Black History Month 2024

Black History Month is being celebrated in Waltham Forest in October 2024 with a huge range of exciting and inspirational events. The national theme of Reclaiming Narratives marks a shift towards recognising and correcting the narratives of Black history and culture.

Waltham Forest’s 25,000-strong Afro-Caribbean community is a vibrant and valuable part of our cultural fabric. From arts workshops to film screenings, walks, talks and performances, the borough is bursting with activity to celebrate the Black community and its contributions to our borough. 

This historical talk at the Leyton and Leytonstone Historical Society, 'Slave Trade Abolition and Leytonstone House: the Sansoms, the Buxtons and Black History', is delivered by Claire Weiss and Geoff Nicholls, marking the launch of a book by them and Peter Ashan.

Please note: this event is not affiliated with Waltham Forest Council.

Date: Wednesday 16 October
Time: 7.45pm
Location: St John's Church Hall, 829-837 High Rd Leytonstone, E11 3BD
Cost: Free for Leyton and Leytonstone Historical Society members, £2 for non-members 

Find out more about the historical talk

Head to the Gleaners Cafe for a fun-filled evening of vegan Caribbean food and a few games of Dominoes. Bring your friends and family for a night of friendly competition and delicious food, included in the entrance fee. Whether you're a seasoned pro or new to the game of Dominoes, everyone is welcome to join in on the fun. 

Please note: this event is not affiliated with Waltham Forest Council.

Date: Friday 18 October 2024
Time: 6pm to 9.15pm
Location: The Gleaners Cafe cooperative CIC, 458 Hoe Street London E17 9AH
Cost: Pay What You Can tickets (from £12 to £18)

Book your place at Dominoes night

Join us at Lea Bridge Library for a special Black History Month Market celebrating Black-owned businesses, hosted by Support a Small Business (SASB) and the Business and IP Centre (BIPC) in collaboration with Waltham Forest Libraries.

Discover an exciting selection of 10 Black-owned businesses, showcasing their products and services. From fashion to food, art, and more, join us and experience the rich culture, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit of these businesses.

Date: Saturday 19 October 2024
Time: 10am to 4pm
Location: Lea Bridge Library, Lea Bridge Road, London, E10 7HU
Cost: Free entry

Find out more about Black History Month pop-up market

Afrobbean Kitchen presents Autumn Jam, a Black History Month special. Featuring fun, food, games, African drumming, spoken word performances, competitions, a raffle, workshops and prizes, there'll be fun for kids and adults both. 

Dates: Sunday 20 October 
Time: 1pm to 6pm
Location: Crate St James Street, Walthamstow, E17 7FY
Cost: Free entry

Find out more about Afrobean Kitchen

Waltham Forest Freedom Walks, led by local historian and educator Peter Ashan, will explore the history and contribution of the Black community in the borough, from the Transatlantic Slave Trade to the present day. 

For more information on starting points, routes, and to book your free slots, follow the links for each town centre below.

Funded by the Council's Fellowship Fund 

Dates: Sunday 20 October. Book your walk at Leyton

Sunday 27 October. Book your walk at Leytonstone

Sunday 3 November. Book your walk at Walthamstow

Sunday 10 November. Book your walk at North Chingford

Sunday 17 November. Book your walk at Chingford Mount
 

Walk times are 10am to 2pm and free to all.

This evening, hosted by the Afro-Caribbean Elders Association (ACEA), is for all to attend, both adults and children. It will include speakers recounting experiences and achievements through poetry, storytelling, songs and music, singing groups, young people performing, Caribbean food and drink for people to experience and share in, and posters of important people within our community, past and present.

ACEA believes that the history of the Black community and other Commonwealth countries is important for all people, young, old and of different ethnic backgrounds to know about and understand. 

Funded by the Council's Fellowship Fund 

Dates: Tuesday 22 October
Time: 6pm to 10pm
Location: William Morris Community Centre, 6-8 Greenleaf Rd, Walthamstow, E17 6QQ
Cost: Free entry

No booking required, just turn up.

This choral singing masterclass and community performance will be led by Professor Gwen Moten (Music Director and Conductor, Count Basie Centre for Arts and New Jersey Symphony Gospel Chorus)

Every evening from 7pm to 9pm from Sunday 27 October to Friday 1 November, join for masterclasses at Walthamstow Central Library. You'll use what you've learned at the Community Concert on Saturday 2 November at St Mary's Church, Walthamstow.

Funded by the Council's Fellowship Fund 

Dates: Masterclasses: Sunday 27 October to Friday 1 November. Concert: Saturday 2 November  
Time: Masterclasses: 7pm to 9pm. Concert: 12pm-1.30pm
Location: Masterclasses: Walthamstow Central Library. Concert: St Mary's Church, Walthamstow 
Cost: Free 

Book your masterclass place

Book your concert ticket

The Gleaners Cafe host this community meal and film screening of Babymother (1998), widely considered to be the first Black British musical. Food will be served at 6pm and the film will start at 6.45pm. (Please try your best to arrive at 6pm, so everyone has the chance to eat before the film starts). Dinner is included in the price of the ticket, but we will be selling drinks and movie snacks, if you fancy a treat!

Set close to home in the London district of Harlesden, Babymother follows Anita, who has an ambition to become a local Dancehall star. Full of singing, dancing, and laughing, we're really excited to be screening this film, an important piece of Black British history.

Please note: this event is not affiliated with Waltham Forest Council.

Date: Thursday 24 October 2024
Time: Food served at 6pm, film starts 6.45pm
Location: The Gleaners Cafe cooperative CIC, 458 Hoe Street London E17 9AH
Cost: Pay What You Can tickets (from £6 to £18)

Book your ticket to watch Babymother

UK Melanin Markets and Paula's Pre Love Emporium present a Afro Caribbean pop-up marketplace in celebration of Black History Month. They will also host Paul Canoville, the first Black footballer to play for Chelsea; there will be an opportunity to take pictures and get autographs.

Please note: this event is not affiliated with Waltham Forest Council.

Dates: Saturday 26 October
Time: 11am to 7pm
Location: Bojangles, 1 Old Church Road, Chingford E4 6SJ
Cost: Free entry

Come along to this Chingford Mount celebration at any time to join in with creating simple artwork on the theme of 'resilience'. There will also be music and refreshments. Artwork will be exhibited at St Edmund’s Church on the following Sunday from 10am.

Please note: this event is not affiliated with Waltham Forest Council.

Dates: Saturday 26 October
Time: 12pm to 4pm
Location: St Edmund's Church, Larkswood Road, Chingford, E4 9DS
Cost: Free 

To celebrate Black History Month, Inspiration Arts (in partnership with Waltham Forest Adult Learning Service) will be running their popular Carnival Arts Workshop. You will get the opportunity to create amazing costumes and accessories inspired by the energetic Caribbean carnival scene. Have fun designing your own dazzling headdress, masks and accessories using feathers, sequins, beads and more. You’ll learn how to create bold, eye catching pieces. No experience needed.

Each workshop will be different, so you can come to as many as you like. This workshop is open to everyone: families, groups of friends, or individuals looking for a fun and creative experience. Come and celebrate the carnival spirit with us. For more information email: inspiration_arts@hotmail.co.uk

Funded by the Council's Community Grants

Date: Every day between Monday 28 October and Friday 1 November
Time: 1pm to 4pm
Location: The Junction, 2-4 Cathall Road, Leytonstone, London, E11 4LF
Cost: Free, please drop in