Black History Month returns in the UK this October, marking over three decades of the national celebration. Intended to highlight the experiences of African and Caribbean communities in Britain, the month-long celebration was started in the 1980s by Ghanaian refugee Akyaaba Addai-Sebo.
Although Addai-Sebo initiated BHM in the UK, the tradition had already been observed in the USA since the 1970s. While there is no official body that manages BHM in the UK, online magazine Black History Month has gained some authority for its reporting of BHM events happening around the country.
This year’s theme, Reclaiming Narratives, highlights the power of storytelling in shaping our understanding of identity, history and culture.
In line with this, here are four British shows that offer fresh perspectives on the Black British experience - and you can watch them all for free.