Black in the day”-City of Coventry.

T

his year marks the 70th anniversary of the Windrush generation. An important time not only in black British History but also British history. You may be wondering what the city of Coventry has done to celebrate these amazing individuals who helped build Britain and the city of Coventry? A local resident Maureen Cottle put together a display at the Herbert Art Gallery in Coventry. “Black in the day” is a display that tells the stories of residents and the experiences they had growing up in Coventry during the Windrush. With the Windrush Scandal currently circulating the news; Maureen Cottle felt like it was important to empower the Black British residents of Coventry and celebrate the achievements they made not just to the city but the country. “It’s important that the Windrush generation is appreciated for the contributions they have made in building the British economy, along with world war 1 and 2” explains Maureen Cottle. 

All stories published on display provide an indication of how it was to live in Coventry during the Windrush era. The City of Coventry recently won City of Culture 2021. With a huge Afro Caribbean community spanning from 70+ years; the support provided to Maureen Cottle by the Herbert Gallery, allowed her to provide a platform for the Windrush Generation to share their stories and feel part of the community in Coventry.  Maureen Cottle is looking forward to how the education system will celebrate British Colonisation in the curriculum