Eunice Kokrasset has been tasked with organising tomorrow’s Norfolk Black History Month launch party. Here, the former landlady of The Crown Inn in Smallburgh describes the adventure she has been on since moving to England from the Ivory Coast
My name is Eunice Kokrasset, I’m from the Ivory Coast and I moved in England in 2010. In 2014, I was the Landlady of a pub, The Crown in Smallburgh, where I met the most amazing people ever. In 2017, 18 people from the village, including myself, purchased a double decker bus, filled it with books, educational materials and clothes then shipped the bus and got on a plane in November to visit my country.
We went in several schools in the villages and townships around the country. It was the most the most heart-warming trip and met some beautiful people. Everywhere we went, we were very welcomed and even met the king of Niable in the central region of the country. When we got back, my friends said, ‘It was a trip of a lifetime’.
In 2018, my four years contract was up at the pub, and I moved on. I will never forget my experience at the Smallburgh Crown. The friendship and the love I received from everyone I met will stay with me for the rest of my life.
Ivory Coast in a French speaking country, we have 60 different tribes, so we just speak French because we don’t have a common native language. My tribe is from the south, in the capital Abidjan. Coming to England was a shock on so many levels for me but, I’m a very curious and inquisitive person, so integrating wasn’t very difficult for me. I am an adventure of discovering myself.
Everything was a bit gloomy at the start of the pandemic and then it got very sad and depressing.
I’ve been involved with Norfolk Black History Month for a few months now. In July my friend Anna Mudeka asked me to be part of the organisational team for the BHM. Last year, with the pandemic and everything going on, it couldn’t be very much of a fun gig.
This year it feels amazing to have a whole day event and have as many people as possible turning up for the celebration. We are hoping to deliver the best BHM celebration yet – we want the public to have fun
We will have a lot of fantastic Norfolk based artists such as Sefo Kanute, Jose Ferrera, Afroluso, DJs and so much more.
I am personally looking forward to the Black History Month Launch and the multiple related events happening throughout the month like the Story of Pocahontas.
My hopes and dreams are to be part of more events showcasing our African heritage, sharing our culture and seeing a more united Norfolk.
The Norfolk Black History Month 2021 All Day Launch Party takes place tomorrow (Saturday October 2) from 10am to 8pm, at The Forum in Norwich. Expect outdoor stalls, crafts, food; performances from artists and DJs; catwalk, poetry and dance. Visit NORFOLK BHM EVENTS.
Well done Eunice, you are a beautiful lady who does beautiful things!!