Black Cultural Archives

Black Cultural Archives is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Wanda Wyporska, FRHistS, as our new Chief Executive. Wanda brings an exceptional track record of leadership, activism, and scholarship. Her profound commitment to racial justice and community empowerment resonates powerfully with our mission and values. As a daughter of Windrush, she has championed racial justice in education, policy, and practice, working with government, opposition parties and communities for decades. “I’m absolutely thrilled, as an historian and activist, to be leading Black Cultural Archives in its mission to collect, preserve, and celebrate the histories of people of African and Caribbean descent in the UK and to inspire and give strength to individuals, communities, and society,” said Dr Wyporska. “At this crucial time for our communities, I am looking forward to using our fantastic archival collections, museum objects and excellent training and educational programmes and resources to bring people together to ignite and inspire pride and activism in the fight for racial justice.” Join us in welcoming Dr Wanda Wyporska to Black Cultural Archives. Read more about her appointment at the link in bio. #BlackCulturalArchives #LeadershipAnnouncement

Our archives are more than a collection; they are vital to our mission of collecting and preserving the histories of people of African and Caribbean descent. We are dedicated to safeguarding these invaluable resources, ensuring that now, more than ever, present and future generations can access them indefinitely. #BlackCulturalArchives #BlackBritishHistory #Archives #Collections

What does the future of museum learning look like, and how do we navigate the real pressures and possibilities facing the sector right now? These are some of the questions our Chief Executive, Dr Wanda Wyporska, will be exploring as part of an upcoming panel discussion at the Museums + Heritage Show. This year’s Museums + Heritage Show is packed with practical insights and grounded inspiration, as sector leaders and practitioners share ideas, test innovations, and discuss real-world responses to the challenges museums and heritage organisations are grappling with. You can secure a free two-day pass for 13–14 May at Olympia London at the link in bio. #MuseumsAndHeritage

We are thrilled to announce that Black Cultural Archives (BCA) will be returning as a stage for Brixton Disco Festival 2026. Located at 1 Windrush Square in the heart of Brixton, BCA is an archive and heritage centre devoted to the histories of people of African and Caribbean descent in Britain. Founded in 1981 with educationalist and historian Len Garrison among its founders, BCA’s mission is to record, preserve and celebrate that history. Its building, opened in 2014, provides access to the archive collection, dedicated learning spaces, and a programme of exhibitions and events. We are delighted to once again have the support of @brixtonbid ’s Community Fund in making this happen. After the success of 2023, 2024 and 2025, we’re proud to be continuing this partnership. The Community Fund supports local groups in bringing creative ideas to life that make Brixton better for everyone - through arts, greening, youth work, training, and more. Founded in 2014, Brixton BID helps build a vibrant, sustainable district by supporting businesses and creating a welcoming environment for all. Marcia Carr is returning for her 4th year alongside local hero YDLR, and we’ll be confirming the rest of the lineup over the next week, featuring both established and emerging talent from Black communities. In previous years we’ve been delighted to welcome @normanjaymbe , @djmarciacarr_official , @kirollus__ , @handsonfam , @ellaknight__ , @daddydarkrdc and the incredible @housegospelchoir

On this Stephen Lawrence Day, 33 years after Stephen’s death, we invite you to join us in honouring his life and legacy. Through reflection, learning and action, we can continue to inspire change and shape a fairer future for our young people. Stephen’s story remains a stark reminder of the realities of institutional and systemic racism in the UK, and a call to keep pushing for justice in his name. The Stephen Lawrence Day Foundation plays a vital role in that work. Its programmes reach beyond the classroom, equipping young people with the knowledge and confidence to question inherited narratives, confront the legacies of colonialism, and lead with courage in their schools and communities. Their contribution to our collective fight against racism and to the education of the next generation is deeply significant for our community. At BCA, we hold archival materials from the campaign for justice for Stephen Lawrence, including letters and documents that trace how the community and organisations demanded change. We invite you into our Collections to engage with this history first-hand, to reflect on how far we’ve come, and to consider what more is still required of all of us. Ref. No.: PRESS/21: The Journal, press cutting relating to the murder of Stephen Lawrence, circa 1997 to 2000. #BlackCulturalArchives #StephenLawrenceDay

Thank you to @nationaltheatre and @lyrichammersmith for providing our BCA Youth Programme members with tickets to see ‘The Authenticator’ and ‘Jaja’s African Hair Braiding’! Alongside supporting the Youth Programme through six-month projects rooted in the archives, we offer enrichment opportunities throughout the year to inspire members and introduce them to careers in the arts and heritage sector. While ‘The Authenticator’ sat well alongside the group’s exploration of archive documents, ‘Jaja’s African Hair Braiding’ reinforced the importance of community spaces. If you have an enrichment opportunity you would like to share with our youth programme, we’d love to hear from you! Drop us a message at [email protected] As BCA marks its 45th anniversary in 2026, we're excited to welcome you into the archives with open days, guided tours, and a series of evening events. We'll continue to welcome more schools and researchers, and to host exhibitions, workshops, and community gatherings that reflect our ethos: Black Cultural Archives - Be Yourself, See Yourself. Keep an eye on our channels for dates and details. Thank you for being part of our story. #BlackCulturalArchives #BCA45 #YouthProgramme

Visit our Reading Room and Library! We’re open Wednesday to Friday for research and exploration, with advance booking required. Our Reading Room and Library opening times: Wednesday: 12:00 - 17:00 (arrival window: 12:00 - 14:00) Thursday: 11:00 - 17:00 (arrival window: 11:00 - 13:00) Friday: 11:00 - 17:00 (arrival window: 11:00 - 13:00) To arrange your visit, please visit the link in bio for full details and instructions. As BCA marks its 45th anniversary in 2026, we're excited to welcome you into the archives with open days, guided tours, and a series of evening events. We'll continue to welcome more schools and researchers, and to host exhibitions, workshops, and community gatherings that reflect our ethos: Black Cultural Archives - Be Yourself, See Yourself. Keep an eye on our channels for future dates and details. Thank you for being part of our story. #BlackCulturalArchives #BCA45 #Library

Thank you to the students at King’s College London’s Department of History for completing “Black in the Union Jack? Black Lives in Modern London.” This innovative undergraduate module, delivered in partnership between King’s College London and Black Cultural Archives, has been an example of what’s possible when universities and community archives work together to explore Black histories in London. Across the module, it explored the experiences and agency of Black Londoners, mapped Black spaces across the city, and traced the connections between local struggles, national debates and global anti‑racist movements and cultural networks. A distinctive feature of the module was that it was partly taught at BCA, where students worked directly with our archival materials to deepen their understanding of postcolonial legacies and the making of “Black Britain” in the capital. Pictured: King’s College London Professor Alana Harris; BCA Learning & Engagement Manager, Dr Ayshah Johnston; and participants from King’s College London As BCA marks its 45th anniversary in 2026, we're excited to welcome you into the archives with open days, guided tours, and a series of evening events. We'll continue to welcome more schools and researchers, and to host exhibitions, workshops, and community gatherings that reflect our ethos: Black Cultural Archives - Be Yourself, See Yourself. Keep an eye on our channels for dates and details. Thank you for being part of our story. #BlackCulturalArchives #BCA45 #Partnership

The Windrush National Vigil took place earlier this week to commemorate the legacy and ongoing impact of the Home Office scandal. Together, we remembered and honoured all those affected by the scandal, and particularly, those who have passed away without receiving justice. During the vigil last year, the Immigration Minister pledged a “fundamental reset” for the Windrush Generation, but it’s clear that far deeper reform is still needed. Our CEO, Dr Wanda Wyporska, called for the Government to honour the pledges it made to survivors. We were honoured to host survivors and families at BCA for a rich repast, and thank the Windrush National Organisation, Friends of Windrush Square, Rev Clive Foster (Independent Windrush Commissioner), Helen Hayes MP and Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP. A special thank you to WWII veteran Prince Albert Jacob for his presence and testimony, along with veterans from The Forgotten Generations. BCA will be hosting their Lest We Forget Exhibition in June. We remain in solidarity with all those who have suffered at the hands of racist legislation and their ongoing campaign for justice. As BCA marks its 45th anniversary in 2026, we're excited to welcome you into the archives with open days, guided tours, and a series of evening events. We'll continue to welcome more schools and researchers, and to host exhibitions, workshops, and community gatherings that reflect our ethos: Black Cultural Archives - Be Yourself, See Yourself. Keep an eye on our channels for future dates and details. Thank you for being part of our story. #BlackCulturalArchives #BCA45 #WindrushJustice #WindrushGeneration

What a day! A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for our Open Day at Black Cultural Archives this weekend. From the moment doors opened, there was a real buzz in the building, and visitors told us how excited they were just to be in the space, surrounded by Black British history. Highlights included: -BCA Learning & Engagement Manager, Dr Ayshah Johnston, who guided us through ‘The Black Presence in Britain through 6 Objects’ in an interactive, thought‑provoking session.
-BCA Chief Executive, Dr Wanda Wyporska, who led a powerful and accessible session on genealogy, ‘Black Family History for All’, giving people practical routes into exploring their own stories. -BCA Learning & Engagement Officer, Hannah Shury-Smith, led attendees through an arts and crafts session about the history, music and costumes of Jonkonnu. -A retrospective of former exhibitions and archive materials selected by Collections Researcher, Talia Sanchez and Venue Manager, Michael Williams.  Thank you to everyone who came through, asked questions, created, learned, and donated to support our work. As BCA marks its 45th anniversary in 2026, we’re excited to welcome you into the archives with open days, guided tours, and a series of evening events. We’ll continue to welcome more schools and researchers, and to host exhibitions, workshops, and community gatherings that reflect our ethos: Black Cultural Archives - Be Yourself, See Yourself. Keep an eye on our channels for future dates and details. Thank you for being part of our story. #BlackCulturalArchives #BCA45 #OpenDay

Huge thanks to everyone who joined us for the first event in our new Black Salon Series, and to Professor David Stovall for an electrifying conversation. It was a privilege to welcome him to Black Cultural Archives for this special UK appearance to discuss his groundbreaking book Engineered Conflict: Structural Violence and the Future of Black Life in Chicago. Through housing instability, school closures and criminalisation, Engineered Conflict shows how state policy can displace and isolate Black working‑class communities, manufacturing conflict between neighbours while obscuring the real forces of capitalism and white supremacy. Hearing Professor Stovall unpack these ideas in person and connect them to our own local contexts was powerful and deeply necessary. Thank you to everyone who came with open minds, sharp questions and generous attention. We’re excited to continue these conversations in future Black Salon Series events. 📷 : Image 1 - Professor David Stovall As BCA marks its 45th anniversary in 2026, we're excited to welcome you into the archives with open days, guided tours, and a series of evening events. We'll continue to welcome more schools and researchers, and to host exhibitions, workshops, and community gatherings that reflect our ethos: Black Cultural Archives - Be Yourself, See Yourself. Keep an eye on our channels for dates and details. Thank you for being part of our story. #BlackCulturalArchives #BCA45 #BookLaunch

Join us for an Open Day at BCA this Sunday! We'll be opening up the building with: * Select items from the archives for viewing * Our book shop opens with titles for all ages * Family-friendly activities * From 1:30 - 2:30 PM, BCA Learning & Engagement Manager, Dr Ayshah Johnston, presents an interactive session, ‘The Black Presence in Britain through 6 Objects.’ * From 3:00 - 4:00 PM, BCA Chief Executive, Dr Wanda Wyporska, leads an engaging talk on genealogy, 'Black Family History for All.’ Entry is free, and we warmly encourage donations on the day to help us continue collecting, preserving, and sharing the histories of people of African and Caribbean descent in the UK. 🗓️ Date: Sunday 29 March ⏰️ Time: 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM 📍 Where: Black Cultural Archives 🎟️ Entry is FREE, donations are encouraged As BCA marks its 45th anniversary in 2026, we're excited to welcome you into the archives with open days, guided tours, and a series of evening events. We'll continue to welcome more schools and researchers, and to host exhibitions, workshops, and community gatherings that reflect our ethos: Black Cultural Archives - Be Yourself, See Yourself. Keep an eye on our channels for future dates and details. Thank you for being part of our story. #BlackCulturalArchives #BCA45 #Event