The annual Black History Month, celebrated in the UK since 1987, has officially started. This year’s theme, Reclaiming Narratives, aims to shine a light on stories about Black people and Black culture that are often overlooked.
Across the Eastlondonlines boroughs, there will be a range of events that echo Black History Month’s mission of empowering and educating through stories. ELL has compiled a selection for our readers.
Free tea and cake will be served for evenings of “edutainment”, featuring comedy, poetry and community debates. The events will ‘reclaim narratives’ by focusing on stereotypes and tropes about different members of the Black community in order to dispel them.
When: October 4 – 25, every Friday
Where: St Michael and All Angels Church
Cost: Free
Hackney’s Comedy Roots Exhibition: Private View and Q&A
The opening night of a three week exhibition will explore comedy in Hackney as a form of resilience, with a panel of Black comedy-related artists including Oliver Samuels, Devon Morgan, Selam Amare and cartoonist Danny F.
When: October 15
Where: Rio Cinema in Dalston
Cost: Free
Future Hackney Exhibition
Future Hackney will be exhibiting photos, stories and sculpture celebrating Kingsland Road in Dalston, site of anti-fascist grassroots movements, radical spaces and beautiful everyday people. An indoor exhibition starting on October 19 and running until October 29 will be followed by an outdoor exhibition on Dalston Lane, dates to be confirmed.
When: October 19 – 29
Where: BSMT Gallery
Cost: Free
Clapton Park TMO presents a BHM Film Night
A documentary screening and panel discussion focused on the Clapton Park Estate and the challenges related to housing faced by BME communities over the past 30 years. African Caribbean food will be served on the night, in celebration.
When: October 28
Where: Vi Forester Community Centre
Cost: Free
Reclaiming Narratives Workshop
This is a workshop hosted by the arts collective Trapped in Zone One. A creative organisation based in East London. It will be a series of weekly workshops hosted by @NADINADIDTHIS. Focusing on everyday people that you wouldn’t find in your history books.
When: October 5 – 26, every Saturday 3pm – 5pm
Where: Island Point Community Centre, 51 Sark Mews, E14 3PW
Cost: Free (Tickets on Eventbrite)
KAYD, Somali Week Festival
A beauty, wellness and fashion event hosted by KAYD. KAYD is an arts organisation founded in Tower Hamlets. The word KAYD means preservation, which is quite on theme to the reclaiming narrative aspect of this year’s Black History Month.
When: October 18 – 27
Where: The British Library
Cost: £11.55 (Tickets on Eventbrite)
Caring for Your Collections
Caring for Your Collections will be a series of films and talks looking at heritage with the New Black Film Collective. They are collaborating with Tower Hamlet’s Local History Archive. The event will demonstrate how to become custodians of family history.
When: Thursday October 10, 6pm – 8pm
Where: Tower Hamlets Local History Library & Archives
Cost: Free (Tickets on Eventbrite)
Poster Retrospective Exhibition
A retrospective exhibition of a selection of bus stop posters marking Black History Month through the years, dating back to 2007, supported by Tower Hamlets Council.
When: October 4 until October 26, Monday to Fridays 9am – 7pm & Saturdays 10am – 4pm
Where: The Brady Arts and Community Centre
Cost: Free
Black Book Festival
The Black Book festival and Education Expo celebrates African Diaspora contributions to the book industry, with 40 stalls showcasing African-Caribbean books, arts and educational services. The event features seminars, exhibitions on Cy Grant and “Black Yoga”, African-Caribbean storytelling, music and food.
When: Saturday October 19, 11am – 6pm
Where: Goldsmiths, University of London, SE14 6NW
Cost: Exhibition only – free, exhibition & seminar – £12 (Tickets on Eventbrite)
Black History Harvest
Coco Collective presents a Black History Harvest focused on #ReclaimingNarratives for Lewisham’s Black community. Activities include stone painting for children, permaculture tours, gardening, and a harvest cooked into Ital soup.
When: Sunday October 20, 11am – 6pm
Where: Black Gate next to, 75 Firhill RD, Bellingham, SE6 3SE
Cost: Free (Tickets on Eventbrite)
The Little Mermaid – Spontaneous Productions
This new adaptation of The Little Mermaid by Jamaican playwright Lavern Archer reimagines the story with Caribbean culture, music, and dance. The production is aimed at families and celebrates Black culture.
When: Saturday September 28 – Sunday October 27
Where: Sydenham Centre, Lewisham
Cost: Standard adult price – £10 (Tickets on Spontaneous Productions)
Interview with Jody Burton, co-author of Black London
Jody is a resident of Lewisham who, with co-author Avril Nanton, has produced a Black History tour guide. Black London: History, Art and Culture in Over 120 Places was published on Windrush Day 2021.
When: Saturday October 30, 2pm – 3pm
Where: Deptford Library, 9 Giffin St, London SE8 4RH
Cost: Free
Mental Health and Integration Workshops
The Mental health and integration workshops focus on improving mental health through interactive sessions with experts that will cover topics to enhance well-being.
When: October 9 – November 6, every Wednesday 12 pm – 1 pm
Where: The Wellness Centre, First Floor Unit 1040/42 Croydon CR0 1TY
Cost: Free (Tickets on Eventbrite)
Energy Workshop Evening
Tracey Hague Energy Coordinator, Croydon Healthy Homes For All will share insights on saving money on energy.
When: October 9 – November 6, every Wednesday 6pm
Where: Online
Cost: Free (Tickets on Eventbrite)
BME Health Check Day
Get a free health check at the BME Health Check Day dedicated to long-term conditions, HIV testing and mental health.
When: Thursday October 24, 10 am – 4 pm
Where: The Wellness Centre, First Floor Unit 1040/42 Croydon CR0 1TY
Cost: Free (Tickets on Eventbrite)
Black History Month BME Business Circle
An event designed to connect like-minded individuals and foster lasting connections between women in business.
When: Saturday, October 26, 10 am – 5 pm
Where: The Wellness Centre, First Floor Unit 1040/42 Croydon CR0 1TY
Cost: Free (Tickets on Eventbrite)
