by Juliana da Penha/ Photos by Barbara Vilara
The Women Integration Network’s Black History Month event united communities across Glasgow in a day of culture, music and stories celebrating the resilience of women rebuilding their lives in Scotland.
Last Saturday, the spirit of Africa filled the heart of Glasgow. At the Women Integration Network’s (WIN) city-centre premises, laughter filled the air, joining African beats and the aroma of jollof rice and plantains.
Beyond marking Black History Month, the event united women who have crossed borders with Glasgow’s wider community to celebrate culture, shared stories and resilience. Under the theme “Power, Race, and Progress: Black Women Shaping Glasgow,” it showcased the strength of solidarity, the richness of African heritage and the determination of women shaping new lives in Scotland.
As the doors opened, the scent of traditional African dishes mixed with the vibrant colours and energy of the room. Tables laden with colourful fabrics and homemade delicacies invited visitors to share in a communal experience that transcended borders.
A Celebration Rooted in Belonging
The highlight of the afternoon was the fashion show, a vivid display of tradition, creativity and pride. The catwalk came alive with African elegance and confidence as WIN members showcased traditional dress from across the continent and beyond.
The show began with the senior citizens’ group, their steps steady and dignified, followed by mothers walking hand in hand with their children, then the women and finally the teenagers; their outfits shimmering with colour and movement.
It was a vibrant tribute to the power and beauty of African culture, represented by countries such as Nigeria, Namibia, Cameroon, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Malawi, Tanzania, The Gambia, India and the host nation, Scotland. Each outfit told a story of a homeland carried in the heart.
The joy of participants and the contagious beats spun by DJ Rolly Prinx filled the air. The flavours of home-cooked dishes reminded everyone that identity is experienced not only through stories, but also through taste, sound and tradition.
Saturday was a beautiful mosaic of our cultural heritage. It showed the uniqueness and strength of our Black African culture.
Jennifer Alma Mieze, WIN’s Vice Chairperson.
Each step told a story: of migration, memory and the unbroken thread connecting generations of women across continents. Cameras flashed as guests applauded, but beneath the applause was something deeper: belonging.
Remembering the Past, Building the Future
WIN Treasurer Mariama Sillah announced an upcoming project, a new initiative with the Home Office to document the legacy of the Windrush generation in Scotland. The project, she explained, will serve as a bridge between past and present, ensuring that the voices of those who paved the way are never forgotten. Reflecting on the day, she said:
The event was a great success. It echoed our rich and diverse history and culture. It’s important for us to showcase our unity, love and commitment, and to remind everyone that being Black is not just about colour, but about our rich heritage.
Mariama Sillah – WIN Treasurer
As the celebration continued, WIN’s Senior Citizens Coordinator, Margaret Ibrahim, took to the stage to read Alone by Maya Angelou, her voice resonating through the hall. She later described the event’s atmosphere as:
A strong current, invigorating and uplifting everyone it touched. It felt as if the room itself was breathing with a joyful spirit.
Margaret Ibrahim – WIN’s Senior Citizens Coordinator
“No Woman Should Face Her Journey Alone”
For Olivia Ndoti, WIN’s founder and CEO, the event was a powerful reminder of why the organisation exists. Standing before the audience, she spoke with conviction.
We gather not only to celebrate but to honour the immense contributions of the African diaspora to Scotland, the United Kingdom, and the world,” she said. “We honour the resilience, creativity, strength, and unwavering spirit of our ancestors who paved the way for us to stand here today.
Olivia Ndoti, WIN’s founder and CEO
She went on to explain that the Women’s Integration Network was born from a simple but powerful belief: no woman should face her journey alone.
“Together we are stronger,” she continued. “Our diversity is not a barrier, it is our greatest strength. We have created a space where asylum-seeking and refugee women don’t just survive, they thrive. Voices are not only heard but celebrated; isolation is replaced with community, fear with confidence, and uncertainty with hope.”
Living Black History
Black history, as Olivia and the WIN community remind us, is not confined to the past. It lives in the daily courage of women rebuilding their lives in a new country; in the mothers raising bicultural children who switch between languages with ease; in the friendships formed across continents and cuisines.
At its core, WIN’s Black History Month celebration was about connection; between generations, between cultures, between past and present. It reminded everyone that identity is not lost in migration; it evolves, strengthens, and continues to shape the cities and communities it touches.
It was a mirror reflecting the beauty of a multicultural Glasgow, a city enriched by the stories, struggles, and successes of Black women who continue to shape it every day.
Women Integration Network: www.womensintegrationnetwork.co.uk
Barbara Vilara Photography: www.barbaravilaraphotography.co.uk
