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Let’s rewind to the year 1959, John. Picture the scene:
You’re in London. It’s early March, and it’s still cold out. White people are looking at you funny because you’re in a costume meant for much warmer weather but who cares! You’re marking your way to St. Pancras Town Hall. The sounds of steel bands, singers, and dancing feet are beating in the air, and you know you’re in for a night of dancing, laughter, and community.
This is what Claudia Jones brought to life one night in London. After a string of racist attacks in Notting Hill, Claudia knew it was time to create a space of joy, safety, community, and belonging.
Her indoor Carnival nights have been cited as an influence on what became the Notting Hill Carnival, the second-largest annual carnival in the world.
Claudia Jones was one of the most influential Afro-Caribbeans in Britain’s post-war history. She was a communist, and she was imprisoned and deported for her beliefs and her activism.
Above all, Claudia understood that organizing isn’t just about confronting injustice—it’s about creating spaces where people can feel alive, heal, and imagine something bigger than the struggle in front of them.
We celebrate Claudia Jones and her legacy today and every day!
In love and solidarity,
Black Lives Matter
PS: Thanks to everyone who shared their story with us—we’ve put a map together with the responses you can check out here. You can share your story and get on the map here.
Our grassroots movement is pushing for Black liberation every single day. We are striving to create a world where Black people do so much more than just survive. It’s time we thrive.
As an organization one of our biggest hurdles is consistency.
A recurring contribution of anything you can afford goes a long way as we plan for the months, years, and even decades ahead. This is the most effective way for small-dollar donors (like you) to power our Black liberation work.
Will you make a recurring contribution of $5 or more today so that we can keep building momentum for our movement?
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