Black History Month may be over but celebrations continue all year

This year’s theme was “reclaiming narratives” and the goal was to shine light on Black history and culture and the contribution made by Black people to our borough.

The council has commissioned further events until next June as part of Black History 365, putting Black culture at the heart of Wandsworth’s year as the Mayor of London’s Borough of Culture 2025.

There will also be another round of grants for Black History 365 next year.

Deputy Leader of the Council Kemi Akinola said: “Black people have done so much to shape our borough, and the events of this Black History Month really shone a new light on black experiences and stories.

“I can’t wait to see more incredible local events going into 2025 for Black History 365.”

Events this month included:

Events in libraries, from an opportunity to meet and have a story-time from children’s author Kamapala Chuckwuka to a workshop on Black entrepreneurship across Africa and the Diaspora.

Southside Shopping Centre hosted a month-long photography exhibition, markets and a spectacular fashion show by ethical luxury fashion brand creator Fée Uhssi.

Residents were treated to performances by Pointe Black’s young ballerinas about the journey of the Windrush generation. Pointe Black is a ballet company for ballerinas of Black heritage.

Rebel Tales theatre also put on a show about the Windrush story aimed at children from 4-8 to learn more about history through song and dance.

Our social media channels hosted a book giveaway, with five lucky residents winning a copy of ‘An African History of Africa’ by award-winning author Zeinab Badawi.

Black History 365 events still to come include the Black Heroes Soul Food Café, The African Fashion and Textiles Experience and a look at sound system culture.

Read Kemi Akinola’s blog about Black History Month and a conference she recently attended about the environmental crisis in the Caribbean.