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Association of Black Humanists was established in 2012 as London Black Atheists, to provide a space for non-religious black people to express and discuss their points of view and perspectives, to increase the visibility of non-religious black people, to work towards giving non-religious black people’s perspective equal prominence, and to work with African humanists and other humanists to achieve common goals. Known today as the Association of Black Humanists, the group acknowledges the social and cultural centrality of religion for many people from the African diaspora, and the distinctive challenges this can present to those ‘coming out’ as atheist, or merely questioning their beliefs. As well as providing a supportive network for members and guests, the Association of Black Humanists has worked to foreground the African roots of humanist ideas, such as Ubuntu: I am, because you are.

The Association of Black Humanists is one organisation acknowledging the diversity of the humanist experience and tradition. In seeking to create a safe space for non-religious people whose social and cultural backgrounds might make avowed atheism a daunting prospect, it finds common ground with projects such as Faith to Faithless – supporting ‘apostates’ and those leaving high control religions – and the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain. Both of these are a key part of the landscape of humanism and secularity in the UK today.

Why did we set up London Black Atheists? | Association of Black Humanists

“Let’s talk about the African and Asian origins of humanism”, says the Association of Black Humanists | Humanists International

Is it harder to “come out” as an atheist if you’re black? | New Statesman