With the internet just hitting its twenties and the digital age being colonised by big business and global media conglomerates, heritage institutions are only just waking up to its benefits. Nathan Richards explains why museums, libraries and archives must not miss out on the opportunity to create new forms of community participation for greater cultural… Continue reading Age of digital heritage

A rehearsed reading of Sweet Talk, Michael Abbensetts’ seminal first play, will be staged in honour of Abbensett’s contribution to the cannon of Black British plays and for the tremendous impact his television series Empire Road and The Little Napoleons had on the early presence of black faces on British television screens. Directed by Anton… Continue reading Sweet Talk

Written by M.R. Quintyne-Kolaru and directed by Erica Miller this script in hand play looks at the struggles and rites of passage of 15 year old Ailleen. Faced with an alcoholic mother, an absent brother, the unexpected return of her Uncle Silo (newly released from prison) and an ill-fated 16th birthday looming, her world crashes… Continue reading Take me 2 Manhattan

The importance of family history underpins this special event to mark Every Generation’s 10th anniversary with tributes to the Windrush generation, 100 Great Black Britons and history’s unsung heroes and heroines, including Caribbean male and female WWII veterans. There will be children’s arts activities, contributions by the National Archives, debates and creating your family tree.… Continue reading East London Routes Family History Day

Book: Harmattan Author: Gavin Weston Publisher: Myrmidon Books Review by Joy Francis Harmattan, Arabic for a dry, dusty wind that blows from the Sahara across West Africa, unveils the challenging life of Haoua, a bright, thoughtful and brave 11 year old girl growing up in a remote village in the Republic of Niger.

In the recent wake of the first UN International Day of the Girl, the media is still struggling to truly reflect female diversity. The Telegraph highlighted this uncomfortable reality when it chose to picture eight white women to launch its new daily online section Wonder Women. Joy Francis asks why being white, female and middle… Continue reading Not all white

This new comedy drama by award-winning playwright Bola Agbaje explores the impact a son’s incarceration has on an African family. With only a week left until Rasheed’s 50th birthday, his son has just been sentenced to 13 years in prison. Rasheed decides it’s time to put his house in order. However, is he piecing his… Continue reading House of Corrections

This exciting double bill of African sci fi in literature and film is taking place at the Southbank Centre. Hosted by The Collective Word, which campaigns for literary equality, the first event, Universal Mind Control, looks at how literature and poetry addresses the African diaspora cosmology and futuristic worlds while Parable of the Talents explores… Continue reading Africa in science fiction

Earthquake up in here: Amit Shah and Sarah Woodward have different views on a natural disaster. Picture by Stephen Cummiskey Play: Love and Information Theatre: The Royal Court Jerwood Theatre Downstairs Playwright: Caryl Churchill Review by Joy Francis In the age of information overload with one in 10 people allegedly addicted to the internet, 74… Continue reading Love and Information

Words of Colour Productions is hosting this important debate on how best to support the future generation of women as leaders during Hackney Black History Month. With a low profile afforded to successful black women and a lack of visible role models for young women, how confident are the next generation that they can and… Continue reading Finding the spotlight