The new ‘Alex Wheatle Reading Room’ at Brixton Library in Windrush Square, which he visited regularly, will be launched at the special event to celebrate his life on Wednesday 4, February. The event is being held in partnership with the 2026 Stepping Into Stories Kids’ Lit Fest.
Cllr Donatus Anyanwu, Lambeth’s Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, said: “Alex was a giant of storytelling and a formidable and authentic voice for his community, so we were really keen to work with his family to honour his legacy.
“Many of his early books are based on his life in Brixton as a teenager and his time in social services’ care bringing to light so many important issues that faced Black communities in Lambeth and the experience of the Windrush Generation.
“At the heart of Alex’s work was his commitment to inspiring our next generation of writers, and to unlocking people’s creativity and ambition, no matter their background or walk of life. Alex was a regular and generous supporter of Lambeth Libraries, and also inspired thousands of children through his workshops and talks.”
Following sessions with young people to celebrate Alex’s life and work, the event will feature other award-winning authors who have been influenced by Alex, reading from his work and sharing recollections of his influence.
The event centrepiece will be the unveiling and official re-naming of a room as the ‘Alex Wheatle Reading Room’ at Brixton Library, where future generations of readers and writers will find a space to develop their own creative practice, away from the pressures of the world, and to keep his legacy of ‘writing for all’ alive.
This event will also launch Lambeth’s libraries National Year of Reading programme and a new Black Classic Literature Collection which brings together timeless works in a curated selection of novels, essays, memoirs and poetry.
For more information visit eventbrite.co.uk.
