BLACK HISTORY MONTH OCTOBER 2015 Exploring the heritage and history of Southwark’s African, Caribbean and diaspora communities All events are FREE unless stated otherwise www.southwark.gov.uk/blackhistorymonth FOREWORD Welcome to the exciting and varied programme of events Planned events include music, dance, cultural film that are part of Southwark’s contribution to Black History screenings, storytelling, historical walks and talks, as well Month in the UK. as exhibitions and advice about healthy living. No matter who you are or where you live in the borough, there should Black History Month both educates and reminds us about be something of interest. how our society has been shaped by the contributions of migrants from Africa and the Caribbean. They have We have organised a wide range of events suitable for contributed so much to our public services, armed forces, children and adults. Our libraries across the borough will economy, culture, arts, sports and society through the years. offer children and their families great stories full of fun and laughter told by acclaimed storytellers, while John Agard The main theme for this year is: Fit to achieve – how our and Maggie Harris host an enthralling evening of poetry, community has struggled and succeeded in Britain and stories and performance at Canada Water Library. how to build on this success. In addition to recognising and celebrating past struggles and achievements, this year we Black History Month is for everybody and all events are free encouraged event organisers to consider how their event or low cost, so please get involved and get inspired. could contribute to improving the health and wellbeing of our communities. Cllr Ian Wingfield Cllr Michael Situ Cabinet member for Cabinet member business, employment for communities and culture. and safety. For more information on Black History Month or to download a copy of this brochure, visit www.southwark.gov.uk/blackhistorymonth Meet journalist and presenter of CBBC’s Newsround AYSHAH TULL Journalist and TV presenter Ayshah Tull is coming to Dulwich Library this October to talk about all things Newsround. Her job Book your free on this iconic CBBC show includes everything from reading place to meet the news live on TV to reporting on stories that can be weird Ayshah on and wonderful, sad or inspiring. Monday 12 October at 5.30pm Ayshah sat down with Southwark Life for this exclusive Q&A about her career, her most nerve-wracking TV experience and what Black History Month means to her. SOUTHWARK LIFE: When did you decide you wanted And what has been your most nerve-wracking to be a journalist? television experience? AYSHAH: I went on a school trip to a newspaper when I was 15 I was doing a live bulletin from the Isle of Lewis for the eclipse as part of my media studies GCSE. We had to come up with the and all the communication from the team back at the studio stories for the front page. I sat down at the desk and realised went down. It was a bit of a nightmare because the team tell me how much fun I was having. And from that moment, I said to lots of important information in my ear while I’m on telly. Luckily myself, I want to be a journalist. we were able to get through the bulletin surprisingly well, but I did feel very nervous doing it. What advice do you have for someone who would like to become a journalist? Who has inspired you? Firstly, get as much work experience as you can; you won’t I’m inspired by the amazing journalists on our screens who tell know you like the job until you do it. Hospital and local radio us what’s going on in the world. One of my favourite journalists and newspapers were how I started out. Secondly, be persistent (I have many, I’ll name some of them later) is Matt Frei. I still and don’t give up; journalism is very competitive and loads of vividly remember some of his powerful and brave storytelling people want to do it. Don’t be put off by that, keep going for the in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, when he was describing job you truly want to do. how some people were left to fend for themselves and the lack of help they got from anyone. I admire so many people in the What has been your funniest Newsround experience? industry like Isha Sesay (CNN), Moira Stewart (BBC Radio 2), I have so much fun on Newsround. Probably the funniest Clive Myrie (BBC News channel), Lindsey Hilsum (Channel 4) standout moment was filming with Chantico the spider monkey. and Lyse Doucet (BBC). She would not stop crawling over me when we were filming. And then when we stopped filming she pooped near my welly Who would play you in a film of your life? boots. She was an awesome guest. I’ve never been asked this question before. I’m going to say Gabrielle Union. She’s the star of Being Mary Jane and loads of other films too. She comes across as sassy, intelligent, brave and beautiful. If someone like her could play me, it would be a dream come true. Exclusive interview with Ayshah Tull Has there been any particular praise or criticism What book are you reading right now and do you that has stuck with you? have an all time favourite book? I got praised for my work that I did on black children and their I’m reading The Road to Memphis which is written by Mildred aspirations. It was a Newsround exclusive and we found in a D. Taylor, the author of Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. It’s a good survey that some black children didn’t think they could be what read so far and I love books set in America, because it’s my they wanted to be in the future because of the colour of their skin. favourite place in the world. I think my all time favourite book Some of the people I interviewed like Alesha Dixon and space has to be Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman. The vivid scientist Maggie Aderin-Pocock said it was a good issue to bring characters and the fantastic storylines of the series kept me up and they were very happy I was doing the story. hooked. I think they should make it into a TV show one day; I’d love to see that. Do you hear from your viewers much? What kind of things do they say? What does Black History Month mean to you? It’s my favourite thing in the world to hear from our audience. It’s a chance to reflect, celebrate and remember the rich history They always have an opinion about what we do; sometimes of my ancestors. It means so much to have a chance to do good but sometimes bad. At least they’re honest. I get a couple this. I always seem to learn something new from the wonderful of letters sent to my office, which I absolutely love. One girl said exhibitions, plays and TV programmes that come out at this time. I was her inspiration and she wanted to be like me when she was older. That made me cry, it was so sweet. I keep all the letters that are sent to me. Book your free places to see Ayshah at Dulwich Library on Monday 12 October 2015 at 5.30pm by emailing [email protected] FEATURED EVENT 16 OCTOBER Strange Fruit: a tribute to Billie Holiday with Helen MacDonald, Keith Waithe and the Macusi players This dramatic musical performance written by Helen MacDonald and Keith Waithe offers interpretation of the life and music of Billie Holiday. Prepare to be moved as Helen, Keith and the Macusi players journey through such classic songs as: Strange fruit, God Bless the child, Don’t explain, Lover man, Stormy weather, Summertime and Good morning heartache. Musical performance is interspersed with spoken word relating to the tumultuous life and career that took Holiday from poverty to the New York jazz scene and to the iconic status she holds today. Advance booking is essential via [email protected] Time: 7.30pm Venue: Canada Water Library, 21 Surrey Quays Road, SE16 7AR Contact: www.southwark.gov.uk/libraries, [email protected] 4 All events are FREE unless stated EVENTS LISTINGS otherwise 1 TO 31 OCTOBER Saturday 3 October - from 12pm to 1.30pm 4 OCTOBER there will be a public exhibition on the Black History Month at CoolTan Arts: The Peckham promenade Southbank before moving to 85 St George’s 50 years of black British music Road, London SE1 6ER, at 2pm. Join us on an interactive walking tour through 175 years of Peckham’s black Come to our gallery and listen to music in Contact: [email protected] history, where we encounter musicians and our music installation; view music themed www.capolondon.com performers who changed history. artwork; watch a film screening of the Stuart www.culturalexchange.org.uk Hall project; listen to poetry by Linton Kwesi Time: 11.30am to 1pm, 3pm to 4.30pm Johnson and much more. Check the website Venue: Starting at the corner of Bellenden for events, times and dates across the month. 2 OCTOBER Road and Choumert Road, Peckham, SE15. Time: Please contact CoolTan Arts The Sickle Cell story: Finishing at 164 Queens Road, Peckham. Venue: CoolTan Arts, third floor, history, legacy and achievements Contact: [email protected] 224-236 Walworth Road, SE17 1JE Celebrating and charting the unique history, Contact: www.cooltanarts.org.uk, legacy and achievements in sickle cell 6, 13, 20, 27 OCTOBER [email protected], 020 7701 2696 through film, presentations, discussion, AND 3 NOVEMBER personal stories and comedy including its African and Western discoveries and the INCPA celebrating black history 1 TO 31 OCTOBER struggle to achieve equity and better care.