By Sarah Dale
30 October 2024
The 21st Anniversary Taste of Africa North East Showcase was a resounding success.
Packed with high-energy music, dance and spoken word performances, it also had thought-provoking reflective moments.
Behind the vibrant fashion show and uplifting singing, rapping, dancing and acrobatic performances was a serious message about how children’s lives are impacted by war and living in flooded displacement camps in Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Charity executive member Vaina Lumbiwa was one of the models wearing a special dress designed and created by the Heritage Fashion House. Elvis Katoto, who is a senior member of Taste of Africa North East’s Black Creatives and Arts Network, is currently filming a documentary in Goma and a clip was shared with the audience on Friday night. Donations for the cause were collected during the evening.
Shadah Khan, Borderlands project director, was surprised on stage by charity founder Sade Sangowawa with a special award presented in memory of former Middlesbrough and South East Cleveland MP. The late MP’s father and brother presented Shadah with the Ashok Kumar Award on stage. Borderlands is a project which focuses on significantly increasing the number of local people taking part in cultural activity, as well as embedding culture as a part of its approach to boosting wellbeing and resilience. Shadah won the award for her unwavering support to all communities in the region for the past two decades.
French-Congolese artist Molly J, a gifted pianist, songwriter. composer and producer, was the headline act at the Showcase and brought the house down following an evening of traditional and contemporary music and dance acts and a stunning fashion show.
The event opened with an introduction from newly crowned Miss Black History North East, Abigail Santos, who also took part in the fashion show. It was hosted by Carl Wilson and Chikomborero Manoah, who introduced the acts, entertained the audience during stage transitions and encouraged the youngest members on stage to show off their best dance moves.
The acts included Tanzanian trio, The Bongo Warriors, who dazzled the audience with their daring acrobatics and skill; Khaki (Jordan Robson), an up-and-coming rap artist from Darlington; Ladies of Midnight Blue, an African-Latin percussion and brass duet; Nigerian rapper Sturge; and DJ Tolu, a member of the charity’s Creative Youth Leadership programme who has already electrified the crowds at the Miss Black History North East final and the Black Youth History Awards this year.
There was also a variety of stalls selling jewellery, clothes, African colouring books and food offering a taste of African Caribbean culture.
Junior Masandi, trustee of Taste of Africa North East, said: “The 21st
Anniversary of the Taste of Africa Showcase was a tremendous success and a true ‘coming of age’ celebration!
“It was fantastic to see such vibrant performances and inspiring talents take the stage, bringing African and Caribbean arts and culture to life.
“Every moment reflected the beauty of unity and diversity that Taste of Africa stands for. We’re already planning for next year, and if anyone would like to be involved, please reach out – we’d love to hear from you!”
Taste of Africa North East was founded 21 years ago to empower and champion Black people in the North-east, raise awareness of African Caribbean culture and foster strong relationships across the whole community. The Showcase is the finale in a calendar of events running up to and during Black History Month in October, including a Carnival Parade, Miss Black History North East, the Black History Youth Awards and the vibrant Showcase. The charity also runs the Black Creatives and Arts Network (BCAN) and the Creative Youth Leadership, which both provide spaces for people to explore their creativity whether it be through art, music, food, writing or fashion.
If you would like to find out more about getting involved with next year’s Showcase, please email: info@tasteofafricanortheast.co.uk
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