The Legacy of the Black Parents Movement: A Pivotal Chapter in Black British Activism
- Maya Bello-Taylor
- Oct 12
- 4 min read
Updated: Nov 18
Understanding the Black Parents Movement
In the history of Black British activism, the Black Parents Movement (BPM) represents a pivotal chapter. It connects grassroots parent power, youth activism, and radical politics. Emerging in 1975, the BPM drew inspiration from the Black Education Movement (BEM), supplementary schools, and a growing network of Black community organisations. Its work continues to influence debates on race, education, and community agency. This makes it central to our Legacies of Action: Understanding 60 Years of Change and Challenge campaign, which highlights decades of struggle and achievement in the UK.
The Catalyst for Change
The immediate catalyst for the BPM was the unlawful arrest of Cliff McDaniel, a 17-year-old student in Hornsey, North London. On 17 April 1975, McDaniel and his friends, Keith and Chris, students at the Stationer’s Company’s School, were targeted by Metropolitan Police officers during their lunch break. McDaniel was singled out, assaulted, and falsely charged with ‘breaching the peace’ and ‘assaulting a police officer’. He was well known to staff, pupils, and parents connected to the George Padmore Supplementary School, founded in 1966 by Trinidadian activist John La Rose.
Outraged parents and teachers mobilised to defend McDaniel, forming the foundation of the BPM. Around the same time, young people established the Black Students Movement, later renamed the Black Youth Movement, with La Rose’s sons Keith and Michael among the founding members. The BPM was dedicated to advancing the interests of Black working-class families, unemployed youth, and schoolchildren.
Leadership and Vision
John La Rose played a central role in the BPM’s formation. He provided leadership grounded in both vision and community practice. Early members included supplementary schoolteachers Roxy Harris and Albertina Sylvester, as well as educator-activist Gus John. Guyanese publishers and activists Jessica and Eric Huntley, founders of the Ealing Concerned Black Parents and Youth Movement in 1976, were closely affiliated with the BPM during its most active period.
Roxy Harris, current Chair of the George Padmore Institute and former BPM member, recalled that the BPM developed strategies to fight racism and discrimination in schools. They challenged police corruption and confronted the complicity of the courts. She highlighted John La Rose’s leadership style, noting that he welcomed the presence of children in meetings. He took their restlessness as a signal that discussions had gone on long enough.
The Historical Context
The BPM grew from Haringey’s long history of Black radical activism. It was strongly connected to the Black Education Movement (BEM) and the Black Supplementary School Movement (BSSM). These initiatives were created as forms of self-help education to counteract the prejudice Black children faced in the national school system.
A central intellectual influence was Bernard Coard. His 1971 pamphlet How the West Indian Child is Made Educationally Sub-Normal in the British School System exposed the systemic disadvantage of Black children in schools. Coard’s work provided both moral urgency and practical arguments for parent-led activism. This included the campaigns led by BPM members and supplementary schools.
Building Alliances
From its inception, the BPM positioned itself as part of a broader network of radical Black organisations. In 1979, it helped form the Alliance, a partnership including the Black Youth Movement, Bradford Black Collective, and the Race Today Collective. Each group retained autonomy but collaborated on local and national campaigns. These included the George Lindo Campaign in Bradford and the Stephen Locke Action Committee in Manchester.
The BPM developed regional branches in Bradford and Manchester. It also established smaller groups in London boroughs such as Ealing, Hackney, Brixton, and Brent. Its work encompassed educational activism, legal advocacy, community solidarity, and international campaigns. The movement supported supplementary education programs, challenged racial bias in schools, defended young people against false accusations and police harassment.
Additionally, they participated in the Bookshop Joint Action Committee, which campaigned against racist attacks on Black and progressive bookshops. This included the firebombing of Bogle L’Ouverture Publications in 1977. The BPM also supported international solidarity campaigns, protesting apartheid in South Africa and supporting the New Jewel Movement in Grenada under Maurice Bishop.
Media Representation and Legacy
Media projects, including BBC documentaries, have highlighted the BPM’s grassroots activism, organisational strategies, and role in shaping Black British education. Mollie Hunt contributed to chronicling the movement’s history. This ensures that these efforts remain part of the historical records.
The BPM’s archives, housed at the George Padmore Institute, preserve its founding principles, campaigns, and collaborations. The movement is recognised as a leading force in Black radical activism in Britain. It illustrates the power of grassroots organisation, coalition-building, and parental leadership. The BPM expanded the role of parents as political actors. It embedded the principle that education is a field of struggle for communities. Furthermore, it contributed to networks that continue to influence Black cultural, legal, and political life in the UK.
Continuing Influence
The BPM’s contributions are central to our campaign “Legacies of Action: Understanding 60 Years of Change and Challenge”. This shows how local action and vision can feed into national change. With Haringey announced as the London Borough of Culture for 2027, the BPM continues to inspire activists, educators, and community organisers.
The Black Parents Movement demonstrates how ordinary people can take extraordinary action. Through education, advocacy, and solidarity, the BPM shaped a more just and equitable Britain. Its story reminds us that lasting change is built from the ground up. Parental and community activism are essential to building modern multicultural Britain.
Conclusion
The legacy of the Black Parents Movement is a testament to the power of community action. It serves as an enduring reminder of the importance of standing up against injustice. The BPM's story is not just about the past; it is a call to action for the future. By understanding their struggles and achievements, we can continue to build a more inclusive society.
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