Celebrating Black History Month in Haringey

Over 100 events will be hosted by Haringey this October in libraries, museums, art spaces and other venues across the borough to celebrate black history and culture. 

The Black History Month programme kicks off with a reading and book signing by Vanika Marshall who will be discussing Black British History: Black Influences on British culture (1948-2016), which provides a fascinating insight into the impact of 70 years of black struggle, politics, arts, sports, literature, and music on British life and culture.

2018 also marks the 70th anniversary of the Empire Windrush landing. The Windrush generation have created a rich heritage in Haringey, and they are an integral part of what makes it such a great place to live and work today. 

Bruce Castle Museum will play a major role by hosting a Black Georgian Londoners Exhibition, which reveals the museum’s 18th century heritage and connections, alongside a collection of rare and unusual portraits of Black Georgians. 

The exhibition opens on 14 October and will run until March 2019. 

Cllr Zena Brabazon, cabinet member for Civic Services said:

Black History Month is an opportunity for us to acknowledge the significant contributions black people have made to our community and the country. We are delighted to provide an extensive programme of activities celebrating our rich black heritage and culture.”

Key events during Black History Month include:

• A Black History Month quiz run by the leader of Haringey Council, Cllr Joseph Ejiofor on Monday 29 October, 7pm at the Green Rooms Hotel.
• A talk on the Black presence in Haringey/Black Haringey heroes with Black History Studies takes place at Wood Green Library (N22 6XD), 7-9.30pm on Thursday 18 October.
• A Black Georgian Londoners Exhibition launch and family day on Sunday 14 October 1.30-4.30pm at Bruce Castle Museum, N17 8NU.
• A performance by singer, songwriter and cellist Ayanna Witter-Johnson who graduated from the Laban and Manhattan Schools of Music and composed for the London Symphony Orchestra. This takes place on Tuesday 2 October, 1-1.30pm at Wood Green Library.
• A talk on the African and Caribbean presence in art and design at the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) at Hornsey Library (N8 9JA), 7pm  on Monday 22 October.
• Children’s author Tola Okogwu will do a reading of her book Kechi’s Hair Goes Every Which Way, 10.30am at Stroud Green and Harringay Library (N4 4QR) on Tuesday 9 October.
• A performance by young people’s dance group Steppaz exploring events from the late ‘40s, transitioning through music to the present. This will be at Hornsey Library on Sunday 28 October at 2pm.
• A three-part exhibition by Tottenham artist Paulette Robinson examining the rich dynasty of African heritage, the Americas and now. This exhibition will run from 1 October to 2 November across Wood Green, Marcus Garvey (N15 4JA) and Coombes Croft (N4 4QR) Libraries.
• Arts and crafts activities including storytelling workshops with drums, making African headdresses, health talks, poetry and literary discussions. Various times and dates apply.

Click here for the PDF of the full programme of events