May 6, 2023

BUSINESS Danclair’s Kitchen About: Danclair’s Kitchen brings a completely new vibe to Brixton Village Market. A small restaurant serving brunch, lunch and dinner; turning locally sourced ingredients into refined sharing plates from the Caribbean, Europe and the Americas. Industry: Restaurants Location: Brixton Website: https://danclairskitchen.co.uk/ West Bakes Cookies About: When Surrey-based husband and wife team Lewis and Yaz West tried to find the perfect New York-style cookie in the UK, they simply couldn’t, and so the idea to start a new online baking business quickly formed. Today, every delicious West Bakes cookie is stuffed full of premium ingredients, handmade with love, baked to perfection (which means they're thick, chunky, soft, gooey and crunchy all at the same time) and then shipped fresh from the oven to homes and businesses across the UK. We love baking totally crave-able treats and pride ourselves in ensuring that every single cookie is of the highest quality. West Bakes cookies make unique and memorable personal and corporate gifts. We can also supply cookies for any type of event, including birthdays, weddings, corporate events and product launches. Whatever the occasion, we can curate and craft the perfect selection of cookies to make it easy and absolutely delicious! Industry: Bakery Location: Surrey Website: https://www.westbakes.com/about-us Etta’s Seafood Kitchen About: One of the original Brixtonians and probably the only restauranteur in Brixton who can actually say they have been a local resident for over 40 years who still has ties to the local community. With the help of Etta's closest friends and family ESK has grown organically from the empty shops project in 2011. Etta has steadfast adapted from catering for celebrations, film crews and family gatherings to owning a modest warm and friendly restaurant in her beloved Brixton. Etta's charisma, charm and life advice (should you require it) is still on offer. Etta makes you feel like a friend not a customer, someone she’s invited around for dinner for a quick catch up. Remaining true just like our food we aim to be around for many years to come. Industry: Restaurants Location: Brixton Village Website: https://www.ettaskitchen.com/ Surgent Studios About: Founded by actor Abubakar Salim, Surgent Studios is a media company that brings a pioneering philosophy to storytelling across screen, games and emerging platforms. Our captivating storyworlds are designed to be told across multiple platforms, allowing us to bring each story to life in the most compelling medium. Drawing from the social themes that shape our world, we create brave and original narratives that resonate with today’s global audience. Industry: Media Location: London Website: https://www.surgentstudios.com/ Tihara Smith About: Tihara Smith is a fashion, accessories and lifestyle brand. Founded by designer Tihara Smith after graduation from University for the Creative Arts Epsom and showing her Windrush inspired collection at Graduate Fashion Week 2018. Inspired by her heritage, Tihara’s pieces take inspiration from the Caribbean with a London twist. Each piece is crafted by hand in London, using contemporary and traditional craft techniques. Tihara is inspired by interesting textiles, bright colours, tropical flora and fauna. She strives to create distinctive pieces that each have a story, and allow people to have a little piece of the Caribbean. Industry: Fashion Retail Location: Online Website: https://www.tiharasmith.com/ EVENTS School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play CATEGORY: THEATRE COUNTRY: UK City: London FROM: June 8, 2023 TO: July 15, 2023 VENUE: Lyric Theatre Ghana’s prestigious Aburi Girls Boarding School. Queen Bee Paulina and her crew excitedly await the arrival of the Miss Ghana pageant recruiter. It’s clear that Paulina is in top position to take the title until her place is threatened by Ericka – a beautiful and talented new transfer student. As the friendship group’s status quo is upended, who will be chosen for Miss Ghana and at what cost? Bursting with hilarity and joy, this award-winning comedy explores the universal similarities (and glaring differences) facing teenage girls around the world. Don’t miss the UK premiere of this critically-acclaimed smash-hit show. Book early for the best seats at best prices. This production is produced in association with Mark Gordon Pictures and Francesca Moody Productions. Secret Life of Bees CATEGORY: THEATRE COUNTRY: UK City: London FROM: April 8, 2023 TO: May 27, 2023 VENUE: Almeida Theatre From the Pulitzer Prize-winning writer of *Sweat*, the Tony Award-winning composer of *Spring Awakening*, and Tony Award-nominated lyricist of *Jelly’s Last Jam* comes a “vibrant new musical” (*The i*) full of “astonishingly powerful music” (*The Guardian*) about a group of women ignited by rebellion and longing for acceptance. 1964, South Carolina. Rosaleen is fighting for her right to vote, and Lily is escaping her violent father. When this unlikely pair flee their small town, they seek salvation at a remote honey bee farm run by the remarkable Boatwright sisters. But will their past catch up with them? The UK Black Business Entrepreneurs Conference 2023 CATEGORY: BUSINESS COUNTRY: UK City: London FROM: July 13, 2023 TO: July 13, 2023 TYPE: CONFERENCE VENUE: Natwest Conference Centre The UK Black Business Entrepreneurs Conference is an opportunity for you to gain insights from the latest research, network with other professionals in your field, and learn how best practices can be applied in your business. This year's theme is ‘Competing in the business arena.' This event will provide a snapshot into entrepreneurship across different demographics including race and will involve interactive panel discussions on diverse issues relevant today, including: Procurement workshops Keynote Speakers Panel discussions Networking opportunities all delivered by industry experts who have been there done that so they know what works! Black Owned Hackney Market CATEGORY: MARKET COUNTRY: UK City: London FROM: May 26, 2023 TO: May 26, 2023 VENUE: Bohemia Place Markets Join us for a weekend-long celebration of Black-owned businesses at Bohemia Place Market, featuring a mouth-watering selection of food, drinks, retail items, and live entertainment curated by Black Eats LDN. The festivities begin on Friday evening with a night market from 6pm-10pm, where you can indulge in some of the best street food around sip on expertly crafted cocktails, and browse unique products from independent Black-owned businesses. After the market, head over to Hackney Social for an after party filled with music, dancing, and good vibes. City Splash Festival CATEGORY: FESTIVAL COUNTRY: UK City: London FROM: May 29, 2023 TO: May 29, 2023 VENUE: Brockwell Park City Splash is a one-day festival bringing the hottest carnival vibes to South London with the biggest artists in Reggae, Dancehall, Afrobeats and more. The City Splash mission is to help celebrate the impact and importance of Caribbean and African music on British culture. We will be hosting London’s finest Caribbean & African street food vendors in collaboration with Black Eats LDN; sampling favourite delights from jerk chicken to vegan ital stew, Jollof rice, fried plantains, and much much more. For those of you looking for a more liquid lunch, expect an unparalleled rum vendor selection and locally brewed craft beers, stouts and spirits to add a little fyah to the day. BOOKS Small Worlds Author: Caleb Azumah Nelson Published: May 11, 2023 Rating Amazon: Not yet rated Rating on Goodreads: 4.4 An exhilarating new novel about fathers and sons, faith and friendship from the award-winning, No.1 bestselling author of OPEN WATER Dancing is the one thing that can solve Stephen's problems. At Church with his family, the shimmer of Black hands raised in praise. With his band, making music speaking not just to their hardships, but their joys. Grooving with his best friend, so close their heads might touch. Dancing alone to his father's records, uncovering parts of a man he has never truly known. His youth, shame and sacrifice. Stephen has only ever known himself in song. But what becomes of him when the music fades? Set over the course of three summers, from South London to Ghana and back again, SMALL WORLDS is a novel about the worlds we build for ourselves. The worlds we live, dance and love within.

A House for Alice

Author: Diana Evans Published: April 23, 2023 Rating Amazon: 3.8 Rating on Goodreads: 3.5

After fifty years in the wilderness of London, Alice wants to live out her days in the land of her birth. But her children are divided on whether she stays or goes . . . 'Heart and humour in abundance . . . The people on the page are real and raw' The Times In the wake of their father's death, the imagined stability of the family begins to fray. Meanwhile youngest daughter Melissa has never let go of a love she lost, and Michael in return, even within the sturdy walls of his marriage to the sparkling Nicole, is haunted by the failed perfection of the past. As Alice's final decision draws closer, all that is hidden between Melissa and her sisters, Michael and Nicole, rises to the surface . . . Set against the shadows of a city and a country in turmoil, Diana Evans's ordinary people confront fundamental questions. How should we raise our children? How to do right by our parents? And how, in the midst of everything, can we satisfy ourselves?

PODCASTS/RADIO Cocoa Sistahs Country: UK Description: Podcast of inspiration, humour and good conversation. We like to put the spotlight on other sistahs, have conversations with people who get it and shine a light on topics pertinent to the community but rarely discussed. Sit with us, walk with us, laugh with us as we engage in different discussions. This podcast is by the sistahs, about the sistahs and for the sistahs. It's a sistah ting! Source: Podcast

Seasoned Sessions Country: UK Description: Seasoned Sessions is a weekly discussion where two of Seasoned’s producers – Hanifah and Ada – chat about the Black news and trending topics of the week. From music and entertainment to politics, Ada and Hanifah’s conversations delve into topics that are sometimes overlooked in media, and the Seasoned Sessions podcast will celebrate blackness in spaces where it's often uncredited. Seasoned is a channel dedicated to creating and sharing content that resonates with the Black British experience. Source: Podcast 3 Shots of Tequila Country: UK Description: The #3ShotsOfTequila Podcast is a fun and light hearted podcast that gives you an insight into London living, Black London culture and everything that comes with it. No topic is off limits for Marvin Abbey, Mr Exposed and Tazer Black. Have a listen and join in the conversation on twitter using the hashtag #3ShotsOfTequila Source: Podcast

FILM/TV Black Ops Cast: Felicity Montagu Jaz Hutchins Ariyon Bakare Medium: TV Story: Follows the story of Dom and Kay, who join the Met Police in the hope of cleaning up their community but are unwittingly thrust into the murky world of deep cover infiltration as they become part of a powerful criminal enterprise. Type: Comedy WH Edition: May 6, 2023 Where: BBC Iplayer Crater Cast: With Kid Cudi, Thomas Boyce, Isaiah Russell-Bailey. Medium: TV Story: After the death of his father, a boy growing up on a lunar mining colony takes a trip to explore a legendary crater, along with his four best friends, prior to being permanently relocated to another planet. Type: Drama WH Edition: May 6, 2023 Where: Disney+ The Blackening Cast: With Antoinette Robertson, Grace Byers, Jermaine Fowler, Melvin Gregg, Sinqua Walls, Yvonne Orji, Dewayne Perkins. Medium: Film Story: A group of Black friends reunite for a Juneteenth weekend getaway only to find themselves trapped in a remote cabin with a twisted killer. Type: Horror WH Edition: May 6, 2023 When: June 16, 2023 Where: Release in the US Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story Cast: India Amarteifio, Corey Mylchreest, Michelle Fairley, and Arsema Thomas Medium: TV Story: You loved her as the diva of the ton, but how exactly did Queen Charlotte become England's HBIC ? This limited series will finally reveal her extraordinary story (and give the girls that Black female lead we've been waiting for). Type: Drama When: May 4, 2023 Where: Netflix The Lateish Show with Mo Gilligan Cast: Mo Gilligan & guests Medium: TV Story: Superstar comedian Mo Gilligan hosts his double-BAFTA-winning late-night show, with celebrity guests, music, sketches, games and prizes Type: Comedy WH Edition: May 6, 2023 Where: Channel 4 WHO is WHO? Shelley Maxwell Background: Shelley Maxwell is an award-winning Choregrapher, Movement Director and Intimacy director who works across Theatre, Tv and Film. She was awarded the inaugural Black British Theatre Award for Best Choreographer. Shelley is repped by Curtis Brown. She was described as ‘the soul-stirring master mover who makes superheroes dance’ by the Guardian Newspaper. Industry: Choreography, Film, TV Resides: UK Dr Tola Dabiri Background: Dr Tola Dabiri is a Director of Museum X CIC which is working to establish a Black British Museum, and a Director of Brick by Brick Communities CIC. Tola has worked in the cultural sector since 1995 and has been awarded a PhD from Leeds Beckett University, for her work looking at the oral tradition and intangible heritage of Carnival. In her earlier career, Tola has worked at the UK Centre for Carnival Arts, the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council, The National Archives and library services across London. Tola is also a consultant in the cultural sector, specialising in project management, fundraising and equality, diversity and inclusion. In 2018, Tola was commissioned by the Archives and Records Association to undertake the literature and project review into diversity and inclusion in the archives and record keeping workforce in the UK. Industry: Non-Profit Resides: UK Colleen Harris Background: The first Black member of the Royal Household and former press secretary for then Prince Charles. She has a 30-year track record of high level experience including senior appointment's in the Prime Ministers Office. Winner of Woman of the Year and listed as one of the UK’s most Powerful Black Women and top 100 BAME Business Leaders. Now lead partner at Colleen Harris Associates. Industry: PR Resides: UK TOP 10 FOR MAY 1. Get tickets for August in England Lenny Henry's new play. 2. Take your partner to see Rye Lane at the cinema. 3. Book a table at Tatale Restaurant in the Africa Centre. 4. Binge on Dating Black Series 2 on BET UK (YouTube). 5. Book dinner at Parks Edge Bar & Kitchen 6. Take a black history bus tour. 7. Buy tickets for the Africa Oye Festival in June. 8. Go see For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy. 9. Have dinner and drinks at Stork in Mayfair. I went a few weeks ago and the decor and food was amazing! 10. Enjoy Sunday lunch at the Prince of Peckham