Throughout October, the Camouflage Café at the Moorings Sociable Club, and the Unity Bar and Lounge at Sporting Club Thamesmead, will host a wide range of events promoting Black culture, history and heritage. The town has the largest West African population in the UK.
The special events have been commissioned by local group, the Black Culture Collective (BCC). Established in 2020, with support from Peabody, the BCC is committed to sharing products, services, advice and information about African and Caribbean culture, history and heritage. The BCC continues to receive annual funding from Peabody. Last year, it was formally constituted, ensuring Black heritage and culture can be celebrated all year round.
From film nights and theatre to family discos and fashion shows, the Black History Month celebrations offer something for everyone.
Event highlights include:
Friday 3 October: Nigerian Independence Movie Night “The Wedding Party”, 6pm - 9pm, Camouflage Café
Saturday 5 October: Black Mental Health and Wellbeing Day, 11.30am – 4pm, Camouflage Café
Tuesday 8 October: Black Women’s Monologues, 7pm – 9pm, Camouflage Café
Saturday 12 October: Authors Spotlight with Mel Pennant and Royalty Sky, 12pm – 4pm, Camouflage Café
Sunday 18 October: Family Disco with live music and crafts, 12pm – 4pm, Camouflage Café
Friday 24 October: African Fashion Show, 6pm – 9pm, Camouflage Café
Friday 24 October: Board Games and Beverages by LPF Kiddies Club, 5.30pm, Unity Bar and Lounge
Sunday 26 October: Black Makers Fair and Pop-up Exhibition, 12pm – 4pm, Camouflage Café
Thursday 30 October: Hair braiding workshop by Beyond Braidz Academy, 5.30pm, Unity Bar and Lounge
Friday 31 October: Divas Let's Talk by JHD Events, 7pm, Unity Bar and Lounge
The Black History Month events are part of a wider programme of events run by the Camouflage Cafe and by the recently opened Unity Bar and Lounge. Both community hubs sit in buildings which are owned and managed by Peabody. Providing low-cost affordable spaces for people to meet and socialise is a key part of our long-term plan to improve, grow and look after Thamesmead.
Kemi Madumere, co-founder of Camouflage Café, said: “We’re proud to celebrate Black History Month and bring people together. There’s something here for everyone, and we’d love to see the whole community get involved.”
Gez, Community Investment Manager, added, “We’re incredibly proud to celebrate Black History Month by supporting events in Thamesmead through the Black Culture Collective. Our community spaces play a vital role in bringing people together by creating opportunities for everyone to engage and celebrate our diverse community. The Black Culture Collective is fantastic at sourcing and supporting local businesses and organisations that make a real difference to local people. We look forward to continuing to support and recognise the local talent in Thamesmead.”
Book your tickets to Black History Month events
About The Camouflage Cafe
Founded by husband-and-wife team Kemi and Chris Madumere, Camouflage Cafe is part of their Brighter Futures charity. The charity supports young people and adults with learning disabilities. Donations from all events there go to Brighter Futures College.
About the Unity Bar and Lounge
Earlier this year, Thamesmead welcomed the reopening of Unity Bar and Lounge. It is now run by mother-and-son team Hazel C and Taurai from 2Inspire Academy CIC, in collaboration with Dala Dala Kitchen a vibrant food company.