David Olusoga

Fee Band


David is an award-winning documentary filmmaker, historian and author of Black and British: A Forgotten History. Whether he is investigating the past of 18th century houses, or uncovering the relationship between art and imperialism in the 19th century, David shines a light on the importance of knowing our history.


Biography

David Olusoga is a historian, writer, and broadcaster. He is the presenter of A House Through Time and author of Black and British: A Forgotten History. Professor of Public History at the University of Manchester, David looks at what our history reveals about contemporary society and the lasting effects of the British Empire.

Starting out as a researcher for BBC Radio 4, David was soon involved in producing and directing historical documentaries for the station, including Namibia: Genocide and the Second Reich, The Lost Pictures of Eugene Smith, and Abraham Lincoln: Saint or Sinner. From there he became a presenter for the BBC, appearing on documentaries including Civilisations, The World’s War: Forgotten Soldiers of Empire, and the BAFTA-winning Britain’s Forgotten Slave Owners.

David’s book Black and British was accompanied by a BBC Two series of the same name which he both wrote and presented. His book looks at the global slave-trading empire of Britain, how the country's 19th century economic and industrial might was built on American slavery, and how modern society has been shaped as a result. David is also the author of Civilisations: First Contact/The Cult of Progress, The World's War, The Kaiser's Holocaust: Germany's Forgotten Genocide and the Colonial Roots of Nazism and Black History for Every Day of the Year. He regularly writes for The Guardian, has hosted the BBC’s The Civilisations Podcast, and is a regular contributor and commentator across broadcast media.

David received the BAFTA Special Award for his ongoing legacy and impact on the television industry and society, widening perspectives of how history is presented, and expanding the diversity of stories told.

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Videos

JLA+ Stream: Diversity

More Details

Books

Book written by David Olusoga OBE
Book written by David Olusoga OBE
Book written by David Olusoga OBE
Book written by David Olusoga OBE

Contact

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JLA Presents


Event - 30/04/2024 - 9:00 am

Speakers Breakfast

Understanding AI Now

Speakers
Priya Lakhani, Anne-Marie Imafidon, and Neil Lawrence

Please join us in our JLab studio near Oxford Circus at 08:30am on Tuesday 30th April for our next speaker’s breakfast event. Following our sell-out event for IWD back in February, we will be joined by three fantastic speakers for an exploration of the uses, myths and concerns surrounding AI.

Location

JLA, 14 Berners Street, London

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Event - 06/02/2024 - 9:00 am

Speakers Breakfast

Looking Ahead to International Women’s Day

Speakers
Samira Ahmed, Eniola Aluko, Julia Gillard, and Alex Mahon

We were joined by four fantastic speakers to look ahead at International Women’s Day. With the theme of this year’s event being #InspireInclusion, we were lucky enough to hear from four women who have each blazed a trail in their respective fields: CEO of Channel 4, Alex Mahon; the former Australian Prime Minister and Chair of Kings’ Global Institute of Women’s Leadership, Julia Gillard; one of the leading voices in football, Eniola Aluko MBE; and broadcaster and journalist, Samira Ahmed.

Location

Bishopsgate Institute, London

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