October is Black History Month in the UK
Black History Month 2024 is the chance to recognise and celebrate the contribution of Black people to British culture and society. The theme for this year is ‘Reclaiming Narratives’, so it’s an invitation to the Black community, its storytellers and its historians to take ownership of their stories and culture as a way to correct inaccurate narratives, and to shine a light on unsung heroes. There are a whole host of events running throughout October, from markets to exhibitions to walking tours, so here’s how to get involved.
Black Culture Market
The Black Culture Market is back this October with an edition for Black History Month, giving Londoners the chance to support emerging entrepreneurs and businesses of African and Caribbean descent. The market will be returning to its usual venue at Brixton‘s Department Store, stacked with stalls selling unique prints, jewellery, male grooming kits, skincare, gifts & cards, clothes, accessories and more – all from independent Black makers. It’s totally free to attend the market, but you need to register for entry.
Sat 5th & 6th October 2024, 11am – 5pm
Downstairs at The Department Store, 248 Ferndale Road, Brixton, London SW9 8FR
blackculturemarket.co.uk
Seasoned at Mercato Metropolitano Ilford
Mercato Ilford is hosting Seasoned this October, a three-day festival that celebrates Black history through music, food and culture. Across the three days there’ll be African drumming and dance workshops, a Caribbean pop-up store, Ethiopian coffee ceremonies, Afrobeats and reggae DJ sets, and of course, plenty of African, Caribbean, Creole and soul food on offer.
Fri 18th – Sun 20th October 2024
3 Chadwick Rd, Ilford, IG1 1EQ
mercatometropolitano.com
Black History Walks
Black History Walks runs walking tours and talks around London all year long but this October, there’s a Secrets of Soho Black History Walk that looks into the area between Soho Square and Russell Square, touching on ancient African civilisations, Black WWII heroes and Black women broadcasters. There’s also a Hackney Black History Walk that covers activism and civil rights in the area, black music history, revolution via reading, and gentrification.
Sat 19th & Sun 20th October 2024
Various locations
blackhistorywalks.co.uk
City of London: Slave Trade Money Trail Tour
Run by Black Rooted and led by historian Darrell Blake, this tour explores the links between the transatlantic slave trade and the City of London, diving into the way that chattel slavery and imports from the colonies kept the streets paved with gold and made merchants and bankers incredibly wealthy.
Sat 19th & Sat 26th October 2024
City of London
blackhistorymonth.org.uk
Making a rukus! Exhibition at Somerset House
The Making a rukus! Black Queer Histories through Love and Resistance exhibition at Somerset House explores the radical world of the rukus! Federation, an art project and living archive dedicated to contemporary Black LGBTQIA+ cultural and political history. Artist and rukus! Federation co-founder Topher Campbell is curating the show, which features over 200 objects that celebrate the work of Black Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans artists and activists, highlighting how they created space for their community, celebrated friendship and joy, documented their experiences and continue to do so.
Opens Fri 11th October 2024
Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 1LA
somersethouse.org.uk
Classically Black at Kings Place
Kings Place is shining a light on Black and ethnic minority musicians and composers with Classically Black this October. The event will feature The Sound of Classically Black show by singer-songwriter, cellist and composer Ayanna Witter-Johnson; new works from composers Pete Letanka, Jason Yarde and Julian Joseph; and an emerging talent showcase.
Sat 19th October 2024
90 York Way, London, N1 9AG
kingsplace.co.uk
The Wickedest with Caleb Femi
Writer, director, former Young People’s Laureate for London and award-winning poet Caleb Femi is at West Norwood Library to discuss his latest poetry collection, The Wickedest, which is a minute-by-minute depiction of a night at a legendary house party.
Tues 22nd October 2024
1-5 Norwood High Street, London, SE27 9JX
lambeth.gov.uk
Bob Marley: One Love Screening
Shepherd’s Bush Market is teaming up with The New Black Film Collective for a free BHM screening of Bob Marley: One Love, which shows how the legendary musician overcame adversity to create revolutionary music. The screening starts at 7pm and is followed by a Q&A, get tickets here.
Thurs 24th October 2024
Arch 172a, Shepherd’s Bush Market, Uxbridge Road, London W12 8DF
shepherdsbushmarket.org
Ghetts at the London Literature Festival
Co-curator of the London Literature Festival at the Southbank Centre, Ghetts is celebrating the links between poetry and music across two nights. First he’ll be performing live on Sat 26th October and on Sun 27th October, he’ll be bringing together the likes of Yomi Ṣode, Belinda Zhawi, Namesbliss and DC for performances and conversations on poetry and rap.
Sat 26th & Sun 27th October 2024
Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, London SE1 8XX
southbankcentre.co.uk