Black History Month is upon us once more, and as ever there are an array of events happening across the UK. Below I’ve listed some of the literature events worth checking out. Where I can I’ll post a review of the event, so stay tuned.
In Search of a Better Life: Esi Edugyan & Aida Edemariam
Thursday 18 October, Southbank Centre
Discussing their latest novels, Esi Edugyan and Aida Edemariam explore the universal desire for improved circumstances.
Esi Edugyan’s latest novel Washington Black is about an eleven-year-old field slave on a Barbados sugar plantation whose quest for freedom takes him on an odyssey from the Canadian Arctic to the muddy streets of London.
Edemariam’s debut novel The Wife’s Tale is an intimate memoir of her grandmother Yetemegnu as well as a vivid portrait of Ethiopia. Told from the perspective and in the rich language of a woman at the heart of her community, we are drawn into her fight for justice and against her husband’s imprisonment. More details here.
Friday Tonic: Heaux Noire
Friday 19 October, Southbank Centre
Part of the Friday Tonic events at the Southbank Centre, spoken word platform Heaux Noire presents womxn of colour sharing their stories through poetry and music in an inspiring free show. More details here.
Slay in Your Lane
10 October 2018, Foyles
Riding high on the phenomenal success of their first book, Slay in Your Lane: The Black Girl Bible, authors Yomi Adegoke and Elizabeth Uviebinene discuss how they came to pen the book that has taken 2018 by storm.
In conversation with presenter Yasmin Evans, the authors hughlight the experiences that motivated them to write the book and the impact they’ve seen—followed by a Q&A with the audience and signing. More details here.
An Intimate Evening with Linton Kwesi Johnson
23 October 2018, New Beacon Books
New Beacon Books hosts an intimate evening with Linton Kwesi Johnson for an in depth look into one of the UK’s most noted poets with his own unique style to express his experiences growing up in the Windrush era. More details here.
Broken
23 October 2018, Southbank Centre
Poet julianknxx performs ten poems from his collection Broken in an evening that seamlessly weaves together music, conversation and art.
Using traditional oral storytelling, julianknxx asks the big questions about love, masculinity and social justice, and shares his thoughts on gender, race and faith. More details here.
