To celebrate Black History Month and honour the rich heritage of African & Caribbean cultures, our programmes organised a series of engaging workshops.

These workshops enabled participants to learn, explore and appreciate the diversity of traditions, stories, and art forms that make up African & Caribbean history.

As part of our Healthy Cooking on A Budget class, Working Men’s College tutor Luvain taught participants how to prepare jerk chicken while discovering its origins – providing a unique and a unique and delicious way to celebrate Black History Month.

Selina, our Children & Young People programme cooorganised a series of workshops as part of their October half-term programme.

The 8–13-year-olds who attended these sessions learned about West African and West Indian folklore through drama and games, as well as through lessons in Gumboot dancing, which originated from the mines of South Africa.

The children also had a go at African Drumming with Mbilla Arts and made their own African masks, using paper, crayons, and paints.

One of the programme attendees said, “I loved making the African masks because it made me feel connected to my ancestors and their traditions!”

Through these interactive and educational workshops, participants had the opportunity to learn, appreciate, and celebrate the vibrant cultures of Africa and the Caribbean. The range of activities fostered an understanding and appreciation for the contributions made by these communities to our society today, and the importance of sharing Black History in October and beyond.

Black History Workshop
African Mask Workshop
African Masks Print
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African Masks
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Gumboot Dancing 2
Gumboot Dancing
Mask Making