TEDxLondon recommends… Black History Month & Things To Do

“Throughout the month of October, Canary Wharf have a number of exhibitions for Black History Month, the best of which is in Crossrail Garden. Make your way up to the garden via the Adams Plaza Bridge (where there is an ongoing Camille Walala mural as an added bonus). In the garden you can explore the Black Culture in Britain Photography Exhibition and learn more about the artists who won this competition. At the end of the garden, you can then experience Black Britain: Writing Back. You can print off a short story written by a number of Black Writers, curated by Bernadine Evaristo (Author of Girl, Woman, Other). It’s on until 31 October and completely free.” – Alana Drew, User Experience Coordinator

“The Poetic Map of Freedom was an open call out for submissions of poetry surrounding the words: Enslavement / Freedom / Legacies / Shame / Connection / Joy by Southwark Libraries. They post one new poem each day on their twitter account. It’s been nice to take a little bit of time each day with a cup of tea and slow down and read or listen to the poem. It makes you slow down and take a moment to reflect on each individuals experience.” – Clara Nordin, Volunteer Manager

Rita Keegan’s first solo exhibition in more than fifteen years features artworks that reflect the intersection of new media experimentation, feminist practice and the Black Arts Movement of the 1980s.

“I really liked how Keegan combines her own family photographs with painting, textiles, scents and historical images to explore topics such as self-expression, black female identity and the African diaspora. my favourite part was the ceremonial robe displayed among scents like rosemary and sage that reflects Keegan’s own quote ‘I’m made of many places, people and things’.” – Sophie Imber, Engagement Coordinator

Throughout October, the Royal Opera House featured performances, events and social media takeovers.

“I watched a panel discussion organised by the Royal Opera House – Insights: Storytelling in Opera. Opera is definitely considered an artform that only appeals to a particular class or race of people. This panel shared sharp insights into what needs to be done to make opera more diverse. Action is being taken across the entire artform; more representation in the performers we see on stage, more diverse stories on stage and more inclusion in creative teams. But there is still a long way to go.

“London Councils come together every year for Black History Month. As part of my borough, Redbridge, I visited the Black Brits African and Caribbean Community Fair. Although London has markets year-round, something about local and intentional gathering seems to encourage engagement – between event organisers, stall owners and visitors – creating a very different experience. Perhaps it shouldn’t feel that exceptional, but in a city where we can often feel an invisible 1 in 9 million, and in an increasingly virtual world, it does. So like that, 30 minutes can change your day and your perspective.” – Laura Turner, Partnerships Coordinator.

Channel B is an audio-visual exhibition about Black futurism created by the Black-owned art, music, and creative initiative Nine Nights. Nine Nights emerged in May 2020 to counter the systemic racial inequalities of the global music industry by exploring new modes of artistic empowerment.

“Sci-Fi, music, technology and art come together in this exhibition buzzing with unfamiliar-familiar sounds. Walking through the exhibit was disorientating – in a good way – making me wonder about the deeper societal messaging and ideas each artist is portraying. I particularly loved the language and story weaving together the exhibits – powerful and stinging whilst darkly funny and satirical.” – Tara Cooper, Head of Communications

“Veronica Ryan’s fruit sculptures have been placed at the top of Mare Street in Hackney. I found them to be an interesting and eye-catching way of remembering those of the Windrush generation who have played such an important role in shaping Hackney today.

The photographs found on Ridley Road Stories (Part 2) are very striking. I loved reading the wee stories about each of the people photographed – fascinating glimpses into the many lives and histories that intermingle in this part of London. I also love the ethos of the project – that art should be on the streets for everyone to see.” – Ashleigh Brown, Speaker Scout and Applications Manager