Black History Month on NPR

During the month of October, National Prison Radio will be celebrating Black History Month. 

The theme for this year’s Black History Month is “Standing Firm in Power and Pride”. 

To mark this month, National Prison Radio will be broadcasting interviews with inspiring figures from the Black community; people who have gone out of their way to show support for people in prison. 

You can hear rapper Scorcher sharing his ideas about how to use your time inside to make changes and grow. 

“This little opportunity, this window of time, you can figure things out, figure out who you are, who you want to be, how you see yourself, where you fit in.” 

Musician Hak Baker tells National Prison Radio how something changed in him during his second prison sentence and he knew things had to change. A few years on, and this year he was nominated for a MOBO Award but he says he will never forget where he came from. 

“I just really want to represent the normal person, the working-class person. To come from where we come from, the disadvantage that we are set, and to persevere and still be happy and still to share – I want to talk about our story.” 

Broadcaster and comedian Eddie Kadi will be talking about the importance of having a goal. 

“It’s never too late to have a 180 turn. This world is for us. Believe in your idea, believe in the plan you have for yourself and go through with it because you are more than enough.” 

Prison Radio Association patron Floella Benjamin will be sharing her thoughts on how we all need to think about the next generation: 

“When children look at you, you’re influencing them with what you say, what you do, how you act, how you walk… You’re here in prison for a reason, to learn from other people. Everything happens for a reason…” 

Another Prison Radio Association patron, George the Poet, will be sharing his inspirational words:  

“Make sure you keep your mind open, the world is bigger than your block… the world bigger than what you are going through this year or this season… The more you put in your mind, the more you are able to reach people outside your circle and that’s survival.” 

These are just a few of the interviews National Prison Radio will be bringing you during the month of October. 

As ever, National Prison Radio would love to hear from you. If you want to share your thoughts about celebrating Black History Month, leave a message on National Prison Radio’s freephone number 0808 123 1234. 

National Prison Radio is proud to celebrate Black History Month and proud to be part of the community committed to unity and progression. 

You can hear these interviews on Porridge and NPR Talk.  

Porridge is on every weekday (Mon-Fri) at 7am and 11am. 

NPR Talk is on every weekday (Mon-Fri) at 12 midday and 6pm.  

National Prison Radio is the world’s first national radio station for people in prison. It is available on in-cell TVs and Launchpad laptops in prisons across England and Wales.  

You can get involved with NPR by calling 0808 123 1234 and leaving a message. You can request a track, leave a message or share an inspirational story. We listen to every single message we receive.  

If NPR is not available in your prison, call us on 0808 123 1234 and leave a message telling us the prison you are in and how long it has been down for.