Resources in the Birmingham City Archives, Local Studies and History section of the Central Library provides a wealth of information for you to explore.  | | Image from the book 'Making Connections' - celebrating the contribution which black people have made to the Birmingham's history since the eighteenth century. |
Even prior to the arrival of the Empire Windrush in 1948, historical sources in the Birmingham City Archives reveal, there has been a Black presence in Birmingham since the 18th century. Black history in Birmingham... There is still a wealth of untapped historical documentation yet to be used for researching Black history in Birmingham, including church records, family papers, business records, medical records and school archives. The Black History Collection on the 6th floor at Birmingham Central Library is a good starting point for researching information and material that may be hidden deep in the city's archive collections.  | | Enjoying Birmingham Carnival |
Delve into the archives... Find out how individuals and groups have played a historic part in building a diverse city. Explore the vast amount of information on the diverse communities that make up Birmingham, available on the seventh floor in the Local Studies and History Department. Materials include, books, census returns, newspapers, maps, oral and video history, photographic collections and much more... | Black History Book Collection... |
 | | Adisa Folarin |
Adisa Folarin, works on the Black History Collection at Central Library. He talks about their new collection of books and material depicting Black international history.  I like to see a good balance of African history represented on library book shelves. In a lot of libraries Black history is represented by books about African slavery written by a lot of European writers.
Writers from African, African Caribbean and African American decents are just not being represented on the library bookshelves today.  | | Black History books at Birmingham Central Library |
In the Black History Collection at Birmingham Central Library you can find books written by Black historians including African scholar, Runoko Rashidi, who has written several books focusing on the African presence globally and the African foundations of world civilizations. Other books include Black Women in Antiquity, Black Indians, Black Edwardians and many, many, more... People can come to the library and trace their African history throughout the entire world over 1000's of years. Take a period in time, find a book and trace your history. - Adisa Folarin
The photographic collections in Birmingham City Archives document the Black communities in and around Birmingham. The vast collection features images by local photographers including: Vanley Burke - from children playing in Handsworth Park to family celebrations and public demonstrations, for over 30 years Vanley Burke has captured the everyday life of Britain's black community.
Read more on Vanley Burke>> |  | | Photograph by Vanley Burke© |
|  | | Pogus Caesar - a collection of photographs and ephemera about his work on the Windrush project and images of Black music legends from 1980 - 2000. His amazing career has seen him travel through five continents and every facet of the arts.
Read more on Pogus Caesar>> |  | | Alton Ellis © Pogus Caesar/OOM Gallery |
|
| Other photographers featured in the collection include: |
George Hallett, photographer: Images taken in Handsworth, 1971 - 1972. Sue Green, photographer: Images of Birmingham International Carnival 1993 - 2000. Max Kandola, photographer: 'Fashion' 2000, including many Black hairstyles, jewellery etc... Black History Collection @ Birmingham Central Library | Get a flavour of the Birmingham History collection found in Birmingham Central Library with our picture gallery below. Picture Gallery |  | | Photograph by Vanley Burke© |
|
Visit the Black History Collection on the sixth and seventh floor in Birmingham Central Library or Tel: 0121 303 4217. | 
Birmingham City Archives at Birmingham Central Library includes information and materials on the African Caribbean, Asian and African communities in Birmingham.
