Lambeth Libraries Black History Month 2023
  In Lambeth we are lucky that people from around the world have for centuries made this their home. Black History Month is a time we come together to share and enjoy the culture of communities that have enriched our lives in Lambeth. In Lambeth Libraries we have partnered with many local organisations and brilliant writers and artists, to deliver a fantastic programme of events. We hope you find something to enlighten and enjoy.
For a full programme you can pick up a brochure from any Lambeth Library or visit the Black History Month website.
Throughout October we have some great writers visiting Lambeth Libraries, also walks, talks, music, theatre and film.
We start with you as the writer and a celebration of Poetry and Spoken Word – yours! Come along to the National Poetry Day Open mic night (5 October). The ‘Black History Man’, Robin Walker discusses Black Icons of the Slave Era (6 October), we follow in the footsteps of abolitionists and Black radicals walking in Kennington Park (7 October) and finish the first week with acclaimed writer Alex Wheatle discussing how Reggae became his salvation through a childhood marred by abuse (7 October).
 The month is then packed with things to keep you busy, Celebrating Black women between the War and Windrush with Steven Bourne (10 October), Tracing your Black Ancestry with Paul Crooks (11 October), a virtual reality trip to Muhammad Ali’s boxing locker room (13 October), Monica Macias, the ‘Black girl from Pyongyang’ (13 October) and Shakespeare and Race with Prof Farah Karim-Cooper (16 October).
Africa, the war and Burma takes centre stage for a discussion between authors Rosanna Amaka and Louise Hare (17 October) while a young girl explores her African ancestry in a screening of the award-winning film Ama (19 October).
 Friday 20 October, 7pm
Clapham Library, SW4 7DB
Booking via Eventbrite
Join soul legend P P Arnold, in conversation with journalist and writer Lloyd Bradley, to discuss her extraordinary memoir – Soul Survivor. Book early for this undoubted highlight of Black History Month 2023.
 We have a big day on Saturday 21 October discussing Black men’s mental health through performance (Streatham Library), The Culture Trap: Ethnic Expectations and Unequal Schooling for Black Youth with Derron Wallace (Brixton Library), a community day for all the family culminating in live music by DJ Fitzroy Facey, Linda Muriel Afrosymphony and DJ Dubplate Pearl (South Lambeth Library).
 The month continues with A discussion on the meaning of Black History with author Dr Velma McClymont and historian Cecil Gutzmore (24 October) and a screening of the classic film Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (24 October).
Another highlight is the launch of Speak Out!, the writings of the Brixton Black Women’s Group, the first Black women’s group established in Britain (25 October), followed by African Film Directors Imruh Bakari and Kwesi Owusu in conversation (26 October), the LGBTQ+ reading group discussing None of the Above – beyond the binary (27 October) and the Brixton Immortals finish the week in style at a celebration of Black culture at Clapham Library (28 October).
 Of course Black History runs thoughout our programmes all year round and still coming up is a book launch of two new books by educationalist Gus John (30 October), the amazing author of Fire Rush, Jacqueline Crooks (2 November), Pegasus Opera (3 November) and one of Britain's best loved actors, Paterson Joseph discussing his recent novel The Secret Diaries of Charles Ignatius Sancho (8 November) and more.
For a full brochure with more details, times and booking details, visit the Lambeth Black History Month website. We look forward to seeing you soon.
Exhibitions
 Showing Thursday 5 October to Wednesday 1 November
Brixton Library. SW2 1JQ
Exhibition available during Library opening hours
Opening reception: Tuesday 10 October, 6pm to 8pm
We are delighted to present Emerge and Establish, a carefully curated group exhibition featuring both emerging and established London-based painters. This exhibition showcases the creative passages of these Black British artists, aiming to illuminate their unique experiences through the distinctive perspectives conveyed in their art.
Featuring: Jez Jacobs, Courtenay Kusitor, Yasser Claud-Ennin, Charmaine Chanakira, Debayo Desalu, Amie Elizabeth Wolo and Michael Ocloo.
 Monday 2 to Sunday 22 October
West Norwood Library, SE27 9JX
Exhibition available during Library opening hours
Sister of the Coast showcases the transformative voyage of the Ashdon Jazz Academy and their impactful trip to The Gambia. In this extraordinary endeavour, the charity embarked on a mission to empower and uplift 16 young women by immersing them in the vibrant tapestry of Gambian culture and foster a deep connection with their own identity. Sisters of the Coast is a testament to the extraordinary capacity of travel, culture, and compassion to uplift and transform lives.
Digital Skills Course
 Mondays, 10.30am to 12.30pm.
Streatham Library, SW16 1PN
A free digital skills programme that teaches the basics for you to get started on your digital journey. Just drop in to get started. |
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Events for Children and Young People
 Of course Black History Month is for everyone and all ages, this year we have a packed programme for children.
 Sunday 1 October, 10am to 4.30pm
Florence Nightingale Museum,
St Thomas’ Hospital, SE1 7EW
Everyone is welcome to discover the story of Mary Seacole, hear her adventures first hand, have a go at diagnosing an injured soldier and make a ‘sniff bag’ to take home. Performances 11.30am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm. Sniff bag activity is available throughout the day. Suitable for ages 5+.
Free entry for Lambeth residents, please show proof of postcode. For more information .
 Wednesday 11 October, 6pm
Online Event: booking via Eventbrite
Librarian Zoey will chat about some of the amazing new children’s books by Black writers and illustrators that have been published this year. Why not join live on Zoom or on Facebook and let them know what books you’ve been reading this year. Ages 7 plus
 Saturday 14 October, 1 to 4pm
Brixton Library
Booking via website
Nothing beats a good story. Join LEAP for a free family-friendly storytelling session. Together you and your little ones will discover, celebrate and share stories in different ways such as using music and movement. You’ll hear stories from different cultures, and there will be story-based craft sessions. Sessions will take place across Lambeth so there is plenty of opportunity for you to get involved.
 Saturday 21 October to Friday 27 October. All Lambeth Libraries
Half Term is full of events and activities for children in all Lambeth libraries - starting with a Community fun day at South Lambeth Library through Anansi craft and storytimes, Carnival Headdress activities, Drumming workshops and radical badge making sessions... just loads to do.
For full Lambeth Black History Month details and all events download the Progamme or check with your local library
 Saturday 28 October, 2pm to 4pm
Clapham Library, SW4 7DB
The Brixton Immortals Domino Club
introduce dominoes and the skills you need to win. A great way to get children
engaging in maths and probability
while having fun.
 Calling teachers... throughout October we have a great programme for schools including authors Venessa Taylor (Baller Boys), Ciannon Smart (Rayleigh Mann and the Company of Monsters), Ella Phillips (Grandma's Magic Recipes) and Maria Motunrayo Adebisi (Kòkú Akanbi and the Heart of Midnight) Check out the programme for details.
From our Friends
 Saturday 30 September and Sunday 1 October, 11am to 5pm
The Department Store, 248 Ferndale Rd, SW9 8FR
Booking via Eventbrite
A diverse quality shopping & cultural experience, including: Food, Fashion, Music, Art, Books, Stationery, Jewellery, Homeware, Skincare, Toys, Health
Beauty and more. Different traders each day.
 Tuesday 3 October to Sunday 8 October. West Norwood Picturehouse, 1-7 Norwood High Street, SE27 9JU
Booking via Website
Coming to Lambeth, London International Pan-African Film Festival (London PAFF) is an annual film festival that celebrates Pan-African cinema and screens films produced in Africa and its diaspora from all over the world.
 Friday 6 October, 6pm
Black Cultural Archives, 1 Windrush Square, SW2 1EF
Booking via Eventbrite
A captivating evening of literature and story telling at Black Cultural Archives, featuring acclaimed author Tony Fairweather and the multi-talented Ray Shell.
 Saturday 14 October
Omnibus Theatre, 1 Clapham Common Northside, SW4 0QW
Booking via website
Broadcaster and author Melvyn Bragg talks about his life, work and writing with Radio 4’s cultural and opera expert Tom Sutcliffe; novelist, broadcaster, and writer Kate Mosse will discuss her new novel and more with bestselling local author Elizabeth Buchan, crime gets its day with multi-talented crime writers Simon Brett and Nicola Williams. Join Clapham Book Festival. |
