Camden celebrates Black History Season

Next month, Camden Council is launching its annual Black History Season with a whole host of community events - from art exhibitions, live music, and history talks - running until December.

This is Camden’s fifth Black History Season since extending Black History Month in 2020, which will dedicate three months to celebrating the incredible and wonderful achievements and contributions of Black people across Camden and the UK.

Camden’s vibrant calendar of events includes exhibitions, films, talks, supper clubs and more, designed to educate, inspire and empower the residents of Camden and beyond.

The three-month celebration will officially kick off on Friday 4 October at Coal Drops Yard in partnership with Black Owned London and BOLO fest. BOLO fest aims to promote Black economic empowerment by providing participating brands a platform and unique opportunity to connect with local communities.

The theme of this year’s season is 'Reclaiming Narratives,' which aims to amplify the boroughs untold stories and shine a spotlight on the activists, changemakers, leaders and communities who have contributed to changing the narrative past present and future.

Programme highlights include:

• The Unknown Soldier – A free exhibition celebrating the contributions of Black servicemen and women to British War effort in WWI & WWII.  Being displayed at Swiss Cottage Gallery, from 2 to 31 October
• All Shall Be Afforded Dignity Exhibition - Marking 30 years of democracy in South Africa, Norman Kaplan's artworks invite reflection on themes of human rights, democracy, and the enduring human spirit. Displayed at Swiss Cottage Gallery, from 7 to 30 November
• Bass Culture – A three-year academic research project exploring the impact of Jamaican and Jamaican-influenced music on British culture, covering the period from the 1960s to the present day. Screening at the Garden Cinema, from 11 October at 8pm
• Bus Bash Recordings: The Story So Far - Join entrepreneur and music mogul MC Bushkin on his journey from being the founding member of the Heartless Crew to setting up the UK’s first independent black record label. Screening at the Everyman Cinema in King’s Cross, on 15 October at 7pm
• The ‘Black Poor’ of Camden and Sierra Leone’s ‘Province of Freedom’ - A presentation on the ‘Black Poor’ of Camden and their resettlement in Sierra Leone’s ‘Province of Freedom’ in 1787. Hosted at Swiss Cottage Library on 8 October at 6.30pm.
• Camden Black Radicals: Abolition and Social Reform - A fascinating talk by historian and author Professor Olivette Otele exploring Camden's pioneering Black radical activists, their global impact and the ripples of radical social activism which can still be felt in Camden today. Taking place at the Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre on 24 October at 7pm.
• From Apartheid to Amapiano - Thirty Years of South African Street Sounds - Join BBC 1Xtra’s Eddie Kadi for a look at the importance of South African music and culture through panel discussion, networking and DJ sounds. Taking place at the Atrium in the Stable Market, 23 October, 6.30pm

As part of Black History Season, the popular "Explore Africa!" workshops return to libraries across the borough in October. These interactive sessions offer families the chance to learn about Africa's diverse languages, cuisine, and flags, fostering cultural exploration and engagement.

Additionally, a series of supper clubs will showcase diverse culinary traditions, including Caribbean cuisine at Ma Petite Jamaica and Cottons, as well as Ethiopian and Eritrean dishes at Kebena Green. Attendees can enjoy flavourful dishes accompanied by live music and poetry performances throughout November and December.

Most of the Camden-run events this year are free, with a small number of events having a low entry fee. All proceeds will be donated to support the brilliant work of the Black Curriculum.

You can find out more about this year’s Black History Season and see the full programme of events at lovecamden.org/blackhistoryseason.