Ricky Strachan was born and raised in the Manchester, Northwest of England, to a Jamaican father and Dominican mother.
A Caribbean heritage was imprinted on him as he grew up and he realised quickly how different he was. Different skin, different music, different foods, and different disciplines. With a strong Caribbean upbringing, he found it challenging to understand where he fitted. There was a disconnect of being ‘English’.
It’s very difficult to be patriotic when you are constantly told you are not from here or you don’t look English. Ricky’s Father explained that his face will never match an English perception and made clear that he will always need to work twice as hard to get to the same place.
Being different was something Ricky’s parents prepared him for and something he prepares his children to face too. But being different isn’t negative and his experiences have driven him to search for more positive representations.
Ricky Strachan was born and raised in the Manchester, Northwest of England, to a Jamaican father and Dominican mother.
A Caribbean heritage was imprinted on him as he grew up and he realised quickly how different he was. Different skin, different music, different foods, and different disciplines. With a strong Caribbean upbringing, he found it challenging to understand where he fitted. There was a disconnect of being ‘English’.
It’s very difficult to be patriotic when you are constantly told you are not from here or you don’t look English. Ricky’s Father explained that his face will never match an English perception and made clear that he will always need to work twice as hard to get to the same place.
Being different was something Ricky’s parents prepared him for and something he prepares his children to face too. But being different isn’t negative and his experiences have driven him to search for more positive representations.
History and story writing have always been a passion of Ricky’s. One of his favourite documentaries explores ancient civilisations and technologies. These programs and reading recommended books, intrigued Ricky to delve deeper into his own history.”
The history he was taught in school was one-sided and his curiosity and desire for positive role models for his own daughters motivated him to research and write about some lesser-taught histories. His passion for learning and writing grows every day, with African Kings being the 1st of a series of books exploring African Queens, Empires and Leaders.
With many lesser-taught histories at his disposal, Ricky now wants to share this with the world. History is history regardless of the colour, so these books are designed for all children and to be used in all schools. Ricky will be promoting his books to encourage a more balanced view on history. He wants to create pride, self-love and a reconnection to the mother land Africa.
He wants to highlight the glory, innovation and wisdom that was created and passed over to all nations. Africa is portrayed very negatively and like every continent it has it challenges. However, there is also so much beauty, knowledge and rich history that is not mentioned, recognised, or correctly represented. Ricky plans to change this.
The history he was taught in school was one-sided and his curiosity and desire for positive role models for his own daughters motivated him to research and write about some lesser-taught histories. His passion for learning and writing grows every day, with African Kings being the 1st of a series of books exploring African Queens, Empires and Leaders.
With many lesser-taught histories at his disposal, Ricky now wants to share this with the world. History is history regardless of the colour, so these books are designed for all children and to be used in all schools. Ricky will be promoting his books to encourage a more balanced view on history. He wants to create pride, self-love and a reconnection to the mother land Africa.
He wants to highlight the glory, innovation and wisdom that was created and passed over to all nations. Africa is portrayed very negatively and like every continent it has it challenges. However, there is also so much beauty, knowledge and rich history that is not mentioned, recognised, or correctly represented. Ricky plans to change this.
Dig A Little Deeper Into Ricky Strachan
