Whether you enjoy listening to music, reading books and poetry, watching films or visiting art museums, the contributions made by artists and performers of African origin are all around you.

Rising out of the shackles of slavery in centuries past, to increased recognition in this new century, it is clear that black people have made an enormous contribution to culture around the world.

This book looks at the influences and key movements in the development of black artists and their work across the generations. The Black History series brings together a wide range of events and experiences from the past to promote knowledge and understanding of black culture today.

This book looks at the influences and key movements in the development of black artists and their work across the generations.