Here is a list of Manchester Libraries events for Black History Month this October.
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A special message from poet Lemn Sissay.
Black History Month Books
A collection of new and classic books and ebooks at Manchester Libraries available to browse here.
Windrush Generations Manchester Voices Exhibition
5th -31st October Central Library, Archives+ Digital Interactives
Windrush Generations Manchester Voices is an digital exhibition in the Archives+ interactives on the ground floor of Central Library that focuses on the personal histories and stories of 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation African Caribbeans in Manchester. Join us to discover personal perspectives on:
- struggles and achievements
- art and activism
- the history and legacy of immigration
STEM Club Online
Inspirational Black innovators in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) that we should all know about.
For Black History Month, we are highlighting some of the individuals, past and present, who should be routinely recognised for their achievements. You can watch them all live on our Facebook page.
We hope this sparks your interest so you will actively find out more about the amazing people below and other black pioneers in STEM.
Saturday 3rd October – Highlighting Maggie Aderin-Pocock, British Space Scientist and presenter of BBC’s The Sky at Night. Join Leigh to make your own mini Solar System.
Saturday 10th October – Highlighting Dr. Mark Richards, scientist and a DJ, developer of air pollution monitoring instruments. Join Angela as she tests out the air quality in her local street.
Saturday 17th October – Highlighting mathematician Katherine Johnson, – unsung hero of NASA and the space race. Join Angela and Siobhan as they illustrate coding without a computer!
Saturday 24th October – Highlighting Granville Wood, inventor and electrical engineer who made key contributions to the development of the telephone. Join Angela and Siobhan as they show you how to make a very simple string telephone.
Black History Month Family crafts
Watch local artist Simone’s crafty creations on Manchester Libraries Facebook page on the dates below.
Monday 26th October, 2pm Fantasy Landscapes with Simone
Do you need a change of scene? Simone will help you create a masterpiece today. There is even a sew it yourself tip for those who need an extra challenge.
Wednesday 28th October, 2pm Snazzy bookmarks
Everybody needs a fabulous bookmark for some serious reading. Join Simone for some snazzy bookmark making.
We Are Manchester – A Celebration of Black Poets and Spoken Word Artists
Throughout October online and in libraries across Manchester.
A new collection of specially commissioned video performances from Black poets and spoken word artists in Manchester to be launched during Black History Month. The poems will be broadcast on our social media platforms and screened in libraries across Manchester. Artists include Peter Kalu, Shirley May, Mandla Rae and Recce Williams.
Career Conversation Series for Young People
Become a Writer. Tuesday 13th October, 6:30-7:30pm
Are you an aspiring young writer? Not sure where to start in your journey? Come along and listen to Jade’s story with a chance to ask her some questions at the end.
Jade Calder, Mancunian mum of 3 and a self-published children’s author of “Mummy…What is Black Lives Matter” shares her experience of how she has juggled family life during lockdown 2020 to write and self publish her first book. Inspired by shared real life experiences of the Black Lives Matter protests with her young daughter, this new children’s book addresses the subject of racism and protest for families to read together in a positive light.
Book your free place via Evenbrite
Become a Teacher. Thursday 15th October, 6:30-7:30pm
Jamal Thomas, primary school teacher, shares his journey into teaching.
Find out what inspired Jamal to become a teacher in Greater Manchester, the steps he took early on in his education and what he loves most about teaching. Join Jamal to find out more and a chance to ask him some questions at the end.
Book your free place via Evenbrite
Become a Barrister. Thursday 29th October, 6:30-7:30pm
Sally Penni, barrister, social entrepreneur, author, charity fundraiser and much more shares her experience as a working mum and a busy professional. Are you interested in pursuing a career in law? Join Sally and learn more with a chance to ask questions at the end.
Book your free place via Evenbrite
Ancestry Talks with Paul Crooks
Monday 19th October, 5:30-6:30pm
Tracing African Caribbean Ancestry – Who do you think you are?
Join Ancestry Talks’ Paul Crooks for this captivating account of how he traced his Black Caribbean ancestors enslaved on a sugar plantation in Jamaica, 200 years ago. In this masterclass, Paul captivates audiences with his unique account of how he traced his roots and his family’s migration down through the generations to Windrush.
Ancestry Talks with Paul Crooks
Tuesday 20th October, 5:30-6:30pm
Tracing Windrush Ancestry: Secrets of the Passenger lists
There are calls from people of African & Caribbean descent not to forget the Windrush generation.
“Did my parents or forebears come to England on the Empire Windrush? Or, Did they arrive on some other ship? What do I know about their arrival? What can I find out? Why are the Passenger lists important to tracing African Caribbean Ancestry? In the fervour to know more about Black History, am I forgetting my family history?”
These are questions trailblazing author and family historian Paul Crooks asked when pioneering research into pioneered research into African Caribbean.
Join Paul for this captivating talk on how he used the Passenger lists to shed new light on the history of his Octogenarian father – a Windrush generationer.
About the Speaker
Trailblazing author and family historian Paul Crooks pioneered research into African Caribbean genealogy during the 1990s. He traced his family history from London, back 6 generations, to ancestors captured off the West African coast and enslaved on a sugar plantation in Jamaica.
In the 1990’s, Paul was told that it would be impossible to trace records of slave-ownership let alone his African ancestors enslaved on plantations in Jamaica. “No one had tried because such records did not exist.” Undeterred, he embarked on a journey of discovery that led from suburban North London to Jamaica and ultimately back to the Gold Coast of Africa; an effort that has brought him international recognition for his breakthroughs in Tracing black ancestry.
Join Ancestry Talks’ Paul Crooks for this captivating account of how he traced his Black Caribbean ancestors enslaved on a sugar plantation in Jamaica, 200 years ago.
In this masterclass, Paul captivates audiences with his unique account of how he traced his roots and his family’s migration down through the generations to Windrush.
Black History Month Children’s Storytime
‘Mummy…What is Black Lives Matter’ by Jade Calder.
Saturday 10th October, 2pm
Join local author Jade live on Facebook as she reads from her new self-published children’s book ‘Mummy…What is Black Lives Matter’.
Inspired by shared real life experiences of the Black Lives Matter protests with her young daughter, Jade’s book addresses the subject of racism and protest for families to read together in a positive light.
‘Look Up!’ by Nathan Byron
Tuesday 27 October, 11am
Join Luisa from Beswick Library on our facebook page reading the Waterstones Children’s Picture Book of the Year ‘Look Up!’ by Nathan Bryon, a lovely story about Rocket and her adventures in the stars.
Longsight Library’s Anti Racist Bookshelf
Longsight Library’s Anti Racist Bookshelf curated by Longsight community group Let’s Keep Growing will launch on Sat 3 October.
The community group’s book choices have a theme of food and growing that run’s through them. The books for both adult, young people and children is accompanied by an exhibition of photos and short film.
The Anti-racist bookshelf is an ongoing collaboration between Lets Keep Growing and Longsight Library.
Let’s Keep Growing is a community-led gardening project working on turning Longsight alleyways and other spaces into friendly, green havens for people and wildlife. Everyone has a relation to nature and food, so we use food growing in small communal spaces as a way to bring people together.
We promote the Five Ways to Wellbeing: Connect, Be active, Take notice, Keep learning, Give.