The leader of the bus boycott was a ‘towering figure’ in Britain’s civil rights movement
Paul Stephenson(Image: Ros Martin)
Bristol civil rights leader Paul Stephenson, who helped lead the Bristol Bus Boycott and challenged the racist policies of businesses and authorities in the city for decades, has been described as ‘the quiet revolutionary’ as he is given the honour of being the cover image of this year’s Black History Month magazine.
The Bristol activist and mentor died in November last year and a memorial service at Bristol Cathedral in January this year was packed out with people from across Bristol and the UK. This year’s Black History month began last week and continues throughout October, with a series of events across Bristol.
The official Black History Month magazine for this year, produced nationally for all the schools, organisations, businesses, libraries and charities getting involved in the commemorations and celebrations this month, includes a tribute to Paul Stephenson, and his life and work.
Describing Mr Stephenson, who was awarded the OBE in 2009 for services to equal opportunities and community relations, as a ‘towering figure’ in Britain’s civil rights history, the Black History Month magazine said the work of he and Lord Herman Ouseley, who also passed away last year, ‘reshaped national conversations on race, education and inclusion.
READ MORE: How the Bristol Bus Boycott changed the laws in BritainREAD MORE: Paul Stephenson’s life and battle with racism and injustice in Bristol
“Their legacy continues to guide the ongoing journey towards justice and dignity for all,” they said.
In Bristol, a huge number of events, talks, exhibitions, films, art, theatre and children’s activities will take place across the city to mark Black History Month. There are exhibitions in the Central Library, at the St Pauls Community Centre, the Island Gallery in Bridewell Street, as well as a bold, immersive pop-up exhibition marking 60 years of the Race Relations Act, back in 1965, which was directly sparked by the Bristol Bus Boycott.
The front cover of the official Black History Month magazine for 2025, which honours Paul Stephenson OBE, one of the leaders of the Bristol Bus Boycott(Image: Black History Month)
There are also film screenings and events at Easton Community Centre and the Watershed, events at both the city’s universities and a Sunday afternoon Afro-Caribbean family fun day to which all families are welcome, at the Felix Road Adventure Playground, on Sunday, October 19. For the full list of events, visit here.