Lambeth Black History Month

Welcome to this year's Lambeth Black History Month celebrations, managed by Lambeth Libraries and Archives services.

We are pleased to introduce this year's programme crammed full of a inspirational, fun and thought provoking events to celebrate Black History throughout October. We hope you will enjoy this showcase of creative and artistic talent and join us in celebrating this exciting annual event. Here are some of the highlights for this year but for a full brochure of all the events on offer pick one up at our local Lambeth Library or download a copy of the brochure.

Please note that booking is essential for all events – please contact Libraries bookings on 0207 926 1075 or on blackhistorymonth@lambeth.gov.uk.

2011 Black History Month highlights

Martin Luther King Jnr - Richard Reddie 

Date: Wednesday 5 October 
Venue: South Lambeth Library
Time: 7pm

Martin Luther King's public life lasted only 13 years - yet in that time he changed the USA's attitude to civil rights forever. Richard Reddie, in his new book, provides a lively, highly informative, thought-provoking reappraisal of this famous man, showing how King was not a 'moderate' but a radical individual whose ideas on peace, poverty, social justice and equality were well ahead of his time and still relevant today.

Richard Reddie was Project Director for the Churches Together, Education Policy Officer for Race on the Agenda
and author of Black Muslims in Britain.

Gifted at Primary, Failing at Secondary

Date: Thursday 6 October
Venue: Brixton Library
Time: 7pm

What distractions does your child have in their bedroom? A television? A stereo? A games console? A mobile phone? Is this the same room where you expect them to do homework?

Neil Mayers is a former Head of GCSE Maths, Head of Inclusion and Head of Year. He has helped entire classes pass GCSE maths as early as Year 8. He is the author of Gifted At Primary, Failing By Secondary: a manual to help parents support their children through school.

Neil will be delivering a free workshop and Q&A session based on his book, at Brixton Library – all welcome.

www.giftedatprimary.com

Malika Booker & Roger Robinson present – Absolution and Shadow Boxer

Date: Wednesday 12 October
Venue: Brixton Library
Time: 7pm

In 2001 Malika Booker and Roger Robinson were individually commissioned by Apples and Snakes to devise solo shows. 2011 marks a decade since these landmark solo shows Shadow Boxer and Absolution were performed.

Now they are to be commemorated and conserved in the form of two limited edition spoken-word albums and to celebrate Black History Month this October both artists will perform excerpts of these two shows together for a limited engagement.

Don’t miss what looks like being a fantastic poetry happening

Ansel Wong – Trinidadian activist - illustrated talk by Anne-Marie Sandos from the Black Cultural Archive

Date: Thursday 20 October
Venue: Streatham Library
Time: 7pm

Ansel Wong came to Britain from Trinidad in the 1960s and went on to be chairman of the West Indian Students Union, editing a number of their publications and contributing articles. His arts organisation, the Black Arts Workshop, regularly held workshop sessions and staged productions with the support of the Union.

From then on his career ranged from setting up schools in Brixton for young people disadvantaged by the education system, through to Dept CEO of Lambeth Council and working on the GLC. His activism continued through tireless work with numerous voluntary groups and writing for Grassroots Newspaper, the monthly publication of the Black Liberation Front, using the pseudonym of Ade Kimathi.

In 2008 Ansel’s papers were donated to the Black Cultural Archives in one large chest – come along and hear about the work of the BCA and the uncovering of one man's work.

Lambeth Life through the Lens – Creative Writing workshop with Courttia Newland

Date: Saturday 22 October
Venue: Minet Library
Time: 10am – 4pm

Using Harry Jacobs wonderful book, and collection of photographs of Brixtonians from the 1950s to 1990s you will do fun exercises, and imagine a world gone by. Discover real life characters and how life was lived in this vibrant corner of south London. A practical workshop for writers of all levels.

Courttia Newland is the author of six books. His latest, A Book of Blues, was published in March 2011 and nominated for the Frank O’ Conner Award. He also writes for the stage and screen.

A Time for New Dreams – Ben Okri

Date: Wednesday 26 October
Venue: Brixton Library
Time: 7pm

Booker-winning novelist and one of Britain's foremost poets, Ben Okri is a passionate advocate of the written word. In A Time for New Dreams he breaks new ground in a collection of linked essays which address such diverse themes as self-censorship, the role of beauty, the importance of education and the real significance of the recent economic meltdown.
Proving that 'true literature tears up the script' of how we see ourselves, A Time for New Dreams is provocative and thought-provoking whilst asking profound questions about who we are and the future that awaits us.
Don’t miss this – an absolute highlight of the year – booking essential.

JA Incorporated - ‘Fees and Disillusion’ – live and direct!

Date: Friday 28 October
Venue: Brixton Library
Time: 7pm

The Mighty J.A. Incorporated, featuring Steven Gibbs (ten/sop sax & Riddim Box sound system style) Guest Star Paul Coates (Keyboards, Piano), present the Premier of ‘Fees and Disillusion’.

Playing live and direct, presenting original Reggae / Dancehall / Jazz Music. This Multi-Media Performance involving, music, visuals and narration gives and takes a hard look into our society from past, present and future generations - the sus laws, the McPherson report, the death of Smiley Culture, Stephen Lawrence, and many more.

How to mend a broken generation to come with LOVE!!!

HANSIB Publications, which specialises in African and Caribbean books, will be giving a short talk before the performance.

Please see brochure for full event listings.

Children's events

We have some wonderful events for children and young people this year including Storytelling and poetry with Sandra Agard and debates and discussion for older young people with Christopher Syrus and Alex Wheatle.

Storytelling across the borough has a distinctive African and Caribbean feel this month so visit your local library and experience Lambeth's Black History Month.

Further information

You can find out more on the Black History Month website.