Happy Black History Month!

Yes, it’s that time of the year again – a million events concertinaed into 31 days to make for a very congested calendar, with genuine, impactful socio-cultural activity too often vying for attention with performative corporate gestures. To the surprise of most, we have expressed reluctance to collaborate with several of the propositions to ‘partner’ with us on BHM events – unless the proposal is going to be the start of a genuine solutions-oriented, impactful programme that will tackle an adaptive challenge being faced by the Black community.

We are delighted that this purposeful approach to BHM programming is resulting in some of our corporate partners starting initiatives that will focus on tackling the underemployment of Black people in the legal profession, the mental health of young Black men and the developing capacity of Black-owned businesses in the creative industries.

The most poignant moment of the month has been the beautiful reconnection we made with a wonderful living archive of the Centre, Margaret Kosoni. Margaret was the first Receptionist/Secretary of The Africa Centre in 1964. It was a real gift to spend time with her reminiscing and learning about the early days of The Centre. While the emphasis is usually placed on the more public ‘names’ who have visited or been based at TAC through the years, we should always remember that the real heroes/sheroes of the past 60 years have been the people who assiduously worked behind the scenes to make this the institution of which we are today so proud. We wish Mrs K many more years of health, peace and joy. Thank you for making The Africa Centre, Ma!

A chat with another visiting old friend saw us discussing the choices we make as leaders to have a genuine impact. We reflected on how we are not just the manifestation of our ancestors’ hopes and aspirations, but that we are also future ancestors. Ancestors hold such a powerful place in many African Belief systems because of their deemed connection between tomorrow, today and yesterday, as spiritual guardians and custodians of tradition.

As we reflect on the achievements and contributions to humanity of various African heroes, we should also consider what seeds we are planting in the world today that will bloom into magic for future generations. Intentionally acting with honesty, humility, purpose, character and integrity, the foundational tenets of the Yoruba cultural guiding principles of Omoluwabi, will make us all ancestors and our descendants proud.

Ase.

Fundraising campaign – support The Africa Centre!

“I didn’t realise you guys needed money, your Centre always appears to be so buzzy!” These were the words of a colleague last week. The current funding climate is brutal for charities like us. We are developing a funding model that will ensure that we do not just survive, but indeed, thrive for the next 60 years and beyond. Venue hires, donations and intermittent grant awards sustain the Africa Centre. Later in the month, we will be launching our new fundraising campaign, please watch out for this and share it widely. In the meantime, please sign up to donate or be a Friend or Corporate Friend of the organisation here.

CULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MONTH:

a)     1-54, the largest art fair of contemporary African Art was another spectacular success.  (Watch out for a selling exhibition in November at The Africa Centre, featuring some of the star artists from 1-54).

b)     The Black Joy Bus stopped at The Africa Centre last weekend! Created and curated by Kayza Rose, This was a wonderful celebration and assertion of radical self-love.

Have a great month!

Olu