Liverpool's Black Community trail

In the 1750's Black settlers included sailors, freed slaves and student sons of African rulers. Despite challenges, Black presence has grown and contributed to all aspects of Liverpool life. 

When the British slave trade was abolished in 1807, palm oil, timber, ground nuts and rubber were traded instead. Liverpool was a huge imperial port. African sailors like the Kru, originally from Liberia and Sierra Leone, settled here. 

The first known picture of Black people in Liverpool, 1776.
Courtesy of Liverpool Record Office, Liverpool libraries

Some Black families can trace their Liverpool history back over 200 years. Imagine the 18th century port, home to the children of African rulers, freed enslaved Africans and Black veterans of the American War of Independence. Later, in the 19th century West African seafarers working on Elder Dempster Line ships settled in the city, enabling the already established Black population to grow. See in Global City.

Image: Albert James with his siblings, courtesy of Ray Costello 

Kingsman Harrison was one of several Black boxers in the successful boxing team that won several army championships during the early 1980s. Black soldiers have served in the King’s Regiment as long ago as the First World War. See on Floor One.

Kingsman Harrison, out-boxing Private Flinter at the Army Inter Unit Boxing Championships, 1982.

In the 1980s Claire Dove faced racism in her hunt for a job. Her response? Claire co-founded the Women's Technology and Education Centre (WTEC) to provide training for low paid and unemployed women. Today the centre, now Blackburne House, has helped around 20,000 women. Alongside Claire's Story, see Blackburne House represented in Mike Jones' painting 'Unemployment on Merseyside – campaigning for the right to work'. See in People's Republic gallery, floor two.

In 2005 promising student Anthony Walker was murdered in Huyton, on the outskirts of Liverpool because he was Black and walking with his white girlfriend. His mum and sister, Gee and Dominique Walker, established a special Foundation to celebrate Anthony’s life and challenge racism. 'Colour Blind' was filmed in Liverpool to be shown in local schools to spread the anti-racism message in Anthony’s memory. See in People's Republic gallery, floor two.

Image: Courtesy of the Anthony Walker Foundation 

An ambassador for city politics, Glynn Pratt paved the way for others when he was elected in 1980. He later became chairman of Merseyside Association for Racial Equality, shop steward for Mersey Docks and Harbour Company and went on to join their board. See in People's Republic gallery.

Image: Courtesy of Liverpool Daily Post and Echo