Discover hidden Black History on Trafalgar Square with AR

Image: newsroom.snap.com

Snapchat and the Black Cultural Archives have launched an AR experience called “Hidden Black Stories” designed to help Snapchatters unveil black history hidden in plain sight.

Research conducted by Snap, the Black Cultural Archives and Research Without Borders found that on average, less than 32% Brits recognize famous historical black figures...  phew!

In response to this, Snapchat and the Black History Archives have launched a range of augmented reality experiences via the ‘Local Lens’.

It turns the whole of Trafalgar Square into an immersive history lesson — showcasing the moments, figures, and the stories of Black British History that lie hidden behind the more famous monuments of the iconic London location including boxers Bill Richmond and Tom Molineaux on the location of their demolished gym, artists both established and up and coming at the National Gallery, Nelson Mandela and his iconic Make Poverty History speech from 2005, including placing his statue where it was originally going to be and recognizing the contributions of Black sailors at the battle of Trafalgar and beyond.

There’s also a lens on the statue of Mary Seacole — a black British nurse who lived and served in the 1800s during the Crimean war.

Those of you outside London - these guys have thought of everything and have also launched a national Lens that brings Nelson Mandela’s statue to life in front of you, wherever you are.

It sounds extremely cool. You just need to jump on Snapchat and get yourself to Trafalgar Square to see the magic.