Black History Month 2014

A celebration of Walter Tull – a First World War hero and Tottenham Hotspur player, who was one of Britain’s first black footballers – kicked off Black History Month in Haringey.

On Wednesday October 1, Performance poet Abe Gibson wowed schoolchildren at Marcus Garvey Library with his dramatic piece.

Black History Month celebrates the legacy and contribution of African and Carribean communities to Britain’s diverse culture.

Dozens of events will take place at Bruce Castle Museumand the borough’s libraries throughout October, including memories of Nelson Mandela’s links to Haringey.

Local Reflections: Nelson Mandela and the Haringey Anti-Apartheid Movement, at Bruce Castle Museum, tells the story of the borough’s links with Madiba through artefacts, documents and photographs. It also offers the opportunity for people to share their own Nelson Mandela story.

Residents lined the streets to welcome the former South African president when he came to the borough in 1990 – the year he was freed from prison – to visit his friend and anti-apartheid campaigner Oliver Tambo, who lived in Muswell Hill.

Nelson Mandela had first visited Tambo in Muswell Hill in 1962 for secret meetings with other leaders of the African National Congress (ANC). In 1983, the first Nelson Mandela birthday concert was organised at Alexandra Palace to mark his 65th birthday while he was imprisoned.

The exhibition shows Wednesday to Sunday, from October 1 to December 21, between 1pm and 5pm.

Haringey Council cabinet member for culture, Cllr Jason Arthur, said:

“Black History Month is an opportunity for us all to celebrate the significant contribution African and Caribbean communities have made to shaping Haringey’s rich cultural landscape.

“From exhibitions and film screenings, to live readings and workshops, there are a huge number of events taking place across many locations - including our wonderful libraries. There should be something for everyone, so please do join us in marking this important month.”

Cabinet member for communities Cllr Bernice Vanier said:

“Black History Month brings everyone together to showcase the positive impact that African and Caribbean communities have had on the diverse cultural make up of our borough.

Once again Haringey has done itself proud with a fantastic line-up of events to mark this important month.”

Some other Black History Month highlights include:

The Head Wrap Project - Thursday 30 October, Coombes Croft library, 12.30pm to 2.00pm

This talk celebrates the origin and meanings of the vibrant cloths used by men and women of African and Caribbean descent.

Presentation of: The History and Legacy of African Enslavement - Thursday 30 October, Marcus Garvey Library, Adults Library Ground Floor, 7pm to 9pm

This presentation will uncover the history and legacy of the enslavement of African people through our Maangamizi.

Full brochure of events for BHM2014 is available here [pdf]