National Lottery Community Fund keeps the fire burning for Lunar Campfires

Lunar Campfires are a core part of We Don’t Settle. Shaped by a group of young Lunar Residents, Lunar Campfires create a space for our community of young People of Colour to discuss personal identity, culture and representation. 

We’re thrilled that they can continue thanks to funding from The National Lottery Community Fund.

What are Lunar Campfires? 

Lunar Campfires are spaces for young People of Colour to shape how we discuss personal identity, culture and representation – particularly in heritage spaces. This is especially important because white privilege is embedded in heritage, discussions of history, and the stories we tell. 

All events are designed by Lunar Residents, who receive skills development workshops, support from the We Don’t Settle team, and hands-on experience producing community events.

At every event, you can expect a meaningful space, cathartic discussion, activities, food and a lot of learning. It is also a great way to meet and network with like-minded people who share a passion for these themes, learn from intercultural experiences, and hear new perspectives that will help develop your critical thinking in an ever-changing world.

What kinds of topics are covered at Lunar Campfires?

Young People of Colour decide everything from theme to programme to venue.

Earlier this year our Heritage Intercepted conference included three Lunar Campfires:

• Symbols of a nation: what are you holding onto and why? hosted by Aaliyah Mclaughlin with Prof. Dr Kehinde Andrews
• Lost in translation. Examine what is said and who is not speaking hosted by David Adesanya & Jameela Nawaz with Prof. Natalie Braber
• Meaningful change through co-creation hosted by Shona Smith with Dr. Kadian Pow

Past Lunar Campfires can be explored here, and include:

• Self-care – Selfish if you do – selfish if you don’t explored what self care means for People of Colour, and why it’s so important. We will also delve into how the existence of racial systems such as institutional racism, microaggressions and racial gaslighting contribute to the trauma People of Colour have been experiencing.

• All this CCTV but do you ever see me? interrogated the extent to which minoritised voices are criminalised and what living in one of the most surveyed countries in the world can mean for a Person of Colour.
• Too light for the Gram – Too light for the culture focused on colourism, especially within different communities and ethnicities.

Lunar Campfires have an incredible impact on young people. Amirah, a Lunar Resident, said: