Barking and Dagenham will mark Black History Month throughout October with a borough-wide programme celebrating Black history, culture, creativity and achievement.
This year’s theme, Honouring Our Communities, recognises people who have helped shape and strengthen Black communities, alongside the contributions of Black African and Caribbean people in Barking and Dagenham and across the UK.
Black History Month will officially begin in Barking with a flag-raising ceremony outside Barking Town Hall on Thursday 1 October. The flag will remain in place throughout the month.
Literature, poetry and storytelling
Libraries across Barking and Dagenham will be involved, with Barking Learning Centre in Barking and Dagenham Library hosting themed book displays during October alongside community pop-ups, exhibitions and outreach activities.
The council’s Pen to Print programme will also offer a range of writing opportunities. Silvano Griffith-Francis will lead a four-part workshop series aimed at helping aspiring writers progress towards becoming published authors.
Award-winning poet Jenny Mitchell will host two Preparing for Poetry Publication workshops on Saturdays 3 and 24 October.
At Valence House in Dagenham, storyteller and heritage artist Diana Olutunmogun will lead immersive sessions from Thursday 29 to Saturday 31 October, exploring hidden histories, cultural folklore and stories inspired by the historic house.
The Women’s Museum in Barking will host artist Abel Holsborough on Thursday 29 October for an evening of film screenings and discussion inspired by Tracing Posterity, exploring memory, identity and shared histories.
Celebrating the borough’s communities
Councillor Saima Ashraf, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Community, Business and Engagement, said Black History Month was an opportunity to celebrate the contribution of Black African and Caribbean communities while reflecting on previous generations.
She said the programme would give residents different ways to come together, share stories, learn and celebrate throughout October.
Black History Month events will run throughout the month across Barking and Dagenham. Some activities will be free without the need to book, while individual booking arrangements will apply to other events.