A Black Activist in 1900s Britain. SJ Celestine Edwards

*Attend Prince of Peckham University for great weekly talks, July-September HERE

Late nineteenth century Britain was the centre of gravity for a host of Pan- African organisations and activists. Among them Samuel Jules Celestine Edwards. The first Black editor of a British national newspaper, radical journalist and novelist. A superb orator who drew huge crowds at his events. What was his role in the anti- colonial movement ? Where does he stand in the pantheon of Black Liberation theologists ?

This event delves into the Ethiopianism Movement & Edwards role. Ethiopianism was a global Black Nationalist movement formed in the eighteenth century. Centered in an African Christian liberation ideology Its biblically inspired ideas travelled on an African revolutionary wave from the United States to Africa to the Caribbean and to Europe.

It inspired religious movements which built hundreds of radical churches across the U.S. Africa and the Caribbean. It produced some of the most significant African theologists and activists of the nineteenth century who together laid the foundation for Black Liberation Theology. It created revolutionary leadership instrumental in challenging Colonialism and Apartheid and spiritually fueling the drive towards independence.

Plus Q&A and book signing

What is Prince of Peckham University ?

Black History Walks has teamed up with the Prince of Peckham pub to offer high quality, educational talks by Black academics on a variety of subjects. Prince of Peckham is a black-owned venue offering high quality food, drink and entertainment. Black History Walks runs walks, talks, films, river cruises, helicopter and steam train tours on London's Black history. All of our speakers hold doctorates, are Phd students or authors

There will be fascinating talks each Tuesday from 15 July to 23 September 6.30-8.30pm. Just book your free ticket, come have a drink, meet nice people,chew a pattie and learn. Just as good as Oxford/Cambridge, but it won't cost you £9000 !

These events provide a safe space at a time when they are serious cuts to to Black history /education at Chichester, Birmingham and Goldsmiths universities. Executives at BSix College in Hackney, that has a record of pushing Black students to Oxford/Cambridge, wants to cut its education/Black history programme due to 'restructuring' . The BFI Southbank despite 17,000 signatures to keep the 17-year-old African Odysseys, educational, anti-racist film series going, has cancelled the programme due to 'restructuring'.

For more information and to support BSIX click HERE

For more information and to support African Odysseys click HERE

Prince of Peckham University talks list. 6.30 to 8.30pm. Talk starts at 6.45pm

• 15 July. The gentrification of Peckham and Black Urban Removal worldwide
• 22 July. Successful Community activism in Peckham: The Rye Lane Campaign 2011
• 29 July. Hollywood, Zombies and the demonisation of African Spirituality
• 5 August. African Women Resistance Leaders. Political and Spiritual
• 12 August. Sinners Movie Breakdown Part 1/4
• 19 August. African Imagery and history of Black-owned Pubs
• 26 August. 20 Banned Black films you need to see: African Odysseys
• 2 September. Institutional racism in Academia and @BFI: How to fight it
• 9 September. Sisters and Black British Civil rights 1970s/80s
• 16 September. The Black History of Comedy !
• 23 September. A Black Activist in 1900s Britain: SJ Celestine Edwards

Black History Summer School for kids and adults weekdays 11am to 1pm

Monday 18 August : How Black People won World War Two part 1

Tuesday 19 August: How Black People won World War Two part 2

Wednesday 20 August: Hidden Black History in your street

Other coming events ww.blackhistorywalks.co.uk HERE

• Backlash the George Floyd Story , film on 6th June HERE
• Reclaiming Cocoa, film on history of chocolate 21st June HERE
• City of a Million Dreams, New Orleans Jazz/African Spirituality HERE

About the speaker

Danny Thompson is an author, teacher, and researcher of Black history. His talk is based on his research for his MRes thesis, presented in his latest book'Ethiopianism - The Forgotten Movement'. His current PhD research is 'The Life and Work of Samuel Jules Celestine Edwards'