The new Bangor African and Caribbean Centre opened this week at 345 High Street.
Members of the North Wales Africa Society, the Mayor of Bangor, representatives from North Wales Police and other partners attended the opening event on 25 May, which coincided with International Africa Day.
The aim of the new centre is to build community links and advocacy for the black community in Gwynedd and Anglesey.
Director North Wales Africa Society (NWAS) Dr Salamatu J Fada said: “The purpose of the community centre is to provide advice and support for people both in the existing community, and who are new to North Wales.
“We also aim to introduce new people to the black community and Welsh community via NWAS, and provide an opportunity to build links and socialise
“NWAS has already built links with the local police, members of the Hate crime awareness team, Public Health service, local council, and continue to expand these links to other services. Representatives will be invited to give talks and provide advice sessions for members.
“The centre will also advocate on behalf of the community to these service providers (e.g. hate crime, community cohesion team, housing, health service) in order to raise awareness of the issues facing the community and work together to find ways to resolve these issues.”
NWAS have successfully secured the rental property on the High Street thanks to a grant called the ‘COVID-19 BAME SUPPORT GRANT’ by Comic relief and the Bawso Charity who support people from Black and Ethnic Minority backgrounds who are affected by domestic abuse and other forms of abuse, including Female Genital Mutilation, Forced Marriage, Human Trafficking & Prostitution.
Dr Fada hopes the centre will not only benefit the members of the NWAS but also the wider Bangor community.
Photos: (1) Dr Salamatu J Fada with members of the North Wales Africa Society, the Mayor of Bangor and representatives from North Wales Police. (2) The new centre on Bangor High Street
