Become a Race History Detective and Help Uncover Birmingham’s Anti-Racist History

Are you passionate about history, social justice, and activism? Do you want to be part of a groundbreaking project that captures Birmingham’s rich anti-racist heritage? Now is your chance to join BRIG’s Race History Detectives, a unique opportunity to explore and document the city’s history of activism while gaining valuable research and creative skills.

Uncovering the Story of Birmingham’s Anti-Racist Activism

The Race History Detectives project, funded by the Heritage Lottery, aims to retell the story of Birmingham’s fight against racism, from the 1940s to today. Through archival research, oral history interviews, and creative production, participants will help build a comprehensive record of past and present anti-racist activism.

By joining this programme, you will:

• Learn about Birmingham’s Black history and the movements that shaped the city.

• Gain research and oral history skills to interview key activists who have fought for racial justice.

• Explore institutional responses to activism and their impact on society.

• Contribute to an interactive website and historical repository for future generations.

• Receive training in audio and video production to document stories creatively.

• Engage with expert lectures, including sessions by the Stuart Hall Archive Project and Dr. Robert Beckford, an award-winning presenter and documentarian.

This is a fully accredited programme, meaning participants will gain official recognition for their learning. While the project particularly welcomes young people, it is open to all who are interested in documenting and preserving history.

Seeking the Pioneers: The Importance of the Project

As part of the Seeking the Pioneers initiative, the Race History Detectives will focus on:

1. Documenting Birmingham’s history of anti-racist activism through firsthand accounts and research.

2. Recording institutional responses to activism and examining their effectiveness.

3. Highlighting the contributions of key and lesser-known activists who have shaped change.

4. Building a timeline of anti-racist action and institutional reactions to create a clear picture of progress and ongoing struggles.

By gathering this knowledge, the project ensures that the hard-won rights of today are understood and appreciated, while also providing an evidence base for the rights still to be secured.

What You’ll Learn: Core Modules

Participants will be trained in six key areas:

• What is an Anti-Racist? How to be an Anti-Racist Activist

• Birmingham’s Anti-Racist Timeline

• Oral History and Research Skills

• Transcribing and Editing Oral Histories

• Birmingham’s Black History

• Audio & Video Production Skills

To support your learning, you’ll have access to handouts, workbooks, and interview assignments, as well as key resources, including:

• BHOHP - Black Oral History Exhibition

• Mx60 Resource Pack

• Land of Money

• Stephen Lawrence Review 2001

Join Us and Make History

This is your chance to be part of a transformative initiative that ensures Birmingham’s anti-racist history is preserved and celebrated.

Come along to the BRIG Café on Wednesday, 19th March at 6 PM to enrol, find out more, and hear about Birmingham’s anti-racist history. To register for the event, click here.

Don’t just learn history—help uncover it. Become a Race History Detective today.