Courtesy of Irven Lewis.

An SEND Advocate and Empowerment Coach – creative Oneness Sankara brings her years of knowledge supporting SEND families, as well as her own personal journey to highlight the story of a British African Caribbean mother supporting a child with Down Syndrome with work-in-progress T21 Alchemy. Playing as part of Certain Blacks’ Afro Futures Festival which takes places from 6th to 9th March, Oneness Sankara tells us more about exploring the show’s topic further, her roles as a creative/SEND Advocate/Empowerment Coach and what’s been learned from creating the work in progress.

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Home to some of the most iconic musical talent within our modern music era, Chicago has birthed many well known musical styles, rhythms and cultural defining moments, a long list of artists having started life there and gone onto to achieve great things! Having contributed heavily to the Blues scene, musician L.T. Beauchamp has enjoyed a varied career spanning over 50 years – his early years, being taught how to tap dance by legendary Afro-Cuban dancer Jimmy Payne and later on in life, going on to become a significant contributor to the Certain Blacks’ album by the Art Ensemble of Chicago amongst many other musical collaborations, and receiving recognition for his contributions, becoming a recipient of the 2016 Reykjavik Blues Society Honorary Membership Award. For one night only, as part of Certain Blacks’ Heroes Festival, Beauchamp returns years after his last visit to present a lively, warmly received set!

Courtesy of Sarah Hickson.

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We all walk our own paths, scenarios encountered – shaped by societal norms and who we are physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually. The term ‘intersectionality’ something that has become part of the zeitgeist, a term that perfectly captures what it is to be human in this world of constructs. Exploring their personal journey of navigating how the world deals with their sexuality, race, class and gender – performer John Paul Zaccarini presents The MixeRace Mix Tape, a resonant, unapologetic live playlist that speaks to today.

Courtesy of Sarah Hickson.

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The Hitrz courtesy of Annie Kruntcheva

Enjoying a resurgence, currently dominating the airwaves, Grime has taken the world by storm. Artists such as Stormzy, Dave, Little Simz, Headie One, Ms Banks amongst others engaging a new age of listeners. Having both been instrumental in the Grime scene, legends Prince Owusu-Agyekum aka Rapid, who has written songs for critically acclaimed artist Tinchy Strider and artist Ebenezer Ayerh aka Slix look to nurture the next generation of Grime talent – whether they look to pursue a career on stage or of. Their organisation, Ruff Squad Arts Foundation having supported the stars of tomorrow since 2017. Getting ready to host Ruff Sqwad presents Lights Up as part of Certain Blacks’ Heroes Festival on 4th February at Rich Mix, the inspirational duo tell us more about the artists taking part and what to expect!

Hi Prince and Ebenezer AKA Ruff Sqwad, you’ll be hosting Lights Up on 4th Feb which forms Certain Blacks’ 9th festival titled ‘Heroes’ at Rich Mix. How are you feeling ahead of the event?

We are so excited and can’t wait for 4th February to come, so much young, hungry talent under one roof is definitely a night not to be missed!

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Currently, we’re breaking down exactly what intersectionality looks like and how this plays out in reality. Everyone with their very own unique set of experiences that continue to impact how they interact with the outside world. Delving into this further with solo performance Mix Race MixTape, Professor in Performing Arts at Stockholm University of the Arts John-Paul Zaccarini presents Mix Race, an exploration of the political and emotional minefield of intersectionality with poignancy. Ahead of its showing on 3rd February at Rich Mix as part of Certain Blacks Heroes Festival, John-Paul tells us more about creating the show, what it means to form part of Certain Blacks’ ninth festival and what audiences can expect!

Hi John-Paul, you’ll be performing Mix Race MixTape on 3rd Feb which forms Certain Blacks’ 9th festival titled ‘Heroes’ at Rich Mix. How are you feeling ahead of the production?

I’m excited to bring some fresh vibes to the show.

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Courtesy of Yannick Malady.

Having premiered earlier on this year at Rich Mix as part of Certain Blacks’ Shipbuilding Festival, Livia Kojo Alour’s one woman show Black Sheep, the story of a Black woman finding love and a testament of personal strength, developed through transcending the white gaze, overcoming institutional racism and leaning into radical vulnerability returns to Jackson’s Lane Arts Centre on the 15th and 16th November. Ahead of the production, Livia tells us more about the show’s development, publishing Rising of the Black Sheep with Polaris Press – an anthology drawing on the show’s themes further and what to expect from the show.

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Returning for their latest cultural event, arts development organisation Certain Blacks are set to host the Ensemble Festival, a free event taking place at the Royal Docks on Sat 23rd July showcasing a range of acts specialising in physical theatre, dance, circus, music and digital. Currently on tour with their latest production Look Mum No Hands, disabled-led children’s theatre company Daryl Beeton Productions and female-led circus and dance company Mimbre have joined forces to explore themes of freedom, risk and independence and how whether you’re disabled or not, one changes, the festival marking the next step in their performative journey. Taking on joint lead with fellow freelance performer Danielle Summers, inclusive dance artist Laura Dajao tells us more about exploring the show’s themes, working in collaboration with Kat Ball who she shares the role with and Sophie Page, Danielle Summers understudy and what she has taken away from working on the production.

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Renowned for showcasing the work of diverse artists across a multitude of disciplines, arts development organisation Certain Blacks continue on with their mission as they present their latest eclectic line up in their upcoming Shipbuilding Festival. A week long event exploring ‘what it is to be British and diverse in these challenging times’, post pandemic, Brexit and Black Lives Matter. Marking the conclusion of their year long development programme, the festival will present four different works, one of which including a performance from dance duo Alleyne Dance, consisting of identical twins Kristina and Sadé Alleyne. Acknowledged for their fusion of a range of dance styles, from West African dance to Kathak, originating from India performing to create resonant sequences – their latest work, A Night’s Game will be performed on Friday 18th February and seeks inspiration from stories of imprisonment, escape and fighting for freedom. Ahead of their performance, the duo tell us more about exploring these themes further, what it means to take part in Certain Black’s pertinent showcase and what they’ve taken away from working on the piece!

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On average, we speak roughly tens of thousands of words a day – a form of communication so embedded within our culture, it’s second nature and something we take for granted. Throughout time, words have formed, transformed, meanings have changed, they’ve taken on various meanings and have been taken from various cultures from around the world. Examining our relationship with words in his work presented at Certain Black’s Circus Circus Circus Festival, Jamal Harewood presents Word – a show aimed at word enthusiasts.

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