Blue plaque for anti-slavery man
A passionate activist against slavery and racism will be commemorated as part of Black History Month.
The work of Celestine Edwards and the contribution he made to anti-racism campaigns of the 19th century has been researched by experts at University of Sunderland.
And on Thursday, October 15, a blue plaque will be unveiled to Edwards.
Sunderland currently has a small Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) population – less than five per cent – but as a port, there is a long history of immigration.
There is a recorded history of anti-slavery activities, first organised by the local Quakers in the city during the early 18th century, and so in celebrating Celestine Edwards’ contribution it is possible to see how the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement has local relevance going back nearly 300 years.
The research has been led by the University’s Professor Donna Chambers and Professor Angela Smith.
Prof Smith said: “We found that there was very vocal support for the anti-slavery cam
paigns throughout the 19th century.
“There is already a plaque tocommemoratethecontribution of James Field Stanfield to the abolition of the slave trade, but what we found was that he was just one of many people in the city.
“A vital part of the campaignswaspubliceventswhere speakers would offer impassioned appeals for a greater understandingandacceptance of black lives. In Sunderland, these events happened most frequentlyattheAssemblyHall on Fawcett Street.
“Celestine Edwards was a regular speaker there, even after he moved to London. Renowned African-American anti-slavery campaigner
Frederick Douglass shared the stage with Edwards on several occasions.”
The plaque will be unveiled in a virtual ceremony and later put in place on the old Midland Bank in Fawcett Street.
Prof Chambers added: “Celestine Edwards, as an editor of two magazines, was said to be Britain’s first black editor and he used this role and his many speeches at locations throughout the UK, to advocate strongly for the equality of black lives.
“I believe that this blue plaque to Edwards, in this central location in the city of Sunderland, is long overdue and should serve as a permanent marker to highlight the value of black lives yesterday, today, and into the future.”