Black History Month 2022: From Africa Fashion Week to a Jamaican cookbook launch - events on in the capital

Here are some events taking place around the city this week as part of Black History Month.

Some seek to celebrate the rich diversity of African and Caribbean culture.

While others try to educate on the brutality of the colonial period and the effects of the slave trade on the continent of Africa and its people.

We will be updating this piece throughout the month but here are five events to get you started this week:

Go Africa Festival of Arts

Where: Islington Town Hall, Upper street (N1 2UD)

When: Tuesday & Wednesday 4th and 5th of October from 10am both days

How much: Tickets are mainly free but you should register if you’d like to attend on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Go Africa is holding their final event of the year to showcase the talent and creativity among the African and Caribbean communities in London. There will be plenty of food, music and various workshops to take part in with Islington MP Jeremy Corbyn listed as the keynote speaker on day two.

For more information please see the event site.

Motherland: A Jamaican Cookbook launch with author Melissa Thompson

Where: Brixton Library (SW2 1JQ)

When: Wednesday, October 5 at 7pm

How much: Free but you can reserve a place here.

Renowned food writer Melissa Thompson hosts an evening celebrating 500 years of history of Jamaican food culture in the launch of her book Motherland: A Jamaican Cookbook.

Thompson does not seek to shy away from the brutality of the colonial period in the country as she seeks to chart the history of Jamaican cuisine over the previous 500 years.

More info can be found here.

My Place: Home in a Changing World spoken word night

Where: Minet Library, 52 Knatchbull road (SE5 9QY)

When: Thursday, October 6 at 7pm

How much: Tickets are free but you can reserve a spot here.

As part of a joint celebration of National Poetry Day and Black History Month, black poets are invited to perform on the themes of the environment, home and public space.

If you’re interested in performing you can contact Zoey Dixon at [email protected].

Full event information can be found here.

Slave Trade Money Trail tour

Where: Outside the Royal Exchange (EC3V 3LR)

When: Every Saturday in October starting at 12pm

How much: Tickets start from £10 and can be purchased here.

If you’re interested in learning more about how British companies profited from transporting chattel slaves from Africa to the Americas, then this walking tour promises to be an enlightening if harrowing afternoon.

The tour lasts around three hours so it’s recommended you wear comfortable footwear and turn up around 15 minutes prior to the start time.

Please see the event guide for more info.

Africa Fashion Week London 2022

Where: Freemasons’ Hall, 60 Great Queen Street (WC2B)

When: Saturday & Sunday 8th and 9th of October from 11am

How much: General admission tickets start from £10 + booking fee. Prices are greater for individual catwalk shows.

Africa Fashion Week returns to Freemasons’ Hall for the fifth year running and promises to be the biggest celebration of African fashion in Europe.

There are three separate catwalk shows taking place on Saturday as well as talks and shopping opportunities.

A full breakdown of the various events can be seen here.