A Seat at the Table: 231 Old Kent Road

More than 200 people visited 231 Old Kent Road for the Black History Month exhibition, ‘A Seat at the Table’.

The photographic exhibition celebrated Black activists, politicians and community leaders, past and present.

Produced by Parasol Creative, in association with The Southwark Black Parents Forum and Southwark Council, ‘A Seat at the Table’ shone a spotlight on the historical and active involvement of African and Caribbean communities in political and civic engagement in Britain.

231 Old Kent Road is a community hub that welcomes local people who want to host a variety of programmes and projects in the space.

It first opened its doors in 2019 with the Museum of Us programme and has since received S106 money for refurbishment work, designed by local architect, Shade Abdul of Deft Space.

Shade and the Mayor of Southwark were among those who attended ‘A Seat at the Table’ exhibition.

Cllr Natasha Ennin, Southwark Council’s Deputy Cabinet Member for Diversity, said:

“2022 is the 35th Anniversary of the 1987 Black Sections vote. This exhibition gave special attention to the activists and politicians who historically chose (and currently choose) to use the richness of their heritage as a source of inspiration and power, attempting to bring about balance and positive changes for the communities they serve and represent, despite the cards stacked against them.”