African & Caribbean Carnival Weekender 2021 magazine

AFRICAN CARIBBEAN
CARNIVAL WEEKENDER
MILTON KEYNES, JULY 9 - 11, 2021
FLOAT PARADE - CARNIVAL MARKET -
LIVE REGGAE AFROBEAT SOCA CONCERT -
SPORTS JERK FAMILY FUN DAY

The Story behind AFRICAN &
CARIBBEAN ARTS & HERITAGE
UNION
African and Caribbean Arts & Heritage Union is a new
The
profit organisation that was set up in 2019 to
not-for
racial equality, cultural identity, inclusion, diversity
promote
youth engagement and development in Milton Keynes
and
surrounding areas. It is a partnership of two
and
Global Outreach Foundation MK (GOFMK)
organisations,
Friends of the Caribbean MK (FOTC). The ACAHF was
and
together by the belief that UK based African and
brought
communities are stronger together especially
Caribbean
not limited to residents of Milton Keynes & surrounding
but
This drive is to recognise the diversity of Milton
areas.
tackle inequalities and bring about positive change
Keynes,
supporting all young people across MK to develop their
by
of identity, culture, self-worth, confidence,
sense
and practical life skills through our various
motivation,
activities.

The Story behind AFRICAN &
CARIBBEAN ARTS & HERITAGE
UNION
the idea of the carnival, we conducted a survey using
Before
media channels, one to one and group meetings with
social
religious, and youth centres, family groups, local
community,
support officers and police officers as well as schools in
police
to find a solution to knife crime. We listened to school
trying
who told us about groups of young black boys who
headteacher
very distracted, rude and underachieving. He
were
his concerns about their lack of confidence and self-
expressed
and its detrimental effect on their school performance.The
esteem
and the Caribbean community groups have worked on
African
community projects independently for many years (e.g.
different
Diaspora Festival, Caribbean Cricket Fun Day). However,
African
to the increase of knife, gun and gang crimes in Milton Keynes
due
African – Caribbean communities have decided to come
the
to create unity between the cultures, to demonstrate to
together
people that we are one community and stronger
young
Our agenda echo’s the agenda of the
together.
councils (Arts and Heritage Alliance of Milton Keynes), to
local
create
celebrate diversity and showcase equality regardless of
inclusion,
gender or sexual orientation. We would like to showcase the
race,
togetherness and beauty of diversity through holding a
harmony,
that will give all members of the community, more
carnival
young people, the opportunity to celebrate our
especially
diversity.

Transformational Carnival: Culturally,
Socially and Economically.
carnival weekend is slated to be an annual iconic cultural/sports event showcasing Milton
The
It is befitting that the Milton Keynes council and the Mayor’s Office, be an inclusive part
Keynes.
the preparations for and participation in the event. As such, we are inviting you and your
of
to lend support to the event in the following ways;
office
format of the weekender will be a Transformational carnival on July 10th starting at
The
Park with a road march to the MK Dons Stadium. This carnival road march will consist
Campbell
15 floats representing a myriad of participants from local schools to local businesses and
of
organisations. A Diverse marketplace in the car park of the stadium will be the
community
for the judging of the carnival king and Queen and best float. On Sunday 11th July
backdrop
will be hosting a Family cricket fun day and jerk festival with a game between a local
we
transformational true value of the Carnival to the city will be social, economic, and cultural.
The
and foremost, the Carnival will bring a new dimension to Milton Keynes, a town best known
First
modern buildings, roundabouts, and concrete cows, which have overshadowed the rich
for
of the town and its constituent villages.
history
Carnival will give us an opportunity to showcase the town’s diverse multicultural population,
The
culture and heritage, food, music and dances from all the world’s continents. The Carnival
its
also give us a platform to show that people can work together, peacefully and as equals,
will
reduce social and racial injustices and promote equality in both education and job
to
for all people, regardless of race, colour, religion or class. A successful carnival
opportunities
bring greater cohesion to Milton Keynes and will be an annual event.
will
carnival will be an occasion when everyone who lives in Milton Keynes will be confronted by
The
fact that communities with African and Caribbean heritages continue to make unique and
the
contributions to the town in real time. Preparatory work in schools can be expected to
positive
a focus on children and young people with African and Caribbean heritages for wholly
put
reasons. This will undermine the negative stereotypes which are characteristic of
positive
and structural racism and which are especially damaging to the mental well-being of
prejudice
diverse team and an invitational team led by ex-international players.
children who internalise them.

Transformational Carnival: Culturally,
Socially and Economically.
increasing numbers of white people, especially the young, taking part in demonstrations in support of Black Lives Matter protests recently, this
With
that there will be real desire to play their part in supporting the event and to learn more about what a carnival in Milton Keynes means to their
suggests
Learning about the preparation for a carnival will start to change conversations within schools, develop a source of pride for young people with
peers.
and Caribbean heritages and attract positive attention from their peers.
African
will help to attract interest from businesses, especially those who want to establish themselves in areas where there is a diverse population. (BAME
This
make up more that 26% of the population of Milton Keynes)
groups
or before the day of the carnival itself, it would be expected that footfall will increase in shops, restaurants and other attractions as families, friends
On
others come from outside the town for the occasion. In the longer term, the attractions in Milton Keynes will become better known and more
and
culture dominates throughout society and by default it is perceived by white people, incorrectly, as “neutral” and “normal”. In contrast, the word
White
tends to be associated with distorted ideas about people, inferiority, being discounted, mockery or seen as inherently dangerous. This applies to
black
music, dress, dance, perceptions of beauty, intellect or leadership qualities - in fact any aspect of life and behaviour. Even a black person just
art,
for a walk is a suspect.
going
carnival will help to confound these erroneous and, unfortunately, normative assumptions. First, because people will be able to showcase aspects
The
their African and Caribbean cultures and experience real pride in their heritages. Secondly, it will be an uplifting and enjoyable experience for
of
in the town who supports the carnival and engages with it. They will be involved in a process of affirming that African and Caribbean cultures
everyone
their valuable and diverse contributions visibly and audibly, demonstrating differences which add interest, variation and greater attraction to life
make
events, including the Windrush scandal and George Floyd’s have alerted the wider public to well-documented and repetitive harsh realities
Recent
racism and discrimination in all its forms inflicts on black people with African and Caribbean heritages. Racism kills and wrecks lives. Black British
which
who have spent their lifetimes here legally could still be expelled illegally and unjustly. These events sit at the brutally sharp end of the everpresent
citizens
inclusion /exclusion continuum.
enduring pattern of marginalisation and exclusion leaves many young black people unable to take pride in their heritages or feel that they do not
This
in the UK or in Milton Keynes itself. Unfortunately, a sense of belonging can too often be found in gangs with well documented and tragic
belong
establishment of an African and Caribbean Carnival in Milton Keynes will show that this town is a place where people who share their heritages
The
develop a collective pride in them, forge stronger cultural identities rooted in their own heritages and develop a greater sense of belonging.
can
in the Carnival experiences and the preparations leading up to it will help make young people less likely to seek a sense of belonging with
Involvement
The establishment of the event itself is also a statement that black people with African and Caribbean heritages have established their
gangs.
as significant positive contributors to the economic, social and cultural life in Milton Keynes. This long overdue recognition and validation of
presence
and Caribbean Arts and Heritages will be an important step towards equality and social justice.
African
Stem the increase in anti-social behaviour resulting in a reduction in knife and gun crime
a)
Remove the division, anxieties and uncertainties after Brexit
b)
Fulfil the community’s interests for carnival - from our recent surveys
c)
Create a positive reference point for culture and identity, for young people especially but not limited to those from the diverse communities. Like
d)
young people need their roots to grow. (culture and identity)
trees,
Create a positive reference point for young people especially but not limited to those from the diverse communities.
e)
Improve confidence in the diverse community resulting in greater business activities
f)
Contribute to Economic and tourism increase to MK town.
g)
Create awareness of MK diverse cultures and tolerance among communities.
h)
Transfer skills amongst young people
i)
Unify MK community groups in MK by enabling young people and elders to directly participate and take ownership in the carnival
j)
Promote and create awareness of African – Caribbean diverse cultures to the wider MK community groups.
k)
Promote a culture of tolerance and acceptance with the aim of creating a safe community for all in MK.
l)
Improve social inclusion, equality and diversity of all MK community groups.
m)
Stimulate and bridge the gap between local communities and wider statutory institutions.
n)
Provide greater confidence with the community resulting in greater economic businesses.
o)
The carnival will also enhance the way the town is defined and known. Milton Keynes will now also be known as a town “with a Carnival”.
people can be expected to spend time and money here.
in Milton Keynes.
consequences including knife and gun crime and death.
Summary of Benefits the Carnival
p) Improve health outcomes

Day 1, Friday July 9
Carnival King & Queen costume show
5 pm Campbell Park
Day 2, Saturday July 10
Carnival Parade, Carnival market,
Evening Live Concert
10 am from Campbell Park
Day 3, Sunday July 11
family Sports Fun Day
Jerk festival
Evening Concert
11 am Campbell Park

Day 1, Friday July 9
Carnival King & Queen costume show
5 pm Campbell Park
FREE

Day 2
Carnival Road march 12 pm from Campbell Park
15 Carnival Floats - Costume Road march
route via Saxon Street to MK Don's Stadium
Carnival Cultural Trading Market
MK DONS'S Parking Lots
50 stalls
Children features
FREE

Day 2
9 pm Live Concert
MK DON's Marshall Arena
Advance Concert booking: Eventbrite
AFRO-BEAT
soca
REGGAE

Evening Live Concert
MK DON's Marshall Arena
Advance Concert booking: Eventbrite
AFRO-BEAT
soca
REGGAE

Day 3
Sunday Family Sports Day & jerk Festival
11 am Campbell Park
Free
INTERNATIONAL SPORTS STARS
JERK FESTIVAL
EVENING SHOW

THE OLIVE FOOD MAGAZINE
PAGE 8
Made With Love
A MILTON KEYNES COMMUNITY EVENT
SIGN UP FORM ON PAGE 20

JOIN US
Organisations
Community Groups
Schools
Universities
Colleges
Sport teams
Churches
An INVITATION to your group who may
want to be a part of this annual festival
One of the
strategic objectives of the African and
Caribbean Arts & Heritage
Foundation is to provide a platform
and framework for the integration of
ethnic minorities through events,
training, entrepreneurship, and
education.
With the specific aim precisely leading
to the promotion of Inclusion, equality
and diversity and hence social
cohesion, and active citizenship,
recognising
the crucial role African and Caribbean
play in combating anti-social
behaviours,
social inclusion, and socio-economic
communal development.
tou may be involved by
SIGN UP FORM ON
PAGE 20

VOLUNTEERING
Information on
volunteering,
membership........
SIGN UP FORM ON PAGE 20

SPONSORSHIPS
• Sponsoring us would create avenues for collaboration and partnership both socially and economically, and
hence addressing issues that pose a threat to our communities, such as drugs, alcohol and antisocial behaviours
and violent crimes that may scare off investors or portray the local community in a negative light as bad
destination business.
• Sponsors would benefit from us promoting and including local/national companies in our programs, social
media, and digital marketing, promoting their goods/ services creating a positive image and encouraging
patronage among our community.
• African and Caribbean Arts & Heritage Foundation (ACAHU) would provide an opportunity for our sponsors to
network on mutual initiatives that have social and economic benefits through collaboration with African and
Caribbean missions or embassies on business opportunities and direct foreign investment.
• ACAHF would seek further to act as strategic key point in connecting sponsors with African and Caribbean
community group members for trade and investment opportunities both in the UK and oversee especially in Africa
and Caribbean countries.
Sponsorship packages
1........
2......
3.......
Prize donations
Barclays Bank Account: 13993809
Milton Keynes Branch Sort Code: 20-57-44
For any enquiries, please contact Mike and Wain, using the details below.
Email: admin@acahfoundation.org
Mob. 07736347636/ 07939591087.

WORKSHOPS
info.....................
SIGN UP FORM ON PAGE 20

Contact Us
PHONE: 07736347636 / 07939591087
Email: admin@acahunion.org
Website: acahunion.org
Facebook: African and Caribbean Arts and Heritage
Union
Instagram: African and Caribbean Arts and Heritage
Union
Advance Concert booking: Eventbrite
‘Just like trees, we all need our roots to grow’ MK.
ADDRESS: ACAHU. 20, Burners Ln S, Kiln Farm, Milton
Keynes, MK11 3HB.
Barclays Bank Account: 13993809
Milton Keynes Branch Sort Code: 20-57-44
SIGN UP FORM

AFRICAN CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL
WEEKENDER
MILTON KEYNES JULY 9 - 11, 2021

[2:26 pm, 14/10/2020] Wain:
Weekender on the front page but
weekend can then be used within
document as appropriate
[2:29 pm, 14/10/2020] Tony: seen,
official TITLE across all documents
WEEKENDER
[2:31 pm, 14/10/2020] Wain: My
preference
[2:31 pm, 14/10/2020] Wain: Check
spelling on volunteer page
"Membership"
[2:32 pm, 14/10/2020] Wain: Sorry to
reply in a "pitcie patchy" way but you
can keep note
Bullet points

[8:11 pm, 13/10/2020] +44 7446 780001: I
have had a look at half the document so
far. A few suggestions.....all on P3:
1. head teacher........a head teacher
2. increase of knife crime.........increase in
knife crime
3. bad destination business.....bad
destination for business.
Will look through the rest later.
[8:14 pm, 13/10/2020] +44 7446 780001:
Also
4. Our agenda echo's........Our agenda
echoes