The council and our partners are celebrating Black history this October and beyond with a host of inclusive events for local people to get involved with. Through the our Create: Black History 365 (BH365) programme, residents can continue to learn about and explore Black history all year round through a range of free activities.
Councillor Adel Khaireh, Cabinet Member for Culture, Equalities and Leisure, said: "We’re proud to be a welcoming and inclusive borough that celebrates our diverse communities. Black history is a huge and important part of our borough's history, and listening to and learning about the stories and history of our communities brings us all closer together.
"We celebrate Black History all year round with our Create Black History 365 programme. Through Create, we're funding 151 Black History events over the next year, plus this Black History Month get involved in free author events at our libraries, Charlton Athletic's Red, White and Black matchdays, and more.
"Through our ambitious culture strategy, we're committed to delivering free, fun and inclusive events that reflect and represent our people, our culture, and our future. Sign up to our newsletter and WhatsApp channel to be the first to know what's on!”
The Royal Borough of Greenwich Create programme follows a jam-packed summer of culture, which saw the council fund free events for residents across the borough, including Royal Greenwich Festivals, Parksfest and Greenwich+Docklands International Festival. Plus, local young people from across the borough launched their Ignite! culture manifesto and created free festival, Culture Jam in the Park, in partnership with the council, Tramshed and Royal Greenwich Heritage Trust, and supported through the Mayor London's Cultural Impact Award.
To be the first to receive updates on events near you, sign up to the council’s email newsletter, and follow us on WhatsApp.
Read the Royal Borough of Greenwich Culture Strategy.
About Create
Create offers grants of up to £3,000, to locally based artists and creatives to deliver both new Community Arts projects and/or Black History 365 (BH365) projects, that support the council’s commitment to the themes of its Culture Strategy: Create, Connect and Flourish.
What’s on this month
For an up-to-date calendar of Black History events taking place across the borough throughout the year, visit royalgreenwich.gov.uk/events/
Create: Black History Exhibition
All month, 11am to 4pm, free
Charlton House and Gardens, Charlton Road, SE7 8RE
Curated in collaboration with the University of Greenwich and textile artist Lorelle Aboagye, explore historical artifacts from across Africa.
Create: Features From the Black exhibition
Thursday 1 October to Wednesday 28 October, 11am to 5pm, free
Firepit Gallery, 10 Cutter Lane, London SE10 0XX
An exhibition showcasing Black art from the diaspora, exploring Blackness through the historical, the contemporary, the mythical and the urban.
Create: Wear 'n' fit in Ankara and Kente fusion attire
All month, 9am to 5:30pm, free
The Woolwich Centre Library, 35 Wellington Street, SE18 6HQ
Explore the outfit display by Black Female Entrepreneur Greenwich and take a photo shoot in Ankara and Kente fusion attire.
Create: Ankara and Kente tapestry workshop
Thursday 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 October, 10am to 12 noon, free
The Woolwich Centre Library, 35 Wellington Street, SE18 6HQ
Creative workshop to explore African textiles, crafts and heritage with Black Female Entrepreneur Greenwich.
Create: Threads of Heritage
Workshops: Friday 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 October, 4pm to 6pm, free
Exhibition: Saturday 31 October, 1pm to 3:30pm, free
The Moorings Sociable Club, Arnott Close, Thamesmead, SE28 8BG
Learn how to hand craft and sew cultural designs with Beyond Braidz CIC. The artwork created will be shown in an exhibition.
Create: Film Night – Small Axe, Mangrove
Friday 2 October, 7:30pm to 9pm, free
Mycenae House, 90 Mycenae Road, SE3 7SE
Join Global Fusion Music & Arts for a screening of Steve McQueen's Mangrove, starring Shaun Parkes, Letitia Wright and Malachi Kirby. The film tells the true story of nine peaceful protestors who were wrongfully arrested and charged with incitement to riot, after peacefully standing up against racial discrimination from police.
Create: The Fan Show
Saturday 3 October, 1pm to 4pm, free
Greenwich Centre Library, 12 Lambarde Square, SE10 9GB
A fan making workshop with Victoria Ajoku, suitable for children and young people.
Saturday 3 October, 7pm to 9pm, free
Tramshed, 51 to 53 Woolwich New Road, SE18 6ES
Celebrate the 66th anniversary of Nigeria's independence with an evening of live jazz from Global Fusion Music & Arts.
Create: Talking Generations Young Voices Greenwich - Intergenerational Music Workshop
Wednesday 7 October, Wednesday 4 November and Wednesday 2 December, 10:30am to 12:30pm, free
Plumstead Centre Library, 232 Plumstead High Street, SE18 1JL
Join Intergenerational Music Making for a welcoming series of music and storytelling workshops bringing younger and older people together through creativity.
Create: Ankara and Kente Tapestry Rascals afterschool workshop
Thursday 8 October, 4:30pm, free
Woolwich Centre, Library, 35 Wellington Street, London, SE18 6HQ
Creative workshop for kids to explore African textiles, crafts and heritage with Black Female Entrepreneur Greenwich.
Create: Film Night – Small Axe, Red, White and Blue
Friday 9 October, 7:30pm to 9pm, free
Mycenae House, 90 Mycenae Road, SE3 7SE
Join Global Fusion Music & Arts for a screening of Steve McQueen's Red, White and Blue, starring John Boyega. The film spotlights the true story of Leroy Logan, who at a young age saw his father assaulted by two policemen, motivating him to join the Metropolitan Police in the hope of changing their racist attitudes from within.
Create: Features from the Black Presents – Yarn Play with Nicola Reid
Wednesday 14 October, 6pm to 9pm, free
Firepit Gallery & Studios, 10 Cutter Lane, SE10 0XX
A workshop teaching art with fibers and fabrics.
Create: The Fan Show
Saturday 10 October, 1pm to 4pm, free
Eltham Centre Library, Archery Road, SE9 1HA
A fan making workshop with Victoria Ajoku, suitable for children and young people.
Create: Our Story, Our Lens
Saturday 10 October, 1pm to 2pm, free
Big screen in General Gordon Square, Woolwich, SE18 6HD
Join Pretty Hearts CIC for a screening of short films, created by local young people collecting stories from the older generation.
Create: Features from the Black Presents - The Big Black Drawing Sess
Saturday 10 October, 6pm to 9pm, free
Firepit Art Gallery & Studios, 10 Cutter Lane, SE10 0XX
Join exhibiting artist Curtis Donovan for a deeper insight into his illustrative black and white artwork. All materials provided.
Create: Features from the Black Presents 'Sip N Paint' with Axematic
Friday16 October, 6pm to 9pm, free
Firepit Art Gallery & Studios, 10 Cutter Lane, SE10 0XX
A special free edition of 'Sip N Paint' hosted by exhibition curator and Firepit Resident Artist, Axematic.
Sunday 18 October, 11am to 4pm, free
Charlton House and Gardens, Charlton Road, SE7 8RE
Following the launch of their African Threads exhibition, Royal Greenwich Heritage Trust continue their Black History Month celebrations with a range of food stalls, crafts and music, plus demonstrations from Ghanaian textile artist Lorelle Aboagye and entertainment by Global Fusion Music & Arts.
Create: Features from the Black Presents – Firepit Tales
Wednesday 21 October, 7pm to 9pm, free
Firepit Gallery & Studios, 10 Cutter Lane, SE10 0XX
An evening of spoken word and poetry.
Create: Young artists poetry and music night
Friday 23 October, 7:30pm to 9pm, free
Mycenae House, 90 Mycenae Road, SE3 7SE
An evening of music and poetry from local young people with Global Fusion Music & Arts.
Create: The Fan Show
Saturday 24 October, 1pm to 4pm, free
Woolwich Centre Library, 35 Wellington Street, SE18 6HQ
A fan making workshop with Victoria Ajoku, suitable for children and young people.
Create: Rooted in Greenwich - Trees, Culture and Community Celebration
Saturday 24 October, 10:30am to 5pm, free
Greenwich Park Learning Centre, Charlton Way, SE3 7AP
Join Urban Tree Festival for a celebration day and learn the history of some of trees in Greenwich Park.
Create: Black History children's workshop
Saturday 24 October, 12 noon to 3pm, free
GMFA Community Office, Ground Floor, Valiant House, Valley Grove, SE7 8BD
Drumming, singing and crafts celebrating Black history.
Saturday 24 October, 12:30pm kick off, various prices
The Valley, Floyd Road, SE7 8BL
As Charlton Men's Team take on Norwich City, the club will celebrate a significant milestone in their commitment to inclusion and equality, as the first Professional Football Club in London to achieve the EFL Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Gold Award.
Create: Future Heads workshop
Sunday 25 October, 1pm to 2pm, free
Woolwich Centre Library, 35 Wellington Street, SE18 6HQ
Co-design sessions with young people as researchers, creators, performers, hosts, and discussion leaders, where they will turn their ideas into spoken word, digital art, photography, short performance pieces, and a youth-curated exhibition.
Create: Roots & Rhythm Youth Festival
Sunday 25 October, 3pm to 5pm, free
Clockhouse Community Centre, Defiance Walk, SE18 5QL
Youth led African-rooted music and performance workshop.
Create: Black London Singalong
Monday 26 and Tuesday 27 October, 4pm to 6pm, free
St. John's Church, Plumstead, SE18 7NH
Learn the history of songs that appeared spiritual at the time, but were often coded songs transferring information and motivation to achieve despite discrimination.
Create: Music Bridges Cultures
Workshops: Monday 26, Tuesday 27, Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29, October, Friday 30 October, 1:30pm to 4pm, free
SV Academy Creative Media Centre, 6 Eltham High Street, SE9 1DA
Collaborate with professional musicians to prepare a unique piece of music that draws on the rich musical heritage of the borough’s diaspora communities. Ending with a show performance on the Friday at 3:30pm.
Create: Black London trip to London's Black history sites
Tuesday 27 October, 12 noon to 5pm, free
Join Fresh Chances for a tour of London's Black history sites, including Brixton's Black Cultural Archives and the Nelson Mandela Sculpture in Parliament Square.
Create: African pop-up market
Thursday 29 October, 11am to 6pm, free
The Woolwich Centre Library, 35 Wellington Street, SE18 6HQ
Showcasing Black-owned businesses and makers, join Black Female Entrepreneurs Greenwich for a vibrant Africa pop-up market celebrating creativity, culture, entrepreneurship and community.
Create: Afrocentric Fashion Show
Friday 30 October, 6pm to 9pm, free
Tramshed, 51 to 53 Woolwich New Road, SE18 6ES
Black Female Entrepreneur Greenwich bring together local African designers, curators and artists to showcase art, accessories, craft, 3D design, tapestry and artwork.
Create: GCDA book launch
Friday 30 October, 6:30pm to 7:30pm, free
Woolwich Front Room
Celebrate the publication of an anthology of work written by participants on the Scribes with Vibes creative writing programme.
Create: A Manifesto for Hawksmoor
Friday 30 October, 2pm to 5pm, free
Hawksmoor Youth Hub, SE28 8AS
A drop-in family workshop for all ages, as part of Hawksmoor Youth Hub's Half-Term Autumn Open Day. Make a poster that tells the world about your youth centre, and find out about a public art project with artist Holly Graham.
Create: The Fan Show
Saturday 31 October, 1pm to 4pm, free
Blackheath Library, Old Dover Road, SE3 7BT
A fan making workshop with Victoria Ajoku, suitable for children and young people.
CAFC Red, White and Black match day and community parade
Sunday 1 November, 2:30pm kick off, various prices
The Valley, Floyd Road, SE7 8BL
Charlton Athletic's Women's Team take on Chelsea FC for their annual Red, White and Black match day and community parade.