Black History Month at the Lunar Society

The Lunar Society was born in Birmingham during the 18th century, a city alive with invention, trade, and civic reform. Its members pioneered new ways of thinking, yet their era was also marked by slavery, empire, and racial inequity.

While the Lunars imagined progress, they also benefited from the impact of the slave trade.

At the same time, several Lunar figures were among the early voices opposing slavery. Josiah Wedgwood lent his craft and influence to the abolitionist cause, producing the iconic “Am I Not a Man and a Brother?” medallion that spread the message of human equality across Britain. Erasmus Darwin and Thomas Day wrote passionately against slavery in their poetry, and Joseph Priestley championed liberty and human rights for all from his pulpit.

Black History Month challenges us to face this complexity with honesty.

It also invites us to celebrate the Black histories that run through Birmingham itself:

·        Olaudah Equiano, whose voice against slavery was heard here in the late 18th century.

·        The city’s links to the abolitionist movement, where reformers and campaigners pushed for

change.

·        The Windrush generation, who rebuilt post-war Birmingham and enriched its cultural and civic life.

·        The Black innovators, artists, and community leaders who continue to shape the Midlands today.

These stories remind us that progress is not progress if it excludes.

The Lunar Society’s mission today is to stimulate ideas, broaden debate, and catalyse action on the issues that matter most—from climate justice to artificial intelligence, from civic inclusion to economic opportunity.

Rooted in Birmingham’s history of innovation and migration, we are committed to ensuring that the spirit of inquiry is now matched with a commitment to equity and justice.

As we mark Black History Month, we reaffirm our role as a convener: a place where bold ideas are tested, overlooked voices are amplified, and the next chapter of Birmingham’s story is written with fairness and creativity at its core.

The Lunar Society – broadening debate, catalysing action, shaping a just future.