Black Lives in Scotland - Telling Our Stories

A talk for Black History Month by Professor Jeanette Davidson, co-hosted by the Abertay Historical Society and Lifelong Learning Dundee Do you ever wonder what life was like for the one Black child, or few Black children, that you knew growing up in Scotland? What happened to those children? Do you consider their experience to be part of Scotland’s legacy? Are they even Scottish? Are you one of us? Jeanette Davidson was one of these children. Setting the scene within Scotland’s spotted racial history and ongoing social and cultural context, this talk (based on her new book) features poignant stories of challenge, love, hostility, support, vulnerability, strength, abandonment, resilience, empowerment, accomplishment and identity of Black Scots growing up in this country, from babyhood to adulthood. Understanding their importance to a strong, evolving multiracial Scottish society, she also includes narratives of new immigrant families from Africa and the Diaspora. The talk addresses 'from the inside' the myths and realities of Scottish values and history related to people of African descent and sheds light on daily life, community, belonging, surviving, Black-Scottish identity, anti-racist behaviour, truth, liberation, hope and possibilities for the future. Professor Jeanette R (Carlisle) Davidson was born and raised in Scotland. She has a BA (Hons) in English Literature from the University of Strathclyde and an MSSW and PhD in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington. Prior to beginning her career in the academy, Davidson worked as a social work practitioner and clinician. She is currently on the faculty of the University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work. She has published extensively in the areas of African and African American Studies and Social Work and is the editor of African American Studies (Edinburgh University Press, 2010 and 2021). In 2025, she received the Lifetime Contribution Award from the National Council for Black Studies. Jeanette Davidson is Professor Emerita of African and African American Studies and Social Work, University of Oklahoma. This talk is co-hosted by the Abertay Historical Society and Lifelong Learning Dundee as part of Black History Month 2026. It will take place in Lecture Theatre 2, Dalhousie Building, University of Dundee at 6.30pm, with refreshments served from 6pm.