Bogle-L'Ouverture Publications Ltd , specialists in books from and about the Caribbean, Africa, Afro-America and Asia

Bogle-L'Ouverture Publications Ltd , specialists in books from and about the Caribbean, Africa, Afro-America and Asia

Bogle-L'Ouverture Publications Limited was established in 1969. The name derives from two individuals who fought against colonialism and slavery during their time. Toussaint L'Ouverture of Haiti and Paul Bogle of Jamaica. They were both sons of slaves who rose to prominence and were a source of inspiration for their people.

The Huntleys lived in West London, Ealing, LB worked from their front room and when the business became too big for the front room rented shop premises at 5A Chignall Road.

Bogle-L'Ouverture Publications Limited was committed to discovering, promoting and disseminating Black history and Black contributions to the world in academic, creative and social fields. They took a strong political stance to achieve this and initiate change in England and throughout the Diaspora. The books, cards, artwork and workshops which they promoted had to be created by Black people and tell the story of Black people.

The countries of the Caribbean were involved in an anti-colonial struggle in the 1940s and pushing for independence. The Huntleys arrived in London in the 1950s and with others joined the struggle to have a voice and be accepted in the society. They began by producing and selling cards and posters which depicted Black people. Ironically the first book published, The Groundings with My Brothers came not from their struggles in England but from the struggles of historian Walter Rodney, in Jamaica, which they recognised as a universal struggle to disseminate Black history to ordinary people. To stop the voice of Black history from being silenced they decided to publish Rodney's speeches and make it available to as wide an audience as possible. The second publication, How Europe Underdeveloped Africa gave a view of the European encounter with Africa from a Black perspective. These books were often distributed free because publishing was not seen by the Huntleys and their supporters as a means to get rich but a political act to educate and inform.

As of 1984, Bogle-L'Ouverture Publications's list of directors included Jessica Huntley, Eric Huntley, Andrew Salkey, Venetta Ndbele and Ewart Thomas (who was based in the United States of America). The company described itself as "specialists in books from and about the Caribbean, Africa, Afro-America, Asia, [as well as] posters, greeting cards, African arts and crafts" (LMA/4462/E/06/004).

Bogle-L'Ouverture Publications also attracted a group of active supporters of artists, writers, teachers, students, parents and academics who shared a similar world view. Some of these later became Friends of Bogle-L'Ouverture and published work, organised events and raised funds to further the work of Bogle-L'Ouverture Publications.

The bookshop became the touch point for Black academics and Artists visiting the capital from around the globe. Once established it became a venue for workshops, readings and lectures and the promotion of positive representations of Black people. The life of the publishing house was intertwined with the concerns of the community and reflected their problems, achievements and ambitions. The name of the bookshop became synonymous with campaigns for justice and equality. The publishing house was an integral part of the African and Caribbean communities in London. Campaigns and organisations which were supported and/or created by the Huntleys included Bookshop Joint Action, the Radical Black Book Fairs, Black Parents Movement, Greater Access to Publishing, Supplementary Schools and the Newcross Massacre Committee, also campaigns against police harassment, the underachievement of Black children in the school system and the killing of Mikey Smith in Jamaica. In addition to these were the international campaigns against Apartheid in South Africa and repressive governments in the Caribbean.

No overall logo defined the publishing house. In the 1980s three books stacked in front of a circle was used. In the 1990s three flying birds and the letters BLP. In 2000 a large sun behind the words Bogle L'Ouverture.

The expansion into markets in Africa, Europe and the Caribbean, improved conditions for Blacks in London and the wide range of community initiatives in which the Huntleys were involved and the beginnings of an economic depression led to the liquidation of Bogle-L'Ouverture Publications.

In 1991 Bogle-L'Ouverture Press was incorporated after the closure of Bogle-L'Ouverture Publications Limited and relaunched in 1993. The catalogues state that, 'Like its predecessor, the Press is committed to promoting an independent and strong voice; one with which we can set our own agenda. The Press aims to provide a window on the world of Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and other countries which are euphemistically known as the Third World.'

Published Books They published books by Black authors for four decades which reflected their reality. The first book The Groundings with my Brothers was a collection of speeches and lectures given by Walter Rodney to ordinary Jamaicans. The second publication was the children's book Getting to Know Ourselves by Bernard and Phyllis Coard.

How Europe Underdeveloped Africa was Rodney's third book and Bogle's second publication by this author. It was reprinted four times and in several languages. After the initial printing, print runs were in excess of 20,000 copies. Howard University bought the American rights and it became an essential university text.

Andrew Salkey was a stalwart supporter and eventually a Director and shareholder of the company. Bogle produced nine of his titles and his work was also published by mainstream publishers such as Oxford University Press.