Month: July 2025

Too often, Black history is limited to the margins of the school calendar, and only acknowledged during Black History Month, which also normally tends to focus on specific narratives i.e. the transatlantic slave trade or the civil rights movement in America. This approach not only restricts the richness and diversity of Black experience, often excluding Black Britain altogether, but also squanders the opportunity to engage students with a fuller, more accurate version of global and British history.

At BLAM UK, we believe that Black history is not an add-on, but rather it is an integral part of understanding the world we live in. This is why we developed Global Black Narratives for the Classroom, a two-volume educational resource designed to facilitate primary school teachers to embed Black history, including British and global narratives throughout the academic year. Rooted in England’s National Curriculum, the books aim to save teacher’s time, boost their confidence and subject knowledge, and make it easy to teach global Black histories in a way that is accessible and inclusive.

Volume 1: Black Britain and Europe
The first volume focuses on the histories of Black communities in Britain and across Europe. It offers creative lesson plans for themes ranging from early Black presence in Tudor England to 20th-century activism and cultural movements. By highlighting figures such as Claudia Jones, Olive Morris, and Josephine Baker, the book challenges educators to expand their understanding of British and European history beyond narrow Eurocentric, male-domoinated, traditional narratives.

Volume 2: Africa, the Americas, and the Caribbean
The second volume provides a broader global context. It provides a deep dive into African histories before colonialism, the cultural traditions of the Caribbean, and the layered experiences of Afro-descendant communities across the Americas. Through guided activities and thought-provoking content, students are encouraged to explore the global interconnectedness of Black narratives and resistance.

Both volumes are filled with practical tools which include lesson plans, engaging worksheets and creative activities, making it easier for teachers to deliver high-quality lessons with confidence and cultural sensitivity.

At its core, Global Black Narratives for the Classroom equips educators with the toolkit they need to centre Black perspectives in the curriculum, not just occasionally or tokenistically, but consistently and meaningfully. By doing so, we not only enhance the learning experience for all students, but we also create a more inclusive and culturally relevant and responsive educational environment.

Teachers who are seeking to counter the narrow, divisive rhetoric we are seeing increase, or are committed to anti-racist pedagogy will find in these books an invitation for reflection and the opportunity to increase your subject knowledge. All whilst encouraging critical thinking, and opening up space for alternative perspectives and more diverse stories to be told in the classroom.

You can purchase Global Black Narratives Volumes 1 & 2 from independent, Black-owned bookstores Book Love and Afrori Books, as well as Amazon, and Routledge. 

Please see the links below to purchase:

Book Love (Black-owned anti-racist bookseller) 

Vol 1: Global Black Narratives for the Classroom Africa, the Americas and the Caribbean

Vol 2: Global Black Narratives for the Classroom: Britain and Europe

Afrori Books (Black-owned independent book shop)

Brighthelm Church & Community Centre, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 1YD

Vol 1: Global Black Narratives for the Classroom: Black Britain and Europe – 

Vol 2: Global Black Narratives for the Classroom: Africa, the Americas and the Caribbean

Routledge

Vol 1: Global Black Narratives for the Classroom: Black Britain and Europe

Vol 2: Global Black Narratives for the Classroom: Africa, the Americas and the Caribbean

Amazon

Vol 1: Global Black Narratives for the Classroom: Black Britain and Europe

Vol 2: Global Black Narratives for the Classroom: Africa, the Americas and the Caribbean

Order our book and spread the word! 

BLAM UK is here to transform the way we think about Black narratives, one classroom at a time!