Talk and Q&A with with Jeffrey Boakye

Author of Musical Truth’, Jeffrey Boakye shares the importance music has played in the history of Black Britain and how it can help us express ourselves.

Suitable for year groups 5, 6 and 7 

Subtitles are available on the recording above

About Musical Truth

Musical Truth: A musical journey through modern black Britain by author and teacher Jeffrey Boakye (and illustrated by Ngadi Smart), is a history book you can dance to. Structured around a playlist of 28 songs, each song tracks key moments in black history and the emotional impact of both the songs and the artists who performed them.

From Linton Kwesi Johnson to Stormzy, Jeffrey invites children to think about and reconsider events they may or may not have learned about in school. Join us for a thrilling and musical journey that will excite even your most reluctant readers. 

To listen to the playlist and watch exclusive content, visit the Musical Truth playlist.

Read Jeffrey’s blog Nine Essential Books on Black British History

  • Musical Truth

    by Jeffrey Boakye, illustrated by Ngadi Smart 

    2021 12+ years 

    • Historical
    • Non-fiction

    A concise and passionate exploration of Modern Black British history through 28 songs that changed British culture forever.

  • What is Masculinity? Why Does it Matter? And Other Big Questions

    by Jeffrey Boakye and Darren Chetty 

    2019 9 to 12+ years 

    • Coming-of-age
    • Non-fiction

    This timely and excellent book explores what it means to be a man in today’s society. It poses thought-provoking questions to develop readers’ critical thinking skills, and will give them the confidence to question conventions and stereotypes.