Black History Studies presents the special Black History Month screening of ‘African Rebel: Celebration for a People’s Politician: Bernie Grant 1944 – 2000’ by Professor Kurt Barling followed by an interactive discussion and exhibition.
The late Bernie Grant MP led a remarkable life. Over 35 years, he was at the forefront of a furious dialogue about race in British society as a trades unionist and civil rights activist, as the first ever Black Leader of a local authority in Europe in Haringey, North London, as an outspoken Black Member of Parliament, and as an international campaigner.
Bernie Grant MP was one of the first four MPs of colour elected to Parliament in 1987. He was at first a controversial character having been misquoted in the Newspapers during his observations about the Broadwater Farm riots in 1985. Bernie Grant became a stalwart of the Left Wing of the Labour Party with his roots in trade unionism. He became known as a champion of his Tottenham constituency and for often unpopular causes like the The Africa Reparations Movement (ARM UK), set up by Bernie Grant in 1993 with the aim of seeking reparations for the harm done to Africa and the African diaspora through enslavement, colonisation, and racism. During the anti-apartheid years he was a passionate supporter of the ANC and its liberation struggles. Bernie Grant died after a long illness in 2000. One of his closest allies, Jeremy Corbyn has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Islington North since 1983.
Come and lets explore the social and economic conditions and pressures that helped to shape Black British identity at the time, the responses to those pressures, the impact that these actions had not only on the Black British community but also on wider society.
What was it like to be Black and fighting for change in the early 80’s in London?
What are the differences between then and now?
There will be a small Bernie Grant Exhibition at the site.
THIS EVENT IS NOT TO BE MISSED!!
This event will take place on Friday 9 October 2026 from 18:30 to 21:00.
The event will be held at The Black Cultural Centre Islington, 16–18 Hornsey Road, N7 7BT. Approx 5 mins walk from Holloway Road (Piccadilly Line) tube station. Free on street parking.
Food and drinks will be on sale.
Admission is FREE but donations will be welcome to support the work we do.
Book your FREE tickets here https://tinyurl.com/33x5m5dm
For this event we know that demand will be high but capacity is limited so entrance will be on a FIRST COME FIRST SERVED BASIS. Be on time to guarantee entry.
Please note that this event will be photographed for historical record and uploaded to the World Wide Web. By attending and participating in this event, you are giving your consent to be photographed and waiving any and all claims regarding the use of your image.