BHM 2024 - Reclaiming Narratives
Black History Month was first celebrated in the UK in 1987 and traces its roots to 1920’s America, but what is Black History Month?
What is BHM?
Black History Month (BHM) is a national event held in October to celebrate the achievement and contributions of those with African and Caribbean Heritage to British Society, and to improve the understanding of Black history. To learn more about BHM visit the Black History Month website here!
Who started BHM in the UK?
BHM was introduced to the UK by Ghanaian analyst Akyaaba Addai-Sebo in 1987. Addai-Sebo moved to the UK in 1984, to escape political persecution during the regime of former military leader Jerry John Rawlings, and soon began to make his mark on the British Black activist community. Within a year of his arrival to the UK he took on roles such as Projects Coordinator at the Greater London Council (GLC), and chair of the African Refugees Housing Group and later manager of the Notting Hill Carnival. You can find out more about Akyaaba Addai-Sebo here!
Theme of 2024’s BHM
BHM in the UK has a theme every year, this year the theme is ‘Reclaiming Narratives’.
This theme marks an important shift towards recognising and correcting the narratives of Black history and culture underscoring 'a commitment to correcting historical inaccuracies and showcasing the untold success stories and the full complexity of Black heritage. It’s about taking control of our stories and honouring our heroes while challenging the narratives that have often overlooked the contributions and achievements of Black individuals both in the UK and globally.' Black History Month Org (Reclaiming Narratives: Theme for Black History Month 2024 - Black History Month 2024).
How can you get involved in Black History Month This October?
This year there are lots of events taking place across the capital to mark and celebrate the contributions of Black communities to the British society. We have listed a few of our favorites below.
Black cultural events taking place across London.
Event info: City Of London: Slave Trade Money Trail Tour [Black History Month Special]
This walking tour follows the hidden story of one of Britain’s first Slave Traders, London's Plantation Economy Triangle and the blood money trail of the Lloyds family, and how they grew rich from the fees and interest they earned from merchants who borrowed money for their long voyages and their corporation involvement in the handling of slaves.
Join Black Rooted as we take the journey of how modern London came to be and witness European psychosis of cognitive dissonance in the oppression of Black men, women and children.
Date and Time: Sat, 26 Oct 2024 12:00 - 15:00 BST
Location: Royal Exchange London
Price: £0-£25
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Event Info: The Culture Mile BID has commissioned renowned expert Tony Warner to curate and deliver a walking tour uncovering the fascinating stories of Black Londoners in this unique area of the Square Mile
Date and Time: Thu, 31 Oct 2024 12:30 - 13:30 GMT
Location: Farringdon Farringdon EC1M 6BY
Price: £0
Link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/culture-mile-bid-black-history-walking-tour-tickets-976073972527
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Event Info: The African Fashion and Textiles Experience part 2
Date and Time: Sat, 19 Oct 2024 14:30 - 17:30 BST (Multiple dates)
Location: 65 Nine Elms Lane London SW11 7EU
Price: Donation
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Event Info: Black History Month Workshop - Make Your Own African Print Fabric Rag Wreath.
Come join us at the Leyton Green Gallery for a fun and creative workshop during Black History Month! Learn how to make your very own rag wreath using vibrant African print fabrics with local maker Kala Paul-Worika.
Date and Time: Sat, 12 Oct 2024 14:00 - 16:00 BST
Location: 782 High Road Leyton #778 London E10 6AE
Price: £32.13
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Event Info: Black History Month: 'Stories by the Fire' Exhibition of Art & Culture.
This Black History Month, The Firepit invites the public to an extraordinary cultural event, "Stories Round the Fire," an exhibition that celebrates the visual art of the Black Diaspora and highlights the enduring impact of Black British creativity in preserving our own legacy whilst enriching the British Isles
Date and Time: Thu, 3 Oct 2024 18:00 - Wed, 16 Oct 2024 17:00 BST
Location: 10 Cutter Lane #Ground floor unit 5 London SE10 0XX
Price: £0
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Event Info: Let's dance - West Africa & the Caribbean.
In this class you will get the chance to dance with Tanya Campbell to West African and Caribbean rhythms and try out different moves from these parts of the world
Date and Time: Thursday, October 17 · 1:30 - 2:30pm GMT+1
Location: 95 High Road London NW10 2SF
Price: £0
Link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lets-dance-west-africa-the-caribbean-tickets-952133616277
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Event Info: Zanele Muholi is one of the most acclaimed photographers working today, and their work has been exhibited all over the world. With over 260 photographs, this major exhibition presents the full breadth of their career to date
Date and Time: 6 June 2024 – 26 January 2025
Location: London SE1 9TG
Price: £18 Free for members
Link: https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/zanele-muholi
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Event Info: Africa Fashion Week London.
We are delighted to announce the 14th edition of Africa Fashion Week London, Europe's largest annual African fashion event, taking place on October 11th and 12th, 2024, at the prestigious Kensington and Chelsea Conference Event Centre, as part of Black History Month.
Date and Time: Sat, 12 Oct 2024 12:00 - 21:00 BST
Location: Hornton Street London W8 7NX
Price: £0-£50
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Event Info Pamela Phatsimo Sunstrum, It Will End In Tears.
In her first solo exhibition at a major UK institution, Pamela Phatsimo Sunstrum fills The Curve with theatrical installations, building an imagined world in which to display her paintings
Date and Time: Thu 19 Sep 2024—Sun 5 Jan 2025 - Daily 11am - 7pm
Location: Silk St, Barbican, London EC2Y 8DS
Price: £0
Link: https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2024/event/pamela-phatsimo-sunstrum-it-will-end-in-tears
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Event Info: Pioneers of Black British Ballet
Despite Black dancers performing in British ballet companies since the 1940s, much of their presence and contribution has been overlooked. The Black British Ballet project aims to challenge this by documenting, celebrating and shining a light on the achievements of Black dancers in British ballet.
Date and Time: 30 September–10 November 2024
Location: Royal Opera House, Bow Street, London, WC2E 9DD
Price: £0
Link: https://www.rbo.org.uk/tickets-and-events/pioneers-of-black-british-ballet-details
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Event Info: Young, Gifted & Black. A season celebrating Young Black Brilliance on stage at Theatre Peckham.
Don’t miss Larry Coke’s musical reimagining of Henrietta Lacks’ life in The Immortal Henrietta Lacks, which tells the story of the African-American woman whose cancer cells became the source of one of the most important cell lines in medical research. Also on the bill is Unknown Soldier, a captivating ode to Black British War Veterans.
Date and Time: 6th October – 2nd November
Location: 221 Havil St London SE5 7SB
Price: Various