Black history month is important in the Southwark calendar. Over the last 20 years, activities, workshops and performances have evolved creatively working with our many communities and this year’s programme will be exciting and thought provoking. Black history month promotes our many different communities and is an opportunity for us to think about equalities and what it means and to promote understanding and respect between communities.
It promotes equality in every strand of living, which makes for success in our communities whereby respect, understanding and values are shared for the same common goals. It also helps us remember the reputable achievements and contributions of the African and Caribbean Diasporas in our communities and to educate diasporas of their cultural backgrounds.
This year the events and activities will mainly be held during the four weekends of October so that as many people as possible will be able to attend and they will take place in prominent and easily accessible venues, to promote togetherness and to make us think that we are one community. We will encourage all members of the community and Council members to attend activities that have been put together for this programme.
Franklyn Rodgers touring exhibition
On Friday 15 July 2011 – Friday 30 September 2011 at The Old Town Hall (Corridor leading to One Stop Shop),151Walworth Road,SE17 1RY
On Friday 7 October 2011 – Friday 28 October 2011 at Southwark Salvation Army, 1 Princess Street, SE1 6HH
Southwark Salvation Army invites you to celebrate cultural heritage with a range of exciting workshops for young people.
On Sunday 9 October 2011 at Metropolitan Tabernacle, Elephant andCastle,SE1 6SD
Join us for a guided black history walk through nearly 300 years of the black presence in Southwark.
On Tuesday 13 September 2011 – Saturday 19 November 2011 at Peckham Space 89 Peckham High Street, SE15 5RS
Network is a specially commissioned film by artist Sonia Boyce.
Drumhead African drumming workshop
On Saturday 8 October 2011 at Peckham Space,89Peckham High Street,SE15 5RS
African drumming workshops for all the family, and every level and ability.
On Sunday 9 October 2011 at Peckham Library,122Peckham Hill Street,SE15 5JT
Melé is a bar singer, her husband Chaka is out of work and the couple are on the verge of breaking up.
Bonnie Greer in conversation with Sonia Boyce at Peckham Space
On Tuesday 11 October 2011 at Peckham Space,89Peckham High Street,SE15 5RS
Join ‘in conversation’, Bonnie Greer, cultural critic, and Sonia Boyce, commissioned artist for Peckham Space’s fifth exhibition, Network.
On Saturday 15 October 2011 at Dulwich Library,386Lordship Lane,SE22 8NB
Isabelle Huppert (The Piano Teacher) gives an extraordinary performance as Maria Vial, the formidable owner of a coffee plantation in a former French African colony.
Drumhead African drumming workshop
On Sunday 16 October 2011 at Dulwich Library,386Lordship Lane,SE22 8NB
African drumming workshop for the entire family, and all levels.
NARM African British civil rights history: Dr Harold Moody and beyond
On Sunday 16 October 2011 at Dulwich Library,386Lordship Lane,SE22 8NB
Discover and learn more about the civil rights movement in Britain.
Through Southwark’s eyes: the phenomenon called Empire Windrush
On Saturday 22 October 2011 at Dulwich Library,386Lordship Lane,SE22 8NB
Explore their life journey through film, photography, literature and the spoken word from the mouths of high profile personalities, academics and the passengers themselves.
Black history month at the Bird in Bush Centre
On Monday 3 October 2011 – Monday 31 October 2011 at Bird in Bush Centre, 616 OldKentRoad,SE15 1JB
The Bird in Bush Children’s Centre is hosting a series of events to celebrate black history month, the journey: past, present, future.
On Saturday 22 October 2011 at Meeting outside the Bird in Bush Centre
Join us for a guided black history walk through nearly 300 years of the black presence in Southwark and meet those that changed history, as well as those whose lives were unsung.
On Saturday 22 October 2011 at Bird in Bush Centre, 616 Old Kent Road,SE15 1JB
Tiny but brave Kirikou outwits a powerful sorceress; this enchanting adventure was inspired by the folk stories of Senegal.
On Monday 3 October 2011 – Monday 31 October 2011 at Corridor leading to Walworth One Stop Shop, The Cuming Museum, 151 Walworth Road, SE17 1RY
Oladije Kareem’s work explores the role of the prayer as a form of psychological relief for an individual during times of crisis.
Family big draw for black history month
On Tuesday 25 October 2011 at TheCumingMuseum,151Walworth Road,SE17 1RY
An artist led, family workshop exploring traditional, decorative and pattern making techniques inspired by African objects from theCumingMuseum’s collection.
Origins of black history month in the UK: a Black Cultural Archives talk
On Tuesday 25 October 2011 at The Cuming Museum,151Walworth Road,SE17 1RY
An evening talk on the history of black history month and Ansel Wong, one of the founders of black history month in the UK.
Exploring patterns: Big Draw for black history month
On Wednesday 26 October 2011 at TheCumingMuseum,151Walworth Road,SE17 1RY
A Big Draw workshop, designed by young people, for young people.
On Thursday 27 October 2011 at TheCumingMuseum,151Walworth Road,SE17 1RY
At this weekly under fives session explore music fromAfricawith Paul.
On Thursday 27 October 2011 at TheCumingMuseum,151Walworth Road,SE17 1RY
Join artist Gloria F Y Ojulari Sule to create artworks inspired by Sudanese charm bracelets from the Cuming Museum’s collection
The inspirational journey of Fela Kuti
On Friday 28 October 2011 at TheCumingMuseum,151Walworth Road,SE17 1RY
A free interactive exhibition for the whole family, including a spectacular fashion show based on the music and life of Fela Kuti.
On Saturday 29 October 2011 at meeting at the entrance to The Cuming Museum,151Walworth Road,SE17 1RY
A guided black history walk through nearly 300 years of the black presence in Southwark.
Drumhead African drumming workshop
On Saturday 29 October 2011 at The Cuming Museum,151Walworth Road,SE17 1RY
Free African drumming workshops for the entire family, and all levels.
On Saturday 29 October 2011 at The Cuming Museum,151Walworth Road,SE17 1RY
Join artist Gloria F Y Ojulari Sule to create artworks inspired by Sudanese charm bracelets from the Cuming Museum’s collection.
On Wednesday 19 October 2011 at John Harvard Library,211Borough High Street,SE1 1JA
Who do you think you are? Digging deep for your family tree. For ages 18 years and over.
Explore your Caribbean ancestry
On Saturday 22 October 2011 – Thursday 27 October 2011 at John Harvard Library, 211 Borough High Street, SE1 1JA
Who do you think you are? Unlock the treasures of the archive and search your family history.
On Saturday 1 October 2011 at Brandon Library, Maddock Way, Cooks Road, SE17 3NH
Marcus and Jessica perform a mix of black pop. It could be a Duke Ellington toe tapper or a Prince Buster tip. Come along and find out. Suitable for adults.
On Thursday 20 October 2011 at Brandon Library, Maddock Way, Cooks Road, SE17 3NH
Marcus and Jessica perform a mix of black pop. It could be a Duke Ellington toe tapper or a Prince Buster tip. Come along and find out. Suitable for adults.
On Thursday 13 October 2011 at Brandon Library, Maddock Way, Cooks Road, SE17 3NH
Make animals from the African continent, using recycled materials and make a zany zebra, radical rhino or incredible impala. Suitable for children.
Make African musical instruments
On Monday 24 October 2011 at Brandon Library, Maddock Way, Cooks Road, SE17 3NH
Make musical instruments such as a Djembe drum.
On Saturday 1 October 2011 at Camberwell Library,17-21 Camberwell Church Street,SE5 8TR
Discover the wonder of Anansi, and make an Anansi puppet, and find out other fascinating facts about spiders. Suitable for families.
For those about to rock we salute you
On Tuesday 18 October 2011 at Camberwell Library,17-21 Camberwell Church Street,SE5 8TR
From Chuck Berry to Lenny Kravitz, think you know your music? Come and test your knowledge. Suitable for ages 18 years and over.
In the land of the Shak Shak tree
On Monday 24 October 2011 at Camberwell Library,17-21 Camberwell Church Street,SE5 8TR
Come and discover fun and fantastic stories and get involved with storytelling. Suitable for families.
On Tuesday 25 October 2011 at Camberwell Library,17-21 Camberwell Church Street,SE5 8TR
Come and show us your talent, whether it’s singing or dancing. Get involved with charades or our mega music quiz. Suitable for ages six to 16 years and families.
Black Britain on screen: talk with David Somerset and Tony Warner
On Wednesday 5 October 2011 at Dulwich Library,368Lordship Lane,SE22 8NB
Tony Warner with David Somerset, will present a selection of excerpts from key titles as well as introducing the groundbreaking and ongoing African Odysseys programme at the BFI Southbank.
Young black and Muslim in Britain: talk and discussion with author Richard Reddie
On Thursday 6 October 2011 at Dulwich Library,368Lordship Lane,SE22 8NB
Author, Richard Reddie, of Black Muslims inBritain, discusses this phenomenon that is rapidly changing the religious and cultural landscape of the UK.
Bob Marley evening: a celebration of Bob Marley talk and performance
On Monday 10 October 2011 at Dulwich Library,368Lordship Lane,SE22 8NB
A must-do date for all Bob Marley fans.
Jazz royalty: talk by Bernie Victor
On Tuesday 11 October 2011 at Dulwich Library,368Lordship Lane,SE22 8NB
Come on a journey that starts in New Orleans at the start of the 20th century and explore some of the world’s best loved Jazz music with Bernie Victor.
Daydream believer: Martin Luther King Jnr, a radical legacy
On Friday 21 October 2011 at Dulwich Library,368Lordship Lane,SE22 8NB
With the Arab uprising spreading and Greece rebelling, author Richard Reddie explores how Martin Luther King Jnr remains an inspiration to human rights movements today.
On Tuesday 11 October 2011 at Grove Vale Library, 25-27 Grove Vale, SE22 8EQ
Come along and make your Caribbean hats.
Black history month arts and crafts session
On Saturday 15 October 2011 at Grove Vale Library, 25-27 Grove Vale, SE22 8EQ
Kids, get creative and celebrate black history month at this arts and crafts session.
Poetry group: famous black poets
On Tuesday 18 October 2011 at Grove Vale Library, 25-27 Grove Vale, SE22 8EQ
Reading poems from Maya Angelou to Tupac Shakur, to celebrate Black History Month.
On Thursday 20 October 2011 at Grove Vale Library, 25-27 Grove Vale, SE22 8EQ
Jackie will demonstrate beginners’ jewellery making, with the chance to make your own necklaces and bracelets. Suitable for adults.
On Tuesday 25 October 2011 at Grove Vale Library, 25-27 Grove Vale, SE22 8EQ
Win prizes in our brain-teasing quiz.
On Thursday 27 October 2011 at Grove Vale Library, 25-27 Grove Vale, SE22 8EQ
Have fun making elephants out of cartons and other materials. Suitable for ages nine to 14 years and families.
On Saturday 1 October 2011 – Saturday 29 October 2011 at John Harvard Library, 211 Borough High Street, SE1 1JA
An afternoon session of making your favourite African instrument, scariest African animal and listening to stories on Anansi.
On Monday 10 October 2011 at John Harvard Library,211Borough High Street,SE1 1JA
Tony Warner with David will present a selection of excerpts from key titles as well as introducing the groundbreaking and ongoing African Odysseys programme at the BFI Southbank.
On Friday 14 October 2011 at John Harvard Library,211Borough High Street,SE1 1JA
Make African masks, with acompetition for the most unusual masks made.
On Wednesday 26 October 2011 at John Harvard Library,211Borough High Street,SE1 1JA
Make African masks, with acompetition for the most unusual masks made. Suitable for children aged five to 10 years.
On Monday 24 October 2011 at John Harvard Library,211Borough High Street,SE1 1JA
Make African instruments and sing. Suitable for children aged five to 10 years.
On Tuesday 25 October 2011 at John Harvard Library,211Borough High Street,SE1 1JA
Choose your favourite animals and draw them. Suitable for children aged five to 10 years.
On Thursday 27 October 2011 at John Harvard Library,211Borough High Street,SE1 1JA
An art workshop of African patterns, using a choice of varied African materials. Suitable for children aged five to 10 years.
On Tuesday 4 October 2011 at Newington Library, 155 Walworth Road, SE17 1RS
Come along and try out a traditional African craft, using recycled paper to weave your own Tutsi basket.
On Tuesday 11 October 2011 at Newington Library, 155 Walworth Road, SE17 1RS
Come along and try out a traditional African craft.
The life and times of Audre Lorde
On Tuesday 11 October 2011 at Newington Library, 155 Walworth Road, SE17 1RS
An illustrated talk by Sandra Agard on this great American poet Audre Lorde who was a self described “black lesbian, mother, warrior, poet”.
The poetry of Edward Kamau Brathwaite
On Monday 17 October 2011 at Newington Library, 155 Walworth Road, SE17 1RS
An introduction to the poetry of one of the major voices of Caribbean literature.
On Tuesday 18 October 2011 at Newington Library, 155 Walworth Road, SE17 1RS
Learn about Fon story picture clothes. The Fon people of Benin tell their legends and stories with brightly coloured cloth pictures.
On Tuesday 25 October 2011 at Newington Library, 155 Walworth Road, SE17 1RS
Come along and try out a traditional African craft.
On Wednesday 26 October 2011 at Newington Library, 155 Walworth Road, SE17 1RS
Come along and create your own instruments such as an African drum or rainmaker using recycled materials.
On Wednesday 28 September 2011 at Newington Library, 155 Walworth Road, SE17 1RS
Listen to stories about African animals, make animal masks and sing animal songs.
On Friday 28 October 2011 at Newington Library, 155 Walworth Road, SE17 1RS
Listen to stories about African animals and make animal masks.
On Saturday 29 October 2011 at Newington Library, 155 Walworth Road, SE17 1RS
Come along and creat your own African animals such as a freestanding elephant or lion mask, using recycled materials.
On Saturday 8 October 2011 at Nunhead Library, Gordon Road, SE15 3RW
Come and join our fun mask making session where you can choose to make an elephant, giraffe or lion mask.
On Thursday 13 October 2011 at Nunhead Library, Gordon Road, SE15 3RW
Test your knowledge of black history and culture in our fun and informative quiz.
On Thursday 20 October 2011 at Nunhead Library, Gordon Road, SE15 3RW
Make a crazy crocodile out of a range of creative craft materials and listen to an exciting crocodile story.
On Thursday 27 October 2011 at Nunhead Library, Gordon Road, SE15 3RW
Join us for a session of Anansi stories fromGhanaand find out what tricks Anansi is playing on his friends and enemies.
African Caribbean storytelling
On Tuesday 4 October 2011 at Peckham Library, 122 Peckham Hill Street, SE15 5JR
Join in an interactive session using African and Caribbean nursery rhymes, stories and music.
African and Caribbean recipe swap
On Thursday 6 October 2011 at Peckham Library, 122 Peckham Hill Street, SE15 5JR
Come along to Peckham Library with your favourite African and Caribbean recipes and swap them with other local culinary experts.
On Saturday 8 October 2011 at Peckham Library,122Peckham Hill Street,SE15 5JR
Your chance to design a tile inspired the theme of black history and culture, journeys, past, present and future.
Rhyme and reason poetry festival: poetry slam
On Saturday 8 October 2011 at Peckham Library, 122 Peckham Hill Street, SE15 5JR
Aspire Creativity and Southwark libraries present an evening focusing on spoken word skills and performance. Anyone can enter and the panel of judges will vote for the prize winner of the slam.
Rhyme and reason poetry festival: Patience Agbabi
On Wednesday 12 October 2011 at Peckham Library, 122 Peckham Hill Street, SE15 5JR
Part of the rhyme and reason poetry festival: Patience Agbabi, acclaimed poet and performer.
Our roots: talk and presentation by cartoonist Tayo Fatunla
On Friday 14 October 2011 at Peckham Library, 122 Peckham Hill Street, SE15 5JR
Join celebrated cartoonist Tayo Fatunla as he talks about his work and book Our Roots, which celebrates a range of black heroes throughout history.
On Monday 15 August 2011 atPeckham Library, 122 Peckham Hill Street, SE15 5JR
Learn about, and make, animals from the African continent using recycled materials.
Journeys to Peckham: personal stories from local writers
On Thursday 20 October 2011 at Peckham Library, 122 Peckham Hill Street, SE15 5JR
Join Sandra Agard in celebrating the personal stories and memories of the journeys local people have taken to be able to live in Peckham today.
Constance Briscoe at Peckham Library
On Saturday 22 October 2011 at Peckham Library, 122 Peckham Hill Street, SE15 5JR
Acclaimed author and barrister Constance Briscoe will be talking about her life and discussing her new novel ‘The Accused’.
Make African musical instruments
On Tuesday 25 October 2011 at Peckham Library, 122 Peckham Hill Street, SE15 5JR
Using recycled materials, make a variety of African instruments, such as drums, shakers, and rain sticks. Learn about traditional African instruments and make and decorate one to take home.
Black Flash: A Century of Black Footballers film screening
On Wednesday 26 October 2011 at Peckham Library, 122 Peckham Hill Street, SE15 5JR
Author Phil Vasili presents a screening of the BBC4 documentary Black Flash: A Century of Black Footballers.
On Saturday 29 October 2011 atPeckham Library, 122 Peckham Hill Street, SE15 5JR
Children, use your imagination to make a variety of African masks that show different moods.
On Saturday 1 October 2011 – Monday 31 October 2011 at Camberwell Library, 17-21 Camberwell Church Street, SE5 8TR
A literary installation on the subject of black British icons at Camberwell library for the month featuring work led by spoken word artist Mark Thompson.
Beautiful Southwark: celebrating life stories of black elders at the Southwark Pensioners Centre
On Friday 7 October 2011 at Southwark Pensioners Centre, 305-307 Camberwell Road, SE5 0HQ
Look back with the reminiscence workshops at the Southwark Pensioners Centre, celebrating the life stories of elders from the black and minority ethnic community.
Beautiful Southwark: celebrating life stories of black elders at the Southwark Pensioners Centre
On Friday 14 October 2011 at Southwark Pensioners Centre, 305-307 Camberwell Road, SE5 0HQ
Look back with the reminiscence workshops at the Southwark Pensioners Centre, celebrating the life stories of elders from the black and minority ethnic community.
Beautiful Southwark: celebrating life stories of black elders at the Southwark Pensioners Centre
On Friday 28 October 2011 at Southwark Pensioners Centre, 305-307 Camberwell Road, SE5 0HQ
Look back with the reminiscence workshops at the Southwark Pensioners Centre, celebrating the life stories of elders from the black and minority ethnic community.
Beautiful Southwark: celebrating life stories of black elders at the Southwark Pensioners Centre
On Friday 21 October 2011 at Southwark Pensioners Centre, 305-307 Camberwell Road, SE5 0HQ
Look back with the reminiscence workshops at the Southwark Pensioners Centre, celebrating the life stories of elders from the black and minority ethnic community.
On Saturday 8 October 2011 at Meeting outside John Harvard Library, 211Borough High Street, SE1 1JA
Join us for a guided black history walk through nearly 300 years of the black presence in Southwark and meet those that changed history, as well as those whose lives were unsung.
On Saturday 8 October 2011 at Imperial War Museum London, Lambeth Road, SE1 6HZ
Your chance to examine objects from the First World War collection and learn more of the personal stories of black soldiers who fought for the British Empire on the Western Front and in Palestine.
Silver sounds at the Aylesbury Estate
On Thursday 13 October 2011 at Thurlow Lodge, 1a Thurlow Street, SE17 2US
Silver sounds, the famous event for mature clubbers.
On Saturday 15 October 2011 at Imperial War Museum London, Lambeth Road, SE1 6HZ
Stephen’s illustrated talk will highlight some of the forgotten Britons he features in the book including the community leaders Dr Harold Moody and Learie Constantine.
CoolTan Arts Largactyl Shuffle: Black History Walk
On Saturday 17 September 2011 at Maudsley Hospital, Denmark Hill, SE5 8AZ
The Largactyl Shuffle group offers peer support and an open and friendly environment with like-minded people. Join in, learn and share Southwark’s history!
On Saturday 29 October 2011 at Hilton London Tower Bridge, 5 More London Place, Tooley Street, SE1 2BY
The BBA provides the platform for you to mingle with your professional peers, international diplomats and celebrities, borough councillors and mayor.
The Young Black and Successful forum 2011
On Thursday 27 October 2011 at London South Bank University, SE1 LN
Come and take part in a positive conversation to build the community and strengthen the voice of black youth.
The Salmon Youth Centre black history month experience
On Monday 31 October 2011 at Salmon Youth Centre, 43 Old Jamaica Road, SE16 4TE
Enjoy performances by Salmon young people through music, dance, drumming, and poetry, with special guest artists that will bring the roof down.
On Thursday 20 October 2011 at Harris Primary Academy, Peckham Park, Marmont Road, SE15 5TD
The Harris Primary Academy annual celebration of black history month involves displays of work and performances by the children from Harris Primary Academy.
On Tuesday 18 October 2011 at The Amigo Hall, St. George’s RC, Cathedral, Lambeth Road, SE1 (near The Imperial War Museum).
The seminar will look at historic issues but will also focus on current and contemporary forms of slavery domestic slavery, and unfair wages. Ending with lunch.
Explore your Caribbean ancestry
On Wednesday 26 October 2011 at Peckham Library, 122 Peckham Hill Street, SE15 5JR
Who do you think you are? Unlock the treasures of the archive and search your family history.
B-One: Ekh Bengali celebration event
On Wednesday 26 October 2011 at Unit 226-228, Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre,SE1 6TB
Join us for a celebration to mark the achievements of B-One.
On Tuesday 18 October 2011 – Sunday 23 October 2011 at Unicorn Theatre,147 Tooley Street, London SE1 2HZ
Tayo Aluko and Friends present Call Mr Robeson. Paul Robeson was a famous actor, singer and civil rights campaigner.
On Thursday 6 October 2011 at Michael Croft Theatre, Alleyn’s School, Townley Road, Dulwich, London SE22 8SU
In celebration of Black History Month 2011, Gazebo Theatre Company are proud to present ‘Rivers to Cross’, a multi-media journey through time and black history.
Brotherhood of the Cross and Star gala
On Saturday 22 October 2011 at Bird in Bush Centre, 616 Old Kent Road, SE15 1JB
A celebratory Black History Month event with workshops and performances for the entire family.
Nearest tube: Elephant & Castle underground station (Northern and Bakerloo lines).
Nearest Railway Station: Elephant & Castle
Buses from Elephant and Castle: ask bus driver for Burgess Park. Bus numbers: 12, 171, 148, 176, 68, 484, 42, 40, 45