Join in the excitement as Islington celebrates Black History Month 2021

Black History Month in October is a special opportunity to celebrate the many contributions and achievements of the Black diaspora and communities that have enriched lives in the UK.

Islington has a fantastic programme of Black History Month events to inform, educate and entertain - with something for everyone, including:

• Celebrations kick off on Thursday 30 September with Islington’s Black History Month 2021 launch event – with performances, discussion, music and speakers promoting the importance of Black History Month and why it’s essential to acknowledge and celebrate lived experiences, as well as the contributions of Black people to the development and history of the UK
• ‘In Conversation with' sessions with MPs Dawn Butler and Diane Abbott, two prominent trailblazing Black female MPs, to hear what it’s like to work in government and the challenges they face from racism online, to being seen and heard in Parliament. This event will also cover mental health, wellbeing, and family/personal time - Thursday, 7 October
• A panel discussion with Black LGBTQ+ influencers and activists Nic Dawes, Kayza Rose and Monitrice talking about their personal experiences and challenges - Thursday, 21 October
• Hear what it’s really like to be Black and a police officer, during our ‘In Conversation with: Black Police Officers’, as Superintendent Dominic Barnes and Chief Inspector Vincent Peters share their lived experiences of life on the beat in London - Thursday, 14 October
• A fascinating live session Who Do You Think You Are? Tracing African Caribbean Ancestry takes place at Finsbury Library on Wednesday, 27 October at 6.30pm with Paul Crooks , a specialist in African Caribbean Genealogy. This inspirational talk will move you a step closer to starting your quest for your back story and Black History. Paul Crooks pioneered research into African Caribbean genealogy during the 1990s, tracing his family history from London back six generations, to ancestors captured off the West African coast and enslaved on a sugar plantation in Jamaica 
• For music lovers, there is an in-person Q&A session with Dennis Bovell, Barbados-born reggae guitarist, bass player, and record producer. Bovell is one of the founding fathers of the genre of lover’s rock and formed the popular 80s lovers rock band Matumbai. A workshop called ‘Music through the ages’ will explore the vast historical significance that music has played in creating a unique and uniting thread through Black culture and history - Thursday, 14 October
• There’s something for everyone in the family. For under-fives, we have live story time sessions at Islington libraries. Join Sandra Moodie, author of ‘Aminata and the Bag of Seeds’, as she takes under-fives on a journey of discovery and adventure in Gambia. Discover an exciting trail through Africa with the story tree tickler as they retell an exciting adaptation of the ever-popular book ‘Handa’s Surprise’. Older children can take a voyage of discovery and hear ‘The Passenger’s Story’, with immigrants’ stories of coming to the UK as children through the lived experiences of  Grace or Jacob, both passengers on board the ship from the Caribbean, as they embark on the voyage of a lifetime
• Fancy a walking tour on your doorstep? Our tour guide-led historical walks will lead participants through the history of Islington, highlighting places of significance in Black history throughout the borough - Saturday 2 October or Saturday 23 October
• Foodies can tickle their taste buds with online cooking classes led by Migrateful, with a chance to cook a dish from either Ghana or The Caribbean. As well as participants learning to cook a new recipe, the classes run by the Migrateful organisation help support migrants and refugees to rebuild their lives - Sunday, 10 October (Ghana) or Sunday 24 October (Caribbean)

Join in the celebrations, find out more and book your free tickets.

Throughout the month our @IslingtonLife Twitter account will feature a ‘person of the day’ highlighting and celebrating the achievements of Historical Black and Contemporary, heroes.

Cllr Una O’Halloran, Islington Council’s Executive Member for Community Development, said: “Black History Month is a time to celebrate the diversity of our borough and Islington’s rich Black history. The contributions and impact of Black heritage and culture are hugely significant and cannot be ignored. The month presents a unique opportunity to learn something new and celebrate the achievements of the Black community as well as the fundamental part they have played in British history for centuries.

“In Islington we are committed to challenging inequality, confronting the realities of structural racism and injustice, and helping people overcome the multiple barriers they face as we strive to create a more equal Islington for all.

“In Islington, we have committed to acknowledging and celebrating Black History all-year-round through the work of Islington Black History Working Group, who bring us a year-round celebration of Black History, culture, literature, life and learning.”