Afro Solo UK gathered individual life stories and family memories of migration. Participants carried out research using newspaper articles, official statistical sources, ship logs and records. The material gathered led to the creation of an e-book of interviews and photographs, a printed souvenir brochure and a portable digital exhibition. The development of an interactive website enabled people to upload further stories and images.

Students from Manchester Metropolitan University devised a living history performance drawn from the research and creative writing workshops for the public, families and schools.

An NBAA member said: “The history of Africans in Greater Manchester through the middle of the 20th century, including their contributions during the Second World War, has generally been overlooked. This is a chance to capture as many of these stories as possible while there is still time.”