Week of 18th March: Malawian President, Kenya Elections, Divas on Demand, Feferity, Songs for Seacole and Inspirational You

Hello All,Welcome to a new week in which Proud to be African Clothing is happy to share with you Divas on Demand Focus Group, the Malawian President, Book launches about the ANC, Inspirational You, West African blues, Feferity, movies at the Africa Centre and much more.

Monday 18^th March

At 1.00pm KCL will be holding Food in Africa- Rice, Industrialisation and Nigeria in the Council Room, Strand Campus, Kings College London, Strand, WC2R 2LS, Dr Ekaete Ikpe will be discussing the significance of this most simple of grains using the rice economy in Nigeria as a case study. RSVP this FREE event here.

At 5.30pm Divas on Demand will be holding a Focus Group at the Museum of London, 150 London Wall, City of London, EC2Y 5HN, guests will include Paris Petgrave and Yvonne J. Douglas, the event is themed around International Women’s Day. Admission is FREE although donations are appreciated from here. 

Tuesday 19^th March

Proud to be Kenyan

From 10.00am to 12.00pm ODI will be hosting Elections in Kenya and Ghana: What prospects for political and economic governance at the Overseas Development Institute, 203 Blackfriars Road, Southwark, SE1 8NJ. Speakers include Gabrielle Lynch (University of Warwick), Kojo Asante (Centre for Democratic Development, Ghana), Juliana Rotich (Ushahidi, Kenya) and Sead Alihodzic (International IDEA, Sweden), with Michael Wrong as the discussant and chaired by Alison Evans (ODI). This event will look at why elections seem to trigger violence in Kenya and are largely peaceful in Ghana. RSVP for this FREE event here.

At 6.00pm BTWSC/ African Histories Revisited will be hosting Paul Stephenson and the Bristol Bus Boycott at Battersea Library, 265 Lavender Hill, SW11 1JB. This event marks the 100 years since John Archer became London’s first African Mayor and 50 years since Paul Stephenson successfully led the Bristol Bus Boycott. For more information and to RSVP this FREE event book here. 

At 7.00pm Black History Studies presents a screening of Zora Neale Hurston-Jump at the Sun at the PCS Headquarters, 160 Falcon Road, Clapham Junction, SW11 2LN, this film intersperse insights from leading scholars and footage of the rural south to tell the story of Zora Neale-Hurston a trail blazing novelist and anthropologist. Admission is £5.00

Wednesday 20^th March

 At 1.00pm Chatham House will be hosting Peace and Security in Central Africa: Emerging Dynamics at the Royal Institute for International Affairs, Chatham House, 10 St James Square, SW1Y 4LE, with Simon Alain Handy (UN international Peace and Security) discussing the domestic and regional factors impacting peace and security in CAR particularly in light of the break down in the peace agreement between President Bozize and the Seleka Rebel Movement. RSVP this FREE event here

At 6.30pm we have the monthly networking event Ebony Inspired- A Black Entrepreneurs Network at Mar Azul Restaurant, 124 Clapham Road, Stockwell, SW9 0LA, this FREE event is open to black professionals, innovators and entrepreneurs from all fields and industries RSVP for this FREE event here.  

Thursday 21^st March

At 10.00am Chatham House hosts Good Governance, Growth and Human Rights: A Vision for Malawi’s Development at the Royal Institute for International Affairs, Chatham House, 10 St James Square, SW1Y 4LE with Her Excellency Joyce Banda, President of the Republic of Malawi who will set out her vision for future development and highlight the importance of strengthening institutions and protecting human rights. Attendance is by invitation only by contacting Tighisti Amare.

At 7.30pm Carpe Diem hosts Poetry meets Art at CRE8 Gallery, 80 Eastway, Hackney Wick, E9 5JH, this event involves live interpretations of poetry by artists and the audience. Featuring spoken word artists Tolu Agbelusi, Cezanne Poetess and others you get the opportunity to put pencil to paper and bring the poets words to life. The event also seeks to raise awareness of issues in Congo and improve the life of Congolese. Admission is £7.00 from here.

At 7.30pm Frititi presents African Dancing to Live Drums at Interchange Studios, Hampstead Town Hall Centre, 213 Haverstock Hill, NW3 4QP. This workshop features rhythms from Gambia to Zululand where you will be able to dance, drum and learn the history and background of the dances. Tickets are £10.00 online £15.00 on the door. 

Friday 22^nd March

At 5.00pm the Institute of Commonwealth Studies will be hosting a Talk and Book Launch: Southern African Liberation Struggles. New Regional and Global Perspectives in The Court Room, Senate House, Malet Street, WC1E 7HU. Featuring a roundtable discussion with Kwandiwe Kondlo (University of Johannesburg), Dr Know Chitiyo (Chatham House), JoAnn McGregor (University College London) and the editors and contributors to the book including Hugh Macmillan, Elizabeth Williams and Christabel Gurney. This FREE event is followed by a reception, RSVP here.

At 6.30pm BIS Publications presents Black Scientist and Inventors: UK at Park View School, West Green Road, N15 3QR. This event will demonstrate the great work done by scientists of African Caribbean origin. Tickets are from £10.00 from here.

At 9.00pm Focus Organisation will be launching 2 albums by Mulele Matondo Afrika and Congo Dia Ntotila at the Bedroom Bar, 62-68 Rivington Street, EC2A 3AY. The first album ‘Prophecy’ is a solo one by Mulele Matondo Afrika a Kinshasha born bassist, guitarist and arranger the second is ‘Seven Steps to Heaven’ with his band Congo Dia Ntotila Tickets are £5.00 from here or £7.00 on the door

Saturday 23^rd March

At 9.00am Women Mentoring Women hosts Inspirational Woman: Awards and Networking Event at Sarah Bonnell School, Deanery Road, Stratford, E15 4LP, celebrating extraordinary women with talks, poetry by Mbali Madi, singing by Elodie Unia, awards and drama performances by Maleesha Tabansi. Guest speakers include Anne Wafula Strike (British Paralympian), Siobhan Benita (Independent London Mayoral Candidate), Mavis Amankwah (Rich Visions), Pastor Abiih Oloyede, Funke Oham (Women Mentoring Women), poet. Tickets start from £20.00 with discounts for bulk purchases here. 

From 11.00am to 7.00pm Brides of Culture presents Multicultural Bridal Exhibition at Hilton Hotel, Canary Wharf, E14 9SH. The event will feature a wide range of wedding and party professionals such as Fit Bride, Karamel and Brown, Cedar Events and Elizabeth’s Cake Emporium. In addition to presentations one on one consultation are available. Admission to the event is FREE but one on ones can purchased here. 

From 12.00pm to 7.00pm Inspirational YOU hosts Be Inspired- Series 2 in Torrington House, Birkbeck College, University of London, WC1E 7HX. This interactive careers and personal development event will feature Courtenay Griffiths QC (Barrister, 25 Bedford Row Chambers),  Amardeep Sohal (I-Pro-Bono/ IPCC), Andy Woodfield (Pricewaterhouse Cooper), Joseph Harker (The Guardian), David Neita (Barrister and Poet), Jonathan Deverill (Partner, DHM Stallard), Miranda Brawn (CitiBAnk), Anne Alexander (Producer, Daybreak on ITV), Dale Simon CBE (Crown Prosecution Service), Abigail Blackburn (Hearst Magazine) and Garry Green (Barrister, Tooks Chambers). Workshops and talks include Public Speaking with confidence, Social Media for business and personal branding, Leading women-Nevr give up, Leading men-A Winning mindset, Get YOU ahead in Law, The business of fashion, Young and winning and The power of meditation. The event is FREE to attend however booking fees for particular workshops apply, check here.

From 3.30pm to 7.30pm the Young Entrepreneurs Association presents YEAh Live at Montgomery Hall, 58 Kennington Oval, SE11 5SW. this is a networking/ shopping event aimed at the 18-30 age group to look at alternatives to being employed after graduation and for them to showcase their talents and products. There will be a fashion show by young designers, a MOBO award winning Gospel Group and spoken word poetry. Tickets are £5.00 from here. 

At 8.00pm we have live on stage Biram Seck, Ramon Goose, the Travis Perkins Duo at Jamboree, 566 Cable Street, E1W 3HB. The Senegalese vocalist Biram Seck will appear with his band, Ramon Goose with West African percussion and The Travis Perkins Duo with each other. On the decks will be the Shout Collective spinning out the best selection of blues funk and global sounds. Tickets are £3.00 before 8.30pm and £5.00 thereafter.

At 8.00pm Francis Ford Coppola’s feature film the Cotton Club will be playing in the Clore Ballroom, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX.Set in the 1920’s with performances from Richard Gere, Gregory Hines, Diane Lane and Nicolas Cage in a heady mix of love, crime and entertainment about a club where black people could only perform and not watch and white people could attend but not perform. This is a FREE screening.

At 7.30pm Zimbabwe born singer-songwriter ESKA will be headlining at the Albany, Douglas Way, Deptford, SE8 4UT, incorporating, jazz, psychedelia and choral work she will be performing tracks from her debut album English Skies and her upcoming EP Gatekeeper. Tickets are from £10.00 -£14.00 from here.

 Sunday 24^th March

From 1.00pm to 11.00pm Colourful Radio’s DJ Freestyle presents Feferity Arts and Music Event at Bar 414, Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, SW9 8LF. Starting with films by African filmmakers such as 16 Pieces, Inspirational Black Women and Afrobeat Exploration. Special guest for this debut show is the inimitable Dele Sosimi Fela Kuti’s former keyboardist supported by FTfresh music- Tripple C and Youngfree. African food and plenty jollof rice on sale. Full day tickets are £7.00 and £5.00 from 5.00pm

At 2.30pm the Africa Centre will be screening Sugar Cane Alley/ Rue Cases Negres at the Africa Centre, 38 King Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 8JT, based on a semi auto biographical novel by Jospeh Zobel this film paints a rich picture of life under French colonial rule on the island of Martinique through the eyes of an opportunistic shanty town boy. FREE but a £3.00 donation is kindly requested here.

At 6.30pm the London Adventist Chorale presents A Song For Seacole at Union Chapel, Compton Avenue, N1 2XD. This concert is in aid of the Mary Seacole Memorial Statue Appeal, hosted by Eastenders actors Rudolph Walker OBE. Tickets are £17.50 (£12.50 concs) from here.