Black in Europe

The 1778 Knight v Wedderburn case: A landmark decision in the fight against slavery in Scotland

The 1778 case of Knight v Wedderburn is a significant turning point in the history of slavery and the fight for freedom in Scotland. Joseph Knight, an enslaved man from Guinea, challenged his master, …

The British monarchy’s connections to the slave trade

‍‍Slavery has been a dark stain on human history, and Britain played a significant role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, the involvement of the British monarchy in the slave trade is not as …

James Albert Ukawsaw Gronniosaw

Ukawsaw Gronniosaw, also known as James Albert, is said to be the first published black author in Britain. His autobiography, A Narrative of the Most Remarkable Particulars in the Life of James …

The 1963 Bristol Bus Boycott

The Bristol Bus Boycott is a landmark event in Black British history. It helped to raise awareness of racial discrimination in Britain and influenced the passing of the Race Relations Act 1965, which …

Roy Hackett: A life of activism from Jamaica to Bristol

Roy Hackett, a remarkable figure in the civil rights movement, not only left an indelible mark on the city of Bristol, but he also played a crucial role in shaping its history. Born in Jamaica and …

The Windrush passenger’s underground accommodations

When Caribbean migrants disembarked from the SS Empire Windrush on 22 June 1948, many of them had nowhere to live. Due to the shortage of housing in London following World War Two, temporary housing …

The Black Equity Organisation: A new civil rights group launches in the UK

An organisation dedicated to advancing justice and equity for Black people has been launched in the UK. Some of Britain’s most influential Black figures from business, law, the arts, and …

I Spy: The Josephine Baker Story

Actor Janelle Monaé (Hidden Figures) is set to star as the iconic entertainer Josephine Baker in a new TV series titled De La Resistance. So who was Josephine Baker? Exotic cabaret dancer, …

The Zong Massacre

In 1781 over 100 enslaved Africans were thrown overboard the Zong slave ship to allow the slave owners to collect insurance money on their human commodities. This is one of the most egregious acts of …

The Commonwealth Immigration Act 1962

On 1 July 1962, the Commonwealth Immigrants Act came into effect, ending the automatic right of people of the British Commonwealth and Colonies to settle in the United Kingdom. The Act applied …

The life of Dido Elizabeth Belle: A story of triumph and advocacy

Dido Elizabeth Belle was a unique figure in 18th-century England, a time entrenched in the transatlantic slave trade. Born in 1761 to an enslaved woman named Maria Belle and a British naval officer, …

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (1875-1912)

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor was a prominent British-Sierra Leonean composer and conductor born on 15 August 1875 and passed away on 1 September 1912. He is often remembered for his choral work …