Educom hosts #BHM2022 book launch

The School of Education and Communities has hosted the book launch of African and Caribbean People in Britain: A History by Professor Hakim Adi as part of Black History Month 2022.

The book launch and Q+A event was organised and hosted by Silhouette Bushay, senior lecturer and EDI Lead, and attended by UEL students, alumni and staff, as well as various Higher Education Institution students and staff and community members.

On 20 October, Professor Adi of the University of Chichester delivered a presentation that discussed elements of more than 2000 years of African and Caribbean people in Britain.

This made for a dynamic and critical discussion which considered how the finding of Cheddar Man disrupted how British people view Britain. African and Caribbean people with relatively high social status, everyday people with everyday social standing, and the longstanding multi-racial anti-racist activism in Britain that have involved people from a range of racial/ethnic backgrounds were all discussed. 
Silhouette Bushay says,

Professor Adi, who lived Forest Gate in East London for many years, is the first Professor of History in Britain of African heritage, therefore not only does he research history, he is a historical figure in his own right (hence why he is listed in 100 Great Black Britons publication). That is why it is particularly special that we had the pleasure of hearing him speak at the University of East London for the first time".
"It was a really insightful and nourishing evening of knowledge and connection. The book is now available in the UEL library and to buy for those who are interested to read the book."

Professor Adi said, "It’s the majority of people who are agents of change and the others are trying to stop the change. So, other than having an understanding of history it’s not just important about how we think about ourselves, it is also very important for our identity as human beings, and informs how we perceive the world and what is going on in it…"

The evening ended with social networking and saw an African, Caribbean and European menu of refreshments served.

A thriving local small business established in 1978 called Newham Bookshop also set up stall in the University Stratford Square foyer and successfully sold all of Professor Adi's books in stock, including Black Voices on Britain which was also published in September 2022, and The History of African and Caribbean Communities in Britain written for children/young people aged 12-years-old plus.