Transport for London (TfL) is marking Black History Month this October, during the 75th Windrush anniversary year, with a leaflet of Black poetry, performances and displays.
Black History Month every October is the annual celebration of the invaluable contributions of Black people and a range of initiatives, performances and displays are taking place across London’s transport network to mark the month. A leaflet of poems by Black poets will be available at most London Underground stations, bringing together works that have featured on TfL’s Poems on the Underground programme over the years, including works by Benjamin Zephaniah, Lemn Sissay and Grace Nichols. The poems, estimated to have reached millions of people travelling on the network, give valuable insight into the complexities of Black History.
Brixton station will be hosting a photo series celebrating Black women members of TfL staff working across the organisation in a range of areas including Planning, Operations and Communications. Titled ‘Saluting Our Sisters,’ the work sees each featured woman share their achievements and aspirations both inside and outside the workplace.
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London Overground will put on four DJ sets over the course of the month, with Arriva Rail London (ARL) Service Delivery Manager Bentley Brooks taking to the decks as Bentley B at Shoreditch High Street, Shepherd’s Bush, White Hart Lane and Dalston Junction stations. A variety of music from Africa, the Caribbean and US will be played. ARL staff will hand out books by Black authors and Black History Month-themed tote bags and key rings to customers and local schools on the London Overground network, as well as other Black History Month-themed giveaways.
A double decker bus wrapped in a striking design honouring the Windrush generation has also now entered daily service, having formed part of the TfL, Lagniappe Mas band and Windrush Generation Legacy Association’s float at Notting Hill Carnival. Designed by artist Baraka Carberry, the wrap celebrates the culture, community and colours of the carnival and the 75-year history of Windrush, in a vibrant, richly layered design. The bus is in service on route 40, between Clerkenwell Green and Dulwich, with the wrap to remain in place throughout Black History Month and into the New Year, with support from Go Ahead London.
