Black Creative Trailblazers CIC at Aviva Studios
Johnny James, Managing Editor
Manchester’s most glamorous Black History Month event takes place at Aviva Studios, as Black Creative Trailblazers CIC gear up for their annual showcase celebrating the artistry of Black creatives.
Founded by Cultureville, Black Creative Trailblazers CIC was created to combat the severe underrepresentation of Black creatives within the industry. Their mission is to nurture and champion the immense talent within the Black creative community, providing the tools, opportunities, and platforms necessary to thrive.
In addition to providing workshops, mentoring sessions and training opportunities, the organisation hosts an annual showcase, featuring live performances, cross-disciplinary collaborations, and interactive installations open to both the public and industry leaders. This year’s showcase is a black-tie affair, featuring performances by Black musicians, poets and dancers, fashion shows by independent designers and an art exhibition – all responding to this year’s Black History Month theme: ‘Reclaiming our Narratives’.
On the music front, watch a performance by Amapiano artist Hazel Mak, the first Malawian to win Best African Act in Diaspora at the All Africa Music Awards. Also check out Salford’s own Roukaya, a musical storyteller working across jazz, soul and rap, and David Rey, a powerful rapper who’s fast becoming a key figure in Manchester’s music scene.
A different musical flavour comes from Sinead D’Abreu-Hayling, a gifted classical soprano who’s about to embark on her Masters at the RNCM. DJ Kemoy B, meanwhile, is a well-established underground favourite known for his expertise in Afrobeat, hip hop, R&B and pop.
But it’s not just music on the cards. You’ll also find artwork being exhibited by a host of acclaimed artists including ILATODA, Damaris Edey and Cheb Arts. This exhibition, which you’ll find on the upper foyer of Aviva Studios, not only showcases stunning visual art but invites audiences into a deeper, more nuanced understanding of Black identity and culture, tying in with the theme ‘Reclaiming Our Narratives’. As well as works by the aforementioned professional artists, you’ll see a collection of community submissions, producing a rich, multilayered tapestry of Black expression that goes beyond traditional representations often confined to narrow or reductive lenses, instead highlighting the immense diversity, complexity, and beauty that defines Black lives and stories.
From spoken word to dancing, Black-owned pop-ups to fashion shows (featuring designers including Cultureville, Tee Clothiers and Bittany), the programme is brilliantly eclectic, offering audiences a wildly varied view of Black creative expression in the UK today.
