‘Source of inspiration’: Civil rights icon James Baldwin to get blue plaque in Dalston

James Baldwin (centre) outside CLR James Library in 1985. Photograph: courtesy Hackney CVS

A blue plaque for legendary civil rights activist James Baldwin is set to unveiled in Hackney this Friday.

The ceremony will take place at 10am at the Dalston Lane headquarters of Hackney CVS, which Baldwin visited in 1985 when it was a library.

The author of influential works such as Go Tell It on the Mountain and If Beale Street Could Talk is often mentioned in the same breath as Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr.

He spent long periods in London to support anti-racism campaigns.

Tony Wong, chief executive of Hackney CVS, said: “We were humbled and honoured to learn of the connection between our building and the legendary James Baldwin.

“At Hackney CVS, we champion social justice and fairness, and push for equality, inclusion and diversity, with an avid focus on building an anti-racist society.”

Baldwin’s plaque is part of a scheme run by the Nubian Jak Community Trust that highlights the underrepresented contributions made by Black people.

It is being sponsored by Black History Walks, which organises walks, talks and films on London’s Black history, and Jacaranda Books, a Black-owned independent publisher.

Wong added: “It feels quite special to be entering into this partnership with Black History Walks and to be hosting this landmark event, honouring James Baldwin, and his dedication to the civil rights movement.

“We hope this Nubian Jak blue plaque will serve as a daily source of inspiration for visitors and passers-by to join us on our mission to create a fairer society.”

The unveiling at 10am on Friday will celebrate Baldwin’s many achievements. It also ties in to a wider exploration of local anti-racism efforts during the 1980s, including a campaign for better access to Black history books and the 1985 renaming of Dalston Library in honour of Trinidadian author CLR James.

To reserve a free spot at the unveiling, visit the Eventbrite page here.