London’s transport network celebrates Black History Month with poetry, art and music

05 October 2023
TfL marks Black History Month with poetry leaflet, musical performances and new artwork to honour the Black people who have shaped the transport network and city
"This Black History Month, I'm delighted that TfL is honouring the Black staff members who played - and continue to play - an instrumental role in developing and running London's transport network"
Dr Debbie Weekes-Bernard
Deputy Mayor for Communities and Social Justice
  • London bus vibrantly wrapped in a design that celebrates the Windrush generation is now running between Clerkenwell Green and Dulwich
  • Brixton station hosts a photography series celebrating Black staff members and a new artwork celebrating the long lineage of Black culture will launch at the station in early November   

Transport for London (TfL) is marking Black History Month this October, during the 75th Windrush anniversary year, with a leaflet of Black poetry, performances and displays.

Black History Month every October is the annual celebration of the invaluable contributions of Black people and a range of initiatives, performances and displays are taking place across London's transport network to mark the month. A leaflet of poems by Black poets will be available at most London Underground stations, bringing together works that have featured on TfL's Poems on the Underground programme over the years, including works by Benjamin Zephaniah, Lemn Sissay and Grace Nichols. The poems, estimated to have reached millions of people travelling on the network, give valuable insight into the complexities of Black History.

Brixton station will be hosting a photo series celebrating Black women members of TfL staff working across the organisation in a range of areas including Planning, Operations and Communications. Titled 'Saluting Our Sisters,' the work sees each featured woman share their achievements and aspirations both inside and outside the workplace. 

London Overground will put on four DJ sets over the course of the month, with Arriva Rail London (ARL) Service Delivery Manager Bentley Brooks taking to the decks as Bentley B at Shoreditch High Street, Shepherd's Bush, White Hart Lane and Dalston Junction stations. A variety of music from Africa, the Caribbean and US will be played. ARL staff will hand out books by Black authors and Black History Month-themed tote bags and key rings to customers and local schools on the London Overground network, as well as other Black History Month-themed giveaways.

A double decker bus wrapped in a striking design honouring the Windrush generation has also now entered daily service, having formed part of the TfL, Lagniappe Mas band and Windrush Generation Legacy Association's float at Notting Hill Carnival. Designed by artist Baraka Carberry, the wrap celebrates the culture, community and colours of the carnival and the 75-year history of Windrush, in a vibrant, richly layered design. The bus is in service on route 40, between Clerkenwell Green and Dulwich, with the wrap to remain in place throughout Black History Month and into the New Year, with support from Go Ahead London.

Deputy Mayor for Communities and Social Justice, Dr Debbie Weekes-Bernard, said: "This Black History Month, I'm delighted that TfL is honouring the Black staff members who played - and continue to play - an instrumental role in developing and running London's transport network. This year's celebration is especially auspicious as we commemorate the 75th anniversary of Windrush. Many of those who arrived on the ship went on to work for TfL, and their incredible contribution to our lives must always be valued. By celebrating our capital's diversity, we are building a fairer, more equitable and prosperous city for everyone."

Patricia Obinna, TfL's Director of Diversity & Inclusion, said: "The experiences and contribution of our Black colleagues and our colleagues from other ethnic minority backgrounds should be recognised and celebrated all year round. During Black History Month we especially want people to come together to acknowledge the incredible contributions of Black people in London and beyond. This is especially pertinent this year during the 75th Windrush anniversary, so we will be marking this month with a varied programme of events including poetry, art and music on our transport network from inspirational Black artists."

-ENDS-         

Notes to Editors

  • TfL is committed to creating a truly inclusive workplace by 2030. Its recently published diversity and inclusion strategy, Action on Inclusion, sets out a detailed action plan that will enable TfL to achieve this, including how it will identify and remove the barriers people from underrepresented groups face getting into, and getting on at work.
  • Poems on the Underground has been running since 1986 and is supported by TfL, Arts Council England and The British Council
  • At the start of November, a new Art on the Underground commission by Jem Perucchini will be unveiled at the entrance of Brixton station; the large-scale public artwork will be on view for a year. Ethiopian-born Italian artist Jem Perucchini's artwork, titled Rebirth of a Nation, is inspired by the rich cultural past of Black history in Britain
  • The Arriva Rail London (ARL) DJ sets will take place at the following London Overground stations between 14:00 and 19:00:
  • Wednesday 11 October: Shoreditch High Street
  • Wednesday 18 October: Shepherd's Bush
  • Tuesday 24 October: White Hart Lane
  • Tuesday 31 October: Dalston Junction
  • The giveaway of books written by Black authors to staff and customers will take place at various stations across the London Overground network on 10 and 20 October, while book and merchandise giveaways will be held at various stations across the London Overground network on 11, 16, 18, 25 and 31 October