Come and learn about the cultures and history of Black people in Africa prior to the onset of the slave trade (locations, empires/state societies, myths, and folklore challenging Egyptology etc.); plantation realities and cultures; slave rebellions; Abolition; liberation politics; Windrush diasporic experiences; popular culture and ‘blackness’.

Class attendees will explore case studies in the form of documentaries / film clips; group discussions; and multiple-choice quizzes, along with Amazon voucher giveaways.

Course objectives include pathways to formal qualifications, creative writing, and improving research skills.

The course will be presented in five 2-hour sessions and will take place in North Kensington Library.

DATES:

Tuesday 16 April, 5.30pm to 7.30pm

Tuesday 23 April, 5.30pm to 7.30pm

Tuesday 30 April, 5.30pm to 7.30pm

Tuesday 7 May, 5.30pm to 7.30pm

Tuesday 14 May, 5.30pm to 7.30pm

*For adult (19+) residents of RBKC /London.

**Please note the names and addresses of all who book will be shared with the tutor, who will contact you to send you an enrolment form to check eligibilllity.

Contact bGlicmFyaWVzIHwgcmJrYyAhIGdvdiAhIHVr if you have any queries about booking.

Lesson (1): Introduction and Overview. What is the Black Atlantic?

Discussion what attracted attendees to take up the course.

Why is this chapter of Black History important?

The Origins of the Black Atlantic, including an overview of historic kingdoms, societies and empires from where enslaved West and West Central Africans were taken captive.

Transatlantic Slave Trade Overview

Slave Rebellion case studies

Abolition Movement

Black Liberation Politics

The Expansion of the African Diaspora

Lessons (2), (3) and (4): The Evolution of Black Atlantic Culture[s] & Searching for the Motherland:

Topics that will be covered:

The search for identity in the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries

The role of the arts, entertainment, and popular culture at large in the expression of ‘Blackness’

Group Poetry activity and voucher prize giveaway (class attendees can vote on the best performance)

The Role of Religion in identity formation

A documentary and group discussion night: The documentary to be shown is one from Netflix called Bigger than Africa (predominantly looks at the diffusion of Yoruba [southwestern Nigerian] cultures across Cuba, South Carolina, and the Black Atlantic World at large)

Genealogy: Discussion over usefulness / pros and cons of using 23andMe, Ancestry and MyHeritage platforms to learn about one’s ancestors; and the use of resources to aid this search. Course tutor will share his own results and some case studies of celebrities that have looked into their own backgrounds, such as the likes of Pharrell Williams; and case studies from Henry Louis Gates Jr. Ancestry Series

Black Historic Film Night (class attendees can vote on choice)

Lesson (5): Continuation of Black Historic Film Night, followed by discussion, multiple choice quiz and prize voucher give giveaway.

Diego is a published author, historian, economist, business coach and teacher. He has a track record of delivering talks and workshops, teaching on a variety of topics, and consultancy.