Black History originated in America after Dr. Carter G. Woodson, an American black scholar, noticed from his studies that history books largely ignored the black American population. After establishing the Association for the study of Negro Life and History and founding the journal of Negro History, Woodson launched Negro History Week in 1926.

This aimed to bring national attention to the contributions of black people through American History.

This week was chosen to be the second week in February by Woodson as it marks the birthdays of two men who greatly impacted on the American black population: Frederick Douglas, an American abolitionist who worked to end slavery and Abraham Lincoln, the American President who freed slaves during the civil war.

In the UK Black History emerged as part of the African Jubilee Year for Marcus Garvey Centenary celebrations in America. Akyaaba Addai Sebbo, coordinator of Special Projects at the Greater London Council (GLC), is acknowledged as the originator in the UK, with the first event in 1987.

In Wales, Black History is Welsh History so why is the history of people and communities of African and African-Caribbean descent still invisible, marginalised and overlooked.

Black History Wales (BHW) is aiming to change that attitude and celebrate the achievements and contributions made by individuals with African and African-Caribbean heritage.

Welsh historians, cultural thinkers and artists such as Gwyn Alf Williams, John Davies and Deirdre Beddoe, dedicated their lives to study and document Wales’ story. However, Welsh black history is nonexistent in schools, media and Welsh collective memory. This damages cultural heritage and diversity of Wales as well as individual identity of Welsh black people.

African Diaspora communities take pride in their belonging to Wales and hold the desire that they can one day identify themselves through a more balanced and favourable representation that conveys its many cultural traditions, experiences and contributions.