Wandsworth’s Cultural Capacity Grant is designed to support the strategic development of a small-scale cultural organisation or artist collective based in the borough, and who work directly with Wandsworth residents, to help ensure their future sustainability. The grant of £10,000 is made only once a year, and only a single annual award is made. This year’s award, made as Wandsworth bids to become London Borough of Culture in 2025, supports one grassroots organisation whose work with Wandsworth communities has championed Black History and culture for almost a decade.

Black Heroes Foundation (BHF) use the arts to tell the stories of Black Heroes. Founded in Wandsworth, Black Heroes Foundation began their wide-ranging programme of cultural events and heritage projects with The Black Heroes Soul Food Café, a monthly intergenerational event with music, dancing and the space to discuss and celebrate Black Britons and their contribution to the world. Black Heroes Foundation was created to commemorate the legacy of Peter Randolph Fraser AKA Flip Fraser, the first editor of The Voice Newspaper and creator of the critically acclaimed show Black Heroes in the Hall of Fame, who passed away in 2014.

Until now, Black Heroes Foundation has been reliant upon the work of its trustees and volunteers to run the organisation. It has also been without a home since its former office space in Wandsworth was closed in 2022. The Cultural Capacity Grant will support BHF to work toward being able to employ a full-time member of staff and secure new premises in their home borough of Wandsworth once again. It will also support the delivery of a new strategy for income generation, providing a jumpstart to BHF’s long-term sustainability.

Joyce Fraser OBE, Black Heroes Foundation Chair of Trustees says: “I am delighted with this award. It is such a challenge for charities to get core funding. Black Heroes Foundation (BHF) have already engaged the pro bono support of Cranfield Trust, in order to conduct a strategy review to improve our sustainability. This fund will provide the space and resources for us to take advantage of this amazing opportunity. It will enable us to create and implement a strategy to improve income generation and the ability to cover core costs, in particular premises in Wandsworth together with a full-time staff member, neither of which we can currently afford. It will assist us in developing new areas such as provision of social prescription working in Wandsworth. BHF’s work is based in Wandsworth, it is where our first ever project was born – The Black Heroes Soul Food Café. This grant will provide that space and the resources we require to be sustainable and have a healthy future.”

Councillor Kemi Akinola, Wandsworth Council’s Deputy Leader and cabinet member for the voluntary sector, business engagement and culture says: “Wandsworth’s Cultural Capacity Grant recognises that small cultural organisations and collectives need to build management systems as well as programmes to thrive. As we work towards ensuring that all our residents have access to cultural engagement opportunities, which can contribute to happier and healthier lives, we also know that we need to support the growth of a robust and sustainable cultural sector in our borough, so that creative talent can flourish.”

Championing our diverse histories and supporting our grassroots cultural organisations are key to Wandsworth’s London Borough of Culture bid for 2025.

BHF Windrush Costume Workshops and Fashion Show

This February, Black Heroes Foundation are running a series of Windrush Costume Design Workshops in Wandsworth Libraries. Windrush elders are invited to collaborate with renowned international fashion designer Mary Martin London. Participants’ designs will take centre stage at The Windrush Costume Fashion Show at the Clapham Grand on Tuesday 9th April 2024, and be part of future theatrical performances created by Black Heroes Foundation.

Windrush Costume Design Workshops:
York Gardens Library: Fri 23 Feb, 11am – 2pm. Book via library staff: 020 7223 2341
Battersea Park Library: Mon 26 Feb, 4pm – 7pm. Book via library staff: 020 7720 4122
Tooting Library: Wed 28 Feb, 11am – 2pm. Book via library staff: 020 8767 0543
Balham Library: Sat 2 Mar, 1pm – 4pm. Book via library staff: 020 8673 1129

Further enquiries contact: [email protected]