For October’s Black History Month, Lambeth Libraries host free events across the borough in partnership with local organisations and creative partners.
Word from the Cabinet
Cllr Donatus Anyanwu, Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, said: “Join us in celebrating African and Caribbean history and heritage, celebrating our ongoing support for the Windrush generation and wider African and Caribbean communities. The whole month is a wonderful opportunity to discover and celebrate the wide variety of their vital contributions to Lambeth’s culture.”
Books and writers
- Celebrate James Baldwin’s centenary; discuss My Dad Mr Brixton – the Windrush pioneer who helped thousands live in Britain; join Janet Alder to discuss Defiance! – her fight for justice after her brother’s police custody death.
Benjamin Zephaniah
- Discover Maame Blue’s powerful novel The Rest of You; Authors Jendella Benson and Shani Akllah explore shared themes in All That We’ve Got and For Such a Time as This.
- Yasmin Gledhill explores Nazi persecution of the Black German community; Kimberly McIntosh discusses systematic injustice and toxic relationships in Black Girl, No Magic and Mixed Up podcast hosts discuss the true meaning of mixed heritage in The Half of It.
- Lambeth LGBTQ+ book group reads Jason Okundaye’s Revolutionary Acts: love & brotherhood in Black gay Britain.
Culture
- History Month features: Pegasus Opera’s Legacy and Hope concert; Island Movements Windrush modern ballet; mashup video documentary British History, Black Music, Racism & The Music Industry: 1507 to 2020.
- Lambeth Archives celebrate three centuries of Shakespeare in Lambeth, focused on Othello starring Black actors; The Black Men’s Consortium perform.
‘Island Movements’
- Open Mic Poetry and Spoken Word Night celebrates 30 years of National Poetry Day; we honour Benjamin Zephaniah; and Caleb Femi reads The Wickedest – his minute-by-minute depiction of a house party.
- Films include Toni Morrison leading an exploration of race, history, America and the human condition, Beyond the Photo Documentary Screening with Director Cathy Hassan and a free afternoon classic at Tate South Lambeth Film Club.
Business
- Black Culture Market is at the Department Store; hear how Black business shaped Brixton, stories and experiences that need capturing and how to support Black business with a panel of local business owners.
Re-making history
- ‘Reclaiming Narratives’ – making sure Black people’s role in history isn’t overlooked and their stories are told – is vital. Join Lambeth Council to Honour Our Heroes; Embrace Our Stories; Empower and Educate; discuss Decolonising The Curriculum In England’s Schools; learn to get Wikipedia articles about Black individuals and history right with Brixton Library’s edit-a-thon
…. and more
- There’s also art exhibitions, events for children and young people, including a West Norwood Library take-over from Melanin Dreams Bookshop highlighting the best in children’s publishing, and a wellbeing and peace event for people living with chronic pain.
More information
Find full details of what’s on when and where and links to book tickets.
- Website: lambeth.gov.uk/black-history-month
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BHMLambeth/
- Twitter: https://x.com/BHMLambeth
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lambeth_libraries/
- Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/lambeth-libraries-17776185319
