Vision Redbridge Culture and Leisure are celebrating Black History Month this October with a variety of events across the borough. The events are organised in partnership with Redbridge Council and local community organisations.
Redbridge Libraries have put together a wide selection of events for people of all ages. There are events that aim to highlight and celebrate members of the Black community within Redbridge, others that look to share personal experiences and family histories and some will spotlight unique aspects of cultures from Africa and the Caribbean.
Valentines Mansion will be showing an exhibition, called The Missing Chapter, throughout the month of October that explores black presences in the 19th and early 20th centuries through studio portraits.
There will be special Black History Month Comedy Shutdown happening at the Kenneth More Theatre on Saturday 7 October. Acts will include, Kat B (BBC, MTV), Richard Blackwood (MTV, ITV, BBC, CH4), Loyiso Gola (Live at the Apollo, Comedy Central), and Kyrah Gray (Netflix, Comedy Central Live).
Black British Ballet will be bringing their performance, Island Movements, to Redbridge Central Library on Saturday 7 October. This short performance explores the story of Windrush and will be followed by a Q&A.
Many events will also be taking place for children and families including a number of Storytime sessions for under 5s to celebrate Black authors at a number of libraries across Redbridge. There will also be a showcase of African Drumming taking place at Valentines Mansion on Wednesday 25 October where families will be able to have a go themselves.
All the events that are taking place as part of Black History Month can be seen here and there are also other interesting things to read and watch. You can watch a short film that explores the untold story of Black people in Britain before the Windrush. There is also a film from Redbridge Museum & Heritage Centre about the Windrush Generation that settled in Redbridge. There are even book and reading suggestions for adults, teens, and children.
Chair of Vision Trustees, Martin Solder, said:
Vision is honoured to host Black History Month celebrations. Every October residents of Redbridge can take advantage of a variety of events and activities that are held throughout our venues to honour and showcase the rich and diverse cultural heritage of our incredible Black communities.
For more information on Black History Month, please visit our dedicated
Black History Month webpage.
