Celebrating Black History in Hackney
Find out about the time James Baldwin visited CLR James Library in Dalston, explore Hackney’s links to the Caribbean and look at how Black British music has shaped the borough. Hackney Council is celebrating Black history and culture with a two-month long season of free events and activities.
The Council’s Black History Season has something for all ages, including a #BlackHistoriesMatter youth takeover of Hackney Museum, Soca dance aerobics, a screening of the Maya Angelou documentary ‘And I still Rise’, history talks, and music, story, and craft workshops for children.
One of this year’s highlights are the My Hackney - Black History walking tours. Starting from Hackney Museum and Dalston CLR James Library the history tours cover a range of historical topics from the Hackney Black Peoples Defence Committee to the history of Centerprise.
Another key event to look out for is a panel discussion about Maya Angelou’s influence on Black British writing and writers. Panellists include comedian, actor, writer and playwright Angie Le Mar, literary activist and academic Kadija George Sesay, award winning civil rights lawyer Marcia Willis Stewart and creative-producer and actor Gabriel Akamo .
From history walking tours to music workshops for children, there is plenty for residents to get involved with this Black History Season. I would encourage all residents to come along, take part, and help celebrate Black history. It is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the history and significant cultural contributions of the African and Caribbean communities in Hackney.
Black History Month is a national annual celebration of the contribution that African and Caribbean communities have made both locally and across the globe.
Events are free and will take place at Hackney Museum, Hackney Archives, and at libraries across the borough, until November 2017. Some events require advance booking. For more information, pick up a programme of activities from libraries and other venues across the borough or visit the Council's Black History Season webpage.
Find out more about the Museum's Black History Season exhibition: Island to Island – Journeys through the Caribbean.
#BHM2017
