PM awards Black Cultural Archives
Dawn Hill, Black Cultural Archives Chair
2017 marks 30 years of Black History Month and the third year of Black Cultural Archives in our new home on Windrush Square, Brixton. To close Black History Month 2017, our Chair Dawn Hill who has been highly influential in driving our institution forward received the prestigious Points of Light Award.
The Prime Minister recognised Dawn Hill for her leadership and the importance of a BCA as a national resource that emphasises the contribution that Black people have made in British history.
Under Dawn’s leadership, we launched the first national Black heritage institution in the UK, which made our collection accessible to the public in 2014 so that the uplifting and inspiring stories of Black history, stretching from Roman times to the present day, could be shared and celebrated more widely. The Points of Light award was awarded at the No.10 during a Black History Month reception.
Dawn Hill is the latest recipient of the Points of Light award, which recognises outstanding volunteers who are making a change in their community and inspiring others. Each day, someone, somewhere in the country is selected to receive the award to celebrate their remarkable achievements.
Prime Minister Theresa May awards BCA Chair, Dawn Hill the Points of Light award at No. 10
In a personal letter to Dawn, Prime Minister Theresa May said:
“At the ‘Black Cultural Archives’ you have been fundamental in creating a vitally important national resource that is shining a light on the achievements of individuals of African or African Caribbean descent in British society. You should be tremendously proud of the inclusive and inspiring nature of the archives, and the innovation you have demonstrated through initiatives such as your recent partnership with the BBC and Google.”
Dawn said:
“I am so honoured to be recognised in receiving the Prime Minister’s Points of Light Award. Over 30 years I have supported a number of community projects simply to make a difference where it was needed. I am immensely proud of 30 years working with ‘Black Cultural Archives’ together with other committed volunteers who have seen the iconic ‘Black Heritage Centre’ open in Windrush Square in Brixton. The ‘Black Cultural Archives’ is the only national repository of Black Culture and Heritage in Britain who will preserve and promote the history of African and Caribbean people, championing their Diversity and Inclusion in the UK and beyond. This award is so encouraging.”
Dawn is the 807th winner of the Points of Light award, which has been developed in partnership with the hugely successful Points of Light programme in the USA. Over 5,000 Points of Light have been awarded in the USA, and both President George H. W. Bush and President Barack Obama have publicly supported the partnership with Points of Light UK. There is a similar cross-party approach to the UK programme and MPs from different parties often present their constituents with their Points of Light awards.
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