Chelmsford Museum celebrates Black History Month 2024 with multicultural storytelling

October is Black History Month, highlighting Black heritage, stories and experiences through educational content, events and activities. The theme for 2024 is ‘Reclaiming Narratives’, which aims to correct historical inaccuracies and showcase Black achievements.

This year, Chelmsford Museum marks Black History Month with the return of the Children and Author’s Literary Fanfare and Events (CALFE) during October half term.

Multicultural storytelling with CALFE at Chelmsford Museum

CALFE is an annual festival celebrating literacy, creativity, and cultural representation. This year's event, ‘A Galaxy of Culture and Curious Adventure’, takes place at Chelmsford Museum on Saturday 26 October from 10.30am–4pm, offering enriching experiences for children aged 4–11 through storytelling, art, and educational activities.

Exploring Black stories and heritage through creative activities

At this year’s event, children will have the chance to meet and interact with even more talented authors, storytellers and creatives from diverse backgrounds including Jamaican, Nigerian, Black British, Sierra Leonean, Ghanaian, Zimbabwean, and Irish heritage.

Authors such as Carrol May Nelson (Dolly May and the Magical Enchanted Garden), Sade Fadipe (A Fun ABC) and SP K-Mushambi (Tarirai’s Choice) will give readings of their culturally diverse children’s books, while other creatives will deliver fun, educational workshops exploring African and Caribbean heritage. These include a drumming and storytelling session with storyteller Usifu Jalloh, a utensils and spices workshop in the Victorian Kitchen with TV personality Patti Sloley, and a mancala lesson with educator Datonye Adjei. There will also be an African fashion display, flower crafting and nature writing sessions inspired by the museum’s J.A. Baker exhibition and facilitated by Triggerbliss.

Annual multi-venue event funded by Arts Council England

CALFE 2024 at Chelmsford Museum is organised by local author Sade Fadipe in collaboration with Chelmsford Museum and with support from Essex Cultural Diversity project, Essex Book Festival, New Generation Development Agency, Chelmsford CVS, and Black and Being Essex (B.A.B.E). The event is made possible thanks to funding from Arts Council England via National Lottery Funds.

Now in its fourth iteration, CALFE began as an online event during the Covid-19 pandemic, designed to bring literature to young children while promoting diversity and representation. It is now an annual multi-venue festival, with further events taking place in 2024 in Colchester, Manchester and online.

Founder and organiser, Sade Fadipe, says that CALFE inspires more children each year as it continues to grow from its online beginnings. Through this growth, the programme will continue to promote culturally diverse literature and champion underrepresented voices:

“

“The growth of CALFE is a testament to its humble beginnings and the invaluable support from Chelmsford City Council and Chelmsford Museum. Focused on improving representation within museums, galleries, and exhibitions, CALFE champions underrepresented voices through literature, storytelling, and various forms of artistry that spark creativity and imagination.

“While reading is a year-round activity, Black History Month in October offers the visibility needed to amplify the importance of such literature and the authors that create them.

“As we expand to new regions this year, our mission remains unchanged: to inspire all children to engage with culturally diverse literature that broadens their perspectives and fosters social harmony, happiness, self-esteem, and education. CALFE will continue to offer an inclusive, intergenerational experience, where every child can embrace their heritage with a sense of pride, possibility, and creativity.”

Sade Fadipe, author and CALFE founder

CALFE 2024 is free to attend but booking your free ticket in advance is recommended. Find out more and book via Chelmsford Museum’s website.

Further Black History Month activities taking place this month

There are even more activities taking place across Chelmsford and Essex this month to mark Black History Month 2024.

Artists At The Meadows Black History Month exhibition

The Artists At The Meadows have themed their latest exhibition to Black History Month, with works by local Black artists celebrating Black culture on display. Artworks include graffiti artist Scotty Brave’s ‘Queen of Babylon’ original spray painting, and painter Anna Rawlins’ varied Black portraits. There will also be original illustrations from Sade Fadipe’s book ‘Snowy Joy’ on display as part of the exhibition. You can even purchase some of the artworks on display.

The Artists At The Meadows is a friendly pop-up gallery run by 20 local artists. The gallery is open seven days a week so pop by Unit 32 of the Meadows Shopping Centre to check out what’s on display.

Reclaiming Narratives at Chelmsford Library

Essex Libraries is marking Black History Month 2024 with the theme ‘Reclaiming Narratives’. This theme explores books by Black authors about Black history, encouraging all to shine a spotlight on the untold stories, the unsung heroes, and the everyday individuals who have made an indelible impact in our communities. You can follow Essex Libraries on Facebook and Instagram throughout the month for their top Black History Month book recommendations.

Black-owned business highlights with Black and Being Essex

Black and Being Essex is celebrating Black entrepreneurs this Black History Month. They’re highlighting 31 Black-owned businesses on Instagram throughout the month – one for every day of October. They’ve already kicked off the month with some great businesses highlighted, including The Wellness Place in Chelmsford and Trigger Your Bliss in Southend-on-Sea Give them a follow on Instagram to make sure you don't miss upcoming highlights.