October is Black History Month, a time to celebrate Black history, culture, achievements and the contribution of Black people and communities to our society.

Here are some of the BHM highlights from across East London… if you know of an event to add, please email comms@claptoncfc.co.uk

Exhibitions

Hackney: An Incomplete History

Photos by Neil Martinson from the first Hackney Marsh Fun Festival in 1974 and the last Hackney Carnival. Shown at Chat’s Palace in Homerton throughout October. More information.

60 Years of Carnival: Our Story

The exhibition celebrates the 60th anniversary of Notting Hill Carnival through the experiences of its participants and community. It will feature photographs, mas costumes and Carnival materials. At Rose Lipman Building in De Beauvoir, Hackney throughout October. More information.

Honouring Our Communities

This exhibition is a collective representation of communities across the African and Caribbean Diaspora and within Newham. Residents and visitors are invited to engage, discuss and connect with the works on display at East Ham Library throughout October and beyond.

Jazz Dance in British Culture

This exhibition explores how African dance has shaped British culture from the 18th century to the present day. From music halls to contemporary street dance, the exhibition celebrates 200 years of movement, creativity, resilience and cultural exchange, showing how Black dance helped shape Britain’s dance identity. At Gallery Café, Bethnal Green throughout October. More information.

Voices, Rhythms & Stories: Honouring Our Communities photo exhibition

This exhibition brings together a collection of photographs spanning multiple years, documenting the extraordinary artists who have graced the stages and filled the spaces with music, poetry, performance and presence. At Poplar Union in Poplar throughout October. More information.

Nature Trails Re-Imagined

Black entrepreneurs, award-winning author Venessa Taylor, and design practice IVY Studios worked with Year 6 students from Gainsborough Primary School for BHM 2025. Together, they celebrated the legacy of Benjamin Zephaniah by reimagining his poem Nature Trails through original poetry and illustrations created by the students. An exhibition showcasing their work is on display at Canning Town Library throughout October. No booking required

African and Caribbean Art Exhibition

Mini art installation curated by a Black Tower Hamlets resident displaying the work of black artists relating to themes of Black history and empowerment. At More Life Home in Poplar until October 28. More information.

Black owned markets

Celebrate Black History Month by discovering and supporting local independent businesses at this community market. Expect creative stalls, arts & crafts, food & drink, community activities and plenty of local talent to discover. Saturday, October 17 from 10am to 4.30pm at Chingford Assembly Hall.

Celebrate Black culture at the vibrant Black History Month market. Discover unique crafts, delicious food, live music, and inspiring stories. A joyful day of community, creativity and heritage open to everyone. Saturday, October 24, 10am-5pm at Cotall Street Market, Poplar.

Other events

Backrooms film screening

After a therapist’s patient disappears into a dimension beyond reality, she must venture into the unknown to save him. Starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Renate Reinsve and Mark Duplass. Tuesday, October 13, 7-8.50pm, at The Source, Stratford. Click here to book tickets

Twelve Technologies of African Knowledge, Memory and Transmission talk

African societies stored and transmitted knowledge through story, human memory, music, script, number, objects, land, time, seeds, symbols, language and technology. This talk introduces audiences to twelve resilient channels through which African civilisations made knowledge durable — and reveals why so much of it survived everything that was thrown at it. Saturday, October 24, 6-7.30pm, Stratford Library. Click here to book tickets

Black British Ballet presentation

Explore the struggle, triumphs and legacy of Black British ballet from the 1940s to today. Discover the hidden history of Black British ballet, from overlooked pioneers denied opportunities in the UK to the trailblazers who broke the colour bar and transformed Britain’s biggest ballet companies. Presented by Dr Sandie Bourne, PhD, the talk will be followed by a Q&A session. Saturday, October 31, 1-2.30pm, East Ham Library Click here to book tickets  

Zilpha Elaw walk and talk

An evening walk and talk highlighting the life of Zilpha Elaw with Professor Kimberly Blockett from the University of Delaware. Zilpha was one of the first Black women to preach publicly, apart of the Methodist tradition, in the United States and in Britain. Born free in Pennsylvania in 1790. She came to England in 1840, preached to crowds large enough that local papers reported on them, published her Memoirs in 1846 making her one of the first Black women to publish a book in Britain. She died in Bow in 1873. On Thursday, October 15 at 5.15pm, Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park. More information and book tickets.