Black Cultural Archives partners with Scholastic to celebrate the Windrush generation

Black Cultural Archives is proud to be partnering with Scholastic UK for a book to celebrate the Windrush generation and our 40th anniversary.

THE PLACE FOR ME: STORIES OF THE WINDRUSH GENERATION will feature twelve stories inspired by the people of the Windrush generation – drawn from the archives.

Dame Floella Benjamin, Trinidadian-British author, actress, television presenter and politician, writes the foreword. The contributing authors all have a connection to the Windrush generation and include authors Kevin George, Salena Godden, Ashley Hickson-Lovence, Jermain Jackman, Kirsty Latoya and Quincy the Comedian alongside Katy Massey, Emma Norry, K. N. Chimbiri and Judy Hepburn. The cover art is by illustrator Joelle Avelino.

Aimed at 8+ readers, the hardback will publish in June to mark the Black Cultural Archive’s 40th anniversary and Windrush Day on 22nd June which honours the British Caribbean community and the half a million people who travelled to the UK after the Second World War.

Scholastic will donate 50p from the sale of every book to BCA.

Arike Oke, Managing Director of Black Cultural Archives, says: “The stories of the Windrush Generation are the stories of how post-war Britain was made, and stories about the shared histories that unite people of African descent around the world. I am delighted that Scholastic recognised the importance of making sure that children and families have access to this precious history, and doubly pleased at the incredible writers that answered the call. This is a landmark publication that will carry its own legacy of education and inspiration into homes and schools. As the Managing Director of BCA, I couldn’t be more proud.”

Leah James, Publishing Manager at Scholastic UK, says: “Working with the BCA is a dream come true. They are a brilliant organization working tirelessly to document the lives of black people in Britain. We are thrilled to be publishing so many brilliant authors who will be sharing the under-heard stories and history of the Windrush Generation with children and adults alike.”

THE PLACE FOR ME: STORIES OF THE WINDRUSH GENERATION publishes in hardback in June 2021.