Everyone acknowledges the Windrush era as a time when black people came over here from the Caribbean to start a new life in England "The Mother Country" and I guess this was a time that England is happy to remember!

But Black Britions have been around since the 12th century but in much larger numbers during the British Empire in the 17-18th centuries so we are not new!

Black History Month is a time to celebrate the achievements of black people and African Americans do their ancestors proud by collecting and recalling stories of them but how many people know famous Black Britons?

I will mention a few on this page but I also want to focus on the future of Black Britons because its my belief that no matter what our past conditions were, no matter what present circumstances may be hindering us, our future is very much in our own hearts, minds and hands if we are willing to take responsibility for our life and go for it.

I remember a friend telling me that I really must read a book about the travels of Olaudah Equiano and I must confess that until around 5 years ago I hadn't even heard of him so I went ahead and bought the book. It's called

The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, Or Gustavus Vassa, The African.

Olaudah Equiano was born in the country we know today as Nigeria. At the age of 11 he was kidnapped from his African village and sold a Virginia planter who sold him on to a British naval Officer, Captain Pascal, as a present for his cousins in London. Olaudah Equiano wrote about his role (along with Granville Sharp) in the British Abolitionist Movement. He become a major voice of this movement and even petitioned the Queen (of 1788).

It's not known if the photo above is actually the man himself as historians have said he is wearing the wrong clothes for that period and it's a reminder how important it is to capture our heroes so that we never forget them!

After World War II a number of Caribbean people left their island and settled in the UK but it was definitely not the wonderful experience they had hoped it would be for many.

Over crowding, menial jobs, riots, fights, and an unwelcome face when it came to most public services, and churches. Its a wonder we survived but I guess survival is one thing we do best!

What that period did was lay the foundations for the first and second generation Black British children like myself. The question to ask is "Have we made (and are we making) the most of the opportunities we have when we consider what our parents/grandparents had to suffer to ensure a better future for us?"

Are we making the most of the educational opportunities, the opportunities to run our own business, build our own future?

My friend told me about Professor Paul Gilroy and when I looked him up I noticed how amazing he is in terms of his contribution to Black British history.

There is an interview with him from 2007 at Socialist Reviews

Stories of Black Britain in Pictures

Interview by Brian Richardson, October 2007

Author Paul Gilroy tells Brian Richardson why he hopes images of past moments of everyday life and struggle will inspire a new generation

Read the interview here

http://www.socialistreview.org.uk/article.php?articlenumber=10107

In the UK Black History Month (or season) is celebrated in October and its a time when every one in the UK can learn about the achievments of black Britons. Its not a month designed just for the black community although there are many of us (myself included) who still have a lot to learn when it comes to the history of black people in the UK.

I love to focus on the future. I will acknowledge the past but will not allow it to stop me from achieving my goals in the future so decided to put on a motivational event that will give people an opportunity to focus on their goals and desires.

Now it's 2009 I will be looking to run an event during Black History Month (BHM) and will include it here when relevant.