Black History Month
The theme for Black History Month 2023 is Celebrating Our Sisters. We are joining together with partners and local community groups to offer a broad programme of events celebrating the history, achievements and contributions of the borough’s African Caribbean communities this October and beyond – read on for full details.
#ADAPT Black History Harvest
Sunday 1 October, 11.30am – 3pm | Coco Collective- Ital Community Gardens, Entry is via the black gate next to 75 Firhill Road, SE6 3SE | Free
Following the success of last year’s Black History Harvest comes a programme for the younger generations. Expect food growing workshop for children and young people, discussions on adapting to climate change, harvesting crops and talking through tropical foods from the diaspora. Organisation: Coco Collective Community Hub
Book your free ticket for #ADAPT Black History Harvest.
75 Years and Counting
Thursday 5 October, 11.30am – 2.30pm | Honor Oak Community Centre, SE4 2JD | £3
This intimate exhibition will comprise shared experiences of the Windrush and NHS – both of which turned 75 this year – from members of the Honor Oak Community Association Over-55s group and the wider 60 Up group. It will include a cookery demonstration, light refreshments, limber up/dance session and a self-care workshop. Organisation: 60 Up CIC
To book, email info@60up.org.uk or call 020 3667 3704.
Gallery In The Air
Saturday 7/ 14/ 21/ 28 October | Deptford Market Yard, SE8 | Free
A fantastic series of free, open-air exhibitions giving a platform to local young, black artists. Taking place each Saturday throughout October from 10am – 4pm in Deptford Market Yard. There will also be an indoor space showcasing and celebrating the rich heritage and history of Britain’s black communities – from miners to dockworkers, from Britain’s Black Panthers to the roots of the Notting Hill Carnival.
Organisation: Lewisham African Initiative Development (LAID)
Celebrating Our Sisters: Black Female Artists Honouring Black History Month
Monday 16 – Sunday 22 October | Pop Up At Brockley, 16-18 Brockley Cross, SE4 | Free
A curated collection celebrating black sisterhood. Enjoy paintings, photography, sculpture and multimedia installations created exclusively by black female artists which pays tribute to the collective experiences of black women. This is an inclusive space that uplifts, inspires, and acknowledges the invaluable contributions black women have made in the borough, the UK and beyond. Opens Monday 16 October at 6pm. Organisation: Lewisham Art House
Opening hours: Tuesday-Friday 11am-6pm, Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 11am-4pm
Black Book Festival
Saturday 21 October, 11am – 7pm | Goldsmiths, University of London, SE14 6NW | Free
This grassroots festival will showcase the Black community’s worldwide contribution to literature and books. Visitors can browse 30 stalls which showcase African-Caribbean books. It includes opportunities to hear from new and exciting Black authors, family sessions and workshops for budding writers, publishers and those who would like to understand more about the global book industry. Organisation: Ebony Education CIC
This event is free attend but there is a cost for some of the seminars – please book ahead.
Holbeach Black History Month Celebration Day
Saturday 21 October | Holbeach Primary School, SE6 4TP | Free
Africa has provided a rich tapestry of art and culture. This Black History Month (BHM) Holbeach Primary – a diverse school, in a diverse borough – would like to celebrate African culture through interactive workshops in storytelling, drumming, dancing and art. The celebration will be open to 457 students and their family and friends. Organisation: Friends of Holbeach
Phoenix Black History Month
Tuesday 24 October | The Green Man, 335 Bromley Road, SE6 2RP | Free
The event will include talks, arts and craft activities, a health and being zone, a interactive quiz game on Windrush history both locally and nationally. Short film screenings, information stalls, food and refreshments will also be available. Organisation: Phoenix Community Housing
Sanctuary Cafe Remembrance Salon
Friday 27 October, 1pm-3.30pm | Lewisham Shopping Centre, SE13 7HB | Free
A free day-long programme at Lewisham Shopping Centre. Its focal point is the life size 3D sculpture of Stella Headley – local educator, activist and pirate radio innovator – created by blind artist, John Johnson for the Liberty Festival as part of Lewisham Borough of Culture. While visiting the exhibit, people will have the opportunity to share their reflections on film, creating an archive of local memories and stories that make Lewisham. Organisation: RMUK Wellbeing CIC
Bring Me Sunshine Celebrates Our Sisters
Saturday 28 October, 11am-3pm | Brownhill Baptist Church, SE6 1AU | Free
A celebration for local elders honouring Black contributions to the borough and beyond. Expect R&B line dancing, a local steel band, a photography exhibition an opportunity for young and old from Bring Me Sunshine and Goldsmiths dance academy to perform a dance and song. There will be a Caribbean lunch and refreshments organised by the Brownhill Baptist church community sourced from local vendors. This is a free event, for people over 60. Organisation: Bring Me Sunshine/ Lewisham Churches Care
Email Lesley Allen to reserve your place at Bring Me Sunshine Celebrates Our Sisters.
Pioneers and Places ‘23
Moonshot Centre, New Cross | Time and date tba
Head to the Moonshot Centre for this brilliant interactive heritage exhibition which weaves archive film, images, costumes and ephemera, to celebrate the culture and share the history of African, Caribbean and diaspora communities in the UK.Organisation: IRIE! Dance Theatre
Library Events
Beyond Windrush: Tracing African and Caribbean Ancestry with Paul Crooks
Tuesday 17 October, 6.30 – 8pm | Catford Library | 23-24 Winslade Way, SE6 4JU | Free
Paul Crooks, a Genealogy Specialist and Black history speaker, will discuss tracing Black British ancestry and how he overcame specific barriers in family history research in this masterclass.
Book your free slot at Beyond Windrush: Tracing African and Caribbean Ancestry.
Heritage Talk with Tamara Brown
Thursday 19 October, 6.30pm | Manor House Library | 34 Old Rd, SE13 5SY | Free
Tamara Brown will give a talk based on her dissertation, exploring Windrush and communism.
Black History Family Workshop
Tuesday 24 October, 2-3pm | Catford Library | 23-24 Winslade Way, SE6 4JU | Free
A free family workshop for children aged 4 to 11 and their families which focuses on the positive historical achievements and contributions of Black people in Britain. It will include a range of resources and activities, including recommended books and videos.
Book the Black History Family Workshop.
Isis Meets Isis
Saturday 28 October, 2-4pm | Catford Library | 23-24 Winslade Way, SE6 4JU | Free
Isis Damali is a young girl from Lewisham who wrote this book about her name and her identity. This year we are celebrating sisterhood and Isis can share her story, follows by a craft.
Black Led Business Forum – BHM Event
Tuesday 31 October, 1-9pm | Deptford Lounge | 9 Giffin St, SE8 4RJ | Free
This event this will be a celebration of Black entrepreneurship and a chance to connect with local businesses and business support, wherever you are on your business journey.
Book your place at the Black-led business Forum’s BHM event.
Broadway Theatre events
Angie Le Mar – The Final Bow
Sunday 1 October | Tickets from £25
Brace yourselves for the most unforgettable night of the year! Get ready to be dazzled by the one and only Angie Le Mar in her Final Bow, and trust us, you won’t want to miss a single moment of this ground-breaking event!
Credit Crunch Comedy
Saturday 7 October | Tickets from £15
The popular comedy show returns for one night with some of the biggest comedians in the UK hitting the stage for a belly busting night of hilarious comedy. More funny for your money.
We Are Windrush
Saturday 21 October | Tickets from £20
Reggae Choir presents We Are Windrush, a captivating and soul-stirring event, honouring the rich cultural heritage and profound contributions of the Windrush Generation.
Oliver Samuels in Teet an Tung
Sunday 22 October | Tickets from £37.50
Written and starring the legendary Oliver Samuels the comedy play Teet an Tung is chock full of spicy yard vibe flavors and heats up like a welcome Caribbean sunshine, delivering more laughs per minute than anything you’ve ever seen.
The Front Room: A Windrush Legend
Saturday 28 October | Tickets from £27.50
It’s Sunday afternoon. Aunty Viv and family are coming over so Mother opens The Front Room, turns the Bluespot Gram on, dusts the glass fish and hoovers the Axminster carpet while the Guinness punch is made. Experience this very funny Sunday afternoon in the Windrush Front Room.
