I Belong to Newham is an exhibition of unique images of the black and Asian presence in the borough from the 17th Century to the present day.
Tracing your Caribbean Ancestors is a free six week course beginning 19 October. Local historian Kathy Chater will guide you through the journey of tracing your family tree using resources such as library records and the internet.
For film buffs there are several movie screenings including the award winning City of God and Tsotsi. The Kamal Chunchie story charts the life of the founder of the Coloured Men's Institute in Canning Town during the 1920s. The film will be introduced by Chunchie's daughter Muriel Simpson and a panel discussion will follow.
Parents can get their children involved with events including arts and crafts, story telling and board games from around the world.
A display of black interest books will be available at all libraries across Newham. Residents can also attend a number of special talks, including one by acclaimed journalist Chris Salewicz discussing his book, Bob Marley: the untold story at Stratford Library on 19 October.
Here is the full list of free Black History Month events taking place in Newham this October:
Black History Month 2009 events
Thursday 1 October - Saturday 31 October
I belong to Newham exhibition
Exhibition of images presenting the black and Asian presence in Newham from the 17th Century to the present day.
Private viewing and panel discussion (by invitation only): Thursday 1 October 6.30pm
Panel will feature local historians, authors and lecturers
Public viewing: Friday 2 October - Saturday 31 October Monday - Friday 9am-5pm and Sunday 10am-2pm
Stratford Town Hall, E15 3EL
Thursday 1 October - Saturday 31 October
Black History Month competition - design a Newham flag
Competition inviting children to create a flag that best represents Newham. The winning design will be used for a series of bookmarks across Newham libraries.
All Newham libraries
Opening days and times vary
Friday 2 October
Celebrating Newham - music dance and poetry night
Newham Libraries launch its schedule of BHM events with an evening of performances from local talent.
Acts include:
- dance from the Gujarat / Tamil Welfare Association
- poetry from Nick Makoha
- Newham Gospel Choir
- fashion show
- food tasting
Stratford Library, E15 3EL
6-8pm
Wednesday 7 October
An evening with Dreda Say Mitchell
Author Dreda Say Mitchell will be reading from her latest book Geezer Girl and answering questions.
Stratford Library, E15 3EL
6-7.30pm
Thursday 8 October
Nursery Rhymes from around the world
As part of National Book Start day, Diva Faturoti will be running music sessions for the under fives.
Manor Park Library, E612 5YJ
10.30-11.30am
Thursday 8 October
Board games from around the world
World games sessions for parents and children. Families can come and play board games from countries including Ghana, Nigeria, India, Japan and the USA.
Library @ The Gate, E7 0QH
6-8pm
Thursday 8 October
Movie night - City of God (film rated 18)
Based on a true story, this Oscar nominated film is set in the slums of 1960s Rio de Janeiro. We follow two boys growing up in the same neighbourhood who end up following different paths. The screening will be followed by a discussion lead by Writer in Residence Mark Norfolk about making a movie with a thriving community as the backdrop.
Stratford Library, E15 3EL
6.30-8.30pm
Friday 9 October
Nursery rhymes from around the world
As part of National Book Start day, Diva Faturoti will be running music sessions for the under fives.
Beckton Library, E6 5JQ
10.30-11.30am
Monday 12 October
Storytelling and arts and craft with Diva
Professional story teller Diva Faturoti mixes story telling with a black history theme for the under fives. There will also be music, dance and arts and crafts.
Canning Town Library, E16 4HQ
10.30-11.30am
Tuesday 13 October
Storytelling and arts and crafts with Diva
Professional story teller Diva Faturoti mixes story telling with a black history theme for the under fives. There will also be music, dance and arts and crafts.
Custom House Library, E16 3JJ
10.15-11.15am
Wednesday 14 October
Storytelling and arts and craft with Diva
Professional story teller Diva Faturoti mixes story telling with a black history theme for the under fives. There will also be music, dance and arts and crafts.
East Ham Library, E6 6EL
2-3pm
Thursday 15 October
Storytelling and arts and craft with Diva
Professional story teller Diva Faturoti mixes story telling with a black history theme for the under fives. There will also be music, dance and arts and crafts.
North Woolwich Library, E16 2LJ
2-3pm
Thursday 15 October
Board games from around the World
World games sessions for parents and children. Families can come along and play board games from countries including Ghana, Nigeria, India, Japan and the USA.
Canning Town Library, E16 4HQ
4-6pm
Thursday 15 October
Movie night - RIZE (film rated PG)
Documentary on how two dance sensations Clowing and Krumping exploded onto the streets of South Central, Los Angeles.
Stratford Library, E15 1EL
6.30-8.30pm
Friday 16 October
Storytelling and arts and craft with Diva
Professional story teller Diva Faturoti mixes story telling with a black history theme for the under fives. There will also be music, dance and arts and crafts.
Library @ The Gate, E7 0QH
11am-12 noon
Monday 19 October
Tracing your Caribbean Ancestors
Discover your Caribbean family tree in this free six week course run by local historian Kathy Chater.
19 October - 23 November
Stratford Library, E15 1EL
6.30-8pm
Monday 19 October
Bob Marley: The untold story
Acclaimed journalist and writer Chris Salewicz discusses his book on the enigmatic and legendary musician.
Stratford Library, E15 1EL
6.30-8pm
Tuesday 20 October
Storytelling and arts and craft with Diva
Professional story teller Diva Faturoti mixes story telling with a black history theme for the under fives. There will also be music, dance and arts and crafts.
Plaistow Library, E13 9HL
11am-12 noon
Tuesday 20 October (then every 3rd Tuesday)
Read Around the World Book Group
Launch of the book group for anyone interested in discovering new literary cultures and territories.
Library @ The Gate, E7 0QH
6.30-8pm
Thursday 22 October
Storytelling and arts and crafts with Diva
Professional story teller Diva Faturoti mixes story telling with a black history theme for the under fives. There will also be music, dance and arts and crafts.
Green Street Library, E13 9AR
10.30-11.30am
Thursday 22 October
Movie night - Bamboozled (film rated 15)
A black writer educated at Harvard is working for a television network. He becomes frustrated when his proposals for intelligent shows involving black people are continuously rejected. So he devises an outlandish scheme to revive the minstrel show, but this time use black actors! The show becomes an instant smash, but success brings repercussions for all involved.
Stratford Library, E15 1EL
6.30-8.30pm
Friday 23 October
Storytelling and arts and craft with Diva
Professional story teller Diva Faturoti mixes story telling with a black history theme for the under fives. There will also be music, dance and arts and crafts.
Stratford Library, E15 1EL
2-3pm
Saturday 24 October
Board games from around the World
World games sessions for parents and children. Families can come along and play board games from countries including Ghana, Nigeria, India, Japan and the USA.
Green Street Library, E13 9AR
3-5pm
Thursday 29 October
Movie night - The Kamal Chunchie story (film rated PG)
Screening and panel discussion about the life and work of Kamal Chunchie, founder of the Coloured Men's Institute in Canning Town during the 1920s.
Stratford Town Hall, E15 1EL
6.30-9.30pm
Thursday 29 October
Movie night - Tsotsi (film rated 15)
Oscar winning story set amidst the sprawling Johannesburg township of Soweto. We trace six days in the life of a ruthless young gang leader, Tsoti who ends up caring for a baby accidentally kidnapped during a car-jacking.
Stratford Library, E15 1EL
6.30-8.30pm
Friday 30 October
Roundtable author discussion
Writer in Residence Mark Norfolk, author Alex Wheatle and poets Nick Makoha and Malika Booker discuss their careers as black writers, and the state of the arts now and for the future.
Stratford Library, E15 1EL
6.30-8.30pm
Saturday 31 October
Black History Month competition - design a Newham flag
Deadline for competition inviting children to create a flag that best represents Newham. The winning design will be used for a series of bookmarks across Newham libraries.
All Newham libraries
Opening days and times vary
Saturday 31 October
I belong to Newham exhibition
Last day of exhibition of images presenting the black and Asian presence in Newham
Stratford Town Hall, E15 1EL
Monday - Friday 9am-5pm and Sunday 10am-2pm
