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.
2012 Black History Month highlights
Black people of Panama
Date: Tuesday 2 October
Venue: Waterloo Library
Time: 7pm
2014 commemorates the 100th anniversary of opening of the Panama Canal. Central America as a whole has a major Black population and here Verol Gordon explores their achievements, bringing to light the contribution of an under-recognised people.
Come along and be amazed how the roots are the same even if the flavour of the fruit is different - A shared past, a united present and a vibrant future to be created.
Somos gente orgullosa y unidad africanos en el mundo.
Caribbean through a Lens
To celebrate 50 years of Jamaican and Trinidadian independence, The National Archives is publishing images from the Colonial Office photographic collection on Flickr, the photo sharing website. The hugely diverse collection spans the colonial period to produce a unique resource for Caribbean history.
Some of images remain unidentified, and in order to help, Lambeth Libraries and Archives have joined forces with The National Archives, The Black Cultural Archive and elder groups in Lambeth to add descriptions and names to this great resource.
The work with elders, families and writers aims to put the photo collections in context through workshops and to mutually share these memories and thoughts.
A Colonial view? - A creative writing response to the photographs - workshop led by author Courttia Newland
Date: Saturday 6 October
Venue: Minet Library
Time: 2pm to 4pm
Caribbean through a lens - An illustrated talk, led by The National Archives
Date: Thursday 8 November
Venue: Carnegie Library
Time: 2pm
All welcome - please book.
Africans in Britain - 1500-1640 - Illustrated talk by Dr Miranda Kaufmann
Date: Tuesday 9 October
Venue: Minet Library
Time: 7pm
In 1597, 'Edward Swarthye, alias negro', porter to Sir Edward Wynter in Gloucestershire, testified before a London court that he had whipped another servant, John Guye. Through the prism of this man's life, Dr Kaufmann, who has discovered evidence of over 350 Africans in Britain between 1500-1640, will discuss how Africans came to Tudor England, what work they did and what their legal status was.
Tate South Lambeth Film screenings present: Carnival on film
Date: Wednesday 17 October
Venue: South Lambeth Library
Time: 7pm
Donation £2
Bringing Sunshine to October, Director/Writer Keith Musaman Morton aims to bring Black films to the forefront during Black History Month. For this night Keith brings together four films to look at Carnival on the screen.
The Other side of Carnival by Charysse Tia Harper [45 mins], Fifty in fifteen by Keith Musaman Morton and Charysse Tia Harper [20 mins], A Brief History of Notting Hill Carnival by Lottie Pole and Keith Morton [11 mins] and Panomundo by Keith Musaman Morton and Charysse Tia Harper [7 mins].
Join Keith for a Q&A at the end of the film screenings.
Sons like me
Date: Thursday 18 October
Venue: Brixton Library
Time: 8pm
Sons Like Me is a delicious feast celebrating Black queer voices, the power of Black Erotic, love, attraction, sexuality and desire through poetry, prose and performance.
Sons Like Me will be an international affair - it will include book signing and conversation with international artists including Winston G. James; Jamaican-born poet, author, essayist and editor. Winston is also the author of the Lambda Literary Award and Ferro-Grumley Award finalist collection Shaming the Devil: Collected Short Stories.
Not to be missed.
Fresh Voices: Alex Wheatle introduces new Black writing
Date: Monday 22 October
Venue: Clapham Library
Time: 8pm
Alex Wheatle MBE is the author of seven novels and in his travels comes across some great new writers. Tonight he introduces three new authors to watch out for:
Yvvette Edwards is a British author of Montserratian origin. Her debut novel, A Cupboard Full of Coats, was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize. Irenosen Okojie is a Nigerian London based writer. Her short stories have been published in the UK, Africa and the US. Ernest Alanki is the author of The Chocolate Shop Perverts and many short stories published in literary journals on three different continents. He was born in Cameroon.
Speaking Truth to Power - A Caribbean Culture of Ritual Resistance through the lyrics of the Political Calypso
Date: Tuesday 23 October
Venue: Clapham Library
Time: 7pm
The calypso forms an integral part of the cultural carnival celebration of many Caribbean communities. A principal objective of this talk will be to understand the function of the calypsonian as an agent of non-governmental political action.
The music will show how through these Calypsos, the skilful calypsonian, uses verbal creativity to freely comment on aspects of life, while exposing political improprieties, as calypsonians redress the powerful. This highly engaging and interactive talk will be led by Dr Everard Phillips author of The Political Calypso: a Socio-Linguistic Process of Conflict Transformation.
Black Feminist workshop
Date: Wednesday 24 October
Venue: Brixton Library
Time: 7pm
This workshop will provide a space for women who are 'black' in the political sense. The workshop will aim to discuss the racism and sexism that we experience in our lives and the forms that patriarchy takes in our own communities. Recognising we live in structures of domination and oppression that are racist, neo-colonialist as well as being patriarchal, the workshop aims to offer a safe space where women are able to discuss and share experiences and thoughts in sisterhood and solidarity.
A Hip Hop History - from its origins in the urban hell of 1970s Bronx to the Age of Bling!
Date: Wednesday 31 October
Venue: West Norwood Library
Time: 6pm
For fans of Black history, music and politics, this multimedia presentation on the most popular musical genre is a 'must see' event for BHM.
Exploring the 5 Elements of Hip Hop, it's a timely reminder of the art form that gave a voice to the voiceless. Presented by Rashid Nix of Genesis Radio, an avowed Hip Hopologist, he takes you on a journey from its roots in 1970s South Bronx to the current day era of Bling and beyond.
www.mentoringworkshop.co.uk
Trini-Riddims with Roger Robinson
Date: Thursday 1 November
Venue: Streatham Library
Time: 7pm
Join poet and musician Roger Robinson for an evening of verse and song. Roger reads from his own work and other notable Trinidadian writers in this lyrical celebration as the self confessed carnival party island celebrates its 50th year of independence.
Afrikan Food Hall feasibility group launch party
Date: Saturday 10 November
Venue: Brixton Library
Time: 7.30pm
Launch of the Afrikan Food Hall feasibility group. On the night you will hear some of south London's sharpest poets and most soulful singers around. Also you can shake the winter blues away with the help of a fantastic group of West Afrikan drummers. There will be delicious Afrikan/Caribbean food and drinks available and more information on the Afrikan Food Hall project for Brixton.
Please register for free tickets at progress@theafrikanfamilyworks.net Contact Sundjata on 07783 188 100
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 young people with Christopher Syrus as well as an Autumn Festival of Caribbean Crafts.
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.