Seeking the Pioneers: An exciting update
As we approach Black History Month 2025, with this year’s theme Roots and Resistance, BRIG is proud to announce the launch of our new Seeking the Pioneers exhibition at Birmingham’s Main Library. The exhibition will open in the foyer area of the library on the 6th of October 2025 and marks the second instalment in the series, following the successful debut at the BRIG Café during last year’s Black History Month.
In early 2024, BRIG launched a two-year initiative called Seeking the Pioneers. The project was created to document and celebrate Birmingham’s rich history of race activism, spanning from the 1940s to the present day. Our goal has been to actively seek out and record the stories of individuals and collectives who have fought and continue to fight against structural racism and inequality in the city. Seeking the Pioneers aims to shine a light on Birmingham’s significant, and often overlooked, role in the UK’s wider anti-racist movement.
Alongside collecting the oral histories of our ‘pioneers’, we also trained a group of Race History Detectives who were equipped to gather and present the stories of anti-racist leaders. This work ensures that these vital histories are not only preserved but also understood by new generations, inspiring continued activism for racial justice. By connecting young people with the legacy of past and present anti-racist pioneers, both this project and BRIG seek to pass the baton to the next generation of activists and leaders committed to building a more just and equal society.
As with any meaningful project, particularly one of this nature, it has been an emotional journey. At times, we’ve had difficult conversations, as pioneers shared their personal experiences and the painful realities they’ve faced in overcoming racism. Yet, the importance of this work continues to inspire and sustain us, as we remain committed to the vision of making Birmingham an anti-racist city by 2035.
As we approach 18 months of this project, we are pleased to announce that we have managed to interview almost 100 anti-racist pioneers around key questions such as:
What does anti-racism mean to you?
What/ who sparked your activism?
Who are your anti-racist heroes/ sheroes/ inspirations?
What does/ should an anti-racist city look like?
We have also developed the Race History Detective training programme, which is in the process of being accredited. Our aim is for this programme to be used as a valuable module in anti-racist education, organisational training, and potentially, within cultural or Black studies curricula.
We’ve continued holding photoshoots for our Pioneers at the BRIG Café, where we’ve had some incredible conversations. These sessions have not only brought pioneers together — often meeting for the first time — but have also sparked new connections and led to even more names being suggested for inclusion. We believe this project carries a lasting legacy, and we’re excited to share further updates in the months ahead.
The Seeking the Pioneers project has been funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.