Hammersmith private members club turned community space Kindred will be celebrating Black History Month this October with a programme spanning talks, dinners and performances that shine a light on the vibrant black culture and communities living in West London and beyond.
Kindred founder Anna Anderson said - “A part of Kindred’s mission has always been to connect people across traditional points of difference. Not with age groups and demographics and industries, but instead, with core values: those who want to meet and be connected with others, in a world that seems intent on pulling us apart. For us at Kindred, Black History Month is a time to shine a light on some of the incredible partners and community members we are lucky to collaborate with all year round, as well as celebrating the rich diversity of our city that makes it such an amazing place to live and work.”
Highlights of Kindred’s cultural programme this October include:
Monday 7th October: Kindred’s Community Dinner in partnership with Strangers in the City
Kindred’s community dinners host 100 strangers on two long tables (with some ice-breaker games to help people get to know each other) and serve a delicious, shared feast. Guests are encouraged to attend solo, to serve one another before they serve themselves, put their phones away, and concentrate on being in the moment. Best of all, the dinner is completely free to attend, with the option to pay it forward to their official charity partner, the West London based Nourish Hub.
Free entry, for those successful on ballot entry. Sign up here.
Thursday 16th October: Ancestral Futures Presents: Guinea Talks with Falle Nioke
Hosted by the pioneering musician Shumba Maasai, Ancestral Futures is all about platforming African musicians and culture at the highest level and providing a forum for discussion and performance. Joining Shumba for a night of conversation and performance is singer and percussionist Falle Nioke, celebrated for his mastery of traditional instruments like the Gongoma, Bolon, and Cassi. He has gained recognition in the UK through collaborations with artists such as Johan Hugo, Congo Natty, Sir Was, and Ghost Culture. His recent EP with Ghost Culture, Youkounkoun, includes the standout track "Barké," which fuses rich vocals with smooth electronics to create an irresistible groove. Tickets available here.
Friday 25th October - Carnival Conversations
An official Notting Hill Carnival event in partnership with TALLAWAH - a Cultural Events & Consultancy Agency - Carnival Conversation’s offers a platform to engage with diverse voices and perspectives from all aspects of the creative industry, from music, legal, influencer marketing and more. Carnival Conversations will amplify Notting Hill Carnival as a vital and important cornerstone of Black-Caribbean British culture. It will help educate and give insight into Carnival’s beginnings and why it being on the streets to this very day is something that needs to be understood and ultimately celebrated.
The panel will be led by Matthew Phillip, CEO of Notting Hill Carnival Ltd and hosted by the legendary DJ Martin Jay who is a staple in the Carnival community. Previous panelists have included the likes of Safiyah Lambie-Knight (Head of Music Partnerships at Spotify UK), Preye Crooks (Co-founder of strawberries and cream festival) and Aaron Fairweather (Cultural Artist Marketing Strategist at Red Bull UK).
Wednesday 30th October: All Jokes Aside
Hosted in collaboration with two top management companies Mindset (@mindsetmanage) and JAW Management (@JAW_fab) the night is inspired by classic cabaret-style comedy clubs in LA & NY, where guests can expect comedians at the top of their game over dinner and drinks, with DJ Cinde Rella bringing the vibes. The evening is hosted by Travis Jay; actor, comedian, podcaster and star of the global number one Netflix hit, Supacell.
Comedians on the night include Aurie Styla; an award-winning comedian, actor and writer from North-West London who has established himself as one of the most versatile performers in the UK, and one of the brightest young stars on the comedy circuit and multi award winning Darran Griffiths; BBC New Comedy Award nominee and Leicester Square Theatre New Comedian runner-up plus more. Tickets available here.
