Diverse Heritage Services

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Diverse Heritage Project Management

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Diverse Heritage Preservation Support

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Diversity Equality Inclusion Specialist

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Diverse Arts

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Diverse Content Consultancy

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Research Tasks

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About Dr Norma Gregory
Biography
Speaker and Presenter
Authored Books and Writings
Awards
Partner Organisations

Dr NORMA GREGORY (DLITT, MA, BA, PGCE, PG Cert.)

DIVERSE HERITAGE SPECIALIST & DIVERSE HERITAGE CREATIVE

Dr Norma Gregory is a diverse heritage specialist, museum project management consultant, heritage-related project manager, curator and creative practitioner for heritage education.

For almost thirty years, she has actively contributed to heritage education awareness and has researched and produced quality, heritage-related media products, educational resources and exhibitions in relation to African / African Caribbean experiences in the UK and beyond, helping to develop, expand and enrich available, accessible heritage as well as helping to address misrepresentation and under-represented aspects of our multicultural, shared history. Norma works in active partnership with local, national and international heritage related organisations, seeking to enhance and to expand current heritage provision and access for all people, across the world.

Dr Norma has produced a wide range of innovative, diverse heritage education products and resources such as print and broadcast media, publications, articles, audio and podcasts, photography and stained glass artistry, touring exhibitions, displays, plaques and memorials as well as services such as museum project management, heritage related consultancy, talks, presentations and workshops around EDI and heritage to local and global audiences, to enhance public knowledge regarding the inclusion and celebration of African history into mainstream settings.

Through her own social enterprise, Nottingham News Centre CIC, she founded in 2013 (see www.nottinghamnewscentre.com) and as a response to a lack of positive, diverse, media heritage for marginalised communities, she regularly sponsors and supports events and activities that promote heritage, education, achievement, access, inclusion and equality for all.

VALUES: COLLABORATIVE, CONSTRUCTIVE, CREATIVE

MISSION: THROUGH DIVERSE HERITAGE EDUCATION, EQUALITY AND INCLUSION FOR ALL 

 

Dr Norma Gregory’s diverse heritage achievements  & contributions to knowledge

1. Coal Miners of African Caribbean Heritage Archives & Museum

2. Books, academic journal articles & conference papers

3. Podcasts, radio and other broadcast media activity and impact

 

4. Higher Education: Research Participant 

  • Impact Leaders Programme, external project partner, ‘Enhancing the Performance of Kenya’s Gemstone Mine-to- Market Value Chain’ led by Professor Judy Muthuri  (2022) Nottingham University Business School
  •  ‘Decolonising the BBC Archive’ project with Dr Eleni Liarou, Dept. Film, Media and Cultural Studies, BirkBeck University (2022-2023)
  • ‘Women Entrepreneurs and Legitimation’ by Dr Isobel O’Neil (Nottingham University Business School) and Dr Janine Swail (University of Auckland, New Zealand), research participant and learning resource developer (2016 – 2019)
  • ‘The role of the Black Community in the Miners’ Strike of 1984/5′ by Lucy Cann (UCL, University of London). A selection of quotes from audio recordings with former coal miners included in dissertation and referenced (2016)
  • Listing in the Black British History Directory, Institute of Commonwealth Studies, School of Advanced Study, University of London (2015)  https://blackbritishhistory.co.uk/2015/norma-gregory/

5. George Africanus (c1763-1834) Heritage Preservation & Education

6. Nottingham Carnival Heritage Preservation

  • Nottingham Carnival management team member, 2013-2023, with Richard Renwick, former CEO of Tuntum Housing Association and Nottingham Carnival management team
  • Project Coordinator and researcher of the Nottingham Carnival Heritage Project (Phases 2, 3, 4) a heritage lottery funded project by Tuntum Housing Association. https://nottinghamcarnivalheritage.com/?page_id=10709and https://www.facebook.com/nottscarnivalheritageproject
  • Co-writer with Glenis Williams of seven exhibition panels. Copywriter and content manager for Nottingham Carnival online archive.

7. Digging Deep, Miners of African Caribbean Heritage Touring Exhibition – Curator /Tour Manager

  • Durham University, Ustinov College in collaboration with the Anthropology Department 2022
  • Durham Castle, October 2022
  • The Coal Authority, Nottinghamshire, October 2022 & October 2023
  • The Common Room of the Great North (formerly The Mining Institute) Newcastle, September – November 2021 https://thecommonroom.org.uk/programme/whats-on/ 
  • Woodhorn Mining Museum, Northumberland. Curator’s ‘Walk & Talk’ video, October 2020 https://vimeo.com/467420404/b9b76d9b9b  

 

8. Community heritage work

Biography

Norma Jacqueline Gregory was born in Nottingham in 1969. The daughter of 1960s Jamaican migrants, Norma sought self-development by generating knowledge through her love of education, literature, creative arts, photography, media production and in particular, African history linked to the UK.

Norma currently works as a heritage/museums consultant/ project manager, historian (writer/researcher) and exhibition curator within the heritage and media sectors. She is director and founder of Nottingham News Centre (see www.nottinghamnewscentre.com) a heritage and community media organisation, established in 2013, researching and preserving diverse heritage news, providing heritage management support to various organisations and facilitating the production and dissemination of heritage educational resources.

Norma Gregory completed many years of mentoring and teaching employment in various schools and higher education institutions across London and Nottingham, which encouraged her to pursue her goals of personal and professional autonomy as an educator, author, speaker and media producer. She is an honoured recipient of an Alumni Laureate Award 2017 presented for her dedication to heritage and community education, by the University of Nottingham.

With many years’ experience in educational and media settings Norma says, “On a more personal note, in my early adult life, I found my formal, re-education to be my ‘lifeline’ in both its metaphorical and literal sense. I started reading books earnestly and with passion, took the steps towards personal renewal through further and then higher education. I have never looked back since then and now relish opportunities to progress and to support organisations and individuals through my work in media, across museums for the heritage sector.”

Academic career summary

  • UCL Institute of Education, University of London MA degree in Effective Learning / Pedagogy, 2001-2005 
  • University of Nottingham PGCE/GTP Certificate in Education, Secondary English, 2009-2010, 
  • St Mary’s University, Twickenham London BA Hons. degree in English Literature/Language with Theology & Religious Studies, 1996-1999, Grade 2:1
  • Liverpool John Moores University Post. Grad Certificate in Learning Mentoring, distance learning, 2004 Distinction. 
  • College of North East London (CONEL) Radio & Print Journalism (City & Guilds) gained in 1996, awarded in 1997 Distinction. 

Artistic / Curatorial summary

  • Royal College of Art, London Curating Contemporary Art and Design: Theory and Practice, July 2019
  • Black Miners Museum. Norma Gregory’s heritage research and heritage management activities have included collating and sharing oral histories from coal miners of African heritage from across the UK, through the receipt of National Heritage Lottery Awards (in 2015-2016, 2017-2019, 2019-2021). Norma has been a successful heritage project manager for various organisations and initiatives and led the heritage project collating a history of the Nottingham Carnival, in association with Tuntum Housing Association, Nottingham see https://nottinghamcarnivalheritage.com/?page.id=11694.
  • Curator, Digging Deep Exhibition national touring from 2018 to date.

In October 2014, Norma Gregory orchestrated and sponsored (through Nottingham News Centre) the first blue heritage plaque in the City of Nottingham for George Africanus (c1763-1834) with the support of Nottingham City Council and partnership work with Nubian Jak Community Trust blue plaque scheme, London. This initiative formally commemorated the place of residence for George Africanus and family on Victoria St (formerly Chandler’s Lane) Nottingham, the location of his business and many life achievements of an 18th century entrepreneur of African heritage, in the city of Nottingham, originally researched into by Christopher Weir,   Len Garrison, Ray Gale among others.

In August 2015, Nottingham Express Transit (NET) and Nottingham City Council launched the George Africanus tram, unveiled by Norma Gregory and Councillor Jane Urquhart. Norma has since launched the George Africanus Society UK through social media to promote knowledge sharing and education.
through history. See https://www.thetram.net/tram-named-in-honour-of-nottinghams-first-black-entrepreneur.aspx#TramNamedInHonourOfNottingham’sFirstBlackEntrepreneur

Speaker & Presenter

Norma Gregory has been guest speaker at the following organisations and institutions:

 

  • Social Enterprise UK (SEUK) London head office staff presentation April 2024
  • Fiserv Fintech Company (UK) BHM 2023, London head office staff presentation, October 2023
  • Association for Heritage Interpretation (AHI) Conference, October 2023
  • Windrush 75 Years, June 2023
  • Nottingham Probation Service, February 2023
  • Heritage Compass Symposium, Business Support England, January 2023
  • Durham University, Ustinov College, October 2022

  • The Coal Authority, Nottinghamshire, October 2022 and 2023

  • Oral History workshop, ‘We Need New Stories‘ a project by Fifth Word Nottingham, October 2022 

  • Nottingham Trent University, Centre for the Study of Inequality, Culture and Difference, July 2022
  • Birkbeck University London, ‘What is Public History Now?’ public workshop, July 2022
  • Social History Curators’ Group (SHCG) Conference, October 2021
  • Holy Family Catholic Primary School, Ealing London, history presentation to Yr 5 pupils, October 2021
  • The Common Room of the Great North (formerly The Mining Institute) Newcastle, public lecture October 2021
  • ‘Unity in the Community’, public talk, October 2021
  • On Behalf of the People: Work, Community and Class in the British Coal Industry 1947-1994, Loughborough, September 2021
  • Association of Anaesthesia, Annual Congress, September 2021
  • Windrush Day 2021, partnership event with Doncaster City Council & Doncaster African Caribbean Support Group, CAST Cinema Doncaster, 22nd June 2021
  • Windrush Day 2021, Nottinghamshire Primary Care Racial Equity & Diversity Working Group, 22nd June 2021
  • Migration Museum, Migration Network North East and Yorkshire event, 26th January 2021
  • WOMANZVUE, literary evening celebrating Black Writing, December 2020
  • Llafur – Welsh People’s History Society 2020 Conference, December 2020
  • Archivist & Record Keepers Association (ARA), online webinar on equality and diversity, June 2020
  • International Woman’s Day 2020, The Entrepreneur Collection Chapter 4, March 2020
  • International Women’s Day 2020, University of Nottingham, March 2020
  • Frederick Douglass Centre, Newcastle University, November 2019, official opening of the building November, 2019
  • Probation Service, Nottingham, November 2019, October 2021
  • Coal Authority, Nottinghamshire, October 2019
  • UNITE Holborn London (Annual Black History Month Event), October 2019
  • Black Achievers Awards Nottingham, October 2019
  • Labour Group, Porchester Branch Nottinghamshire, October 2019
  • JUNO Women’s Aid Nottingham & Nottinghamshire, October 2019
  • National Coal Mining Museum, Wakefield, Yorkshire 2019 (formal opening of Digging Deep exhibition 21/09/19)
  • ‘Migrants and Minorities in British Coalmining’, Nottingham Trent University Conference, July 2019, speaker
  • St Leonard’s Labour Group London (Streatham Labour Film screening of ‘The Battle of Orgreave’ and panel discussion) 2019
  • University of Reading (joint presentation in Nottingham), 2019
  • Preston Black History Group, 2018
  • Huddersfield Windrush Festival, 2018
  • New Art Exchange, Nottingham, Digging Deep Photography Exhibition, 2018
  • Historic England podcast series, ‘Irreplaceable: A History of England in 10 Places’, Power, Protest & Progress’, 2018
  • Oral History Society Conference, Belfast, Ireland, 2018
  • Black Miners’ National Reunion event, April, 2018
  • Leicester Black Workers Group, Leicester City Council, October 2018
  • University of Strathclyde, Scottish Oral History Centre, November 2017
  • University of Nottingham, 2016, 2017
  • Nottingham Trent University 2016, 2022
  • Birmingham University, ‘The Meaning of Black History in Britain and Beyond’, November 2016
  • Institute of Commonwealth Studies, School of Advanced Study University of London. What’s Happening in Black History? Workshops: II (University of Liverpool); IV (Bristol, 2016); VII (University of London)
  • Black Cultural Archives, Brixton, London
  • NewVic Sixth Form College, East London, November 2015
  • Nottinghamshire Family History Society
  • Nottingham Women’s History Group, April 2016 
  • Martin Jackman Centre, Nottingham, October 2015
  • Marcus Garvey Centre, Nottingham, October 2015
  • Framework Housing Association, Nottingham, October 2015
  • Waterstones Bookshop, Nottingham, October 2015
  • Five Leaves Bookshop, Nottingham, 2015
  • The Phenomenal Woman’s National Book Tour with fellow authors: Debbie Martin-Garcia, Amanda Epe,Eva Brown and Jenice Revers. DATES: London 18/0715, Nottingham 25/07/15, Birmingham 29/08/15 and Manchester 04/09/15.
  • Nottingham’s 4th Youth Heritage Conference, October 2015 (touring exhibition) 
  • Backlit Nottingham – ‘Samuel Morley Threads’ Heritage Project, public lecture, November 2015
  • ‘Celebrating Diversity and Heritage in the East Midlands’, Lottery Heritage Fund
  • BexLive Enterprise Awards, Wolverhampton
  • Black Ballad, London (UK based lifestyle platform), public lecture, October 2017 

Authored Books & Publications

Jamaicans in Nottingham, Narratives and Reflections (Hansib Publications, 2015) a collection of  oral history research, archive and contemporary images that include and highlight the contributions of pioneering Jamaicans in Nottingham of the 21st century, postcolonial liberation desired, reparations inspired era.

 

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Digging Deep Calendar, 2024 (Nottingham News Centre Publications, 2023) a photographic, educational calendar including inspirational quotes, archive and contemporary images from the Black Miners Museum Archives and includes significant dates to remember and to reflect on, relating to diverse UK industrial history.

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Digging Deep Windrush Miners & Their Industrial Contributions, COLOURING BOOK  (Nottingham News Centre Publications, 2023) an industrial heritage educational activity book, including illustrations, images and industrial heritage facts and interesting information. For use by educators, home school learners, schools and people wanting access to a creative, unique resource that celebrates UK industrial heritage and the vibrant, diverse communities and individuals involved, that brought industry to life.

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EDI Help Guide (Nottingham News Centre Publications, 2023) a self- development publication to support equality diversity and inclusion (EDI) good practice and provision  This help guide includes case studies, examples of good practice, images, heritage information and much more. To support heritage practitioners, volunteers and people working within museums and the heritage sector, with a particular focus on EDI, entrepreneurship and sector sustainability. For use by heritage educators, heritage related entrepreneurs, EDI designated professionals, heritage curators, corporate organisations and those wanting to learn more about EDI in practice and making lasting difference for all.

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 An Introduction Sharing and Celebrating Diverse Industrial Heritage  (Nottingham News Centre Publications, 2023) an industrial heritage educational toolkit of EDI ideas, tips with tried and tested activities for industrial heritage practitioners, curators and enthusiasts, to improve inclusive practice within industrial heritage museums and heritage programmes, industrial heritage focused projects and other social history initiatives, in the UK and worldwide.

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Crooked Carousel: Selected Poetry (Nottingham News Centre Publishing, 2016). Poetry reflecting the challenges and achievements of Black British womanist experiences and desires embedded within displaced British cultural, religious and postmodern contexts.

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Awards (recipient)

  • University of Nottingham, Doctor of Letters (DLitt), Degree honours causa, winter 2023 
  • UK Social Enterprise Awards 2023,  Social Enterprise ‘Women’s Champion of the Year’ winner
  • Nottinghamshire County Council , ‘Best Community Project, ‘Digging Deep Heritage Project’, Pride of Gedling Awards 2023, winner
  • Nottingham City Council Heritage Partnership, Heritage Champion 2020
  • Sandford Award for Informal Learning (SAIL) 2019
  • Windrush Awards 2018 (Nottingham), Inspirational Leadership Award
  • Alumni Laureate Award 2017, University of Nottingham
  • Mayor of Nottingham formal commendation, 2017
  • Black Achievers’ Awards 2016 (Nottingham): Category for Arts, Culture & Music (Best Female)
  • BexLive Black Enterprise Awards 2016 (Birmingham): Community Champion
  • Heritage Lottery Funding, HLF (2015-2016 & 2017-2019, 2019-2021)
  • Associate Member, Postcolonial Studies Centre (Nottingham Trent University)
  • Big Lottery Fund, Awards for All, 2007 & 2013
  • Millennium Commission Award, 2000 ‘Black British Poets’ media project.
  • Oral History Society Conference 2018, June 28-29, Queens University Belfast Ireland, Bursary Award recipient. Speaker (29.06.2018).

Award nominations (shortlisted)

  • Museum Association Awards 2020, ‘Radical Changemaker Award’ 
  • Gedling Borough Council, Awards International Women’s Day, Woman of Influence – Finalist, 2017
  • Women4Africa 2016: Community Leader of the Year
  • Excellence in Diversity Award 2016: Education Sector
  • BexLive Awards 2015 (Birmingham): Diverse Enterprise
  • BEFFTA Awards 2015 (London): Best Author

As Sponsor

  • Black Achievers Award, 2019 (Nottingham)
  • BexLive Enterprise Awards, 2017 (Wolverhampton) and presenter of the ‘Diverse Company/organisation’ award.

Board Member / Directorships

  • National Coal Mining Museum for England: Trustee, Non-Executive Director, (November 2018-November 2020)
  • UNESCO, Nottingham City of Literature: Collaborative Board member (2018)
  • Nottingham News Centre CIC (2013 to date)

Collaborative partners

Diverse Heritage Services

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