READ, WATCH, DO - BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2024
The rich history, culture and contributions of the black community give us so many ways to honour Black History Month. To help you narrow down how to celebrate, here’s our recommendations of what to put at the top of your watch, read, and to-do lists this month.
We’ve pulled these straight from the work our partners at the DM Foundation do to support, empower, and celebrate the Black Community - meaning everything here is also part of something much bigger.
Discover our top picks, and the change they’re part of, below:
READ: The lonely Londoners - a novel by Sam Selvon
What is it?, Through one of the first ever novels written in a Caribbean-English dialect, you’ll be painted a vivid, devastating, yet funny picture of London through the eyes of Caribbean migrants in the 50/60s.
In just 136 pages, follow the tales of a group of West Indian and Jamaican men as they face the harsh realities of moving to the “Glitter City”, build friendships, and, in time, learn to survive.
Why is it especially important right now? With the support of our partner, The Steven Laurence Day Foundation, Penguin Books are campaigning to bring more authors of colour into the English Literature curriculum – including this novel. With more diverse reading lists, not only can more students can read stories they resonate with, but all students can build the foundations they need to understand the diversity in how we experience the world.
WATCH: SWEET NOTHINGS - a short film by Ainslie & Katherine
What is it? A short film and nostalgic love letter to the beauty and simplicities that make up the Black Community.
In Ainslie (@ainscreates) and Katherine’s (@katherinenerima) own words it's: “A reminder to live in the little joys in a world full of heartbreak and noise. To peruse every experience intentionally because you can never get them back. To view the cup half full instead of half empty because you deserve peace of mind. And to know your bound for greatness no matter what form it may take.”
Why is it especially important right now? Director, videographer and editor of this film, Ainslie, is one of the talented young Black creators DINN Enterprise are supporting through their Creator Fund. Through programmes like this, DINN are dedicated to plugging the gaps in resources, guidance, connection and funding that Black individuals need to thrive in their industries.
WATCH IT HERE
DO: VISIT THE MIGRATION MUSEUM’S ‘ALL OUR STORIES’ EXHIBITION
What is it? All Our Stories is a brand-new immersive exhibition, bringing together art, film, photography, and keepsakes that tell us how the movement of people to and from Britain shapes our worlds.
As a such a significant part of Britain’s migration story, history and art from the Black community can be explored, enjoyed and reflected on across the whole exhibition – including pieces from artists local to the museum’s current home in Lewisham.
Why is it especially important right now? As polarised political and online debates on migration continue to dominate conversations, it more important than ever to amplify the stories we don’t usually get to hear in them. This exhibition is part of the Migration Museum’s wider mission to capture the whole picture of migration, so that we can truly understand how it impacts us as individuals, as communities, and as a nation.
