Black History Month: Canary Wharf and Penguin Books release new collection of Black writer’s works – 26.09.24

• In recognition of Black History Month, Canary wharf Group are continuing their partnership with Penguin Books to provide free literature celebrating Black writers
• Throughout October, passersby will be able to print and listen to extracts from selected authors in Canary Wharf
• The collection provides free accessible literature from a variety of Penguin authors such as Paul Brunson, James Baldwin, Diane Abbott, Mohamed Mbougar Sarr and Chigozie Obioma

A brand-new collection of free literature will be available to print and read from Canary Wharf’s Short Story Stations throughout October, in recognition of Black History Month. The popular book ‘vending machines’ – which have been relaunched in partnership with one of the world’s leading publishers, Penguin Books – will be home to a new series celebrating Black writers featuring a range of authors from Paul Brunson to James Baldwin.  

Canary Wharf’s innovative Short Story Stations are literary machines that dispense free one, three and five-minute stories for visitors to read. Throughout October, passersby can find the stations in Crossrail Place Roof Garden, as well as Jubilee Place. At the Crossrail Place Roof Garden location passersby will also be able to enjoy selected audio from four of the authors featuring in the collection, allowing the public to take a moment and listen to some of Penguin Books most established authors.  – Nana Kwame Adjei- Brenyah, Diane Abbott, Paul Brunson and Mohamed Mbougar Sarr.

Those who live, work or visit the Wharf can now get their hands on stories chosen by Penguin, written by some of the publishers most popular authors including Paul Brunson’s most recent book Find Love, on how to navigate modern love and discover the right partner, and James Baldwin’s breakthrough essay collection, Notes of a Native Son, which can all be read for free.

Canary Wharf launched the partnership with Penguin Books in July this year, which began with a South Asian Heritage Month collection, including authors such as Sathnam Sanghera, V. V. Ganeshananthan and Lavina Mehta. The partnership with Penguin Books celebrates established and new authors alike whilst also championing diversity and inclusion throughout, different stories will continue to go live at key moments across the next year such as LGBTQ+ Pride Month.

Since Britain’s first ever Short Story Stations were launched in Canary Wharf in 2019, visitors have printed more than 260,000 free pieces of writing, with the standard collection spanning a vast range of stories and poems from recognised classic authors to newly discovered contemporary writers.

At the touch of a button, visitors can print one, three, or five-minute-long stories onto eco-friendly paper, with the tales covering a variety of genres from crime to comedy and everything in between – ideal for commuters who are tired of Instagram scrolling on the train, or for those looking for a quick read on their way back from the shops.

Camilla McGregor, Arts & Events Manager at CWG said: “We are committed to creating spaces that are representative of our diverse audiences. Our partnership with Penguin Books has given us the opportunity to provide free accessible literature that showcases the impressive array of authors this world-renowned publishing house has to offer. Our current collection spotlights Black writers, spanning genres across both fiction and non-fiction, celebrating Black culture and a multitude of voices within this community. The stations offer visitors the chance to immerse themselves in a story, whether that be printing out a physical copy of the extract, or by taking a moment to listen to an extract in Crossrail Place Roof Garden.”

Paul Brunson, author of Find Love said: “I am honoured that Penguin have included my first book Find Love in their collection of short stories, a brilliant collaboration with Canary Wharf Group that will give hundreds of readers an entry point to reading, something I believe to be incredibly valuable to everyone’s wellbeing. I am too looking forward to visiting Canary Wharf to pick up my own copies to discover new authors and read their inspirational stories.”

Those looking to make a day out of a visit to Canary Wharf can enjoy a host of free-to-visit activities and attractions, including a 9-hole minigolf course by creative duo Craig & Karl, colourful ping pong tables, the UK’s largest free-to-visit, outdoor, public art collection, and 16.5 acres of open space and 5km of waterside boardwalks to explore. With over 80 cafes, bars and restaurants to choose from including newly opened Marceline, plant-based restaurant mallow, or Dishoom for Bombay-inspired cuisine, visits to the neighborhood won’t be short of tasty treats to tuck into.

1, 3 AND 5 MINUTE STORIES AVAILABLE NOW:

Find Love, by Paul Brunson

From red to green flags, apps, speed-dating, attachment styles, trauma, dealbreakers, compromises and making it past the first date… finding love can feel like a minefield.

An African History of Africa, by Zeinab Badawi

For too long, Africa’s history has been dominated by western narratives of slavery and colonialism, or simply ignored. Now, Zeinab Badawi sets the record straight.

Sweetness in the Skin, by Ishi Robinson

Pumkin Patterson dreams of a life beyond her Jamaican hometown. But what we dream of and where we belong aren’t always the same thing.

The Road to the Country, by Chigozie Obioma

When a country is plunged into civil war, two brothers on either side of it are divided. They will try to find their way back to each other.

Notes of a Native Son, by James Baldwin

James Baldwin’s breakthrough essay collection made him the voice of his generation. Ranging over Harlem in the 1940s, movies, novels, his preacher father and his experiences of Paris, they capture the complexity of black life at the dawn of the civil rights movement with effervescent wit and prophetic wisdom.

Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei- Brenyah

Enter a world where, livestreamed to millions, prisoners fight like gladiators for the ultimate prize: their freedom.

This Motherless Land by Nikki May

From the prize-winning author of WAHALA, a powerful de-colonial retelling of MANSFIELD PARK, exploring identity, culture, race and love.

Until Proven Innocent by Nicola Williams

The brilliantly taut and twisty new legal thriller following barrister Lee Mitchell in her most controversial case yet.

A Woman Like Me by Diane Abbott

From challenging expectations as a bright and restless child of the Windrush generation to making history as the first elected Black female MP in the UK, Diane Abbott has seen it all.

King of Dead Things by Nevin Holness

Two lives are about to collide. A journey of self-discovery. For fans of dark fantasy like Cemetery Boys, Noughts and Crosses and Threads that Bind from major new YA talent Jamaican British author Nevin Holness.

History of a Difficult Child by Mihret Sibhat

The History of a Difficult Child is about what happens when mother, God, and country are at odds, and how one difficult child finds her voice.

The Most Secret Memory of Men by Mohamed Mbougar Sarr

Paris, 2018. Diégane Latyr Faye, a young Senegalese writer, discovers a legendary book titled The Maze of Inhumanity. It has an immediate hold over him. No one knows what happened to the author, T.C. Elimane, who was accused of plagiarism, his reputation destroyed by the critics.

Blessings by Chukwuebuka Ibeh

When Obiefuna’s father witnesses an intimate moment between his teenage son and the family’s apprentice, newly arrived from the nearby village, he banishes Obiefuna to a Christian boarding school marked by strict hierarchy and routine, devastating violence.

A Thousand Threads by Neneh Cherry

A deeply personal and powerful memoir from beloved music icon Neneh Cherry.

For more information, visit Canary Wharf’s website here.