Black History: The Anthology

What does Black History really mean? Is Black History Month relevant only if you are residing in the West, or does Black History bear a meaningful relevance to people based in Africa? It is well known that people of African origin have heavily contributed to literature and the arts – throughout history and in modern day – yet these contributions still seem to be somewhat overlooked and they are significantly less celebrated.

Bahati Books’ debut Black History anthology is a collection of short stories, peoms and essays written by 21 emerging storytellers from across Africa and in the diaspora – who share what Black History Month means to them. This anthology is powerful and it is history in the making. It touches on Black and African identity from the perspective of Africans and people of African ancestry who live in the diaspora. This anthology touches on the mundane – the passive aggression Black and Africans face in the workplace; questions about ‘kinky’ hair and exoticising the black body – but it also touches on the historic: the slave trade, the #BlackLivesMatter movement; and oppressive governance in parts of Africa. It also touches on questions of gender and identity: what it means to celebrate Black History as a transgender African woman, as well as what being a straight heterosexual and modern woman means. Released to commemorate Black History Month in the UK, US and Canada, this Black History Anthology is a must-read collection which will move and capture your imagination.