Wednesday, March 26 2025
Things to do

Black History Month at Southside Shopping Centre

By September 30, 2024 Article

This year’s Black History Month will be marked with a series of free community activities at Southside Shopping Centre, Wandsworth.

Renowned artist Kay Rufai is bringing his S.M.I.L.E-ing BOYS PROJECT to Southside’s upper mall as a month-long photography exhibition, starting on 1 October. Inspired by his mission to empower young black boys through the arts, Rufai captures their beaming smiles as a celebration of positivity to counteract negative media perceptions.

You can tantalise your tastebuds at the Black History Month street food market on Southside’s Piazza from Thursday 24 October to Sunday 27 October. And inside the shopping centre, you’ll be able to shop amazing and unique products from black-owned designers and makers.

On Saturday 26 October, Fée Uhssi , creator of ethical luxury fashion brand Art of Fashion Wrapping, will be celebrating black fashion under this year’s theme of ‘Reclaiming Narratives’. The spectacular fashion show will be hosted on the upper mall and supported by a performance from Vibe Squad.

Pointe Black ballet school will be dazzling with performances of their show ‘Our Windrush Story’ on Wednesday 30 October. The ballet routine pays homage to the Windrush generation, their voyage to the UK, and their incredible legacies. The ballerinas – some as young as eighteen months – will be showcasing a unique style of classic ballet fused with Afro-Caribbean culture.

Rebecca Ruddle, Centre Director at Southside Shopping Centre, commented:

“Here at Southside Shopping Centre, we strive to create spaces that make a positive contribution to the local community, and enhance the lives of our guests.

“Working with Wandsworth Town BID to bring exhibitions and events to the centre is a great example of the work we do with partners to support the charge to make a positive change.

“We encourage our guests to come down to see the range of exhibitions and events on offer, whether it be through browsing the food and wares being sold at the makers’ market, attending a fashion show, or taking in the month-long photography exhibition, there’s something to suit all tastes.”

James Mbanefo, Director of Wandsworth Town BID, said: “It’s important for us to celebrate and represent our diverse community, and what better way to do that than by hosting Black History Month activities in the heart of Wandsworth.

“Working with Southside gives us the opportunity to bring exciting and accessible?events our community. This Black History Month we have an incredible photography exhibition, fashion show, street food and makers’ market, and live dance. We hope to see you there.”

 

You may also like

Easter opening for Adventures in Wonderland

Golden Giveaways at Blenheim Palace – A family Easter adventure

Easter cricket getaway in St Lucia with Graeme Swann 2025

If you're thinking of buying something recommended by us, please go via the links on our pages. When you do this we may earn a fee which supports our editorially independent, family business.
By

Penny McCarthy is a seasoned entrepreneur and co-founder of Parents News UK, a pioneering publication launched in 1993 to serve the needs of busy parents in Southwest London. Alongside her husband, Fergus McCarthy, Penny played a crucial role in the rapid expansion of the printed edition, which grew from a local startup to a widely circulated monthly publication with a reach of 192,000 copies across Kent, South London, and beyond. Under Penny’s leadership, Parents News quickly became a trusted resource for families, providing valuable information on education, entertainment, sports, and family-friendly events. Her vision helped the publication extend its influence with franchises in Northern Ireland and Cornwall, catering to a growing demand for accessible, family-oriented content. In 1997, recognising the importance of digital media, Penny spearheaded the launch of Parents News UK Online. The website initially mirrored the content of the printed editions and has since evolved into a comprehensive online resource for parents, achieving significant popularity with up to 700 daily hits. In 2017, the publication transitioned fully to an online platform, continuing to inform and engage families across the UK. Today, Penny remains deeply involved in the ongoing success of Parents News UK, focusing on innovative advertising opportunities and future growth plans. Her dedication to supporting families through accessible and practical content has made Parents News a cherished name in households across the country.