The Six Triple Eight
“It is an absolute honour to stand here in the presence of incredible storytellers and to celebrate a story that deserves to be told: The Six Triple Eight.
The Six Triple Eight mission was not just about delivering mail; it was about breaking barriers and proving that Black women could, and would, rise above challenges—no matter how impossible the odds seemed.
At the Black Cultural Archives, we are driven by three values: to reflect, empower, and ignite. To reflect on our shared history as Black people, empowering us to embrace our stories with pride, and igniting future generations to continue the fight for visibility, equity, and recognition.
The Six Triple Eight reminds us that our history is global, our stories interconnected, and our collective power unshakable. These women delivered dignity, courage, and a legacy that echoes across decades and continents.
Today, at BCA, we carry the torch they lit by preserving, sharing, and celebrating the stories of Black resilience and triumph. But we can’t do this work alone and I hope you'll consider becoming part of the BCA family. In times of challenge, we remember that connection—like the connection this battalion forged under unimaginable circumstances—can help us go further, together.
So, as I raise this glass, I invite you to reflect on the stories that have shaped us, empower one another to carry them forward, and ignite the belief that history is not just something to be remembered—it’s something to be cherished, protected, and shared.
To The Six Triple Eight. To connection. And to the power of our stories. We look forward to welcoming you to the BCA soon.”
Lisa Anderson, Managing Director, Black Cultural Archives
13 December 2024
RESOURCES
REFLECT: Search ‘Special Collections and Archives’ catalogue by key words like ‘world war’ (for example) and find out what we have in our collections related to Black Service men and women.
EMPOWER: Access the ‘War to Windrush’ study guide released to coincide with the unveiling of the First and Second World War memorial to the contributions made by African and Caribbean men and women and find out more about the legacy of the Black Service men and women who served in the First and Second World War.
IGNITE: Go to our online shop and purchase a Black Poppy Rose to support and commemorate the Black, African, and Caribbean communities’ contribution to World War I as service people and as civilians.