African Cultural Heritage Network (ACHN)
About ACHN
The African Cultural Heritage Network (ACHN) is a community-led platform launched by Diversity Rights to support individuals and African-led organisations across London in recognising, safeguarding, and promoting African cultural heritage—with a particular focus on intangible (living) heritage.
African living heritage encompasses oral histories, languages, food traditions, music, dance, rituals, festive events, craftsmanship, storytelling, and social practices that shape identity, belonging, and wellbeing. Whilst these traditions form the vibrant fabric of London’s African diaspora communities, many remain under-represented within mainstream UK heritage spaces.
ACHN brings together African community organisations, heritage practitioners, artists, educators, researchers, and grassroots leaders who are actively engaged in protecting and passing on cultural knowledge, skills, and practices. The Network provides a shared space for connection, learning, and collaboration, enabling communities to strengthen their heritage work, share practice, and engage more confidently with heritage institutions, local authorities, libraries, archives, and cultural organisations.
Drawing on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage framework whilst remaining firmly rooted in local community realities, ACHN supports African communities to document, value, and sustain their heritage—ensuring these vibrant cultural expressions continue to thrive and contribute to London’s evolving cultural identity.
Our Purpose and Approach
ACHN exists to:
- Support community-led African cultural heritage activity across London
- Improve visibility, recognition, and understanding of African living heritage
- Build capacity, confidence, and practical skills among individuals and grassroots organisations
- Encourage ethical, inclusive, and community-owned approaches to heritage safeguarding
- Support African-led initiatives to pass traditions across generations
- Create opportunities to showcase African living heritage and highlight its role in identity, health, and wellbeing
As a newly launched network, ACHN is focused on building relationships, piloting activity, and establishing a strong foundation for longer-term collaboration and advocacy.
What We Do
1. Community Empowerment and Visibility
ACHN amplifies the voices of African communities in relation to their living heritage by providing opportunities for members to:
- Share experiences, concerns, and priorities
- Connect with peers and learn from other African-led, community-based initiatives
- Engage in dialogue with heritage bodies, borough councils, libraries, museums, and cultural organisations
We support accessible cultural activity including:
- Community storytelling sessions and oral history sharing
- Local exhibitions, showcases, and heritage events
- Cultural exchange and learning activities within and across African communities
- Safe, inclusive discussion spaces that strengthen wellbeing, identity, and belonging
Where appropriate, ACHN advocates for more inclusive and culturally informed heritage practices, encouraging institutions to better reflect African heritage through interpretation, engagement, and collaboration.
2. Safeguarding and Documentation of Living Heritage
The Network supports community-led documentation and learning through:
- Oral history recording and memory-sharing projects
- Audio, visual, and written documentation of African traditions, crafts, and practices
- Intergenerational storytelling initiatives connecting elders and younger people
- Community-owned digital or physical archives, where appropriate
We encourage intergenerational transmission by supporting:
- Informal mentoring and learning between cultural practitioners and younger community members
- Workshops and demonstrations focused on traditional African crafts, music, dance, food, or storytelling
- Practical learning spaces that respect cultural ownership, consent, and community values
We provide guidance and signposting to help communities:
- Understand safeguarding principles and ethical practice
- Explore opportunities such as the UK Inventory of Living Heritage
- Protect cultural knowledge, intellectual property, and community interests
Looking Ahead
What ACHN Offers Members
By joining ACHN, members gain access to a supportive London-wide space designed to strengthen African community-led heritage work and encourage collaboration.
Members receive:
Connection
A London-wide peer network connecting individuals, African-led community groups, and organisations working on living heritage.
Learning and Skills
Practical sessions, talks, and shared learning on documenting and safeguarding heritage in ethical, community-owned ways.
Support and Resources
Advice, signposting, and resources to help members develop ideas, identify opportunities, and access relevant guidance, including routes to recognition where appropriate.
Celebration and Showcase
Opportunities to showcase and celebrate African heritage through community events, exhibitions, storytelling platforms, and collaborative activity.
Partnership Building
Collaboration opportunities with libraries, museums, borough services, cultural organisations, and research partners.
Safe Space
A respectful space to share experiences, challenges, and priorities, supporting confidence, wellbeing, and belonging.
Collective Voice
A platform for influence, contributing to conversations about inclusive heritage practice across London.
Co-design and Funding
Opportunities to co-design and collaborate on fundraising and the delivery of community-led African cultural heritage projects.