Here are seven Caribbean and American women who were abolitionists, revolutionaries and activists. These women fought to free their people from the chains of slavery, discrimination and the lasting effects of slavery. Some took up arms, some used strategy and some used the pen. The women discussed in this video are: Sojourner Truth Sojourner Truth …
People in history
Flore Bois Gaillard – St Lucian revolutionary
Flore Bois Gaillard was a St Lucian runaway slave who led a band of free slaves called ‘Armée Française Dans Les Bois (French Army in the Woods). The Brigands War The Brigands War in St Lucia began in 1791 after the French National Assembly sent a delegation to St Lucia to promote the Revolution. By …
Marie Sainte Dédée Bazile – Haitian revolutionary
While there is much written about the men of the Haitian Revolution, not much is known or written about the women who helped to emancipate the people of the island. Marie Sainte Dédée Bazile is notable as part of the Haitian Revolution. Born near Cap-Francais (now Cap-Hattian) to enslaved parents, we rely on oral history …
Sybil Phoenix OBE – community leader
Sybil Phoenix is a community leader who has devoted her life to helping other people, especially in Lewisham, the town she made home. Early years She was born Sybil Theodora Marshall on 21 June 1927 in Georgetown, British Guiana (now Guyana). Sybil’s mother died when she was nine, and, as her father worked in the …
The life of Francis Barber
Most people believe that black people came to Britain after the Second World War with the arrival of the Empire Windrush in 1948. But Black people have had a presence in Britain for as far back as Roman times. Even closer in history, there were Blacks in Britain during and after slavery. If white British …
Mansa Musa I of Mali – The richest person in history
Mansa Musa was the first African Muslim king to make the pilgrimage to Mecca. He was also the richest person in all history with a £321 ($400) billion fortune. Much richer than Bill Gates, the Rockefeller’s and the Rothschild family. Musa Keita I came into power in 1312 following the death of his predecessor, Abu-Bakr …
Walter Tull: First British-born black army officer
Walter Tull was one of Britain’s first black footballers and a First World War hero. Walter Tull was born in Folkestone on 28th April 1888. His father Daniel Tull, the son of a slave had arrived in Britain from Barbados in 1976 and found work as a carpenter. Daniel Tull married Alice Elizabeth Palmer. Over …
This John Hanson was not the first Black President of the United States
There are many who claim that John Hanson was the first Black president of the United States, not Barack Obama. This tale is continuously shared on social media. Because many people believe that everything posted on Facebook or Twitter is the truth, lies will spread like wildfire and before you know it, it has taken …
Viola Davis makes history at the Emmy Awards
On 20 September 2015, actress Viola Davis made history at the Emmy Awards when she won for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama for her role in How to Get Away with Murder. This is the first time a black woman has received this award in the Emmys 67-year history. Starting with a quote from …