This page is sponsored by Black History Walks : Walks,Talks and Films on the African history of London. Next walks , Saturday 18 Sunday 19th July. Click Next Walk is.. for details
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22 Events to 27 September 2009 scroll down to view
Above: British propaganda leaflet thanks Jamaica for supplying bomber planes
Welcome to Britain ?
Saturday 17 January 1pm-4.30pm
Imperial War Museum, Lambeth Road SE1
Tube: Lambeth North.
Free entry: First come, first served
Rare chance to meet a surviving WW2 Veteran. Jamaican, Alan Wilmott served with the Royal Navy and Air Force.He will give a short talk and take questions. We will also be screening the documentary Caribbean Women at war about the black female contribution. The focus in this session will be on what conditions were like when tens of thousands of black troops landed in Britain increasing the local black population from 10,000 to 100,000. The above topics are absent in the school system and mainstream history and this is a valuable chance to fill in those gaps of knowledge .For the first time in 60 years the Museum is hosting an excellent exhibition on the Caribbean effort in WW2 which ends in March. To view sample click below
Above pic: Pioneers in the fight for civil rights and African culture Mia Morris and Lord Ouseley
Black Britain: 10 week course in African Caribbean Film
From Thursdy 22 January for 10 weeks
18.30pm-20.30pm
BFI Southbank (near Royal Festival Hall)
Belvedere Road SE1
Tube: Waterloo.
Cost ₤86, concessions ₤43, best to book early. Phone 0207 815 1301
Explore the contribution of the African
and Caribbean community to the history of film
and TV in the UK. Tutor Jim Pines will present an
extraordinary range of rare footage, cutting edge
documentary, cinema and television drama for
your enjoyment and discussion in our digital Studio
cinema. There will be guest speakers and also the
opportunity to learn how to access materials at our
free public archive, the Mediatheque. One-off taster session Friday 16th Jan 11am-1pm ring number above to book
The course will include dramatic footage from the 1890's as well as rare Real Mcoy comedy as below..
Above: Female troops were crucial at the battle of Cuito Caval in Angola against apartheid forces
How Cuba Saved Africa (Cuba an African Odyssey )
Saturday 31 January 2pm-4.30pm
BFI Southbank (near Royal Festival Hall)
Belvedere Road SE1
Tube: Waterloo.
Tickets ₤5, best to book early
Phone 0207 928 3232
Previously sold out.
From the assassination of Patrice Lumumba in
the Congo to the fall of apartheid in South
Africa, 300,000 Cubans fought alongside African
revolutionaries. This extraordinary film uses
rare archive footage, revelatory interviews and
contributions from African film-makers to explore
the crucial role that Cuba played in African
independence .This is an essential film for anyone serious about history
Premiere Maafa Pt 3: Solutions
An all day event run by Ligali
Saturday 7 February 12pm-7.00pm
BFI Southbank (near Royal Festival Hall)
Belvedere Road SE1
Tube: Waterloo.
www.ligali.org for full details
The final part of the Maafa trilogy as produced by Toyin Agbetu of the Ligali group gives the solutions to the various challenges facing the African-British community identified in pts 1 &2. With practical examples from 25 diverse activists, thinkers, historians and academics. This brilliant documentary concludes the trilogy with an inspring call to action and a blueprint of what action to take, all of this is done from and uncompromising and indeed unusual British perspective rather than the normal US viewpoint. Stalls, clothes, food,books music and workshops available on the day
Night of Truth (filmed in Burkina Faso)
Saturday 21 February 2pm-5.00pm
BFI Southbank (near Royal Festival Hall)
Belvedere Road SE1
Tube: Waterloo.
Tickets ₤5, best to book early
Phone 0207 928 3232
Previously sold out.
Truce is called on a brutal civil conflict. The two
sides agree to a feast. Can they put the past
behind them? Fanta Régina Nacro’s award-winning
directorial debut reveals the darkness that falls
when war is waged. Her shocking story was based on the barbarity of the former Yugoslavia and though set in Africa is relevant to Palestine . The film sold out all over Africa and in Israel. For interview with one of the few female African directors click here
Above: African soldier in German Prisoner of War Camp. He is lucky as many captured black troops were shot on sight then mutilated
Black Victims of the Nazis
Sunday 22 February 1pm-4.30pm
Imperial War Museum, Lambeth Road SE1
Tube: Lambeth North.
Free entry: First come,first served
What we know today as the Holocaust was researched, rehearsed and refined in Africa with African people long before 1939. Although it is hardly mentioned, German people in their colony of Namibia stole land from African people and when they fought back built railroads, labour camps and medical experiment labs in Namibia in order to work them to death or experiment on their bodies to see how they were able to cope with heat. This happened in 1906 and the German government even apologised in 2004. This underviewed documentary states the case with detailed testimony from Namibian and German people and evidence from German secret files.
The fact is that there were also black people in Germany before, during and after WW2 . Some even joined the army, some were entertainers, thousands were sterilised and a vast number were sent to the gas chambers. Curator, Z Nia Reynolds author of Black Victims of the Nazis will give an illustrated talk about these issues. As there are only two books in existence about this marginalised history you are advised to be on time
Black Women Resistance Leaders 1600-2000
Friday 6th March 7pm-9.30pm
Unit 9 Eurolink Business Centre
49 Effra Road SW2
Tube: Brixton
Adm: £5.00 entry
www.blackstarline.info & www.blackhistorywalks.co.uk
Visual biographical details of black women from all over the world who have resisted slavery, colonialism and racism . Women do not get the historical credit they deserve. This event will give the audience video and documentary evidence of the who, what and why of 40 female fighters who used guns, pens or placards. Bring notepad and pen and be on time, this is a small venue, latecomers will end up standing . Women include: Queen Nzinga, May Jemison, Dora Akunyili, Dame Jocelyn Barrow, Una Marson, Edna Ismail, Lieutentant Sanite Belair, Althea Gibson, Mavis Best, Fawzia Hashim, Dr Beryl Gilroy, Leyla Hussein,Edna Ismail, Benadita Da Silva, Ellen Sirleaf Johnson, Dr Patrica Bath, Professor Elizabeth Anionwu and many more. Proceeds toward the Girl Child Concerns School in Kaduna state Nigeria where £200 sends a poor girl to school for one year. For video sample click here http://www.blackhistorywalks.co.uk/3.html then click African Proverb . A BlackStarliner production
Above: Map of British Mandate of Palestine 1923 which includes parts of what is now considered Syria, Jordan, Iraq and Saudi Arabia
Palestine and Africa: Whats the connection ?
Friday 13th March 7pm-9.30pm
Unit 9 Eurolink Business Centre
49 Effra Road SW2
Tube: Brixton
Adm: £5.00 entry. Latecomers may end up standing
www.blackstarline.info & www.blackhistorywalks.co.uk
A special presentation sampling the work of Ben Bousquet, Tony Tee, Lord Balfour, Edward Said, Golda Meir, John Pilger,Tony Benn, Chaim Weizman, Noam Chomsky, and John Henrik Clarke to examine the background to the recent attacks on Gaza. Unusual and little known facts such as the following will be ilustrated with video evidence in this interactive session..
West Indian Troops in WW1 defeated the Turks in winning Palestine for the British.
Palestinians fought in WW2 for the British.
Uganda and Guyana were considered as homeland nations for European refugees.
Ethiopians were relocated from Africa to Israel
Sudanese government sent aid to Palestinians, while in Darfur there is a lack of aid for Sudanese people.
The British blocked holocaust survivors from landing in Palestine in 1947.
White King, Red Rubber, Black Death
Saturday 21 March 2pm-4.30pm
BFI Southbank (near Royal Festival Hall)
Belvedere Road SE1
Tube: Waterloo.
Tickets ₤5
Phone 0207 928 3232
King Leopold II of Belgium in the early 20th century turned the Congo into a vast rubber-harvesting labour camp in which he killed millions and amputated the hands of tens of thousands while claiming he was civilising the African. Although represented in the west as typical "african savagery" the chopping off of hands was promoted by white people as a means of terrorising Africans to collect rubber in order to make Europeans rich. This is why one of the world’s richest countries is home
to such misery today. This award winning documentary sets the context for understanding the crisis in Kivu, the 5 milllion Congolese deaths in the last ten years and why Patrice Lumumba was assassinated by Western governments. The Congo was also crucial to the winning of World War 2.
Followed by panel discussion
Above: Caribbean ex-servicemen returned to Britain after serving in WW2
Welcome Back ?
Saturday 21 March 1pm-4.30pm
Imperial War Museum, Lambeth Road SE1
Tube: Lambeth North.
Free entry: First come,first served
1946 after black people had fought and died all over the world for Britain those still in England were told to go back where they had come from. On this day we will tell the untold stories of the post-war generation with films, audio clips and testimony from war veterans who were also veterans of the Civil Rights movement in Britain. As a black person in the post-war years you were:
- refused bank loans
- refused jobs
- restricted to live in bombed out areas
- blocked from buying homes
- harassed by police
- refused entry to churches
- refused service in pubs, hotels, restaurants
- forced to pay a higher mortgage than whites
- spat at on public transport
- attacked by the general public
- treated as if stupid in schools
War veterans such as Billy Strachan, Sam King and Connie Marks used their organising skills to fight such discrimination. We will focus on how such obstacles were overcome and if the lessons have been learned/remembered by the present generation
Black Women: Hair, Skin and Beauty
Saturday 4 April 12pm-5.00pm
Museum in Docklands
West India Quay (DLR )
www.musuemindocklands.co.uk
This event is always packed to see why click
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=dmUVXGfJ4Yc
In association with Inspired Black Women we present three films and workshops on the history and legacy of the beauty of black women. Films include:
Sisters on the Light/Dark Thing (beauty) Black, Bold and Beautiful (hair) Yellow Babes (skin) We will also have reports on the experiences of Black British women in Senegal, Somalia and Norway and men will be asked as to what they find attractive in women.
Above: A taste of the kind of analysis that will be shared on this day
White Mens Wealth=Black Womens Poverty: The links betweeen Trade, Aid & Gender
Friday 24th April 7.15pm-10.30pm
Unit 9 Eurolink Business Centre
49 Effra Road SW2
Tube: Brixton
Adm: £5.00
Dr Lez and Blak Friday resent Brother Tony sampling the work of Helen Wangusa, John Pilger, Walter Rodney, Hugo Chavez, Naomi Klein, Donna St Hill & Oliver Tambo looking at the impact of European financial policies on African women around the world.
Topics covered include:
How poverty is created and maintained
How the IMF/World Bank encourage prostitution
G8,G20, the arms trade and refugees
The link between the UN and civil wars
Comic Relief is a Joke
Latecomers may end up standing as this is a small venue
Africa Addio
Saturday 25 April 2pm-5.00pm
BFI Southbank (near Royal Festival Hall)
Belvedere Road SE1
Tube: Waterloo.
Tickets ₤5, best to book early
Phone 0207 928 3232
Africa Addio (Italy 1966) Part of the Mondo Caine school. This is the film that preceded the banned and hated Goodbye Uncle Tom and was said to be so racist that the filmakers made Uncle Tom to prove they were not, in any way, racist. This shock-documentary alleges to show the turmoil following the fall of colonialism and how Africans coped without their benevolent European masters.
See for yourself if any of these styles of representation of black people which were deemed offensive then are still current in news reports or Hollywood films but accepted as 'normal' by viewers who have no knowledge of their history. Followed by panel discussion
To see feedback from the first screening of Goodbye Uncle Tom click below
Above: Revolutionary hard-core sister and Brixton Black Panther, Olive Morris http://rememberolivemorris.wordpress.com
Black British Civil Rights Heroes 1596-2006
Sunday 26 April 1pm-4.30pm
Imperial War Museum, Lambeth Road SE1
Tube: Lambeth North.
Free entry: First come,first served
The bias in schools gives the impression that racism and civil rights was an American issue and totally ignores the struggles Black British people endured. For example :
- Oxford/Regent Street refused to employ black people Black and Asian kids were bussed out of local schools so that there would not be "too many" of them
- Racial attacks were a daily occurence and ignored by police
- Black people had to pay more for houses and more for mortgages
- There were documented calls for black schools in the 1700's
- In the 1790's a group of Africans in London were lobbying the government for abolition
- In 1820 a Jamaican in London bought guns in order to overthrow the government
Every area of life was contested at great cost. This presentation will give you the names and achievements of those who fought against British racism over the last 400 years. Please bring pen, pad. For video on amazing and heroic women from the diaspora click here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqOf1McmhnQ
Children, Black History and the school system:
How to get the best for yourself and your child
Saturday 16th May 4.30pm-6.30pm
Light on the Hill Church, 1A Vaughn Rd, Harrow HA1, Tube: Harrow on the Hill,West Harrow
Adm: £5.00 (half price for kids) in advance ring Colourful Network 07811396145.
Previously sold out, this highly rated interactive presentation is for those adults who want to improve self esteem and academic performance. Topics will cover; how to get black history in your school, film,book and website resources to assist, how racism works in schools and what you can do to get round it plus Black Heroes of World War 2
How to Brainwash the Youth and make them act like Fools ! (and how it happened to adults in the first place )
Saturday 16th May 7.30-9.30pm
Light on the Hill Church, 1A Vaughn Rd, Harrow HA1, Tube: Harrow on the Hill, West Harrow
Adm: £5.00 . Children half price. Colourful Network 07811396145
Previously sold out. Colourful Kids present this highly rated in-your-face seminar aimed at children and parents to illustrate how they are conditioned via Hollywood movies, music videos, computer games and advertising to act dumb and love it. This presentation uses pop and mainstream culture combined with a black history perspective. Scary Movie, Predator,Soulja Boy, Lil Wayne,Futurama, Disney,300, GTA,Pussycat dolls, Mariah Carey, Nelly, Etana,Lord of the Rings, Pirates of Caribbean, Transformers all make an appearance
Black British Footballers 1890-1990
Saturday 23 May 1pm-4.30pm
Imperial War Museum, Lambeth Road SE1
Tube: Lambeth North.
Free entry: First come,first served
Premiere of the new Walter Tull movie plus Q and A with BAFTA award winning director Alrick Riley who also directed Spooks, Hustle and Hotel Babylon. Walter Tull was one of the first black footballers.He was also the first Black officer in the British Army and served with honour in World War 1.
We will also feature modern footballers from the 1970's to 1990's and link them to the fight for racial equality
Above: Sylviane Rano and Betty Sulty-Johnson founders of Images of Black Women
The Future is Elsewhere (L'avenir est Ailleurs)
Saturday 30 May 2pm-5.00pm
BFI Southbank (near Royal Festival Hall)
Belvedere Road SE1
Tube: Waterloo.
Tickets ₤5, best to book early
Phone 0207 928 3232
www.bfi.org.uk/southbank in association with Images of Black Women,MnMn Begay and Somalis Unite
The recent riots in Martinique and Guadeloupe were largely glossed over by the British media, but they represent the most serious uprising by exploited black people since the 1937 riots in the English speaking Caribbean. This film explains in detail the many similarities there are between the Windrush generation and what is known as the Bumidons. The Bumidon were invited to France in the 1960's to do menial jobs while rich white French people were sent to the Caribbean to occupy the best land and employment. It features Aime Cesaire and shows the economic oppression operated by Sarkozy, who has suddenly appointed the first Black women ever as Minister for Overseas Territories.(Islands in the Caribbean are considered part of France)
The film will be followed with Q and A with a panel representing French Caribean, Black Parisians and French-speaking Somalis from the East African country Djibouti. This major event takes place in the 450 seat flagship luxury cinema. As this is the first event of its kind bring, your friends,family and kids to see some positive images of the Caribbean and find out what is going on. Make sure to book in advance
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Black Women, Success Stories
Saturday 27 June 12.00pm-3.00pm
Tube: Aldgate East, Liverpool St
₤6 adults, under 16 free
Venue: on application
This session will see three women from various professions explain exactly how they got into them. Natalie: Buy Side Equities Analyst & Trader
Pamela: Own IT Training company for 20 years
Monica: Consultant Clinical Psychologist
Each woman will start their story at primary school and explain what the obstacles were /are and how they overcame them. If you've ever complained about how Africa & women are shown in the media you need to attend this with some young people
also Patricia will explain how and she is moving her whole family to Africa even though her parents come from the Caribbean and she was born here.
In addition we will have a section on black owned charities operating in Africa, (Girl Child Concerns in Nigeria, Hearts to Africa) and what you can do to help. Plus at a time when the Afro Hair and Beauty show is endorsing skin bleaching creams (see menu) we will premiere two music videos that praise the beauty and brains of natural women. Due to demand you need to email your name/number of people to info@blackhistorywalks.co.uk You will then get confirmation and directions. Next event at this venue Black Bodies: Breasts, Bums and Cancer 25 July
Struggles for a Black Community
Saturday 27 June 2pm-5.00pm
BFI Southbank (near Royal Festival Hall)
Belvedere Road SE1
Tube: Waterloo.
Tickets ₤5, best to book early
Phone 0207 928 3232
Two films by hardcore and long term anti-racist Colin Prescod, currently chair of the Institute for Race Relations. A Town Under Siege shows how blacks and asians in Southall organised to resist racist attacks between 1976 and 1981.
From You Were Black, You Were Out ! describes the
conditions in Ladbroke Grove, when black people mobilised against white racist gang attacks in 1958 Followed by Q and A with Colin Prescod.
Black Bodies: Breasts, Bums and Cancer
Saturday 25 July 12.00pm-3.00pm
Tube: Aldgate East, Liverpool St
Admission: Donation
Venue: on application
Dr David Michael, survivor of prostate cancer, will explode the fallacies about the disease and state what black men must to do reduce the awful statistic that they are three times as liable to die from this illness than white men. David Michael was the first black police officer in Lewisham, served 30 years, rose to the rank of Detective Chief Inspector and won two high profile of race discrimination against the Metropolitan Police and was also a founder member of the Black Police Association. Scientist Abi Ajose-Adeogun holds a first degree in Medical Bio-chemistry, a masters in Clinical bio-chemistry and is pursuing another masters in Public Health. She runs an infomatics project on cancer data and has been investigating the cause and effects of cancer on black women for 7 years. Her presentation will cover:
- The reality of risk rates for black women
- 10 things you can do to reduce your risk
- How your partners ex-girlfriends and not breastfeeding can increase your risk
- The food and lifestyles that increase your risk
- How white women skew the risk indicators
We will also reveal how all the above information and more was on a website that was hacked, blocked and taken offline by health authorities.
If you wish to attend send e-mail to info@blackhistorywalks.co.uk 
Bab Sebta
Saturday 25 July 2pm-5.00pm
BFI Southbank (near Royal Festival Hall)
Belvedere Road SE1
Tube: Waterloo.
Tickets ₤5, best to book early
Phone 0207 928 3232
Bab Sebta is the last point in Morocco before
you enter Europe via Portugal/Spain. Coming from every part of Africa, a river of men and women are prepared to cross the continent, at risk of death, just to live in a another continent that does not want them. This is their story from their perspective
African Remembrance Day
Haiti Double Bill: in recognition of the heroic African freedom fighters who in 1791 inspired by Boukman Dutty (above) fought and beat the British, Spanish and French racists and abolished slavery in 1804.
Saturday 22 August 11am & 2pm
BFI Southbank (near Royal Festival Hall)
Belvedere Road SE1
Tube: Waterloo.
Tickets ₤5, best to book early
Phone 0207 928 3232
Passion for a Country 11am-1pm
This exploration of Haitian society of the late 19th and early 20th centuries focuses on the tormented life of one of Haiti’s most important authors and prominent political figures, Jacques Roumain. His perceptive writings illuminated issues still relevant today.
In Creole and French with English subtitles
The Agronomist 2pm-5pm
The Agronomist is about Jean Leopold Dominique
who hosted Radio Haiti the first independent radio station in Haiti. Director Jonathan Demme uses historical footage and interviews. The result is a serious recount of Haiti during its numerous regime changes
Democracy in Dakar
Saturday 26 September 2pm-5.00pm
BFI Southbank (near Royal Festival Hall)
Belvedere Road SE1
Tube: Waterloo.
Tickets ₤5, best to book early
Phone 0207 928 3232
..explores the transformative role of hip-hop on politics in Senegal, during the February 2007 presidential election. Through the eyes of youth
this documentary mixes interviews, freestyles, and commentary from journalists, artists, and politicians
More Events for June, July and August to be added join the mail list for advance notice
Black Women Resistance Leaders 1600-2000
Sunday 27th September 1pm-4.30pm
Imperial War Museum
Lambeth Road SE1
Tube: Lambeth North
Adm: Free first come, first served
Visual biographical details of black women from all over the world who have resisted slavery, colonialism and racism . Women do not get the historical credit they deserve. This event will give the audience video and documentary evidence of the who, what and why of 40 female fighters who used pistols, pens or placards. Bring notepad and pen and be on time. Women include: Queen Nzinga, May Jemison, Dora Akunyili, Dame Jocelyn Barrow, Una Marson, Edna Ismail, Lieutentant Sanite Belair, Althea Gibson, Mavis Best, Fawzia Hashim, Dr Beryl Gilroy, Leyla Hussein,Edna Ismail, Benadita Da Silva, Ellen Sirleaf Johnson, Dr Patrica Bath, and many more.