Organisers of St Pauls Carnival have announced that the event will be majorly sponsored by the University of Bristol who are looking to improve connections with Bristol’s BAME communities.
As part of the sponsorship, the University will support two main stages and help judge the Carnival procession, where as many as twelve schools will perform in the hope that they will win one of three categories.
The University will also be promoting the ‘long term success and sustainability’ of emerging entrepreneurs and so will also give grants to five local groups and young enterprises at the Carnival. These vary from Amari Cole, a young fashion entrepreneur, to Sammy’s Lunchtime club, a community run local elders group which meets weekly to reminisce and share stories.
The support of the University of Britol is 'invaluable to ensure the future legacy of the Carnival' - Marti Burgess, Chair of St. Pauls Carnival CIC
Marti Burgess, Chair of St Pauls Carnival CIC, has commented that they’re ‘pleased’ to be working with the university team, adding that the support of the University of Bristol is ‘invaluable to ensure the future legacy of the Carnival’.
The support, however, seems to run deeper than just financial aid, as Burgess added:‘Building visible relationships with the St Pauls Carnival is vital to encourage homegrown black young people to view the University of Bristol as a place to aspire to go’.
We're absolutely delighted to sponsor this year's @StPaulsCRNVL on its very special 50th anniversary https://t.co/tNy5zPmjQD pic.twitter.com/K0ZQfkcOl5
— Bristol University (@BristolUni) 4 July 2018
This year’s theme is ‘Unity’, which links with the University’s aim to encourage connections with Bristol’s BAME communities. Professor Nishan Canagarajah, a University's Pro-Vice Chancellor and Chair of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group commented that the theme ‘very much reflects the University’s current outlook’.
He also added that the University was ‘delighted’ to celebrate ‘our city’s diverse and rich culture’ using the famous St Pauls Carnival to ‘strengthen existing partnerships and form new relationships’.
‘Building visible relationships with the St Pauls Carnival is vital to encourage homegrown black young people to view the University of Bristol as a place to aspire to go’ - Marti Burgess, Chair of St. Pauls Carnival CIC
The University has recently been encouraging more BAME students to consider the University as a place to study, such as at a schools event celebrating Black History Month, held by the University last October.
The Carnival will take place on 7th July having not taken place for the past three years. The event first started twenty years after the arrival of the S.S. Great Windrush and acts as a celebration of Bristol’s African Caribbean communities through song, art, music and dance.
Featured Image: Twitter / @VisitBristol
