Solihull Black HIstory Month Events

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Throughout October
Akamba celebrates Black History Month

• A taste of Africa in Solihull - Akamba African Heritage Centre in Shirley proudly presents a month-long variety of events and activities for the whole family. Based on an African village, Akamba is a garden centre with a difference; offering a variety of exotic plants including ferns, palms, bamboos and perennials, combined with its heritage exhibition centre, life-size sculptures, metal zoo and Tribe Eatery.
  Events: See all Akamba Events and Contact information

Throughout October
Caribbean Family History Exhibition

• Solihull Central Library - Opening Hours
  An interactive exhibition where you can learn more about your family history and heritage, as well as researching ancestors and your family tree. This event shows you how to create your own computer-based family tree. A range of research techniques and examples of online family research can also be explored. Organised by the Caribbean Family History Group Solihull & Birmingham.
  
  Also come along to the Walk-In support day on Saturday 22 October, or the Open Day and Family History Workshop on Saturday 29 October.
  
  Contact: Carlson Walters on 07917 015 113 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Throughout October
Solihull Community Read

• Solihull Libraries
  Encouraging people in Solihull to read award winning novels exploring issues associated with national identity, belonging, prejudice and isolation. You can choose between White Teeth by Zadi Smith or The Help by Kathryn Stockett. Simply collect a book from either Central Library or Chelmsley Wood Library. You can submit your comments about either book to the library by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by visiting our Facebook Page.
  
  Contact: Solihull Library and Information Services on (0121) 704 8534 or visit the webpage for more information.

Throughout October
Sure Start Children's Centres

• Various Children's Centres
  Solihull’s Children’s Centres are celebrating diversity with a series of fun activities for parents and children. This event features a range of diverse experiences and workshops about different cultures within the local community. Families have to be Children Centre members; parents can become members with children aged 0 - 5yrs.
  £1 per family Voluntary Donation
  
  Age: 0 – 5 years-old
  up to 8-years-old for children with additional needs.
  
  Events: See all Children's Centres

Monday 10 October - Friday 14 October
Solihull College Events

• Solihull College is once again presenting a range of activities, appearances and workshops for you to get involved in. These events are being held at The Link at Blossomfield Campus or The Atrium at Woodland Campus.
  
  Events: See all Solihull College events and Contact information

Saturday 15 October - Sunday 30 October
Family Learning Festival

• Part of a nationl campaign celebrating family learning. This year’s theme is Starting New Adventures Together with free family workshops on Caribbean arts and crafts, culinary food art and multi-cultural activities for the whole family to enjoy!
  
  Contact: Natalie Goulding or Stephen Palmer on (0121) 704 6850. For more information check out the learning pages at http://www.solihullforsuccess.com/

Saturday 22 October
Caribbean Family History Walk-In Day

• Soihull Central Library - 10am to 4pm
  Family History support day where members of the Caribbean Family History Group Solihull & Birmingham will be on hand to talk about a range of research techniques as well as general advice on finding out more about your family history.
  
  Contact: Carlson Walters on 07917 015 113 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Saturday 22 October
One Solihull

• 11am to 3pm - The Loft, Bluebells House, Chelmsley Wood Town Centre, B37 5TN
  An entertaining variety of events and activities celebrating Black History and World Mental Health Day, which raises awareness about mental health issues worldwide. This event also provided advice and guidance on a range of health issues affecting ethnic communities and will also include health therapies such as foot/head massage. Free lunch will also be provided.
  
  This event has been organised by Ashram Housing Association in conjunction with Solihull Community Housing.
  
  Contact: Jasvinder Sandhu on (0121) 770 8570 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Thursday 27 October
Solihull Youth Service

• Kingshurst Youth & Community Centre - 12:30pm to 2pm
  A lunchtime event organised by youth workers where young people from the local community will cook traditional Caribbean food for you to enjoy. This event also features an exciting Art Exhibition provided by an Afro Caribbean Community Group, a Dance Video put together by young people showcasing the evolution and history of black dance, and a timeline of black music.
  
  Traditional Caribbean food (£5 per person) will need to be pre-ordered.
  
  Contact: Navelet Pink on (0121) 717 5807 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Friday 28 October
Caribbean Food and Culture Day

• 7pm - 9:30pm - New Testament Church Centre, Gilson Way, Kingshurst, B37 6BE
  Experience the religious culture of the Caribbean through a variety of ethnic food and activities for all the local community to enjoy. Organised by the Kingshurst Development Trust, which will also be presenting Health Awareness Day at the same venue on Saturday 29 October (TBC).
  
  Tickets: £5 per adult, £2.50 per child
  Contact: Patricia Whyte – 07727 693 144, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Saturday 29 October
Health Awareness Day

• 10am to 4pm - New Testament Church Cente, Gilson Way, Kingshurst, B37 6BE
  Kingshurst Development Trust presents Health Awareness Day promoting a range of health issues. Presentations focus on mental health, breast cancer, diabetes, sickle cell and thalassemia, and how they impact on Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. Free admission.
  
  Contact: Patricia Whyte – 07727 693 144, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Saturday 29 October
Caribbean Family History Workshop

• 10am to 4pm - Solihull Central Library (1st Floor, Heritage & Local Studies)
  Do you have an interest in finding out more about your family history? This event will help you begin or extend your general and Caribbean Family History. A range of research techniques and examples of online family research can also be explored. This is an ideal opportunity to meet more members of Caribbean Family History group and potentially join them in their search.
  
  Contact: Carlson Walters on 07917 015 113 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Saturday 29 October
Akamba Charity Night

• Akamba African Heritage Centre presents a fundraising quiz night. For more information visit http://www.akamba.co.uk/

Tuesday 8 November
Diwali Night

• Solihull Arts Complex
  Celebrating the Indian festival of Diwali - the festival of lights - with an evening of lively Indian entertainment. Music will be provided by Asian vocalist, Sanyogita Kumari, performing popular Bollywood hits. Dance lovers will be delighted with performances from Anjali Dance, a classical Bharatanatam dance group, and Asian Flava, a local energetic Fusion group.
  
  Indian finger buffet available from 6:30pm onwards (£3 per person) with the show starting at 7:30pm.
  
  Tickets: £7 adults (£5 concessions).
  Contact: Box Office (0121) 704 6962

Throughout October
Run Free African Art Exhibition

• 10am to- 6pm - Akamba African Heritage Centre
  An exciting exhibiton of African artefacts showcasing Akamba's collections and many private collections. Free entry together with a gallery guide book will be available. This event will run alongside ACEF (Akamba Childen's Education Fund) where local people have helped build a school in Nairobi, demonstrated by posters, picture boards and artwork created by African children.

Every Sunday
Alkhami Arts Academy

• Alkhami Arts Academy offers a vast selection of arts, crafts, cultural activities and workshops for the whole family. Activities include African Djembe drumming, hair braiding, jewellery making and basket weaving.

Every Thursday
Akamba Tribe Eatery

• Akamba's very own restaurant, the Tribe Eatery, will be open as usual for an authentic African and Caribbean dining experience with light entertainment. Akamba may also throw in a few surprises for its guests! The menu varies in price but a meal would be in the region of £10-£15.

Contact: Chris Canaan at Akamba on (0121) 733 3111 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Throughout October
Cultural and Diverse Activities

• A range of diverse experiences and workshops about different cultures within the local community. Activities include mask making, flags, and many other creative workshops.
  
  All events will be taking place at the following venues:
  
  
• Burman Children's Centre
  Friday 21 October
  9:15am to 10:45am
  
  
• Chelmsley Wood Children's Centre
  Tuesday 18 October
  10:30am to 12pm
  
  Thursday 20 October
  1:30pm to 3pm
  
  Friday 21 October (TBC)
  Contact: M. Green at the centre for more information
  
  
• Mill Lodge Children's Centre
  Monday 17 October
  1.15pm to 2:45pm
  
  
• Shirley Heath Children's Centre
  Wednesday 19 October
  1:15pm to 2:45pm
  
  
• Smith's Wood Children's Centre
  Wednesday 12 October
  1pm to 3pm

Monday 10 October - Friday 14 October
Black Icons Exhibition

• The Link at Blossomfield Campus and The Atrium at Woodlands Campus (Times TBC)
  Learn about key figures in Black history featuring some modern day black icons. Find out about their contribution to society as well as some of their key achievements. Suitable for all ages.

Tuesday 11 October - Friday 14 October
Black People in Cinema

• The Link at Blossomfied Campus (Lunctime TBC)
  Screenings of iconic black films. Suitable for ages 16+.

Wednesday 12 October -
The Link at Blossomfield Campus
Various Black History Activities

• 12pm to 1pm
  Genealogy - Discover your West Indian Ancestry, delivered by Fathia Warren. (Only open to College students and staff).

• 12:30pm to 2:30pm
  African Drumming - Experience the complex and compulsive rhythms of West Africa in this informal drumming workshop, brought to you by Vieux Bakayoko. Suitable for all ages.

• 12pm to 2pm
  African Carnival Masks - A workshop which gives you the chance to make your own traditional African masks, delivered by Ev Beard. Suitable for all ages.
• 12pm to 1pm
  Poetry Readings - This will feature the poetry of Africa and poets from the Caribbean. For all ages.
• 12pm to 1pm
  Food Tasting and Sharing - Tickle your taste buds with some traditional Caribbean and African dishes. For all ages.

Thursday 13 October - The Atrium at Woodlands Campus
Various Black History Activities

• 12pm to 1pm
  Genealogy - Discover your West Indian Ancestry, delivered by Fathia Warren. (Only open to College students and staff).

• 12:30pm to 2:30pm
  African Drumming - Experience the complex and compulsive rhythms of West Africa in this informal drumming workshop, brought to you by Vieux Bakayoko. Suitable for all ages.

• 12pm to 2pm
  African Carnival Masks - A workshop which gives you the chance to make your own traditional African masks, delivered by Ev Beard. Suitable for all ages.

• 12pm to 1pm
  Poetry Readings - This will feature the poetry of Africa and poets from the Caribbean. For all ages.

• 12pm to 1pm
  Food Tasting and Sharing - Tickle your taste buds with some traditional Caribbean and African dishes. For all ages.