The 2024 Wandsworth Black History Month theme, “Changing the Narratives,” represents the recognition and perception of black individuals and communities in British society as well as embracing the narratives of Black history and culture. By emphasising these themes, we aim to showcase a clearer vision and display expressions of the various successful untold stories and contributors, where representation has been understated throughout history. This will also allow a better understanding of the complexity of Black heritage. These narratives will be seen through the delivery of events and activities for Adults and Children.
Meet our speakers
Avril Horsford
GOING TO ENGLAND: Caribbean Migration stories from the V&A Museum
Thursday 17th October, 6:30pm
Putney Library
Avril spent her early years in Antigua, before relocating to Britain; and following studies in Fine Art, and Post-Graduate training in Education and ‘Lifelong Learning’ and her role as senior educator at the University of the Arts London (UAL), she has contributed to the delivery of the Education programme at the V&A; where, for many years, she has also been a volunteer tour Guide for the specialist African Heritage tours.
To book, Call 020 8780 3085.
Thursday 17th October, 6:30pm
Putney Library
Avril spent her early years in Antigua, before relocating to Britain; and following studies in Fine Art, and Post-Graduate training in Education and ‘Lifelong Learning’ and her role as senior educator at the University of the Arts London (UAL), she has contributed to the delivery of the Education programme at the V&A; where, for many years, she has also been a volunteer tour Guide for the specialist African Heritage tours.
To book, Call 020 8780 3085.
Brenda Garrick
Jamakespear
Tuesday 8th October, 6pm
Wandsworth Town Library
Brenda Garrick is an actor who loves to write. She took inspiration from The Posse (a Black male theatre company), Shakespeare and her love of Jamaican patties to create her first poem 'And Is Dis A Pattie?' It took a local writers' group to suggest that Brenda write more poems in this style that a further 21 and counting joined the first.
To book, call the library on 020 8877 1742
Tuesday 8th October, 6pm
Wandsworth Town Library
Brenda Garrick is an actor who loves to write. She took inspiration from The Posse (a Black male theatre company), Shakespeare and her love of Jamaican patties to create her first poem 'And Is Dis A Pattie?' It took a local writers' group to suggest that Brenda write more poems in this style that a further 21 and counting joined the first.
To book, call the library on 020 8877 1742
Deanna Lyncook
Challenging the Windrush Narrative
Monday 21st October 6:30pm
Virtual event
Deanna Lyncook is a PhD student in History at Queen Mary University of London, founder and host of the weekly podcast The History Hotline, and has worked on historical research projects for the Society for Caribbean Studies, the University of Leeds, BBC Radio London and the Times Radio. Her research takes a transnational approach to the experiences of West Indian children in the British education system in Britain and its Caribbean colonies, in the second half of the 20th Century.
Book now
Monday 21st October 6:30pm
Virtual event
Deanna Lyncook is a PhD student in History at Queen Mary University of London, founder and host of the weekly podcast The History Hotline, and has worked on historical research projects for the Society for Caribbean Studies, the University of Leeds, BBC Radio London and the Times Radio. Her research takes a transnational approach to the experiences of West Indian children in the British education system in Britain and its Caribbean colonies, in the second half of the 20th Century.
Dr Velma McClymont
Author talk and storytime: A Home for Mr No-Roach
Thursday 10th October 4pm, Balham Library
Wednesday 30th October 4pm, Wandsworth Town Library
Dr Velma McClymont is a writer, poet, international speaker and the director/publisher of WomanzVue Books. A Windrush child, Dr. McClymont was born in rural Jamaica and joined her parents in Battersea in the late 1960’s.
To book, call 0208 673 1129 for Balham Library, and 020 8877 1742 for Wandsworth Town Library
Thursday 10th October 4pm, Balham Library
Wednesday 30th October 4pm, Wandsworth Town Library
Dr Velma McClymont is a writer, poet, international speaker and the director/publisher of WomanzVue Books. A Windrush child, Dr. McClymont was born in rural Jamaica and joined her parents in Battersea in the late 1960’s.
To book, call 0208 673 1129 for Balham Library, and 020 8877 1742 for Wandsworth Town Library
Helen Mc Donalds
Time traveling with the jazz queens
Wednesday 30th October, 6pm
Battersea Library
Helen McDonald, vocalist, storyteller and educator (Yaaba Funk) is your tour guide; a fantasy jazz singer from the future who together with her time travel chair, takes you back to the age of Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and Nina Simone.
To book, call Battersea Library on 020 7223 2334
Wednesday 30th October, 6pm
Battersea Library
Helen McDonald, vocalist, storyteller and educator (Yaaba Funk) is your tour guide; a fantasy jazz singer from the future who together with her time travel chair, takes you back to the age of Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and Nina Simone.
To book, call Battersea Library on 020 7223 2334
Imani Ulaini
At our class visits this month children will enjoy an interactive storytelling session with author Imani Ulaini.
Imani is the author of the 'Uncle and Auntie Man Dem' series, featuring Uncle Boasy, Auntie Eeenah, Auntie Vex Up, and Uncle Big Bowl. Outside of her childrens book work, Imani is a historian, having completed three years of Black Studies via the tutelage of The Black History Man (Robin Walker), achieved a Masters in the History of Africa and the African Diaspora (HAAD) and is currently a PhD student at the University of Chichester – her working thesis is “Agency, resilience and contestation in procuring Black spaces”.
Imani is the author of the 'Uncle and Auntie Man Dem' series, featuring Uncle Boasy, Auntie Eeenah, Auntie Vex Up, and Uncle Big Bowl. Outside of her childrens book work, Imani is a historian, having completed three years of Black Studies via the tutelage of The Black History Man (Robin Walker), achieved a Masters in the History of Africa and the African Diaspora (HAAD) and is currently a PhD student at the University of Chichester – her working thesis is “Agency, resilience and contestation in procuring Black spaces”.
Kamapala Chuckwuka
Meet the author and storytime
Wednesday 9th October, 4pm
York Gardens Library
Join award-winning children’s author, Kamapala Chukwuka for a fun-packed story session and craft event. Kamapala’s books are filled with positive morals of kindness, patience, love, confidence and more. Her session will inspire kids and grownups alike to be kinder and more accepting of others.
To book, call York Gardens Library on 0207 223 2341
Wednesday 9th October, 4pm
York Gardens Library
Join award-winning children’s author, Kamapala Chukwuka for a fun-packed story session and craft event. Kamapala’s books are filled with positive morals of kindness, patience, love, confidence and more. Her session will inspire kids and grownups alike to be kinder and more accepting of others.
To book, call York Gardens Library on 0207 223 2341
Lavern Williams & Portia Louis
Hair art
Monday 28th October, 2pm, Roehampton Library
Wednesday 30th october, 10:30am, Battersea Library
Wednesday 30th October, 2pm, York Gardens Library
Lavern and Portia are the founders of Nurture Academy CIC, a Social Enterprise that works with young people and adults. They teach the Art of hair braiding and run social projects to raise awareness on Hair discrimination. Empowering and enhancing individuals to learn life long skills.
To book, call 020 8 246 6979 for Roehampton Library, 020 7223 2334 for Battersea Library, and 020 7223 2341 for York Gardens Library
Monday 28th October, 2pm, Roehampton Library
Wednesday 30th october, 10:30am, Battersea Library
Wednesday 30th October, 2pm, York Gardens Library
Lavern and Portia are the founders of Nurture Academy CIC, a Social Enterprise that works with young people and adults. They teach the Art of hair braiding and run social projects to raise awareness on Hair discrimination. Empowering and enhancing individuals to learn life long skills.
To book, call 020 8 246 6979 for Roehampton Library, 020 7223 2334 for Battersea Library, and 020 7223 2341 for York Gardens Library
Loretta Awuah
Black entrepreneurship across Africa and the Diaspora
Tuesday 1st October, 2pm
York Gardens Library
Loretta Awuah is the Strategic Business Support Manager at Better overseeing our Start Up services. Loretta's passion for social and economic development and supporting entrepreneurs is also demonstrated through her role as Chair of a Board of Directors for a Community Interest Company that supports women and girls affected by trauma. An avid writer and event organiser, Loretta has written guest blogs for the Commercial Education Trust, the British Library Business and Intellectual Property Centre, and worked with award winning journalists Emily Maitlis and the Economics Editor of the Sunday Times David Smith.
Loretta's workshop will look at early examples of commerce and raising finance in Africa and the diaspora, as well as showcasing famous black entrepreneurs in Africa, the Caribbean, North and South America and the UK, before examining the current state of affairs concerning black business owners in the UK and available support.
Book now
Tuesday 1st October, 2pm
York Gardens Library
Loretta Awuah is the Strategic Business Support Manager at Better overseeing our Start Up services. Loretta's passion for social and economic development and supporting entrepreneurs is also demonstrated through her role as Chair of a Board of Directors for a Community Interest Company that supports women and girls affected by trauma. An avid writer and event organiser, Loretta has written guest blogs for the Commercial Education Trust, the British Library Business and Intellectual Property Centre, and worked with award winning journalists Emily Maitlis and the Economics Editor of the Sunday Times David Smith.
Loretta's workshop will look at early examples of commerce and raising finance in Africa and the diaspora, as well as showcasing famous black entrepreneurs in Africa, the Caribbean, North and South America and the UK, before examining the current state of affairs concerning black business owners in the UK and available support.
Lorna Jones
Cancer myths and Cancer-related Afro Hair Loss
Wednesday 9th October, 5:30pm and Saturday 19th October, 1pm
York Gardens Library
Lorna Jones is the author of 'Way Beyond the Scalp' and founder of C & Hair, the only Trichology led, Cancer-related Hair loss service in the UK specialising in Afro-Textured Hair, which has been recognised by Macmillan Cancer Support.
In this talk Lorna discusses managing cancer-related Afro Hair Loss and and the variety of support services that are available.
To book, call 020 7223 2341 to speak to York Gardens Library
Wednesday 9th October, 5:30pm and Saturday 19th October, 1pm
York Gardens Library
Lorna Jones is the author of 'Way Beyond the Scalp' and founder of C & Hair, the only Trichology led, Cancer-related Hair loss service in the UK specialising in Afro-Textured Hair, which has been recognised by Macmillan Cancer Support.
In this talk Lorna discusses managing cancer-related Afro Hair Loss and and the variety of support services that are available.
To book, call 020 7223 2341 to speak to York Gardens Library
Monica Macias
Black Girl from Pyongyang
Tuesday 29th October 5:30pm
Tooting Library
At the age of seven, Monica Macías and two of her siblings were sent to North Korea to study and reside under the care of the then-leader of the country, Kim Il Sung. However, their lives took a dramatic turn when her father, the then-president of Equatorial Guinea, was ousted in a bloody coup d'état just months after their arrival, and Monica and her siblings found themselves stranded in North Korea. In this talk Monica will share how despite the upheaval, her life and education continued on in Pyongyang.
To book, call Tooting Library on 020 8767 0543
Tuesday 29th October 5:30pm
Tooting Library
At the age of seven, Monica Macías and two of her siblings were sent to North Korea to study and reside under the care of the then-leader of the country, Kim Il Sung. However, their lives took a dramatic turn when her father, the then-president of Equatorial Guinea, was ousted in a bloody coup d'état just months after their arrival, and Monica and her siblings found themselves stranded in North Korea. In this talk Monica will share how despite the upheaval, her life and education continued on in Pyongyang.
To book, call Tooting Library on 020 8767 0543
Nichola McGuire
Womenkind
Friday 18th October, 1pm
Earlsfield Library
Womenkind is a series of workshops aiming to create a safe space for local women of colour to come together to connect, through memories, experiences & art. Each workshop will feature a topic of inspiration and participants are welcome to delve as lightly or deeply as they feel comfortable, as we discuss the joy and complexities of being a woman of colour.
Book now
Friday 18th October, 1pm
Earlsfield Library
Womenkind is a series of workshops aiming to create a safe space for local women of colour to come together to connect, through memories, experiences & art. Each workshop will feature a topic of inspiration and participants are welcome to delve as lightly or deeply as they feel comfortable, as we discuss the joy and complexities of being a woman of colour.
Victoria Asante
Victoria is the founder of the Women in Business Support Network and co-founder of Support4Support, a community project that enables children aged 4-13 to read, create and build community.
Victoria will be retelling the story of Anansi and the Talking Melon at our Black History Month Class visits.
This story will introduce you to one of the most famous and clever characters in African folklore-a spider by the name of Anansi. Anansi is no ordinary spider. He is cunning, witty and always seems to have a trick up his sleeve. In this tale, Anansi's cleverness leads him into trouble and out again-thanks to the talking melon and a bunch of confused animals.
Victoria will be retelling the story of Anansi and the Talking Melon at our Black History Month Class visits.
This story will introduce you to one of the most famous and clever characters in African folklore-a spider by the name of Anansi. Anansi is no ordinary spider. He is cunning, witty and always seems to have a trick up his sleeve. In this tale, Anansi's cleverness leads him into trouble and out again-thanks to the talking melon and a bunch of confused animals.
The housing lark
Selvon, Samuel, author.
This lovely city
Hare, Louise, author.
The woman he loved before
Koomson, Dorothy.
This one sky day
Ross, Leone, 1969- author.
Black man listen
Casimir MacLean, Kathy, author.
Experience Black History Month through music
Celebrate the rich heritage of Black music this Black History Month. Discover our specially selected playlist on Freegal Music app, featuring iconic artists and timeless tracks that have shaped generations.
Explore the Playlist on Freegal Music
