Leeds Black History Walk
Carmel Smickersgill, Tours & Activities Editor
Leeds has a rich and long history of influential Black figures dating back to the city’s Roman heritage. Now, Leeds is a rich mix of diasporic cultures from all over the globe, but often the influence of pivotal figures that have led to this being the case are hidden in plain sight. Have your eyes opened to this hidden heritage with Leeds Black History Walk.
In the walk you’ll follow the narrative of Black lives from ancient and medieval Africa, learning the context of the Black presence in Britain. Travelling in chronological order, you’ll then explore influential characters from Roman Leodis to modern day Leeds. Often these incredible people’s stories have become neglected to the point of becoming ‘forgotten heritage’. Black History Walk is changing this by shedding light and further context on a rich history, which is vital to remember in order to understand the city as it is now.
History is a living thing that is coloured by the perspective of those who tell it. Join the walk to learn the stories of people like Nesyamun (the Leeds Mummy) and modern day Leeds legends Arthur France MBE, Robert Nesta Marley and David Hamilton MBE.
Leeds Black History walk initially started as part of a Chapeltown Community Initiative with the Leeds Be-centenary Transformation Project, as a way of challenging how Africans are perceived in history. The walk was started in 2009 by Joe Williams, and has been going strong ever since.
The walk takes place around the University of Leeds Campus and is currently in its 15th annual season. Each walk lasts around two hours, they are wheelchair accessible and family friendly making it as accessible to as many people as possible. The walk happens no matter what the weather is so do come prepared appropriately.
