Pioneering heritage project uncovers cultural stories of African American Airmen in East Anglia during the Cold War

A new, groundbreaking cultural heritage project will reveal the untold stories of African American US Air Force (USAF) personnel stationed in East Anglia during the Cold War. 

Black USAF: Cultural Connections in Cold War East Anglia is funded by Arts Council England through its National Lottery Project Grants programme, and the Essex Cultural Diversity Project.

The Black-led research and storytelling initiative is exploring the cultural influence of African American USAF airmen* based in the region from the 1950s to the 1990s. Despite their lasting impact, the community’s narratives have largely been undocumented in regional and national history; they are at risk of being entirely forgotten. 

Led by national award-winning Black heritage producer and engagement consultant, Elma Glasgow, and with a team of exceptional arts, cultural and heritage professionals, the project will gather personal stories, images and audio from Black veterans, families and local communities over the coming year.

These stories will form a new digital archive, celebrating an overlooked chapter of Britain’s diverse rural heritage. Black USAF is seeking stories from Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk. People across generations are invited to share their experiences of cultural influences connected to African Americans during the Cold War period.

See below for contact details.

Partners from around the region will share project content, provide guidance, research resources, and physical meeting space.

Anglia Ruskin University

Association for Suffolk Museums

Essex Cultural Diversity Project

GI Trace

Imperial War Museum Duxford

National Centre for Writing

Norfolk & Suffolk Aviation Museum

Norfolk Museums Service

Suffolk Libraries

The Broadway Theatre, Catford

The Mixed Museum

University of Cambridge

University of East Anglia

University of Essex

University of Suffolk

The year-long project launches with an oral history, an article and photography of the legendary soul singer and former airman, Geno Washington. 

Geno Washington (Image: Elma Glasgow Consulting)

Based at RAF Bentwaters in the early 1960s, Geno joined the USAF to avoid going to Vietnam. A USAF training instructor, Geno discovered his singing talent while performing in busy Ipswich pubs. He also talks about how African American airmen were surprised that they were able to freely socialise with local people, at a time when he saw racist posters on visits to London, and with racial segregation in force in the USA. He also remembers when he and the Ram Jam Band attracted a bigger festival audience than Jimi Hendrix. Now in his 80s, Geno still performs with the current day line-up of the Ram Jam Band. 

Project manager, Elma, explains: “Black USAF is inspired by my experiences of mingling with USAF personnel on and off base, and stories told by older family members about club nights with the Americans. There are even stories of relatives bumping into famous Black music artists who would jam in local venues, whilst visiting the nearby airbases. Imagine that in rural East Anglia - it was so exciting. The USAF guys always brought a buzz to a place.

These tales have prompted me to reflect on the need to find out more about these historical experiences. Especially in times of deep division and the rise in racism.

We’re excited about discovering first-hand accounts of the African Americans’ cultural impact on communities, and vice versa. For instance, the lack of racial segregation in the UK in the ‘50s and ‘60s inspired the Civil Rights movement in the USA. 

This is the first time these stories are being collected in this way, and it’s a vital opportunity to document an overlooked chapter of British and Black diaspora history. 

We are very grateful for £28,383 from Arts Council England’s National Lottery Project Grants programme and £1,000 from Essex Cultural Diversity Project. Their generous support enables Black USAF to not only celebrate the cultural contributions of the Black diaspora in East Anglia, but challenge assumptions about the region’s cultural identity. At its heart, the project is a reminder of what connects us - how culture, community and everyday encounters have shaped our region.”

To share a story, contact Elma via www.blackusaf.org or email projectblacksuffolk@gmail.com. 

* ‘Airmen' is the USAF’s term for its staff regardless of gender, job or rank.