1. Black History Walk round Camden
It might sound like stating the obvious, but Camden, like every borough, has a Black history that not everyone knows about: on this two-hour stroll local guide Shirley Fortune unveils what really happened. Bloomsbury might now be the medical and educational centre of London, famous for its charming garden squares and elegant Georgian houses – but there’s also an African/Caribbean history here with “Black fingerprints running through its heart if you know where to look”, she says. Join this event and you’ll learn about the railway worker who overturned a whites-only recruitment policy; one of the first Black women in higher education; the first known Black British editor; one of the UK’s first civil rights groups; and ‘pride and prejudice’ within the British Museum. This one is definitely worth seeking out to observe Camden from a fresh angle. 2nd November, 12pm at Euston Station, tickets £11 here
2. For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy
A profound and playful new work from multi-award-winning company Nouveau Riche and playwright Ryan Calais Cameron, For Black Boys sees six young Black men meet for group therapy, and let their hearts – and imaginations – run wild. The play is located on the threshold of “joyful fantasy and brutal reality”: a world of music, movement, storytelling and verse – where half a dozen men clash and connect in a desperate bid for survival. Commissioned by New Diorama Theatre, it runs 12th October until 6th November, Regent’s Place New Diorama, tickets here.
3. Books and Beyond
And finally, for this event you don’t even need to leave the house. Over the next couple of months anyone can join Camden’s online book club for Black History season as it explores contemporary Black significant authors with a monthly special guest facilitator. Highlights: 12th October, Grand Union by Zadie Smith hosted by Suzanne Scarfe, 10th Nov: Mixed/Other by Natalie Morris with special guest the author Natalie in the conversation; and 7th Dec: Zami ‘A new spelling of my name by Audre Lorde’, hosted by Mary Holder, more info here.
For the full line-up of events, see the main website for Black History Month Camden here.
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