Help City Hall celebrate Black culture in London

Suggested by Zuri 31 August

1 comment
Last activity 1 year ago

My idea is to have a celebration of all Black artist no matter what experience to submit their artwork of all multimedia and have the opportunity to showcase their paintings to sell.Brixton house gallery joined up with Harlem during Aigust 2022 Jamaican Independence Day weekend showcasing artwork of locals. Its brilliant opportunity to support the local Black artist who otherwise are underrepresented in local shop galleries or art galleries,especially for new beginners.During Covid 2020 many british black artist emerged showcasing their work on social media.it be a great opportunity for these type of artist to be in the heart of London selling their work.I myself was chosen by Brixton house to show my artwork.A panel looked at all entries and My work was chosen.

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Suggested by ContactPreen 29 August

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Last activity 1 year ago

It seems there is alway focus on pushing black people to party and deny the very real problems we face. 

Why not offer us educational events on mental health, obesity, violence, abuse and racism within the community. Why not do something for the Grenfell Community. If there was a genuine respect care and concern for the Black British community you would offer things that genuinely enhance the quality of life. We dont need more parties, drugs and liquor this was a cheap trick used by slave owners to pacify slaves. How dare you treat the black community in London with the same contempt. You are using us to make yourselves look good. 
 

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Suggested by SuzanneD 18 August

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Last activity 1 year ago

Black focused events tend to be highlighted and promoted one month in the year, but the arts ought to be celebrated all year round interwoven into society from education to politics, as part of an every day feature and not a separate entity. Bringing more culture diversity into the mix. For being black and British, no matter your background lends itself to much richness and cultural diversity 

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Suggested by IanSBaker 17 August

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Last activity 1 year ago

Wuntanara would like to run a free drum circle for all-comers, as we have done for Africa on the Square. It is accessible to everyone and loved by attendees. We would display and encourage African dance to our rhythms, too.

Everybody loves the free participation, rhythms and spectacle!!

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Suggested by janeylondon 14 August

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Last activity 1 year ago

Lovers Rock was a genre of reggae music that was created in the UK by the babies of the Windrush generation. To not include it in this event is scandalous. 

The Mobos stands for MUSIC OF BLACK ORIGIN. Thus we should be celebrating artists such as Sandra Cross, Janet Kay (mbe), Carol Thompson, The Investigators and many more. 

Let's celebrate what was created here and what we can be proud of.

How does Buckingham Palace recognise it and the Mayor does not?

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Suggested by Shanell1 13 August

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Last activity 1 year ago

It's important to challenge the current narrative which is stoking anti black rhetoric and creating divisions. 

Use this event to create a new, more healthy relationship with London's black communities. 

I had written to my Assembly Member last year about doing an event at city hall for Black History Month. I met and spoke with him about how important it is to challenge the divisiveness. I hope he contributed to the debate your office may have had in relation to this. 

Institutional racism is still very present and the data shows that in policing, education and in the health services. I would love to see this event intersect with institution and art.

Ask Young people to create art where they relate to the issues, not just black young people all young people interviewing black Londoners. Let them have the stage next year, where they can explore the issues and understand the impact of systematic racism in a metropolitan city. 

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Suggested by Coco.pemb 11 August

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Last activity 1 year ago

A week long festival that looks at the different diaspora groups but ends with the emerging black British identity day. This day should be carefully curated with the new up and coming tastemakers, helping London's soft power and sending a message about investing into the future. These can include

- dance workshops by black choreographers from thehub/ base studios/ voguerites 

-music/dance tent with djs from recess, dlt, p- palace, bootyldn, whooshweng etc Also should include iconic DJs from black british genres like drum and bass, dubstep, jungle etc. especially regarding how these genres are increasing in popularity across the world right now, with even kpop bands recently adopting the sound. 

- panels/round tables with archivists/ethnographers like @blackbritisharchives, hyphenated history, the storyteller and other academics 

-viewings/screenings from black owned productions companies or traineeships (like Sara putts)  in partnership with bfi and film london

- podcast tent with people like the receipts/to my sisters/ shxtsandgigs etc 

- fashion presentation with people like martine rose, Emile Vidal carr, fariah ldn etc Up and coming creatives highlighted and curated with the input of The Sanctuary, @iamrukiat etc. 

- performance triangle with uniquely british acts like Denzelhimslef, deijuhvs etc. 

- a shark tank is panel with black seed ventures 

This day should be curated with the help of Guap magazine as they are at the helm of understanding what is happening at the moment. 

These will highlight the tastemakers of black Britain and get young people excited to come. Also may show many young people what black London has to offer outside of things that could lead them to violence. 

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Suggested by Black-led Self-Build 11 August

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Last activity 1 year ago

https://sites.gold.ac.uk/inlivingmemory/tomorrow-is-built-today/

Interactive and physical photo exhibition on Europe's most successful community self-build scheme. What lessons are there for next generation's need for affordable housing. Join debate.

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Suggested by Black-led Self-Build 11 August

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Last activity 1 year ago

Show film   Tomorrow is Built Today

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1e1wWd8PxKgf6mU4ei3VL1AXXw2UjuuaN/view?usp=drivesdk

I have copyright.

and host debate on what lessons Europe's largest black self build scheme has for next generation need for real communities and genuinely affordable housing.

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Suggested by Ali999 09 August

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Last activity 1 year ago

Different London wide health clubs - running / swimming / trekking / walking / 

community organisations that promote family & youth - ie Father2Father / Organisations against knife crime / organisations that promote black youths achievements….

not just new emerging artists but UK black artists / DJs from years ago

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Isn't it racist to divide people based on their skin colour? What about mixed races? Can they celebrate Black and any other culture (if there ever be any other culture deserving special treatment)?

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Suggested by londoner466843275 25 June

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Last activity 1 year ago

There are lots of charities and other organisations doing great work that could be exhibited in a high-traffic space somewhere in London to raise visibility of this. Maybe with talks as well, or just with public street signs/exhibition.

For this context any organisations taking part would need to be paid very well to be there since anything like this would take away from their time running the charity and doing important work. I'm not affiliated with Sistah Space so I don't know if they would want to take part but this is just an example of one great organisation that we could promote more during this time.

It would also be good for all of these events if there were permanent parts, for example if there was an exhibition by black artists, keep a permanent sign up about the exhibition with the artists' names.

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Suggested by Kindness58 07 June

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Last activity 1 year ago

Take a look at Hannah Gadsby’s Picasso Show at the Brooklyn Museum. Here is an example of breaking through (in their instance) the male hegemony of art criticism. It’s radical and daring - but raises consciousness!

Apply the same principle to curating exhibitions in London’s galleries and museums. Reframe art in the light of Windrush, slavery, racial and economic inequalities.

Help people to understand that our ways of seeing culture are largely from a white privileged perspective - let’s take our ‘classical’ collections and reframe them in the light of Empire and colonialism. 

This does not have to be decisive - it can be educational for all. Why not offer touring (virtual) exhibitions to our schools?

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Suggested by Kindness58 07 June

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Last activity 1 year ago

There are many grassroots jazz musicians and orchestras pushing the boundaries of modern of the genre. Many of them have significant Black contributors. Give them a regular stage, subsidise venues that showcase their work - jazz is a neglected area of ‘MOBO’!

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Suggested by Miriam Dembo 30 March

1 comment
Last activity 1 year ago

Dear Sirs,

I am taking this opportunity to share the work of a charity I am part of as Director of Communications, the CV Association UK. Cape Verdean Association UK – CVA UK (cvassociation.org.uk) This charity aims to promote social inclusion, cultural heritage and community engagement. We are very appreciate of how the current cultural policy system encourages the development of cultural activities at the community level, demonstrated how the principles of multiculturalism, integration and cultural diversity that permeate the cultural system enable the development of production of culture at a grassroots level. One of our projects, is the Batuko Group. Considered the most ancient musical form of Cabo Verde, the expression was carried to the island of Santiago by the first slaves, and it continuesto exist today on the islands of Santiago and Maio as an undisputed African legacy and testament to the country’s pathway. The fact is that Batuko emerged as a form of expression and one of the few occasions where these slaves could be queens of their own. Thus, it is the manifestation of a female’s perception of the world and the manifestation of her spirit, in a structure that organises cultural knowledge, transmitted information, and enjoyed pleasure via music, speech, and body expression. The group has performed in the Contemporary Music Proms, an event sponsored by the Arts Council England, the London Mayor, among other partners.

I would appreciate if you could consider our humble participation in this event. 

Please feel free to contact me at [email protected]

Best wishes,

Miriam

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Creativity should be represented in all forms - short films about historically the black presence in Britain, achievements by talks from black professionals (publishers, medical professionals, business owners etc their journey's, how did they start their careers, motivation etc ), black children's achievements in school and their side businesses such as Omari McQueen who desires to be a chef and have his own restaurant, invite him to speak and demonstrate his skills.

Let's represent less of the stereotypical music side but creativity in other ways. Not sure if Trafalgar Square is the right venue.  Why not somewhere else? 

Please diversify who you tender this project to. Let's support independent freelancers who can do this job.  

This is a very necessary event.

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Suggested by BFEG20 28 February

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Last activity 1 year ago

London is known for its unique cultural identity which makes it the melting Pot of cultural diversity.

Every individual, community, Borough, organisation, businesses, artists, food and culture are unique and different and this what makes London a dynamic cultural city. Although we are all different in our culture but we are proudly Londoner because the city of London welcomes all to celebrate who they are by creating platform to showcase their skills and  talent

I an a Unique Londoner project will centre around creating platform for organisation, school, community groups, businesses and artists to create a project about what London means to them with an element of why they are: "I am the Unique Londoner"

This project will be celebrated as a festival at the Trafalgar Square

I am The Unique Londoner Festival

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Suggested by fynnstudio 22 February

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Last activity 1 year ago

Look at the ska events of the eighties, the raves of the nineties and the popularity of rap music today. Black culture has for decades and centuries brought communities and people together.

Imagine if we took some of the best of London's Black creatives and social groups to make a celebration that brings old and new, today and tomorrow into the spotlight. Queer Bruk, a dancehall clubnight interrupts notions around homophobia in Black culture, Leon Jean-Marie, artist and composer interrupts notions of Blackness being seen as a monoculture with his project Supervene. And who inspired today's creatives ? Can we get some of the big names from before to celebrate their careers today ?

An Autumn event on Trafalgar Square provides the opportunity to powerfully share with Londoners and its visitors the wealth and diversity of Black creativity and commerce, food, fashion and photography. Imagine if we brought some of the stars of yesterday from poetry, music and art to inspire and work with the stars of tomorrow. We're proposing an idea that is both inter-generational and inter-genre. 

Such a big event will bring varying communities and people together. This can't be seen as an event for one part of a certain community. Instead this should be viewed as an opportunity for Trafalgar Square to be transformed into a safe space where all can come together. Young and old, nostalgia and the new. Sharing cultures allows us to recognise what's unique amongst us, but is really also a chance to understand and recognise how much our humanity binds us together. 

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Suggested by aditya 11 February

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Last activity 1 year ago

When I travel late night home. I had seen homeless people outside station on streets in central London.

These days it is very difficult for us even in home without radiators how they are staying outside without shelter.

It would be better if they get some food and shelter. Government spend lot of money on different activities giving shelter is not a big thing for them.

Thanks

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Suggested by NOMIO 05 February

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Last activity 1 year ago

 At a time when a lot of people are being careful about spending, I think the sharing of information and skills could be powerful. Could you create an event to showcase the skills and talents of London's Black owned businesses. Music performances, music workshops, dance classes, craft workshops. cooking demos, inspirational speakers.. That kind of thing. 

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