September Publishing acquires guide to London's Afro-Caribbean history

September Publishing is to release the "first comprehensive guide" to London's Afro-Caribbean history. 

Publisher Hannah Macdonald acquired world rights in all languages to The Guide to Black London: Discovering the City's Afro-Caribbean History by Steve Martin and Michael I Ohajuru from Charlie Viney at Viney Agency.

The illustrated guide explores the culture of the city in sections, and details the history of Africans in London from the Roman occupation to the descendents of the Windrush generation. The book also  makes use of maps to highlight to locations of significant dates, people and events. It will be published in 2022.

Macdonald said: "It is a massive undertaking—historical records for Afro-Caribbean women in particular are scant—and the recent closure of archives and libraries has slowed research. Even though this book is urgently needed, we are giving the authors’ time to uncover as much as possible.

"The combination of Michael's work with the National Gallery and his expertise in Black subjects within art history with Steve's guiding and writing on the history of Black lives in London will ensure a true picture of the city is painted, one that shows what a broad, diverse and inspiring place London is." 

In a joint statement the authors said: "Together we have over two decades of leading Black History tours in London. The most frequently asked question we have both found to be is: 'Where is Black London?' The question could come from an African-American tourist, a White British academic or sometimes even a Black Londoner. The answer was always the same: 'Black London is everywhere!' The Guide to Black London is our written response to enable that tourist, that academic and that Black Londoner to find that Black London is close at hand. Whether in the form of a venue for a celebrated entertainer, a meeting place for African or Caribbean independence movements or the home of a renowned writer or future head of state. The Guide to Black London reveals the impact, longevity and variety of the Black presence across the nation’s capital."

The guide will be released next year.