Online Events This Black History Month
Today marks the start of Black History Month here in the UK - a time for everyone to reflect upon, celebrate and learn about the history of Black people in our country, taking note of the achievements and contributions to the social, political, economic and cultural development of the UK.
There are loads of different events organised for the month, so take a look below and see some of the best online things to get involved in...
BIG FAT UK BLACK HISTORY QUIZ
Friday 1 October | 19:30 | Free
Don’t miss out on THE official launch event of Black History Month!
Test your knowledge on Black British history in four rounds spanning Black music, general knowledge, key moments in UK Black history, and a Black to Past special round!
This is an online quiz and admission is completely free. You can join on your own or with a group of up to five mates. Fun and prizes are guaranteed!
Find out more and sign up here.
BLACK WOMEN’S FORUM UK: BOOK CLUB - GIRL, WOMAN, OTHER
Tuesday 5 October | 20:00 | Free
Black Women's Forum UK presents their online book club for Black women, where they consider books by Black women.
This meeting will discuss Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo:
Teeming with life and crackling with energy — a love song to modern Britain and black womanhood, Girl, Woman, Other follows the lives and struggles of twelve very different characters. Mostly women, Black and British, they tell the stories of their families, friends and lovers, across the country and through the years.
Find out more and sign up here
BEING A BETTER ALLY TO LGBTQ+ POC
Wednesday 6 October 2021 | 11:00 | Free
Black LGBTQ+ people have been severely affected by the global pandemic, as well as the trauma of systemic racism, homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia experienced by the entire community. Now more than ever, we need allies to step up and take action. Many people have looked to find ways to support the Black community during this time of immense pain and uncertainty. Sometimes this allyship can be positive and other times it can be misguided. Allyship is not a single step, it is an ongoing journey. It takes work, self-reflection and making that conscious decision over and over to step up until it becomes embedded in how we behave.
Find out more and sign up here
HIDAYAH’S BLACK HISTORY AWARENESS MONTH: FILM SCREENING AND DISCUSSION
Wednesday 6 October | 18:00 | Free
Hidayah - who provide support and welfare for LGBTQI+ Muslims - are going back to the 80s to bring to light some of the LGBTQI+ activism undertaken by the QTIPOC community. And what better way to do this but with a screening of Gay Black Group:
The formation of the Gay Black Group was a landmark in gay Black history. Meeting at Gay's the Word, a bookshop in Bloomsbury, London, it provided a sounding board and support for gay and Black communities of the 1980s. Sitting on the outside of both by virtue of their sexuality or ethnicity, the group attempted to negotiate a path through the complexities of cultural and sexual identity. In this film, members of the group talk to Paula Ahluwalia about their experiences.
They will also be joined by Ejel Khan, a human rights activist, who will be discussing his journey and lived experiences as an LGBTQI+ Muslim growing up in Luton, and why representation and activism is so important for all QTIPOC people, now more than ever.
Find out more and sign up here.
EXPLORING BRITAIN’S BLACK LGBTQIA+ HISTORY
Wednesday 13 October | 20:00 | £5+
Queerness and explorations of sexuality in Britain are often whitewashed, with events such as Pride centring the white narrative and arguably lacking in diversity. Though the founding of UK Black Pride in 2005 has taken strides to recognise the unique experiences of Black queer people, many stories still remain undiscovered. This panel of speakers will explore personal histories and recollections of the Black queer experience of Britain. Who are the people working to uncover the forgotten stories and what can we learn from them? How did Black queer people come together and build community and culture in a hostile environment?
Find out more and sign up here
PUBLIC SPEAKING WORKSHOP FT: THE GREATEST BLACK SPEAKERS IN HISTORY
Thursday 14 October | 15:00 | Donation
David Villa-Clarke, CEO of the Aleto Foundation, hosts a public speaking workshop, celebrating great public speakers through Black history. David will be looking at the most influential Black speakers in history and highlight the skills and techniques that made them powerful and influential communicators. The session will include an interactive online workshop where you will have the chance to ask questions and learn how to become a well spoken and confident leader!
Find out more and sign up here
AFRIKAN HISTORY MONTH: WHITE LIES, BLACK TRUTHS
Saturday 16 October | 21:00 | Free
Historians, books, and academia have lied about the vast contribution of Afrikan heritage people in society and this is presented as the norm. This short presentation seeks to destroy these lies told about Afrikan heritage people's contribution to world civilisation and culture with hard facts so that there can be no contention that Afrikan people have contributed greatly to world civilisation and culture.
Find out more and sign up here
SELF REFLECTION AND HEALING WORKSHOP
Monday 18 October | 17:30 | Free
The Thelma Matilda Alves Foundation delivers a Self-Reflection and Healing workshop in collaboration with Warrior Reminder Founder Ash Alves.
The workshop is an opportunity for you to disconnect externally and reconnect internally. By taking the time out to do some self-reflection, you get a chance to witness your thoughts and let go of anything that’s no longer serving you. The workshop will give you a chance to dig deeper and reclaim your joy.,/p>
Find out more and sign up here
CULTURE AND MYTH IN YA FANTASY
Thursday 21 October | 19:00 | Free
There has been an explosion in fantasy novels for children and teens written by Black writers, with many drawing from their heritage to create fantastic worlds and characters. Yaba Badoe's new novel Lionheart Girl combines African myth and magic. Born into a family of West African witches, Sheba's terrified of her mother who can turn into a crow. But like mother, like daughter - magic runs through her blood and Sheba discovers powers of her own. Descendants of the First is the sequel to Reni Amayo’s epic fantasy, Daughters of Nri. Set in ancient Nigeria, the books follow twin sisters who, unbeknownst to them, descend from the lost gods. The books explores the discovery of their burgeoning powers and their fight against the corrupt king who seeks to destroy them.
Join authors Yaba Badoe and Reni K. Amayo as they discuss their work, inspiration and influences.
Find out more and sign up here
DECOLONISING MUSIC (BLACK HISTORY MONTH EDITION)
Saturday 23 October | 19:00 | Free
This BIPOC-only discussion group brings radical conversations and decolonial inspiration to help people get free and challenge oppression in their daily lives. Black artists have dominated the music industry and continue to lead the way across genres by innovating and pushing boundaries. Music is also an intrinsic part of Black storytelling and provides a tool for surviving racial trauma, mourning and celebrating what it means to be Black. This session will involve listening to a selection of Black music while exploring what colonisation actually is, how music has been colonised and what can be done to decolonise music.
Find out more and sign up here
IDENTIFYING YOUR VOICE WITH DR MICHELLE ASANTEWA
Wednesday 27 October | 11:00 | Free
This creative writing workshop is especially centred on writing perspectives around Black history and Black lives - whether these are personal or part of collective experiences. The aim is to inspire you to feel confident about writing on subjects that matter to you in a way that celebrates your personal history and experiences. You will benefit from engaging peer discussions, feedback and tutoring to help improve your writing and sharing your ideas in a comforting safe space.
Find out more and sign up here
BLACK WOMEN, SELF-IMAGE AND RELATIONSHIPS IN THE ERA OF LOVE ISLAND
Saturday 30 October | 11:00 | Free
Many Black women find themselves turning away from shows like Love Island and other representations of Black women in UK media, that depict them as being ‘chosen last’. Join Siya Mngaza to explore the psychology of self-image, relationships and attachment in the era of Love Island. Siya will briefly talk about her research which explored the experiences of young Black people in predominantly white spaces. Here she explores how themes of misogynoir can present themselves in adolescence and go on to shape our definition of self image and resistance.
Find out more and sign up here
For all the events, both online and IRL, check out the official Black History Month listings.