October marks Black History Month in the UK. The ELL boroughs are hosting different events over the course of the month, trying to promote meaningful discussions, revisit important black history and encourage the younger generation to speak up.
Mayor of Hackney, Philip Glanville said: “Black History Season is an opportunity to acknowledge and recognise the historical and contemporary contributions residents make to life in the borough while also looking to future contributions…I welcome everyone across the borough to join us as we share, enjoy and learn from a history that belongs to us all.”
So to celebrate, here are five events from each of the ELL boroughs to attend with friends and family.
Poetry workshop for children
Clapton Library is hosting a poetry workshop for children aged 6-12 this weekend. During the day they will learn how to write their own poems and they will be introduced to the works of John Agard, Valerie Bloom, Grace Nichols and Benjamin Zephaniah, all prominent Black British poets, for inspiration.
When: Saturday, October 8, 2022
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Where: Clapton Library, Northwold Street, E5 8RA
Cost: Free entry
Movers, shakers and community makers: an exhibition about African heritage influencers in Hackney
The Hackney Museum has made an exhibition to highlight individuals who have shaped Hackney to be the borough it is today. It will display objects, photographs, personal experiences and stories of people who have influenced local life through their actions.
When: Tuesday, October 4, 2022 – Monday, January 2, 2023
Opening times:
Tues, Wed 9.30am – 5.30pm
Thurs: 9.30am-8.00pm
Fri: 9.30am-5.30pm
Sat: 10am-5pm
Where: Hackney Museum, 1 Reading Lane, E8 1GQ
Cost: Free entry
Taste of Africa
Have you ever wanted to try African food? Dalston CLR James Library is hosting an event where you get to really try the ‘Taste of Africa’. Tasty and educational as you learn on the go!
When: Wednesday, October 26, 2022
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Where: Dalston CLR James Library, Dalston Square, E8 3BQ UK
Cost: Free entry
Write your story
You will have the opportunity to make, illustrate and write your own book about your experiences of being a young black person in Hackney.
For those aged 18 and under.
When: Wednesday, October 26, 2022
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Where: Shoreditch Library, Hoxton Street, N1 6LP
Cost: Free entry
Bushtea and cake – celebrating Black history through performing arts
Sheba Montserrat, organiser and owner of an event highlighting performing arts, from live drumming, poetry, dance, book reviews and community announcements and comedy.
Free Bushtea and cake to go with this performance!
When: Friday, October 28, 2022
4:30 PM- 5:30 PM
Where: St Michaels and All Angels Church, Northwold Road, N16 7EP
Cost: Free entry (book)
A Caribbean couturier in Lewisham: the textile legacies of the women of the Windrush generation
Spotlighting the incredible story of Slyvia Prime: an accomplished fashion designer of the Windrush generation who travelled from her home in Trinidad to London to begin a new life in Lewisham.
Her daughter, Joy, brings an interactive installation which ‘draws on memory, oral histories and family photographs from the Hummingbird Senior Citizens Club and the wider Caribbean community to tell the story of the Caribbean women who produced made-to-measure, couture gowns alongside their day jobs in Lewisham.’
When: 14-28 October, Tuesdays to Saturdays 11am – 6pm
Where: Unit 17, Lewisham Shopping Centre (opposite H&M), SE13 7HB
Cost: Free entry
Doing it for love: a lecture tour by Dr Julius Garvey
Dr. Julius Garvey, son of Jamaican human rights pioneer Marcus Garvey, will host a talk at Goldsmiths University promoting cultural and racial unity.
When: 24 October
Where: Goldsmith’s, University of London, New Cross, SE14 6NW
Cost: Free
Design and create your own African print jewellery
Make your own African jewellery at this workshop and enjoy a black history quiz afterwards.
When: 13 October, 10am – 12pm
Where: Honor Oak Community Centre, Honor Oak, SE4 2JD
Cost: Free
Queens of black history
An important and varied event that will feature black female poets, a black history exhibition, stalls by Lewisham based black women-owned businesses, talks, music and food from different African and Caribbean cultures.
When: 6pm – 10pm, 15 October
Where: The New Generation, Upper Sydenham, SE26 6AD
Cost: Free entry
Deptford Green school cultural evening
Have children or family who attend Deptford Green school? The school will be hosting various attractions such as: music, food, speakers, film, a cultural catwalk and will host the photography exhibition, ‘Making things Happen: Sybil Phoenix in Lewisham’. The evening will culminate with the renaming of the conference hall as the ‘The Sybil Phoenix Conference Hall’, to honour Pheonix, a Guyanese-British welfare worker and youth campaigner and the first black woman to be awarded the MBE in 1973.
When: 22 October
Where: Deptford Green School, 61 Edward Street, Deptford, SE14 6AN
Cost: Free entry
Black hair care
Do you have family/friends who have afro textured hair? Stand Up Black Dads are teaming up with Kinks, Kurls and Swirls to teach both men and women the importance of care for afro hair. Learn some new styles and take better care of your hair.
When: 12:00pm – 5pm
Saturday 8th October 2022
Where: Wellness Centre, Whitgift Centre, CR0 1LP
Cost: Prices vary
Black History Month concert
Want to hear some great live music as well as learn and support the great work the Caribbean society has been doing in Croydon? Free refreshments available as you enjoy celebrations with live musical performances, poetry recitals and raffles.
All proceeds go to the Association of Jamaicans Trust, who help continue the important work in the Caribbean community.
When: 7pm to 9.30pm
Friday 14th October 2022
Where: St. Oswald’s Church, Green Lane, Norbury, SW16 3SB
Cost: Tickets available – Adult £15, Child (between 6-16 years old) £7, Under 5’s Free
What’s your first-time experience going to the Caribbean?
As many black people in the UK are first generation children of immigrants from Africa and the Caribbean, all ages are welcome to learn about where their parents came from.
Exploring the migration story specifically from the Caribbean to the UK and asking: ‘What was your experience? How did the trip influence you? Would you go back? Are connections strong or lost across the Atlantic?’
When: 6.30pm to 8.00pm
Friday 21st October 2022
Where: Online – Zoom (Meeting ID: 385 207 6159)
Cost: Free
Challenging black stereotypes in mainstream media
With an amazing guest panel of leading black British writers, including Sir Trevor Phillips, Shingi Mararike and Clare Anyiam-Osigw, discussions of Black representation in the media will be the focus of the discussion, posing the question: ‘Has the increase in black journalists improved the telling of the black stories in the news and media?’
When: 7.00pm to 8.30pm
Thursday 20th October
Where: Online – Zoom (Meeting ID: 385 207 6159)
Cost: Free
Power & Glory
ALTERNATIVE ARTS, an organisation that invests in new artists and new ideas to create cultural experiences is hosting a photography collection of ‘the most dynamic and diverse contemporary black photographers’.
Exploring themes such as: womanhood, carnival, courage, gender equality, climate change, survival and freedom, this exhibition is set on amplifying Black voices.
When: Thursday 6th (09:00) – Saturday 29th October 2022 (19:00)
Where: 192-196 Hanbury Street, Brady Arts Centre, E1 5HU
Cost: Free entry
Amplifying youth voices – workshops
Supported by Tower Hamlets council, a series of workshops are being held on the theme of ‘Time for Change: Actions Not Words’, focusing on young people’s voices and giving them an opportunity to speak about what they think needs to change.
When: Wednesday 12th October 2022 (17:00-20:00)
Where: 30 Hay Currie Street, Spotlight E14 6GN
Cost: Free entry
Nyumbani
A drama and dance and performance in the context of 1929.
‘The war is over, immigration is changing the face of Britain, and a community space for the African and Caribbean population is being formed – The Nyumbani Lounge, a home away from home. Follow a group of unlikely individuals, made up of activists, lawyers, nurses and those on the fringes of society, as they make their mark in Central London.’
Open to all ages (Note: this performance contains strong language, racist language and depictions of graphic violence)
When: Thursday 6th October 2022 (19:00-21:30)
Where: Rich Mix 35-47, Bethnal Green Road, London, E1 6LA
Cost: £12-£15 (tickets)
Born of good intentions: Black victorian children in a Barnardo’s Home
Highlighting the story of the first black children in the UK to be placed in care and fostered.
Learn about the incredible story of these children – their experiences and managing to turn their lives around despite their suffering.
When: Monday 10th October 2022 (19:00-20:00)
Where: Online event
Cost: £5 (tickets)
The Living Room talks activism
A celebratory event where young black speakers and activists get to reminisce on their experiences and discuss the future.
When: Saturday 22nd October 2022 (18:30-20:30)
Where: Rich Mix 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London, E1 6LA
Cost: £8 (tickets)
These are great to hear about! Wanted to take the opportunity to add on, we are a youth-led collective ‘L.E.G.A.C.Y.’ and starting this Wednesday, we’re running a programme for Black History Month where young people get a budget, professional support, space and resources to take the lead and co-design to create their vision on what Black History Month and the theme ‘Time For Change: Actions not Words’ means to them. We are looking for all creative mediums or event planning interest and skills, to showcase your voice.
Based in East London but all young people 19 welcome!
https://www.instagram.com/wearelegacy__/