Monday 26th October
We are looking forward to welcoming you to The Dragon Café on Monday, 26th October for Black History Month event.
The Dragon Café will be in person at Una Marson Library.
This event is curated by Andrea Simmons BA, MA, PgDHE, MRes RCA.
Threads of Us – Event Programme
12:00pm: Doors open
12:30pm – 2:00pm: Creative Writing Workshop with Lisa
2:00pm – 2:30pm: Comfort break and refreshments
2:30pm – 4:00pm: Animation Workshop with Reza
4:00pm – 4:15pm: Comfort break and refreshments
4:15pm – 5:15pm: Songwriting Workshop with Greyce
Introduction: Britain celebrates its leadership in fashion and education, yet Black academics and creatives continue to face barriers and a lack of representation. Why do these inequalities persist, and what does this mean for the industry and wider society?
Black History Month offers a moment to reflect on these challenges and the contributions of Black creatives.
Question is posed towards whether there is a willingness to continue being part of the problem, or whether to be part of the solution to make a sacrifice and contribute to a revolution. Across the arts — through music, spoken word, performance, and visual art — we are reminded that we are all part of a shared social thread, woven through the arts sector will be responsible for shaping a future together society is a whole but derives from THREADS OF US… .
12:30pm – 2:00pm: Creative Writing Workshop with Lisa Mitchelle
A creative writing workshop inspired by Threads of Us, led by one of our popular resident writers, Lisa Mitchell. Using structured writing games, participants weave together real and imagined stories rooted in personal experiences, heritage and identity. The workshop builds confidence by sharing individual voices and exploring memories, resilience, and belonging, while embracing others' diverse perspectives.
2:30pm – 4:00pm: Animation Workshop with Reza
An imaginative, hands-on animation workshop exploring the power of visual storytelling to express culture, identity and the richness of our shared histories. Inspired by Threads of Us, participants will experiment with stop-motion techniques, transforming ideas, emotions and cultural influences into moving images. Guided by artist Reza Ben Gajra.
4:15pm – 5:15pm: Songwriting Workshop with Greyce
An uplifting, collaborative songwriting workshop celebrating music's power to connect generations, preserve cultural heritage, and amplify diverse voices. Echoing the themes of Threads of Us, participants will explore rhythm, melody and lyrical expression, drawing on personal experiences, ancestral influences and the musical traditions that shape our identities.
Andrea C. Simmons BA, MA, PgDHE, MRes RCA; also known as Cocobrown, is a pioneering fashion educator, researcher, and conceptual designer with over 35 years of experience across the creative industries and higher education, and one of the few Black women to hold senior leadership positions in UK fashion education.
How to get there?
Bus: 42, 136, 343