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 2024
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!
We have awarded grants of up to £1000 for community organisations to run events across Lewisham.
Black History Harvest
Sunday 13 October 2024, 11am-6pm, Black Gate next to, 75 Firhill RD, Bellingham, SE6 3SE
Coco Collective presents a Black History Harvest focused on #ReclaimingNarratives for Lewisham’s Black community. Activities include stone painting for children, permaculture tours, gardening, and a harvest cooked into Ital soup. Free tickets are available via Eventbrite.
Black Book Festival
Saturday 19 October 2024, 11am-6pm, Goldsmiths, University of London, SE14 6NW
The Black Book Festival & Education Expo celebrates African Diaspora contributions to the book industry, with 40 stalls showcasing African-Caribbean books, arts, and educational services. The event features seminars, exhibitions on Cy Grant and “Black Yoga,” African-Caribbean storytelling, music, and food. Book your spot on Eventbrite.
Sydenham Arts Black History Month Call Out
Sydenham Arts is excited to spotlight the amazing Black talent in our community as part of our Black History Month celebrations! We are looking for Black artists, creators, and entrepreneurs in and around Sydenham to feature in our Black History Month Social Spotlights, which will be shared on Sydenham Arts' Social Media and email channels.
This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your art, business, or creative work, and have your story shared with the local community.
Interested? Get in touch at: enquiries@sydenhamarts.co.uk
Sydenham Arts Film Club - Black History Month Celebration
Thursday 31 October, 7.30pm, upstairs at The Sydenham Centre, 44A Sydenham Rd, London SE26 5QX
Join us in celebrating Black History Month with a special event featuring a screening of the inspiring documentary Cymande, featuring a live steel pan performance and an exclusive director’s talk.
Cymande is a powerful documentary that explores the legendary British funk band that revolutionised music in the 1970s. The film tells the story of Cymande’s groundbreaking fusion of funk, jazz, reggae, and African music, which remains a vital cultural touchstone to this day.
The evening will also include a live steel pan performance by Heart of Steal, paying homage to the Caribbean rhythms and Afrocentric sounds that influenced Cymande’s iconic style, setting the stage for a wholehearted celebration of Black music and culture.
Stick around after the screening for a West Indian rum punch and an insightful conversation with the film’s director, Tim Mackenzie-Smith, as he discusses the making of the documentary, Cymande’s enduring musical legacy, and their profound influence on Black British culture and beyond.
Tickets available on the door or book your tickets now.
The Little Mermaid – Spontaneous Productions
Saturday 28 September – Sunday 27 October 2024, Sydenham Centre, Lewisham
This new adaptation of The Little Mermaid by Jamaican playwright Lavern Archer reimagines the story with Caribbean culture, music, and dance. The production is aimed at families and celebrates Black culture. Tickets are available now.
The Council is also supporting events at Dalmain School, Eliot Bank and Gordonbrock Schools, and a Black History Street Party, all aimed at celebrating the history and cultural contributions of the Black community in Lewisham.
More events
There is an exciting line-up of events at our libraries and more throughout the borough. From creative workshops to dance performances, these events offer a unique opportunity to celebrate and explore the richness of Black culture and history within our community.
Broadway events
Kick of Black history month at Broadway Theatre, Catford with IRIE! dance theatre present: GROUNDATION Dancing from the Archive on Thursday 26 September, 7.30pm.
Adult Learning Lewisham
Cyanotype Photography Sessions for Black History Month
Library events
Discover a range of exciting events celebrating Black History Month at libraries across the borough. Some highlights include:
- Quilt Club, Downham 100
Fridays throughout October and beyond, 2.30pm
Downham Library
- Knit and Natter
Saturday 5 October, 10.30am
Grove Park Community Library - IRIE! Dance Class Every Saturday, 12.30pm (21 September 2024 to 11 November 2024)
Downham Library - Lewisham Writes: Creative Writing Workshop Series
Saturday 12 October, 12.30pm (for 7 weeks)
Downham Library - Lewisham Multicultural Writers' Group, Saturday 19 October, 2pm (monthly)
The Library at Deptford Lounge -
BIPC Lewisham Black Led Business Forum
Friday 18 October, 12-9pm
Join us at the Black Led Business event, hosted by BIPC Lewisham and Deptford Lounge, for a day of celebrating Black entrepreneurship with speakers, panels, networking, and one-to-one support —connect with local businesses, support organisations, and more. Learn more about the event.
See the full programme of Black History Month Library events.
Events from our partners
Saturday 12 to Sunday 13 October 2024
The Catford Arts trail has become a highly anticipated event in the Catford Calendar with over 100 artists opening the doors to their houses and showing their work to the public over an Autumn weekend. The Trail will take place over the weekend of 12-13 October in public and private venues in SE6. 98 artists, designers and makers in 22 venues this year.
Friday 25 October, 7pm
The Albany, Douglas Way, Deptford, SE8 4AG
Haramacy is an evening of performances by Global Majority artists, exploring intersectional social issues such as race, gender, class, and ethnicity within their communities and those of their peers. The event will feature storytelling, music, visual arts, and more, celebrating narratives from marginalised voices. Tickets £10, available on The Albany website or call 020 8692 4446.
Queens Walking Group
Saturday 26 October 2024, 8am
Diversity - Health & Well-being CIC, Canadian Avenue Car Park, Canadian Avenue, SE6 2TP
This short walking tour is designed to give an introduction to highlight Lewisham's Black history. For further information, please contact Queen Joan on 07949 438 712.
Events at Second Wave
- Free Youth Arts Workshops, 11-18 years. Every Saturday in October, 12pm - 5pm. Explore storytelling in creative and safe environments. Workshops feature drama, acting, writing, lyrics / rap and more. Learn new skills and explore new ideas. No experience needed. Book a place at the workshops.
Free Black History Month Music Workshop for Young People, 14 -18 years. Saturday 26 October, 2.30pm - 6pm. Exploring the music of the Windrush Generation: from Calypso, Ska, Reggae to Lovers Rock and R&B. Have fun exploring music and songwriting. Book your place at the music workshop.- Free Half Term Black History Month Young Women’s Media Project 2024, 13 – 18 years. Wednesday 30 October 2024, 12.30 – 6pm. All young women welcome to join our friendly team in this introductory session exploring our history through drama and film training. Friendly, interactive workshop with free refreshments, book a place.