Fhalma Foundation

With education, activism, anti-racism and social justice at our roots, we inspire, advocate and promote the contributions and heritage of the African Caribbean diaspora in the UK. FHALMA was founded by the friends of Eric and Jessica Huntley in 2013 to ensure that their legacy could be shared with the nation and in particular to educate young people about their history. More broadly, FHALMA promotes the heritage of the Caribbean and African Diaspora in the UK by supporting educational and community projects across the generations. The Huntley archives underpin the story of the changing British cultural landscape and the creation of a new form of community activism. We are run by the generosity of volunteers, who are passionate about archives and activism. We support all people’s rights to know their history, cultural heritage and identity; we are privileged to know that our archives offer inspirational and positive stories, role models and evidentiary documents to inform, influence and encourage educational attainment in young people. Guyanese-born political activists, Jessica Huntley and Eric Huntley, founders of the publishing house Bogle-L’Ouverture Publications (1969) – named for Paul Bogle and Toussaint L’Ouverture, two instrumental figures in Black resistance and revolt against slavery – published a wide range of books, including greetings cards and posters reproducing contemporary paintings by artists, and seminal texts by writers from across the African diaspora. The Huntley’s business and personal papers, conserved and housed at London Metropolitan Archives (LMA) since 2005, have provided rich, academic, cultural content and the socio-political narrative for the educational programmes produced during Huntley conferences, held annually at LMA. In 2025, we shall celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Bogle-L'Ouverture Bookshop which in 1975 was a beacon of lightness in West London. Join us!