Sunderland’s Black History Walking App Inspired by George Floyd

Academics have created an app to help visitors explore a city’s black histories.

Those following the Sunderland Black History Guided Walk will gain insight into the city’s “very long history” of multiculturalism.

The app evolved in light of “global attention to issues of racial equality highlighted by the murder of George Floyd in 2020.”

Angela Smith, professor at the University of Sunderland, said: “It has inspired us to think more about the history and heritage of black and minority ethnic people in Sunderland.”

She added: “Very little has been written about the history of the city in this regard.”

Professor Smith and Dr Michael Pearce developed the app as part of the North Star Project, an initiative bringing together education experts from across the North East to increase knowledge of the region’s black history.

The app offers a guided walk through the city and marks key sites, providing insight into its historical connections to the slavery, anti-slavery and anti-racist movements.

Featuring voiceovers from graduates Endurance Idowu and Godstime David, it also includes an illustrated map created by student Sara Heraoua.

Ms Idowu said working on the project had been “a privilege and an honour”.

“As well as using my voice, I was learning about Sunderland’s black history, something I wasn’t aware of before,” she added.

“I knew Sunderland was becoming a cosmopolitan city, but I never realized its history of diversity was deeper than what is visible today.

“It’s important to know that these historic sites existed and to recognize the efforts made to help people see beyond skin color.

“These sites are now celebrated and it was essential for me to contribute my small part to the journey that began decades and centuries ago.”