Picture credit: Wales Online
Black History Month began in North America in the early 1900s and has grown to become an annual celebration of cultural identity globally. In the UK, the importance of Black History is celebrated every October.
Wales has one of the UK’s oldest multi-ethnic communities in Cardiff, in the area previously known as Tiger Bay (now Butetown and Cardiff Docks). Black History Month is an opportunity to remember and celebrate the black and ethnic minority communities who have helped to develop and shape the world as we know it today.
To start off highlighting the influential members of our community, during Black History Month, we at Style of the City would like to shine a light on Vivienne A.A.A White MBE, aka “Chalky White”.
Mr White was an important member of Cardiff’s community. He was Cardiff’s first black dentist, the first black bus driver, and became the first black youth worker in Wales. Due to his passion and hard work, Mr White became the head of Race Equality Council Wales and was honoured with an MBE. Butetown Youth Centre was popularly known as “Chalkies” because of Mr White’s contributions.
Influential and positive people are who we like to celebrate at Style of the City. It’s important to use our platform to highlight the importance of multi-ethnic communities in Cardiff.
