Islington Council has officially opened its new Black Cultural Centre, a dedicated space to gather and celebrate Black African and Caribbean culture, on Hornsey Road adjacent to Emirates Stadium and familiar to supporters who make the walk from Holloway Road on matchdays.
In line with its commitment to combating racism, inequality and injustice, the council have created the centre to promote Black history, empower Islington’s Black community and address the borough's lack of dedicated spaces for Black communities, highlighted by public feedback.
Dr Clive Nwonka, author of Black Arsenal, spoke at the event, and copies of his book will be available at the centre for community reading.
Over its first year, four different organisations will rotate through the centre, each offering three months of programming for African and Caribbean communities. Black History Studies, the first organisation to operate from the centre starting from November 9, will provide education, a community cinema, Black history walks and other activities. Founded by Mark and Charmaine Simpson in 2007, Black History Studies aims to inspire and educate on Black history.
The centre will continue to host Black History Studies until January 2025, after which a new organisation will take over. The council will announce future groups soon.
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