Various organisation and community groups are hosting events and activities aimed at educating, advocating and raising awareness of black history through film, guest speakers, webinars, arts, poetry, literature and business.
Visit the links below for events that are happening in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and London. (Keep and eye on this list for updates)
The theme this year is ‘Time for Change: Action Not Words’ find out how you can help advocate for change by visit Black History Month UK for information and resources www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk
For the latest news throughout the month, follow #BlackHistoryMonth #BHM2022 on social media.
AFRO CARIB CULTURE FEST
1 October 2022 | 10am – 4pm (Hitchin Market Place)
A full day celebrating a diverse culture for all to enjoy.
Food, independent trader stalls, live performances, crafting and a DJ.
Hitchin Market will be hosting an iconic figure picture trail for children to get stuck into. Look out for some key figures in history such as Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King.some key figures in history such as Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King.
6pm – LateHosted in partnership with THE BLOCK Hitchin
Free ticket must be obtained for the evening – https://bit.ly/3qBlfea
Drinks, an informal networking session for an eclectic mix of business, an informative discussions and talks about mental health, performances and live music.
Black-Owned Hackney Market – Weekender
1 October 2022 | 12pm (Opps Hackney Central London)
Black-Owned Hackney returns for the 2022 series in collaboration with Black Eats LDN!
Catch us opposite Hackney Central station showcasing London’s best Black-owned street food, artisan traders and many more Black-owned businesses!
- Best vegan & non-vegan eats in town
- Sustainably-made clothing, gifts and skincare
- Rum punch, cocktails, craft beers & more
- Live DJs from The Hackney Social
FREE entry to the market
Pet and Family Friendly
Black History Month at the Museum of London
From 1st October 2022 | Mon to Fri 10am – 5pm (London)
Join the Museum of London this month as their Black History Month celebrations start with a series of curator lead talks throughout the Autumn.
Make sure you catch their free exhibitions Grime Stories: from the corner to the mainstream and Harry Kane: I want to play football before the Museum of London closes.
Bring Black History Month to life through Chats with historians!
From 3 – 21 October 2022 (Online)
Empower your students to revisit the history of Britain and gain a deeper understanding of Black British history, going beyond narratives around slavery.
Students can connect with historians championing lesser-known Black British figures throughout history.
I’m History all takes place online through text-based Chats. No audio or video is needed – just a browser with an internet connection. The activity is flexible – you book 40-minute live Chats at a time that suits your timetable.
Reserve a place for your class at bhm22.imhistory.uk/teachers
Email: support@imhistory.uk
Visual Black History Tours
5 – 12 October | 6pm (Online)
A collection of virtual tours of London and beyond highlighting the important and inspiring roles of historical figures in Black History.
- Frederick Douglass in Britain and Ireland Virtual Walking Tour – 5 Oct 6pm
- Black American Women Virtual Walking Tour – 6 Oct 6pm
- Black Literary London Virtual Walking Tour – 11 Oct 6pm
- Black Abolitionist Virtual Walking Tour – 12 Oct 6pm
Click on the title to book your session.
University of Hertfordshire Full Events List
From 5 Oct 2022 (Dehaviland Campus Hatfield & Online)
The University of Hertfordshire proudly celebrates Black History Month this October, themed ‘Time for Change: Action Not Words’.
Black History Month is a time for us all to pause, reflect, learn, and to broaden our understanding and challenge our knowledge and beliefs around black history and culture. It also provides us with an opportunity to celebrate the diverse community here at Herts.
Contact the EDI Office if you’d like to get involved in Black History Month 2022.
Ballet Black
5 October 2022 7:30pm | (Watford Palace Theatre)
“Say It Loud” is choreographed and directed by Ballet Black’s Founder and Artistic Director, Cassa Pancho, and the BB Company artists
This charts the struggles and inspiration behind the formation of this exciting and pioneering company, from the uncomfortable reasons behind the Company’s existence to the frenetic, creative energy that has seen them create an enviable repertoire and build a reputation as a necessary part of the British ballet industry.
“Black Sun” by acclaimed South African choreographer Gregory Maqoma (Vuyani Dance Theatre)
Featuring an original score by Michael ‘Mikey J’ Asante (Boy Blue) is a work that draws energy from the sun and the moon giving rise to descendants of ancestors. These forces only meet to blacken, allowing us to draw from their powers as we prepare for life after life.
Tickets: £16
Black Culture Market
8 October 2022 | 10.30am – 3.30pm (Hat Factory Arts Centre Luton)
This market is supporting, celebrating and highlighting black businesses of African & Caribbean descent with opportunities to sell and purchase their products.
With a variety of vendors offering a range of products and materials, and culinary delights we guarantee a quality shopping and cultural experience.
Grandad Anansi
9 October 2022 | 11:30am & 2pm (Hat Factory Arts Centre Luton)
Age Guidance: 4 – 9 years old
Abi and her Grandad tell each other Anansi folktales.
Join our intrepid characters in this humorous and heartfelt inter-generational adventure, as they step into the unexpected. With evocative live music, Grandad Anansi is an uplifting tale of love, courage and letting go.
Tickets: £9
For more information and to book tickets visit The Culture Trust
Being Black in Luton
13 October 2022 | 7.30pm (Hat Factory Arts Centre Luton)
To celebrate Black History, and drive open and meaningful conversations relevant to the Black community in Luton, we bring you a free evening discussion about what it means to be Black in Luton.
Panel:
Benjamin Cyrus-Clark: Bute Street Festival
Taryn Harris: Founder of podcast, Taryn Talks
Rev Dr T Adams: Director of Theblackhero.com
For more information and to book tickets visit The Culture Trust
The Extraordinary Life of Charles Ignatius Sancho, with Paterson Joseph
14 October | 7pm (Online & Kings Cross London)
Acclaimed British actor Paterson Joseph draws from his highly-anticipated debut novel to tell the extraordinary story of 18th-century writer, abolitionist and composer Charles Ignatius Sancho. Charles’s story began with his birth on board a slave ship in c.1729, before being orphaned and sold into slavery.
Tickets: £5-£11
This event will take place at the British Library. It will be simultaneously live streamed on the British Library platform.
Find out more by visiting the British Library.
Hate Crime – where are we now? Where do we want to be?
14 October 2022 | 9.30am – 15:45pm (Hatfield)
Hertfordshire Constabulary are holding an event at the Fielder Centre, Hatfield on Friday 14 October.
This informative event will include lunch, guest speakers and good interaction.
Your attendance is crucial in helping us address the key priorities in our hate crime delivery plan.
For more information contact: Helen Whitehead Hate Crime Project Officer E: Helen.Whitehead@herts.police.uk or Kate Moore E: kate.moore@hertfordshire.gov.uk
Black History Tour of British Museum – Morning Tour
16 October | 10am – 1pm (Great Russell Street London)
We organise the Black History Tour of the British Museum to inspire, engage and educate the community on the artefacts held in the British Museum on African History with the aim to inspire interest in this area of study for future generations.
The British Museum has extensive collections from historic societies of Africa. Some of the highlights of the tour are the Bronzes of Benin and artefacts in the Egyptian Gallery.
Tickets: £15 (plus booking fee)
Dele Sosimi Afrobeat Quartet
21 October 2022 | 7:30pm (Hat Factory Arts Centre Luton)
The music is a blend of complex but highly danceable funk grooves, Nigerian traditional music (including hi-life), African percussion, underpinning the jazz horns and solos from other instruments, as well as rhythmical singing.
Tickets: £15 advance/£17.50 on the day
For more information and to book tickets visit The Culture Trust
I am Home Exhibition
25 October 2022 – 17 Mar 2023 | Sun– Thurs | 11am – 5pm (Wardown House, Museum and Gallery Luton)
Journey through the other side of slavery to the ancient Caribbean through stories passed down through generations of Oral History.
Free entry
Black History Month Community Event
26th October 2022 | 11am – 2pm (Mill Green Museum and Mill Hatfield)
Join Mill Green Museum and Mill in Hatfield for their BHM Community event.
Hosts and guest speakers include: Gilroy Gregory (Author), Ashton Attzs (Artist) and Grace Foods.
There will also be a chance to sample some delicious Caribbean food provided by Mama Cynth’s Jamaican Kitchen, obtain some new reads from the book stall, wonder around the museum to soak up some more knowledge plus view the children’s art display.
The Power of Words with Miss Jacqui
27 October 2022 | 12pm & 2.30pm (Hat Factory Arts Centre Luton)
Join nationally recognised Poet and Songwriter Miss Jacqui in this fun filled workshop which guarantees to get you thinking creatively like you never have before!
£10, or £8 when bought with “An Evening with Miss Jacqui” 7:30pm Performance
For more information and to book tickets visit The Culture Trust
Diversity Festival 2022
29-30 October 2022 (Borehamwood)
This is an event that really brings the community together through music, food, entertainment and it’s not too far away.
FREE entry
The Alkebulan Festival
30 October 2022 | (Walsworth Community Centre Hitchin)
Craft/Music/Food
Free to attend but if you would like a FREE CARIBBEAN MEAL you better register on the link below
Strictly Caribbean
30 October 2022 | 6-10pm (Chaul End Community Centre Luton)
Dancers will be competing and showing their best moves. Music will be Caribbean riddims and there will be nothing but pure vibez!
Don’t miss the action and of course the Caribbean refreshments.
Black London
By Authors Avril Nanton and Jody Burton
Take a stroll around London looking through a new lens with the help of this travel guide. The story of Black history throughout London, with historical richness and symbolism that marked important periods and people that have shaped Black history.