Nominations Invited for Suffolk BME Business Awards 2018
Suffolk’s diversity to be celebrated at the One Big Multicultural Festival
East Anglian Daily Times article
The first details of this year’s One Big Multicultural Festival in Suffolk have been revealed.
The free event, which celebrates the county’s diversity and promotes bringing communities together, will take place on September 2 in Alexandra Park, Ipswich.
In previous years, it has attracted crowds of up to 8,000 – and this year it is expected to be the best yet.
Organised by the Bangladeshi Support Centre and backed by the Arts Council, the event is now in its eighth year.
Boshor Ali, chairman of the Bangladeshi Support Centre, said: “It’s getting bigger and better and stronger.
“It is important to include everybody and celebrate the different cultures we have.”
He added: “We are trying to get different things on board this year. We have two or three international performers.”
He also praised the passion and dedication of the organisations involved.
Food and drink from international cuisines plus a range of activities for all the family will be on offer throughout the day.
BBC Radio Suffolk presenter Wayne Bavin will be hosting this year’s event.
There will also be a fantastic selection of live music from around the world – this year, that will include top musicians from West Africa – as well as dance, and sports on offer.
Ipswich Borough Council has supported the event since its inception. Council leader David Ellesmere spoke at the launch, held in Alexandra Park this week, about the importance of the event and reflected on its huge success.
Meanwhile, Shayra Begum, from the Bangladeshi Support Centre, said: “We need something that brings people together.
“We are all just people, and we need to get that message out to young people.”
Organisers say everyone is invited to the festival – with guest numbers expected to top 8,000. The action starts at noon and finishes at around 6pm.
While the event is in Ipswich, organisers say it is very much a festival for the whole of Suffolk.
There will also be free stalls to communities who want to promote and highlight their heritage and culture.
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Suffolk Pita Festival is a big success
A cultural exhibition event, held at Suffolk New College from midday to 4pm on Sunday, with traditional delicacies available to sample.
The festival centres around a pita competition, with judges poring over the South Asian sweet and savoury snacks.
There was also traditional food and jewellery stalls, henna art, children’s entertainment, and the BSC’s educational awards which recognises the achievements of those who have supported the centre.
Mohammed Allam, joint BSC manager, said: “It was fantastic. We were slightly concerned that with a few other events and an England game, that people wouldn’t show up but we didn’t need to worry.
“It was buzzing, around 500 people came along to enjoy the event. We had information stalls, charity fundraising stalls and of course the pita competition.”
Launched 20 years ago by volunteers, the BSC strives to support people in the Bangladeshi and other black and minority ethnic (BME) communities in Suffolk and engage them in social, cultural, educational and recreational activities.
Mr Allam said: “Everything we do is about bringing the community together.
“It’s about learning about other people’s culture and treating each other with respect to build a cohesive community.
“That underlines everything we do.”
The organisation provides a number of capacity building programmes for local communities, a resource and learning centre and key referral advice agency. The BSC also works closely with statutory and voluntary organisation partners on projects related to health, education, employment, housing, welfare rights and crime.
The centre runs a homework club for students aged 11-18 at Northgate High School in term time as well as a sports club at Northgate Sports Centre for children and families to take part in activities.
Mr Allam added: “A lot of violence that you see is mainly to do with young people, who have nowhere to go.”
“One of the things we do is run clubs to support the young people and it’s about raising aspirations and educating them to do positive things in their community.”
Could you be a winner in the Suffolk BME Business Awards?
from: Ipswich Star 4 Jun 2018
The annual BME Business awards – which celebrate the massive contribution that the BME – black and minority ethnic businesses make to Ipswich and Suffolk, are back.
Could you, or your Suffolk business, be an award winner this time?
Yesterday organisers and sponsors gathered at the University of Suffolk to launch the 2018 campaign, in order to encourage people from the wider business community to nomimate themselves, or encourage others who are in business locally, to enter for the 2018 awards.
The annual event is the coming together of a wide business community with a rich heritage of cultural diversity, and is hosted at the University of Suffolk, Waterfront building in Ipswich.
The event, organised by the Bangladeshi Support Centre and the University of Suffolk will take place on Wednesday October 24, 2018 at the university.
Now in its third year, the event showcases the contribution of Suffolk’s growing Black Ethnic Minority (BME) communities to the local economy.
The awards night itself is a celebration of community and co-operation as well as diversity.
There are hundreds of BME businesses in Suffolk, both large and small, and they employ thousands of people across different sectors including telecommunications, finance, IT, property development and catering, and also the charity sector.
Boshor Ali chair of BSC said, “We are delighted this event is back on and will help raise awareness of BME people’s contribution to the economy of Suffolk.
“These businesses provide much-needed services locally and contribute millions of pounds to our economy. It is important to celebrate their achievements especially in the post-Brexit context.”
Dr Will Thomas, associate professor at the University of Suffolk, said, “Once again we are pleased to be working in partnership with BSC in highlighting the positive contribution that minority communities make to our economy. This is an important event and needed in the current climate.”
David Ellesmere, leader of Ipswich Borough Council, said this was an important event in the calender.
The borough council is among the sponsors.
He said: “We are delighted to be involved again. It is a really good showcase for the contribution the BME community are making to the Suffolk economy.
“They are a vibrant part of the Ipswich community. What is amazing is that each time we are finding businesses which are doing great things, providing jobs and incomes for people and really contributing to the life of Ipswich.”
Entries are now invited for the 2018 BME Suffolk Business Awards.
Businesses are encouraged to nominate themselves for the seven available awards including a Special Judges Award selected by an independent panel of judges on merit.
For further information about the awards contact Bangladeshi Support Centre on 07932 644466 or see www.bscsuffolk.org.uk or the University of Suffolk www.uos.ac.uk/business
Pita Festival 2018
Our 7th Traditional Bangladeshi Cultural Exhibition will take place on Sunday 24 June 2018 from 12 noon until 4pm at Suffolk New College, Rope Walk, IP4 1LT.
Suffolk High Sheriff
The following picture is from the facebook page of the Suffolk High Sheriff:
February 27th. With Mohammed ‘Shahin’ & Tina Ali at the Bangladeshi Support Centre who do fantastic work supporting the Bengali community & people of forty other nationalities on educational attainment & all manner of everyday problems. They also run the Multicultural Festival & lots of other family fun events. Long may the Centre flourish!
BSC New Year Gathering – photos
Held today at the Manor Ballroom with a talk from Citizens Advice about energy and Surviving Winter, a shared meal and a game of bingo.
Click any photo to see full size.
Photos of our 2017 AGM
Sports Spotacular Saturday 2nd December 2017
Our sports spotacular takes place at Suffolk New College Sports Centre on Saturday 2 December 2017 from 2pm to 4pm. Children, Parents, Staff and Volunteers will be raising money for BBC Children in Need. There will be a wide range of activities.