We remember Joy Gardner, a 40 year old Jamaican student in London, who was killed by police during a dawn deportation raid in July 1993. Officers handcuffed her, bound her with leather straps and gagged her with 13 ft of surgical tape until she collapsed. Joy suffered catastrophic brain damage from asphyxia and died in hospitalContinue reading “32 Years On: We Still Say Her Name. Joy Gardner”
Author Archives: blam UK
MUA – A look into the influence Black UK make up artists have on the make up scene.
In this blog post, we will be looking at Black Makeup Artists in the UK who stand out and are well accomplished, on a national or international level. We love and support our talented service providers, and we will be showing appreciation for their dedication to the arts. A glimpse at looks that have causedContinue reading “MUA – A look into the influence Black UK make up artists have on the make up scene.”
Debunking the Myth of the “Evil” Jab Jab
Jab Jab (from French diable, devil) is often misrepresented in media as something dark or demonic. In reality, Jab Jab is a proud Grenadian and Caribbean masquerade tradition rooted in resistance and celebration, not evil. It dates back to 1834, when slavery was abolished across the Caribbean. Freed people took to the streets at dawnContinue reading “Debunking the Myth of the “Evil” Jab Jab”
Pearl Alcock: Building Black Queer Joy in Brixton’s Underground.
Pearl Alcock (1934–2006) was a Jamaican-born Black British artist, businesswoman, and community builder. For much of the 1970s and ’80s she ran a secret club in Brixton that became legendary , Pearl’s Shebeen, the only gay bar in the area. This underground space welcomed Black gay and bisexual patrons from across London, giving them aContinue reading “Pearl Alcock: Building Black Queer Joy in Brixton’s Underground.”
From Pirate Radio to Festival Headliners: How Black British Music Rose in the UK.
Black music is riding high in summer 2025. From Recessland to Notting Hill Carnival and Wireless, genres of the Black diaspora: Afrobeats, Amapiano, grime, reggae, Dancehall and R&B dominate festival line-ups. It feels like a victory lap for Black music. But not long ago, things were very different. Black music in Britain was often criminalised,Continue reading “From Pirate Radio to Festival Headliners: How Black British Music Rose in the UK.”
Malcolm X at 100: Radical Legacy for Black Britain
Malcolm X (1925–1965) was an African American leader whose uncompromising demand for Black dignity and self‑determination reverberated around the world. Born Malcolm Little on 19 May 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska, he witnessed violent racism from childhood – his family’s home was burned and his father killed in a likely KKK attack. These experiences drove himContinue reading “Malcolm X at 100: Radical Legacy for Black Britain”
Racism is a Mental Health Issue: Mental Health Awareness Week 2025.
Every year the Mental Health Foundation’s Mental Health Awareness Week (12–18 May 2025) spotlights a theme. This year, the focus is “community”, celebrating the power of connection and support. Communities give us belonging, purpose and safety – everything our mental well-being needs But as we come together this week, we must also confront forces thatContinue reading “Racism is a Mental Health Issue: Mental Health Awareness Week 2025.”
Protecting Our Crowns: Sadia Kabeya’s Satin Scrum Cap Is Changing the Game
Sadia Kabeya, a 23-year-old flanker for England’s Red Roses, is a rising star on the rugby pitch. She’s also the inventor of a groundbreaking satin lined scrum cap, a simple yet powerful innovation born of Black cultural wisdom. In a sport long dominated by white men, Kabeya’s creation stands out as a beacon of BlackContinue reading “Protecting Our Crowns: Sadia Kabeya’s Satin Scrum Cap Is Changing the Game”
Your Guide to the Best Books by Black Authors.
BookTok has taken over, Black literature is thriving, and social reading is more popular than ever. If you’re looking for your next great read, we’ve got you covered! Social reading is back, with more people in their twenties taking an interest in books and joining social clubs. Terms like BookTok and Black Reads are trending,Continue reading “Your Guide to the Best Books by Black Authors.”
Henna Is How We Wear Our Roots
Across Africa, henna has long been a part of celebration, spirituality, and self-expression. For thousands of years, this natural dye – made from the leaves of the Lawsonia inermis plant – has been painted onto the skin during weddings, religious festivals, and other important life events. But today, henna is more than just a traditionContinue reading “Henna Is How We Wear Our Roots”
BLAM UK CIC 