October is Black History Month

This year’s theme for Black History Month is to celebrate black women throughout history.

Black History Month takes place annually in October, and is a month-long event dedicated to recognising the contribution of those with African or Caribbean heritage. This year’s theme is ‘Saluting our Sisters’ to remember black women who have marked our history and culture locally, in the UK and worldwide.

Kingston is proud to be a welcoming and diverse borough and we are committed to continuing to make it fairer, together.

Find out more

Black History Month - events and activities

As part of our celebrations and ongoing reflections, we will be hosting several different activities around the borough. For some events you'll need to book a space, but they'll all be free to attend.

Kingston's history and our stories

Kingston has a rich black history and one that we are extremely proud of which has helped shape our borough.

From the former slave Cesar Picton who became a successful coal merchant in the borough in the 1880’s, to the Windrush generation in the mid-twentieth century, all the way to the present day - with one of the few Race and Equalities Councils in the country, and the annual Kingston Carnival which is a key part of the borough’s cultural life.

You can find out more about our black history at our libraries, museum and history centre.

Black History Month resources

You can check out our Black History Month collections in all seven museums around the borough. The books on display celebrate Black culture, writers and celebrities, people who have made a difference, and those who have impacted Black rights.

Kingston History Centre will be showcasing ‘Black History in Kingston’ at the search room, with pictures and images and including sections on workers rights, protest and BLM as well as culture & entertainment.

Kingston’s Race and Equalities Council works towards the elimination of racial discrimination and associated inequalities. They work to promote equality of opportunity and good relations between persons of different racial groups, and to address the Human Rights and needs of all communities. Find out more about Kingston Race and Equalities Council on their website.