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. This includes championing Black creators and trailblazers as part of our We Are Lewisham programme. It also means 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 Lewisham 365 is our commitment to offering a platform for Black voices and understanding Black lived experiences 365 days per year.
Windrush 75
Thursday 22 June marks 75 years since 500 passengers from the Caribbean arrived at Tilbury Docks on the HMT Empire Windrush. They were the first of many invited to relocate to Britain by successive governments to address labour shortages between 1948 and 1971. Many made their home in Lewisham which today has one of the largest African Caribbean communities in the UK. Join us in June 2023 as we pay tribute to their incredible contributions not just in our borough but to every aspect of modern British life.
Find more information on our Windrush 75 programme.
Black History Month
The theme for Black History Month 2023 is Celebrating Our Sisters. Watch this space as we will be joining together with partners and local community groups to offer a broad programme of events celebrating the history, achievements and contributions of the borough’s African Caribbean communities this October and beyond.
Upcoming events for 2023
Windrush 75: The Lewisham Story
Broadway Theatre | Thursday 22 June | 19.00 - 21.30 | Tickets from £2
A special one-off event to mark the 75th anniversary of the Empire Windrush’s arrival and honour the incredible contributions of our Caribbean communities to all aspects of British life – in Lewisham and beyond. Expect live music, spoken word, dance and more. Hosted by Robbie Gee and Eddie Nestor.
Book tickets for Windrush 75: The Lewisham Story.
How I Got Over: The Mahalia Jackson Musical
Broadway Theatre | Sunday 23 July | Tickets from £30
A Gospel Musical that traces the life and career of the world’s greatest gospel singer from her birth in New Orleans as a grandchild of plantation slaves through her rise to wealth and international fame. Mahalia won her first success on the gospel circuit, then went on to phenomenal triumph at New York’s Carnegie Hall and the great concert stages of the world. Come and experience a musical like none other.
Book tickets for the Mahalia Jackson Musical.
The Windrush 75th Anniversary Concert
A celebration of the Windrush music from the 1960s to 1990s featuring Janet Kay, Dennis Bovell and many more household names.
Book tickets for the Windrush 75th Anniversary Concert.
Angie Le Mar - The Final Bow
Broadway Theatre | Sunday 1 October | Tickets from £25
Brace yourselves for the most unforgettable night of the year! Get ready to be dazzled by the one and only Angie Le Mar in her Final Bow, and trust us, you won't want to miss a single moment of this ground-breaking event!