THE AFRICAN JOURNEY TO BRITAIN
Dear Reader, I am really excited about this booklet which promotes my heritage as a British born Ghanaian as well as celebrating the legacy and achievements of diverse African communities in the UK and the rich diversity of the African continent. I have created it with the help of Fixers – the campaign that gives young people a voice – to help enrich understanding about British African history and the African continent. Put simply, there’s more to Black British history than the slave trade and Africa should be identified with so much more than poverty. In the words of the Nigerian novelist Chimanda Adichie: “We have been told a single story” 1 and while the slave trade still has devastating effects to this day, I think exploration of other key stories is well overdue. Thanks to social media, a new generation of Africans across the globe are opening our eyes with online campaigns such as the #TheAfricaTheMediaNeverShowYou hashtag which has been used over 54,000 times. Another successful photo campaign is ‘The Real Africa: Fight the Stereotype’ led by African students based in New York. 2 Ghanaian-British Afro-beats artist Fuse ODG has also been instrumental in redefining British African culture through his music and promoting positive images of Africa. He was particularly vocal on his reasons for declining to take part in the Band Aid campaign.3 In the fashion industry, recycled African prints have been used by award winning designer Vivienne Westwood and sold via the mainstream fashion outlet Asos.4 I’ve been on a journey to research British African history and this booklet sets out some of what I’ve found. Please follow me on my mission to explore interesting stories of the legacy of the African community in the UK.
Linda Gyamfi
Contents 01
INTRODUCTION
04
EARLY MIGRATION OF AFRICANS TO BRITAIN
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AFRICANS IN THE WORLD WARS
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AFRICAN ASSOCIATION NETWORKS IN LONDON
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NOTABLE AFRICANS FROM PAST TO PRESENT
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BLACK HISTORY STATUES AND SCULPTURES IN LONDON
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DIRECTORIES AND FURTHER READINGS
We have been told a single story Nigerian novelist Chimanda Adichie
Introduction The desire to explore the history of the British African experience is not a recent phenomenon. The efforts of community activists, historians, members of Council bodies such as the London Strategic Policy Unit and the Greater London Council Unit all have tirelessly campaigned to ensure the legacy was recognised as a mainstream celebration and incorporated into the school history curriculum. 1987 was a landmark year. Racial tensions and a feeling of being marginalised between the police and the black and ethnic communities had culminated in riots across London and other parts of the UK. The same year marked the centenary of Jamaican political leader Marcus Garvey and activities by London Unite Against Racism, a nationwide campaign against South African Information in this chapter came from the following sources: Reference - 1, 2
apartheid. It was also when the African Jubilee Year Declaration was launched which called on local and national government to recognise the contributions of Africans to the cultural, economic and political life of London and the UK. All of these events led to the establishment of Black History month in 1987. It is important to recognise that the term ‘black’ was used as a political term not just for the black community but for ethnic communities collectively to describe the similarities and obstacles they faced in Britain such as lack of access to housing, jobs and racial and social discrimination. This booklet serves as a guide to inspire further research.
(See page 27)
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Early migration of AfriCans to Britain Do you think that mass migration was a fairly recent phenomenon? I’ve discovered African communities in Britain can be traced as far back as Roman times and there is evidence of African presence during Tudor times.
African communities were concentrated in London, Liverpool, and Bristol in the late 16th Century, mostly having arrived under forced migration and employed generally as manual labourers and seamen. Employment of Africans in Britain as entertainers, musicians and household servants also became the norm. Through research and interviews with inspirational figures of older generations, I’ve learnt that one of the main motivations to migrate came from a desire for a university education from the early 1900s to the 60s. There was a lack of universities in West and Eastern parts of Africa and students most often took up courses in the UK in law and medicine. According to the historian David
Information in this chapter came from the following sources:
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Reference - 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
(See page 27)
Killingray, in the early 1950s it was estimated that over 2,000 students in Britain came from African communities. Read my interview with Mr KB Asante to gain further insight into student migration. The post war years also gave African troops an opportunity to interact with other nations, particularly American and British troops, and there was an influx of African migrants pursuing professional interests. After the end of the colonial rule in 1960, immigration laws began to gradually restrict African migration. From the late 60s till the 90s some came to Britain to avoid political turmoil and military reign with the hope of returning to their motherland but ended up staying for a lifetime.
1 5. facts about Africa and Britain's reLATIONSHIP you may not have knowN. King Henry VIII hired a black musician to help celebrate the birth of his and Catherine of Aragon’s son. There is a striking picture of the black trumpeter on a grey horse on the painted roll of the Westminster Tournament in 1511. The first group of Africans to visit London before the slave trade were 5 Ghanaians in 1555. Towards the end of the 16th Century, Africans were employed as musicians and as entertainers at Colonial exhibitions in London. Queen Victoria adopted the West African Princess Sarah Forbes Bonetta as her God Daughter. In the 1840s there was a Somali population in the Bute Town of Cardiff and in the South Shields area. They were employed as seamen and served under the Royal Navy. Emperor Septimus an African Roman Emperor ruled in Britain from 193 AD to 211 AD. He was cremated in York 211 AD. Remains of an African Queen known as the ‘Ivory Bangle Lady’ were found in 1901 at Sycamore Terrace, York. In 1801 a society for the education of Africans was set up in Clapham, South West London. The young Africans who attended were from the Royal family. This was set up by the Clapham Sect. The naming of black statues and monuments was part of the legacy of the African Jubilee Year Declaration in 1987. There are nine roads, three houses and two statues in London named after the late South African President Nelson Mandela. Ashanti Mews in Hackney East London is a tribute to a large ethnic group of Ghana. CLR James Library in Dalston, Hackney was named after Cyril Lionel Robert James, an African-Caribbean historian and journalist. (1901-1989) The existence of African student body associations in Britain and Ireland can be traced back to the early 1900s. The First World War began in west Africa. Children of African Royal families were sent to England to study as early as the 18th Century.
Information in this chapter came from the following sources: Reference - 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 18
(See page 27)
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When I think about the Second World War the first images that come to mind are a red poppy, Hitler and the TV comedy Dad’s Army. It was only two or three years ago that I discovered that Commonwealth troops fought in the war and there was huge diversity in the British services. Even before World War One, 2,500 colonial troops came to London for the coronation of King Edward VII in 1902 at Alexandra Palace which happens to be just a bus ride away from where I live. The area was covered with tents to house the troops and food was provided from the palace kitchens.
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images sourced - Bruce Castle Museum (Haringey Culture, Libraries & Learning)
I believe it’s important to recognise the colonial troops in the narrative of the World Wars so that we can recognise and value their contribution. Celebrating the diverse history of Great Britain is really important in helping us to value multicultural presence in today’s society.
Timeline OF Africa and Britain’s relationship
1884
The Berlin Conference. Initiated by Bismarck to establish international guidelines for the acquisition of African territory, The Berlin Conference formalised the ‘Scramble for Africa’ – the invasion, occupation, colonization and annexation of African territory by European powers during the period of ‘New Imperialism’. Britain’s main interest was the Ashanti Region and Accra in Ghana, Freetown in Sierra Leone, and other coastal areas. There was a growing interest amongst Europeans in the rubber and palm-oil industry in the Niger River while Britain focussed on ivory and gold.
1890 1900
Britain formed a regiment in Sierra Leone called the West African Regiment to protect the Royal Navy base in Freetown. It was at this time Britain first encountered the Ashanti Empire. The British saw the Ashanti Empire as a threat, so they ended up going into a series of wars. Britain defeated the Ashanti in the 5th Ashanti war. The Ashanti Kingdom was under British colonial rule and the native warriors were recruited to fight for the British. The British Army was run by the War Office, now called the Ministry of Defence. The Colonial Office, now called the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, oversaw the colonies. The West African Regiment was a Colonial Office regiment, not part of the British Army. As Britain became the colonial governors of a country, they also became the main source of employment for the locals because the wages were higher than those paid by local business. The main opportunities available to natives - other than joining the army - were either to work in a cocoa plantation, palm oil or in gold and ivory mining.
World War One
1914-1918 4th August
1914
During World War One, Germany competed with the British and other enemies to gain colonial powers in Africa. Germany’s colonial empire was officially confiscated with the Treaty of Versailles after defeat in the war.
The First World War was declared by the British on 4th August 1914. The first soldier to fire a shot for the British Army was a Ghanaian (Hausa Descent) of the Gold Coast Regiment called Sergeant Alhaji Grunshi who formed part of an invasion into Germany’s colony of Togoland which was strategically vital to the defence of their empire. The very first soldier to be killed for the British was a Ghanaian. Ghanaians gave Britain its first victory by defeating Togoland.
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The number of West African troops who fought was estimated to be 35,000 and 25,000 in East Africa. In 1922 it was estimated that up to 1 million African troops had fought in the World War.
1922
At the end of the First World War, the West African soldiers received a grant for participating in the First World War. In recognition of their amazing work they were also given the title of Royal Prefects and as the ‘Royal West African Frontier’ between the years of 1926-28. Between the Franco-Prussian War (1870) and the First World War (19141918), Europe added almost 9 million square miles (23,000,000 km²)—onefifth of the land area of the globe—to its overseas colonial possessions. In the Second World War, the West African Frontier was sent to Burma to fight in horrendous conditions for the last part of the war. They were promoted to NCO (non-commissioned officer); however British troops were paid more than their colonial counterparts.
World War two
1939-1945
There was an assumption that colonial troops were not treated equally when it came to pensions. However professional and part-time war time soldiers in West Africa and Britain were treated the same way. Positive repercussions after the Second World War included investment in infrastructure and education for the former British colonies. The troops all received the same memorial badges and medals. Every soldier who died was given a memorial grave and money was invested to preserve it. Although the British won their fight with Burma in the Second World War, the soldiers of the Gold Coast Regiment returned home to find promises of pensions and employment were not forthcoming due to Britain’s bankruptcy. This was a very important year in Ghanaian history. European imports were boycotted, and on the 28th February there was a peaceful protest to petition the British Governor by unarmed ex-serviceman who were lacking the promised jobs and other compensations. The British head of police fired shots on the demonstrators killing three ex-servicemen. This led to resentment and anger which was followed by five days of rioting and looting. This chain of events led to the need for self-governance which eventually led to Ghana becoming one of the first African countries to become independent in 1957.
1948
December 24, 1951 Libya was the first country to gain independence following WW2.
1951 -1980
April 18, 1980 Zimbabwe was the final country to get independence.
Information in this chapter came from the following sources: Reference - 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27
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(See page 27)
DECOLONISATION OF AFRICA
African association networks in Britain have existed since the early 1900s. The associations are usually formed on common interests based on: VILLAGE/TOWN ASSOCIATIONS ETHNIC/CLAN ASSOCIATIONS ALUMNI SECONDARY SCHOOL ASSOCIATIONS AND RELIGIOUS BASED ASSOCIATIONS I’ve been fortunate to be affiliated with the Haringey Ghanaian Association which has been established for over 20 years. My parents have been members for a very long time and my Dad is a Vice-Chairman. This is just one of many associations across the UK which aim to look after the social and welfare needs of their members, promote unity through arranging social events and support members during community functions ranging from birthdays, christenings, weddings and funerals. Some support their members to invest in development projects in Africa. One of the most prominent associations was the influential West Africa Student Union in the 1900s which was made up of students from various West African countries studying in the UK. Its key objectives included promoting self-reliance and unity, changing misconceptions and campaigning for better welfare of all African students in London. They successfully founded hostels for students across London but their influence and activities extended to the USA, Caribbean, South Africa, Belgian Congo and Brazil. This helped to foster an African pride and raise the spirit of Pan-Africanism. Information in this chapter came from the following sources:
(See page 27)
Reference - 33
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Notable Africans from Past to Present Let me introduce you to some amazing role models whose achievements deserve to be recognised.
James Barnor Award winning photographer
Celebrated photographer James Barnor has dedicated 60 years of his life to capturing moments with prominent figures including Dr Kwame Nkrumah (first Ghanaian President of Ghana), former US president Richard Nixon, Muhammed Ali, Sir Stanley Matthews CBE and many more. He often describes himself as ‘Lucky Jim’.
“Civilisation flourishes when men plant trees under which they never sit.”
Achievement Award by G.U.B.A. (Ghana UK Based Achievement Awards). His first journey to the UK in 1959 took 12 days by ship. I had the pleasure of meeting him at the launch of his monograph - a detailed written study of a single specialised subject. Despite his lifetime of achievements, he explained in our interview that he still has a number of goals he would like to achieve including writing an autobiography. His warm personality and smile is very infectious.
(James Barnor’s favourite quote)
He also introduced the first colour processing laboratory in Ghana, the country of his birth, in 1969 after learning his skills at Medway College in Kent. Mr Barnor returned to England in 1994 where he remains to this day. Over the last decade, his outstanding work has been showcased around the UK, in Amsterdam, in the USA, South Africa, and most recently in Paris. He has been credited with the bridging of continents through his work. In 2011 he was awarded the Lifetime
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James Barnor in front of his work. Unknown photographer
Interview Questions 1948 was an important historical event in the Ghanaian history when a peaceful demonstration by unarmed servicemen calling for promises of jobs and pensions for their service in the war led to the British head of police firing shots which killed three ex-servicemen. Where were you when the disturbances happened and what impact did it have on Ghanaians? That time I was serving as an apprentice. I remember the looting even though I did not take part actively, I had a quick look outside and my manager told me to stay in. I was very young at the time so I wasn’t aware of exactly what it was about. My upbringing too did not allow me to participate due to the consequences attached. The manager who I was working for was strict so there were no opportunities to get involved. It’s been a long time since this event took place. I finished my apprenticeship in 1949 then established my own studio.
How hard was it being a black photographer in the UK, especially one that was not born in the UK? Did that motivate you to be better at what you did? It wasn’t common to see black photographers. They had limited opportunities at the time. Even before I left Ghana, I was prepared to go over and above to get what I wanted. I had established my photography business in 1949 so I already had the experience of working independently and the confidence to continue pursuing my career. How did you get the opportunity to take pictures of highly prominent people such as Muhammed Ali?
I remember because of the rioting the Colonial masters brought other commonwealth troops to maintain order. These were Nigerians and they paraded the streets of Accra and maintained order. American soldiers had a base in Accra and they mingled with the local Ghanaians. This gave the locals an insight into the outside and the Western world, inspiring the troops to travel. With Ghana gaining independence, and London becoming more multicultural, how did it feel to witness times of great change in both countries? It’s fantastic that your pictures represent these changes. What did it feel like, to be part of and capture what is now history?
Muhammed Ali photographed by James Barnor
My association with Drum magazine in Ghana as a freelance photographer gave me the opportunity to work with prominent figures. This opened all kinds of doors for me.
It holds significance narrating the story of our culture and history. It’s given me the opportunity to reflect and think about how important pictures are in capturing iconic moments.
How did this experience help you to move forward?
When you first arrived in the UK who did you stay with?
What advice would you give to aspiring photographers who want to document history?
A Jamaican friend kindly offered me a place to stay in Peckham. I didn’t experience that much racial discrimination when I came.
My only advice is for everyone to learn more by doing lots of reading and writing about history; make that part of our being, and everything else will fall in place. If it’s taking pictures for newspapers, there’s always room for a photojournalist, creating stories out of pictures and history.
I went to school to study colour printing/processing at Medway College which helped me to move forward.
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Margaret OBE Busby Writer, editor and the co-founder of Allison and Busby publishers. Margaret Busby was born in Ghana, and spent most of her early teenage life studying in Britain. After graduating from university in the early 1960s she co-founded a publishing house along with her colleague and friend Clive Allison in 1967. She has published a number of books showcasing the talented work of black writers across the globe including CLR James, Sam Greenlee, Buchi Emecheta to name a few. She has written for a number of publications including The Guardian, The Independent, The Sunday Times, New Statesman, and was the UK’s youngest and first black woman publisher.
Interview Questions What made you go into the publishing industry?
How did you overcome these difficulties?
It was the last term of my university degree, I was at a friend’s party who was about to publish her book. I met my co-founder Clive Allison and we decided to start a publishing company ourselves. We just did it without any background knowledge and little experience.
I did what I could, there is no simple answer. You have to find a way to work through the problems. Any young aspiring publishers need to understand why they are pursuing this particular career, you have to develop good relationships with writers. There are rewards and there are pitfalls.
Was publishing something that you always wanted to pursue?
What have been the highlights of your publishing career?
I was young at the time so I wasn’t exactly sure; however my family had a history of practising medicine.
There have been lots of highlights; lots of people’s work wouldn’t have been published without us.
What was the first book that you published? The first book was a novel which was published in 1969. We had no experience of publishing so we used to knock on people’s doors. I was also doing three jobs at once, one of which was as a broadcaster for BBC African Service radio. What were the difficulties you found in starting a publishing company that were unique for its time?
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I was the first black woman to establish a publishing company. You do it because you believe in what you’re doing, not because of the money. At times it was sheer blood, sweat and tears.
What writers inspire you? There are too many to mention; Nobel Prize laureate Tony Morrison, Bibi Bakara-Yusuf… What advice would you give a young person who wants to get into the publishing industry? Learn from people that have been there before you, whether it’s business publishing or art/craft publishing. If you have a passion or a vocation for something you just have to do it. If we don’t do it, then who will? That’s the attitude that the future generation need. Be confident that you will make it and what you are doing is valuable to the wider community.
Kwaku Baprui Asante Retired diplomat, writer and statesman.
Flickr © Caleb Kimbrough
Kwaku Baprui Asante has had a distinguished career as a diplomat, statesman, writer, mathematician, scholar and lecturer. He studied at Achimota College in Ghana before travelling to England and winning a scholarship to study maths at Durham. Student politics led to him becoming President of the Gold Coast Student Union, instrumental in the independence movement and envoy to the first President of Ghana. He later became consul for the British High Commission and assisted in the formation of the Ghana High Commission. He also established an embassy in Israel and banking agencies in Ghana. He was later appointed as Ghana’s Ambassador to Switzerland, Belgium, Luxembourg, UN office and the European Economic Community. Currently he writes a weekly column for the Daily Graphic newspaper in Ghana.
Interview Questions What year did you first travel to the UK and what inspired you to do so?
When was the Gold Coast Student Union (GCSU) set up and what was its aim?
July 1948. In those times you could only travel by sea from Takoradi to Liverpool. The main objective was to complete my education in England as those days, there were no universities in the African countries so most of the people in my generation travelled. The students were financed by the Gold Coast taxes.
It was set up to promote unity and interest of the Ghanaian students in the UK as well as projecting a positive image of the Gold Coast. The average age of members was 25 and older. The members were working in engineering and civil service. We also supported students to find lodgings as accommodation was a problem at the time.
What was your perception of the UK before you travelled?
What have been the achievements of the GCSU?
A place where universities and social services were of a high standard, a welldeveloped country.
It has helped uplift the image of Ghana and allowed students to get accommodation. Now young people should know they can achieve whatever they want to achieve. The future lies in their hands and there are so many role models that they can aspire to.
How were you received by British citizens in those times? Some of the British were curious to find out about our cultures, some weren’t and some asked silly questions and asked whether we lived in trees.
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Kenny Imafidon Campaigner
Success is not about an individual achieving but sending the elevator back down to the grassroots and opening the door for the rest of the community to be successful too. Kenny Imafidon Kenny Imafidon, 22, is a young man of many talents. He’s an award winning author, social entrepreneur, political commentator and campaigner on socio-economics affecting young people in the UK. Not only does he advocate for young people in the UK, but also across Europe. Kenny is currently a trustee of the British Youth Council, an ambassador for ‘Bite the Ballot’ and was recognised through the Rising Star Awards as one of the most outstanding black students in the UK. He grew up in Peckham to Nigerian parents and studied philosophy, politics, economics and history. He was charged with murder in his final year of college and subsequently acquitted. In the midst of the adversity, Kenny became determined to turn his life around. He is the author of the Kenny Reports in which he expresses the voices of young people. In 2012 Kenny was awarded a three year Amos Bursary scholarship to study a LLB Law degree at BPP University College.
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Interview Questions Politics isn't always the first thing on the mind of your average 16 year old. What was it at that young age that made you take an interest in politics? Frustration with the things that were happening in society, observing my current surroundings in my community, poverty, homelessness and even my own family. I felt that the community had no power in the decision making process. No matter how old you are - whether you’re 15, 20 or older - your lives will still be affected by policies. I therefore wanted to channel this frustration into something positive. Can you explain how being charged and acquitted changed the course of your life? Appreciating the smallest things that can be taken for granted, such as my family. This experience has given me more conviction to succeed because time is the most important commodity. You seem to have been on a mission to encourage young people to be more active in politics, to develop a voice and use that voice to make a change for causes important to them. What would you say is a good starting point for someone to begin making a change in their community? There are so many approaches to take. For me, I think you need to surround yourself or look for people that are also passionate about your cause with a similar mind-set as you. Then collectively work and develop a solution. The most important thing is to be solution focused, don’t just mobilise people to just complain about the issue. Even if you’re just raising awareness that’s an impact because
you’re challenging and influencing attitudes. My personal aim through the Kenny Reports was to raise awareness of the issues affecting marginalised communities and inspire change through various channels. What have been your highlights so far? I have enjoyed collaborating with other authors in producing research for the Kenny Reports. Seeing how proud my family are, and my loved ones doing really well for themselves. My highlights are very personal and are family and community orientated. What are the issues facing young black men today? Institutional racism from the housing sector, mental health and the criminal justice system. There is a lack of black teachers. In the midst of all these barriers how do you maintain an optimistic attitude? Also those that are successful should send the elevator back to the grassroots. A lot of people have invested in me - friends, family, mentors and so many other people from all walks of life. Without their investment I wouldn’t be here. What is the legacy you want to leave behind for the next generation of young people? I would like to be remembered as an icon of hope who challenged people not to make excuses about their situation and make their dreams happen. Success is not about an individual achieving but opening the door for the rest of the community to be successful too. I think this is key.
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MORE Notable Africans Past to Present Arthur Wharton: 1865 - 1930
Born in Jamestown, Ghana, into a royal Fante household on his maternal side and to a Grenadian father, Arthur Wharton travelled to England in 1882 as a teenager to train as a missionary. He then decided to train as a footballer. He is widely considered to be the first black professional association football player in the world. He was an all-round sportsman and in 1886 equalled the amateur world record of 10 seconds for the 100 yard sprint at the AAA championships at Stamford Bridge, London, running in pig skin shoes on a shingle track. He excelled at everything he tried including cricket, playing for local teams in Yorkshire and Lancashire. Arthur was also a keen cyclist, setting a record time for cycling between Preston and Blackburn in 1887, and enjoyed rugby. To mark his legacy in 2007 a charity was set up in his name and in October 2014 a 16ft statue was unveiled at the FA’s national football centre at St. George’s Park. Arthur Wharton is deemed one of the most iconic figures that ‘embraces cultural diversity and equality for all.’ 37/38
Ottobah Cugoano: (1757-1791)
Ottobah Cugoano, also known as John Stuart, was an African abolitionist, calling for the end of slavery. He was born in the village that today is Ajumako, Ghana. At the age of about 13, he was kidnapped and sold into slavery to the West
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Indies. After several years of enslavement there, his master brought him to England and he was freed in 1772. He later became baptized in 1773 as ‘John Stuart’ at St James Church, Piccadilly. Cugoano is recognised as one of the leaders of London’s Black community, through his role in campaigning against slavery by publishing accounts with his friend Olaudah Equiano of his experience and others’ which were sent to Members of Parliament, and by writing public letters to newspapers. He was the first African to openly demand the total abolition of the slave trade, freeing all slaves. 39
Olaudah Equiano (1745-1797)
Olaudah Equiano was a Nigerian writer and abolitionist who was well renowned for his autobiography published in 1789, ‘The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano’, attracting wide attention. He supported the British movement in campaigning to end slavery and was considered highly instrumental in gaining passage of the Slave Trade Act 1807. 40
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (1875-1912) Named after the poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor was born in Holborn in 1875 to a white English mother and SierraLeonean father and raised in Croydon. One of the early songs that he composed gained popularity
overnight at the Royal College of Music where he was schooled and he went on to become considered as one of the first major classical composers of African heritage. Although hailed a cultural hero in London and by African Americans, he experienced financial difficulties and died of pneumonia aged 37. Coleridge-Taylor's compositions and recordings of his work can still be found through the Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Foundation and the Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Network. There are two blue plaques in his memory, one in Dagnall Park, South Norwood, and the other in St Leonards Road, Croydon, at the house where he died. A metal figure in the likeness of ColeridgeTaylor has been installed in Charles Street, Croydon. 41
Joseph Emidy (1775-1835)
Described as ‘Britain’s first composer of the African diaspora’, Joseph Emidy was a Guinea-born musician who was enslaved in early life, before becoming a notable and celebrated violinist and composer in Cornwall. He was taken as a slave to Brazil and subsequently became one of the leading violinists at the Lisbon Opera House but his freedom was short lived. British Admiral Sir Edward Pellew heard Emidy perform and was so impressed he had him kidnapped to play aboard his ship and kept him in slavery for seven years before dumping him in Falmouth where he became liberated in 1799. He became a pioneer of Cornwall’s orchestral societies, organising concerts and training music students. He married local woman Jane Hutchins and was buried at Kenwyn Church. In 2005 a plaque was unveiled in Falmouth in recognition of his achievements.42
Akyaaba Addai Sebo
The pioneer of Black History Month UK, Akyaaba Addai Sebo is a Ghanaian former civil servant who worked as a Special Projects Coordinator for the Greater London Council. ‘African History Month’ which was the original celebration in London, was borne out a number of issues; the lack of self-esteem experienced by young black people, to mark the celebration of the end of slavery and improve to racial harmony. Due to the success of the series events, the first black history month event, led by Addai Sebo, was declared an official UK annual celebration in 1987. 43
David Adjaye OBE The awarding-winning British-Ghanaian architect David Adjaye was raised between three continents. David grew up in Tanzania and Saudi Arabia before he moved to Britain at an early age. His design work draws upon inspiration from contemporary and African art. He attended the Royal College of Art where he graduated with an MA. He rose to stardom in the 1990s for designing homes for celebrities such as Ewan McGregor and Alexander McQueen. Some of his architectural designs include The Whitechapel Idea store in East London, Rivington Place, Shoreditch, and the Nobel Peace Prize Centre in Norway. In 2007 he was awarded an OBE for his architectural services to Britain. He has recently been commissioned to design the US presidential library for Barack Obama. 44/45
Kenneth Olisa OBE
Recognised as one of ‘the most influential Black Britons’, Kenneth Olisa is the first black LordLieutenant of Greater London. He was born in Nottingham to a Nigerian father and English mother and went on to become an award-winning entrepreneur who founded two technology merchant banks and he was the first Black British man to serve on the Board of a FTSE 100 company (Reuters). He is also an advocate for social inclusion for disadvantaged communities and chairman for a number of charitable organisations which support service users who are homeless or disabled, as well as supporting future leaders from BAME backgrounds. He is chairman of Thames Reach Shaw Trust and the Powerlist Foundation. 46/47
Samantha Asumadu
Samantha Asumadu is a British journalist, filmmaker and campaigner for women’s rights, race equality and representation in the media. In 2013, Samantha launched Media Diversified - a non-profit organisation which is a platform for talented writers from diverse backgrounds to write about a range of issues, ensuring these issues are published and brought to the attention of the UK mainstream media. 48
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Sam Gyimah MP
Sam Gyimah is the Childcare and Education Minister and an MP for East Surrey constituency. Prior to his current position he was Parliamentary private secretary to Prime Minister David Cameron. Sam was born in Beaconsfield to Ghanaian parents and spent most of his childhood in Ghana. He returned to the UK to complete his studies and at Oxford was elected President of the Oxford Union. After graduating he pursued his career in the banking sector and embarked on entrepreneurial ventures in training, recruitment and the internet sectors. His success was marked by the ‘CBI Entrepreneur of the Future’ award in 2005. 49/50
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Winner of multiple awards and accolades for her works, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a Nigerian born author of high acclaim. Purple Hibiscus (2003) won the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize and Hurston/Wright Legacy Award; Half of a Yellow Sun (2006) won the Orange Broadband Prize for Fiction amongst many other awards, and Americanah (2013) won the National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction, and was named one of The New York Times Ten Best Books of the Year. She is an author and writer in every sense of the words. Her wide array of works also include a play, poetry, journals and anthologies, short stories, and several essays published in newspapers, magazines and journals in Nigeria, USA, UK, and around the world. Chimamanda has also received the MacArthur Foundation Fellowship, a five year grant for the exceptionally creative works of individuals. Being featured on many a show such as the popular Bookclub on the Richard and Judy show on Channel 4, Chimamanda has brought quality African literature to the mainstream spotlight. 51
Anne Marie Imafidon
Anne Marie Imafidon is an award-winning social entrepreneur who co-founded Stemettes which aims to inspire and support young women to pursue a career in science, technology, engineering and the mathematic fields. She has risen to prominence since the age of 11 when she became
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the youngest girl to pass A-level computing. She attended Oxford University and achieved a Masters degree in mathematics and computer science at the age of 20. She has been recognised with a series of awards including The Evening Standard's 2013 1000 Powerlist. 52
David Oyewelo OBE
Nigerian-British actor, writer, and director David Oyewelo studied at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. David rose to stardom in 2013-12 when he was nominated as ‘Best Supporting Actor’ by the independent Spirit Awards. He has acted in a number of films including The Butler and Planet of the Apes, however he is best known for his lead role as Martin Luther-King in the film Selma. He has recently been named as the voice of James Bond in an audiobook and has been honoured with an OBE for services to drama. 53
Idris Elba OBE
Actor Idris Elba was born and raised in Hackney, London, and is of Ghanaian and Sierra Leonean heritage. He has become well known known for playing a detective in the BBC One drama series Luther, and portrayed Nelson Mandela in ‘Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom’. Besides his acting career, he also has been appointed as Anti-Crime Ambassador for the Prince’s Trust. 54/55
Mo Farah CBE
Mo Farah CBE is a double Olympic, European Athletics and World champion. Originally of Somalian heritage, Farah grew up in West London where his athletic abilities were first noticed by his school PE teacher. He achieved two gold medals in the 5,000m and 10,000m race at London 2012 Olympics; this victory was repeated for the 2013 (Moscow) and 2015 (Beijing) World Championships making him the world's first man to achieve a 'triple-double'. Mo, along with his wife Tania, are founders of the Mo Farah Foundation, a charity dedicated to providing life-saving provision of food, water and medical care to impoverished communities in Africa and around the world. 56
Flickr © Paul Miller
Black History
Statues and Sculptures in London I have discovered that black history lives all around us in London in the form of statues and sculptures. Here are some I’ve found out about. I hope you will discover them too! 3. WALTER TULL60/61 (1888 - 1918)
Haringey 1. OLIVER TAMBO58 (1917 - 1993) Oliver Tambo was a South African Anti-Apartheid politician and the President of the African National Congress which he co-founded with Nelson Mandela. He spent more than 30 years in exile with his children and his wife who was an NHS nurse. In October 2007, a memorial site including a blue plaque (on the corner of Windermere Road) and a bust were unveiled at his former home at Albert Road recreation ground, Muswell Hill. 2. BERNIE GRANT (1944- 2000) 59
Bernie Grant was one of Britain’s first black MPs. A bust commemorating the late Labour politician is housed on the ground floor at the Bernie Grant Arts Centre on Town Hall Approach Road, Tottenham.
A metal sculpture of the British Army’s first black officer and Tottenham’s first black football player is situated at the entrance to Downhills Park in Tottenham, near West Green Road. 4. NICOLA ADAMS 62 The Olympic gold medallist is also honoured with a metal sculpture at the entrance to Downhills Park.
City of London 5. GILT OF CAIN
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A powerful sculpture which commemorates the abolition of the slave trade at Fen Court off Fenchurch Street. It was unveiled by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and extracts of a poem by Lemn Sissay are engraved on the granite sculpture.
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Westminster 6. THE MODERN MARTYRS
Trafalgar Square 66
11. NELSON’S COLUMN
At Westminster Abbey there are a number of statues outside which commemorate ‘The Modern Martyrs’ who fought against religious persecution. They are housed in niches above the west gate which had been empty since the Middle Ages. The 10 20th Century martyrs include Manche Masemola, an Anglican catechumen from South Africa who was killed in 1928 by her parents at the age of 16. Also represented is Martin Luther King, one of the world’s most famous civil rights activists, who was assassinated in 1969, Lucian Tapiede, an Anglican from Papua New Guinea, killed during the Japanese invasion, and Janani Luwum, a Ugandan Archbishop murdered in Kampala under the rule of Idi Amin’s regime. 7. BUXTON MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN
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Situated in Victoria Tower Gardens, Millbank, the Buxton Memorial Fountain is a memorial and drinking fountain which commemorates the emancipation of slaves in the British Empire.
Green Park 8. THE COMMONWEALTH MEMORIAL GATES 68 The Commonwealth Memorial Gates at Hyde Park Corner honour the armed forces from the British Empire who served in both the First and Second World Wars.
Waterloo 9. NELSON MANDELA 59/70 (1918 -2013) Nelson Mandela’s statue is at the Southbank Centre. Another statue of the late former president of South Africa is at Parliament Square.
Stockwell 10. THE BRONZE WOMAN 71 The Bronze woman is a 10ft high memorial to the women of the Caribbean community in Stockwell Memorial Gardens, South London. The figure was based on the poem of Guyanese poet Cecile Nobrega.
Wimbledon 15. Haile Selassie 76/77 (1892 - 1975) In 1936, exiled Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia (1892-1975) and his family took refuge in Wimbledon with a sympathetic family at Lincoln House opposite Wimbledon Common and his stay is marked by a statue in Cannizaro Park.
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This monument was installed to celebrate the victory of the battle of Trafalgar in 1805 and a tribute to Vice Admiral Nelson. On the left of the sculpture there is a depiction of an African sailor who also fought in the battle of Trafalgar. He is named as ‘George Ryan’.
The Embankment 12. CLEOPATRA’S NEEDLE 74 Cleopatra’s Needle, located on Thames Embankment close to Embankment tube station, was made in Egypt for Egyptian Pharoah Thotmes III in 1460 BC. It was brought to London from Alexandra, which was the Royal City of Cleopatra, and arrived by sea in 1878. The statue was to celebrate the victory of Napoleon in the Battle of the Nile.
Paddington 13. MARY SEACOLE (1805 - 1881) Jamaican born Mary Seacole, a nurse of Scottish and Creole descent, worked behind the lines during the Crimean War to care for sick and convalescent British officers. In 2004 she was voted the greatest black Briton. She is honoured in a steel sculpture near St Mary’s Hospital.
Kensington 14. The Albert Memorial Also known as the ‘The Prince Consort National Memorial’, this memorial is in Kensington Gardens, opposite the Royal Albert Hall. It was commissioned by Queen Victoria as a tribute to her husband Prince Albert and unveiled in 1872. Marble figures represent Europe, Africa, Asia and America at each corner of the memorial. 15. The Memorial for the Exhibition of 1851 This memorial, located opposite the south entrance of the Royal Albert Hall, on Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Steps, commemorates Prince Albert and the Exhibition of All Nations. Bronze figures represent Africa, Asia, Europe and America.
If you’re willing to look, there is a wealth of information out there regarding the contribution of the African community to British history. But I’ve had to dig. As well as online research, I’ve visited archives, contacted academics, attended workshops and networked through contacts to gather this information. In light of this, I’d like to see a central repository where information can be housed. While there have been efforts to recognize the value made by contemporary and past heroes, through public monuments and war graves, further independent research is still vital to build up a full picture so we can fully recognize the depth of our history in order to make a better future in Britain. Also, it is important that these stories are not only restricted to archives and academia. They need to be shared through every level of society right down to a grassroots level. To achieve this, I believe they should be cemented into gallery exhibitions, community libraries and brought into mainstream education through the citizenship and history curriculum as part of our national story. We need to be active in researching own our histories and proactively preserve our life stories which will be the history for future generations.
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Black History
Statues and Sculptures in London Why not enjoy a walk and discover some of the fantastic Black History Statues and Sculptures in London
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Top #Twitterstorians Flickr © Steve Slater
Miranda Kaufmann
Miranda Kaufmann is a historian and senior research fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies. She’s completed her doctoral thesis of Africans in Britain 1500-1640s. She runs an annual conference, ‘What’s Happening in Black British History’ with her colleague Michael Ohajuru. For further information on research into Africans in Tudor Britain and her upcoming talks visit her website www. mirandakaufmann.com or tweet her @MirandaKaufmann
Michael Ohajuru
Michael Ohajuru is an independent historian who specialises in the African presence in Renaissance Europe centred on the ‘Black Magus’ in Adoration images from the period. He regularly delivers talks at various heritage institutions including Tate Modern, V&A and the British Library. Follow him on twitter @MichaelOhajuru or check out his blog www. blackmagusblog.com
David Olusoga
David Olusoga is a British-Nigerian historian and broadcaster who specialises in exploring colonialism and the impact of the slave trade in Britain. His documentary ‘Britain’s Forgotten Slave Owners’ highlights the extensive profits made and the extreme conditions of the plantations in the Caribbean. His twitter handle is @DavidOlusoga
Prof. Hakim Adi
Professor Hakim Adi has expert knowledge of the history of Africa and the African Diaspora. He is the Author of West African Students in Britain (1900-1960): Nationalism, PanAfricanism and Communism. He is the founding member and the current Chair of the Black and Asian Studies Association. Find him @hakimadi1
@MirandaKaufmann
@MichaelOhajuru
@DavidOlusoga
@hakimadi1
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to follow on twitter
Directories and Further Reading LINKS TO FURTHER INFORMATION INCLUDING MUSEUMS, HISTORIANS AND ARCHIVES
ONLINE RESOURCES
Black History Walks Black History walks runs a series of guided tours around London, lectures and film screenings from an African and Caribbean perspective. For more information on their upcoming events visit them online: www.blackhistorywalks.co.uk www.twitter.com/blackhistwalker www.facebook.com/blackhistorywalks www.youtube.com/user/blackhistorywalks
Trip Down memory Lane If you’re looking for a wealth of information on West African history, particularly the history of Ghana, look no further. Academic and Journalist Kweku Darko Ankrah is one of the leading experts in West African history exploring the ancient empires, highlighting the important role of women and traditional matriarchal roles in the Akan culture. You will find fascinating blog posts sharing in-depth information which draw upon the historical links between ethnic clans not just within Africa but in the diaspora, names and languages, unsung heroes of the past to present as well as Ghanaian traditional music (hiplife). He’s regarded as the ‘Encyclopaedia of West Africa’ by many. For more information, visit: kwekudee-tripdownmemorylane.blogspot.co.uk www.facebook.com/TripDownMemoryLane
Jeffrey Green The Jeffrey Green website provides a very useful resource if you're searching for historical documents, images, and published articles relating to black Britain between 1830 and 1940. For more information, visit: www.jeffreygreen.co.uk. 25
Equiano Centre Based in University College London’s department of Geography, the Equiano Centre is an academic setting for scholars and research students of all backgrounds to discuss or research topics, ideas and theories such as racism in the UK, Black British history, Black Londoners between 1800 - 1900 and more. www.ucl.ac.uk/equianocentre
ARCHIVES
Black Cultural Archives Based in the heart of Brixton, and securing support from top organisations in partnership with Lambeth Council, the Black Cultural Archives is the official home to the preservation of Black heritage in Britain. Here you will find research facilities, exhibitions, historical audio items, and publications, and even a cafe and spaces for community use. For more information, visit: http://bcaheritage.org.uk
SOAS Archives Packed with information and useful resources, services and systems, the SOAS Archives is home to comprehensive records relating British interaction with Africa, Asia, the Middle East and beyond. The collections include an extensive range of manuscripts, photographs, maps, rare books and audio. The SOAS Archive Catalogue is also available online where you will find over 30,000 catalogued records. For more information, visit www.soas.ac.uk/library/archives and digital.info.soas.ac.uk
Acknowledgements This project has come a very long way but it would not have been possible without the support of so many people. A special thanks to: Clare Stephens and the Bruce Castle team, Anne Stoltenberg, Daniel Migrant, Michelle Johansen, James Barnor, Auntie Awula Serwah, Robert Fleming, Eden Fessahaye, Temitope Ogunyemi, Alex Enahoro, Tholani Migreat, William Boampong, Rebecca Gyasi, Franklin Acquah, Kweku Darko Ankrah, my Gyamfi Family and all those who have contributed to the content.
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references 1 Patrick Veron, The Origins of Black History Month in Britain, The Voice Online http:// www.voice-online.co.uk/article/origins-black-history-month-britain
42 Miles Munroe, Joseph Emidy: From Slave Fiddler to Classical Violinist, BBC News Online, 21 June 2015, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-33211440
2 See Race Equality Toolkit, Learning and Teaching http://www.universities-scotland. ac.uk/raceequalitytoolkit/terminology.htm
43 Patrick Vernon, Origins of Black History Month, The Voice 10 Oct 2013 http://www. voice-online.co.uk/article/origins-black-history-month-britain
3 Fryer, P Staying Power : The history of Black People in Britain, Introduction by Paul Gilroy 1984
44 Adjaye Associates –About us section http://www.adjaye.com/about/team/david-adjaye/
4 A History of the Black Presence in London, Greater London Authority (1986) 5 David Killingray, Africans in the United Kingdom an Introduction, in Africans in Britain (Cass & Co. Ltd 1994) 6 Interview with Mr Peter Enahoro 7 Interview with Mr James Barnor 8 Black People in Tudor London, in a History of the Black Presence in London, Greater London Council, 1986 9 Ellis Wasson, A History of Modern Day Britain 1714-present, (Wiley Blackwell 2010) 10 David Killingray, Africans in Britain, (Cass &Co Ltd 1994) 11 Roman Emperor Governed From York, A history of York http://www.historyofyork.org.uk/themes/roman-empire-governed-from-york 12 Revealed: The African Queen who called York Home in the 4th Century http://www. dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1254187/Revealed-The-African-queen-called-York-home4th-century.html 13 Brian Stanley and Judith Becker, Godly Examples and Chistian Agents in Europe as the Other: External Perspectives on European Christianity, Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht 2013 14 See Imperial War Museum, Lives of the First World War; Company Seargent Major Alhaji Grunshi https://livesofthefirstworldwar.org/lifestory/1492566 15 Jenn Selby, Elizabeth Murdoch and Matthew Freud reportedly set to end 13 year marriage with £250m divorce, The Independent, 06 Oct 2014 16 See Harrow Black History Month position paper http://harrowbhm.co.uk/resources/ 17 The Mandela of London, ITV News http://www.itv.com/news/london/2013-12-06/themandela-map-of-london/ 18 Jasper Copping, England’s changing street names: goodbye Acacia Avenue, welcome to Yoga Way, The Telegraph, 28 Mar 2010 19 Mike Watson, The local importance of the CLR James and Dalston Library, 25 Jul 2014 https://lrgr14.wordpress.com/2014/07/25/the-local-importance-of-c-l-r-james-anddalston-library/#_ftn1 20 See Hakim Adi essay in West Africans Students in Britain, in David Killingray Africans in Britain 21 Information was gathered from an interview with Robert Fleming who, Commonwealth Curator, Project Outreach Officer at the National Army Museum 22 Sylvia Collicott, Colonial Troops Chap 68 in Haringey Local National connection world links (Haringey 1986) p. 109 23 Received from the images of Archives in Bruce Castle Museum, Haringey 24 Wendell, P Holbrook, British Propoganda and the Mobilization of the War Effort, (19391945) in the Journal of African History, Vol 26, No 4 World War II in Africa (1985) 347-361 : Cambridge University Press) 25 Six unexpected WW1 battlegrounds, BBC Magazine, 26 Nov 2014 http://www.bbc. co.uk/news/magazine-30098000 26 Rhys Jones, Burma, My Father and the Forgotten Army, BBC TWO, http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b036x83s 27 Amma Fosuah Poku, This Day in History: 28th February 1948, Modern Ghana, 28 Feb 2012 https://www.modernghana.com/news/380675/1/this-day-in-history-28thfebruary-1948.html 28 Received this information from my Dad and members from the Haringey Ghanaian association
45 Raf Sanchez, Meet the British Architect tipped to design Barack Obama’s presidential library, The Telegraph, 1 May 2015 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/ northamerica/usa/11577382/Meet-the-British-architect-tipped-to-design-Barack-Obamaspresidential-library.html 46 Elaine Dunkley, Ken Olisa named ‘most influential Black Briton’ BBC News 23 Nov 2015 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34904377 47 Sarah Ann Harris, Ken Olisa Chosen As Most Influential Black Briton, Topping Powerlist 2016, Huffington Post UK, 23 Nov 2015 http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/11/23/kenolisa-most-influential-black-briton-powerlist-2016_n_8622068.html 48 Good News, Journalist Samantha Asumadu Talks to TBBL About her Commitment to Diversity in UK Press, black British List http://www.thebritishblacklist.com/goodnewsjournalist-samantha-asumadu-talks-tbbl-commitment-diversity-uk-press/ 49 Sarah Cassidy, Sam Gyimah interview: Life-changing events often occur in early days of learning, The Independent, 08 Sept 2014 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/ people/sam-gyimah-interview-life-changing-events-often-occur-in-early-days-oflearning-9719518.html 50 Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Childcare and Education, Gov.uk https:// www.gov.uk/government/people/sam-gyimah 51 See ‘About Chidinma’s page Chimanda.com http://chimamanda.com/aboutchimamanda/ 52 see A-Marie Imafidon’s page http://aimafidon.com/ 53 Dalya Alberge, David Oyelowo to play James Bond ... after landing audiobook role, The Guardian, 13 August 2015 http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/aug/13/david-oyelowofirst-black-actor-james-bond-trigger-mortis-audiobook 54 Idris Elba, Idris Elba’s inspiring story: I came from nothing... The Prince’s Trust made me the man I am today, The Mirror, 13 Aug 2013 http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/idriselba-came-nothing-princes-2159012 55 Emily Sheridan, ‘I nearly died’: Idris Elba admits he was moments from falling to his death as he filmed Beasts Of No Nation in Ghana, The Daily Mail Online, 27 Nov 2015 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3335780/Idris-Elba-admits-moments-fallingdeath-filmed-Beasts-No-Nation-Ghana.html 56 See Mo farah’s website http://www.mofarahfoundation.org.uk/ 57 A Brief Background to Black History, Birmingham City Council 58 AndyMc Smith, Oliver Tambo: The exile, The Independent, 15 Oct 2007 http://www. independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/oliver-tambo-the-exile-394806.html 59 Ian Thomas, Bernie Grant: One of Britain’s first black MP’s, Black History Month 365, 19 Aug 2015 http://www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk/article/section/history-of-politics/berniegrant-one-of-britains-first-black-mps/ 60 Dennis Ellam, Footy Soldier: Campaign to honour black football star Walter Tull who died in World War One, The Mirror, 9 Mar 2013 http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/ campaign-honour-black-tottenham-hotspur-1753039 61 Celebrations for new West Green walking and cycling space, Wed 22nd May 2013, Haringey London http://www.haringey.gov.uk/news/celebrations-new-west-green-walkingand-cycling-space 62 Nicola Adams receives her MBE from the Queen 01 March 2013, GB Boxing http://www. gbboxing.org.uk/news/nicola-adams-receives-her-mbe-from-the-queen-488.php 62 J Mohamed, First black Tottenham Hotspur player Walter D. Tull one of three commemorated on bench in West Green, Tottenham Independent Sat 25 May 2013, http://www.thetottenhamindependent.co.uk/news/10440871.display/ 64 Monument Gilt of Cain-Slave Trade, London Remembers 4 Sept 2008 http://www. londonremembers.com/memorials/gilt-of-cain-slave-trade
29 Adu Boahen, Introduction in The Role of the African Student Movements in the Political and Social evolution of Africa from 1900-1975, (UNESCO publishing 1994)
65 Fencourt, Things to do, green spaces, city-gardens, visitors information, 2nd April 2014, City of London https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/green-spaces/city-gardens/ visitor-information/Pages/Fenn-Court.aspx
30 Adu Boahen, Chap 2, The History of WASU, in The Role of the African Student Movements in the Political and Social evolution of Africa from 1900-1975, (UNESCO publishing 1994) p35
66 Michael Streeter, Heritage: Westminster Abbey prepares modern martyrs’ corner, The Independent Sat Oct 1997, http://www.independent.co.uk/news/heritage-westminsterabbey-prepares-modern-martyrs-corner-1236492.html
31 Hakim Adi, West Africa Students in Britain, 1900-60: The Politics of Exile in David Killingray (ed) Africans in Britain (Frank Cass and Co.Ltd 1994)
67 Buxton Memorial Fountain, Victoria Tower Gardens, Westminster, Historic England
32 Adu Boahen, Chap 2, The History of WASU, in The Role of the African Student Movements in the Political and Social evolution of Africa from 1900-1975, (UNESCO publishing 1994) p36 33 Adu Boahen, WASU from it’s creation in 1925 to the eve of the 2nd World War: The History of WASU in The role of the African student movement in the political and social evolution of African from 1900-1975 (UNESCO 1994) 34 Adu Boahen, WASU from it’s creation in 1925 to the eve of the 2nd World War: The History of WASU in The role of the African student movement in the political and social evolution of African from 1900-1975 (UNESCO 1994) 35 See WASU from it’s creation in 1925 to the eve of the 2nd World War, p39-40 36 See Key Figures – Ladipo Solanke, WASU project http://wasuproject.org.uk/2012/01/29/ key-figures-ladipo-solanke/ 37 The Arthur Wharton Foundation http://www.arthurwharton.com/ 38 Jamie Reid, Pioneer Arthur Wharton honoured at St. George’s Park, The FA, 16 Oct 2014 http://www.thefa.com/news/2014/oct/arthur-wharton-statue-unveiled-at-st-georgespark 39 Ian Thomas, Ottobah Cugoano, First African to demand total abolition, Black History 18 May 2015, http://www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk/article/section/bhm-firsts/ottobahcugoano/ 40 Olaudah Equiano, BBC History http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/ equiano_olaudah.shtml 41 See Samuel Coleridge Taylor in 100 Great Black Britons http:// www.100greatblackbritons.com/bios/samuel_coleridge-taylor.html
68 See Memorial Gates website http://www.memorial-gates-london.org.uk/ 69 Nelson Mandela Bust South Bank London-Ian Walters Bronze, Photo guide to London Statues and Monuments, London Photos Tours http://www.londonphototours.com/nelsonmandella-statues.html 70 The Mandela Map of London, 6 Dec 2013, ITV News London http://www.itv.com/news/ london/2013-12-06/the-mandela-map-of-london/ 71 Caribbean woman statue unveiled, Wed 8 Oct 2013, BBC News website http://news. bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7658991.stm 72 The Albert Memorial, Kensington Gardens a Royal Park, Royal Parks https://www. royalparks.org.uk/parks/kensington-gardens/things-to-see-and-do/memorials,-fountainsand-statues/the-albert-memorial 73 Memorial for the Exhibition of 1851 commemorating both the Great Exhibition and Prince Albert, Royal Albert Hall http://www.royalalberthall.com/about-the-hall/our-history/ explore-our-history/building/memorial/ 74 Ellen Castlelow,Cleopatra’s Needle, Historic UK, -The history and accomodation guide http://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofBritain/Cleopatras-Needle/ 75 Nelson’s column in a Virtual Tour of the Black and Asian Presence 1500-1850, National Archives http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/pathways/blackhistory/journeys/virtual_tour_ html/london/westminster.htm 76 Proffessor Ellis Cashmore, Haile Selassie: Who was the Rastafarian Messiah, BBC iWonder http://www.bbc.co.uk/guides/zqqx6sg 77 Wimbledon Society, Heritage: The African Emperor who found refuge in Wimbledon, Wimbledon Guardian, Fri 29 July 2012 http://www.wimbledonguardian.co.uk/heritage/ news/9784805.The_African_Emperor_who_found_refuge_in_Wimbledon/
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2016 Fixers is a campaign that helps young people ‘use their past to fix the future’ and is part-funded by the National Lottery through the Big Lottery Fund.