Week of 22nd April: Divas on Demand, ACLT White Collar Boxing, Richard Blackwood Live Interview, African and Caribbean Cooking, Yoruba women’s Choir, South African Freedom Day Shebeen

Summertime and the sun is (intermittently) shining!

This week Proud to be African Clothing is happy to share with you Divas on Demand Making it Big in the Media, Pitching Africa in the City, networking with black professionals in the city and Canary Wharf, networking with black solicitors, book days and book launches, secret South African shebeens and films at the Africa Centre. You can be fed, connected, educated, entertained, informed and serenaded every day this week. Enjoy!

Monday 22^nd April

From 7.30pm to 9.30pm Kick Ass Networking presents Think Big and Have a Drink at Corney and Barrow, 2b, East Cheap, Monument, EC3M 1AB for informal drinks and networking. RSVP here.

 Tuesday 23^rd April

At 5.30pm African Peoples Advocacy hosts Pitching Africa in the City in the Auditorium, Cass Business School, 106 Bunhill Row, EC1Y 8TZ. The event will feature exhibitions by businesses with services relating to the African market, showcase diaspora services to the city, an exclusive briefing on Leading Lions a documentary following 4 leading members of the African diaspora working in the City a drinks reception and networking. Chaired by Henry Bonsu (Colourful Radio), with a presentation by Didier Meledje (Alpha Professional Network), Ben Oguntala (developedAfrica.com), Sylvie Aboa-Bradwell (African Peoples Advocacy), Justine Lutterodt (Africa Women’s Circle) and Bandi Mbubi (TEDx Exeter). Tickets are £25.00 (£20.00 for groups of 2 or more) from here

  

At 6.30pm the Africa Centre hosts Africa’s Book Day at the Africa Centre, 38 King Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 8JT where through invited guest speakers and open forum discussion great authors like Chinua Achebe Bessie Head, Jean Senac, Ahdaf Soeif and many others will be explored, bring along your favourite books by African authors as well. Speakers include Kayo Chingoyi (shortliseted for the African Poetry Prize) and Louisa Egbunike (PhD SOAS). Suggested donation of £3.00, RSVP here.  

Wednesday 24^th April

Proud to be Zimbabwean

At 4.00pm is Prospects for Regional Cooperation and Investment Opportunities in Zimbabwe at
The Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House, 10 St James Square, SW1Y 4LE with the Hon. Tendai Biti (Minister of Finance, Republic of Zimbabwe) who will discuss the investment opportunities in Zimbabwe and its pivotal role in southern Africa. RSVP this FREE event here.

At 6.00pm The Black Solicitors Network will be holding BSN Networking Night: Leveraging Your Diaspora at the Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, WC2A 1PL Held in collaboration with the KPMG BAME Network the aim is to explore the opportunities available and practical steps, drawing on culture and heritage to develop business overseas. The panel will include Nankunda Katangaza (Law Society) and Penny Carballo-Smith (KPMG). This event is open to people from all industries and disciplines. RSVP for this FREE event here. 

At 7.30pm Alongside Africa presents Duke Ellington Sacred Music and a Tribute to the Count Basie Orchestra at St Clement Danes, The Strand, WC2R 1DH. Part of the Brandenburg Choral Festival London 2013 this is an opportunity to hear true jazz in one of the most iconic churches in London, 50% of the tickets sold will be given to the charity Alongside Africa. Admission is £18.00 from here.

Thursday 25^th April

At 6.00pm is the iCAN Social Network Evening at La Tasca, 12 Hertsmere Road, Canary Wharf, E14 4AE, running till 11.00pm this is an informal evening for people of African and Caribbean heritage to interact and mingle in a relaxed environment. RSVP for this FREE event here.

Proud to be Kenyan

At 6.00pm Mahi Binebine launches Horses of God in the Brunei Suite, SOAS, Thornhaugh Square, Russell Square, WC1H 0XG. This book follows the lives of 4 young boys growing up in Morrocco  and analyses the economic and psychological decisions that lead them to extremism. Chaired by Ros Schwartz, RSVP for this FREE event here.

At 6.30pm Benconnlly Group hosts Sustainability: Opportunities for Business Investment in East Africa at 9 Fitzmaurice Place, Mayfair, W1J 5JD. Chaired by Robin Tucker (Red Kite Enterprise and Environment) with the panel consisting of the Ugandan Deputy High Commissioner, Thairu Ndungu (Nubuke Investments), Dr Elena Clarici (Scipion Capital) and Shahreen Jivraj (Lilla Capital). There will be keynote speeches, panel discussions and networking drinks. Tickets are £40.00 from here.

From 7.30pm is the Mama Jumbe Book Club at Mama Jumbe, 350 Katherine Road, E7 8NW with quick 10 minute reads that are powerfully provocative that anyone can enjoy, this week’s book is ‘Miss Lora’ by Junot Diaz. More details here.

Friday 26^th April

At 5.30pm TNBT Media and Divas on Demand present Making it BIG in Media at Museum of London, 150 London Wall, EC2Y 5HN. This exciting and interactive seminar featuring top media professionals providing crucial tips on how to make it big in TV, radio, film or journalism. Guest speakers include Claudia Liza (BBC3 Presenter), Joanna Abeyie (Shine Media), Wayne G Saunders (Independent Film Director) and Bernard Achampong (BBC Radio). Hosted by Winnie Oudemans. There will be refreshment and raffle prizes including a Proud to be African T shirt. RSVP for this FREE event here. 

At 6.00pm the Sankofa Women Reading Group discusses A Week in December by S. Faulks at the Marcus Garvey Library, 1 Philip Lane, N15 4JA. RSVP here

At 6.30pm is the SO Altonative 7^th Anniversary/ April Meet and Greet at Brown Sugar, 146 High Holborn, WC1V 6PJ. This is a relaxed environment for black professionals to socialise, network. Admission is £5.00

At 7.00pm, Shebeen Queen will be holding a Freedom Day Celebration Supper taking place in a £28.00 per person from here.. 

Proud to be South African

Victorian warehouse on Hackney, there will be a 3 course South African braai with beer or wine, celebrating South Africa’s Freedom day there will be a bevy of South African delicacies all for

At 7.00pm The Real Fight Club presents Hero For Six Minutes at Kensington Town Hall, Hornton Street, W8 7NX. An evening of white collar boxing with award winning comedian Quincy in his debut boxing match to raise money for the African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust (ACLT). Tickets start from £35.00 by calling the Box Office on 0203 005 3265.

At 8.00pm Open the Gate presents World Music Concert at Passing Clouds, 1 Richmond Road, Dalston, E8 4AA. Featuring Kaka and Michaelangelo Buonarotti Band, playing reggae straight from Italy, Guinea- Bissauan guitarist Tony Dudu and the Gumbe Jazz,  Antonio Testa and Susana Beatriz Alvear. Feryal Ferhat, and Fenomeno Show and Samurai with DJ Koichi Sakai in the ghetto lounge. Admission is £5.00 before 10.00pm and £8.00 after.

Saturday 27^th April

Born in the UK Made in Jamaica

At 10.00am is the Saturday Caribbean Cooking Class at the Open Kitchen, 40 Hoxton Street, N1 6LR. This class covers a 4 course menu from starter to dessert paired with the best agricole rums in the Caribbean. All for just £75.00 from here. 

From 11.00am to 3.30pm Akhaya Cookery School will be hosting Taste of Africa at Tottenham Green Enterprise Centre, Town Hall Approach Road, N15 4RX. In this fun interactive session you’ll be introduced to recipes from North, South, East and West Africa, with expert tuition, recipes cards and a complimentary glass of wine to go with your meal there are two sessions morning or afternoon, either of which is £45.00 from here. 

From 11.00am to 6.00pm is the Blackachieverz Official Launch at St Marys Church Hall, High Street, W3 9BY. There will be finance, investment, lifestyle, history and other speajkers throughout the day such as Monique Newton (British weightlifting gold medallist), D. Hunte (Global motivator), Ade Adepuitan MBE (Television presenter) and others. Tickets from £3.00 (children under 12 FREE and a Caribbean meal with VIP tickets) from here. 

From 11.00am to 4.00pm is The Women Empowered Launch Event at the Grange, Neasden Roundabout, NW10 1 QB, this charity has been set up to house homeless young adults. There will be speakers such as local councillors, MP’s and community advocates, stalls, and entertainment such as African drummers Miriam Dubois and Kay Smith as well as singers and poets. More information here.  

From 3.30pm to 5.00pm Carib Gourmet will be hosting  a Rare Rum and Coffee Tasting at The Open Kitchen, 40 Hoxton Street N1 6LR where you can sample Rhum Agricole made from pure sugarcane from Martinique and Guadeloupe and rare coffees such as the Guadalupe Bonifieur coffee Tickets £45.00 from here. 

Born in the UK Made in Nigeria

At 7.00pm The Yoruba Women’s Choir will be performing at the Jazz Cafe, 5 Parkway, Camden Town, NW1 7PG. This 10 piece choir will be accompanied by their band with uplifting songs from the heart of Africa. Tickets are £20.00 (£17.50 concs) from here. 

At 7.00pm Passing Clouds presents Afrospot at Passing Clouds, 1 Richmond Road, Dalston, E8 4AA hosted by the Soothsayers bassist Kodjovi Kush, with the brilliant Afro blues singer/ guitarist Modou Toure and Raggadon as well as the Afrospot All Stars and DJ’s Will Page and Freestyle. FREE before 9.00pm, £5.00 before 10.00pm and £8.00 after.

At 7.30pm Salone Truefans and Gusto Entertainment present the Official 52^nd Sierra Leone Independence Music Concert at The Coronet, 28 New Kent Road, SE1 6TJ. Hosted by DJ Little with afrobeats singers Emmerson and Famous, king of dancehall Dallas Bantan, rapper Alim Kamara, Sierra Leonean pop star Lady Matto and DJ Freestyle of Colourful Radio . Tickets from £20.00 from here. 

Sunday 28^th April

At 1.30pm Feferity will be at Bar 414, Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, SW9 8LF, from 2.30pm there will be film screenings including The Sierra Leone Story, An Interview with Geraldo Pino and Madegn Beach Festival 2011. From 5.00pm will be live performances by Lekan Babalola and The Afrobeat Messengers. Tickets are £5.00, more information here.

From 2.30pm to 4.30pm the Africa Centre will be screening Max and Mona at the Africa Centre, 38 King Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 8JT. This South African slapstick comedy is about a young professional mourner who has set his sights on becoming a doctor and must travel to Johannesburg to fulfil his dreams; this is a coming of age, journey and comedy film all at once. RSVP here, a £3.00 donation is kindly requested. 

From 7.00pm to 10.00pm is ARISE at The Tabernacle, 35 Powis Square, Notting Hill, W11 2AY.  This is a live interview event hosted by Daddy Ernie with guests Angelica Bell (presenter), Jason Roberts (footballer) and Richard Blackwood (comedian), musical entertainment provided by the resident band d22 featuring Fidel. Tickets are £12.00 in advance and more on the door.  https://www.facebook.com/events/360373420735089/?ref=2