A few months after the Second World War officially came to an end, a large number of intellectuals, activists and delegates from across the continent and the West Indies met in Manchester to discuss strategies for political and economic liberation in Africa.
This meeting was dubbed “The Fifth Pan-African Congress” and was attended, among others, by our first president and founding father Jomo Kenyatta. Following the meeting Kenyatta, as well as several other African leaders that attended, went on to form and execute successful liberation struggles.
John Deakin, an English news photographer, covered the meeting and, for the first time ever, a curated selection of his previously unseen photographs are being exhibited at the Autograph ABP Gallery in London.
“Although the British press scarcely covered this pivotal meeting, extraordinarily Picture Post magazine commissioned celebrated Soho photographer John Deakin to document the event,” reads a recent Autograph ABP press release. “This is the first time these rarely seen photographs are shown together as a body of work.”
The exhibition, which opened on July 16 and runs through Sept. 16, marks the 70th anniversary of the Pan-African Congress and is curated by Autograph ABP director Mark Sealy.
This is a tremendous opportunity to delve into African heritage and learn about what our ancestors made possible through their collective struggle. So if you happen to be in London, make sure to check this free exhibition out. More info can be found here.
