Africans London Directory
Support groups
The African Child
Services for refugee children, young
people and families.
Moran House, 449-451 High Rd,
NW10 (020 8459 9033, www.
theafricanchild.org.uk) Neasden tube.
The Africa Club at the London Business School
Uniting students and professionals
interested in Africa-related proposals.
Regent’s Park, NW1 (020 7000
7000, www.londonafricaclub.org)
Baker St/Marylebone tube.
Africa Plus Plus Presents
New Ideas For Africa
A monthly event to air ideas of socioeconomic
benefit to Africa.
Various venues (07707 318 449,
wwwafricaplusplus.blogspot.com).
African Well Women’s Clinic
Guy's & St Thomas's Hospital
McNair Centre, SE1 (020 7188
6872) Waterloo tube/rail.
African Writers Abroad
Supporting African writers.
PO Box 33504, E9 7YE (www.african
writersabroad.org.uk).
Cape Verde In London
A blog, listings, news site and
meeting place for Cape Verdeans.
www.capeverdeinlondon.co.uk
French-Speaking African
General Council
For French-speaking African refugees
and asylum seekers living in the UK.
Parker House, 144 Evelyn St, SE8
(020 8320 2211, www.fsa-gc.org.uk)
Surrey Quays/Canada Water tube.
Horn of Africa YouthAssociation
Information, sport, activities and
workshops for 10 to 25-year-olds in
the Somali community and other ethnic groups.90 East Avenue, Hayes, UB3
(020 8589 9569, www.haya.co.uk)
Hayes & Harlington rail.
Kenya Club
Professionals and entrepreneurs who
aim to harness Kenyans’ skills.
29 Harley St, W1 (0845 056 9054,
www.kenyaclub.org) Great Portland St tube.
Family & kids
500 Years of Black London
Historian and writer SI Martin’s
renowned walks bring London’s black
history alive.
(07948 390 106,
simmart@btinternet.com)
Africa Experience
Art and culture workshops – including
textiles, printing, jewellery, drumming
and dance – for kids and teachers.
Various venues (020 8318 3205,
www.africaexperienceuk.com).
Alé Douvan!
Dance and drumming sessions for
kids and teens. Every Sat, drumming
4-5pm, dance 5-7pm.
Kingsley Hall, Powis Rd, E3
(www.kingsleyhall.freeuk.com)
Bromley-by-Bow tube.
Black History Walks
These two-hour guided walks identify
the African influence on London.www.blackhistorywalks.co.uk
City of Stories at
Discover
Until August 31, this exhibit features
traditional tales about London’s East
End communities, including Africans.
1 Bridge Terrace, E15 (020 8536
5555, www.discover.org.uk)
Stratford tube/rail.
Efiba Arts
African drumming and dance tuition.
28 Lawrence Rd, N15 (020 8211
0030) Seven Sisters tube/rail.
Frititi Traditional African
Drumming & Dance Ltd
Workshops in African rhythms and
dance for adults and families. Drop-in
class every Tue, 8.30-10.30pm. £8.
Frititi also organises trips to Ghana.
Ground Floor Studios, 130 Brixton
Hill, SW2 (020 7923 0585,
www.frititi.com) Brixton tube/rail.
Gbefaloi UK Company Ltd
Drummers, dancers, singers and
storytellers conduct classes in
schools, libraries, museums and
community centres.
Various venues (020 8488 1623,
www.gbefaloidance.com).
Hands-On Africa
An opportunity for children to handle
African objects from the museum.
June 14: 11-11.45am, 12.15-1pm;
June 15: 2-2.45pm, 3.15-4pm.
Horniman Museum & Gardens, 100
London Rd, SE23 (020 8699 1872,
www.horniman.ac.uk) Forest Hill rail.
Iroko Theatre
Performances and workshops in
African storytelling, music and drama.
Various venues (020 8522 1950,
www.irokotheatre.org.uk).
Kambani
An arts collective aiming to ‘re-brand’
Nigeria and Africa through children’s
arts and writing classes.
Various venues (020 8597 2138,
www.kambani.com).
Nzinga Dance
Drum beating and body shaking for
five- to 12-year-olds. Under-eights
must be accompanied by an adult.
Horniman Museum & Gardens –
see ‘Hands-On Africa’, above.
Fashion
The African Waistcoat
Company
Savile Row-trained Calum Roberton
specialises in waistcoats made from
Nigerian aso-oke and okene cloths.
Bespoke garments are handwoven by
Yoruba craftsmen and finished with
cotton-twill satin or natural fibres.
33 Islington Green, Camden Passage,
N1 (020 7704 9698) Angel tube.
Black Butterfly
Black Butterfly specialises in
bespoke denim and limited edition
jeans. Specially cut to allow for leg
shapes, waist size, height and
curves, these jeans provide a fusion
of contemporary styles with cultural
influences, a mix that can rarely be
found on the high street.
www.blackbutterflydesigns.co.uk
Gisella Boutique
See ‘African ambition’, p18.
LaRache Boutique
Styled like a north African bazaar, this mini-empire of photographer and
designer Hassan Hajjaj embodies
Moroccan tradition as well as kitsch.
30-32 Calvert Avenue, E2 (020 7729
7349) Old St tube.
Pempamsie
Fashion, artwork, jewellery, leather
goods, health and beauty products
and bespoke picture framing can be
found at this Africa-influenced store.
102 Brixton Hill, SW2 (020 8671
0800) Brixton tube/rail.
Health & beauty
Adornment365
New inside Morley’s department
store in Brixton, Adornment365
offers natural hair styling and
treatment for locks and braids, as
well as beauty treatments, massage,
nutrition and reflexology. Open Tue
to Sun.
Morley’s, 472-488 Brixton Rd, SW9
(020 7737 5533) Brixton tube/rail.
Morris Roots
With salons in Tooting, Fulham and
Archway, Morris and his team are
keeping busy providing all manner of
treatments for Afro hair.
184 Tooting High St, SW17 (0208672 8003), Tooting Bec/Tooting
Broadway tube; 21 Fulham High St,
SW6 (020 7731 7999), Putney
Bridge tube; 357 Archway Rd, N6
(020 8347 6478) Highgate tube.
Nubian Natural
A source of skincare products based
on traditional African ingredients.
3 Vining St, SW9 (020 7733 8277)Brixton tube/rail.
Textiles
Adire African Textiles
This west African fabric outlet also
sources and advises on vintage and
contemporary African costumes for
film, television and theatre.
Alfie’s Antique Market, 13-25 Church
St, NW8 (020 7723 6066, www.
adire.clara.net) Marylebone tube.
African Connection
This textile specialist also stocks
French jewellery and accessories
popular for African social occasions.
6 Tunstall Road, SW9 (020 7501
9445) Brixton tube/rail, Clapham North tube.
Afrique Fabriks
All manner of African fabrics are sold
at this Dalston store.
134 Kingsland High St, E8 (020
7241 5127) Dalston Kingsland rail.
Flamingo Textiles
One of several textile shops along
the edge of Petticoat Lane, Flamingo
sells both bright and sombre cloths,
mainly from west Africa.
75 Middlesex St, E1 (020 7247
4681) Liverpool St tube/rail. Also at
13 Goldhawk Rd, W12 (020 8740
0080) Goldhawk Rd tube.
Francesca Fabrics
This boutique-style, family-run
business sells gorgeous west
African textiles, with regularly
changing window displays.
2 Wentworth St, E1 (020 7377
8886) Liverpool St tube/rail.
Glemk Fabrics
Gladys Amadi's upbeat manner
makes a visit to this Dalston-based
fabric shop a bit of a treat. Lace,
prints, silks and brocaded fabric for
African dress are what you'll find
stocked in every nook and cranny.
124-126 Ridley Road, E8 (7923
0620) Dalston Kingsland rail.
Hello Dolly
Behind the doors of this store –
named in homage to Barbra
Streisand’s film – there’s usually a
buzz of activity between the bartering
West African clientele and the longtime
owners of this business.
89 Middlesex St, E1 (020 7377
0814) Liverpool St tube/rail.
Joss Graham Oriental Textiles
This specialist in antique fabric from
west Africa also stocks objects,
masks and jewellery, with some
items from South Africa as well.
10 Eccleston Street, SW1 (7730
4370) Victoria tube/rail.
Nasseri Fabrics
Nasseri in Brixton and its east
London sister branch sell a vast
selection of African textiles that draw
in west African customers.
38 Atlantic Rd, SW9 (020 7274
5627) Brixton tube/rail. 41
Wentworth St, E1 (020 7375 2706)
Aldgate East/Aldgate tube.
Rontex Fabrics
Rontex’s colourful printed wax and
lace fabrics are persistently popular
with its loyal west African client base.
11-15 Cricklewood Broadway, NW2
(020 8208 1236) Kilburn tube.
Sovereign Textiles
Specialises in unique and unusual
West African textiles, wool, leather
and fur. Retail and wholesale.
113 Mitcham Rd, SW17 (020 8682
1444) Tooting Broadway tube.
Vogue Fabrics
Predominantly from Holland, Vogue’s
textiles are snapped up for occasions
from weddings to christenings.
81 Middlesex St, SW1 (7730 4370)
Victoria tube/rail.
Shops, markets
& services
Books, music & film
The African Video Store
Contemporary films and soap operas
from Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa
are all popular here.
7 Ball’s Pond Rd, N1 (020 7923
4224) Dalston Kingsland rail.
Arthur Probsthain
This bookshop has been going strong
for over 100 years, stocking titles on
African culture, art, literature, religion,
performing arts and theatre.
41 Great Russell St, WC1 (020 7636
1096, www.oriental-africanbooks.
com) Russell Square tube.
Centerprise Bookshop
Specialists in black writing and books
about Africa, including children’s titles.
136-138 Kingsland High St, E8 (020
7254 9632) Dalston Kingsland rail.
Grant & Cutler
Browse the shelves or catalogue at
G&C and you’ll unearth dictionaries
in a wide range of African languages.
55-57 Great Marlborough St, W1
(020 7734 2012) Oxford Circus tube.
Headstart Books and Crafts
A long-established shop, devoted to
books and crafts from, by, or about the African diaspora.25 West Green Rd, N15 (020 8802
2838) Seven Sisters tube.
Jeppestown Press
This London-based publishing house
provides an online mail order
service for reprints of vintage African
reference and history books.
www.jeppestown.com
Marifaa Books
Books and information ‘for, by and
about black people’ from Africa, theCaribbean and Europe. Plus carvings,
crafts, pictures, CDs and health and
beauty products.
6 Bradbury St, N16 (020 7503
0300) Dalston Kingsland rail.
New Beacon Books
Specialises in black Britain and
Europe, the Caribbean, Africa, African
America and Asia, plus multi-ethnic
children’s books. Mail order service.
76 Stroud Green Rd, N4 (020 7272
4889) Finsbury Park tube/rail.
Sterns Music
A huge distributor of African discs
with a catalogue of 3,000 titles.
74-75 Warren St, W1 (020 7387
5550) Warren St tube.
Community Charities
Africa Educational Trust
Operates in regions where education
has been broken down by conflict.
18 Hand Court, WC1 (020 7831
3283, www.africaeducationaltrust.
org) Holborn tube.
African Revival
Supports self-sustaining projects in
Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, Malawi, South
Africa, Mozambique and Zambia.
Garrick House, 161 High St, TW12
(020 8939 3190, www.african
revival.org) Fulwell rail.
Ghana Union
A body which aims to relieve hardship
and promote Ghana’s traditions.
225-229 Seven Sisters Rd, N4 (020
7267 3224, www.ghanaunion.org.uk)
Finsbury Park tube.
Remember Saro-Wiwa
Continuing the work of murdered
Nigerian activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, for
social and ecological justice.
7 Horselydown Lane, SE1 (020
7357 0055, www.remembersaro
wiwa.com) Tower Hill tube.
Sandblast
For the Saharawi people of the
Algerian desert and Western Sahara.
Unit B104, 5 Clarendon Rd, N22
(020 8881 6483, www.sandblastarts.
org) Wood Green tube.
Survivors Fund (Surf)
Helping Rwandan genocide survivors.
10 Rickett St, SW6 (020 7610
2589, www.survivors-fund.org.uk)
West Brompton tube.
Nightlife
Afri-kokoa
Dancing and food on the second
Sunday of every month; 1pm-6pm.
Free. Other events can be found on
the arts centre’s website.
Bernie Grant Arts Centre, Town Hall
Approach Rd, N15 (020 8365 5450,
www.berniegrant centre.co.uk)
Seven Sisters tube.
Afrogroov @ Ritzy Cinema
Rwandan DJ extraordinaire Eric Soul
plays his eclectic Afro sounds on the
last Saturday of every month. Free.
Coldharbour Lane, SW2 (0871 704
2065, www.myspace.com/ericsoul
afrogroov) Brixton tube/rail.
Club Afrique
A weekend dance hotspot playing
Naija pop to soukous and mbalax.
145-149 Barking Rd, E16 (020 75118494) Canning Town tube/rail.
Components @ Jamm
African all-dayer on the first Sunday
of each month. Live music, spoken
word, open mic sessions, African
food, DJ sets and visual arts. 4pm-late,
free before 6pm, £5 thereafter.
261 Brixton Rd, SW9 (020 7274
5537, www.brixtonjamm.org) Brixton
tube/rail.
Deep N Soulful @ Lounge 34
London-based South African MC,
producer and global grooveslinger
Mo-Laudi mixes kwaito and more with
zouk, reggaeton and Afro house at
this lounge bar. 6pm-1am. Free.
34 Lower Marsh, SE1 (www.myspace.
com/djmolaudi). Waterloo tube.
Funkd Up London
From hip-life to hip hop and kwaito to
kwasa kwasa. Last Saturday of every
month. 10pm-4am. Free.
The Beach Bar, 50 Atlantic Rd,
SW9 (www.funkduplondon.com)
Brixton tube/rail.
Gold Coast Bar &
Restaurant
This Ghanaian gastropub also serves
up live hip-life and jazz performances.
224 Portland Rd, SE25 (020 8676
1919, www.thegoldcoastbar.com)
Norwood Junction rail.
Kalabash @ Salmon &
Compass
This ‘edutainment’ night, on the third
Thursday of every month, combines
film screenings, talks, live music and
DJs. 7pm-2am. Donations on door.
58 Penton St, N1 (020 7837 3891,
www.kalabashworld.com) Angel tube.
Kojo’s Comedy Funhouse
A comedy night hosted by British
Ghanaian Kojo. Every Sunday, 8pm.
£7 before 8pm, £10 thereafter
Corks, 28 Binney St, W1 (020 7408
0100, www.myspace.com/
dacomedyfunhouse) Bond St tube.
Manjaro Bar and Kitchen
This swanky bar and restaurant is
popular with Afro-trendies and
north London urbanites. It hosts
various club nights with an
African twist, playing Afro-beat,
salsa and soukous.
148 Holloway Rd, N7 (020 7609
2082) Holloway Rd tube.
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