Information for Organisations
"Powerful people cannot afford to educate the people that they oppress, because once you are truly educated, you will not ask for power. You will take it."
- Dr John Henrik Clarke (a highly respected Black historian)
Why Is Black History Important?
Maybe it's because:
1) Black history is part of world history, or
2) Black history has been deliberately hidden from everyone, or
3) for too long, the history of Africa has been written from a purely European perspective, or
4) there is already 'white history', or
5) it's an opportunity to find new solutions to tackling racism and the impact of colonialism, or
6) people of African descent need to know the truth about their origins, histories, and cultures, or
7) Africa is where modern humans (homo sapiens sapiens) first originated, or
8) it's all of the above!
'White History'?
Someone once asked me: "Why do we need Black history classes? You never hear about white history classes." And he was right! And yet, at the same time, so wrong. Right, because we never hear about 'white history'. Wrong, because we didn't need to hear the words 'white history' since the history of white people was everywhere. In fact, for five hundred years it was the only history that was studied.
Books
The few books written about Black people (mostly by white people) were from their own perspectives. The even fewer books written by Black people about Black people were usually hidden away in dark rooms within the darkened rooms of many libraries.
Black Historians
The first book I read about Black people (written by a Black person) was "From Superman to Man" by J. A. Rogers (self-published in 1917). Since then, I have found out about other Black historians such as Carter G Woodson, Cheikh Anta Diop, John Henrik Clarke, Ivan Van Sertima, Chancellor Williams, Runoko Rashidi, Robin Walker, and many more.
Regaining Africa's History
It has been said that history is written by the winners. The losers are either integrated into the winner's history or they merely lose their history. Another option involves regaining their history. Its a difficult and long road, but still we must travel.
Linford Sweeney
1) Black history is part of world history, or
2) Black history has been deliberately hidden from everyone, or
3) for too long, the history of Africa has been written from a purely European perspective, or
4) there is already 'white history', or
5) it's an opportunity to find new solutions to tackling racism and the impact of colonialism, or
6) people of African descent need to know the truth about their origins, histories, and cultures, or
7) Africa is where modern humans (homo sapiens sapiens) first originated, or
8) it's all of the above!
'White History'?
Someone once asked me: "Why do we need Black history classes? You never hear about white history classes." And he was right! And yet, at the same time, so wrong. Right, because we never hear about 'white history'. Wrong, because we didn't need to hear the words 'white history' since the history of white people was everywhere. In fact, for five hundred years it was the only history that was studied.
Books
The few books written about Black people (mostly by white people) were from their own perspectives. The even fewer books written by Black people about Black people were usually hidden away in dark rooms within the darkened rooms of many libraries.
Black Historians
The first book I read about Black people (written by a Black person) was "From Superman to Man" by J. A. Rogers (self-published in 1917). Since then, I have found out about other Black historians such as Carter G Woodson, Cheikh Anta Diop, John Henrik Clarke, Ivan Van Sertima, Chancellor Williams, Runoko Rashidi, Robin Walker, and many more.
Regaining Africa's History
It has been said that history is written by the winners. The losers are either integrated into the winner's history or they merely lose their history. Another option involves regaining their history. Its a difficult and long road, but still we must travel.
Linford Sweeney
About Me
My name is Linford Sweeney and I have been a Black History Educator for more than seventeen years. It all begun with my mother (may she rest in eternal peace) who instilled within me a passion for family history. In turn, history became a fascination and hobby, and later, within my local community, I started teaching others.
As more and more people wanted to know about Black history, I obliged by delivering classes, workshops, talks, and later on courses. I addition, I advised, managed, or consulted on several initiatives, including the 70th anniversary of the 1945 Pan-African Congress held in Manchester.
Since then, I have physically delivered education programmes throughout England, written articles, appeared on radio programmes, created books and booklets for charities, written and published two books, contributed to several published books, and used the Zoom and Teams platforms to reach people across the world, including Africa, the Caribbean, and the USA.
My programmes have been delivered to:
NHS
Local authorities
Probation Services
Universities
Colleges
Schools
Private companies
Trade unions
Churches
Youth projects
Community organisations
Charities
and other agencies
Today, my business, INSPIRED HISTORIES, has been in operation for more than seven years!
Contact me for further information about engaging me within your organisation.
My name is Linford Sweeney and I have been a Black History Educator for more than seventeen years. It all begun with my mother (may she rest in eternal peace) who instilled within me a passion for family history. In turn, history became a fascination and hobby, and later, within my local community, I started teaching others.
As more and more people wanted to know about Black history, I obliged by delivering classes, workshops, talks, and later on courses. I addition, I advised, managed, or consulted on several initiatives, including the 70th anniversary of the 1945 Pan-African Congress held in Manchester.
Since then, I have physically delivered education programmes throughout England, written articles, appeared on radio programmes, created books and booklets for charities, written and published two books, contributed to several published books, and used the Zoom and Teams platforms to reach people across the world, including Africa, the Caribbean, and the USA.
My programmes have been delivered to:
NHS
Local authorities
Probation Services
Universities
Colleges
Schools
Private companies
Trade unions
Churches
Youth projects
Community organisations
Charities
and other agencies
Today, my business, INSPIRED HISTORIES, has been in operation for more than seven years!
Contact me for further information about engaging me within your organisation.
What I Can Offer
Black History Education Talks, Workshops, & Courses
* Ancient African Kingdoms and Empires
The above talks, workshops, and courses are flexible enough to be delivered to any organisation.
The duration of sessions can be between thirty minutes and two hours (depending on your requirements).
My unique delivery style may include interactive and engagement techniques to involve participants and could cover ice breakers, quizzes, images, films, music, debate, discussions, 'homework', and Q & A.
The delivery method can be in person or via Zoom, Teams, or any other appropriate delivery methods.
Black History Education Talks, Workshops, & Courses
- * Black History is World History
- * Uncovering Black British History
- * West Africa's Glorious Past
- * Black Inventors and Their Inventions
- * The Untold History of Jamaica
- * Women of the US Civil Rights Movement
- * Caribbean Carnival History
- * Great African Queens and Women Warriors
- * How Black Music Became British Music
- * A History of the Windrush Generation
- * Understanding Black British Civil Rights
- * Revealing Black British Business History
* Ancient African Kingdoms and Empires
The above talks, workshops, and courses are flexible enough to be delivered to any organisation.
The duration of sessions can be between thirty minutes and two hours (depending on your requirements).
My unique delivery style may include interactive and engagement techniques to involve participants and could cover ice breakers, quizzes, images, films, music, debate, discussions, 'homework', and Q & A.
The delivery method can be in person or via Zoom, Teams, or any other appropriate delivery methods.
Charges (Your Investment)
Public & Private Organisations
I usually deliver my sessions to groups within organisations, including unions, specialist groups/teams, HR, Equality teams, etc.
From £200-£300 per session (one session may be from 45 to 90 minutes)
I usually deliver my sessions to groups within organisations, including unions, specialist groups/teams, HR, Equality teams, etc.
From £200-£300 per session (one session may be from 45 to 90 minutes)
Education institutions
These programmes are also very popular with schools (aged 11-18), colleges, and universities.
From £150-£200 per session.
Community organisations
Programmes can be developed with or for community organisations such as churches, voluntary organisations/groups, community projects, youth groups/projects, etc.
From £100-£150 per session.
Contact me for further information about engaging me within your organisation.
Samples of previous courses, workshops, & talks
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