Event Programme

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Masterclass Zone
Barbican Centre London

Rediscovering Malcolm X: Revolution, Resistance, and the Fight for True Freedom

Featuring: Kehinde Andrews, Dawn Butler, Dr Shola Mos-ShogbamimuChair: Shaka Ra MbandakaMilton Court, External (4 mins from Level 0)Time: 1pm –

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Masterclass Zone
Barbican Centre London

Horizons & Heartbreak: In Conversation with Jordan Stephens

Featuring: Jordan StephensChair: Richie BraveMilton Court, External (4 mins from Level 0)Time: 2.30pm – 3.30pm Jordan Stephens gets real on

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Masterclass Zone
Barbican Centre London

The Shape of Us: Legacy, Identity and Thriving in the Spotlight

Featuring: June Sarpong OBE, Dame Denise Lewis DBEChair: Symeon BrownMilton Court, External (4 mins from Level 0)Time: 4pm – 5pm

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Masterclass Zone
Barbican Centre London

The Big Payback: Reparations, Power and the Price of Justice

Featuring: Sir Lenny Henry, Marcus RyderChair: Eric CollinsMilton Court, External (4 mins from Level 0)Time: 5.30pm – 6.30pm Who pays

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Powerhouse Zone
Barbican Centre London

Hidden in Plain Sight: The Untold Stories of Black British History

Featuring: Lanre Bakare, Paterson Joseph, Imaobong UmorenChair: Colin GrantCinema 1, Level -2 (2 mins from Level 0)Time: 2pm – 3pm

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Powerhouse Zone
Barbican Centre London

The Girl Who Broke the Internet: 20 Years of Keisha the Sket

Featuring: Jade LBChair: Lemara Lindsay-PrinceCinema 1, Level -2 (2 mins from Level 0)Time: 4pm – 5pm Before viral storytelling had

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Powerhouse Zone
Barbican Centre London

I Am Not Your Negro (2016)

Cinema 1, Level -2 (2 mins from Level 0)Time: 6pm – 7.30pm Join the Black British Book Festival in partnership

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Powerhouse Zone
Barbican Centre London

Sugar & Spice: Bold Bakes and Comfort Food with Remi Idowu

Featuring: Remi IdowuChair: Afua HaganConservatory Terrace, Level 4 (5 mins from Level 0)Time: 1pm – 2pm Sweet, spicy, and seriously

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Powerhouse Zone
Barbican Centre London

Rooted in Resistance: Black Voices on Climate, Nature & Radical Futures

Featuring: Selina Nwulu, Joycelyn LongdonChair: Brianna CraftConservatory Terrace, Level 4 (5 mins from Level 0)Time: 3pm – 4pm What does

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Powerhouse Zone
Barbican Centre London

Speculative Realms: Fantasy, Futures & the Boundless Black Imagination

Featuring: Marvellous Michael Anson, Irenosen Okojie, Adam OyebanjiChair: T.L. HuchuConservatory Terrace, Level 4 (5 mins from Level 0)Time: 5pm –

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Powerhouse Zone
Barbican Centre London

Killer Lines: Black Voices Rewriting Crime Fiction

Featuring: Foday Mannah, Paula Sutton, Remi KoneChair: Nadine MathesonConservatory Terrace, Level 4 (5 mins from Level 0)Time: 7pm – 8pm

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Spark Ideas Zone
Barbican Centre London

She Rises: Black Women, Storytelling & the Power to Reimagine

Featuring: Lola Jaye, Christina Fonthes, Charmaine WilkersonChair: Jendella BensonPit Theatre, Level -2 (2 mins from Level 0)Time: 1pm – 2pm

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Spark Ideas Zone
Barbican Centre London

Love, Chaos & a Soft Life: Reclaiming Romance Through Black Women’s Stories

Featuring: Stephanie Yeboah, Bolu Babalola, Lisa BentChair: Kya Buller Pit Theatre, Level -2 (2 mins from Level 0)Time: 3pm –

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Spark Ideas Zone
Barbican Centre London

Awakened in the Dark: A Blindfolded Journey with Kelechi Okafor

Featuring: Kelechi OkaforPit Theatre, Level -2 (2 mins from Level 0)Time: 5pm – 6pm Step into the world of Awakened

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Spark Ideas Zone
Barbican Centre London

Pitch to Published: Inside the Publishing Journey with Hachette UK

Featuring: Hennah Sandhu, Narjas Zatat, Rebekah West, Daja DinChair: Patrice NelsonAuditorium 1, Level 4 (7 mins from Level 0) Time:

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Spark Ideas Zone
Barbican Centre London

Securing Representation: How Black Writers Can Find the Right Literary Agent

Featuring: Kerry-Ann Bentley, Davinia Andrew-Lynch, Silé EdwardsChair: Yolanda Copes-StepneyAuditorium 1, Level 4 (7 mins from Level 0)Time: 3pm – 4pm

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Spark Ideas Zone
Barbican Centre London

Do Not Disturb: Writing, Acting & the Rise of Black British Audio Drama

Featuring: Sherise Blackman, Richard Blackwood, Saffron Coomber, Ethosheia Hylton, Martins Imhangbe Chair: Akua Gyamfi Auditorium 1, Level 4 (7 mins

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Spark Ideas Zone
Barbican Centre London

Writing the Windrush Forward with The Voice

Featuring: Kuba Shand-Baptiste, Yvonne Bailey-SmithChairs: Althea Wolfe & Paulette SimpsonTime: 2pm – 3pmAuditorium 2, Level 4 (10 mins from Level

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Spark Ideas Zone
Barbican Centre London

Beyond the Pledge: Building a Truly Inclusive & Sustainable Publishing Industry

Featuring: Nels Abbey, Farrah Serroukh, Aimee Felone, Melody TriumphChair: Jasmine RichardsAuditorium 2, Level 4 (10 mins from Level 0)Time: 4pm

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Spark Ideas Zone
Barbican Centre London

The Future of Love: Why Romantasy Is Taking Over Everything

Featuring: Olivia-Savannah Roach, Talia Hibbet, and Carol-Anne RoyerChair: Aje RobertsAuditorium 2, Level 4 (10 mins from Level 0)Time: 6pm –

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Children Zone
Barbican Centre London

Dance Just Like So! A Rhythm-Filled Storytime with Annemarie Anang

Time: 12.00pm – 12.30pmFountain Room 1, Level 0Featuring: Annemarie AnangFor ages: 3–7 Get ready to move, groove, and feel the

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Children Zone
Barbican Centre London

The Flower Block: A Storytime Adventure in Bloom

Time: 1pm – 1.30pmFountain Room 1, Level 0Featuring: Lanisha ButterfieldFor ages: 3–7 Step into a magical garden adventure with Lanisha

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Children Zone
Barbican Centre London

Farmyard Magic: Storytime & Animals with JB Gill

Featuring: JB GillFountain Room 1, Level 0Time: 2.30pm – 3pmFor ages: 6- 12 Step into the magical world of Ace

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Children Zone
Barbican Centre London

Curls, Coils & Creativity: A Live Art & Hair Care Workshop

Featuring: Salomey Doku, Melody Duhaney-Walters, Ro Macdonald PrinceTime: 1.30pm – 2.30pmFountain Room 2, Level 0For ages: all Celebrate the beauty

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Children Zone
Barbican Centre London

Dark Secrets & Deadly Games: Writing YA Thrillers That Hook You

Featuring: Tomi Oyemakinde, Benjamin Dean, Helen ComerfordChair: Busayo MatulukoFountain Room 2, Level 0Time: 3pm – 4pmFor Ages: 12 + Enter

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Children Zone
Barbican Centre London

Real, Raw & Relatable: YA Poetry That Speaks

Featuring: Ella McLeod, Dean Atta, Ashley Hickson-LovenceChair: Ehireme OmoakaFountain Room 2, Level 0Time: 4.30pm – 5.30pmFor Ages: 12+ What makes

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Free Programme
Barbican Centre London

Beyond the Algorithm: Black Writers, AI, and the Battle for Creative Power

Featuring: Phoebe McIntosh, Rivers Solomon, Lisa SmithChair: Hannah ChukwuFrobishers 4, Level 4 (10 mins from Level 0)Time: 1pm – 2pm

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Free Programme
Barbican Centre London

Defiance: The Fight for Justice with Janet Alder

Featuring: Janet AlderChair: Nikki AdebiyiFrobishers 4, Level 4 (10 mins from Level 0)Time: 3pm – 4pm Join author and activist

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Free Programme
Barbican Centre London

Live Poetry Workshop with Cave Canem: Writing the Diaspora

Featuring: Malika Booker, Nick Makoha, Dante MicheauxFrobishers 4, Level 4 (10 mins from Level 0)Time: 5pm – 6pm Join Cave

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Free Programme
Barbican Centre London

Culinary Cultures: Black Storytelling Through Caribbean Food

Featuring: Keshia SakarahChair: Fee MakFrobishers 5, Level 4 (10 mins from Level 0)Time: 2pm – 3pm Caribbean food is more

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Free Programme
Barbican Centre London

Roots & Reigns: Reclaiming African Histories and Power

Featuring: Paula Akpan, Luke PeperaChair: Kayne KawasakiFrobishers 5, Level 4 (10 mins from Level 0)Time: 4pm – 5pm Who were

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Free Programme
Barbican Centre London

Going Viral with BookTok: A TikTok Workshop for Book Lovers

Featuring: Coco OmerFrobishers 6, Level 4 (10 mins from Level 0)Time: 1pm – 2pm Want to break into BookTok —

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Free Programme
Barbican Centre London

Crafting Cozy Crimes: A Writing Workshop with Mel Pennant

Featuring: Mel PennantFrobishers 6, Level 4 (10 mins from Level 0)Time: 3pm – 4pm Murder doesn’t have to be bloody

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Free Programme
Barbican Centre London

Bloodlines & Boundaries: Writing Mothers, Daughters & the Stories We Weren’t Meant to Tell

Featuring: Celeste Mohammed, Olumide Popoola, Marcia HutchinsonChair: Jackson P BrownFrobishers 6, Level 4 (10 mins from Level 0)Time: 5pm –

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Free Programme
Barbican Centre London

Storytime with DJ AG Online: Live Reads & Interactive Storytelling

Featuring: DJ AGFountain Room 1, Level 0Time: 12pm – 3:45pmFor ages: All Join DJ AG for an exciting series of

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Masterclass Zone
Barbican Centre London

Doing a New Thing: In Conversation with Tabitha Brown

Featuring: Tabitha Brown Milton Court, External (4 mins from Level 0) Time: 7pm – 8pm Join “America’s Mom” Tabitha Brown,

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VIP Masterclass
O2 Blueroom, The O2, Greenwich Peninsula, London, SE10 0AX

An Evening with Tabitha Brown

Date: Saturday 18 October 2025 Time: 5pm- 9pm Venue: O2 Blueroom, The O2, Greenwich Peninsula, London, SE10 0AX. Description: A rare evening with Tabitha

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Free Programme
Barbican Centre London

DJ AG: Beats & Stories in Motion

Featuring: DJ AG  Freestage: Time: 3:30pm – 4:30pm For ages: All Get ready for a high-energy night with DJ AG,

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Free Programme
Barbican Centre London

Inside the Editor’s Room: 1:1’s with Pan Macmillan

Featuring: Ebruba Abel-Unokan, Gillian Green, Kesia Lupo Level G Studio (0 minutes from Level 0) Time: 1pm-4pm Ever wondered what

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Free Programme
Barbican Centre London

Bloodlines & Boundaries: Writing Mothers, Daughters & the Stories We Weren’t Meant to Tell

Featuring: Celeste Mohammed, Olumide Popoola, Marcia Hutchinson Chair: Jackson P Brown Level -1 Foyer (1 minute from Level 0) Time:

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Free Programme
Barbican Centre London

Breaking Barriers: How Underrepresented Authors are Owning Their Publishing Power

Featuring: Michael De Souza, Daniella Blechner, Lola Moore, Mayowa Precious Agbabiaka Chair: Ben Hughes and Chris Sako Level -1 Foyer

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Free Programme
Barbican Centre London

Culinary Cultures: Storytelling Through Caribbean Food

Featuring: Keshia Sakarah Chair: Fee Mak Level -1 Foyer (1 minute from Level 0) Time: 3pm – 3:40pm Join Keshia

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Free Programme
Barbican Centre London

Roots & Reigns: Reclaiming African Histories and Power

Featuring: Paula Akpan, Luke Pepera Chair: Kayne Kawasaki Level -1 Foyer (1 minute from Level 0) Time: 4pm – 4:40pm

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Free Programme
Barbican Centre London

Beyond the Algorithm: Black Writers, AI, and the Battle for Creative Power

Featuring: Phoebe McIntosh, Rivers Solomon, Lisa Smith, Chris Isaie Chair: Hannah Chukwu Level -1 Foyer (1 minute from Level 0)

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Free Programme
Barbican Centre London

Defiance: The Fight for Justice with Janet Alder

Featuring: Janet Alder Chair: Nikki Adebiyi Level -1 Workshop Space (1 minute from Level 0) Time: 1:30pm – 2:10pm Join

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Free Programme
Barbican Centre London

Cave Canem’s Poets Corner

Featuring: Malika Booker, Nick Makoha, Dante Micheaux Level -1 Workshop Space (1 minute from Level 0) Time: 2:30pm – 3:10pm

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Free Programme
Barbican Centre London

Going Viral with BookTok: A TikTok Workshop for Book Lovers

Featuring: Coco Omer Level -1 Workshop Space (1 minute from Level 0) Time: 3:30pm – 4:10pm Want to break into

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Free Programme
Barbican Centre London

Crafting Cozy Crimes: A Writing Workshop with Mel Pennant

Featuring: Mel PennantLevel -1 Workshop Space (1 minute from Level 0) Time: 4:30pm – 5:10pm Murder doesn’t have to be