Rekindling Nello James

A special gathering celebrating the Rekindling Nello James project and the legacy of the Nello James Centre through film, exhibition and performance.

Over the past 12 months, the Rekindling Nello James project has been a journey through memory, culture and community.

The project explores the legacy of the Nello James Centre, a vital community hub established in Manchester in the 1970s and named after the influential Caribbean historian, writer and political thinker C.L.R. James.

The Centre brought people together to learn, organise and care for one another. It was a space for teaching and political thought, but also for rest, encouragement and empowerment, where African and Caribbean communities could gather, share knowledge, and imagine new possibilities for themselves and future generations.

This Final Gathering brings the community together one last time to reflect on what has been created as the project comes to an end.

Together we will share:
• Short films created through the project
• Exhibition pieces inspired by the Centre’s legacy
• Stories and reflections from those connected to the space
• Live performances and music
• A chance to connect with others who care about preserving this history

Much of the work you’ll see will soon become part of the first-ever Nello James Centre archive at Manchester Central Library, ensuring these stories are preserved for future generations.

Before it becomes a living history to be studied and researched, we invite you to experience it together.

In the spirit of the original Nello James Centre, we’ll also take time to break bread, talk, and celebrate community, keeping the spirit of CLR James and the Centre alive in the room and in our minds.