The Black British Book Festival (BBBF) transcends the traditional confines of a literary event: it is a sustained cultural movement aimed at redressing systemic underrepresentation, nurturing emerging talent, and reshaping the UK publishing landscape for everyone. Since our inception in 2021, we have scaled from a modest gathering into Europe’s largest celebration of Black literature, forged strategic partnerships with major publishers, and embedded year-round programming, from book tours to community workshops, that cements our role as a permanent force for change.
When Selina Brown launched BBBF in 2021, her goal was simple yet radical: to create a dedicated platform where Black British authors could be centre stage rather than sidelined. What began as an intimate event quickly evolved into Europe’s largest Black literature festival, drawing thousands to venues such as the Southbank Centre in October 2023 and the Barbican Centre in October 2024. Recognition soon followed; industry awards and high-profile speaking invitations underscored that BBBF was no longer a fringe gathering but a key fixture on the literary calendar.
Our founding mission extends far beyond a two-day schedule. It is a deliberate intervention against the structural biases of publishing. In a 2024 Arts Council interview, Brown described the festival as “not just an event; it was a movement within the publishing industry,” dedicated to championing emerging talent and reaching marginalised communities. We have catalysed industry-wide conversations on inclusion and set new benchmarks for what a truly representative literary scene can look like.
We have made it clear that our ambition stretches well beyond a single leadership or moment. We envision regional editions, an international tour circuit, and even a publishing imprint to ensure our impact outlives any one individual. Plans are already in place to expand into underserved regions across the UK: an intentional move to ensure our resources and networks uplift writers beyond London’s cultural hubs. These initiatives underscore our commitment to long-term infrastructure rather than temporary visibility.
A cornerstone of our rapid growth has been collaboration with leading publishers. Since 2022, Pan Macmillan’s headline sponsorship has brought both financial support and industry credibility, enabling us to scale our programming and amplify underrepresented voices. Partnerships with Hachette, Simon & Schuster, and Penguin have also funded workshops, mentorship schemes, and rights clinics; each of these initiatives helps reinforce our mission to shift entrenched industry norms. This shared investment between publishers and cultural organisers reflects how alliances can drive sustainable change.
We operate well beyond the confines of our annual showcase. Our 2023 UK tour featured 30 Black British authors in towns from Manchester to Liverpool, bringing literary dialogue directly into local libraries and community centres. These efforts remove barriers to access and deepen engagement. Meanwhile, online masterclasses, pop-up libraries, and school outreach programmes ensure that our impact continues throughout the year. Together, these initiatives foster a living literary ecosystem that nurtures talent and builds community solidarity.
The Black British Book Festival is not merely a date on the cultural calendar: it is a living movement. A defiant, beautiful insistence that Black stories matter; that they belong not on the margins, but at the very centre of our shared literary future.
Our mission reaches beyond visibility. It asks who gets to be remembered, whose narratives are validated, and how we build a literary future that is not just diverse in appearance, but equitable in structure. But for this movement to thrive, it must become a shared responsibility.
We need institutional partnerships that move from performative allyship to practical investment: embedding mentorship, publishing apprenticeships, and long-term development opportunities within their core operations.
We need decentralised cultural hubs across the UK: spaces where Black writers in Manchester, Bristol, or Newcastle feel seen, supported, and equipped to thrive. Culture should not be confined by geography.
We need a dedicated publishing imprint: one that embodies the values of the festival year-round. Not just to showcase Black talent, but to invest deeply in its development, marketing, and long-term success.
Because the festival is not a fleeting moment: it is a mandate.
This is an appeal, not only to publishers, funders, and educators, but to readers, students, libraries, and media. To invest in legacy rather than lip service. To build something that will outlast us all.
Let’s not merely celebrate this movement: let’s make it last.
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