EVENT: Melanin Dreams Library Takeover: A Celebration of African-Inspired Crafts and Black British History!

Melanin Dreams Library Takeover: A Celebration of African-Inspired Crafts and Black British History!

Date: Wednesday, October 30th
Time: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: West Norwood Library

Melanin Dreams Bookshop is teaming up with The Black Curriculum for an exciting and educational Library Takeoverat West Norwood Library! This free event will be a full day of fun, learning, and creativity, celebrating African culture and Black British history through engaging activities and storytelling.

What’s Happening?

We’ve lined up three exciting sessions that will inspire young minds and celebrate the richness of African heritage and Black British contributions. Here's the schedule:

11:00 AM – African-Inspired Arts & Crafts: Create an African-Themed Music Shaker

Kick off the day with an interactive arts and crafts session where children will get to design and make their very own African-themed music shaker! This is the perfect way to encourage creativity while learning about African art and music traditions.

Brought to you by our favourite party entertainer @curlyent 

12:30 PM – Build a Three-Position Traffic Light Inspired by Inventor Garrett Morgan

Next, we’ll dive into history with a hands-on workshop inspired by Garrett Morgan, the African American inventor who created the three-position traffic light. Children will learn about his contributions to safety and technology and then get to build their own model of a traffic light—a fun and educational way to celebrate Black inventors and their legacy!

Brought to you by our favourite STEM entrepreneur  @Amirstoys

2:30 PM – Reading & Activity: Explore Black British History

Our afternoon session will feature an engaging reading and activity session led by The Black Curriculum. Children will explore important stories from Black British history, learning about the contributions of Black Britons through literature, discussions, and activities centered around the books Migrants, Places, & Traces. It’s a fantastic way to connect young readers with their heritage and inspire a love of history.

Why You Should Attend

This event is designed to celebrate the creativity, contributions, and history of Black people both in Africa and Britain. By combining art, invention, and storytelling, children can immerse themselves in fun, hands-on activities while learning about their cultural heritage. Plus, it's a wonderful opportunity for families to come together and enjoy a day of community and education.

Don’t miss out on this special day! Whether your child loves to create, build, or listen to stories, there’s something for everyone.

We can’t wait to see you there!