Peter Fryer

Peter Fryer (18 February 1927 – 31 October 2006) was a pioneering British journalist and historian whose work fundamentally reshaped the understanding of Black presence in Britain. Best known for his landmark books Staying Power: The History of Black People in Britain and Black People in the British Empire, Fryer brought to light centuries of overlooked histories with a rare combination of rigour, compassion, and political courage. His writing challenged the silences of the national narrative and offered a fuller, more truthful account of Britain’s multicultural past.

Beyond his scholarship, Peter was a dear friend and a generous collaborator. His intellectual clarity and moral conviction shaped many of the conversations that informed my own practice, particularly my commitment to documenting Black British experience through visual and archival forms. He believed deeply in the importance of making these histories visible, accessible, and celebrated.

Peter played a vital role in the development and touring of the Union Blacks exhibition. He not only championed the project publicly but also supported its travel, logistics, and outreach, ensuring that the work reached communities, schools, and cultural spaces across the country. His enthusiasm for the exhibition was rooted in his lifelong dedication to anti‑racist education and his belief that art and history could work together to shift public consciousness.

Our collaborations, including his involvement in Benjamin Zephaniah: A British Affair, remain among the most meaningful moments in my practice. Peter’s friendship was marked by warmth, curiosity, and an unwavering commitment to justice. His legacy continues to inspire my work and the wider movement to reclaim and honour Black British history.