1 October 2020
In recognition of October as Black History Month, S4C has announced its commitment to increase the representation of people from BAME backgrounds on screen and behind the camera.
The channel will also be broadcasting a series of items and new commissions during the month which discuss and celebrate black people in Wales.
As part of this provision four short films, which have been commissioned under the Chwedloni (Story-telling) brand, will be shown from October 8.
In the films, Welsh people from all over the country will discuss what it means to be black and Welsh-speaking and share the history and stories of individuals and families who have contributed to modern Wales culturally and economically.
One film will be broadcast every Thursday evening during October just before the News at 7.30.
Nightly magazine programme Heno will also be including items throughout the month. Natalie Jones from St Clears will be presenting and will highlight the contribution black people have made to the history of Wales.
The items will include a look at the history of Nathaniel Wells, the son of a businessman from Cardiff who became a magistrate and was the first black person to become a sheriff in Britain.
There will also be an item about John Ystymllyn – a slave who came from West Africa to Ynyscynhaiarn in Gwynedd.
There will also be an item on the rugby player Billy Boston who holds the try-scoring record for Wigan. A piece with Nathan Brew will be discussing how Billy Boston endured racism within rugby in Wales.
There will also be an item which looks at the life of Betty Campbell, head teacher of Mount Stuart School in Cardiff and the first black head teacher in Wales. Natalie will be discussing all these items on Heno from Thursday, October 1.
The aim of Black History Month is to celebrate the contribution of black people not only in Britain but all over the world while at the same time teaching the public about the history of black people.
S4C is in the process of advertising for a Diversity and Inclusion Officer in order to build bridges between the channel and communities which may be unsure about working in the Welsh language television sector.
The role will build on and develop the relationship between the channel and the communities with the aim of attracting people to work in the sector and also becoming a prominent part of the content which is produced for S4C.
In addition, the channel has linked this commitment to its training and skills strategy to provide a clear, long term pathway to the sector for groups who are under-represented.
S4C is also working with many different partners including Screen Alliance Wales to reach children and young people from under-represented groups with the aim of sparking an interest in coming to work in the sector.
"All the attention on the recent Black Lives Matter campaign has given us the impetus to commit fully to increasing representation of BAME communities on screen and behind the camera," said S4C Chief Executive Owen Evans.
"It is vital that S4C takes the agenda of ensuring diversity and inclusion in the Welsh-language television sector seriously.
"Building on our work to ensure opportunities for all Welsh communities in the industry, it is essential that we better understand how to communicate and work with the country's diverse communities.
"As a public body, we must lead through example."
"I am delighted that we are broadcasting content to mark Black History Month this year and are fully committed to improving our representation from BAME communities in Wales."
