Grimshaw lunchtime talk: Black statues around London

This month, Grimshaw is celebrating Black History Month 2021 with a programme of events organised by our MEGA (Multi-Ethnic Group + Allies) team. Our next lunchtime talk titled 'Black Statues Around London' will be led by our guest speaker Avril Nanton, professional guide and author of 'Black London: History, Art and Culture in Over 120 Places'.

Avril will be discussing some of the myriad African Caribbean people, stories and histories of London, evidenced through statues, monuments, buildings and neighbourhoods. Avril’s talk uncovers histories in locations across the city, in often surprising places like Trafalgar Square, Westminster Abbey and Cleopatra's Needle.

Avril grew up in Canonbury, Islington, after moving to Britain from Dominica in 1965. Tired of Black histories being reduced or erased completely by the mainstream, Avril was keen to make known the rich diverse histories of African Caribbean communities across London. She is now one of the few Black Female Professional Guides in London. She is fully qualified and is a member of various well-known institutions such as the British Library and the London Metropolitan Archives. Avril’s personal guided tours, titled ‘Walks and Talks’, was set up specifically to take in all aspects of London's cultural wonders, showcasing the various statues, monuments, buildings and the quiet little back streets that make up London. The walks and talks focus especially on the African Caribbean histories of London: from central to the individual boroughs.