What happens when archives, African cultural memories, and social orientation meet... Pocomania?
About this online event
Black Cultural Archives (BCA) and Decolonising the Archive (DTA) have teamed up to bring archives alive. These archives will support the community towards understanding the issues regarding mental health in Britain and how to tackle them through the creative platform of Theatre performances and workshops.
Join Connie Bell as she chairs the collaborative team working together to bring this public engagement project & theatre production, to the wider community to address historical issues around mental health in African & Caribbean communities. Learn more about the author Una Marson alongside the play's theme on African indigenous practices from scholars in the field. Knowledge exchange on matters regarding mental health with lived experience policy makers and game changers in this sector and finally get excited to hear what innovative storytelling will take place within the play Pocomania with its New York based director.
Panelists : Melba Wilson (Policy strategist & change maker in mental health), Dr.Jacqui Dyer (Black Thrive co - founder and Lambeth Councillor), Dr. Lisa Tomlinson Lecturer in Caribbean Cultural Studies & aesthetics (University of the West Indies) and Director Ano Okera (Founder of AO theatre production company ) and Producer Connie Bell (Co - founder of Decolonising the Archive & Memory Worker)
*Tickets suggested donation £5 or more
ALL proceeds are in support of our Go Fund Me campaign for staging the Pocomania production in 2023
Support our campaign!
A theatre performance and Teleplay of Una Marson’s acclaimed ‘Pocomania’ will be staged in January 2023 with your support!
In collaboration between Decolonising the Archive (DTA) and Black Cultural Archives (BCA), who have previously worked to collate Una Marson's legacies, the staging of Pocomania coincides with BCA's archive on Melba Wilson; a game-changer within the Black Mental Health system.
Pocomania addresses mental health in Black communities and the psychic rupture that can happen due to migration or displacement. "Pocomania" derived from the word “Pukkumina" meaning “a little madness". The staging of the play will open conservations around mental health struggles within Black communities.
How much do we need?
£10,000 will allow us to pay for the stage production, set design, and costume.