October is Black History Month in the UK. 

To mark this occasion, we’ll be flying the Black History Month flag from Brighton & Hove town halls throughout the month.

This year’s Black History Month is dedicated to honouring Black women with the theme ‘Saluting our Sisters’.

Throughout the month and beyond, Brighton & Hove Libraries will be recognising and celebrating Black women with a rich programme of events and activities for all ages.

We can look forward to vibrant exhibitions, talks and workshops by inspiring Black artists, authors and entrepreneurs. 

All events are free, with the option of making small donation.   

Reading for Black History Month

Our libraries have specially curated stock throughout Black History Month.

Pop into your local library to take a look and borrow a book.

You can also browse the online Brighton & Hove library catalogue to see our carefully selected collection to borrow, or download an eBook or eAudiobook from BorrowBox.

A month of thought-provoking events

Councillor Leslie Pumm, chair of the Equalities, Community Safety & Human Rights Committee, said: “Throughout history, Black women have made immeasurable contributions to our society, whether as champions of civil rights, pioneers in science, arts or literature or backbones of families and entire communities.

“Yet their voices, talents and power have been unfairly suppressed, silenced and sidelined.

“It is about time that we shine the light on their achievements and celebrate their excellence. 

“I want to thank our libraries for organising a month of thought-provoking events and activities dedicated to appreciating our Black communities, recognising their struggles and voicing our solidarity. 

“It’s wonderful that everyone will be able to not only learn about inspiring Black women who shaped our history, but meet, learn about and learn from Black women who are shaping our future.”

Take part in Black History Month with our libraries

Saturday 7 October 

Writing Our Legacy Covert Literary Magazine: The Natural Heritage of the South reading event 

12 noon to 1pm, Jubilee Library community space

Find out more about Writing Our Legacy’s Covert Magazines and hear readings from contributors. Learn about the projects ‘Shifting the Gaze’ and ‘Changing Chalk’, which aim to restore lost landscapes and habitats, bring history to life and offer new experiences outdoors. Refreshments provided. 

You can book your ticket via WOL Eventbrite.

Sunday 8 October 

Creative Writing Workshop with Writing Our Legacy

12 noon to 2pm, Jubilee Library conference room

Immerse yourself in thought-provoking stories and poems that focus on connections with the South Downs. Led by queer writer, journalist and activist Jasmine Qureshi of Writing Our Legacy, this workshop will explore landscape, heritage and the power of literature in promoting sustainability.

You can book your ticket via WOL Eventbrite.

Saturday 14 October

Toussaint Louverture Graphic Novel Launch: The Story of the Only Successful Slave Revolt in History. 

Nic Watts & Sakina Karimjee in conversation with Carolynn Bain of Afrori Books

11am to 12 noon, Jubilee Library community space

Perhaps the greatest victory of the oppressed over their oppressors in all history. Written as a play then lost for almost 70 years. 

Join us to find out more about this extraordinary drama of the Haitian Revolution and its incredible leader Toussaint Louverture that has been reimagined by artists Nic Watts and Sakina Karimjee. 

Artwork from the graphic novel will be on display from Tuesday 10 – Sunday 15 October. 

Book your ticket via Brighton & Hove Libraries Eventbrite. 

Some drop in spaces will be available on the day.

Sunday 15 October

Film screening 

2pm, Jubilee Library conference room

Join us for an afternoon of action and drama with this superhero film based on the Marvel Comics. Certificate 12A. 

No need to book, just drop in.

Sunday 22 October

Our Heavy Heads. Reading and Q&A event with Nisha Whittingham and the Socially Engaged Art Salon.

12 noon to 12.30pm, Jubilee Library foyer gallery

Join Nisha Whittingham and the Socially Engaged Art Salon for a celebration of the Our Heavy Heads book and exhibition. You can view the exhibition in the Jubilee Library foyer gallery from Monday 16 to Sunday 22 October.

No need to book, just drop in.

Wednesday 25 October

Family activities with Afrori Books

10.30am to 12 noon, Jubilee Library children’s area

Make a Kenyan themed necklace and listen to stories from Africa and Caribbean authors. This event is in partnership with Afrori Books. Suitable for children up to 11 years and their grown-ups.

No need to book, just drop in.

Tuesday 31 October

Saluting our Sisters: Celebrating Black and racially minoritised female entrepreneurs

2pm to 4pm, Jubilee Library, BIPC

Hear from a panel of inspiring local female entrepreneurs who will share their personal business journeys, highlight their achievements as well as the realities of building a business as a Black or racially minoritised woman. We hope this event will applaud individual successes and inspire future generations. There will be opportunities to network and enjoy refreshments. A BIPC Sussex event in partnership with NatWest.

Book your ticket via BIPC Eventbrite. 

Saturday 4 November

Windward Family – An atlas of love, loss and belonging. Author Alexis Keir discusses his book with Carolynn Bain

2pm to 3pm, Jubilee Library community space

From the Caribbean Island of Saint Vincent to Great Britain, and from the 19th century to the present, Windward Family takes us inside the beating heart of a Black British family, showing us how we become who we are, and how the search for ourselves always leads us to the same place – home. Refreshments provided.

Book your ticket via Brighton & Hove Libraries Eventbrite. 

Some drop in spaces will be available on the day.

Exhibitions & ongoing events 

Storytime

Local libraries, 10.15am

Libraries share stories that promote equality and celebrate diversity at their Storytime sessions for pre-school children and their families. Drop in to one of our regular sessions across the city. Find your nearest ‘storytime’ event on our what’s on listings.

Saluting our Sisters display

Sunday 1 October to Tuesday 31 October 

Jubilee Library main hall

Celebrating and honouring Black British women throughout history. Our Saluting our Sisters display highlights the crucial role that black women have played in shaping history, inspiring change and building communities.

Sisters, Resisters exhibition curated by Umit Ozturk of EuroMernet

Life and Legacy of Black Women Activists in the UK

Monday 2 October to Monday 9 October 

Jubilee Library community space

This exhibition includes the portraits and short biographies of Black women activists in the UK with diverse artistic and professional backgrounds. Featuring leading figures in campaigns of resistance against racism, discrimination, inequalities and social injustice. 

EuroMernet Film Club 

Throughout October, EuroMernet Film Club will be screening drama and documentaries online about the life and legacy of some of the women who are included in their exhibition. You can find out more information on the screening on their website.

Unapologetically Unhidden

Monday 2 October to Sunday 15 October 

Jubilee Library foyer gallery

A series of photographs from The Black Queens collection by KNOXY (Yasmin Knox). Vibrant, bold and unapologetic, this collection celebrates and embodies the radiance, regality and beauty of the Black woman. Exhibition in partnership with urbanflo.

This is New Brighton exhibition curated by urbanflo with photography by Vian Roos & Jade Hylton

Monday 9 October to Sunday 29 October 

Jubilee Library window gallery

An exhibition series curated by urbanflo exploring the existence and impact of colonial references ‘hidden in plain sight’ in the built environment across neighbourhoods. This edition centres on Brighton/South Africa connections.

Our Heavy Heads exhibition by Nisha Whittingham in partnership with the Socially Engaged Art Salon

Monday 16 October to Sunday 22 October 

Jubilee Library foyer gallery

An exploration of emotion and human experience through poetry and paintings.

The exhibition is supported by a Q&A event on 22 October mentioned above. 

Celebrations in the city

To learn more about the events taking place in our city in honour of Black History Month, visit Black History Month’s listings webpage. 

Lend your support to our libraries

We want to make sure that everyone can benefit from the library service. 

If you love our libraries and wish to lend your support, consider donating online to our Legacy Fund or making a cash donation in any library.

Brighton & Hove Libraries Legacy Fund, managed by Sussex Community Foundation, supports our events and activities across the city.

October is an exciting month in our libraries, find out what’s on near you on our libraries events page.