Celebrating Newham’s African and African Caribbean creatives

Bold And Beautifully Black Mural Workshops

In these workshops, abundant passion, laughter, and valuable lessons filled the air as the community united in crafting a breathtaking mural. This vibrant masterpiece beautifully showcased the rich tapestry of African and Caribbean cultures. We joyously celebrated the diverse spaces within Newham that nurtured and cultivated this extraordinary talent. It was a true testament to the power of collaboration and artistic expression! 

Below you can see images of the community putting the whole mural together.

The Artistic Legacy of Newham’s African and African Caribbean Diaspora 

This was an exhibition held at REIN’s youth centre ‘This Mix’.  There was a beautiful display of the artwork that the young people had put together during the month of June. Each piece was inspired by the pan-African colours and told a story of strength and freedom. 

All the attendees then had the opportunity to sit and watch a documentary put together by REIN. Musa, 15, spent the month interviewing creatives from Newham about their experiences growing up here and the impact this space had on them as creatives.  

During the documentary, we heard from a DJ, a fashion designer, a dancer and a venue owner. Tales were told about the laughter that filled Newham streets as water fights were held in the late 80s. The countless comedians, singers, bass players and more graced the stage of Arch1, a space synonymously with African and African Caribbean creatives in Newham. How fashion was used as a tool to change the lives of hundreds of young people across Newham and the power of the different cultures and voices building up people who were willing to hustle for their dreams.

Everyone then made their way outside for the unveiling of the murals that had been put together. The space was filled with anticipation and Nadina walked the crowd through the vision behind the two pieces and left with excitement as everyone got to see and experience the culmination of their week’s worth of work.

The whole exhibition ended with everyone enjoying the fabulous food provided and having enriching conversations.

The Voice of the Diaspora Showcase 

And for the grand finale, we held an awe-inspiring showcase, where the stage lit up with the incredible talent of up-and-coming African and African Caribbean artists from Newham. It truly celebrated diversity and creativity, filling our hearts with joy and inspiration.

But what made this project even more special was that the young visionaries of the REIN community powered it. Witnessing the magic of intergenerational collaboration was simply beautiful. Together, we created a powerful force, breathing life into our shared history and crafting a brighter future.

During the month of June, our young people came together to write, produce and record a song called ’Star’ for the Newham Heritage Month project. The song is a story of hope and encouragement for future generations. Below you can see the first live performance of the song.

Conclusion

In the end, ‘Reclaiming Our History; Let’s get creative!’ was a resounding success that left a lasting impact on our hearts and minds. We couldn’t be prouder of the colourful tapestry of talents we unveiled, and we’re already excited for the next chapter of creativity and unity!