Week of 10th June: 100 Black Men of London, Ghanaian President, Black Book Swap, Afrobeat, Open the Gates African Market, UK/ Nigeria Trade Mission, British African Diaspora Conference, African Economic Outlook, Congolese Peace Prospects

Proud to be African Children's Clothes

Hello my good friends,

Another packed week of music, theatre, conferences, seminars, education and excitement. Proud to be African Clothing is happy to see the Ghanaian President in London, Africa Debates in Parliament, art, literature and music. Something for everyone!

Take a look at our website and have a good week!

Monday 10^th June

At 9.00am the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce hosts its Trade Mission to the UK at Central Hall Westminster, Storeys Gate, SW1H 9NH. Lasting until the 12^th and open until 5.00pm daily, it will be opened by the Nigerian High Commissioner Dr Dalhatu Sarki Tafida. The mission will consist of briefings and presentations on Agriculture and food, Business support and Legal Services Education and training, Information Technology, Shipping and Maritime Services, Banking and Finance, Construction, Energy, Oil and Gas and Pharmaceuticals. To register and get further information please email Maureen Bond.

At 5.30pm African Partnership Development presents the British African Diaspora Conference in the Grand Commitee Room, Westminster Hall, Houses of Parliament, Westminster, SW1A 0AA Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu national leader of the national opposition party in Nigeria, APC will be joining members of parliament, the Right Hon David Lammy and the Right Hon Ivan Lewis MP (Shadow Secretary of State for International Development) to discuss Leadership and development and the role of citizens. This is a FREE event, register here.

Following on from the conference from 9.00pm – 11.30pm is an Open Forum and Networking Session with Asiwaju Bola Tinubu at Holiday Inn, Coram Street, Bloomsbury, WC1N 1HT.  There will be a 5 star Buffet meal with drinks and the opportunity to network with the speakers from the earlier event as well as Nuhu Ribadu (former head of EFCC Nigeria) etc. Tickets are £35.00 from here.

Tuesday 11^th June

At 6.00pm is the 2^nd Annual Private Equity for Africa (PEA) Awards Gala Dinner at The Mayfair Hotel, Stratton Street, W1J 8LT, an exclusive awards ceremony and dinner gala recognising the best in class investors and advisors in the industry. Tickets start from £145.00 from here.

At 6.00pm the UCL Institute of the Americas will be holding an Open Evening in Lecture Theatre 103, 51 Gordon Square, WC1H 0PN for prospective students and anyone looking for further information about research and postgraduate teaching on the Americas. Register to attend this FREE event here or just turn up. 

At 6.00pm the Institute of Commonwealth Studies presents Black Seamen in the 18^th Century in Room G37 Senate Hose, Malet Street, WC1E 7HU presented by Charles Foy (East Illinois University). FREE event just turn up or email for more info.

Wednesday 12^th June

From  9.00am to 5.00pm is the last day of the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce  Trade Mission to the UK at Central Hall Westminster, Storeys Gate, SW1H 9NH. The mission will consist of briefings and presentations on Agriculture and food, Business support and Legal Services Education and training, Information Technology, Shipping and Maritime Services, Banking and Finance, Construction, Energy, Oil and Gas and Pharmaceuticals. To register and get further information please email Maureen Bond.

From 10.00am to 11.00am the Royal African Society and ODI host the UK Launch of 2013 African Economic Outlook in Committee Room 4a, House of Lords, Palace of Westminster, Westminster, SW1A 2PW, this joint annual report from the Africa Development Bank, the OECD Development Centre, UNDP and UNECA presents a comprehensive analysis of the economic, social and political developments in the region including in depth country notes on 53 of the 54 continental economies with a special emphasis on the role of natural resources and economic diversification in this process as well as youth employment. Chaired by Baroness Glenys Kinnock, speakers include Mario Pezzini (OECD Development Centre), Steve Kayizzi-Mugerwa (Africa Development Bank) and discussants Lanre Akinola (This is Africa and Financial Times) and Dirk Willem te Velde (ODI). Register for this FREE event here.

From 5.30pm to 6.30pm Chatham House hosts Al Shabbab in Somalia at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House, 10 St James Square, SW1Y 4LE. Stig Jarle Hansen (Norwegian University of Life Sciences) new book Al-Shabaab in Somalia: The History and Ideology of a Militant Islamist Group explores the history and ideology of the group based on field research and interviews in Somalia. Chaired by Mohamed Omaar (Former Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Somalia) with Mary Harper (Africa Editor, BBC) the panel will discuss the context of the retreat by al Shabaab and its implications for the future. To register for this event contact Chris Vandome

At 6.30pm the Royal Commonwealth Society hosts Peace Talks- Congolese Prospects: Land and Minerals – Resources for Peace at the Royal Commonwealth Society, 25 Northumberland Avenue, WC2N 5AP. This event asks where the DRC stands in the spectrum of peace and war and whether the enormous economic potential fuel a future peace for the whole region. The panel will include Professor James Fairhead (University of Sussex) and Maria Lange (International Alert). To be followed by a drinks and canapés reception. RSVP for this FREE event here.  

At 8.00pm the play Our Husband has Gone Mad Again winds up its London tour at Millfield Art Centre, Silver Street, Edmonton, N18 1PJ. This classic play by Ola Rotimi directed by Lookman Sanusi is running till the 14^th of June and involves the travails and torments of a retired Army officer who’s promising career in politics is hampered by the arrival of his beautiful American wife who is unaware of his two other wives. Be prepared to laugh out loud!  Tickets are £14.00 from here, £15.00 at the box office. 

Thursday 13^th June

At 6.30pm BBM/BMC presents Can Roots and Culture Reggae Save The British Youth In the 21^st Century Debate in Arts One Lecture Theatre, Arts Two Building, Queen Marys, University of London, Mile End Road, E1 4NS. This debate asks whether reggae can rediscover the transformative powers it had on British youth culture in the 1970s and 80s. Chaired by Kwaku (BBM/ BMC), hosted by Dr Robbie Shilliam (QMUL) with the Lion Den Fam this is interactive debate is FREE book here.

At 7.00pm is Afreekind, Westbourne Studios, 242 Acklam Road, W10 5JJ. This is fundraising event seeks to raise funds to build a new branch of Miche Bora Primary School in Mombasa, Kenya, with an evening of music, dance, photographs, fashion and art. Tickets are £8.00 from here

Friday 14^th June

At 6.00pm Chatham House hosts Ghana’s Democratic Gains, Economic Change and Regional Influence at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House, 10 St James Square, SW1Y 4LE, with HE John Dramani Mahama (President of the Republic of Ghana) who will discuss his governments vision for the country’s future and regional role, reflect on Ghana’s democracy and how to effectively manage revenues from the expanding oil sector, strengthen governance and maintain a record of accelerated economic growth. To register for this event contact Tighisti Amare

At 6.00pm the BBM/BMC presents Veterans Front Room: Talking Vinyl and Music Industry Memories with Kwame Kwaten at the Coming Soon Club, 5-7 Wembley Hill Road, Wembley Triangle. HA9 8AF. Kwame Kwaten, musician, DJ, producer, remixer, songwriter, lecturer manager talks to Kwame about his experiences, life with D’Influence, how he discovered Shola Ama, supporting Michael Jackson and how he grew the Urban Music Seminar from humble beginnings. RSVP for this FREE event here 

At 7.00pm particYpate Events presents A Touch of Art 2013, at the Academy of Medical Sciences, 41 Portland Place, W1B 1QH. This cocktail party and art exhibition celebrates African creativity with an exclusive selection of artists and designers who draw inspiration from Africa such as Shiri Achu, Shani Osman, Yaw Mante, Lotus Menezes and Catherine Mwase. There will be networking for artists and those looking to start a career as well as a raffle. Tickets from £12.00 from here, and proceeds go to the Songhai Art Foundation which assists struggling artists in Ghana and Africa.

Saturday 15^th June

From 11.30am to 5.00pm is the Black Book Swap Upstairs at the Ritzy, Picturehouse Cinema, Brixton Oval, Coldharbour Lane, SW2 1JG. Featuring an eclectic mix of writers such as Hannah Pool, Yvette Edwards, Dean Atta, Eileen Banda-Aaku and Marilyn Heward Mills. As well as hearing from these authors there’ll be a large selection of books to swap or buy, so bring books you are happy to part with. Tickets from £5.00 from here or £10.00 at the door. 

From 2.00pm to 5.00pm Nigerian Women in Diaspora hold a Special Prayer Day For Nigeria at the Holiday Inn, Carburton Street, Regents Park, W1W 5EE. For more details of this FREE event email here. 

At 3.00pm is Obeah Cases in Caribbean Courts at Brixton Town Hall, Brixton Hill, Brixton, SW2 1RW. Dr Diana Paton and Dr Gemma Romain discuss the Anti Obeah Laws and the prosecution people have faced under these laws in the Caribbean. RSVP this FREE event here. 

At 7.00pm is the play The Unforgotten Charles... The Last Black Soldier of WW1 at the West Indian Cultural Centre, 9 Clarendon Road, N8 0DJ. This period drama written by Lorna Blackman is set in 1900’s Britain when Black soldiers and nurses were given the opportunity to enlist in the military. Tickets cost £10.00 (£7.00 concs) call 07948 320299 to reserve. This play received no funding and all the actors made a donation towards the cost of production.

Born in the UK Made in Jamaica

At 7.30pm is the 7^th Queen Nzingha Lecture: ‘Urban’ Music, Society and Religion in Room B36, Birbeck College, University of London, Malet Street, WC1E 7HX. Dealing with the musicological and sociological genealogy of grime music and its relation to African Atlantic discourse speaker Monique Charles (PhD student) will explore grimes link to religion and cultural transmission. RSVP this FREE event here. 

At 8.00pm is the Jamaica Times Anniversary Dinner and Ball in the Camden Centre, 20 Bidborough Street, Kings Cross, WC1H 9AU.  This evening of entertainment, food and good company will feature Tanya Stephens performing with a live band, comedy, poetry a steel band and a wide array of Jamaican and Caribbean culture.  Part of the proceeds go The Jamaica Society For the Blind and the Port Maria Infirmary, tickets start from £20.00 from here.

At 9.00pm the London Afrobeat Collective will be playing at the Bedroom Bar, 62 Rivington Street, Shoreditch, EC2A 3AY, playing tracks from their awesome debut album as well as new material they will be bringing foot stamping, hand waving, sweat inducing afrobeat to Shoreditch, with DJs Border Crossing and Gilla. Everyone say yeah yeah, Tickets are £5.00 from here.

Sunday 16^th June

From 11.00am 100 Black Men of London will be having Quality Time 2013, Stratford Park, West Ham Lane, E15 4QB, a fun day for men and children with multiple sports and activities, at 3.00pm there will be a meal celebration at Rhythm Kitchen, Westfield Food Court until 5.00pm. Charges are £10.00 per person from here but FREE for under 5s. 

From 11.00am to 6.00pm Open The Gate hosts The African Market in Gillet Square, Dalston, N16 8JN. The market will feature designs arts, baby clothes, hair and skincare products and many others all from Africa or the diaspora. FREE to attend