Published: Friday 25 September 2020
Organisations, businesses and local groups have received funding to host Black History Month events in Kensington and Chelsea this October.
The Council has allocated £12,251 in grants to several exciting new projects, run by 25 different organisations. Events will occur both online and offline.
Residents and visitors can join in activities including digital art showcases, health and well being seminars, workshops, dance sessions, film screenings and much more. The aim of these projects is to continue to celebrate the rich African, Black British and Caribbean community that makes our borough unique.
Cllr Emma Will, Lead Member for Culture, Leisure and Community Safety said:
“One of the key ambitions of our One Year Covid Culture Plan, was to introduce a grants scheme to support Black History Month so it is very exciting to see it come to life.
There were lots of fantastic projects submitted from across the borough that explored Black History in fascinating ways and I’m pleased that we’re able to help them take shape.”
Thandi Ojeer, Founder of Tandi Fashion said:
“With the Council funding, we will be able to host a workshop that educates those on the rich history of East African fabric and offer some practical skills for those interested in learning more about the industry.
We are a fashion brand that is set on empowering others and being part of the push for black people to be represented in the decision making of trends and how society views the status quo in fashion.
My brand is for all women and does not discriminate. Everyone is welcome to celebrate and I look forward to hosting my event.”
A few events to look forward to include:
- Black Lives Matter mural: In response to the Black Lives Matter movement and as part of Kensington and Chelsea Art Week’s efforts to redress the systemic underrepresentation of black artists, curator Bolanle Tajudeen will curate a collaborative mural by two black female and nonbinary artists.
- The music of Carnival: An interactive Zoom performance sharing the history of Notting Hill Carnival music and black history by the UFO Steelband. Following on from their successful performance at this year’s online Notting Hill Carnival, they’ll share great tunes and historical notes.
- East African Fashion workshop: A digital workshop on the history of the fabric, cutting techniques, print placement and sewing.
- Health seminars: A local collective of creative practitioners will host 90-minute seminars providing an organic approach to healing, holistic health & wellbeing for the ‘Afrikan’ community. Seminars will provide information and resources that raise awareness about a range of practical options for a healthy lifestyle, share knowledge about the science of genetic differences and measures to address health disparities, explore historical health disparities and encourage self-advocacy and learning lesson that will positively influence our current health options.
To learn more about what activities will take place across the borough this October, please keep an eye out for updates to our Black History Month webpage.