Date posted 01 Oct 2021
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October is  Black History Month, an annual commemoration of the history, achievements and contributions of black people in the UK. Wandsworth Libraries have a full programme of events celebrating African and Caribbean cultures and histories.

You can also watch our archive of Black History month videos at https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLM6SC1fFxo7tp0KWIP-np9seaqrJJnUqb

The list below is provisional and subject to change. If you would like to attend an event please contact the library as booking is essential.

Follow us on Twitter to keep up to date with all the latest library news and events; find us @wandsworthlibs

Tuesday 5th October

6.30pm Battersea Library
Uncle Tom’s Cabin on Stage, with Kathleen Chater
Book free tickets at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/uncle-toms-cabin-tickets-181724612207 
Uncle Tom’s Cabin was the best-selling novel of the nineteenth century. Written in America, pirated in Britain, translated into 20 languages, including Welsh and Arabic, it was also phenomenally popular on the stage for over fifty years.  During these decades it provided solid employment for black actors and other black entertainers. We all think we know the story – but what do we know about the many stage adaptations, ranging from overtly political to emotionally melodramatic, that audiences all over Britain saw?  Come and find out the unexpected stories (there’s more than one) behind the preconceptions. 
Dr Kathleen Chater worked for the BBC until 1994. One of her interests was family history so when she left she became self-employed as an author on aspects of history and also as a trainer in research skills for the media and family historians.

Friday 8

15.45-16.45 Balham Library
Join Ubuntu Museum at Balham Library for a recycled arts and craft workshop and mini exhibition for all ages.
Book free tckets at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/recycled-artsncrafts-with-ubuntu-museum-tickets-182459650727 

Monday 11

6.30pm Battersea Library
The Space Between Black and White, with Esua Jane Goldsmith
Book free tickets at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-space-between-black-and-white-with-author-esua-jane-goldsmith-tickets-181764481457 
“Knowing who you are, where you’re from, and your beginnings, is the only way you can find out where you’re going, and who and what you can become.”
Esua is a local author who was raised in Battersea, and lived in Wandsworth for more than 30 years. Her memoir is a story of self-discovery for a mixed-race woman finding her place in the world and has a special mention of Battersea.
Esua is a writer, feminist activist and development consultant of English – Ghanaian heritage. In 1975 she was the first woman of colour to be elected President of Leicester University Student’s Union, while in 2001 she became the first woman of colour to be elected Chair of the Fawcett Society. In 1977-9 Esua served as one of the first black volunteers to be sent on Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) in Tanzania.

Tuesday 12

10-10.45am
Tooting Children's Library
Book free tickets at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/black-history-month-story-time-at-tooting-library-with-chinasa-uyanna-tickets-184849689397 
Chinasa Uyanna is the Director of Ikenga Publishing Ltd. And author of the book ‘Obi and his curious adventures’
A series of story sessions during October 2021 to show case wonderful stories and cultural traditions & features of the Igbo tribe from South East Nigeria, as part of Black History Month.
The books are generally aimed at interest age 3 – 5 and parents are welcome
1pm Tooting Library
Africa and the Caribbean Through a Lens
Book free tickets at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/africa-and-the-caribbean-through-a-lens-black-history-month-event-tickets-185718227217
A reminiscence project with  the National Archives. Join us to look at images of Africa and the Caribbean from The National Archives collection. Alongside pictures  of leisure and sports we will also have images covering other themes such as food, music, transport and childhood.
Speak with Outreach staff from The National Archives and share your memories as part of the event

Wednesday 13

10.15am Southfields Children’s Library
Story Time with Chinasa
A special Story Time to showcase the stories and  traditions of the Igbo tribe from South East Nigeria. Chinasa will be  reading  a  new book called Obi and his Next Curious Adventures (Book 2) which follows on from Obi and his Curious Adventures (Book 1) released in December 2020. This will be followed by a mask making session based on the Igbo Masquerades which can be seen in  Book 2. Suitable for ages 3-5 years.
4.30pm Roehampton Library
Story Time with Chinasa
A special Story Time to showcase the stories and  traditions of the Igbo tribe from South East Nigeria. Suitable for ages 3-5 years
6.30pm Battersea Library
1973 and Me, with Colin Babb
Book free tickets at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1973-and-me-with-author-colin-babb-tickets-181738874867 
From 1968 to 1973, the West Indies did not win a Test series. They lost 2-0 on their previous England tour in 1969. By 1973, and despite this lack of success, West Indian cricket still played a central role as a medium of Caribbean self-expression in Britain. In the summer of 1973, could the West Indies deliver the performances and results to inspire the Caribbean diaspora in Britain?
1973 and Me reveals why this was a landmark year for many of the contributors, exploring the story, legacy, first-hand testimonies and Colin’s personal memoir of this iconic year. It reflects on patterns of Colin’s family and Caribbean migration to Britain, wider perspectives on history, identity, music and politics, shared family experiences of television in the 1970s, a collection of memorable events, and interplay with the 1973 West Indies tour.
Colin Babb describes himself as a ‘BBC’, a British-Born Caribbean. He  worked for the BBC as a radio producer, website producer, broadcast journalist; and as a photographer in the Caribbean for education book publishers. He has made three appearances as a guest with the BBC Test Match Special radio cricket commentary team. In 2012, Colin wrote ‘They Gave the Crowd Plenty Fun: West Indies Cricket and its Relationship with the British-Resident Caribbean Diaspora’ (Hansib); revised and updated in 2015.

Friday 15

1pm Tooting Library
Book free tickets at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/black-history-month-story-time-at-tooting-library-with-izzie-kpobie-mensah-tickets-184875376227 
Storytelling and colouring session with author Izzie Kpobie-Mensah
Local Author, Izzie Kpobie-Mensah reads from her book series 'The Adventures of Adjoa' all about a lively three year old from South London.
1pm York Gardens Library
Story Time with Kamapala
A special Story Time for Black History Month. Kamapala will be reading a story, followed by a colouring session.

Monday 18

10am Battersea Library
Story Time with Kamapala Chukwuka
Book free tickets at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/black-history-month-story-time-with-kamapala-chukwuka-at-battersea-library-tickets-192187105807
Join local author Kamapala Chukwuka for a special story time featuring her books ‘Mummy’s Love for You Will Always Be’ and ‘Ama’s Gift,’ followed by a colouring activity. Recommended for children 2-6 and their families. Spaces are limited, so please book ahead. Call 020 7223 2334 for more information.

Wednesday 20

10.15am Southfields Children’s Library
Story Time with Kamapala
A special Story Time for Black History Month. Kamapala will be reading a story, followed by a colouring session.

Friday 22

10am Wandsworth Town Library
Story Time with Kamapala Chukwuka
Book free tickets at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/story-time-with-kamapala-chukwuka-at-wandsworth-town-library-tickets-178671941587
Join local author Kamapala Chukwuka for a special story time featuring her books ‘Mummy’s Love for You Will Always Be’ and ‘Ama’s Gift,’ followed by a colouring activity. Recommended for children 2-6 and their families. Spaces are limited, so booking is essential.

Monday 25

2.30-4pm Roehampton Children’s Library
Recycled Art Workshop Inspired by African Traditions , with Jackie Mwanza of the Ubuntu Museum  Using materials we discard everyday, participants will be able to make: • An elephant out of aluminium drink cans • A flower out of toilet roll tubes Activity kits will also be available to take home. (Suitable for all ages 6+)
The project aims to create something new and inspiring out of commonly used household items. It seeks to create an awareness among the younger generation of the need to recycle, reinvent and reuse.
Jackie Mwanza is a local artist and founder of the Ubuntu museum – a social enterprise with a mission to celebrate cultural inclusion within education, the arts and commerce.

Tuesday 26

10-10.30am Tooting Library
Black History Month Story Time
Book free tickets at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/black-history-month-story-time-at-tooting-library-tickets-185668077217 
A special Story Time for Black History Month.

Wednesday 27

3-4pm Wandsworth Town Library
Story Time with Patrice Augustus-Brown
A special story time for Black History Month. Author Patrice Augustus-Brown will be reading from her book, ‘Sky Up.’ Recommended for ages 5+. Please book ahead.
Book online: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sky-up-story-time-with-patrice-augustus-brown-tickets-192702376997

Thursday 28

1.30-3.30pm Putney Children’s Library
Chinasa Uyanna
Book free tickets at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/black-history-month-at-putney-library-story-craft-with-chinasa-uyanna-tickets-182820730727 
A Story Time to showcase some of the wonderful stories and cultural traditions of the Igbo tribe from South East Nigeria. We will be creating masks based on the Igbo Masquerades. Age: 3 – 5
4pm Wandsworth Town Library
Story Time with Chinasa Uyanna
Book free tickets at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/story-time-with-chinasa-uyanna-at-wandsworth-town-library-tickets-177914225237
A special story time to showcase the stories and traditions of the Igbo tribe from South East Nigeria. Chinasa will be reading a new book called Obi and his Next Curious Adventure  (Book 2), which follows on from Obi and His Curious Adventure (Book 1), released in December 2020. This will be followed by a mask-making session based on the Igbo Masquerades which can be seen in Book 2. Suitable for ages 3-5 years. Spaces are limited, so booking is essential. Call 020 8877 1742 for more information.
6.30pm Balham Library
1973 and Me, with Colin Babb
Book free tickets at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1973-and-me-with-colin-babb-tickets-184806720877 
From 1968 to 1973, the West Indies did not win a Test series. They lost 2-0 on their previous England tour in 1969. By 1973, and despite this lack of success, West Indian cricket still played a central role as a medium of Caribbean self-expression in Britain. In the summer of 1973, could the West Indies deliver the performances and results to inspire the Caribbean diaspora in Britain?
1973 and Me reveals why this was a landmark year for many of the contributors, exploring the story, legacy, first-hand testimonies and Colin’s personal memoir of this iconic year. It reflects on patterns of Colin’s family and Caribbean migration to Britain, wider perspectives on history, identity, music and politics, shared family experiences of television in the 1970s, a collection of memorable events, and interplay with the 1973 West Indies tour.
Colin Babb describes himself as a ‘BBC’, a British-Born Caribbean. He  worked for the BBC as a radio producer, website producer, broadcast journalist; and as a photographer in the Caribbean for education book publishers. He has made three appearances as a guest with the BBC Test Match Special radio cricket commentary team. In 2012, Colin wrote ‘They Gave the Crowd Plenty Fun: West Indies Cricket and its Relationship with the British-Resident Caribbean Diaspora’ (Hansib); revised and updated in 2015.

Friday 29

10.30am Balham Library
Book free tickets at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/story-time-with-kamapala-chukwuka-at-balham-library-tickets-183398278187  
Join local author Kamapala Chukwuka as she shares her books celebrating love, self-confidence, positivity, and resiliency: ‘Mummy’s Love for You Will Always Be’ and ‘Ama’s Gift’. The stories will be followed by a craft and colouring session
Most suitable for ages 3-6 and their families but all welcome.

Tuesday 9 November

10am Tooting Children's Library
Book free tickets at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/swahilienglish-rhyme-time-at-tooting-library-tickets-188913845397
Abdul & Heather teach you to sing some familiar songs in Swahili!