Inspired by childhood memories and family stories, this pioneering, Black-led research project explores the cultural impact of African American US Air Force (USAF) personnel based in East Anglia from the 1950s to the early 1990s.
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Black USAF brings East Anglia's remarkable cultural history to light and traces the threads of cultural exchange that wove communities together during the Cold War.
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​We've gathered audio stories of the cultural influence of Black US servicemen. Music stands out as a unifying and deeply felt theme, but other subjects include religion, sport and friendship.​
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Click here to listen to stories from Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. Geno Washington is our feature story. A youth culture icon in the 1960s, Geno had a huge impact on the UK's music scene. Transcripts are available.
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Thanks to funding from Arts Council England through its National Lottery Grants Programme and the Essex Cultural Diversity Project, plus pro bono support and partnerships!
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Black USAF offers a safe storytelling space for the melanated Global Majority community and our allies. Bullying, racism, mistruths and the appropriation of Black culture is not welcome or tolerated.
