Black History Month in Sheffield
Be empowered, educated and entertained! Each October, Sheffield joins a national celebration to highlight Black history, culture and heritage, and empower people to take action against racism.
From fascinating talks and thought-provoking film screenings to music performances that will get your blood pumping and feet tapping - there is something for everyone.
The official theme for Black History Month 2024 is “Reclaiming Narratives” to properly recognise and shine a light on authentic voices and narratives of Black history and culture.
Events listed on this page have been collated in partnership with the African Heritage Culture Forum, who work with organisations across Sheffield to help raise awareness of the city’s diverse history and culture - you can see their year-round event listings here.
Black History Month event listings
Black History Month 2024 Film Festival
In celebration of Black History Month 2024, Showroom Cinema celebrates the strength, creativity, and resilience of the Black and POC community.
The Unfinished Harauld Hughes: Richard Ayoade
Richard Ayoade is a BAFTA-winning actor, director and writer. The gifted filmmaker chances upon a copy of The Two-Hander Trilogy by Harauld Hughes in a second-hand bookshop.
Lemn Sissay: Let the Light Pour In
Spend an evening with a master of the spoken word, BAFTA award-winning author, activist, performer and Sunday Times number one bestseller, Lemn Sissay OBE as he takes to the stage with this brand-new show. Strictly 14+
Slambarz Reloaded
Slambarz is back and reloading for what promises to be their biggest show to date!
Kabaka Pyramid
Kabaka Pyramid is a Grammy Award Winning conscious revolutionary lyricist with a signature musical style; blending the power, energy and melody of Reggae with the lyricism of Hip hop.
Belle
Part 2 of a film double bill and showing as part of Black History Month 2024 - Intergenerational Fusion: Empowering Black Minds.
Black Women Writers – Dorothy Koomson and Kit de Waal
Bestselling authors Dorothy Koomson and Kit de Waal discuss their paths to publication, what it was like being Black women writers when they began their careers, what it’s like now, and advice for new writers.
Introduction to Translating Poetry - Mymona Bibi and Ibrahim Hirsi
How would you translate a poem? Join translator Ibrahim Hirsi and poet-translator Mymona Bibi for a unique poetry translation workshop that faces this impossible question.
Playing Away
Part 1 of a film double bill and showing as part of Black History Month 2024 - Intergenerational Fusion: Empowering Black Minds.
Sapphira Cristál Live!
Prepare to be spellbound as Sapphira Cristál (RuPaul’s Drag Race S16) makes her much-anticipated UK debut this October (together with Plain Jane and Morphine) with ITDEVENTS UK!
Born on Sunday Silent – Désirée Reynolds and Maisha Wester - And screening of film directed by Eelyn Lee
Born on Sunday Silent is a new Black British Gothic Horror short film based on the true story of Kai Akosua Mansah who is buried in Sheffield General Cemetery.
The Real McCoy Exhibition (An Introduction to Black Inventors)
Did you know that the three light traffic signal and the spark plug were created by Black inventors? Probably not!
Where We Come From: Aniefiok Ekpoudom
Vivid and compassionate, Where We Come From offers a rich chronicle of rap, identity, place and, above all, the social and human condition in modern Britain.
The Drifters
The Drifters are the longest running singing group in pop history still performing live, having enjoyed over 50 hits world wide.
The Principle of Moments – Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson and The Map That Led to You – Ella McLeod
Genre-defying SFF: Two Authors Breaking the Mould of Fantasy Fiction - Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson (The Principle of Moments) and Ella McLeod (The Map that Led to You).
The Last King of Scotland (Ugandan Independence Celebration)
Showing as part of Black History Month 2024 - Intergenerational Fusion: Empowering Black Minds.
Black History Month Thanksgiving Service
Come and join this Community Civic Thanksgiving Service!
Somali Poetry Showcase
Catastrophe/Galiilyo by Weedhsame is a poem of anguish about the displacement of the Somali people, western Europe’s response to the refugee crisis and a message of hope to refugees.
Jackie Kay – May Day
One of our best-loved poets and former Makar of Scotland, Jackie Kay reads from new collection May Day.
Tomi Oyemakinde, Benjamin Dean and Helen Comerford In conversation with Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson
Thrillers, Mystery, and Romance: Three rising stars of Young Adult fiction talk about their work with author Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson.
Sheffield Community Choir - Lift Your Voice
Experience the sheer power of Sheffield's own Community Gospel Choir! With their mesmerizing vocals and soul-stirring melodies, they captivate audiences like no other.
Kane Brown
The hilarious Kane Brown joins us again this October after a recent sell out show. Kane’s performed around the world, inc opening for Guz Khan on his UK Tour, and appearing in Man Like Mobeen (Netflix) and Deepfake (Channel 4). Strictly 16+
Bob Vylan
Anyone who’s seen Bob Vylan and their ferocious brand of hip-hop and punk before knows how good this is gonna be – they visit the Leadmill for a very special show this Halloween.
Black History for Every Day of the Year – David Olusoga and Yinka Olusoga In conversation with Professor Hugo Dobson
A unique and vital celebration of Black history, sweeping across the world from ancient times to the modern day with David Olusoga and Yinka Olusoga.
Home & Away: Somali Poetry from Britain and Somaliland
Poetry has been a vital way of preserving Somali history, culture and identity. But a new generation of Somali diaspora poets is choosing to write in the languages of where they live.
Sheffield Stories: Caribbean Footsteps
This new exhibition celebrates the many ways that people of African Caribbean heritage have contributed to Sheffield life.
