Unlocking Butetown’s Past: A New Chapter for Black and Minority Ethnic History in Wales

There are stories that exist in fragments. Stories that have been recorded, preserved, and passed down, yet remain just out of reach for the very communities they belong to. In Butetown, historically known as Tiger Bay, this has long been the case.

For over 150 years, the lives, cultures and contributions of Black and Minority Ethnic communities in this part of Cardiff have been documented. But much of this material sits scattered across archives, often difficult to access and, at times, sensitive in nature. For young people, educators and the wider community, engaging with this history has not always been straightforward.

In partnership with Cardiff University, The Black Curriculum is working to change that.

This collaboration is rooted in both a long standing challenge and a timely opportunity. On one hand, there is a clear need to bring together and make accessible the rich histories of Butetown. On the other, there is a national shift taking place. The Welsh Government has mandated the teaching of Black and Minority Ethnic histories and introduced its Anti-racist Wales Action Plan. This marks a significant step forward, but policy alone is not enough. For meaningful change to take place in classrooms, educators need practical, well designed resources that support confident and informed teaching.

This is where the work begins to take shape.

Drawing on materials from the Glamorgan Archives, supported by Cardiff University, The Black Curriculum is developing English and Drama learning packs designed to bring Butetown’s history into the classroom. These resources are carefully mapped to the Curriculum for Wales, while also aligning with broader curricular standards across the UK. The aim is simple but important: to ensure that this history is not only taught, but taught well, in ways that are engaging, accurate and accessible.

Through storytelling, performance and critical engagement, these learning packs will enable students to explore the social and cultural fabric of Butetown, connecting past and present in ways that feel relevant and real. For teachers, they offer structured, ready to use materials that support the delivery of inclusive education without adding unnecessary complexity.

This project is still underway, but its intention is clear. It is about opening up access. It is about ensuring that histories which have long existed on the margins are brought into the centre of learning. And it is about equipping both educators and young people with the tools to engage with Black and Minority Ethnic histories as a fundamental part of understanding Wales, and the UK more broadly.

As this work continues, it reflects a wider commitment. Not just to telling these stories, but to embedding them meaningfully within education, where they belong.