Black History Lewisham 365

What is Black History Lewisham 365?

While it’s important we acknowledge the national Black History Month campaign each October, in Lewisham we believe in action 365 days a year. We were proud to champion Black creators and trailblazers as part of our We Are Lewisham programme.

We are also driving conversations to help us better understand how we can support our Black communities - from tackling healthcare inequalities, to addressing disparities among our high street businesses, to eliminating inequalities in education. And that’s just the start.

Black History Month

Black History Lewisham 365 is our commitment to offering a platform for Black voices and understanding Black lived experiences 365 days per year. This year, we launched the Black History Lewisham 365 (BHL:365) Trailblazer Map. This resource highlights significant Black individuals and locations important to Black culture in the borough, showcasing their contributions to politics, arts, health, and more, and celebrating the impact of the Black community on Lewisham’s history. You will find iconic people and places marked out on the map from Downham to Deptford, Telegraph Hill to Grove Park!

Events were hosted across Lewisham, supported by Council-awarded grants. At Broadway Theatre, GROUNDATION Dancing from the Archive by IRIE! Dance Theatre opened the month, blending dance with historical storytelling. Libraries across the borough offered a diverse range of activities, from quilt clubs to creative writing workshops, celebrating the richness of Black culture.

The community came together at events like the Kinaraa Annual Conference at Fellowship Inn, which shared the untold narratives of Black leaders. Other highlights included Sydenham Arts’ film screening of Cymande and The Little Mermaid adaptation by Lavern Archer, integrating Caribbean music and dance.

Keep and eye on this page for BHL:365 events throughout the year.