Black History Month Events in London 2024

Somerset House has a history of creating intruding and carefully-curated exhibitions about Black and queer culture. This autumn, it’s at it again with this deep dive into the largest cultural and historical archive of Black LGBTQ+ people in Britain: rukus!

Curated by artist and filmmaker Topher Campbell, the exhibition is a chance to see items from the award-winning rukus! archive (currently housed at the London Metropolitan Archives), including material showcasing the activism, artistic events and private lives of Black Queer Britains, work from UK Black Queer pioneers from the 1970’s until the present day, newly commissioned work and pieces from the ‘first out generation’ who have created greater visibility for the Black LGBTQ+ diaspora.

The exhibition opening coincides with 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair and is a wonderful and rare chance to get acquainted with an intimate slice of Black queer history in the UK that’s not often seen in public. 

The Black Cultural Archives is a centre in Brixton that aims to collect, preserve and celebrate the histories of people of African and Caribbean descent in the UK. They celebrate Black history all year round but during October have a series of events including partnering with Black-owned creative agency Dark Matter to host an exclusive preview of the award-winning Dahomey at the Ritzy ahead of its UK release on October 25. Directed by Senegalese filmmaker Mati Diop, the documentary Dahomey focuses on on the first major return of looted treasures from Europe to Africa. You can also head down to the centre to check out the exhibition ‘Race Today: Black History is British History’ which explores the legacy of the Race Today journals which is running all month.

If you’re a classical music fan, Classically Black at Kings Place should be on your radar. Brought to you by Black Lives in Music, an organisation set up to address racial inequality in the music industry, the full day event will celebrate the contributions of Black classical musicians past and present. The groundbreaking event will include panel talks, an emerging talent showcases, and performances by members of BBC Symphony Orchestra. British Black composers Pete Letanka and Jason Yarde will also be previewing newly commissioned work.

It’s been a great year for Ghetts who picked up the MOBO Pioneer Award earlier this year. The rapper will be headlining as well as co-curatoring this year’s Literature Festival at the Southbank Centre.  On Sunday October 27, Ghetts Presents: An Evening of Poetry and Music will bring together some of the most exciting names in the London poetry and music scenes. The award-winning rapper will share some of his new album new album On Purpose, With Purpose alongside performances from ​​rappers  Namesbliss and DC3 and writer Yomi Ṣode and artist Belinda Zhawi. If you’re interested in the connections between poetry and rap, there is also a talk by chaired by writer and storyteller Aniefiok Ekpoudom whose book Where We Come From: Rap Home and Hope in Modern Britain explores the social history of British rap,

Walking tours are an exciting way to see a city. No matter how well you think you know London a tour will always offer up a way to see the city through fresh eyes. Black History Walks offer a series of specialised walking tours all year round but October is the perfect time to discover Black British History. Walks on offer in October include an exploration of areas you might think you already know so well like Soho and Dalston. With over 16 walking tours to choose from and over 3,500 years of Black History to unpack, you might look at the city you love to hate to love a little differently.