Islington Black Owned Business Market

Saturday 26 September, 11am-6pm
Chapel Market

Welcome to Go Africa Celebrating Culture in the Street! Join us at Chapel Market for a day filled with vibrant music, delicious food, and colorful art. Immerse yourself in the rich culture of Africa through dance performances, traditional crafts, and interactive workshops. This in-person event is the perfect opportunity to connect with the community and celebrate diversity. Don’t miss out on this unique experience that showcases the beauty of Africa right in the heart of the city. See you there!

New reading group launch for Black History Month!

Monday 5 Oct, 6pm to celebrate Black History Month with following sessions taking place following ones on Monday 2 November and Monday 7 December 6.30-7.30pm
Central Library (second floor pods)

Melareads is a community book club that focuses on books by Black authors and celebrates and showcases Black voices.

Melareads is a book group celebrating Black authors, stories and voices. Each month, we’ll come together to explore a new book, share our thoughts and connect with others through a love of reading. Whether you’re an avid reader or looking to get back into books, everyone is welcome!

They will be reading Girl, Woman, other by Bernardette Evaristo, An interconnected novel following the lives of twelve characters, primarily Black British women. It explores identity, family, relationships, race, gender and what it means to belong in modern Britain.

No booking required, just turn up! Participants can borrow the e book or e audiobook from Borrowbox using their Islington Library card, the book is also available to be borrowed from any Islington library.

Themed Lunch Club: Black History Month

Tuesday 6 Oct, 12-2pm
St Luke’s Community Centre, 90 Central Street, South Islington, London EC1V 8AJ

St Luke’s are putting on a lunch club that will be themed around Black history, culture and cuisine. Come along to enjoy some great food, company and celebrate Black History Month! Prices are £4.50 for a main course, 2 courses for £5.50 and three courses for £6.50.

Themed Lunch Club: Black History Month

Ghana Property and Lifestyle Expo

Friday 16 and Saturday 17 October 2026
Business Design Centre, 52 Upper Street, London N1 0QH

As part of the Go Africa Takeover for Black History Month 2026, Go Africa will curate the Lifestyle Pavilion at the Ghana Property & Lifestyle Expo. Alongside property and investment opportunities, the pavilion will showcase African fashion, beauty, wellness, food, tourism, artisan products and creative businesses. 

The event creates connections between local entrepreneurs, established businesses, diaspora communities and international markets. 

Find out more
@goafricafestival 

Vibast Community Centre Play and Stay Activities

Monday 19 Oct, 9:30-11:30am
Vibast Community Centre, 167 Old St, London EC1V 9NH

Play and Stay sessions for children aged 0-5 and their parents/carers. Activities will incorporate Black History Month themes through play, learning and creative activities.

The journey with Arthur Lashley

Tuesday 20 Oct, 5-7:30pm
Islington Ecology Centre, 191 Drayton Park, N5 1PH

Join us in a celebration of culture, resilience and creativity. An open evening that will be full of art, inspiring talks and free refreshments. Heritage attire or festive dress is encouraged.

Themed Lunch Club: Black History Month

Thursday 22 Oct, 11:45am-2pm
St Luke’s Community Centre, 90 Central Street, South Islington, London EC1V 8AJ

St Luke’s are putting on a lunch club that will be themed around Black history, culture and cuisine. Come along to enjoy some great food, company and celebrate Black History Month! Prices are £4.50 for a main course, 2 courses for £5.50 and three courses for £6.50.

Themed Lunch Club: Black History Month

Quilting for radical change

Tuesday 22 October, 10am-1pm
Cally Clock Tower Centre, Clock View Crescent, Market Estate, London N7 9HF

Celebrating the quiet power of needlecraft in telling stories of resilience, and social justice. Includes refreshments and discussions, and the opportunity to make a zipped lined purse using West African Wax fabrics.

Booking is essential – please email to reserve a place callypark@islington.gov.uk

Black History Month Special event

Friday 23 Oct, 5-9pm
Mildmay Community Centre, Woodville Road, London, N16 8NA

Free event to learn more about African and Caribbean culture through storytelling, music, film and word sound. There will also be live music, food and a DJ.

Black History Month arts and crafts

Tuesday 27 October, 1-3pm
Jean Stokes Community Centre

A family friendly arts and crafts session.

Haircut and hair care workshop

Wednesday 28 Oct, 1-4pm
Jean Stokes Community Centre

Cooking workshop

Thursday 29 Oct, 12-4pm
Jean Stokes Community Centre

In conversation with Mel Pennant, author of A Murder for Miss Hortense

Tuesday the 27 October, 6.30-7.30
West Library, 107 Bridgeman Rd, London N1 1BD

Join author Mel Pennant for a fascinating talk about her latest novel, Miss Hortense and the Last Rites, the highly anticipated follow-up to the award-nominated A Murder for Miss Hortense, which was shortlisted for both the CWA Whodunnit Dagger 2026 and the McDermid Debut Award 2026. Meet the indomitable Miss Hortense, a retired Jamaican nurse turned amateur sleuth, as she races against time to solve the murder of a notorious gangster before becoming the next victim herself. Full of richly drawn characters, humour, suspense and sharp twists, this captivating mystery has been praised as “a brilliant new amateur sleuth to rival Miss Marple”. Don’t miss the opportunity to hear Mel Pennant discuss her inspiration, writing journey and the return of one of crime fiction’s most compelling new detectives.

Go Africa Open Book Pop Up at the Library

28 October, 11am-7pm
Islington Central Library, 2 Fieldway Cres, London N5 1PF

The Go Africa Takeover will include a special Open Book day, hosted in partnership with Islington Libraries, bringing together several well-known authors and the community for a celebration of Black literature, storytelling, authorship and the written word.

The event will create opportunities to discover authors, explore African and Caribbean stories and perspectives, encourage reading and conversation, and inspire the next generation to see themselves reflected in literature.

It reinforces something central to Go Africa’s work: representation matters – in the books we read, the histories we preserve and the stories we pass on.

Contact Islington Central Library for more information on 020 7527 6900 or email centrallending.lib@islington.gov.uk

Black History Month at Jean Stokes

Saturday 7 November, 1-4pm
Jean Stokes Community Centre, Coatbridge House, Carnoustie Drive, N1 0DX

Join Jean Stokes in celebrating legacy and unity at their Black History Month event. You can expect music including traditional African drumming, face painting, food and refreshments and all round good vibes!