Black History Month at the Library
Details of our planned activities for Black History Month.
Reading lists
We've collated resource collections of fiction, non-fiction, films, and documentaries about Black history and Black experience. Our lists have a mixture of digital and physical resources.
- Black History Month - reading for pleasure, Black British history, Global Majority history, resources for creatives and more.
- Poetry - immerse yourself in the words and thoughts of prominent Black poets.
These resource lists are not exhaustive. Please use library search to view our full collection.
Book giveaways 2024
Our very popular book giveaway continues this year. We'll be hiding copies across our libraries and sharing clues about where to find them on our Instagram Stories. Follow us on Instagram @uwelibrary for your chance to win a book. You can find out when we're giving books away by viewing the Black History Month events on the Events Diary.
Our titles for this year are:
- Call us what we carry by Amanda Gorman
In her first collection since her infamous 2021 inaugural poem, The hill we climb, Amanda Gorman explores history, language, identity and erasure following the Covid 19 pandemic. - Black teacher by Beryl Gilroy
In 1952, Beryl Gilroy left Guyana and came to London as part of the Windrush Generation. However, she was soon faced with Britain’s racist post-war society. This powerful memoir is now considered a re-discovered classic. - This is not America by Tomiwa Owolade
Tomiwa Owolade argues that American ideas have influenced too many British discussions about race. With passion and humanity, Owolade explores Black British life and challenges us to start a new conversation. - A broken people's playlist by Chimeka Garricks
A collection of interlocked short stories inspired by songs. The stories explore love, loss and fulfilment and are written in homage to the author's native city of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. - Fast by the horns by Moses McKenzie
It’s 1980 in St Paul’s, Bristol. Fourteen-year-old Jabari is proud of his Rastafari faith and his community, despite the oppression they face. When a local activist is arrested, Jabari is drawn into a world of violence and revenge. - Revolutionary acts by Jason Okundaye
Compiling real-life stories of romance and resistance from the 1970s through to present day, Jason Okundaye explores the neglected history of Black gay Britain. - I'm still here by Austin Channing Brown
Austin Channing Brown shares her experiences growing up and working in predominantly white, middle-class schools, organisations and churches. Brown details her journey to accept and love her Blackness. - Black girl, no magic by Kimberly McIntosh
In this essay collection, McIntosh brings together thorough research and her own experiences as a Black British woman to examine the systemic injustice that affects us all.
Decolonising and diversifying your Library
Find out what we are doing to make our collection more inclusive. You can suggest titles for your reading lists to be entered into a monthly prize draw.
Social media celebration
Join us on our social media accounts as we celebrate Black history, achievement and culture.