Hello, welcome to Chakula’s first newsletter of the year! If you’re new here, Chakula is a programme of events, workshops and cultural activities at The Africa Centre. The programme aims to support, platform, and connect Black and African LGBTQ+ people in the UK and in Africa.  

To keep updated on our events and activities, follow us @thechakulaprogramme on all platforms.  

FUTURE EVENTS  

We have a few upcoming events and activities! You can keep updated by visiting the Africa Centre website and @thechakulaprogramme on all platforms.   

Chakula x Miss Trans Global Advocacy Pageant 

February 15th from 3-6pm 

 

Chakula x Candle-making with The C House  

February 25th from 6-9.30pm 

 

Chakula x OUTpatients Community Conversations: LGBTIQ+ identity, cancer, and faith 

February 26th from 6-8.30pm 

 

What’s Happening? 

 

  • Check out our End of Year Wrap created by the brilliant Adjoa-Sinead Ntifo (@afrigoddess_). We’re grateful for how much Chakula has grown in the last year and it’s all thanks to the community. Keep locked in this year for more events and activities celebrating African Queerness! 

 

  • Last year, we collaborated with Black Queers Connect and Black Queer & Thriving to produce a series of videos exploring the concept of queerness within the pre- and post-colonial African diaspora, as experienced in South London. The full Pre-Colonial African Queer History Special video is available on YouTube — you can watch it here:🔗https://youtu.be/iPv3vrCGY4Y?si=58cWmuJoKyGYGQSZ 

 

  • Miss Trans Global Advocacy Pageant is hosting their grand final ceremony the 20th of February from 4pm at the Capital City College King's Cross Centre Theatre. You don’t want to miss it - to get your tickets, follow this link 

 

IN OTHER NEWS 

 

  • After an 8-year legal campaign, the Kenyan Court of Appeals has overturned a 2018 ban on the Rafiki film directed by Wanuri Kahiu. Rafiki is a love story between two teenage girls (Kena and Ziki) living in Nairobi, which received international acclaim at its release. This a win for African LGBTQ+ stories depicted on screen! To learn more, read this article 

 

  • The Ugandan court has dropped its case against the first person to be charged under Uganda 'Anti-Homosexuality' Act. The adoption of the anti-gay law in 2023 endorses the death sentence to anyone convicted of same sex relationship and poses a serious threat to the rights, safety and well-being of Ugandan LGBTQ+ people. Although campaigners are relieved of the decision, the fight doesn’t stop here. To learn more, read this article 

 

 WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR  

  

  • ARCHIVE | The Documenting Queerness Archive is now up – a new platform exploring the history and everyday lives of West African non-heteronormativity. Find them on Substack or their Youtube page Documenting_Queerness 

 

  • JOB & OPPORTUNITIES | Raze Collective is relaunching their Young Producers Club – a 10-week programme for LGBTQIA+ creatives aged 18-30 with an interest in events production. Deadline is on 27th February - to learn more and apply, follow this link 

 

  • BOOK | Grab yourself a new read by ordering The Shit and the Sunrise – OBODO’s latest anthology publication exploring the everyday reality of queer life in Nigeria. Copies available here 

 

  • EVENTS | Studio Voltaire is running a series of workshops as part of their Tender Living programme – exploring Trans histories, gender-affirming healthcare, somatic consent, relationships and conflict and repair. This series is in collaboration with Transmuted. Please see details of the series and where to sign-up below: