Sapphire residency to bring community empowerment to the Black Cultural Centre

After more than a decade of working to support ethnic minority communities across London and beyond, Sapphire’s takeover of the centre began on Friday, 22 August.

Over the course of their three-month residency at the Hornsey Road centre, they will be offering a vast range of services – including employment training and mentoring, mental health and wellbeing support, and a digital platform for people of colour to access services, funding, and networks.

Having opened in November 2024, the Black Cultural Centre offers an inclusive space for residents of Black African and Caribbean heritage to come together. In its first year, four different organisations have taken over the centre for three months at the time, with Sapphire being the fourth.

Sapphire’s residency runs until mid-November, and the council will be working with local community groups and partners over the coming months, on exciting plans for the centre beyond this point.

Jasmine Cannon-Ikurusi, CEO of Sapphire, said: “The Sapphire Employability and Wellbeing Academy began as a spark—ignited by love, sustained by hope, and powered by the belief that every community deserves a place to thrive. 

"Ten years on, that spark has become a beacon. The launch of our residency at Islington's Black Cultural Centre is not just a milestone; it’s a promise. A promise to keep building, keep listening, and keep creating spaces where every soul feels seen, valued, and uplifted. The future we envision is bold, compassionate, and shared—and it continues right here.”

Cllr Sheila Chapman, Islington Council’s Executive Member for Equalities, Communities and Inclusion, said: “Sapphire’s work aligns powerfully with our vision for a more equal future, and their residency at our Black Cultural Centre will offer vital support and opportunities who have long faced systemic barriers.

“The Black Cultural Centre continues to grow as a space for celebration, connection and empowerment, and Sapphire’s presence will only deepen that legacy.”

Sapphire is the fourth operator to take over the Black Cultural Centre, with Go Africa, Black History Studies, and Carib Eats each having residencies. From business support to educational events, community cinema to cultural food, music to entrepreneurship workshops, each operator has brought something different to the space.

There’s more information on Sapphire on their website, and you can find out more about events during their residency by signing up to the Black Cultural Centre’s mailing list.