BLACK HISTORY MONTH: DISCOVER, LEARN, CELEBRATE

Our region’s history has been shaped by Liverpool’s position as one of Britain’s busiest ports. By the early 1900s, it was a major British Empire hub, Liverpool also played a major role in the transatlantic slave trade during the 18th century. This generated enormous wealth for some local merchants and businesses through the exploitation and enslavement of African people.

With ships arriving from around the world carrying goods such as cotton, tobacco, and sugar. They also brought Black sailors, merchants and other travellers, particularly from Africa. Some settled in Liverpool, joining a Black community whose roots date back to the 18th century and which is recognised as one of Europe’s oldest established Black communities.

October is Black History Month, a chance to learn more about Black history locally and nationally and celebrate the achievements of Black people. Events, exhibitions, and online resources are available across the Liverpool City Region, so we’ve picked a few ways to get involved.

Black figures who shaped our region

Black people have played an important part in Liverpool’s history for centuries. We’ve picked out just three of many who made their mark on the region. 

Lord Woodbine, born Harold Phillips in Trinidad, was a musician, promoter and early mentor to The Beatles. A member of the Windrush generation, he settled in Liverpool and helped shape the band’s early career, including their formative experiences in Hamburg. He is buried in Allerton Cemetery. His story will feature in the forthcoming BBC drama Hamburg Days, with actor Jorden Myrie playing Lord Woodbine.

Dorothy Kuya was born in Liverpool 8 in 1933. A prominent campaigner for racial equality, she worked as a teacher and community relations officer, challenging racism in education. She helped establish Liverpool’s International Slavery Museum. 

Clovis Maidstone Roach arrived in Merseyside during the Second World War and became the first Black man to play cricket for Birkenhead Park. He became one of the UK’s first Black probation officers, served as a magistrate, and received an MBE for his work promoting racial equality.

Five ways to get involved during Black History Month

If you’d like to learn more, events and activities are taking place across the region throughout October. Check local event listings and community noticeboards for more.

1. Writing on the Wall’s Black History Walking Tours: Learn about Liverpool’s Black history through a guided walk. The L8 Activism Walking Tour on Saturday 24 October covers Liverpool 8’s culture, community activism and the 1981 uprisings.
   
2. Inspirational Black Scousers is a guided tour at the Museum of Liverpool, with a session scheduled for Thursday 29 October. The tour looks at the lives and achievements of Black Liverpudlians, including those who challenged racism and campaigned for equality.
   
3. Black History for Black Futures: An Afrofuturist Workshop takes place at the Victoria Gallery & Museum on Friday 23 October. The workshop introduces participants to Afrofuturism through music, visual art and collage. No previous artistic or musical experience is needed. It’s free, but booking is essential.
   
4. BlackFest 2026 – Visual Arts Workshop with Nina Edge: Join Liverpool artist, writer and urban design activist Nina Edge on Wednesday 21 October for a creative workshop exploring her approach to art and the communities that inspire her work. Her work spans textiles, ceramics, sculpture and public art.
   
5. Libraries in Knowsley have displays celebrating Black history and literature, while their BorrowBox digital library offers a Black History Month-themed collection of books and audiobooks.

Six digital learning resources

Prefer to learn at home? These online resources and courses are a good place to start, and many are free.

1. OpenLearn – Black History Month: The Open University has brought together a wide range of free learning resources, covering Black women in history, arts and culture, civil rights and the achievements of Black sportspeople.
   
2. FutureLearn: Explore online courses developed by universities and other educational organisations. Its Decolonising Education: From Theory to Practice course examines Britain’s colonial legacy and its continuing influence on education. Limited free access is available, with paid options for extended access and certification.
   
3. Black History Month 2026 Magazine: Read the latest edition online for free. Its 126 pages feature stories celebrating Black British life, achievements and contributions to society. Printed copies are also available to purchase.
   
4. BBC Bitesize: Find videos, articles and short profiles about important people and events in Black history. The learning resources support the national curriculum, making them particularly useful for parents, teachers and students. Topics include the Windrush generation, Martin Luther King Jr. and Mary Seacole.
   
5. Black History Month online events: The official Black History Month website lists online talks, lectures and discussions covering subjects such as Black poetry, Caribbean ancestry and literature. You can also submit your own event for inclusion.
   
6. Podcasts and interviews: Listen to ITV’s Black Voices in Conversation, featuring interviews with Black people from across the UK. The BBC’s Celebrating Black Voices collection also brings together programmes and discussions about Black experiences, creativity and culture.

Whether you join a walking tour, take part in a workshop, or do an online course, why not use Black History Month to learn something new about the people and events that have shaped our region?