Week of 29th July: Africa Centre Summer Festival, African Fashion Week London, The Epic Adventure of Nhamo the Manyika Warrior, Q&A with Tim Campbell MBE, Brixton Summer Weekender, Ghana Party in the Park, Brixton Splash

You’re Welcome

Yeah I said it!

Because when you see how much stuff there is this week you will be saying 'Thank you Proud to be African!!!' and taking sick days from work, inventing and killing long lost relatives to avoid lectures to attend all the super groovy events lined up for this week. You better stock up on kola nut and pack your running and dancing shoes because you will be spoilt for choice.

The Africa Centre completely ruins all my plans for this weekend by holding their summer Festival in Covent Garden on Saturday and Sunday, headlined by Nneka and DJ Edu with Venus Bushfires (watch out for her unusual hair and even more unusual percussion instrument!!), Bumi Thomas etc visual arts, cinema, stalls and much groovy grooviness

African Fashion Week London 2013 runs from Thursday all the way to Saturday with fun, fashion, fine girls, trendy guys, press, TV and all manner of grooviness. Going from strength to strength they are taking over the Truman Brewery, with catwalk shows, Red Runways and traders stalls. It is going to be epic

African Theatre continues its renaissance with Tiata Fahodzi’s The Epic Adventure of Nhamo the Manyika Warrior and his sexy wife Chipo opening at the Tricycle Theatre. Watch the trailer for this Zimbabwean comedy here. 

The Brixton Summer Weekender takes place in Brixton. At the Weekend. In Summer (excellent naming strategy!) and features cakes, enterprise, films, Lovers Rock and so much more.

Also in Brixton is the Brixton Splash on Sunday a groovy free community festival.

Tim Campbell MBE winner of the first Apprentice TV show talks enterprise. 

The legendary US jazz, hip hop, band the Robert Glasper Experiment is in town. Ghana Party in the Park will be holding a party. Full of Ghanaians. In a park 

(this naming thing is catching oh!)

And then there is networking, speed dating and so so much more.

Don’t exhaust yourselves!!!

Monday 29^th July

At 6.30pm the London Chamber of Commerce hosts a Business Q&A with Tim Campbell MBE at the London Chamber of Commerce, 33 Queen Street, EC4R 1AP. The winner of the inaugural Apprentice TV show as well as the owner of the Bright Ideas Trust an entrepreneurial social enterprise will be discussing business leadership, social enterprise, youth opportunities and how to change the world. Come with your questions ready! Tickets are £20.00 (£12.00 for JCI members and £8.00 for students) from here. 

At 7.00pm Serious presents The Robert Glasper Experiment at Village Underground, 54 Holywell Lane, Shoreditch, EC2A 3PQ. This Avant garde musician who is unbounded by genres be they jazz, hip hop, RnB or rock will be performing their Grammy Award Winning material at what promises to be another sell out show. Tickets are £17.50 from here.

At 10.15pm we have Naturally 7 at The BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, SW7 2AP. This unique acapella group draws on gospel heritage with a unique style known as vocal play with unique musical arrangements. Tickets start from £6.00 from here.

Tuesday 30^th July

At 6.00pm Inspirational YOU presents IY Talks Global – Enterprise and growth in the UAE and Africa: The Rise of Generation X and Y , this live interactive studio debate about enterprise and career FREE tickets here.
opportunities in Africa and the UAE will be hosted by Garry Green (Tooks Chambers), with Rozan Ahmed (International PR consultant), Hamet Aguemon (VTB Capital), Ashley Chin (UK actor), Sarah Asafo-Agyei (Director Bank of Singapore UK) and special guest COO of an International Bank. This event will support students and entrepreneurs looking to set up in these markets and looking to network, register for your

At 7.30pm Olivier Award Winning actor Chiwetel Ejiofor stars in A Season In the Congo at the Young Vic, 66 The Cut, Waterloo, SE1 8LZ. This fascinating drama by Aime Cesaire, directed by Joe Wright and choreographed by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui charts the rise and fall of the pioneer Congolese leader Patrice Lumumba and his passionate determination to free his people from Belgian rule. Filled with brilliant performances, dance and music as well it runs till 14^th August. Tickets start from £10.00 here. 

Wednesday 31^st July

At 7.00pm Words of Colour Productions presents Literary Bites with Courttia Newland and Alex Wheatle at Yum Yum, 183-187 Stoke Newington High Street, N16 0LH. This new initiative seeks to connect ascribing writers with established authors for networking, tips and a bite to eat. Featuring Courttia Newland (The Scholar, A Book of Blues, The Gospel According to Cane) and Alex Wheatle MBE (Brixton Rock, East of Acre Lane, Brenton Brown). Tickets are £25.00 from here 

Thursday 1^st August

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At 11.00am African Fashion Week London 2013 begins in F Block, The Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Lane, E1 6QL. As Europe’s largest African fashion event enters its third year, it will feature over 100 designers and exhibitors hosted by the renowned artist Yinka Shonibare MBE and architect and business woman Mrs Fifi Ejindu. As well as exhibitors and runway shows there will be a Red Runway where you can be a star for the day and work your stride in your finest African attire for the cameras. 

There are 3 shows on the opening day; the 4.00pm show features LollyAde, Luciano Couture, Huda Dagnew, CN designs, Veronique, Ngozi, Agata of Barnets Creative Enterprise Social Club and Tumisola Ladega. The 6.00pm show featuring Elevation Networks Designers and finally at 8.30pm features Eldimaa Fashion, Sa4a Designs, Adopted Culture, LNK Designs, Zandy B Designs, Bello Designs, Afrolucious Designs and Mtofo Designs. Tickets are £15.00 from here. 

Proud to be Zimbabwean

From 6.00pm to 11.00pm Lelas Lounge presents Talk To Me at Biagio Bankside, 32 Southwark Bridge Road, Southwark, SE1 9EU. Hosted by Mika this speed dating evening ainmed at black singles between 21 and 29 off with a free platter, entertainment and light networking, before settling down to the dates with tunes from the resident DJ. Tickets are £10.00, more details here.

At 7.30pm Tiata Fahodzi presents The Epic Adventure of Nhamo the Manyika Warrior and his sexy wife Chipo at the Tricycle Theatre, 269 Kilburn High Road, NW6 7JR. This Zimbabwean comedy of epic epicness involves creating the ultimate African fable in 24hours unfortunately the hero is missing from the superstar cast; the sudden appearance of a goatherd on the horizon could be the saviour. Could he be the one.....? Running till 17^th August written by Denton Chikura and directed by Lucian Msamati, tickets start from £14.00 from here. 

Friday 2^nd August

Born in the UK Made In Africa

At 11.00am African Fashion Week London 2013 continues at The Truman Brewery, with the Red Run Way, exhibitors selling original African creations, celebrities and 3 runway shows. The 4.00pm show features Giberky, O’mak Designs by Uche, Moofa, RYA-V Jewellery, House of Jola and Crown Rose. At 6.30pm the show will have Halleros, Sally Intiego, Steve Mandy Designs, Ruutz Art and Creation, M shade, Sluu by Sluvin Designs wrapping up with the 8.30pm show with our good friends and stockists at Vou Brown, Alabi Coutrem Fay Designz, Liiber London, Asake Oge and Thula Sindi. Tickets are £20.00 from here

From 11.00am to 1.00pm the Inaugural Brixton Summer Weekender begins with the Food Makers and Bakers Competition at the Ritzy Cinema, Brixton Oval, SW2 1JG, where you can get business advice from a panel of business experts through a fun competition. Register for this FREE event here.

Proud To Be African Sweatshirt

At 2.00pm is the Young Creative Challenge (part of the Brixton Summer Weekender) at the Ritzy Cinema, for young people aged 18-30 with a creative business idea to come and compete with the best business idea winning prizes and cash. Register here for FREE entry.

At 5.00pm is Become a Conscious Millionaire (part of the Brixton Summer Weekender) at the Ritzy Cinema, in which the AKNA Business School seeks to search, select, train and mentor prospective business people in a progressive business model. Get your FREE tickets here

Born in the UK Made in Nigeria T shirt

From 5.00pm to 10.00pm The African Peoples Advocacy hosts the 1^st African Diaspora Summer Festival at Amnesty International Human Rights Action Centre, 17-25 New Inn Yard, EC2A 3EA. There will be a screening of the multi award winning documentary Taking Root: The Vision of Wangari Maathai, a 3 course dinner by African caterers, performances by the dancer, singer and story teller Usifu Jalloh, a debate on the topic ‘The vision of the African Diaspora for Africa in the 21^st Century’ with Rolake Akinkugbe (Ecobank), Sylvie Aboa-Bradwell (African Peoples Advocacy), Washington Kapapiro (Association for African Owned Enterprises) and Oba Nsugbe £75.00 each (£40.00 for groups of 2 or more) from here. 
(Pump Court Chambers) with Henry Bonsu (Colourful Radio) as the MC. Special guest is HRH Queen Naa
Tsotsoo Soyoo I of Ghana. Tickets are

 At 8.00pm is the premiere of Labo..Life is a journey at the Odeon Cinema Greenwich, Bugssby Way, SE10 0QJ. This latest Nollywood offering is the first ever trans cultural African movie that interplays transitional cultural values through the trajectory of The Caribbean, Nigeria and English customs. Tickets start from £20.00 from here. 

Saturday 3^rd August

From 11.00am to 3.00pm Rich Visions hosts How To Start Your Own Business at 1st Floor, Towpath House, 3-11 Limehouse Court, Dod Street, Limehouse, E14 7EQ. This workshop is intended to get attendees to turn their passions into profits and become their own bosses in 6-12 months. Hosted by Mavis Amankwah, this will cover writing a business plan, drafting a cashflow forecast and how to apply for a Start Up Loan amongst other things. Register for your FREE ticket here 

At 12.00pm is the Africa Centre Summer Festival 2013 in the Covent Garden Piazza, WC2E 8JT.

Curated by Yinka Shonibare MBE (hmmm is this guy cloning himself?) it will showcase the best of contemporary African arts and culture (including Proud to be African Clothing!), headlined by Nigerian superstar Nneka, DJ Edu.

Other Musical acts include The Venus Bushfires, Tunde Jegede, Celloman, Wale Ojo and the Kalakuta Express, Kasai Masai, Bumi Thomas and DRB Las Gidi, a fashion show and visual arts exhibitions by Safaa Erruas, Otobong Nkaga and Nathalie Mba Bikoro. 

A film Screening of La Petite Vendeuse de Soleil (The Little Girl who sold the Sun) and a pop up kitchen by Zoes Ghana Kitchen. Running till Sunday and till 10.00pm both days, this collection of awesomity is FREE!!!! More details here 

12.00pm – The Little Girl Who Sold the Sun (Certificate U)

 12.45pm – Official Welcome Message and Music programme start

 13.00 – Tunde Jegede and The Griot’s Tale – Dance performance

13.45 – Henry Bonsu to introduce Wale Ojo and the Kalakuta Express

14.30 – The Venue Bushfires

15.00 – Kasai Masai live set

15.40 – Bumi Thomas live set

16.05 – DJ Edu fashion show warm-up

16.20 – Africa Fashion Week London catwalk show (Part 1)

16.50 – 17.05 – Break DJ Edu Set Screening of  photography

17.05 – 17.35 – Celloman live set

17.45 – Afrikan Boy live set

18.05 – DJ Edu & photography screening

18.35 – Africa Fashion Week London catwalk show (Part 2)

18.35 - 19.05 DJ Edu 30 min set

19.05 – Wale Ojo and the Kalakuta Express live set

19.35 – DJ Edu live set

20.45 – 21.45 – Headline act: Nneka live

21.45 – Summer festival closing messages

22.00 – Close

Pink PTBA Ladies T shirts

At 11.00am African Fashion Week London 2013 continues at The Truman Brewery. There are 5 shows today in addition to the exhibitions with the 12.00pm show featuring Zarita Kouture, Arachnid Creations, Fee Uhssi, Kaveke and Sasha.

The 2.30pm show features Baah by Jessica Baah, Metisse, Monis Fashion House, Killian de Burgh, Bpink, House of Opiam Rouge Vallari, Otuedon and AAMAA ala mode.

At 6.30pm there is a solo show by Ella & Gabby

The 7.30pm show features Elegante by Tiannahstyling, Afro Fashion, Didi Creations, Yutees and Mademoiselle Anglia

The final show at 9.30pm features House of Farrah, Zizi Cardow, Simogieme, Alicia Mulllings, AFT (African Fashion Today) and our friends at Vou Brown again to round it all off in style

Tickets are £25.00 from here. 

Proud to be Ghanian Hoody

At 12.00pm the Brixton Summer Weekender continues with Yes! Food Africa/ Food Caribbean at the Vida Walsh Centre, 2b Saltoun Road, SW 1EP, where you can taste and buy the best in new African and Caribbean food products. Register for this FREE event here

From 12.00pm to 8.00pm is Ghana Party in the Park at Trent Park, Cockfosters Road, Cockfosters, EN4 0PS. There will be music, food, a Chiefs Durbar, cultural dancers, a bouncy castle, face painting, fashion show, arts and crafts, dancing, competitions, DJ’s and MC’s. To experience all of this wonderful Ghanaian Ghanianity get your tickets for £10.00 (£20.00 for a family of 4) Azonto your way over here!!

From 2.00pm to 5.00pm is the Caribbean Film Corner Calypso Edition at The Tabernacle, 35 Powis Square, Notting Hill, W11 2AY. Screening Come with it Black Man: A biography of Black Stalin’s Consciousness a documentary about legendary Trinidadian calypsonian Dr Leroy Calliste aka Black Stalin. Tickets are £8.00 (£7.00 concs) from here. 

Born in the UK Made in Jamaica Hoody

At 6.00pm the Windrush Foundation holds a Commemorative Service to mark 175^th Emancipation Day at the Holy Trinity Church, Clapham Common Northside, SW4 0QZ. Guest speakers include Bishop Adrian Newman, (Anglican Bishop of Stepney), Rev Ruth Gee (President of the Methodist Conference) and Rev Ernie Whalley (Baptist Assembly). RSVP this FREE event here. 

At 6.30pm is The Women’s Empowerment Project 10^th Anniversary Fundraising Dinner at The Wesley Hotel, 81-103 Euston Street, NW1 2EZ. This event is to support their Shalom House Project Launch to provide a safe nurturing environment for girls 13-23 in Accra, Ghana who are in the sex trade, providing them with a safe nurturing environment, offering counselling, health screening and vocational training. The event will feature a 3 course meal, raffle draw and items for sale Tickets start from £35.00 from here. 

At 7.00pm Zoes Ghana Kitchen hosts GK Cafe and Beer Launch at The African Centre Cafe, 2 Tudor Grove, E9 7QL. This unique beer tasting will see the launch of 2 new beers Chin Chin Banoffee Pie Stout and Scotch Bonnet Chilli Chaser Ale, with a Ghanaian canapé menu to accompany it. As they say its Ghana be tasty. Tickets are £25.00 from here.

At 8.00pm is Inua Ellams R.A.P Party at the Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX. Curated by Proud to be African Clothing’s designer Inua Ellams, this night of hip hop inspired poems and hip hop songs  will feature Anthony Anaagorou, Patience Agbabi, Tim Clare, Salena Godden, Dan Cockrill, Sabrina Mahfouz, Keith Jarrett, Deborah Stevenson, Bohdan Piasecki and Belinda Zhawi, with DJ Khalil and VJ Dan Fenton Tickets are £12.50 from here

At 8.00pm is the Best 100 African and Caribbean Booklist Launch (part of the Brixton Summer Weekender) at the Brixton Library, this will be a fun night of words, music and literature. Come and propose, defend and debate your favourite books. FREE entry.

At 8.00pm Passing Clouds presents Africa in Motion at Passing Clouds, 1a Richmond Road, E8 4AA. Featuring Adesose Wallace and Ibile this 8 piece band will be playing Afrobeat, funk and highlife. Also playing live is Kevin Haynes and Grupo Elegua, the British – Trinidadian saxophonist will be mixing jazz with Yoruba traditional rhythms in an original sound. On the decks will be DJs Freestyle and Volta 45. FREE before 9.00pm, £8.00 after. More details here.

At 9.00pm Focus Organisation hosts The Best from Africa: Kadialy Kouyate and Band at the Bedroom Bar, 62 Rivington Street, EC2A 3AY. The Senegalese kora master will be performing live with his band supported by JP Kairo DJ playing afrobeats, azonto, coupe decale, Afro House and other African urban music styles. Tickets are £6.00 from here. 

Sunday 4^th August

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From 12.00pm to 10.00pm the second day of the Africa Centre Summer Festival 2013 continues in theCovent Garden Piazza. Curated by Yinka Shonibare MBE it will showcase the best of contemporary African arts and culture (including Proud to be African Clothing!), with music, film, a fashion show and visual arts exhibitions. And yes it’s still FREE!!!! More details here

From 12.00pm to 7.00pm is Brixton Splash 2013 in Brixton Town Centre. This increasingly popular event will feature a variety of sound systems on and around Atlantic Road and Coldharbour Lane. On the main stage there will be the following acts Ras Band, 8 Year Old Singer, ayday, Kid Corleobne, T Dot, Jamie Stimpson, Shelby, Jason Hayles, Cash Heat Ent, Bizzle, CSM, Lance Morgan, Rawpaw, Facetee, Jamila, JB, Brb Sonia, Timbar, Rueben Mystic, Sheeny BNoo, Mikey Foreigner, Keira, Kandake, Big Narstie, Lioness and Jah Meninites, Raw Material, Ram 1, Chicken Wing All Stars, 7 Suns, Cameron Jay and Kromatic.

The Peace Gardens Arts and Family Village will be holding a series of arts and crafts workshops and seminars. This is a FREE event, check out the website for more details of individual sound stages and Afterparties. 

At 12.00pm is Families United at Brixton Library, (part of the Brixton Summer Weekender) a talk and a seminar about how families can cope with mental illness. Register for this FREE event here. 

Proud to be African Childrens Clothes

At 2.00pm is It takes a village to raise a child at Brixton Library, (part of the Brixton Summer Weekender) a relaxed afternoon discussing the ins and outs of adopting a child accompanied by a scrumptious English afternoon tea. Register for this FREE event here. 

From 3.00pm to 7.00pm the Sincere Blog hosts the Fundraising for Carers Event at Lewisham Carers Centre, Waldram Place, Forest Hill, SE23 2LB. The day will feature a brief talk about the brilliant work of carers, the Carers Trust and Carers Lewisham as well as music, tasty appetisers, African and Caribbean food, a professional Nail technician and Massage Therapist, cup cakes and gorgeous jewellery and a Raffle with great prizes. To show your support for this undersung section of society get your tickets at £10.00 for adults (£6.00 for children) here. 

From 3.00pm to 5.00pm is Relocate Caribbean! Relocate African! (part of the Brixton Summer Weekender) at the Vida Walsh Centre, a talk and discussion as to the best way in which to relocate. Register for your FREE tickets here. 

At 4.00pm is Creating Wealthy Families at the Vida Walsh Centre, (part of the Brixton Summer Weekender) a talk and a seminar of how to get the whole family on the right wealth path. 

PTBA-1 Ladies T Shirt

At 4.00pm is the Big Caribbean Fruit Cake Competition (part of the Brixton Summer Weekender)  at Brixton Library, open to anyone living in the UK who can make a Caribbean fruitcake and for 7-18 year olds a Caribbean Cupcake. This will be an afternoon of judging and tasting. Register for this FREE event here. 

At 5.00pm Word Power Festivals presents Akala and Friends at the T-Chances, 399 High Road, Tottenham, N17 6QN. The evening will feature a Health Workshop, Powersis Panel from the Everydaypeopleuk Show, The Incomparable Cezanne Poet performing her latest work I need a man, Jang Jang Bureh and Akala performing live. Tickets are £10.00 (£8.00 concs)

Inua Ellams

At 7.30pm Inua Ellam and Thenublk present T Shirt Stories. Screening & After Party at The Hackney Attic, 270 Mare Street, Hackney E8 1HE. T shirt Stories is a documentary that covers the world as different personalities weigh in on their thoughts about the T shirt, with a special introduction by directors Dimitri Paihe and Julien Potart as well as Proud to be African designer Inua Ellams who will be performing excerpts from his critically acclaimed play ‘Black T Shirt Collection’ ahead of its Edinburgh Festival debut, a tale about how the global T shirt industry affects the lives of two foster brothers in the heart of Nigeria. The after party will feature The Large, DJ Sid Mercutio and DJ Top Rock. Tickets are £5.00 from here £7.00 on the door. 

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At 8.00pm the Brixton Summer Weekender ends with Legendary Lovers Rock Stars at Brixton Library, with pioneers of the unique UK sound of Lovers Rock Carroll Thompson, Janet Kay and Victor Romero Evans and guests ending the weekend. Tickets are £10.00 here or £15.00 on the door. 

Week of 27th May: AFCAR- The Game, African Markets, Soweto Kinch, African Union at 50, Revitalise Nigeria, Face off Kenya, South African Elections, Azonto Decale, Diane Abbot and Somalia Conferences

My Ogas at the top (ask a Nigerian if you don’t know what that means!) I greet you!!

The sun is out and we have a long weekend and a short week, thus Proud to be African Clothing has a lot of flexing and fun in these here pages.

Thula Trends

On Monday we have two doses of Awesomeness with the star studded African vs the Caribbean Charity Football Match at Brentford FC, in addition to the football and fun day there is a fashion show by our new partners Thula Trends a new online African fashion platform launching this Monday (that’s the second thing), showcasing fashion, hair, cosmetics, accessories from African and diaspora designers, they step out in a big way with this Fashion Show and other events. 

Other than that we have Soweto Kinch at Kings Place, Spitalfields  African Market, Economic Conferences on Somalia at Chatham House and SOAS, African business conferences, Nigeria business conferences, social media strategies, South African election meetings, jazz and poetry jams, Diane Abbot education conference, What is Black Music, Open the Gates 4^th Anniversary, conference on Mali and networking with Black Solicitors. In short we have work, play, knowledge and entertainment in equal measures throughout the week

Enjoy

Monday 27^th May

From 12.00noon Jason Roberts and Sodje Sports Foundation present AFCAR- The Game and Family

Born in the UK Made in Jamaica Childrens Hoody

Fun Day at Brentford FC, Braemar Road, BrentfordTW8 0NT. This star studded event will have a family Fun Day at Griffin park with a dance off, music, food stalls, celebrity appearances, a steel band, raffle, steel band vs African dance face off and face painting. The main event is the Friends of Africa vs Friends of the Caribbean celebrity football match kicking off at 3.00pm. The Caribbean Team managed by Ian Wright will feature players such as Jason Roberts, Andy Cole, DJ Campbell, Jamie Lawrence, Paul Merson, Michael Thomas, Paul Davis, Jason Euell, Paul Canoville, Kevin Lisbie, Jamal Campbell Ryce, Sean Davis, Michael Johnson, Richard Langley, DJ Spoony, Dion Dublin, Cyrille Regis, Dave Regis, Omar, Andre Boucard, Ashley Walters, Pascal Chimbonda, Ale Scott, Maxi Priest, Oliver Bernard and Sol Campbell.

Proud to be African Children's T shirts

The African team jointly managed by Fabrice Muamba and Segun Odegbami will feature Patrick Viera, Ade Akinbiyi, the Stein Brothers, Julius Aghahowa, Jay Jay Okocha, Svetoslav Todorov, Tressor Lua Lua, MC Harvey, Clive Betts MP, Vincent Pericard, Ashley Banjo, Chucky Venn, Junior Agogo, Eddie Kadi, James Maza, Max Rushden, Dennis Hobson, DJ Abrantee, Iffy Onuara, Rachel Yankey, Eniola Aluka, Gabriel Zukauni, Tammer Hassan and Ibrahim Sonko (for Africa).

Entertainment by Rough Copy, My7evn, Omar, DLux, Boadicea Dance Group and special surprise guest performance, with Daddy Ernie, Martin Jay, DJ Abass, DJ Edu and Mistri on the decks

In the VIP our new friends and partners Thula Trends will be hosting a fashion show featuring designs from the latest up and coming African designers.

 Tickets for all this awesome, awesomeness are just £10.00 for adults and £5.00 for those under 16 or a family ticket for £25.00  from here (2 adults and 2 children) the aim is to raise funds for the Jason Roberts Foundation which will provide opportunities for children and young people to take part in structured sporting and cultural activities and to develop a Sports Academy in the Caribbean and the Sodje Sports Foundation which aims to inspire and empower children and youth in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria.  

http://www.brentfordfc.co.uk/news/article/afcar-game-27.05.13-759232.aspx

From 10.00am to 5.00pm is Africa at the Spitalfields at Spitalfields Market, 65 Brushfield Street, Spitalfields, E1 6AA, this new shopping experience sees this iconic traders market transformed to showcase talents from Africa and the diaspora with stalls with African music, films, fashion, interior, street food, art, crafts and literature. There will be djembe drummers and you can try hair braiding and face painting. This is a FREE event.

Tuesday 28^th May

Proud to be South African

At 5.00pm is the Developing Effective Market Entry Strategy for Africa Seminar at Broadway House, Tothill Street, SW1H 9NQ. The seminar seeks to increase understanding of the African market landscape, develop Africa market entry, identify and manage barriers to entry and risk management for a new market. Tickets from £135.00 from here.

At 6.00pm Chatham House hosts Unlocking South Africa’s Potential: The Challenge for New Political Parties at the Royal Institute for International Affairs, 10 St James Square, SW1Y 4LE. Chaired by Tony Dykes (Action for Southern Africa) with Dr Mamphela Ramphele (Agang South Africa Party) who will discuss what she considers to be the ANC’s governance failures ahead of the 2014 election, the role of fear in South African politics and how Agang South Africa will challenge the ANC at the next elections. To attend this FREE event contact Chris Vandome.

From 6.00pm to 8.00pm the Royal Africa Society hosts Fifty Years of African Unity at the Khalili Lecture Theatre, SOAS, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, WC1H 0XG. Chaired by Onyekachi Wambu (AFFORD) with Alex de Waal (World Peace Foundation) the event will look critically at the achievements and failures of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) and its successor the African Union and pose the questions of what if FREE event here.  

Proud to be African T shirt

anything has been achieved. RSVP for this

At 7.00pm the Igbo Culture and Support Network Book Club will be reviewing Americanah at Madam Chi, 187 Upper Street, Islingon N1 RQ. The new novel by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie covers many continents and is a multifaceted love story, this is a FREE event.

At 7.00pm the Africa Centre hosts Past Performance: Part II at the Africa Centre, 38 King Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 8JT, in which the Black Cultural Archives will discuss the importance of personal collections and the role that the individual plays as custodian of your own archive. A £3.00 donation is gently hinted at for this event here

At 9.00pm The Bukky Leo Quartet will be jamming at Silver Bullet, 5 Station Place, Finsbury Park, N4 DH. Featuring Emiliano Franco on drums, Ben Roft on piano, Dario Di Lecce on bass and the formidable Bukky Leo on Reeds and Vocal. Jamming as of 10.00pm with Cool Jazz movies in the intervals. This awesomeness is FREE!!

Wednesday 29^th May

At 7.30pm is Uncle Errols Poetry Jam at Vibe Gallery, N0014 The Biscuit Factory, 100 Clements

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Road, SE16 4DG, hosted by WordPlay and featuring Karmelle and David Lee Morgan, this 7^th incarnation of the popular series also features an open mic spot so get there early. More details here.

From 12.00pm to 2.00pm the Royal Africa Society and Somali Economic Forum presents Somalia- Economic and Political Prospects 2013 in G2, School of Oriental and African Studies, Russell Square. Chaired by Richard Dowden (Royal Africa Society) speakers will include Mohamed Omaar (Former Deputy Prime Minister of Somalia), Hassan Dudde (Somali Economic Forum), Said Shire (Author and political analyst), Agnes Gitau (Eastern Africa Economic Chambers of Commerce) discussing- what Somalia should do to make the gains of the last 15 months sustainable, what is the role of the UK in Somalia and how will the UK’s involvement in Somalia work with other key regional players in the sub region. RSVP for this FREE event here. 

From 9.30am to 5.00pm the Centre of African Studies hosts Mali in Transition in the Khalili Lecture Theatre, College Building, SOAS. There will be four panels focussing on Interdisciplinary perspectives on the crises, Emergency crisis and impact on humanitarian action, heritage and conservation and historical perspectives and future scenarios. There will also be a presentation of the works of Mohamed Alher Ag Almahdi, a Malian Taureg atisan who helped restore ancient manuscripts in the British Library and in Timbuktu. This is a FREE two day conference, for more info email Dr Alessandra Giuffrida and to register email this address with ‘Mali in Transition’ in the subject line

 Thursday 30^th May

At 6.00pm Chatham House hosts Milestones in International Criminal Justice: Africa and the International Criminal Court at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House. Chaired by Elizabeth Wilmshurt CMG (Chatham House) with Dr Tiyanjana Maluwa (Pennsylvania State University) and Dr Max du Plessis (Doughty Street Chambers) this seminar will consider the relationship Alis Martin. 

Born in the UK Made in Jamaica

between African states and the International Criminal Court and asses African states efforts to curb impunity, particularly the African Unions policies and initiatives in international justice. To be followed by a drinks reception for more information contact

At 7.00pm Creative I.D hosts Jamaica Fundraising Soiree in Market House, 443 Coldharbour Lane, SW9 8LN. Showcasing the new school of artistes with DJ’s Madd P and DJ Devastate, performances by Michelle Escoffery and others and Happy Hour from 7.00pm to 9.00pm. Hosted by Chantal Miller tickets are £12.00 from here. 

Friday 31st May

From 9.00am to 5.00pm is the Revitalise Nigeria

Proud to be Nigerian

Business and Investment Summit at the Thistle Hotel, Marble Arch, Bryanston Street, Marble Arch, W1H 7EH. This event features Davos style panels, keynote speakers, guest speakers, breakout sessions and networking sessions, focusing on ICT, Business and Finance and Oil and Gas. RSVP for this FREE event here.

From 9.00am to 5.00pm is the UK- Africa SMEs Development and Investment Conference at Broadway House, Tothill Street, SW1H 9NQ. The objective of the forum is to support the development of SME’s value chain, drive investment into small businesses, enhance SME’s management capacity, increase SME productivity and competitiveness and support UK SME expansion in the African Market. Speakers include Hiuane Abacar (Mozambique High Commission), Uke Ngwerume (Old Mutual Zimbabwe), Dr Samuel D. Ameyaw (Bank of Ghana), Adam Shepperson (Ecobank Group), Violeta Valkova (Nedbank Capital), Adam Green (This is Africa Magazine And Financial Times), Carolyne Akers (UKTI), John Small Eastern Africa Association), Professor Allam Ahmed (World Association for Sustainable Development), Sisa Ntshona (Barclays Africa), Dr Martin Koyabe (Kenya Overseas Business Alliance), Anis George Haggar (Haggar Holding), Francois van der Spuy (Invest Asset Management), Chi Chi Oriaku (idigitalMercury), David Foxman (DevelopedAfrica), Dr Martin Koyabe (Kenya Overseas Business Association), Professor Augustine John (African Union), Bidemi Alabi (Association of African Owned Enterprises), Ito Naoki (Embassy of Japan), Gibril Faal (AFFORD)and Professor Roger Mumbycroft (Consultant). Tickets from £40.00 from here.

Proud to be Ghanaian

At 6.30pm Star100 presents Online Networking and Social Media Masterclass with Andrew Davis at Balls Brothers-Minster Exchange, Minster Pavement, Mincing Lane, EC3R 7PP. An expert on social media Andrew’s (Founder of Worst Kept Secret) masterclass will focus not only on the business context but also on best practice in using social media for online networking and in a personal capacity, social media strategies and what the current social media landscape looks like. This event is £13.50 or FREE for Star100 Premium members from here.

From 6.30pm to 9.00pm the Black Solicitors Network presents the BSN Networking Night at Corney & Barrow, 10 Paternoster Square, St Pauls, EC4M 7DX. Open to not just those in the legal profession this is a great way to make new contacts, relax and unwind with Our Learned Friends!! FREE event no RSVP needed just turn up!

At 8.00pm is Soweto Kinch: Urban Landscape in Hall One, Kings Place, 90 York Way, Kings Cross, N1 9AG. The award winning saxophonist, composer, Oxford historian, freestyle rapper and all round musician will be bringing his own take on urban culture following the release of his brand new CD ‘The Legend of Mike Smith’ Tickets start from £9.50 from here

Saturday 1^st June

Proud to be African Ladies T shirt

From 9.00am to 2.00pm The Right Honourable Diane Abbott MP hosts Black Children and Education: After Gove, where next? at the Jeffery Hall, Institute of Education, 20 Bedford Way, WC1H 0AL, the event will feature experienced speakers and bring together children, teachers, parents and community educators. RSVP for this FREE event here.

From 9.30am to 1.00pm is the African Diaspora Entrepreneurship Business Start Up Workshop on the 2nd Floor, 3Space 9-31 Oxford Street, W1D 2DR. Delivered by Isebail MacKinnon (Machair Social Enterprise) the workshop is for those interested in a move in business in Africa and you will leave with an action plan for you the entrepreneur, a defined and clarified business plan, a market research plan, business tools and resources to help you write your business plan, contacts and resources and an opportunity to network. Tickets are £35.00 from here.

From 2.00pm to 3.00pm Capital Culture Gallery host African Beauty at the Africa Centre, a photographic journey through the eyes of John Kenny this collection of portraits of Africans in traditional communities from the fringes of the Sahara to Angola and Namibia is described as more anthropological than artistic, find out for yourself for £6.00 (under 16s FREE), the exhibition ends 9^th June.

At 5.00pm BBM/BMC and the Black Music Research Unit present the ‘What is Black Music?’ Debate version 1.01 at the University of Westminster, 35 Marylebone Road, NW1 5LS. In which Mykaell Riley (Black Music Research Unit) and Kwaku (BBM/BMC) grapple with the terminology ‘Black music’ and attempt to define what it means and encompasses. RSVP this FREE event here

Proud to be Kenyan T shirt

At 6.00pm is the Face of Kenya 2013 at The Coliseum Suite, 300-310 High Road, Ilford, Essex, IG1 1QW. There will be a Madaraka Day Beauty Pageant and Charity show celebrating Kenya at 50, with 20 male and female models and entertainment by the Africa Jumbo Band, Apelles Ogaga, Zangi and Roselyn. Tickets are £25.00

At 7.00pm Zoes Ghana Kitchen hosts Ghana Cuts from Nose to Tail at Studio Gi, 2 Tudor Grove, E9 7QL. With 6 plates of under rated and tasty cuts from the butcher’s knife all begun with a palm wine ceremony and ended with a shot of herbal drink Alomo bitter (recommended for men, hmmm.....). With sides and desert  and a vegetarian option this Mega meal is £30.00 (£26.00 for veggies) from here. 

Proud to be Ghanaian Hoody

At 9.00pm FOCUS presents Azonto Decale single Launch with Muntu Valdo, M3nsa, Kasai Masai and Afla Sackey at the Bedroom Bar, 62- 68 Rivington Street, Shoreditch,  EC2A 3AY. Each of these excellent artists will perform live from their eclectic repertoires as well as the actual album itself with the party rocking till 3.00am. All for just £6.00 from here or £8.00 on the door.

Sunday 2^nd June

From 12.00pm to 12.00 midnight  Open the Gate will be celebrating their 4^th Anniversary Festival at Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch, E1 6LA with an African Market, featuring designers, crafts, arts, jewellery, books, music and more. With live music from beginning to end from Kodjovi Kush and Afrospot Orchestra, Tony Dudu, Jally Kebba Susso, Seddik Zebiri, Lyric L, One Drum and more with delicious African food served throughout. FREE entry all day! More details here.