Celebrate Black History Month in Royal Greenwich
It’s Black History Month, and the Royal Borough of Greenwich and partners are celebrating with a host of inclusive activities and events for local people to get involved with.
Libraries across Royal Greenwich have a full programme of free events, while the University of Greenwich have partnered with Charlton Athletic Football Club’s annual Red, White and Black matchday and parade.
Councillor Sandra Bauer, Cabinet Member for Equality, Culture and Communities, said: “We’re proud to be a welcoming and inclusive borough that celebrates our diverse communities.
“This year’s Black History Month theme is Standing firm in Pride and Power. The theme highlights the profound contributions of Black people who have shaped history, from leaders and activists to those who make a difference within our own communities every day.
“From free author events at our libraries, to Charlton Athletic’s Red, White and Black matchday and parade, get involved this October to celebrate and learn about Black History in Royal Greenwich.
“We’ll also be announcing our brilliant Black History 365 programme of events for the next year soon – sign up to our newsletter and WhatsApp channel to be the first to know!”
What’s on
Boroughwide art competition for young people, with prizes to be won
Deadline for entries is Friday 17 October. All submitted artwork will be showcased at Woolwich Town Hall on Thursday 23 October, 3.30pm to 7pm
Open to children and young people across the borough, you can submit any creative work that celebrates culture, diversity, or Black history – whether it’s a drawing, painting, or a poem. Vouchers will be awarded for most creative and original submissions.
Please send entries to: Childrens.tsr@royalgreenwich.gov.uk
Black Female Entrepreneur Greenwich presents: West African Food Celebration
Thursday 2 October, 12 noon to 1pm, free
Woolwich Centre Library, 35 Wellington Street, SE18 6HQ
Black History Month local artist exhibition
Thursday 2 October, 6pm to 8pm, free
Abbey Wood Library, Eynsham Drive, SE2 9PT
Explore the work of local artists, with artworks also available for sale. Book in advance and get a free drink on arrival
Life drawing with EVEWRIGHT
Thursday 2 October, 6pm to 9pm, £5, free entry for one person accompanying disabled visitors
National Maritime Museum, Romney Road, SE10 9NF
Book tickets at rmg.co.uk
Join celebrated Black British artist EVEWRIGHT for an inspiring life drawing session focused on the beauty of the Black aesthetic in the historical setting of the renowned National Maritime Museum, London.
Author event: Micha Frazer-Carroll
Monday 6 October, 5pm to 6:30pm, free
Woolwich Centre Library, 35 Wellington Street, SE18 6HQ
Micha discusses her book Mad World, exploring the politics of mental health including capitalism, racism and inequality.
Black Female Entrepreneur Greenwich presents: T Shirt design with African camouflage prints
Tuesday 7 October, 12 noon to 2pm, free
Woolwich Centre Library, 35 Wellington Street, SE18 6HQ
Ace Your Interview: Ernest Enabulele
Thursday 9 October, 2pm to 3pm, free
Woolwich Centre Library, 35 Wellington Street, SE18 6HQ
Interview coach and CV consultant Ernest Enabulele shares the skills to help you unlock your potential and excel in interviews.
RASCALS After School Club
Thursday 9 October, 4:30 pm to 5:30pm, free
Woolwich Centre Library, 35 Wellington Street, SE18 6HQ
Design your own placemat with Ghanaian Kente prints.
Black Female Entrepreneur Greenwich presents: Forgotten African Soldiers WW1 talk
Friday 10 October, 2pm to 3:30pm, free
Woolwich Centre Library, 35 Wellington Street, SE18 6HQ
African Caribbean reading group
Wednesday 15 October, 12:30pm to 1:30pm, free
Woolwich Centre Library, 35 Wellington Street, SE18 6HQ
New members welcome. To join, email sam.oparinde@gll.org
Children’s author event: Genea Saunders and Mary Flora Hart
Thursday 16 October, 3:30pm to 4:30pm, free
Eltham Centre Library, Archery Road, SE9 1HA
For children aged 8 to 12, join an interactive story trail session about the book ‘The Life of Stevie Smortberry: Nana’s got the electric touch.’
Author event: Bosa Dania
Thursday 16 October, 2pm to 3:30pm, free
Woolwich Centre Library, 35 Wellington Street, SE18 6HQ
Hear from Bosa, who overcame mental health challenges and dyslexia, and inspired by her son, created this book of poems to show life after diagnosis.
RASCALS After School Club
Thursday 16 October, 4:30pm to 5:30pm, free
Woolwich Centre Library, 35 Wellington Street, SE18 6HQ
Design a Caribbean Carnival headpiece.
Charlton Athletic and University of Greenwich Red, White and Black Day and community parade
Saturday 18 October, 3pm kick off, match, match tickets £10 to £35, parade is free
Charlton men's team take on Sheffield Wednesday on their annual Red, White and Black Day and community parade! The day showcases both Charlton Athletics’ and the University of Greenwich’s joint commitment to promoting equality and tackling discrimination.
Author event: F. S. Nestor
Monday 20 October, 5pm to 6:30pm, free
Woolwich Centre Library, 35 Wellington Street, SE18 6HQ
Explore the themes of Chocolate, Chips and Cola, the story of 15-year-old Cecilia. After leaving Dominica for 1950s London, her courage and resilience are tested in a journey of survival and strength.
Grandad Anansi
Tuesday 21 October, 11:30am and 1:30pm, £6 to £18
Tramshed, 51 to 53 Woolwich New Road London SE18 6ES
Book tickets at tramshed.org
Abi and her Grandad tell each other Anansi folktales. They play games as they work together in the garden. As they plant memories, they share secrets and develop a bond that nothing can break. An uplifting tale of love, courage and letting go that shines a light on Jamaican culture and the Windrush generation.
Black Female Entrepreneur Greenwich presents: Remembrance Poppy Making Workshop
Tuesday 21 October, 12 noon to 2pm, free
Woolwich Centre Library, 35 Wellington Street, SE18 6HQ
Black Female Entrepreneur Greenwich presents: Pop up market day celebrating small businesses
Thursday 23 October, 10am to 6pm, free
Woolwich Centre Library, 35 Wellington Street, SE18 6HQ
RASCALS After School Club
Thursday 23 October, 4:30 to 5:30pm, free
Make an African Masai Necklace
Author event: Phyllis Jemmott
Friday 24 October, 2pm to 3pm, free
Woolwich Centre Library, 35 Wellington Street, SE18 6HQ
Phyllis discusses her book, Connie. Born in the 1940s District of Troubles, Connie dreams of becoming a doctor against all the odds.
Author event: Bryan Ramsay
Thursday 23 October, 5:30pm to 6:45pm, free
A former teacher in South East London, Bryan’s debut novel, Everybody Wants to be a Footballer blends humour and heart to explore teenage dreams and competition.
Arts and crafts with GCDA
Monday 27 October from 10am to 1pm, free
Eltham Centre Library, Archery Road, SE9 1HA
Perfect for the whole family, create arts and crafts inspired by Black history.
Author event: Luba Salpetrier
Thursday 30 October 11am to 11.30am
Explore the alphabet through story time with the author of ‘A for Africa’ and ‘S for Sierra Leone’.
Book launch: A Whole Heap of Mixup by Stella Dadzie
Thursday 30 October, 6pm to 8:30pm, pay what you can
Queen’s House, Romney Road, SE10 9NF
Book tickets at rmg.co.uk
Celebrate award-winning historian Stella Dadzie’s new book. This unique new collection showcases her personal, political and creative writing, covering themes from her family life and early years to political activism, travel in Africa and the Caribbean, and race and gender inequalities in Britain.
See up-to-date calendar of Black History month events.
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