During Black History Month, HP organised a variety of cultural and creative activities that celebrated the contributions, history, and artistry of Black communities.
The young people attended the Black Market Festival in Camden, exploring unique clothing, jewellery, and Africa-inspired products. A walk around Camden Market sparked further excitement, with the group impressed by the designs, variety, and lively atmosphere. This experience encouraged them to stay engaged, and they all went on to the Migrant Connections Festival later in the day.
Another activity, the Black Music Quiz, tested the young people’s knowledge of influential Black artists. They engaged enthusiastically, even identifying the language of songs from artists they hadn’t encountered before.
At the Migrant Arts Festival at the Kiln Theatre, they enjoyed live performances, workshops, stand-up comedy, and music, as well as a short film screening from the 48-hour film challenge. They also attended the Somali Week Festival, watching The Village Next to Paradise, the first feature-length film by a Somali director, which they found meaningful and inspiring.
Finally, to celebrate musical heritage, the young people participated in a steel drum workshop, learning about the history of the instrument and receiving hands-on lessons in playing.