Patrick Vernon

Experts Dr Yansie Rolston FRSA and Patrick Vernon OBE have brought together stories and poems from a wide array of contributors with unique lived experiences, to show us how a widespread lack of cultural understanding compounds the pain of Black grief. The book’s illuminating stories lay bare the tragic loss caused by events such as the Grenfell Tower fire and the pandemic and show how Black grief is experienced not just on an individual level, but as part of a global community.

Amid a glaring lack of cultural awareness, support spaces for Black, grieving people, and with only 9.6% of mental health practitioners in England and Wales being from ethnically diverse backgrounds (Sky News 2021), how can Black grieving people begin to heal? Black Grief and Healing grapples with this complex question, outlining sources of strength and healing from personal and spiritual responses to community initiatives and activism.

With wide-spread praise from individuals such as Yvette Williams MBE (Justice 4 Grenfell campaign), Sarah Hughes (MIND CEO), and a foreword by the Rt. Hon. Stuart Lawrence, this compelling collection sheds light on the complexities of Black grief, and acts as an imperative read for meaningful change.

“A powerful and painful reflection of Black Grief, with the collective wisdom that offers hope and a way of understanding the experience that for too long has been misunderstood and ignored. Healing is and should be possible, this book gives us the way.”- Sarah Hughes, MIND CEO

“Through bringing together a beautiful anthology of poems, stories and essays the authors provide a deeply moving reminder that there is no one way to tell the story of grief” – Dr Sam Royston, Research and Policy Director, Marie Curie

“An insightful exploration of systemic inequality, grief, and trauma in Black communities. This book offers poignant essays, including powerful narratives on the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower Fire, that disproportionately impacted global majority families.” – Yvette Williams MBE, Justice 4 Grenfell campaign.