In a literary landscape that is constantly negotiating the tension between the canon of old and the voices of the new, the British Library is preparing to bridge the gap. The institution has announced a major new event for its spring season, “Exploring Black British Literature – Live!”, headlined by the author and former Children’s Laureate, Malorie Blackman.
Scheduled for Friday 22 May 2026, the evening promises to be more than a standard authorial retrospective. Instead, it is billed as an “interactive excavation” of the nation’s literary heritage, designed to place the library’s vast—and often unseen—archives directly into the hands of a new generation.
A Living Archive
For decades, Black British literature was frequently treated by the establishment as a niche interest or a recent post-Windrush phenomenon. However, the British Library’s collections tell a different, far longer story, holding manuscripts and texts that span centuries of Black presence in the UK.
The May event seeks to bring this history out of the vaults. In a departure from the traditional panel discussion, the evening will feature students and emerging writers taking the stage to “champion” specific Black British authors. Crucially, their arguments will be supported by physical artefacts from the library’s collection—rare manuscripts, first editions, and personal letters—offering a tangible connection to the writers who paved the way.
It is a format that speaks to a broader shift in how cultural institutions are engaging with their audiences in 2026. The archive is no longer viewed as a static repository of dust and paper, but as an active site of contestation and identity. By inviting young writers to interpret these objects, the event effectively hands over the keys to the canon, asking them to decide who should be remembered and why.
The Laureate’s Return
The choice of Malorie Blackman to headline the evening is particularly resonant. Since the publication of her seminal Noughts & Crosses series in 2001, Blackman has been a central figure in the fight for representation in British publishing.
As Children’s Laureate (2013–2015), she was a vocal advocate for the idea that “reading is an exercise in empathy,” championing libraries as essential spaces for social mobility. Her career has arguably done more to diversify the bookshelves of British teenagers than any government initiative.
Blackman will close the evening with a keynote discussion, expected to touch upon her own “literary ancestors”—the writers she read while growing up in a world where characters who looked like her were scarce. She is also expected to reflect on the industry today, offering a “state of the nation” perspective on whether the publishing boom in diverse voices seen in the early 2020s has resulted in lasting structural change.
Connecting the Dots
For the British Library, this event is part of a continued effort to make its collections more porous and accessible. It follows a series of successful exhibitions examining the roots of Black British music and the Windrush legacy.
“Exploring Black British Literature – Live!” is not just about honouring the past; it is about validating it. In an era where history curricula are often sites of fierce political debate, the physical presence of a 19th-century manuscript or a mid-century novella serves as irrefutable proof of existence—a reminder that Black writers have always been part of the British cultural fabric.
Tickets for the event are free, though booking is essential—a move likely intended to ensure the event remains accessible to students and young people, the very demographic the evening aims to empower.
Event Details
Exploring Black British Literature – Live! with Malorie Blackman Date: Friday 22 May 2026 Time: 19.00 – 21.00 Location: The British Library, 96 Euston Road, London, NW1 2DB Tickets: Free (Booking Essential) – £10.00 Box Office: 01937 546 546 or www.bl.uk