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Talks

Attend our monthly public lectures or
choose from over 40 interactive multimedia presentations and book a bespoke talk for your group. Black History Talks are a fantastic learning experience for universities, schools, community or staff groups. BHW was Activist in Residence at UCL Sarah Parker Remond Centre in 2021

Black History Walks have an extensive programme of online and in-person talks on a variety of topics related to Black History – click here to see what’s happening this month. We organise Black history and cultural events in London for individuals and groups. We have delivered our talks in museums, schools, universities, colleges, community settings and government organisations.

We are continually developing our community network of speakers and adding new events and talks, in addition to our walking tours of London. We’re proud to be a collective of academics and professionals. Our talks are delivered by athletes, teachers, artists, film-makers and other professionals.

For our unique and pioneering GCSE exam text book for schools produced in collaboration with Pearson Edexcel and used by 10,000 pupils in 140 schools click HERE. The book features Black British Civil Rights activism in Notting Hill and is based on our walk in that area.

Join our free mailing list to hear about upcoming talks and Black History events in London.Order our book Black History Walks in London Volume 1 here

black history talks
Women resistance leaders

Our Black history talks and presentations are suitable for a wide range of audiences. Many talks cover National Curriculum topics such as World War I and II, Black British Civil Rights, and Science and Invention, making them ideal for teachers seeking to inspire and educate their students about Black History.

Our series of adult education talks include topics such as Fibroids, Black Women Leaders and The Black Image. We also offer a large selection of popular culture presentations, including The Black History of Comedy, How Jamaicans Ended Slavery and African Superheroes Day.

There are over 40 interactive, short to long, multimedia presentations in our back catalogue, or please get in touch to discuss bespoke history talks.

In addition to our presentations and talks, we host the monthly Queen Nzingha lectures. These lectures are presented by African Caribbean female academics and experts in their field. Previous topics include, “The Impact of Hip Hop on White Masculinities”, “White Saviours” and “Black Help(less)”. Periodically we also run 6 and 12 week courses on James Baldwin, Toni Morrison, Andrea Levy, Black Film history and African Women Resistance Leaders.

Bespoke Black History Talks

We are always delighted to hear from groups who have a specific brief and would like to request a bespoke talk tailored to the unique needs of their intended audience. Please get in touch to discuss your needs.

Previous audiences include primary and secondary schools, the Houses of Parliament, the Department of Education and Skills, the Red Cross and many prestigious companies – PricewaterhouseCoopers, Cisco Systems, Hewlett Packard, Citigroup, Morgan Stanley and UBS, to name a few.

Request A Bespoke Talk
  • Over 40 multimedia presentations to choose from
  • National Curriculum topics available for schools
  • Choose from a diverse series of adult education or popular culture topics
  • Come along to our monthly Queen Nzingha lectures, hosted by African Caribbean female experts
  • Topics include: World War 1 and 2, African Superheroes, Black British Civil Rights, Medical Apartheid, Black Cowboys and Cowgirls, Women Resistance Leaders, Black Panther’s real African history and the books to prove it, movie breakdowns and more

See below for full details of upcoming and past talks. Do you have a particular topic in mind? Contact us to request a bespoke talk.

Black History Walks in London Volume 1 is available from Jacaranda Books

Upcoming & Past Talks

How to teach GCSE Black History

Saturday 2nd March 10am
Presentation/discussion by two of the authors of the Pearson GCSE History book now used in schools which features Black British Civil Rights Black authors of school text books are very…
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How Black People Won World War Two (Part 2/2)

Saturday March 16th 1pm
A detailed, extensive look at the African/Caribbean war effort with interviews of veterans, rare videos, first hand testimony, documentation A detailed and extensive look at the African/Caribbean war effort with…
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How Black People Won World War Two (Part 1/2)

Saturday March 9th 1pm
A detailed, extensive look at the African/Caribbean war effort with interviews of veterans, rare videos, first hand testimony, documentation A detailed and extensive look at the African/Caribbean war effort with…
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How to Teach GCSE Black History

Saturday 12 August 10am
Black authors of school text books are very rare. At this half day seminar, two of them will present on, and have conversations about ,the recent GCSE History text book…
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Salute to Sybil Phoenix

Sunday 25th June 2.30pm
Online tribute to the outstanding legacy of Sybil Phoenix MBE founder of the Moonshot Youth Club. This session will hear from some of the many people she helped and worked…
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Join our free mailing list to stay up to date with black cultural events in London or request a bespoke talk for your group.

Reviews of Black History Walks, Tours & Talks

It was a wonderful experience and I would recommend it for all

A brisk, informative stroll through the heart of the British Empire. Our cheerful and intellectually generous tour guide, led us through narrow alleyways and past Roman ruins, within halls constructed by powerful guilds; in the process, he revealed to us both the many layers of British history and the often unacknowledged cultural multiplicity at its core. The tour was exciting, informative and allowed everyone across age, interest, and temperament to participate and learn. It was a wonderful experience and I would recommend it for all.

Professor Caroline Brown, University of Montreal, Canada

Black History Walks
5
2020-07-15T11:38:44+01:00

Professor Caroline Brown, University of Montreal, Canada

A brisk, informative stroll through the heart of the British Empire. Our cheerful and intellectually generous tour guide, led us through narrow alleyways and past Roman ruins, within halls constructed by powerful guilds; in the process, he revealed to us both the many layers of British history and the often unacknowledged cultural multiplicity at its core. The tour was exciting, informative and allowed everyone across age, interest, and temperament to participate and learn. It was a wonderful experience and I would recommend it for all.

A truly inspiring day

A truly inspiring day, filled with information I may have NEVER been aware of, if it was not for attending this walk. The friendly intellectually amazing tour guide relayed facts that I would have had to research for months to be aware of. I would URGE any and everyone, of all ages to attend - a great, fun, educational day out.

Isschara Maxine, London

Black History Walks
5
2020-07-15T11:44:18+01:00

Isschara Maxine, London

A truly inspiring day, filled with information I may have NEVER been aware of, if it was not for attending this walk. The friendly intellectually amazing tour guide relayed facts that I would have had to research for months to be aware of. I would URGE any and everyone, of all ages to attend - a great, fun, educational day out.

Extremely informative and made it seem all really relevant

I just wanted to let you know that the students REALLY enjoyed the tour yesterday. I polled them in class and everyone overwhelmingly had positive things to say. They particularly enjoyed how you incorporated modern day information into the tour. They said it was extremely informative and made it seem all really relevant. And today it was great listening to them as they walked around central London, noticing some of the things you'd pointed out. So, your work was very well received. Well done and thank you!

Lori Tharps, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Journalism, Temple University, USA

Black History Walks
5
2020-07-15T12:12:20+01:00

Lori Tharps, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Journalism, Temple University, USA

I just wanted to let you know that the students REALLY enjoyed the tour yesterday. I polled them in class and everyone overwhelmingly had positive things to say. They particularly enjoyed how you incorporated modern day information into the tour. They said it was extremely informative and made it seem all really relevant. And today it was great listening to them as they walked around central London, noticing some of the things you'd pointed out. So, your work was very well received. Well done and thank you!

Best element of the trip

You may hear this often, but many of my students named your tour as the best element of the trip last time.

Nancy Comerau, Assistant Professor of English, Ohio Wesleyan University, USA

Black History Walks
5
2020-07-15T12:28:53+01:00

Nancy Comerau, Assistant Professor of English, Ohio Wesleyan University, USA

You may hear this often, but many of my students named your tour as the best element of the trip last time.

Absolutely brilliant lecture and walk yesterday

Absolutely brilliant lecture and walk yesterday. Students were really energized. Thanks so much.

Bill Mullen, Professor of English and American Studies, Purdue University, USA

Black History Walks
5
2020-07-15T13:27:53+01:00

Bill Mullen, Professor of English and American Studies, Purdue University, USA

Absolutely brilliant lecture and walk yesterday. Students were really energized. Thanks so much.

A rich and detailed learning experience

Our guide's encyclopedic knowledge of the area, and his passion for black history, made for a rich and detailed learning experience. He was friendly and engaging, frequently involving the students in dialogue and relating his points to places and subjects that are familiar to them. The students were fascinated throughout and learned a great deal. We recommend this tour most highly!

Rebecca Whisnant, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Director of Women's and Gender Studies, University of Dayton, USA

Black History Walks
5
2020-07-15T13:28:21+01:00

Rebecca Whisnant, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Director of Women's and Gender Studies, University of Dayton, USA

Our guide's encyclopedic knowledge of the area, and his passion for black history, made for a rich and detailed learning experience. He was friendly and engaging, frequently involving the students in dialogue and relating his points to places and subjects that are familiar to them. The students were fascinated throughout and learned a great deal. We recommend this tour most highly!

The children talk about it for a long time afterwards

I would really like to book two black history walk dates around St Pauls and the Barbican for our two year 6 classes. We have done them for the last two years and the children always learn such a lot and talk about it for a long time afterwards.

Helen Davies, Head of Year 6, John Scurr School, Tower Hamlets

Black History Walks
5
2020-07-15T13:29:08+01:00

Helen Davies, Head of Year 6, John Scurr School, Tower Hamlets

I would really like to book two black history walk dates around St Pauls and the Barbican for our two year 6 classes. We have done them for the last two years and the children always learn such a lot and talk about it for a long time afterwards.

I could not have asked for a better supplement to my Sociology course on race, identity, and culture

Thank you for organizing a wonderful walking tour for my students. You are incredibly knowledgeable, and it was such a joy to hear your take on things. The students loved this field trip. You did an excellent job relating the history, culture, and social contributions of Black and Afro-Caribbean people in a fun and lively way while still emphasizing the seriousness and importance of this often overlooked aspect of British life. I could not have asked for a better supplement to my Sociology course on race, identity, and culture. I really appreciate you helping make the class so special and look forward to arranging another.

William Force, Assistant Professor of Sociology, Western New England University

Black History Walks
5
2020-07-15T13:31:05+01:00

William Force, Assistant Professor of Sociology, Western New England University

Thank you for organizing a wonderful walking tour for my students. You are incredibly knowledgeable, and it was such a joy to hear your take on things. The students loved this field trip. You did an excellent job relating the history, culture, and social contributions of Black and Afro-Caribbean people in a fun and lively way while still emphasizing the seriousness and importance of this often overlooked aspect of British life. I could not have asked for a better supplement to my Sociology course on race, identity, and culture. I really appreciate you helping make the class so special and look forward to arranging another.

Engaging, moving, will keep you asking more questions.

What an amazing tour! It completely moved me to rethink the intricate web of social, economic and political relations that characterize British imperial rule and racial politics. Engaging, moving, will keep you asking more questions. The best way to get to know London.

Alai Reyes-Santos, Professor of Ethnic Studies, University of Oregon

Black History Walks
5
2020-07-15T13:32:29+01:00

Alai Reyes-Santos, Professor of Ethnic Studies, University of Oregon

What an amazing tour! It completely moved me to rethink the intricate web of social, economic and political relations that characterize British imperial rule and racial politics. Engaging, moving, will keep you asking more questions. The best way to get to know London.

Nothing but positive feedback

The audience and the panellists had some incredibly positive feedback about your presentation. It went down so well and was a brilliant combination of information, revelation and humour. There were also a number of attendees whose firms or companies had organised a Black History Walk with yourself and also had nothing but positive feedback

Sharon Takhar, Origin Network, Norton Rose Fulbright LLP

Black History Walks
5
2020-08-19T16:34:16+01:00

Sharon Takhar, Origin Network, Norton Rose Fulbright LLP

The audience and the panellists had some incredibly positive feedback about your presentation. It went down so well and was a brilliant combination of information, revelation and humour. There were also a number of attendees whose firms or companies had organised a Black History Walk with yourself and also had nothing but positive feedback

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.
5
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Black History Walks

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