Evolving Heritage 2025: Celebrating Black women’s brilliance across generations, continents

The event will bring together artists, filmmakers, sponsors, and supporters committed to celebrating Black culture and advancing social causes.

ARTIST Lanre Olagoke, whose art and culture activism promotes people of African descent, is expanding his reach with an event to be held during the 2025 Black History Month in the United Kingdom.

The ‘Evolving Heritage Gala’ will bring together artists, filmmakers, sponsors, and supporters interested in Black culture and social causes. The holder of the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) award for his outstanding services to the community will host a gala at the British Museum on October 2, 2025, to coincide with Black History Month in the UK and Nigeria’s Independence Day, the previous day.

Years earlier, he played a pivotal role in conceptualising the Museum of Black Women in History, to be established in Oyo Town in memory of his mother, the late Chief (Mrs.) Comfort Titilola Orija-Adesoye, Iyalaje of Oyo. That project underscored his passion for women’s history, while the Evolving Heritage Gala builds on that legacy by honouring the contributions of Black women, youth, and creative professionals across the UK, Africa, and the Diaspora.

Olagoke’s not-for-profit, Art-Alive Arts Trust (AAAT), is organising the Evolving Heritage Gala to support Centre Point Youth Hostel and Her Rise Heritage, celebrating the intersection of art and social impact while raising funds for UK Youth in Commonwealth Africa. Therefore, the event will not only provide a platform for emerging artists and filmmakers but also contribute to critical social causes.

The artist’s activism, utilising his AAAT platform for over 20 years, was a significant consideration that contributed to his MBE award in 2024. Among other factors of Olagoke’s activism is his role as a link between Nigeria, Africa, and the UK in terms of youth and women’s empowerment advocacy.

He disclosed that strengthening his energy in peace advocacy, women, and youth empowerment comes in the support he gets from his “extraordinary wife, Simone, who is bravely battling ROS1 lung cancer.”

The Evolving Heritage Gala event will include awards that recognise notable Black women in the UK with categories such as Arts Excellence Award for outstanding achievements in visual arts, performing arts, or literature; Sports Leadership Award, celebrating influential Black women in sports as athletes, coaches, or advocates; and Cultural Impact Award honouring contributions to the preservation and promotion of Black culture.

Others include Media Trailblazer Award acknowledging strides made by Black women in journalism, broadcasting, publishing or digital media; Political Activism Award recognising impactful contributions to politics and social justice advocacy; Community Empowerment Award, which celebrates those uplifting communities through grassroots initiatives, activism, community building and leadership; and Innovation in Education Award honoring contributions to education, mentorship, and empowering future generations.

A familiar face at the British Museum, where he had been hosted at several past events, Olagoke was delighted that “there could not have been a better venue for Evolving Heritage Gala.” He described the British Museum as a place “where history is constantly being redefined,” highlighting the intellectual stimulation and curiosity that the event will provide.

He noted that the award categories for the Evolving Heritage Gala highlight the diverse achievements of Black women across various fields in the UK and beyond. “Additionally, we will commemorate Nigeria’s Independence Day, which aligns with the gala’s celebration of Evolving Heritage,” he assured of the reach of the event.

“As one of Britain’s former colonies, it is fitting to honour the remarkable women who have bridged the cultural and artistic gap between Nigeria and Britain at The British Museum.” This emphasis on Nigeria’s Independence Day adds a sense of cultural significance and inclusivity to the event.

As the Evolving Heritage Gala is held the day after Nigeria’s Independence commemoration in October, it will host celebrities, including artist and youth Ambassador, DJ Cuppy.

In addition to the awards, Olagoke explained that the gala will also spotlight rising voices in the arts. “We will be sponsoring three of these artists with a two-month residency, enabling them to create works centred around the theme ‘Who I Am,’ Olagoke said. “These pieces will be exhibited in one of the premier galleries in the UK, with nominations made by respected female art critics from the UK and Africa.”

The participants must be a full-time artist or photographer with African, Caribbean, or ethnic minority heritage, aged 18-30, and based in the UK. Interested artists should submit their resumes to info@artalive.org.uk. Selected works (100cm x 100cm) will be displayed and auctioned at the gala, with proceeds split between the artists and Art-Alive’s community initiatives.

“Additionally, we will also recognise three female filmmakers in the following categories: director, producer, and screenwriter, all based in the UK. The criteria for submission include: their latest film that they have produced, written, or directed, they should be full-time filmmakers, including producers and directors, and of African descent,” the artist said.

With the event, Olagoke reaffirms his dedication to amplifying Black voices, celebrating women, and fostering cultural bridges across generations and geographies.

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