Centre:mk to host art, culture & business exhibition celebrating Black History Month

The biggest Exhibition in Milton Keynes’ history showcasing art, culture, organisations and businesses from Milton Keynes’ black community is back on 21st-22nd October in Middleton Hall, centre:mk. The free 2-day event, organised by CIC World Media Initiatives, charities STaSS, African Diaspora Foundation and Making Good Better will host over 100 exhibitors and will be opened by the Mayor of Milton Keynes at 10am on Saturday 21st October.

The exhibition, which is in it’s second year at centre:mk, is set to be bigger and better than ever before with special guests from Hip hop artists ‘So Solid Crew’, performances from Adanta Dance Troupe, UNIKA dance events, as well as a specially created fashion show for the event.

In addition, the exhibition will bring together talented artists and businesses who are doing some amazing work in the city, yet up until now, have been relatively unknown. The two-day event organised by Nana Oguntola and hosted by centre:mk, offers a platform for these businesses to share their fantastic work and tell their stories to the wider community, creating new opportunities for engagement, collaboration and growth.

Nana Oguntola, of World Media Initiatives said: “It is so important that black communities can be seen in prominent spaces. It ensures visibility of these communities, creates new partnerships and collaborations with members of the wider community and opens up far more opportunities. We look forward to being back at centre:mk this month, as the exhibition was so well received in this space last year in the heart of the city.”

Across the weekend there will be a number of panel discussions covering the important issues of diversity and inclusivity, net zero, women in business and storytelling.

Kevin Duffy, centre:mk’s centre director, commented: “We are really proud to be able to have this fantastic exhibition back again at centre:mk, giving incredible people and businesses within the black community the exposure they deserve. Being able to offer a space for community groups and artists and a space to showcase new and emerging talent from across the region is an important part of our role as the heart of the city centre and ensures Milton Keynes is recognised as the diverse, vibrant city it is today.”

This event comes after an action packed year of events hosted at the centre including the International Festival, MK Smart City Robotics Competition, Handmade and Vintage Fairs, The British Radio Control Car Association’s Grand Prix, and the MK Job Shows to name just a few. Still to come this year is the Christmas Grotto opening on the 17th November during the annual Santa Parade. Keep an eye on centremk.com to stay up to date with what’s going on in the centre.