Celebrating Black History Month at City Lit
City Lit is delighted to support Black History Month with a series of courses honouring Black cultures.
Learn about the past, present and future of Black cultures through history, music, dance and art. Led by expert tutors, our courses embrace diversity and celebrate the Black communities.
Learn more about Black History Month. Read our blog on Empowering Inclusive Education: The Role of Black History Month in Britain.
21 courses available
Afrocentric drummingExplore and indulge your enthusiasm for drumming with African rhythms and their variations. Improve your individual and group playing skills and learn how to apply a variety of percussive instruments to any musical style.
Full fee £179.00 Senior fee £179.00 Concession £179.00- "Creativity is an Act of Resistance": exploring Bernardine Evaristo
In celebration of Black History Month, we’re exploring the life and works of Booker Prize-winner, novelist, poet, essayist and editor, Bernadine Evaristo. From her early literature to critically-acclaimed, ‘Girl, Woman, Other’, we’ll uncover her unique narrative voice, blend of poetry and prose and how she gives visibility to a cast of diverse characters.
Online
Sat 17 Oct 2026Jessica WilsonFull fee £39.00 Senior fee £31.00 Concession £25.00 - Black British Communities from the 1700s to the 21st centuryWe’ll explore the presence and experiences of Black communities in Britain, from the 1700s to the present. We’ll also analyse the concept of race and racist ideologies as they evolved, and community resistance to them.
Online
Wed 21 Oct 2026A. SFull fee £89.00 Senior fee £89.00 Concession £58.00 - Pan-Africanism: The Pan-African Conferences, 1900-1945
Explore the rise of Pan-Africanism, from early international gatherings to bold visions of Black and African unity, anti-colonial struggle, and global solidarity between 1900 and 1945.
Keeley Street
Fri 23 Oct 2026Apeike UmoluFull fee £79.00 Senior fee £63.00 Concession £51.00 - The Yoruba Civilisation at the British Museum
Explore the history of Yoruba civilisation, including the rise and fall of the Oyo Empire, using Yoruba material culture to understand evolutions in Yoruba life and customs. NB this is an immersive course using artefacts at the British Museum. Tutor: Apeike Umolu.
Off Site
Sat 24 Oct 2026Apeike UmoluFull fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00 - The life and times of Ignatius Sancho: born into enslavement, composer, man of letters, grocer and first Black British voter
Explore the life of the 18th century black Londoner, Ignatius Sancho. Orphaned on a slave ship bound for South America he had many lives in London: in service to noble family in Greenwich, a businessman, elector, correspondent with Laurence Sterne and others and a composer of music. After his early death many of his letters were published and helped to raise awareness of the plight of enslaved and ex-enslaved Africans, fuelling the drive to abolish slavery across the British colonies in the Caribbean.
Keeley Street
Sat 24 Oct 2026William SterlingFull fee £29.00 Senior fee £23.00 Concession £19.00 - Contemporary African dance
This dynamic and vibrant beginner's class combines West African dance and music with some Contemporary dance influences. The movements, energy and music will leave you energised and rejuvenated.
Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £90.00 - Africa in the ancient world
This course aims to explore the multifaceted relationship between Africa and the Classical world, highlighting Africa's significant contributions to the Classical world.
Keeley Street
Thu 5 Nov 2026Szerdi NagyFull fee £129.00 Senior fee £103.00 Concession £84.00 - Study day: Art of the Harlem Renaissance
Explore the art of the Harlem Renaissance from its historical context to its key artists and its impact on 20th century art and culture in the United States.
Keeley Street
Sun 6 Dec 2026Sarah JaffrayFull fee £79.00 Senior fee £63.00 Concession £51.00 - Protesting to the Beat: music and revolution in Latin AmericaExplore how sound shapes resistance in Latin America, engaging with race, class, gender, and more. Analyse sound as a form of power contestation present in performance, literature, and politics.
Keeley Street
Sat 12 Dec 2026Pilar Villanueva MartinezFull fee £79.00 Senior fee £63.00 Concession £51.00 - African resistance against empire
The end of the Second World War marked a watershed in African history, catalysing resistance against colonial rule that had been in place for a century. This module examines the history of such growing anti-colonial resistance from the late 19th century onwards.
Online
Sat 9 Jan 2027Sunday Abraham OgunodeFull fee £89.00 Senior fee £71.00 Concession £58.00 - Sing soul and bluesEnjoy this exploration of classic soul tunes and blues vocal style and repertoire. Suitable for singers with experience in any style. Not suitable for absolute beginners to singing.
Keeley Street
Wed 13 Jan 2027Emzee HaywoodeFull fee £279.00 Senior fee £223.00 Concession £195.00 - Latin America and Africa – new friendsThis course studies the interconnectedness of the South American and African continents, from the legacies of the Slave Trade, maritime trade and different areas of multilateral cooperation.
Online
Wed 27 Jan 2027Maisa EdwardsFull fee £89.00 Senior fee £89.00 Concession £58.00 - Unfinished Stories: Memory and the Legacy of European Colonialism
The legacies of European colonial empires continue to define global politics, economies, and identities. This course explores how former colonies and imperial powers remember, contest, and live with their shared imperial pasts.
Keeley Street
Thu 28 Jan 2027Olivia DurandFull fee £189.00 Senior fee £189.00 Concession £123.00 - Brazil, Chile & Argentina: an introductory history
This course traces how revolution, war, and political change shaped the nations of Southern Cone Latin America from empire to the present.
Online
Tue 2 Feb 2027Anna GrimaldiFull fee £89.00 Senior fee £89.00 Concession £58.00
Can't see a course you want?
Add this category to your waiting list to set up alerts and we will update you when new courses are released online.