The annual festival celebrating the diverse communities of Birmingham, ‘This Is My City’, will take place on June 12th – 13th and this year will welcome a digital audience.
This is My City is a programme which brings together the residents of Birmingham and celebrates the rich cultures of the UK’s second city. Now in its third year, the two-day online event will explore the cultures of Europe, Asia, Caribbean and Africa, through the universal components of world food, music, arts, culture and sport. The jam-packed itinerary can be enjoyed online and has been coordinated by United Community Activity Network (UCAN) and has been officially endorsed by United by Birmingham 2022.
“The This Is My City programme and festival in particular is something that Birmingham needs, not only celebrating the culture and achievements of the diverse community of the second city but addressing issues around black health. As a member of the TIMC team and also as a director for UCAN, the charity that has developed the initiative, this is something we all need to support and embrace” – Mark Jeffreys, UCAN Director and Director of Sport and Physical Activity, Birmingham City University.
The second day of the festival will include the first ever global summit for black health with US partners Black Health Matters working hard to raise awareness across the United States and now the world. Black Health Matters, host of the largest virtual health summits in the U.S. for people of colour, join the TIMC Festival to bring a wealth of health information to summit attendees. Joining the summit will be actor David Harewood, R&B artist Ruby Turner, international cricketer Carlos Brathwaite, international athlete Marilyn Okoro and a surprise guest appearance from an Olympic medallist born in Birmingham. A host of medical presenters will also attend the summit, discussing various topics around black health inequalities the communities in Birmingham currently face.
“As the leading health and wellness platform that addresses the health and wellness of people from the diaspora, Black Health Matters is pleased to partner with This is My City and Birmingham City University on our Summit”, said Roslyn Y. Daniels, publisher of Black Health Matters. “As a group, people of the diaspora experience significant disparities with chronic conditions, access to care, preventive screenings, and mental health. This new collaboration will have global impact and is the first of many that will encourage thousands to become more proactive and knowledgeable about their health.”
Following the easing of Covid restrictions, a third day of celebrations has been announced on 26th June and will take place at Edgbaston Stadium alongside a T20 Cricket fixture for the resident men and women’s team.
Festival partners and sponsors include, Birmingham City University, Birmingham Commonwealth Association, Legacy West Midlands, Sport Birmingham, Edgbaston Foundation, Brum Hour and SeventyOne Media.
This Is My City festival 2021 headline sponsor is the Wickes Foundation.