Introducing: Black in Britain

Hello and welcome to the first blog post on the Black in Britain where we are answering a few questions and introducing the team!

What is Black in Britain?

Black in Britain originally was a photography series created by me, Staf, which then eventually turned into a platform for me to share my learning progress about Black British history and for Black people to come together and talk about their experiences. I created it as a place to celebrate what it means to be black in Britain as this country often silences black voices and erases our contributions to society and culture. Through this, I hope to create a place where black people could have a safe space to express themselves and relate to one another. This is a space to showcase black people I have photographed, as we’ve been historically erased from artistic spaces and my project shines a light on the black community in Britain.

I want to bring awareness to the history of black people in Britain and our cultural impact. I want to feel seen. This is a subject I feel passionately about as a black female living in the western world. Black culture is always the blueprint but black people often feel invisible.

I hope to make Black in Britain a project full of life to explore how blackness is experienced in a post-colonial Britain. - Staf

Who is the founder of Black in Britain?

Stafi Samaki (she/her), Photographer and Casting Assistant/Director.

Founded?

This page was an idea brewing since 2016, but not properly formed until late-2019 and made public in January, 2020.

Meet the Team:

On the team we have our founder, Staf and team members Mo and Shar. We all contribute to the making of Black in Britain.

STAF (SHE/HER)

Instagram
Photography @shotbystaf
Casting @stafisamaki

Hey! My name is Staf and the founder of Black in Britain. I am a visual storyteller and casting director/assistant currently studying at NFTS.

Black in Britain, was originally a project I started in 2016 called Black Girls Project, which was about growing up in Britain from the perspective of different girls. Fast forward to 2019, I wanted to bring it back but make it inclusive of the whole community, which is how BIB came about. Growing up, I was never taught Black British history in primary or secondary. All the information I know now, I got through researching, learning and unlearning by myself. I didn’t know about Britain’s forgotten slave owners, Laurie Cunningham, Olive Morris, Dido Belle Long, Edward Swarthye, Una Marson, Frank Bailey ect. I wasn’t given the chance to learn about it in school. This page gives me the chance to share Black History while also learning.

SHAR (SHE/HER)

Instagram @sharloolart
Twitter @sharloola

I’m Shar, an animation student at NTU and artist in my spare time. I got involved with Black in Britain when Staf told me she wanted to create the platform because it sounded like the exact kind of thing I would have wanted for my younger self; a place for black people led by young black creatives. Growing up in London with immigrant parents, I found myself experiencing a very specific culture that my parents didn’t seem to understand, due to the intersectional experience that comes with being a first-generation African child. Black British culture is something so important to me as it’s what I most identify with - I never felt Ugandan or English “enough” but growing up helped me realise that it’s okay to exist as a mixture of the two. By working at Black in Britain I hope to bring awareness to how the Black British Culture we know, came to be and celebrate it, as well as to provide a space for all Black people to feel represented and safe. 

Mo (she/her)

Instagram @sey.mx

Hello, my name is Mo! I am a recent graduate and junior publicist in the entertainment and music industry. I got involved because I wanted to be part of a community-led platform that was for and by young Black people. There are a few community platforms for Black people but the majority of them are based in the US. Despite having similarities with our Black siblings across the pond the Black British experience is unique, from our history to our present. I also wanted to educate myself on being a Black Brit outside of London. What do I plan to achieve with BIB? I think first and foremost accessibility to education on life as a Black person Britain. As a team we would never pretend to know something when we don’t. Every post we share is supported by research we have read or experiences we/others have had. It is important for us that we not only educate but learn to.

What to expect from us?

Essays, photography, art, resources ect.

Why don’t you post regularly on Instagram?

It’s a page to document and share our learning process, so posting and creating content consistently isn’t a regular occurrence.

Are you looking for team members?

Currently, no.

Do you accept submissions on your blog?

Yes, we do! This page is about sharing knowledge and teaching each other. Please email us via info@blackinbritain.uk or via the contact page.

Love,
Staf x