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Black Experience Archive Trust (BEAT) aims to document the testimonies and experiences of Black people who migrated to the U.K during the 20th century. Black people have contributed immeasurably to Britain's national heritage. Black people have helped to transform industry and have been at the forefront of struggles in the workplace. Black people have also been responsible for maintaining and developing local communities in health care, social services and many other areas. Black struggles for justice have helped to transform the judicial system to the benefit of the whole of society. The aim of BEAT is to record interviews with people who have been involved in all these areas at a local level. BEAT offers a home to this experience, in the form of a digital data bank, and ensures that future generations will be able to reflect and review their history.

BEAT is run at local level with each project feeding into a central hub. Local projects will involve a group of young people on a media training scheme which they will control. During the project they will record a number of interviews, visit cultural sites and events and engage in historical research. Each project will produce a web site and panel exhibition.

What will BEAT achieve: Students that take part will benefit in a number of ways:

• Training in Creative Digital Skills

(Research, digital video and web design)

• Culture and Heritage

(The creation of a permanent and growing record of Black history)

• Community Development

(Encouraging communication between generations and communities)

• Self development

(Encouraging pride in family history and in local community)

If you need more information about BEAT contact us at: blackarchive@mac.com