THIS OCTOBER , Sky History will be exploring black history every Sunday from 9pm and will launch a new social media-led initiative, 31 Faces Of Black British History, to celebrate the achievements of notable black figures throughout British History.

To make sense of the African and Caribbean presence it is crucial that we seek out and celebrate the achievements and contributions of black Britons

Dr Angelina Osborne

The first Sunday will see the UK premiere of 400 Years Taking the Knee (October 4, 9pm); a two-part documentary presented by writer, publisher and BBC radio presenter, Dotun Adebayo focussing on those historic individuals who fought and struggled against colonialism, slavery, and their legacies.

Other key shows include the UK premiere of Slaveship Mutiny (October 11, 9pm) and Aftershock: Beyond the Civil War (October 25, 9pm).

To celebrate Black History Month, Sky History will also be inviting the public to nominate the most influential black people in British history, as part of the 31 Faces Of Black British History initiative.

Via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, the broadcaster will ask the public for submissions  of people whom they think deserve to be recognised.  

From all the submissions, Sky History will then work with a diverse and representative group of historians to collate the final list of the 31 Faces Of Black British History to be shared online each day in October, on its website, www.history.co.uk.

The website (www.history.co.uk) will include more information on the final 31 people with supporting articles on black history. The call-out to the public will be on September 19.

The channel hosted a similar initiative with a social media campaign for International Women’s Day which asked the public to vote for the most influential woman in British history.

The public chose the winner to be Aethelflaed, Lady of Mercians.

Dr Angelina Osborne is one of the historians working with Sky History on the project and is the co-author of 100 Great Black Britons.

Dr Osborne also features in series one of the Sky History podcast, Not What You Thought You Knew.

Dr Angelina Osborne said: “Writing and researching 100 Great Black Britons was a journey into British history that is seldom explored.

“To make sense of the African and Caribbean presence it is crucial that we seek out and celebrate the achievements and contributions of black Britons. Sky History’s campaign is an important intervention in raising awareness about Black British history.”

Sky History will be releasing the second season of the podcast, Not What You Thought You Knew in September.

Hosted by Dr Fern Riddell, the podcast explores little-known characters from history to reveal their incredible stories with several episodes focused on black British history including writer and abolitionist Olaudah Equiano, the Ivory Bangle Lady and First World War officer Allan Noel Minns.

The first season of Not What You Thought You Knew is available to download for free here:  https://podfollow.com/not-what-you-thought-you-knew

Commenting on the podcast Dr Fern Riddell said: “Hosting Not What You Thought You Knew is a joy.

“I’ve never had the opportunity to investigate historical stories with other experts before, and to sit and have a conversation with leaders in their field, about things that will challenge and surprise our listeners, well it’s just a dream come true.

“We have a great young team committed to breaking apart stereotypes, and that’s at the heart of every episode we make.”