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British Black History Blog

Learn all about British Black history in our blog posts. We shine a light on historical and current events to educate and inspire.

The Black History Walks team is a collective of professionals from a range of backgrounds and sectors. We are teachers, IT professionals, artists, authors, athletes and film-makers. Our regular blogs cover diverse topics relevant to Black history, with a specific focus on London.

The BHW team is dedicated to uncovering the 3,500 years of Black history in London. Our blogs are designed to educate, inspire and spark debate. We also discuss upcoming Black History Walks events, from film screenings and Q&As to talks by leading academics and experts

Topics covered include Black film, current politics and society, upcoming cultural events and talks, and British Black history and music.

For our unique and pioneering GCSE exam text book for schools produced in collaboration with Pearson Edexcel click HERE. The book features Black British Civil Rights activism in Notting Hill and is based on our walk in that area.

And while you’re here, why not take a look around the rest of the site? We offer some of the best walking tours in London, along with an extensive programme of bus tours, river cruises, film exhibitions and educational talks.

Join our email list to receive updates when new content is added.

Blog Posts

Bicentennial celebration of Haiti's Independence
Black History Blog

Why is Haiti so Poor?

Why is Haiti so poor ? Pt1 of 2  The  notion taught in European institutions is that benevolent white men abolished slavery becasue it was a scar on their conscience. The…
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Reviews of Black History Walks & Tours

I cannot recommend BHW highly enough for a school visit

We are studying Migrants in Britain with Edexcel, and to participate in a workshop/talk from one of the authors of the Pearson textbook was a fantastic learning opportunity for our students. His insight and in-depth knowledge of Notting Hill combined with his well-pitched and flexible delivery meant our students were fully engaged for three full hours, which is some feat! They loved the many jokes and links to their own music tastes, and I am confident that they will retain more knowledge for the final exam thanks to his input. I have rebooked for next year.

Penny Tosney, Head of History - Sheringham High School, Norfolk

Black History Walks
5
2023-07-28T23:23:42+01:00

Penny Tosney, Head of History - Sheringham High School, Norfolk

We are studying Migrants in Britain with Edexcel, and to participate in a workshop/talk from one of the authors of the Pearson textbook was a fantastic learning opportunity for our students. His insight and in-depth knowledge of Notting Hill combined with his well-pitched and flexible delivery meant our students were fully engaged for three full hours, which is some feat! They loved the many jokes and links to their own music tastes, and I am confident that they will retain more knowledge for the final exam thanks to his input. I have rebooked for next year.

That was a tour of a lifetime and most enlightening.

Thank you very much for the grand tour of the oldest part of London. That was a tour of a lifetime and most enlightening. Yes, I realise more than ever before how our ancestors and countries contributed to the wealth, growth and grandeur of the British Empire

Professor Norman Maphosa, Vice Chancellor, Solosi University, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

Black History Walks
5
2020-07-15T13:35:25+01:00

Professor Norman Maphosa, Vice Chancellor, Solosi University, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

Thank you very much for the grand tour of the oldest part of London. That was a tour of a lifetime and most enlightening. Yes, I realise more than ever before how our ancestors and countries contributed to the wealth, growth and grandeur of the British Empire

Deeply knowledgeable and with an activist edge

We enjoyed the walk, and I think it has very much enriched our study of the 18th-century novel and colonialism. I especially appreciated the way in which you used different locations in the City to bring out the connections (unexpected to students) between London wealth, imperial capitalism, and colonial exploitation of Africa and Africans during the era of colonization and slavery. Your presentation was lively and approachable, humorous at times, but deeply knowledgeable and with an activist edge. I’m sure this Black History Walk will be a memorable part of my students’ experience of studying abroad in London.

Elizabth A Bohls, Associate Professor, English Department, University of Oregon

Black History Walks
5
2020-07-15T13:38:10+01:00

Elizabth A Bohls, Associate Professor, English Department, University of Oregon

We enjoyed the walk, and I think it has very much enriched our study of the 18th-century novel and colonialism. I especially appreciated the way in which you used different locations in the City to bring out the connections (unexpected to students) between London wealth, imperial capitalism, and colonial exploitation of Africa and Africans during the era of colonization and slavery. Your presentation was lively and approachable, humorous at times, but deeply knowledgeable and with an activist edge. I’m sure this Black History Walk will be a memorable part of my students’ experience of studying abroad in London.

Really inspiring

Many thanks for the really inspiring tour you gave us today. It was so well put together and the newspaper stories gave it an extra dimension. My companion also found the experience very enlightening. I thought it was a lovely group of people too.

Julie Bart

Black History Walks
5
2020-07-15T13:38:58+01:00

Julie Bart

Many thanks for the really inspiring tour you gave us today. It was so well put together and the newspaper stories gave it an extra dimension. My companion also found the experience very enlightening. I thought it was a lovely group of people too.

One of the most beautiful walks I have ever had

Just a few words from the Guild of Walkers, we enjoyed ourselves immensely. What a tour! Having worked in the city for thirty years, walking in and around, passing those landmarks, images, icons, churches, streets..this was one of the most beautiful walks I have ever had.

Glenda Trew, Guild of Walkers

Black History Walks
5
2020-07-15T13:39:48+01:00

Glenda Trew, Guild of Walkers

Just a few words from the Guild of Walkers, we enjoyed ourselves immensely. What a tour! Having worked in the city for thirty years, walking in and around, passing those landmarks, images, icons, churches, streets..this was one of the most beautiful walks I have ever had.

Our guide was phenomenal

I would like to say, first, that our guide was phenomenal today for our walking tour through Notting Hill. I really cannot thank him enough. He truly made the history and culture of Notting Hill come alive for my students, they said it was the best walking tour they had so far this term so thank you very much!

Omaar Hena, Associate Professor of English, Wake Forest University North Carolina

Black History Walks
5
2020-07-15T13:40:50+01:00

Omaar Hena, Associate Professor of English, Wake Forest University North Carolina

I would like to say, first, that our guide was phenomenal today for our walking tour through Notting Hill. I really cannot thank him enough. He truly made the history and culture of Notting Hill come alive for my students, they said it was the best walking tour they had so far this term so thank you very much!

A true eye opener

I attended the walk today with my family, and I must say it was brilliant, it was a true eye opener for me and my kids. I have been working in the construction industry for over 20 years and today was the first time I felt inspired and not alone. It was a true honour to hear how far our history went back in time and I was so glad my kids were part of that experience. Your guide made my kids feel involved which in turn captured their interest. My kids and I continued talking well after the walk was finished and well into the evening, so again thank you and I can't wait to attend one of the talks!

Denise Smith, Electrical Engineer

Black History Walks
5
2020-07-15T13:42:23+01:00

Denise Smith, Electrical Engineer

I attended the walk today with my family, and I must say it was brilliant, it was a true eye opener for me and my kids. I have been working in the construction industry for over 20 years and today was the first time I felt inspired and not alone. It was a true honour to hear how far our history went back in time and I was so glad my kids were part of that experience. Your guide made my kids feel involved which in turn captured their interest. My kids and I continued talking well after the walk was finished and well into the evening, so again thank you and I can't wait to attend one of the talks!
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Black History Walks

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