Lambeth’s Southbank Centre will host the third annual Black British Book Festival this October.
Celebrating Black writers
The Black British Book Festival exists to celebrate and promote Black literature, with a particular focus on Black British authors and emerging talent. The idea originated from Selina Brown in 2021, who aims to break down barriers for Black British writers and provide a platform for their voices.
Word from the Cabinet
Black British Book festival headline events in Lambeth
Cllr Donatus Anyanwu, Lambeth cabinet member for “We are delighted that Lambeth will host the final dates of this UK-wide festival that inspires people to engage with diverse literature, foster inclusivity, and support the creativity of the African and Caribbean communities.”
Stars of the show
The Southbank festival will take place October 27 and 28. Featured writers will include Leigh-Anne Pinnock or world-famous girlband Little Mix, who will launch her memoir “Believe”; dancer Oti Mabuse; Candice Braithwaite, author of ‘I Am Not Your Baby Mother’; Labour MP for Brent Central Dawn Butler, former News at Ten presenter Clive Myrie; author and broadcaster Gary Younge; comedian and model Fats Timbo; entrepreneur and business reality show host Eric Collins, and more.
Making written words more accessible
Leading up to the main festival in October, the Black British Book Festival organised a summer book tour featuring 39 Black British authors such as Joseph Coelho, Derek Owusu, and Jackie Kay. This tour spanned August to October in various locations across the UK, reaching into unconventional spaces for literature like chicken shops and hairdressers. The aim of these literary pop-up events is to democratize literature, making it accessible to a wider audience and reaching communities that don’t see the publishing industry as representing them.
More information
- For more details of the Southbank event and reports from the summer book tour visit the official Black British Book Festival website
- 98% of all the activities in the festival, including Leigh-Anne Pinnock’s launch event and children’s book events will be free for Lambeth residents. Book through the Southbank Centre website
- Follow Black British Book Festival (@BBBookFestival) / X (twitter.com)
