UK Black History 365
Campaigns
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During Black History Month UK 2024, we celebrated the changemakers who transformed Black history in the UK. We revisited pivotal moments and honoured influential figures like Olaudah Equiano, a founding member of the abolitionist group The Sons of Africa, as well as the Black Civil Rights movements of the 1960s and 1970s.
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Our spotlight also highlighted trailblazers such as Diane Abbott, the UK’s first Black female MP; Pan-Africanist Henry Sylvester Williams; writers and civil rights activists Marion Patrick Jones and Obi Egbuna; and pioneering lawyer Stella Thomas. We recognised the lasting impact of these leaders and their crucial roles in building a more equitable society.​
Every year on June 22nd, the UK observes Windrush Day to honor the contributions of Caribbean people to the post-war economy. This year, we’re expanding the celebration to Windrush Month, dedicating time to explore the lives and lasting impact of the Windrush generation under the theme: "Celebrating the Caribbean Pioneers of 1940s and 1950s Britain."
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While the HMT Empire Windrush is widely known for bringing one of the first large groups of post-war West Indian immigrants to the UK, it wasn’t the only ship to make the journey. In fact, two other Caribbean ships arrived before the Empire Windrush docked in June 1948. Throughout this month, we’ll explore this history further, along with the lives of pioneering Caribbean figures from the 1940s and 1950s, such as the influential figures like Sam King and Althea McNish.
Features & Profiles
Why did Caribbeans come to the UK after the 2nd World War?
We explore the motivations driving Caribbean migration to post-war Britain and examine the government policies that shaped this movement. We’ll also celebrate the valuable contributions and cultural influences Caribbean communities have brought to the UK, enriching its social and cultural landscape.
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The Sons of Africa - the Black abolitionists story
While the abolitionist movement in Britain is often associated with white figures like William Wilberforce and Thomas Clarkson, Black abolitionists, many of whom were formerly enslaved, were crucial to its success. At the forefront of this movement was the Sons of Africa, who campaigned relentlessly to end the transatlantic slave trade and improve the lives of people of African descent.
