BENJAMIN ZEPHANIAH

Professor Benjamin Zephaniah
English poet and author

Social Justice Activist & Campaigner

15th-April 1958- 7th Dec 2023

'Benjamin Zephaniah
Poet, writer, lyricist, musician and naughty boy.'

"If you didn't have troublemakers, most women wouldn't have the right to vote, a Black person wouldn't be talking to a white person and I'd be back in slavery.

We need troublemakers to challenge the establishment. I want to be one of those people"

— Benjamin Zephaniah

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Dr Toyin Agbetu

Dr Toyin Agbetu, also known as Oluwatoyin Agbetu is a British Nigerian social rights activist, Lecturer in Social Anthropology, community educator and filmmaker, who founded in 2000 the Pan-African group Ligali.

On 27 March 2007, Agbetu staged a protest at a Westminster Abbey church service held to recognize the 200th anniversary of Great Britain's Abolition of the Slave Trade Act 1807. Queen Elizabeth.

Click to watch The Walk...

DR SHOLA MOS-SHOGBAMIMU

Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu is a British born and Nigerian political & women’s rights activist,

She is also a New York Attorney and Solicitor of England & Wales, writer, public speaker and political commentator.

"It is not the job of black people & ethnic minorities to educate white people on racism perpetuated by white people. White folks need to educate themselves on racism."

Went on to explain what racism is from the lens of White Privilege on thismorning show.

KEHINDE ANDREWS

Kehinde Andrews is professor of black studies at Birmingham City University.

He is the director of the Centre for Critical Social Research, founder of the Harambee Organisation of Black Unity and co-chair of the UK Black Studies Association.

Kehinde Andrews is the first black studies professor in the UK and led the establishment of the first black studies programme in Europe at Birmingham City University.

Author of The New Age of Empire: How Racism and Colonialism Still Rule the World.

AFUA HIRSCH

Meet Afua - Writer, author, TV presenter, documentary maker, and former barrister.

Support numerous charities, activist groups, community and young people’s organisations.

Afua writes, campaigns and speaks out on what matters.

'Even in our history month, black people are the repeated victims of cancel culture
This article is more than 1 year oldAfua Hirsch'

PROFESSOR DAME ELIZABETH NNEKA ANIONWU

Professor Dame Elizabeth Nneka Anionwu DBE FRCN is a British nurse, health care administrator, lecturer, and Emeritus Professor of Nursing at University of West London.

In 1979, Anionwu became the United Kingdom's first sickle-cell and thalassemia nurse specialist, helping establish the Brent Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Counselling centre

Click and find our more about Professor Dame Elizabeth Nneka Anionwu

DAVID OLUSOGA

David Adetayo Olusoga OBE is a British historian, writer, broadcaster, presenter, film-maker. A Professor of Public History at University of Manchester. He has presented historical documentaries on the BBC
• The Secret Windrush Files
• Civilisations
• A House Through Time
• A Forgotten History
• Britain's Forgotten Slave Owners
• Britain's Caribbean Heroes
• Forgotten Soldiers of Empire

Click to buy David Olusoga 2 Books Collection Set Paperback

• Black and British
• A Forgotten History

ANDREA LEVY

Andrea Levy FRSL was an English author best known for the novels Small Island and The Long Song. She was born in London to Jamaican parents, and her work explores topics related to British Jamaicans and how they negotiate racial, cultural and national identities.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE ESSENTIAL 5 Books Collection set including:

• Small Island,
• Fruit of The Lemon
• Every Light In House Burning
• Never Far From Nowhere
• Six Stories And An Essay

Buy books, click here!

SIR TREVOR MCDONALD OBE

Sir Trevor McDonald OBE educated in Trinidad, West Indies where his career in the media began, first as a radio reporter, news presenter and sports journalist. His first major assignment sent to London (1962) to report on Trinidad’s Independence.

He is arguably the most recognisable news presenter in British broadcasting history.

He was knighted in 1999 for his services to journalism.

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RICHARD TAYLOR OBE

Richard Taylor, father of Damilola has campaigned to end children being affected by violence after his son, 11 was murdered on his way home from school, 27 Nov 2000

1st trial: 2002, 4 minors went on trial at the Old Bailey for murder. Trial led to all suspects being acquitted

2nd trial: 23 Jan 2006, 29 Mar jury could not reach a verdict on charges of manslaughter, those charged were released

Retrial: 9 Aug 2006, 33-day retrial 2 brothers were convicted of manslaughter
Visit HOPE2020 website

DOREEN LAWRENCE

Doreen Delceita Lawrence, Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon, OBE is a British Jamaican campaigner and mother of Stephen Lawrence, a black British teenager who was murdered in a racist attack in South East London in 1993. She promoted reforms of the police service and founded the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust.

Stephen Lawrence Day takes place annually, 22 April, date of Stephen’s death. The Day is marked officially in the British calendar as a celebration of Stephen’s life & legacy
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PROFESSOR SIR LENNY HENRY CBE

Professor Sir Lenworth George Henry CBE, known as Lenny Henry, is an English stand-up comedian, actor, singer, writer, television presenter known for co-founding Comic Relief
He started working in television at 16. He won New Faces talent competition that catapulted him into the world of television via Britain’s first ever all-black sitcom The Fosters – Since performed his craft on stage and in the theatre
2020 Launched hub of excellence to champion media diversity

Click - Go to Lenny’s website

IDRIS ELBA

Idrissa Akuna Elba OBE, English actor, writer, producer, rapper, singer, songwriter, DJ.
Roles including:
• Stringer Bell - HBO series The Wire
• DCI John Luther - BBC One series Luther
• Nelson Mandela in Long Walk to Freedom

GREEN DOOR PICTURES is Idris Elba’s production outfit. Founded 2013, the company’s mission is to nurture fresh talent, champion diversity & opportunity

2020 Green Door Pictures
• The Idris Takeover - Block of original content - BBC3
• Apple signs first-look book deal

DARCUS HOWE

Darcus Howe travelled to Britain from Trinidad in 1961, believing he would be welcomed by British people as a fellow member of the British Empire. However, Britain was not what Howe expected. The country was poorer than he thought, and there was more prejudice than the propaganda about the Empire he had heard in Trinidad had led him to believe. He was well educated and qualified, however was refused work in well-paid professional jobs.

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OLIVE MORRIS

Olive Elaine Morris, 26 Jun '52–12 July '79
Jamaican-born British-based community leader, activist feminist, Black nationalist, squatters' rights campaigner of '70s.

She was a key organiser in the Black Women's Movement in the UK, co-founding the Organisation of Women of African&Asian Descent in London and support groups in Manchester.

She joined the British Black Panthers and squatted 121 Railton Road in Brixton. Her life and work have been widely commemorated, both by official organisations

Roy Hackett: 'Why I'm still fighting racism at 90' | BBC Ideas

Roy Hackett dies 93, 2022

Jun 12, 2020 In this moving interview, anti-racism pioneer Roy Hackett - who is now in his 90s - reveals the extraordinary level of racism he faced when he first arrived in the UK in the 1950s. Following the Black Lives Matter protests and the removal of the statue of slave trader Edward Colston in Bristol, some have called for a statue of Roy Hackett to be erected in its place. This interview was recorded in 2019.

PAUL STEPHENSON OBE

Paul Stephenson OBE (DOB 6-5-1937)
Community worker, activist, civil rights campaigner in Bristol, England

1963 - Led a boycott of the Bristol Omnibus Company, protesting against its refusal to employ Black/Asian drivers or conductors. A 60-day boycott supported by thousands of Bristolians led the company to revoke its colour bar

1964 - Achieved national fame when he refused to leave a public house until he was served, resulting being charged with failing to leave a licensed premises
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NORWELL ROBERTS

PHOTO. Norwell Roberts, London's first black police officer, on traffic duty, near Charing Cross Station (1968).

Norwell Lionel Roberts QPM (né Gumbs; born 23 October 1946) is a British former police constable—the first black police officer to join London's Metropolitan Police.

He eventually rose to the rank of Detective Sergeant.

Department: Metropolitan Police Service

Born: Norwell Lionel Gumbs

Dob.23 October 1946

Awards: Queen's Police Medal (1996)

Rank: Detective Sergeant

FOLAJIMI OLUBUNMI-ADEWOLE

This is for the HERO Nigerian Born Folajimi Olubunmi- Adewole who died saving a woman who attempted suicide in River Thames on Friday 23/04/2021.

On his way back from work, Jimi saw the woman jumping into the river not thinking twice after calling the police, convinced he could do something to save her he jumped in and drowned...Click here to help support the family he leaves behind

WINIFRED ATWELL

Una Winifred Atwell (27 February or 27 April 1910 or 1914 - 28 February 1983

She was a Trinidadian pianist who enjoyed great popularity in Britain and Australia from the 1950s with a series of boogie-woogie and ragtime hits, selling over 20 million records.

She was the first black person to have a number-one hit in the UK Singles Chart and is still the only female instrumentalist to do so.

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SAMUEL COLERIDGE-TAYLOR

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (15 August 1875 – 1 September 1912) was an English composer and conductor.

Coleridge-Taylor achieved such success that he was referred to by white New York musicians as the "African Mahler" when he had three tours of the United States in the early 1900s.

He was particularly known for his three cantatas on the epic poem, Song of Hiawatha by American Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor premiered the first section in 1898, when he was 22.

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THE HONOURABLE BOB MARLEY OM

Robert Nesta Marley, OM (The Order of Merit) (6 Feb 1945–11 May 1981) Jamaican singer, songwriter, musician. Considered a pioneer of reggae, fusing elements of reggae, ska, rocksteady, having a distinctive vocal and songwriting style

He was controversial in his outspoken support for the legalisation of marijuana, also advocated for Pan-Africanism is a worldwide movement that aims to encourage and strengthen bonds of solidarity between all indigenous and diaspora ethnic groups of African descent

FELA KUTI

Fela Anikulapo Kuti (15 Oct 1938–2 Aug 1997) A Nigerian multi-instrumentalist, bandleader, composer, political activist, Pan-Africanist. A pioneer of Afrobeat genre, blend of traditional yoruba & Afro-Cuban music with funk and jazz
Kuti was a political giant in Africa from the 70's until his death. He criticized corruption of Nigerian government and officials mistreatment of Nigerian citizens. He spoke of colonialism as the root of the socio-economic political problems plagued the African people

CHARLES WOTTEN

Madeline Heneghan author of a book documenting a black seaman's murder 100 yrs ago called for the history of British race riots to be taught in schools.

She said people can be "amazed" by the story of Charles Wotten, also known as Wootton, who was killed by a white mob in Liverpool. Few people know just how badly black people were treated at the time, with many barred from jobs. It is somewhat a forgotten part of our history and important lessons can be learnt from it today."

Click to read...

JOHNNY SMYTHE

John Henry Smythe, an RAF navigator from Sierra Leone in West Africa, was shot down and captured in Nazi Germany in 1943.

War had broken out four years earlier when he was 25 years old, and Johnny volunteered to join the fight against fascism after a call from Britain to its colonies for recruits. Again and again, he and his comrades risked their lives in the skies above occupied Europe.

After he was liberated from a prisoner-of-war camp, he would go on to become a senior officer click read...

WALTER TULL

Walter Daniel John Tull (28 Apr 1888–25 Mar 1918) was an English professional footballer and British Army officer of Afro-Caribbean descent. He was 3rd person of mixed heritage to play in top division of Football League after Arthur Wharton and Willie Clarke. He was 1st black player to be signed for Rangers F.C.

He served in First World War, Middlesex Regiment, in the two Footballers' Battalions. He was commissioned as second lieutenant 30 May 1917 and killed in action on 25 Mar 1918
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JOHN LESLIE

John Francis Leslie Born: 17 August 1901, Canning Town, London
Died: 25 November 1988, Gravesend

He was an English professional footballer who played as an Inside left. Leslie was the only black professional player in England during his time with Plymouth Argyle.

He enjoyed a 14-season spell with Argyle, having joined the club from Barking Town in 1921

Click to go to the John Leslie Campaign Website

MAYA ANGELOU

Dr Maya Angelou - One of the world's most important writers and activists.
Born 4 April 1928, she lived and chronicled an extraordinary life: rising from poverty, violence and racism, she became a renowned author, poet, playwright, civil rights' activist - working with Malcolm X and Martin Luther King - and memoirist.

She was given the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Obama and was honoured by more than seventy universities throughout the world.

Click to buy Maya Angelou's books!

NINA SIMONE

Eunice Kathleen Waymon, known professionally as Nina Simone - American singer, songwriter, musical arranger, and civil rights activist. Her music spanned a broad range of styles, including classical, jazz, folk, R&B, gospel, and pop. Nina referred to her music as Black Classical Music

Nina wrote a song on the assination of Martin Luther King Jnr 1968

Why? (the King of Love is Dead)

"And did Martin Luther King just die in vain?
Cos he’d seen the mountain top,
And he knew he could not stop..."

SIDNEY POITIER

Sidney Poitier KBE was a Bahamian and American actor, film director, and diplomat. In 1964, he was the first black actor and first Bahamian to win the Academy Award for Best Actor. He received two competitive Golden Globe Awards, a competitive British Academy of Film and Television Arts award (BAFTA).

Sidney Poitier was well admired, honoured and respected worldwide not just for his amazing acting ablity but also for bringing racial issues to the big screen with realness and integrity.

RUBY BRIDGES

Ruby Bridges was the first African American child to integrate an all-white public elementary school in the South. She later became a civil rights activist

She was six when she became the first African American child to integrate a white Southern elementary school. On Nov 14, 1960, she was escorted to class by her mother and U.S. marshals due to violent mobs. Bridges' brave act was a milestone in the civil rights movement, and she's shared her story with future generations in educational forums

CLAUDETTE COLVIN

Claudette Colvin is a pioneer of the 1950s civil rights movement and retired nurse aide. On March 2, 1955, she was arrested at the age of 15 in Montgomery, Alabama, for refusing to give up her seat to a white woman on a crowded, segregated bus...Later that year on December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks rejected bus driver James F. Blake's order to vacate a row of four seats in the "colored" section in favor of a white passenger, once the "white" section was filled.

Many know about Rosa Park but unware o...

BOOKER T. WASHINGTON

Booker Taliaferro Washington (Apr 5, 1856 – Nov 14, 1915 was an American educator, author, orator, and adviser to several presidents of the United States. Between 1890 and 1915, Washington was the dominant leader in the African American community and of the contemporary black elite. Washington was from the last generation of black American leaders born into slavery and became the leading voice of the former slaves and their descendants.
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GEORGE STINNEY JR

George Stinney Jr age jsut 14 was the youngest person put to death in electric chair.

He was convicted of apparently murdering two white girls, in a proceeding later vacated as an unfair trial and after 70yrs he was proved innocent.

Click to listen Ashley Byrne (BBC) speaking to George Stinney Jr's sister Katherine Robinson, and to Matt Burgess who was one of the team of lawyers who fought to clear his name.