Black History Month

Don’t Let the Sun Go Down: Black History Month at Age UK Wandsworth

We had a fantastic month of Black History Month celebrations in October, shining a light on the history, achievements, cultures, and contributions of Black people across the UK.

Our celebrations began at the World Kitchen Lunch Club on 8 October, where participants enjoyed Yor Ke Gari (also known as Red Red), a delicious West African bean stew made with tomatoes and served with plantain. Alongside sharing food, we explored the rich history and significance of masks and masking traditions across different West African cultures.

Later in the month, we celebrated the influence of Caribbean music on British culture at our Foodie Fridays Lunch Club on 16 Oct. We were delighted to welcome steel-pan musician Delphina Jones, whose wonderful performance had almost everyone dancing. Participants also enjoyed a delicious Caribbean-inspired lunch of jerk chicken, rice and peas, and plantain, offering a taste of the region's flavours.

Alongside these celebrations, we took time to reflect on the experiences and histories of Black people in Britain. A beautiful collage titled Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me was created by three of our community participants. The artwork highlights the journeys of African and African-Caribbean people who came to Britain and recognises the collective efforts and determination that have contributed to the ongoing pursuit of liberation, justice, and joy.

Our celebrations concluded at the LGBTQ+ Coffee Morning, where we were honoured to welcome speaker Mia Morris, Windrush expert and custodian of Black history. Mia delivered an engaging talk entitled The Windrush Journey: Honouring Our Communities, sharing stories and insights that encouraged reflection on the legacy and contributions of the Windrush generation.

As Black History Month draws to a close, we would like to thank everyone who helped make the programme so special. We are especially grateful to our community members and participants who shared their knowledge, experiences, and cultures with us throughout the month.

A special thank you goes to our volunteer Marisca for sharing her delicious Yor Ke Gari (Red Red) recipe; to the volunteers from Circo for helping participants create a collaborative mask sculpture; to Delphina Jones for her uplifting steel-pan performance; and to Mia Morris for her informative and inspiring talk.

Black History Month gives us an opportunity not only to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black communities, but also to listen, learn, and reflect together. We are proud to have shared these experiences with our community and look forward to continuing these conversations throughout the year.