A day of Black business, art and music with cultural villages, live music, film screenings, craft workshops, a business marketplace and a Jollof Rice competition.
BBAM Festival returns to Mayflower Studios on Saturday 17 October, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. BBAM stands for Black Business, Art and Music, and the festival was founded by Abdoulie Sanneh, Chair of The United Voice of African Associations (TUVAA), who stages it in partnership with Mayflower Studios. It brings Africa and the Caribbean to life through prototype cultural villages with traditional games, storytelling and heritage displays, alongside live musical performances, DJs, singers, dancers and spoken word, interactive drumming and craft workshops, a business marketplace and authentic African and Caribbean cuisine.
Beyond the creativity, there's a strong focus on community care and connection. A Jollof Rice competition pits Ghana, Nigeria and The Gambia against each other, and a dedicated Health and Wellbeing Zone is staffed with doctors and consultants. The day is open to visitors of every background and is family-friendly. Mayflower Studios itself is a community-led multi-art form hub that opened in 2021 alongside the Grade II listed Mayflower Theatre.
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On the programme, Motoro Films screens Ojúde Ọba: The Royal Legacy at 11:30 am and 4:00 pm, with a 1:30 pm session for invited guests only. Admission is free, though you'll need to book a free ticket in advance. The festival runs from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm at Mayflower Studios, Above Bar Street, Southampton, SO14 7DU.
