Our Ancestral wisdom states that “The child who is not embraced by the village will burn it down to feel its warmth.” In the current context we need to identity the status of the village and its maintenance. In our tradition it is the role of the Elders to oversee the structure of the village. (1) In the current context Afrikan Elders are beset with a myriad of crises (e.g. mental and physical health, poverty, racsim, etc.) literally amounting to an existential threat, particularly among Afrikan men. (2) This has put severe pressure on the capcity to build – and record.
This is the generation that came through being trammelled into Educationally Sub-Normal Schools but built an independent education movement, was criminalised through SUS but stood toe-to-toe against the state on the streets, endured a massacre and numerous attrocities, yet too few of this generation’s stories have been told. The unfortunate adage, ‘if you weren’t there you won’t know’ especially in the activist community, rings true for far too many. (3)
One young creative activist, Sis. Kesensa’akhut Mordi is seeking to address this with her new project, Fifty Over 50:
“Our patriarchal society does not encourage for the heart of men to be expressed. Outside of harmful, traditional ideas of manhood (one of domineering aggressive gestures), men are not often heard or listened to. With this standard, the wellbeing of Black men only gets further ignored. A decade ago, 80% of suicide deaths in the Black community were men.
This arts template is implicitly about contributing to Black men’s mental health and wellbeing. About curating a safe space where they can discuss their childhood, their relationship with themselves and with others, their hobbies, and their dislikes. It is about first deeming them worthy. Then we can highlight said voices and make sure it is echoed as loud as possible.
There are not enough spaces being made for Black men on both a mainstream and grassroots scale.
Beyond the lack of safe spaces and willingness to open up, this arts template is directly demanding that we must document our own stories instead of waiting for someone else to. It is our culture to learn from our elders. Our culture gets passed down orally before anything else. Now, in 2025 – these oral stories, proverbs, jokes can be videoed and photographed. We understand this idea of an old person dying and taking so much knowledge with them. This artwork is apart of preserving that knowledge to the best of our ability.
The archives of Black presence in Britain is always important. There is no day better than today to begin building the archives of our brothers, uncles, fathers, and grandfathers.”
(1) Kimbwandende Kia Bunseki Fu-Kiau (2001) Tying the Spiritual Knot: African Cosmology Of The Bantu-Kong. Principles of Life & Living. Athelia Henrietta Press. p. 62; Office for National Statistics (19/08/21) Mortality from leading causes of death by ethnic group, England and Wales: 2012 to 2019. https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/articles/mortalityfromleadingcausesofdeathbyethnicgroupenglandandwales/2012to2019; Over 50s Black Men Forum (2025) O5BM Survey Report: Understanding The Experiences Of Black Men Aged 50+ In Essex – A Father’s Day Survey. https://o5bmforum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/O5BM-Survey-Report-of-Older-Black-Men-in-Essex_March-2025.pdf; Age UK (2025) Ageing while Black: The experiences of Black Caribbean older people in England. https://www.ageuk.org.uk/bp-assets/globalassets/hillingdon-harrow—brent/about-us/news/age-uk_ageing-while-black_report.pdf; Office for National Statistics (06/03/23) Sociodemographic inequalities in suicides in England and Wales: 2011 to 2021. https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/healthinequalities/bulletins/sociodemographicinequalitiesinsuicidesinenglandandwales/2011to2021
(3) Claudius Adisa Steven (2019) The Evolution Ideas And Practices Among African-Centred Organisations In The UK 1975-2015 in Hakim Adi (Ed) Black British History: New Perspectives. Zed Books. p. 159.
we ask the question:
What legacy are we leaving?
1) Are Black men really “not often heard or listened to” in the public sphere?
2) Are Black women listened to more?
3) Is it true that we don’t “document our own stories” enough?
4) How will Black men speaking out help the community?
Our Special Guest:
Sis. Kesensa’akhut Mordi: articulates herself as a proud voice of her generation: first hosting at National Portrait Gallery, Leicester Square with Black Girl Fest. She holds attention in each space she enters: corporate talks (Papier, Kings Cross), community discussions (Crystal Hearts, Obi Psalms), or at her own film screening (Undr, Portobello Road). Her care for community and culture is manifested in co-founding the Umoja Projects (a social initiative which promotes social change) and Motions (an events series working to create safe spaces for young Black creatives), both of which have been instrumental in bringing London’s youth together. Recently, she debuted her short documentary, Child in (You)th. A documentary that uses intimate interviews with 14 – 18 year olds to explore the lifestyles of London youth, society’s ideas of violence, and most importantly community responsibility.
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