Our History

The Young Historians Project (YHP) was founded by Professor Hakim Adi and the late Cheryl Phillips.

YHP was awarded a £19,600 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to facilitate our research and activity programmes.

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October

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YHP completed its first documentary film, titled 'We Are Our Own Liberators': The Black Liberation Front from 1971–1993'. 

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December

YHP launched its first completed research  project with a film screening and exhibition opening hosted at Goldsmiths, University of London. The project explores the history of the Black Liberation Front (BLF). 

YHP was awarded a £46,600 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to facilitate a research project on the history of African women in the British health service during the 20th century. 

The YHP schools outreach programme began with our first history workshop taking place at Roundhay School in Leeds, UK.

YHP published an eBook containing photographs and profiles on African women healthcare workers in Britain throughout the 20th century.

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August

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YHP showcased the completed 'A Hidden History: African Women and the British Health Service, 1930 – 2000' project with an online exhibition launch.

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November

YHP unveiled a mural at Royal United Hospital in Bath depicting Princess Tsehai Selassie, Bijou Bidwell, Hannah Mahoney, and Olugbemisola Kolade. Artists Michele Curtis and Nadia Lloyd painted the mural alongside YHP members.

In partnership with Lawrence Wishart, YHP produced a series of educational booklets for school–aged audiences on black women's activism throughout British history. 

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June

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YHP unveiled a mural at Charing Cross Hospital in London depicting seven pioneering women in healthcare: Hala Abusin, Amakhoe Minney, Princess Ademola, Dame Elizabeth Anionwu, Susan Ofori Atta, Olaore Green, and Lulu Coote. 

The 'Save the MRes' campaign began in protest against the cancellation of the 'History of Africa and the African Diaspora' masters research course by the University of Chichester, and its subsequent termination of Professor Hakim Adi. As the first Black history professor in the UK, the dismissal of Hakim sparked widespread outrage. A petition urging Chichester to reverse its decision reached more than 14,000 signatures. YHP members who study/studied under Hakim at Chichester are directly affected. A Gofundme page is currently crowdfunding for legal proceedings and student support.​

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July

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The book 'Many Struggles: New Histories of African and Caribbean People in Britain' was published by Pluto Press in the summer of 2023. Six of its chapters are authored by current and former members of YHP.

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September

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A two–day conference themed 'The Issue of Truth: Representing Black British History' took place at the Institute of Historical Research, organised by two former YHP members. Others in YHP were involved as panellists and discussion chairs. 

YHP unveiled our third commemorative mural outside Guy's Hospital, London. The mural features six impactful female healthcare workers from a range of time periods: Dr Matilda Clerk, Dzagbele Matilda Asante, Metian Parsanka, Kofoworola Pratt, Blanche La Guma, and Dr Irene Elizabeth Beatrice Ighodaro.