About Black History Unveiled
All too often, the history of Africa is told through the eyes of European "explorers." Except for some of the most famous empires of antiquity, such as Egypt and Carthage, much of the continent has been misrepresented as a vast, untamed wilderness where people lived in primitive conditions until colonizers arrived to "bring order."
These stereotypes have seeped into every corner of culture—from films and children's shows to schoolbooks and comics. Even the news often reduces Africa to a collection of grim clichés: war, poverty-stricken children, famine, and despair.
But Africa's history, of course, is far richer, more diverse, and infinitely more nuanced. That's why, in 2018, I launched the Instagram account @svarthistoria—a platform dedicated to shedding light on the hidden and overlooked aspects of Black history. Since I live in Sweden, I did it in Swedish, but as of early 2020, I also run an English version of the account: @blackhistoryunveiled.
My goal is to make these stories accessible and engaging, allowing people to see beyond the distorted narratives we've been fed for generations.
If you're curious about my perspective on Black history and the motivations behind this project, you can read more about it here.
In 2022, Svart Historia/Black History Unveiled took on new forms. First, it became a book (in Swedish – German and Italian editions are on the way in 2025). The project has also evolved into a podcast that is available in Swedish and English. You can find it here.
Why this site?
Thanks to its popularity and ease of use, Instagram has been a fantastic platform for connecting with people. But it also comes with challenges—like ever-changing algorithms that dictate who sees your work. The risks of relying on social media became all too obvious in early 2025 when the drama surrounding TikTok highlighted the fragility of such platforms.
That's why Black History Unveiled now exists here as well. This platform offers a distinct advantage: it's searchable, easy to navigate, and free from character limits. It also allows subscribers to receive content directly in their inbox and access an extensive archive—all in one place.
As a reader, you can also become a subscriber and receive what I write directly to your inbox. You will also have access to the entire large archive directly on the site (I'm currently building it).
About me
My name is Amat Levin. I’m a Swedish-Gambian journalist, editor and author living in Stockholm.
Stay up-to-date
Never miss an update—every new post is sent directly to your email inbox. For a spam-free, ad-free reading experience, plus audio and community features, get the Substack app.
Join the crew
Be part of a community of people who share your interests. Participate in the comments section, or support this work with a subscription.
To learn more about the tech platform that powers this publication, visit Substack.com.
