Find out what’s happening in the borough this Black History Month
Join us in celebrating Black History Month in Richmond upon Thames this October.
The main aim of Black History Month is to explore Black history, heritage and culture. It’s a chance to learn more about the achievements and contributions of Black people not just in the UK, but throughout the world, and to improve awareness of Black history.
Richmond Council has a programme of events and invites groups and organisations in the borough to share their plans so it can help promote these to residents. You can do this by emailing Fenna Maynard.
Cllr Michael Wilson, Lead Member for Equalities and Diversity, said:
“We are delighted to be supporting a variety of events to recognise and celebrate Black History Month. We encourage residents to use this opportunity to reconnect with the arts and learn more about Black history.”
‘Our Stories’ Poetry Night
On Friday 15 October, students at St Mary’s University will host an interactive poetry workshop at The Exchange, 75 London Road, Twickenham, TW1 1BE. Register to attend.
Auction and exhibition at the Riverside Gallery
On Monday 18 October, students at St Mary’s University will open their art exhibition residency at the Riverside Gallery in the Old Town Hall, Richmond, TW9 1TP. The exhibition celebrates Black history and culture and will run until 30 October.
RichmondReads
#RichmondReads book for Black History Month is Matt Ruff’s Lovecraft Country and you are invited to read the ebook or eAudiobook for free via Borrowbox and share your thoughts with @RichmondLibs on Twitter using the hashtag #RichmondReads.
Page Turners
Page Turners shared reading sessions will feature literature from the world’s best Black writers and poets. No need to book or read anything in advance, just join the session via Zoom.
Sessions will be held in October on:
· Tuesdays – from 10.30 to 11.30am
· Wednesdays – from 2 to 3pm
· Thursdays – from 2 to 3pm
The Richmond Libraries blog will also feature short works by Black authors, providing an accessible way to engage with Black history and literature.
Project X
Project X – Achieving for Children’s youth service that aims to reduce serious youth violence and knife crime in Richmond upon Thames and Kingston through structured positive activities – will be releasing a nine-minute song that pays reference to George Floyd and in which young people from all backgrounds talk about situations in life where they felt they couldn’t breathe or felt suffocated or trapped.
Care Homes
Despite challenging times, Care Homes in the borough are pulling out all the stops to participate in Black History Month.
Laurel Dene Care Home in Hampton Hill is hosting quizzes and activities throughout October that cover famous Black inventors, African-American history and more. Greville House in Richmond will have a day of Caribbean and African food with families and residents invited to share their experiences. Langdon Park in Teddington is cooking traditional dishes from Nigeria and Uganda with accompanying music and language lessons. Finally, a staff member from Lion Road in Twickenham is cooking Jollof rice from Ghana whilst another will prepare Palau rice from Somali for residents and their visitors to enjoy.
Internally, the Council will also be recognising Black History Month through a series of weekly events organised by its Race Equality Network, including a talk by Avril Nanton, the author of Black London: History, Art & Culture.
