Songhai and Gao: An Empire Built Around the Niger
Gao’s history brings together river transport, farming, royal ambition and Islamic learning. Archaeology, written records and oral performance reveal how the Songhai Empire developed, how its…
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Politics and Public Life
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Read the article: Songhai and Gao: An Empire Built Around the Niger
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The Kingdom of Kongo: A Capital, a Court and an Atlantic World
Read the article: The Kingdom of Kongo: A Capital, a Court and an Atlantic WorldFrom Mbanza Kongo’s royal court to raffia workshops, Christian scholarship and Atlantic diplomacy, the kingdom’s history reveals centuries of African government, creativity and struggle.
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Manchester, 1945: The Pan-African Congress and the Work of Freedom
Read the article: Manchester, 1945: The Pan-African Congress and the Work of FreedomIn October 1945, Manchester hosted the Fifth Pan-African Congress. The gathering connected campaigners who would help shape African independence, placing the city within a wider history…
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Len Johnson: Boxing, Manchester and the Fight Against the Colour Bar
Read the article: Len Johnson: Boxing, Manchester and the Fight Against the Colour BarLen Johnson defeated leading boxers while racial restrictions denied him a British title opportunity. His life also encompassed wartime service, Communist politics and local campaigns that…
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Books and Literature, People and Lives, Politics and Public Life, Rights and Resistance, Stage, Film and TelevisionBaroness Lola Young of Hornsey: Art, Memory and Public Life
Read the article: Baroness Lola Young of Hornsey: Art, Memory and Public LifeLola Young’s work has moved between acting, cultural scholarship and the House of Lords. Her campaigns on criminal justice, modern slavery and education connect questions about…
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Herman Ouseley: Public Service, Football and the Work of Equality
Read the article: Herman Ouseley: Public Service, Football and the Work of EqualityHerman Ouseley brought experience in local government and education to the leadership of the Commission for Racial Equality. His wider campaigning connected public institutions, football and…
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Wangari Maathai: Trees, Women’s Work and the Struggle for Democracy
Read the article: Wangari Maathai: Trees, Women’s Work and the Struggle for DemocracyWangari Maathai connected the care of forests with women’s livelihoods, democratic rights and peace. The Kenyan scientist and Green Belt Movement founder built an approach to…
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Bill Morris: Trade Unionism, Equality and the Right to Be Heard
Read the article: Bill Morris: Trade Unionism, Equality and the Right to Be HeardBill Morris rose from Birmingham’s engineering industry to lead the Transport and General Workers’ Union. His career connects the everyday work of representation with campaigns against…
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Paul Boateng: From Community Law to the Cabinet and Beyond
Read the article: Paul Boateng: From Community Law to the Cabinet and BeyondPaul Boateng’s career has connected community legal work, Parliament and diplomacy. From representing Brent South to becoming Britain’s first Black Cabinet minister in 2002, his public…
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David Pitt: the doctor who connected health, housing and racial equality
Read the article: David Pitt: the doctor who connected health, housing and racial equalityFrom Grenada and Edinburgh to a surgery in North Gower Street, David Pitt brought medical experience into public life. His campaigns, council service and work in…