Fashion footwear retailer schuh is marking Black History Month this October with a curated Community Window takeover on Manchester’s Market Street, created in collaboration with Butterfly Future and artist Obiaje Andrew Ejiga celebrating Black creativity, community and connection. Butterfly Future is a Manchester-based not-for-profit and social enterprise committed to breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for people and communities that are too often underserved through music, sports and the arts.
The latest edition of schuh’s Community Window which launched the beginning of October, spotlights Manchester-based visual artist Obiaje Andrew Ejiga, a Nigerian-born artist whose mixed-media practice combines oil painting and textiles to explore identity and culture through themes of double consciousness, assimilation and intersectionality.
Obiaje showcased his artwork as a live installation in the schuh Market Street window on Monday 5th October where customers were encouraged to watch the artist at work and experience the artwork taking shape in real time.
HEADS Creative, a Manchester-based brand and production company co-founded by Liam Heeley and Molly Ball, has produced more than 140 events and activations since launching in 2022, creating opportunities for creatives across the city and providing spaces for connection and collaboration. The October takeover marks HEADS Creative’s fourth Community Window with schuh.
More than a visual display, this month’s Community Window will create a space for connection, creativity, wellbeing and practical support. Throughout Black History Month, Butterfly Future founder Tabi Gazele and business partner Dre will host drop-in sessions in-store every Monday from 12:30pm, running for approximately 1.5–2 hours. Visitors will be able to meet Tabi and Dre, ask questions and access advice and support around navigating the creative industries, as well as discover upcoming Butterfly Future events and opportunities.
The space will also feature an interactive affirmation card colouring station, creating a relaxed environment for visitors to spend time, connect and get involved. Alongside the artwork and drop-in sessions, schuh will celebrate local voices through music, with an in-store playlist curated by Butterfly Future featuring a mix of independent artists and creatives from its community, including founder Tabi Gazele, alongside well-known Black artists and musicians. The playlist will play in-store throughout the month, bringing local voices and Black music into the wider Black History Month celebration.
Butterfly Future Founder, Tabi Gazele, said: “This is such a fantastic opportunity and we’re so happy that schuh is shining a light on the work Butterfly Future does in our local community and that we get to remind people during Black History Month that their wellbeing truly matters. Amazing!”
Obiaje Andrew Ejiga, Artist said: “Getting spotlighted by schuh means a lot to me. It’s a reminder to me that my work is good enough. At this stage in my career as an emerging artist, it’s really crucial for me to have my work shown in public settings. Being spotlighted as a young person gives me the necessary exposure I need at this point in my career.”
The initiative forms part of schuh’s ongoing commitment to transforming its stores into spaces of discovery, inspiration and belonging for its young customers and local communities. Following the launch of its Community Window scheme in March 2026, the platform has provided a revolving showcase for emerging creatives and offered a behind-the-scenes look at the people, practices and ideas shaping Manchester’s creative scene.
As schuh continues to invest in Manchester’s grassroots creative community, the October Community Window provides a platform not only to celebrate Black creativity and culture during Black History Month, but to create meaningful opportunities for people to connect, access support and discover what is available within Manchester’s creative community.
Visit schuh Manchester Market Street (31 Market St, Manchester M1 1WR) throughout October 2026 to visit the installation in person and drop in sessions with Tabi & Dre every Monday. Follow @schuh to discover more.
