Week Starting 14th January: Trinidadian Talks, Mwalimu Express, Networking, Film and Music,

Hello, greetings and salutations!

We are back into the swing of another working year and as the temperature takes a nose dive Proud to be African Clothing has a plethora of events to keep you indoors and warm the innermost cockles of your soul!

Monday 14^th January :

At 6.00pm we have Lets Talk at the 19:20 Bar, 19-20 Great Sutton Street, EC1V 0DR. This monthly discussion and debate night comes with spoken word and strong opinions. Hosted by Mikey and Easy, admission is FREE and the night goes on till 11.00pm. more details here. 

Tuesday 15^th January

At 6.00pm The Institute Of Commonwealth Studies (ICS) hosts A Wall of Anti Slavery Fire- Frederick Douglass in Britain at Room G26, Senate House, Malet Street, Russell Square, WC1E 7HU. Hannah Murray will discuss the visit of former African American slave Frederick Douglass to Britain in 1840 to popularise the anti slavery campaign across the country and enhancing the trans Atlantic connections between abolitionists. Email for more details about this FREE talk.

At 6.00pm the Royal Africa Society presents Africa’s Media sector: Arguing a business case for sustainability and independence at the Brunei Suite, School of Oriental and African Studies, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, WC1E 7HU. Organised in conjunction with the London African Media Network this panel discussion chaired by Eric Chinje (Mo Ibrahim Foundation) will feature James Crampton ( Diageo Africa), Gemma Ware (The Africa Report) and Omar Ben Yedder (IC Publications) will examine the key questions and challenges affecting the growth of Africa’s media sector. Register for this FREE event here 

Wednesday 16^th January

From 6.00pm to 9.30pm Young Black Grads presents New Year, Now Network at Mishcon de Reya, Summit House, 12 Red Lion Square, WC1R 4QD. The event will feature an interactive session from motivational speaker Junior Ogunyemi, the Bright Ideas Trust will be speaking about the importance if networking, as well as Peoples poet David Neita. There will be free drinks and refreshments on hand as well. This event is FREE to members so register on the website or here. 

At 5.30pm the ICS presents An Exemplary Life: Arnold Hamilton Maloney and Trinidadian intellectual history, a talk by Peter Fraser in Room 349, 3rd Floor, Senate House.

From 6.30pm to 8.30pm there is An Audience with Corinne Skinner Carter at  the Trinidad and Tobago High Commission, 42 Belgrave Square, SW1X 8NT, in which the former Eastenders actress discusses her career and memoirs ‘Why not me? From Trinidad to Albert Square via Empire Road’. As one of the first black actors on British TV in the 1950s, to the first Black soap opera Empire Road, with over 50 years in the arts she has a fascinating perspective on arts and culture in the black community. RSVP for this FREE event here or email. 

At 6.30pm we have Ebony Inspired UK, the monthly Black Entrepreneurs Networking event at Mar Azul Restaurant, 124 Clapham Road, Stockwell, SW9 OLA. This is an opportunity to mix and socialise with likeminded entrepreneurs and innovators. RSVP for this FREE event here. 

Thursday 17^th January

At 5.30pm the ICS presents The Ringtone and The Drum: West Africa on the Edge in Room G34, Ground Floor, Senate House. Mark Weston, writer and policy advisor on international development will launch his new book ‘The Ringtone and The Drum: Travels in the world’s poorest countries’. This is a FREE event

From 6.00pm to 9.00pm the Black solicitors Network presents City Practice Workshop at Nabarro LLP, Lacon House, 84 Theobalds Road, WC1X 8RW, this interactive workshop for solicitors and trainees in the City to discuss their career paths and progression. Panellists Elizabeth Uwaifo (Sidney Austin LLP) and Thelma Marshall (Hunton & Williams LLP) will share tips and insights from partners at leading City firms. There will be networking and refreshments with drinks and canapés at this FREE event, register here.

Friday 18^th January

At 5.30pm the ICS presents Anglo-French Cooperation in Africa since St Malo-a missed opportunity? a presentation with Professor Gordon Cummings (Cardiff University) and Professor Tony Chafer (University of Portsmouth), in Room G34, Ground Floor, Senate House. Email for more details. 

At 6.30pm we have the Book launch of: Language, Literacy and Pedagogy in Postindustrial Societies at the Jamaican High Commission, 1-2 Prince Consort Road, SW7 2BZ. The authors Dr Paul Mocombe and Dr Carol Tomlin will be launching their second book exploring black/ white achievement gap in contemporary postindustrial economies such as the UK or USA comparing black underachievement on both sides of the Atlantic with white and Asian counterparts. RSVP this FREE event here. 

Saturday 19^th January

From 10.30am to 6.00pm Rich Visions presents Women’s Business Seminar at Crowne Plaza Shoreditch, 100 Shoreditch High Street, Shoreditch, E1 6JQ. With over 20 speakers booked this event hosted by Hannah Oyewole (Young Ladies Club) will feature topics such as Turning your passions into profits, Creating an effective Business Plan, Understanding the financial aspects of your business or brand, Juggling business with family etc. Key note speakers include Mavis Amankwah (Rich Visions), Jessica Huie (Colourblind Cards), Petronnellah Sanyamahwe (Employability Coach) and Ellen Thomas (Actress). Spotlight Speakers include Temi Keleowo (Business First Steps), Nneka Ezeemo (Nigerian Orient News), Eryca Freemantle, Tobi Awoyemi, Mansah Sylvia Gbesemete, Esther Austin, Yvonne J. Douglas, Hannah Balogun, Lola Owolabi, Karen Welch, Justina Mutale, Jennifer Obaseki, Sophia Bailey, Atiti Sosimi and Victoria Hornby.

Register for this FREE not to be missed event here.  

From 9.00am to 5.30pm is the First Nigerian Election Sensitisation Scheme Conference at Lecture Theatre Building &, University of Essex, Colchester, Essex, CO4 3SQ. Themed Understanding Our Place in the World. This event will involve debates and keynote speeches with the aim of encouraging open discussion amongst Nigerians. Register for this FREE event here. 

At 2.00pm the BFI presents the French/ Senegalese film La Pirogue at the British Film Institute, National Theatre, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX. This beautifully shot film directed by Moussa Toure is dedicated to the over 5000 Africans who have died trying to cross to Europe in the past decade, this film tells the story of a retired Senegalese fisherman who is persuaded to captain a wooden fishing boats (the titular la pirogue) on a dangerous voyage in search of a better life, dealing with a female stowaway and treacherous oceans this is a tense epic drama. Tickets are £5.00 from here; the screening is followed by a discussion. 

At 6.00pm AJAMU presents Music and Social Change- The Power of Music, at the Chestnuts Centre, Chestnuts Park, 280 St Anns Road, Tottenham, N15 5BN, a discussion with our good friend Kwaku of BBM/ BBA  about how music can be used to organise young people positively, as well as an open mic session for under 21’s with a £20.00 cash prize for the winner. There will be special guest performances from Cyclonious, Frenglish Connexion, Silas Zephania and Soneni and the Soul. More details about this event here. 

Sunday 20^th January

From 11.00am to 3.00pm Numbi presents Numbi’s Dance and Percussion Workshop at Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch, E1 6LA. Taught by storyteller and dancer Funmi Adewole Kruczkowska and Bronzehead a 10 piece London based Afrobeat band. Participants will have a chance to try dancing and each musical instrument, there will be games storytelling, improvisation, and choereography ending up with an opportunity to perform at Mwalimu Express (see below). There are only 15 places available admission is £10.00 (£5.00 concs and £10.00 for a family of 2 adults and 2 children). Book your place by email and check here for more details 

Staying at Rich Mix, our good friends at Mwalimu Express return with their first show of 2013 From 2.00pm to 6.00pm This month’s destination is Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Mono Swezi will be launching their debut album The Village, there will be face painting, children yoga and games and films from Screen Station. This is a FREE and extremely groovy family friendly event