Expectations: The Untold Story of Black British Community Leaders in the 1960s and 1970s will be centre stage at Brixton’s Black Cultural Archives from Tuesday (7 August) until 28 September.
Curated by photographer Neil Kenlock – once the official photographer of the British Black Panthers – and his daughter Emelia Kenlock, the exhibition highlights untold stories from black British culture and history.
Seventy photographs celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Windrush, focussing on challenges, collaboration and change. Covering the 1960s and 1970s, Expectations will include famous images, including the notorious “Keep Britain White” from 1972.
Giving a unique insight into the lives and experiences of the first generation African and Caribbean leaders who settled in the UK, and influenced the community in Brixton and elsewhere, the exhibition features celebrated figures such as Darcus Howe (broadcaster and civil rights campaigner); Olive Morris (anti-discrimination, womens’ and squatters’ rights campaigner); Lord David Pitt (Baron of Hampstead, Labour Party politician, GP and political activist); Arthur Stanley Wint OD MBE (the first Jamaican Olympic gold medallist and Jamaica’s High Commissioner); and Steve Barnard (the first black BBC radio presenter with a reggae music show).
Neil Kenlock said: “This project aims to give access to examples of black leadership, as well as archive material outside of the normal educational environment … I truly hope the exhibition will add to the national cultural narrative and resonate with new audiences”.
The exhibition is hosted by the Black Cultural Archives in Windrush Square.
It runs from 7 August to 28 September.
The BCA is open from 10am to 6pm from Tuesday to Saturday.
