherine Ross, Editor at Black History Month UK, explained why they launched the campaign: “It’s been a challenging time for many Black and Brown people, with so much in the media about racism, inequality and injustice. We wanted the theme of Black History Month 2021 to focus on celebrating being Black or Brown, and to inspire and share the pride people have in their heritage and culture – in their own way, in their own words.

“By asking people to share what they are Proud To Be we can share both individual stories and the vast richness of diversity that Black and Brown people bring to the UK.

“Black Lives Matter means people being able to live life to the fullest without having to compromise who they are. Everyone deserves the right to be Proud To Be everything they are and want to be in life.”

The Proud To Be campaign also focuses on encouraging young people to share what they are Proud To Be.

After consultation with residents, community groups and organisations through our workshop, discussing a design which connects with this year’s theme for Black History Month which was ‘Proud to be’, asking residents what makes the London borough of Tower Hamlets proud the feedback we received was the rich diversity of people which call Tower Hamlets their home. Taking this on board and with the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Cable Street which defeated fascism in Shadwell, we produced the design below of ‘Shadwell Home for All’.

The mural was painted at Dellow Street Games Area, Shadwell, E1 0BW.

We engaged with Malmesbury estate residents and young people in using creativity to showcase the multi-cultural London ward that is Bow. Our mural ‘Bow Colours’ represents and celebrates the rich diversity of people who are proud to call Bow their home.

The mural was painted by Alex Altona and Luke Smile on Malmesbury Road, E3 2EE., with support from Tower Hamlets Council, Canary Wharf Group, Tower Hamlets Homes, GreatArt, Posca, Artgecko Sketchbooks, London FA and Leyland SDM.

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‘This is our community mural for Black History Month 2020 in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, together with the community we chose the message ‘Less Division More Ambition’ to show as a borough Tower Hamlets is against all forms of division, and we work towards unity and ambition for a better society to inspire our young people.’