Liz Obi: A Quiet Force Behind Britain’s Black Feminist Movement

As we celebrate Black History Month in the UK, we honour the individuals who fought for justice and equality, often without recognition. Among them is Liz Obi, a community organiser and activist whose dedication helped shape Black British feminism, housing rights, and social change during the 1970s.

Working closely with her friend and fellow activist Olive Morris, Liz Obi turned community frustration into powerful action, building a legacy that continues to inspire new generations.

Born in 1958, Elizabeth “Liz” Obi became politically active as a teenager in London during a time of deep racial inequality and social tension. By 1972, she had joined the British Black Panther Movement, which was at the forefront of anti-racist activism in Britain.

It was through this movement that she met Olive Morris, forming a close partnership grounded in shared purpose and radical vision. Together, they campaigned against housing discrimination, police harassment, and institutional racism, while also addressing sexism within the broader Black Power movement.

“We wanted spaces where Black women could speak for ourselves, not be spoken for.”

Liz Obi, Remembering Olive Collective Archives

In the early 1970s, Liz Obi became involved in grassroots campaigns to demand fair housing for Black families in Brixton. Many families at the time lived in overcrowded or unsafe council flats, often neglected by local authorities.

One key protest saw Liz, Olive, and other mothers march to the Brixton Hill housing office to demand urgent repairs and fair treatment. When officials refused to meet them, the group refused to leave until they were heard. Their determination forced the council to act, highlighting the power of community organising (Baker, 2021).

Liz and Olive also helped occupy and transform abandoned buildings, including 121 Railton Road, into community spaces. The property became known as the 121 Centre, a vital hub for meetings, advice sessions, and cultural events. It served as a beacon for self-reliance and empowerment within South London’s Black community.

In 1973, Liz and Olive co-founded the Brixton Black Women’s Group (BBWG), one of Britain’s first organisations dedicated to centring the experiences of Black women.

The BBWG provided a platform for discussion, learning, and leadership. Members campaigned on issues such as education, employment, childcare, and representation, while also publishing materials that amplified Black women’s voices. The group became a model for later feminist and anti-racist movements, influencing the development of Black women’s activism across the UK.

Liz’s activism did not end with the 1970s. Decades later, she turned her focus to preserving the stories of her generation. In 2008, alongside artist Ana Laura Lopez de la Torre, she co-founded the Remembering Olive Collective (ROC).

The ROC project was established to honour Olive Morris’s life and to document the work of other Black women who had been overlooked in mainstream histories. Through exhibitions, oral histories, and educational programmes, ROC brought these stories into public consciousness and ensured their place in Britain’s historical record.

“Remembering is a form of activism. When we tell our stories, we reclaim our place in history.”

Liz Obi, ROC Interview Series

Liz Obi’s legacy is one of consistency, courage, and community. She worked to create spaces where Black women could lead and speak on their own terms, combining protest with practical action.

Her story reminds us that activism is not only about demonstrations or public speeches but also about the quiet, everyday work of building community, sharing knowledge, and supporting others.

As we continue our campaign, “Legacies of Action: Understanding 60 Years of Change and Challenge,” Liz Obi’s life and work remain an enduring example of what can be achieved through collective effort and determination. Her contribution to Britain’s history of social justice continues to resonate today.