Breaking the Barriers is a four-part online series exploring the historical roots of inequalities in education, housing, healthcare and the economy, and considering how the effects of those histories continue to be experienced within Black British communities today.

Across four weekly episodes, the series connects past and present through accessible storytelling, lived experiences and creative perspectives. Each episode looks beyond statistics and headlines to explore the people, policies and social conditions that have shaped inequalities over time.

The series is for anyone interested in understanding more about Black British history and the ways heritage, culture and social change intersect. By examining the past and questioning the present, Breaking the Barriers creates space to consider what history can teach us about building a fairer future.

 

Across Generations: Around the Table is a four-part podcast series bringing different generations together for open and honest conversations about Black British life.

Across four weekly episodes, contributors share experiences, perspectives and stories about what it means to grow up, raise families and build communities across generations. The series creates space for different voices to be heard while exploring the connections between past experiences and the realities of life today.

Designed for anyone interested in community, culture, identity and lived experience, the project offers an accessible way to listen, reflect and understand perspectives that can differ across generations.

Each episode brings together voices from different generations around a shared conversation. Rather than presenting a single account of Black British life, the series explores how experiences can change over time — and where common ground remains.

Conversations cover topics including family, raising Black children, community, activism, racism, success and the systems that shape everyday life.

The podcast format allows contributors to speak openly and personally, creating a conversational experience that feels intimate and accessible. Stories and reflections connect individual experiences to wider questions about identity, belonging, opportunity and social change.

Across the series, audiences can discover different perspectives on the challenges and achievements of Black British communities, while hearing how ideas, experiences and expectations are passed between generations.

New episodes are released weekly, creating an unfolding conversation across the four-part series.

 

From their living room to yours, intimate conversations celebrating the people who helped shape our city.

Launch Date: 1 October 2025
Platform: YouTube & Spotify
Access: Online
Cost: Free
Availability: On demand

Voices That Raised A City is a three-part podcast series that shines a light on the lives, achievements and lasting legacies of community elders whose work has helped shape the social and cultural fabric of the city. Filmed in the comfort of each guest’s own living room, the series invites audiences into personal conversations that celebrate the stories behind decades of community leadership, creativity and service.

Created for anyone interested in local history, Black heritage and community storytelling, the series offers an opportunity to hear directly from people whose contributions continue to inspire future generations.

About the Project

Each episode features an in-depth conversation with a remarkable community figure, including Herdle White, the BBC’s longest-serving Afro-Caribbean radio presenter; Agnes Nisbett, Pride of Britain Award winner and dedicated community champion; and Val Fisher, founder of CAPTA and a passionate advocate for community development.

Through relaxed, honest conversations, listeners discover the experiences that shaped each guest’s journey, the challenges they overcame and the impact they have made on the city. By recording these stories in the familiar setting of each guest’s home, Voices That Raised A City creates an intimate viewing and listening experience that feels both personal and authentic.

Why It Matters

The stories of community leaders are an important part of our shared heritage, yet many are at risk of being forgotten. Voices That Raised A City helps preserve these lived experiences through digital storytelling, creating an accessible archive that celebrates Black history, community leadership and local heritage.

The series encourages audiences to reflect on the people whose dedication has strengthened communities and ensures their voices continue to be heard for years to come.

How to Access

The full podcast series is available to watch on YouTube and listen to on Spotify free of charge. Whether discovering the series for the first time or revisiting it as part of Opal22’s digital archive, audiences can enjoy each episode at their own pace.

PROJECT INFORMATION

Launch Date: 1 October 2025
Platform: YouTube & Spotify
Link:Click Here To Watch!
Availability: On demand
Accessibility: Closed captions available on YouTube where enabled.