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 the past sixteen 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 became consultant for several initiatives, including the 70th anniversary of the 1945 Pan-African Congress held in Manchester.
Since that time, I have delivered programmes across England, written articles, appeared on various radio programmes, created booklets for charities, written and published two books, and used Zoom to reach people across the world, including Africa.
My programmes have been delivered to the following organisations:
NHS
Local authorities
Probation Service
Universities
Colleges
Schools
Trade unions
Churches
Community organisations and charities
and many other agencies
Today, my business, INSPIRED HISTORIES, has been in operation for over six years!
My name is Linford Sweeney and I have been a Black History Educator for the past sixteen 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 became consultant for several initiatives, including the 70th anniversary of the 1945 Pan-African Congress held in Manchester.
Since that time, I have delivered programmes across England, written articles, appeared on various radio programmes, created booklets for charities, written and published two books, and used Zoom to reach people across the world, including Africa.
My programmes have been delivered to the following organisations:
NHS
Local authorities
Probation Service
Universities
Colleges
Schools
Trade unions
Churches
Community organisations and charities
and many other agencies
Today, my business, INSPIRED HISTORIES, has been in operation for over six years!
What I Can Offer
Black History Education Courses
- Black History is World History
- Uncovering Black British History
- West Africa's Glorious Past
- West African Spirituality
- Ancient Egypt's Golden Years
- Ancient and Prehistoric African Civilisations
- Ancient, Medieval, and Modern African Empires
- Colonialism: Europe's Invasion of Africa
- African Spirituality and the Egyptian Mystery Systems
- Black Inventors and Inventions
- The Untold History of Jamaica
- The Harlem Renaissance and the Black Struggle for Expression
- Women of the Civil Rights Movement
- The Untold History of Black Achievement
- Trade, Exploitation, and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
- Great African Queens and Women Warriors
- How Black Music Became British Music
- Recognising the Windrush Generation
- The Hidden Black British Civil Rights
- Uncovering Black British Business History
Talks, Workshops, and Classes
These sessions will be tailored to meet your needs and comprising of extracts from my longer programmes.
The duration of sessions can be from 15 minutes to two hours (depending on your requirements).
My unique delivery style may include a variety of interactive and engagement techniques to involve participants and could include ice breakers, quizzes, images, films, music, debate, discussions, 'homework',
Q & A, etc.
The delivery method can be in person (including adhering to any health-related guidelines in place at the time) or via Zoom, Teams, etc.
Black History Education Courses
- Black History is World History
- Uncovering Black British History
- West Africa's Glorious Past
- West African Spirituality
- Ancient Egypt's Golden Years
- Ancient and Prehistoric African Civilisations
- Ancient, Medieval, and Modern African Empires
- Colonialism: Europe's Invasion of Africa
- African Spirituality and the Egyptian Mystery Systems
- Black Inventors and Inventions
- The Untold History of Jamaica
- The Harlem Renaissance and the Black Struggle for Expression
- Women of the Civil Rights Movement
- The Untold History of Black Achievement
- Trade, Exploitation, and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
- Great African Queens and Women Warriors
- How Black Music Became British Music
- Recognising the Windrush Generation
- The Hidden Black British Civil Rights
- Uncovering Black British Business History
Talks, Workshops, and Classes
These sessions will be tailored to meet your needs and comprising of extracts from my longer programmes.
The duration of sessions can be from 15 minutes to two hours (depending on your requirements).
My unique delivery style may include a variety of interactive and engagement techniques to involve participants and could include ice breakers, quizzes, images, films, music, debate, discussions, 'homework',
Q & A, etc.
The delivery method can be in person (including adhering to any health-related guidelines in place at the time) or via Zoom, Teams, etc.
Charges (Your Investment)
Public & Private Organisations
From £200 per session (one session may be from 45 minutes to two hours)
From £200 per session (one session may be from 45 minutes to two hours)
Education institutions
These programmes are also very popular with schools (aged 11-18), colleges, and universities.
From £150 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 per session.
For further information or to make a booking, please click here.
Samples of previous courses, workshops, & sessions
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