London
In the capital, Black History Month offers an incredibly diverse range of events, exhibitions, performances and workshops.
Joe Clough, one of the many characters whose stories help modern day Londoners explore black history in the capital. © London's Transport Museum.
At the Horniman Museum in south London things kick off on October 5 with Caribbean Question Time – a lively discussion with a panel of experts focusing on Caribbean identity, culture and history.
For younger visitors Black Presence in Lewisham looks at the lives of black people and families in the borough over the last 300 years. Particularly aimed at those aged between 14 and 21, this interactive session takes place on October 27
Abraham Gibson, writer in residence at London’s Transport Museum, will be telling stories of how London kept moving during WWII on October 14 and 15 at the museum’s Acton depot.
Abe Gibson introduces the character of Joe Clough. © London's Transport Museum.
He’ll also be taking his creative slant on the black history of the capital out to local libraries in the city and beyond.
On October 5 he’ll be performing a selection of his work at Marcus Garvey Library in Tottenham, while on October 11 he’ll be introducing Joe Clough, a London bus driver in 1910, to visitors at Bedford Central Library, while on October 18, Abe will be appearing at Ilford Central Library.
The National Trust’s Sutton House is the oldest brick house in east London and on October 23 plays host to a talk about the immigration of people into Hackney where keen historians will be able to get help researching their family tree.
Courtesy of Brighton City Museum and Art Gallery
Brighton
Down in Brighton a diverse black history is being celebrated through music, art, films, talks and community events across the city throughout October.
A free community day, re:Present, is being held on Sunday October 24 at Hove Town Hall, starting at 3pm. The day will feature a black history exhibition, African dance and percussion workshops, Bollywood dancers, carnival costume demonstrations, live bands, film and photography displays as well as DJ skills, street dance and urban art workshops and an arts and craft fair.
The event is free but places on the workshops are limited so come early to avoid disappointment.
Scene from RUF 992M, short film by local black filmmaker Alkin Emirali starring Antonia Akonma (ITV's Bad Girls) & Jason Lynch. Photo: Morgan White Photography. Film to be screened on Sunday October 24 at Hove Town Hall.
Other events to watch out for include Exposure: In conversation with Gurinder Chadha, the Director of Bend It Like Beckham, who will be giving a talk at the Sussex Arts Club on October 13 at 7.30pm.
At Brighton Museum and Art Gallery October 24 is Celebrate Black History Day, a free drop in event for families with activities and workshops throughout the museum including West Indian storytelling.
On October 26, from 11am until 12pm why not take your kids to make some noise at Drumbeat, an African workshop using African drums and rhythms for 4 to 8 year olds.
The St Paul's mural, Bristol. © Madge Dresser.
Bristol
On the other side of the country in Bristol there’s everything from drama workshops for kids at the British Empire and Commonwealth Museum to jazz at the KUUMBA Arts Centre.
This year the organisers of the council-run events have decided to follow the theme of women and girls.
A huge event is being held at The Bristol Royal Marriott Hotel on October 30, which will include exhibitions of art and literature from black and minority ethnic women, as well as a screening of the Oral History Project film by the St Paul’s Elders Group.
The slavery galleries at the British Empire and Commonwealth Museum. Courtesy of the British and Commonwealth Museum
Other highlights include a series of drama workshops at the British Empire and Commonwealth Museum. Using games, drama, video and music, children are being given chance to work with professional actors to examine issues surrounding the slave trade.
On October 6 the museum is holding a lecture by novelist Dr Mike Phillips who will be talking about Black History Month and the need for such an event.
Other talks will take place throughout the month at Bristol Record Office, including Minority Report on October 9 - an opportunity to get an insight into the diverse communities of Bristol and how they originated in the city.
On October 19 from 6.30 to 7.30pm you can find out about The Black Population of Bristol in the 18th Century with Pip Jones and Rita Youseph.
Or how about Tracing Your West Indian Ancestors with Guy Grannum, who works at the National Archives, on October 26 between 6.30 and 7.30pm. He will give his audience a personal account of how he traced his ancestry to Barbados and will offer advice to others wanting to trace their own roots.
