'Black USAF' update: offers of help, interviews and community engagement!

African American USAF personnel at an officers' club dance at RAF Lakenheath, Suffolk, June 1952. Original Publication: From 'The Yanks In England' - pub. 28th June 1952, Vol 55, No 13. (Haywood Magee/Picture Post/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Pioneering heritage initiative, 'Black USAF: Cultural Connections in Cold War East Anglia', is celebrating early success.

The Black USAF team is thrilled to update you on the project’s progress since launching in June. The funding from Arts Council England and the Essex Cultural Diversity Project has been fuelling a lot of exciting activity!

We have received an outpouring of support and encouragement, with people and organisations offering their help to ensure this important history is shared in a respectful and engaging way.

Over the summer, we were busy uncovering stories through research, keeping the project wheels turning with lots of behind-the-scenes work, and sparking fascinating conversations with partners like the Imperial War Museum and University of East Anglia, as well as with archive teams, library services, local people and the press.

Every conversation we have reinforces just how vital this project is – not only because it’s dedicated to authentic Black cultural storytelling from our region, but also because it’s breaking new ground in its research. With the Cold War still in living memory, the project strikes a real chord: many people have deep personal ties to that era, whether through the local airbases or the presence of USAF personnel.

Our original aim was to record six stories from people shaped by the culture of African American US Air Force personnel during the Cold War. We’ve already gone beyond that target – and new stories keep coming our way. Over the next few weeks, these first-hand accounts will be captured on audio and eventually shared in our stories section.

The website will grow into a rich digital archive of this aspect of Black cultural history in East Anglia.

A powerful beginning

The project launched with the oral history, article and photography of Geno Washington, the soul singer and former airman who was stationed at RAF Bentwaters in the early 1960s. Geno recalled discovering his singing talent in Ipswich pubs, being struck by the freedom to mix with local white people (there was no racial segregation in the UK), and eventually leading his Ram Jam Band to outsell Jimi Hendrix!

His story set the tone for what’s to come: more authentic, inspiring accounts of cultural connections between locals and the Black GIs in Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk.

What’s next?

We’re excited to be planning community engagement events this autumn, where we’ll be sharing stories we’ve gathered so far! These events will be a chance for people to learn more about the legacy of African American airmen.

The enthusiasm and encouragement we’ve received so far has been fantastic – it keeps our energy high and confirms that documenting this overlooked chapter of Black diaspora history in Britain matters deeply. And we’re proud to be making it visible.

📣 Keep in touch: Follow us on Facebook and Instagram (@projectblackusaf), and sign up to our newsletter to hear new stories and updates as they’re released.

Or send us your story by completing this form or emailing us: projectblackusaf@gmail.com.

* ‘Airmen’ is the USAF’s term for its staff regardless of gender, job or rank.