Over thirty years ago, Len Garrison, co-founder of Black Cultural Archives, asked the question “Where are our Heroes, Martyrs and Monuments?”

Since 1981 Black Cultural Archives (BCA) has embarked on the journey to collect and preserve materials which redress the historical balance and representation of people of African and Caribbean descent in Britain.

Our archive collection is now one of the most comprehensive collections that document the history and cultural heritage of Black Britain.

 

Originating as a community archive amassed over many years, the archive has been transformed into a professional archive that meets international quality standards and houses over 50 sq metrics of archival materials across two sites. With the support of Heritage Lottery Fund, archivists and trained volunteers continue to catalogue, contextualise and expand the archive collection. Our unique archive collection differs from conventional, traditional archives as it remains rooted in the community that created it.

Visit Us to view the collections in person.