Happy Black History Month to all our readers! For us, every day is worthy of celebrating Black History, but October offers an opportunity for everyone in the UK to acknowledge the contribution of Black people in Britain. Check out our guide for some of the best events taking place across London during October.
Southwark LGBT Network’s screening: Rafiki, Thursday 10 October 2019
During Black History Month, the Southwark LGBT Network will be hosting a screening of the ground-breaking film, Rafiki. Set in Nairobi, Rafiki is a love story between two young women in a country that still criminalizes homosexuality. The film follows their experience as a lesbian couple. Wanuri Kahiu’s Rafiki was the first Kenyan feature to ever screen at Cannes Film Festival.
Date: Thursday 10 October 2019, 6.30pm – 8.30pm
Price: Free
Book here
Location: Peckhamplex, 95A Rye Lane, SE15 4ST
King’s College London and Reparations for Slavery, Thursday 10 October 2019
Join the Department of History at King’s this Black History Month to hear Professor Richard Drayton talk about the issues of reparations for slavery. The event will explore the arguments for reparations and whether King’s should follow the example of the University of Glasgow, which in August 2019 announced it would commit £20 million to reparations.
Date: Thursday, 10 October 2019, 4.15pm – 6pm
Price: Free.
Email history@kcl.ac.uk to book
Location: Kings College London, Strand Campus, Strand, WC2R 2LS
Royal African Society: South Sudan’s Injustice System: Law and Activism on the Frontline, Thursday, 10 October 2019
Focusing on Dr Rachel Ibreck’s newly published book ‘South Sudan’s Injustice System: Law and Activism on the Frontline, Royal African Society will be hosting an event focused on the ongoing political and economic turmoil in Sudan. Dr Rachel will examine people’s lived experiences as they navigate South Sudan’s fledgling justice system, as well as the courageous efforts of lawyers, activists, and ordinary citizens to assert their rights and hold the government to account. Confirmed speakers include Alex de Waal, Executive Director of the World Peace Foundation and Benjamin Avelino of South Sudanese Community Leadership.
Date: Thursday, 10 October, 2019, 7pm – 8.30pm
Price: Free
Book here
Location: Khalili Lecture Theatre, SOAS, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London WC1H 0XG
PJs & Lipstick: Ladies Night In, Saturday 12 October 2019
An event where you can where your pyjamas while sipping on a cocktail? Sign us up! Check out the PJ’s & Lipstick Ladies Night In, hosted by LTA Productions, a products and events company established by British Nigerian, Lola Adekoya. The event aims to bring Black women together to share insight and experiences on navigating careers, finances and relationships. Confirmed speakers include Nigerian actress Dorcas Shola Fapson, Lawyer and Fashion & Travel influencer Ifé Dorgu, and Presenter Blessing Boyega.
Date: Saturday 12 October 2019, 6pm – 11pm
Price: Tickets start from £25
Book here
Location: Secret location in London.
Watch The Fisherman, a play showing until Saturday 12 October 2019
Chigozie Obioma’s Man Booker Prize-nominated novel, The Fishermen (read our review here), about two Nigerian men fishing in a river that’s off-limits has been made into a feature-length play, now showing at Trafalgar Studios 2 in London’s West End following two sell-out runs at the Arcola Theatre. A crazy man makes a dangerous prophecy that threatens the lives and family of Ben and Obembe forever. This play will have you at the edge of your seat, grab your tickets fast!
Date: Until Saturday 12 October 2019
Price: From £24
Book here
Location: Trafalgar Studios, 14 Whitehall, Westminster, London SW1A 2DY
Black Girl Fest 2019, Saturday 12 October 2019
Founded by Nicole Crentsil and Paula Akpan, Black Girl Fest is the UK’s first arts and culture festival dedicated to celebrating the achievement of black women and girls. The theme, ‘Taking up Space’, will focus on how to break down barriers and create new seats at tables across various industries whilst championing inclusivity. The event will feature a variety of workshops and panels including speakers such as Tolani Shoneye, award winning writer and one-third of The Receipts Podcast, Dawn Butler MP and PR expert Ronke Lawal. Tickets have now sold out, but keep an eye out for refunded tickets.
Date: Saturday 12 October 2019, 10am – 6pm
Price: Sold out, waiting list now opened here
Location: Business Design Centre, 52 Upper Street, N1 0QH
Invest Africa: The Future for Africa’s Agribusiness Industry, Tuesday 15 October 2019
Business and investment platform, Invest Africa, will be hosting an event focused on one of Africa’s most promising sectors. Agriculture has always been at the heart of the African economy and continues to play a central role in Africa’s growth story. The event will explore the challenges and opportunities, and how the continent can benefit from this sector. Confirmed speakers include Rosalind Kainyah MBE founder and Managing Director, and Frank Braeken, Chairman of Feronia.
Date: Tuesday 15 October 2019, 12.30pm – 2.30pm
Price: Free
Register interest here
Location: DLA Piper, 160 Aldersgate St, London EC1A 4HT
BoxPark Croydon presents AfroBOX, Thursday 17 October 2019
AfroBOX is a celebration of the continued growth of the sound of Africa – across the continent, throughout the diaspora, most especially in the UK. Hosted by Croydon resident, artist/producer SILVASTONE, confirmed guests include DJ Bill Gates and DJ EMZ.
Date: Thursday 17 October 2019, 8pm – 1am
Price: Free
Book here
Location: Boxpark Croydon, 99 George St, CR0 1LD
‘Black Literary History: An African Perspective’, Thursday 17 October 2019
With a focus on black literacy history, Inua Ellams (‘The Half God of Rainfall’, ‘Barbershop Chronicles’), Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi (‘Kintu’ and ‘Manchester Happened’), and Sylvia Arthur (founder of ‘Libreria Ghana’) will be discussing the historical importance of African literary tradition. This event is curated by Literandra in support of Libreria Ghana and its literacy outreach programmes.
Date: Thursday 17 October 2019, 7pm – 8.30pm
Price: £5.70
Book here
Location: Libreria Bookshop, Spitalfields, London
Startup 54: Africa Tech 2.0, Friday 18 – Sunday 20 October 2019
Startup 54 brings together ambitious changemakers and aspiring tech entrepreneurs to form teams, build prototypes and launch business ventures to address Africa’s biggest challenges. This year, they’ll be hosting a three-day experience designed to launch new ventures that have a strong impact and contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Entrepreneurs will be immersed in the ideal environment for start-up magic to happen. Tickets are selling out fast hurry if you’re interested. Confirmed speakers include Kwasi Affum – VP of Impact Assessment at Barclays Investment Bank and Gosbert Chagula – Ecosystem Manager at Exeter Velocities a Venture Capital & private equity firm.
Date: Friday 18 – Sunday 20 October 2019
Price: £27.54
Book here
Location: Travers Smith LLP, 2-3 Hosier Lane, Farringdon, EC1A 9LX
Heaux Noire, Friday 18 October 2019
Southbank Centre is hosting a night celebration for womxn of colour through poetry and music at a night hosted by spoken word platform Heaux Noire. There’ll be performances from Ugandan poet Maxine Sibihwana and soul singer Teshay Makeda.
Date: Friday 18 October 2019, 6.30pm – 8.30pm
Price: £7-£10, including £3 booking fee
Book here
Location: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, Lambeth, SE1 8XX
Box Park Talks with Monikah Lee, Wednesday 23 October 2019
Curated by presenter Monikah Lee, Boxpark Talks is back this month with special guests to discuss topics relating to Black History Month. Set to be the ‘Question Time for the new generation’, the platform invites panelists and attendees to discuss social, political and engaging issues that are affecting our society. Confirmed speakers include Shannie Mears, Chief Talent Officer at the Elephant Room and podcaster, DISUNOMICS.
Date: Wednesday 23 October 2019, 7pm – 10pm
Price: Free
Book here
Location: Boxpark Shoreditch, 2-10 Bethnal Green Road, E1 6GY
CURLYTREATS, Natural Afro Hair Show, Saturday 26 October 2019
Back by popular demand, is this year’s CURLYTREATS. As the biggest event celebrating natural hair in the UK, the CURLYTREATS mission is to create a transformational experience that inspires positivity, joy and empowerment! they’ve helped thousands of people embrace their natural hair textures, isn’t it about time you joined the party?
Date: Saturday 26 October 2019, 12pm – 7pm
Book here
Location: Novotel London Hammersmith, Hammersmith International Ctre 1, Shortlands, London W6 8DR
Dutchman, Tuesday 8 – Saturday 26 October 2019
Drawing tense parallels between Black Lives Matter and the Civil Rights Movement, Dutchman is Amiri Baraka’s award-winning one-act play, revolving around two characters: Lula, a white woman, and Clay, a black man. It lands right at the intersectionality of race, gender and class to present an explosive exploration of white privilege, masculinity, power and sexuality. Presented by Outer Gaea Company and Théâtre Libre, the play will be revived in theatre this month to challenge the progress of racial equality by asking how much has really changed.
Date: Tuesday 8 – 26 October 2019
Price: £10-£12
Book here
Location: Tristan Bates Theatre, 1A Tower St, London WC2H 9NP
Hair Care Revolution – #Secret Sauce, Sunday 27 October 2019
The latest Afro Hair Care Revolution Pop-up experience is back once again for a very special Black History Month spectacular! Join the team for a celebration of the versatility of black hair and our innate beauty! What to expect? High energy education, action packed activities and shows as well as unmatched entertainment to start the winter in style! Come and find out why they are calling this event “The Secret Sauce”!
Date: Sunday 27 October 2019, 11am – 6pm
Book here
Location: 1 Hoe street, Walthamstow, London, E17 4SD
Barclays Black History Month: What’s Your Worth Workshop, Tuesday 29 October 2019
The last event in Barclay’s Black History Month series, will be the ‘What’s Your Worth Workshop’. During this event, you will hear from Afro-Caribbean individuals from different industries sharing their stories of success, and more importantly, how they learnt their worth. Topics covered will include career progression, personal branding and how to approach applications and CVs.
Date: Tuesday 29 October 2019, 5.30pm – 10pm
Price: Free
Book here
Location: The Atrium Level 30 – Barclays, 1 Churchill Place, E14 5HP
Waterstones x Literandra: Normalise! African Literature in Focus, Thursday 31 October 2019
Literary blog Literandra, will be hosting a book event in collaboration with Waterstones. The event will see Sulaiman Addonia(‘Silence is My Mother Tongue’, ‘The Consequences of Love’), Leye Adenle (‘When Trouble Sleep’, ‘Easy Motion Tourist’) and Ola Awonubi (‘Naija Love Stories’, ‘Love’s Persuasion‘) discuss the role of African literature in history, its role in the world literary canon, and the ways in which we can normalise the presence of works by African authors in the global mainstream. Subscribe to Literandra here to receive a special discount.
Date: Thursday 31 October 2019, 6.30pm
Price: £10 / £8 students
Book here
Location: Waterstones, 82 Gower Street, WC1E 6EQ
Croydon Museum Windrush Exhibitions, Until 31 October 2019
“All Island Together” have curated a free Croydon Windrush Exhibition. Closing on the 31 October 2019, the exhibition shows personal artefacts donated by the Croydon Windrush generation from the 40s, 50s and early 60s. Do check out this incredible exhibition.
Date: Open until Thursday 31 October 2019
Price: Free
Book here
Location: Croydon Museum Windrush Exhibition, Katharine Street, CRO 1NT
