Black History Month will be enjoyed across Enfield with a wide-ranging programme of theatre, spoken word and music encompassing this year’s theme - Reclaiming Narratives.
This theme underscores a commitment to correcting historical inaccuracies and showcasing the untold success stories and the full complexity of Black heritage. It’s about taking control of our stories and honouring our heroes while challenging the narratives that have often overlooked the contributions and achievements of Black individuals both in the UK and globally.
The Dugdale Arts Centre (DAC), will be the leading the public celebrations for the London Borough of Enfield, with a programme that includes:
- Black History Month Community Launch Party
- Reggae Festival Family Event
- BHM Schools Music Event with DJ Marc Anthony
- History of Black Music with DJ Spoony
- The Salon Theatre Production
Find more information about the DAC Black History Month programme.
In addition to the DAC programme, there are lots of other events happening across the borough, which are detailed below.
Emeli Sande at Enfield Town Library
Emeli Sande will be alongside Cyrlene Braithwaite on Saturday 26 October between 2 and 3pm.
The event will be for Black History Month and will focus on "reclaiming our story" which will delve into the individual’s life story and struggles from their own perspective. The Q&A will focus on Emeli Sande's childhood, career and future endeavours.
Booking is by telephone 0208 379 2714.
Journal of 7
Journal of 7 delves into the untold and often taboo stories within African culture, focusing on the 'Seven Deadly Sins'. The piece stems from Olu's lived experiences of these cultural norms. The performance weaves through themes of relationships with her mother, migration, polygyny, fatal curses, and toxic doctrines passed down through generations.
Audiences will get a glimpse into the journal entries of an African woman, exploring her experiences with the seven deadly sins from an African perspective. The narrative is conveyed in an abstract manner while maintaining a strong focus on the overarching theme of the seven deadly sins.
Join us for the debut of Journal of 7 and experience a powerful, thought-provoking performance that brings these poignant stories to life.
Find more information and book tickets at the Millfield Theatre.
Cedella The Children Salute You
Come and join us for an unforgettable performance where the children pay tribute to the incredible Cedella Booker, the mother of the legendary Bob Marley. The children have created a fictional story filled with dance, acting, drama, comedy, mime, and singing. This will be widely advertised so book your Early bird tickets.
Performed by:
- The Stylisters Children and Youth Voluntary Performing Arts Group
- Good Black Men and Good Black Women Project
- Oasis Sound System will be playing to get the place stomping
Find more information and book tickets at the Millfield Theatre.
Celebrating Black History Month
Creativity and entrepreneurship in Young black People is the theme for Enfield Caribbean Association‘s bold Black History Month event at the DAC. Writers, musicians, artists, filmmakers and other creatives will form a melting pot of ideas, discussions and energies to celebrate black creativity and entrepreneurship.
The aim of the event is to bring young people together to learn from successful entrepreneurs through workshops and discussions with the idea of developing and maintaining new networks and relationships. Join us as we gather to discuss, dream, and explore how creativity can powerfully transform lives and realities.
Part 1 - The evening begins with a choice of workshops at 6pm and repeated at 6:50pm. Attendees may attend 2 of the following workshops:
- An Introduction to Costume Design and Styling - PC Williams, Costume Designer and Stylist (DAC’s Auditorium)
- Roots of Wellness: Natural Therapy for Emotional Wellbeing - Sharleen DaCosta, Entrepreneur, sound therapist
- Fundamentals of Freelancing: Stepping off the edge - Abena Noel, Roy Edwards and Cameron Edwards - Fundamentals of Freelancing
Part 2 - 8pm in the Theatre. The ‘In conversation with’ session will be facilitated by BBC Journalist, presenter and author Kamilah McInnis, where the talented and successful discussion panel members include:
- YolanDa Brown OBE - renowned jazz saxophonist, Broadcaster, author and Philanthropist
- Adjani Salmon - the award-winning screenwriter, actor and producer and creator of Dreaming Whilst Black (stylised as Dreaming Whilst B\@*k)
- Amani Simpson - Youth Coach, Filmmaker and visionary, who started his film career in 2018 as the producer and protagonist of the award-winning ‘AMANI’ Short Film
- Jamelia Donaldson - founder and CEO of TreasureTress, the fastest growing online black hair products company supplying Europe and the Middle East with a monthly product discovery box for women and girls with textured hair
Find more information and book tickets at the Enfield Caribbean Association.
Black Tech Fest
Black Tech Fest is Europe's largest technology and culture festival celebrating innovation and inclusion. The event is aimed at encouraging people from ethnic minorities into the Tech industry.
There are three summits:
- IGNITE, for professionals
- FUTURES, for students and early careers
- BUILD, for entrepreneurs
They will explore where culture and tech intersect with panels, workshops, and exclusive job opportunities. The summits will explore where culture and tech intersect and host panels, workshops, and exclusive job opportunities.
The event is taking place in Edmonton on 10 October at Drumsheds. Enfield residents can get a 20% discount when they sign up to the event.
Events for children at Enfield libraries
Join us at Edmonton Green Library, Palmers Green Library and Fore Street Library throughout October 2024 for a variety of free events celebrating Black History Month.
Create Alma Thomas-inspired collages, design African masks, enjoy traditional African storytelling, and build Anansi spider toys. Don’t miss engaging workshops like portraiture, jewellery making, and interactive Black history lessons. Plus, take part in Afro-Caribbean games night, film screenings, author talks, and BHM Bounce and Rhyme sessions for little ones.
Events are free and cater to all ages, with some focused on children, teens, and families.
Make an Alma Thomas Collage
Make a collage inspired by Black artist Alma Thomas
Date - Thursday 3 October 2024
Times - From 3:30pm to 5pm
Location - Edmonton Green Library
To book - Call 020 3833 0882
Age range - 5 and over (appropriate for Special Educational Needs)
African Mask Making
Design your own African mask
Date - Tuesday 8 October 2024
Times - From 3:30pm to 5pm
Location - Edmonton Green Library
To book - Call 020 3833 0882
Age range - 5 and over (appropriate for Special Educational Needs)
Traditional African Storytelling
Traditional African storytelling with Jane Grell
Date - Friday 11 October 2024
Times - From 3:30pm to 5pm
Location - Edmonton Green Library
To book - Call 020 3833 0882
Age range - 5 and over (appropriate for Special Educational Needs)
BHM Bounce and Rhyme
Sing along to songs from Africa and the Caribbean at this very special BHM Bounce and Rhyme sessions
Date - Saturday 14 October 2024
Times - From 10am to 10:30am
Location - Palmers Green Library
To book - Call 020 8379 2727
Age range - up to 18 months old (appropriate for Special Educational Needs)
Anansi Spider Toy Making
Build your own Anansi spider toy – inspired by the African folktale
Date - Tuesday 15 October 2024
Times - From 3:30pm to 5pm
Location - Edmonton Green Library
To book - Call 020 3833 0882
Age range - 5 and over (appropriate for Special Educational Needs)
BHM Portraiture Workshop
Learn how to make colourful portraits of important figures from Black history
Date - Tuesday 15 October 2024
Times - From 4pm to 5:30pm
Age range - 12 and over (appropriate for Special Educational Needs)
Date - Saturday 19 October 2024
Times - From 2:30pm to 4pm
Age range - 5 to 12 year old (appropriate for Special Educational Needs)
Location - Palmers Green Library
To book - Call 020 8379 2727
Sharon Spice Author Talk
Author talk with Sharon Spice for her book “Kruella: A daughter’s tale”
Dates - Wednesday 16 October 2024 and Wednesday 30 October 2024
Times - From 5:30pm to 6:45pm
Location - Fore Street Library
To book - Call 020 3821 1874
Age range - All ages (appropriate for Special Educational Needs)
Jac Shreeves-Lee Author Event
Book reading and author Q&A with Jac Shreeves-Lee
Date - Thursday 17 October 2024
Times - From 5:30pm to 6:30pm
Location - Edmonton Green Library
To book - Call 020 3833 0882
Age range - Teens and adults (appropriate for Special Educational Needs)
BHM Stories and Songs
Sing songs and read stories highlighting important parts of Black culture and history
Date - Friday 18 October 2024
Times - From 10am to 10:30am
Location - Palmers Green Library
To book - Call 020 8379 2727
Age range - 18 months to 5 years (appropriate for Special Educational Needs)
BHM Film screening: Hidden Figures
Come to the library for a free screening of the hit 2016 film Hidden Figures, telling the story of the Black women behind NASA’s success
Date - Tuesday 22 October 2024
Times - From 5:30pm to 7:30pm
Location - Palmers Green Library
To book - Call 020 8379 2727
Age range - All ages (appropriate for Special Educational Needs)
Afro-Caribbean games night
Afro-Caribbean games night (board games, cards, dominoes etc.)
Date - Tuesday 22 October 2024
Times - From 3:30pm to 5pm
Location - Edmonton Green Library
To book - Call 020 3833 0882
Age range - All ages (appropriate for Special Educational Needs)
Cultural Jewellery Making!
Cultural Jewellery Making!
Date - Monday 28 October 2024
Times - From 3:30pm to 5pm
Location - Edmonton Green Library
To book - Call 020 3833 0882
Age range - All ages (appropriate for Special Educational Needs)
Learn Some Black History
Learn some black history - interactive lesson, trivia and games with Explore Learning
Date - Tuesday 29 October 2024
Times - From 12:30pm to 1:30pm
Location - Edmonton Green Library
To book - Call 020 3833 0882
Age range - 5 and over (appropriate for Special Educational Needs)
The AVOCADO Foundation
The AVOCADO Foundation is a non-profit committed to eradicating economic inequalities experienced by youth, non-profits, and entrepreneurs from underrepresented communities through various initiatives.
As we celebrate Black History Month, here is a message from The AVOCADO Foundation, telling you about some of their initiatives.
AVOCADO DEN (formerly Dragons Den)
In collaboration with Linklaters, we are excited to introduce the Corporate Edition of our AVOCADO DEN. The AVOCADO DEN event provides BAMER-led non-profits with a unique platform to showcase their impactful work in front of potential supporters and funders. Unlike traditional funding opportunities, AVOCADO DEN disrupts the usual dynamics by allowing non-profits to pitch their ideas to a diverse panel and win unrestricted grants.
A+ Accelerator Programme
The AVOCADO+ Accelerator is our flagship programme aimed at strengthening BAMER-led non-profits through capacity building, funding, and networking opportunities. This yearly initiative focuses on improving the sustainability and resilience of UK-registered BAMER-led non-profits across six crucial areas:
- financial fitness
- operations
- impact
- effective leadership
- networks
- awareness
Since its launch in 2016, over 100 organisations have benefited from this programme.
AVOCADO Tech4Good
Our Tech4Good programme equips UK-registered BAMER-led non-profits with essential digital and technical support to enhance their capacity and advance their mission. In the 2024/25 round, City University's final year STEM students will partner with BAMER-led non-profits to deliver innovative digital solutions as part of their academic projects. This collaboration provides non-profits with valuable resources while giving students hands-on experience in social responsibility and insights into the non-profit sector.
Participation in the Tech4Good programme is open to those who join our AVOCADO Hub - a free online platform home to a wealth of free resources and tools to help members on the journey to resilience, growth and sustainability.
AVOCADO+ Accelerator programme
Imagine having the skills and support to navigate challenges, secure funding, and lead your team with confidence. The AVOCADO+ Accelerator Programme can make that a reality. This intensive 7-month programme equips you with the tools and knowledge to boost your sustainability, fundraising, and leadership, and thanks to our partners, it's free for BAMER-led non-profits.
Here's what you'll gain.
- Financial Fitness - develop strategies for long-term financial stability
- Operational Excellence - streamline processes and maximise efficiency
- Impact Measurement - demonstrate your success and attract more support
- Effective Leadership - build a strong, motivated team
- Networking Opportunities - connect with valuable partners and funders
- Increased Awareness - elevate your organisation's profile
The deadline to register is 27 October to join the Class of 2024/25.
AVOCADO+ Accelerator 2024/25 application form
AVOCADO DEN
Dragons DEN is now AVOCADO DEN, and we are delighted to bring you our Corporate Edition in collaboration with Linklaters.
Join us on in London on 12 November for a chance to network and showcase your impact to an auditorium full of potential supporters.
At this lunchtime event, three outstanding non-profits driving positive change will walk away with grants of up to £2,000.
It’s a simple process:
- Complete the application form
- If you’re shortlisted, send in a 3-minute video
- Finalist organisations will pitch live on 12 November
Key Dates:
- Applications open on 16 September 2024
- Applications close on 15 October 2024
- Event date - 12 November 2024
Don’t miss out on this life-changing opportunity.
Registration - AVOCADO DEN Coporate Edition
Tech4Good
BAMER-led non-profits - take your digital presence to the next level. Join our AVOCADO Tech4Good programme and partner with City University of London’s final year STEM students to tackle your tech challenges. Whether you need a sleek website, an app for your supporters, or data analysis to drive impact, we’ve got you covered and it’s completely free. The deadline is 7 October.
Don't miss out on this unique opportunity, sign up - AVOCADO Tech4Good 2024/25 session