Black History Month Gallery

Josephine Baker

1906-1975

Entertainer and member of the French Resistance WW2

The first black woman to star in a major motion picture, Zouzou (1934). Noted for her contributions to the Civil Rights Movement. Assisted the French Resistance during World War II, and received the French military honor, the Croix de guerre and was made a Chevalier of the LÊgion d’honneur

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josephine_Baker

Black History

Eugene Bullard Military Pilot

1895 - 1961

The first African-American military pilot. One of very few black combat pilots in World War I

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugene_Bullard

Black History

William Hall

1827-1904

Merchant seaman, United States and British Royal Navy

The first black person, first Nova Scotian, and third Canadian to receive the Victoria Cross.

Served during the Crimean War 1854 and the Indian Rebellion 1857

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Hall_(VC)

Black History

Group of RAF officers who served in World War Two

Includes Dusty Miller, S/L Corbett Ulric Cross, Johnny Smythe, Mark Walker, E.A. Gordon, Percy Messiah, C.A. Messiah, Vivian Thomas, Jellicoe Scoon, E.R Braithwaite. Others unknown

http://www.caribbeanaircrew-ww2.com/ Source: P.L.U Cross; Photograph Audrey Elcombe

Black History

Toussain LOuverture 1743

- 1803 Soldier and revolutionary leader

Leader of the 1791 slave rebellion in the French colony of Saint-Domingue, which culminated in the elimination of slavery there and established the Republic of Haiti. It was the only slave revolt which led to the founding of a state

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toussaint_Louverture Artist unknown

Black History

Olaudah Equiano 1745 - 1797 Abolitionist, seafarer, merchant, and explorer

A freed slave, he settled in England in 1767 and worked as a seafarer, merchant and explorer in the Caribbean, the Arctic, the American colonies, South and Central America, and the United Kingdom.

Was active among leaders of the anti-slave trade movement in the 1780s and was part of the Sons of Africa, a black group opposed to the slave trade. His autobiography, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano (1789), depicted the horrors of slavery. It aided the passage of the British Slave Trade Act of 1807, which abolished the African slave trade for Britain and its colonies. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olaudah_Equiano; Artist unknown

Black History

Harriet Tubman

1822 - 1913

Abolitionist, humanitarian, suffragist, scout and spy

African-American. An escaped slave from Maryland she made thirteen return missions to rescue numerous enslaved family and friends using a network of safe houses known as the Underground Railroad. During the US Civil War (1861-1865) she worked for the Union Army, as a cook and nurse, and then as an armed scout and spy. The first woman to lead an armed expedition in the war. Guided the raid at Combahee Ferry, which liberated more than seven hundred slaves. Active in the women’s suffrage movement during the post war era. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harriet_Tubman

Black History

Jesse Jackson

1941 -

American civil rights activist, Baptist minister, and politician

Worked for Martin Luther King, In Participated in the Selma to Montgomery marches in 1965 and Ran sections of Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in Chicago including its economic arm, Operation Breadbasket becoming national director in 1967. Operation Breadbasket promoted boycotts of white owned business by black consumers to encourage hiring of black employees and purchasing from black run businesses.

Candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988 and served as a shadow U.S. Senator for the District of Columbia from 1991 to 1997. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesse_Jackson; Image Source AFGE https://www.flickr.com/photos/afge/10196156245/ 06

Black History

Angela Davis

1944 -

American political activist, scholar, and author

Prominent activist and radical in the 1960s as a leader of the Communist Party USA. In 1969 Ronald Reagan requested that she be barred from teaching at any university in the State of California because of her membership of the Communist Party Arrested, charged, tried, and acquitted of conspiracy in the 1970 armed take-over of a Marin County courtroom, in which four persons died.

Twice a candidate for Vice President on the Communist Party USA ticket during the 1980s.

Professor at the San Francisco State University from at least 1980 to1984; Professor at the University of California, Santa Cruz from 1991 to 2008. Currently Distinguished Professor Emerita Black History https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angela_Davis

Baroness Valerie Amos 1954 Politician, diplomat, university head

8th UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator. British High Commissioner to Australia. Created a Labour Life Peer in 1997, becoming Leader of the House of Lords and Lord President of the Council. Appointed Secretary of State for International Development in 2003, becoming the first black woman to sit in the Cabinet of the United Kingdom. In 2010 appointed to the role of Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator. 2015 appointed the 9th director of, the School of Oriental & African Studies (SOAS) making her the first woman of African descent to be director of an institute of higher education in Great Britain.

Black History https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valerie_Amos,_Baroness_Amos; Attribution: Simon Davis/Department for International Development

Albert John Lutuli 1898 - 1967 Politician and Teacher

South African teacher and politician. President of the African National Congress (ANC). Awarded the 1960 Nobel Peace Prize for his role in the non-violent struggle against apartheid. First African, and first person from outside Europe and the Americas, to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Lutuli; https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Albert_Lutuli_Anefo.jpg

Black History

John Richard Archer 1863

-1932 Anti-Racism campaigner and political activist

British. In November 1906, he was among the first people of African descent to be elected to public office in Britain as a councillor in Battersea, and in 1913 became the first black mayor in London

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Archer_(British_politician); http://medievalpoc.tumblr.com/post/59864012872/1800s-week-photograph-of-john-archer-mayor-of

Black History

Diane Abbott

1953 -

British Labour Party Member of Parliament

MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington since 1987. First black woman to be elected to the House of Commons. 2010-2013 Shadow Public Health Minister

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diane_Abbott; Diane Abbott speaking at the New Statesman hustings for the:Labour Party (UK) leadership election, 2010, Alex Hilton, 9 June 2010

Black History

Baron Paul Boateng 1951

Politician

British Labour MP. Became UK’s first mixed-race Cabinet Minister in 2002 as Chief Secretary to the Treasury. Was British High Commissioner to South Africa from March 2005 to May 2009. Introduced as a member of the House of Lords 2010.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Boateng

Black History

Bernie Grant

1944 - 2000

Politician and anti-racism campaigner

British Labour Party politician and Member of Parliament for Tottenham from 1987 to his death in 2000. When first elected he was one of only three black MP. Committed equal rights and anti-racism campaigner

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernie_Grant

Black History

Trevor Phillips

1953 -

Writer, broadcaster and former politician

British. Former chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). Former television executive and presenter.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trevor_Phillips; Source: Trevor Phillips, Author Heinrich Bรถll Stiftung from Berlin, Deutschland 27 October 2010, 14:23

Black History

William Cuffay Politician

1788 - 1870

Chartist leader in early Victorian London. Convicted of preparing acts of arson, intended to trigger a planned armed uprising after being accused of “conspiring to levy war� against Queen Victoria and.

Sentenced to 21 years penal transportation. Spent the rest of his life in Tasmania although pardoned after 3 years. Continued to fight for democratic rights in Tasmania. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Cuffay; http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/pathways/blackhistory/rights/chartists.htm

Black History

Barack Obama

1961 -

President of the United States of America

A community organizer in Chicago before gaining law degree. Worked as a civil rights attorney and taught constitutional law at University of Chicago Law School from 1992 to 2004. A senator from 1997 to 2004, 2009 became the 44th and current President of the USA. The first African American to hold the office.

Re-elected in 2012 2009 Nobel Peace Prize laureate. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama

Black History

Franz Fanon

1925 - 1961

Psychiatrist, philosopher, political radical and writer

Martinique-born Afro-Caribbean psychiatrist, philosopher, writer influential in the fields of post-colonial studies, critical theory, and Marxism. Concerned with the psychopathology of colonization, and the human, social, and cultural consequences of decolonization.

Supported the Algerian War of Independence from France, and was a member of the Algerian National Liberation Front.

Probably best known for his book Black Skin, White Masks (1952), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frantz_Fanon

Black History

Alexander Pushkin 1799 - 1837 Poet, playwright, and novelist

Considered by many to be the greatest Russian poet and founder of modern Russian literature. Great grandfather was African.

Most famous play was Boris Godunov. His novel in verse, Eugene Onegin, was serialized between 1825 and 1832.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Pushkin

Black History

Benjamin Carson

Neurosurgeon, author, politician

1951 -

American.

First surgeon to successfully separate conjoined twins joined at the head in 1987. Was professor of neurosurgery, oncology, plastic surgery, and paediatrics, and co-director of the Johns Hopkins Craniofacial Center.

Now running for the Republican nomination in the 2016 presidential election. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Carson; Author: Gage Skidmore; Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/gageskidmore/16635957336/; 26 February 2015

Black History

Ignatius Sancho

c1729 - 1780

Composer, actor, writer and abolitionist

First known Black Briton to vote in a British election. The Letters of the Late Ignatius Sancho, an African, is one of the earliest accounts of African slavery written in English by a former slave

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ignatius_Sancho

Black History

Ottobah Cugoano c1757

- c1791 Abolitionist and natural rights philosopher

Captured in present-day Ghana and sold into slavery aged 13 and shipped to Grenada Purchased by an English merchant in 1772. Brought to England and was freed following the ruling in the Somersett Case (1772). Joined the Sons of Africa, African abolitionists in England. In 1786 played an important role in preventing a kidnapped black man Henry Demane being shipped back to the West Indies.

Published an attack on slavery entitled Thoughts and Sentiments on the Evil and Wicked Traffic of the Slavery and Commerce of the Human Species (1787). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottobah_Cugoano; http://www.centerforbritishart.org/slavery-and-portraiture/291/richard-and-maria-cosway (servant thought to be Cugoano); Artist Richard Cosway 1742–1821

Black History

Booker T Washington 1856

- 1915 Educator, author, orator, and advisor to presidents of the USA

African-American. Key leader in the African-American community between 1890 and 1915. Became the leading voice of the former slaves and their descendants. Emphasised long-term educational and economic advancement in the black community. Came to national prominence with his Atlanta Address of 1895. Had access to political, philanthropic and educational leaders. Argued that the best way to gain equal rights was to demonstrate “industry, thrift, intelligence and property. Believed cooperation with supportive whites was the only way to defeat racism in the long term but secretly funded litigation for civil rights cases. Proffered political advice to presidents Roosevelt and Taft.

Wrote 14 books including his autobiography ‘Up From Slavery’, first published in 1901.

Black History https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Booker_T._Washington

Chevalier de Saint-George Musician, soldier and fencer

1745 - 1799

Classical composer, virtuoso violinist and conductor of the leading symphony orchestra in Paris. Also a champion fencer.

Was colonel of the ‘LĂŠgion St.-Georges, the first all-black regiment in Europe, fighting on the side of the Republic during the French Revolution.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevalier_de_Saint-Georges

Black History

Léopold Senghor

Politician, cultural theorist and poet

1906-2001

First president of Senegal 1960–80. First African elected as a member of the Académie française.

Before independence, he founded the political party called the Senegalese Democratic Bloc. An acclaimed poet, amongst many awards he received 1978 he was awarded the Prix Mondial Cino Del Duca. Regarded by many as one of the most important African intellectuals of the 20th century. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C3%A9opold_S%C3%A9dar_Senghor

Black History

Alexandre Dumas 1802 - 1870 Author

Famous for novels which include The Count of Monte Cristo, The Three Musketeers, Twenty Years After, and The Vicomte de Bragelonne: Ten Years Later.

Founded the Théâtre Historique in Paris.

His father was the son of a French nobleman and an African slave. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandre_Dumas

Black History

Alexandre Davy de la Pailleterie Soldier

1762 - 1806

The son of a French nobleman and an African-Caribbean slave.

General in Revolutionary France. First person of non-European origin in the French military to become brigadier general. First to become divisional general, and first to become general-in-chief of a French army. Father of the famous author Alexandre Dumas

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas-Alexandre_Dumas

Black History

Maya Angelou

1928 - 2014

Author, poet, dancer, actress, director and singer

Internationally acclaimed, award winning author. Became a poet and writer after a number of other careers. Works include noels, plays, essays, books of poetry. Made numerous appearances on the lecture circuit Made an inaugural recitation at President Bill Clinton’s inauguration in 1993 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_Angelou

Black History

James Baldwin

1924 - 1987

Writer and Social Critic

American novelist, essayist, playwright, poet, and social critic. Best known work “Go Tell It on the Mountain�. Active in the Civil Rights campaign

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Baldwin; Author: Allan Warren; Date: 1969

Black History

Toni Morrison

1931 -

American novelist, editor, essayist and professor

Novels include “The Bluest Eye”, “Sula”, “Song of Solomon” and “Beloved”. Librettist for a new opera “Margaret Garner”, first performed in 2005. Awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1988 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012. Emeritus Professor at Princeton University

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toni_Morrison; Author: derivative work Entheta (talk); Toni Morrison 2008: Angela Radulescu; Source: Toni Morrison 2008

Black History

Ben Okri Poet and novelist

1959 -

Nigerian poet and novelist. Considered one of the foremost African authors in the post-modern and post-colonial traditions.

Has won numerous literary prizes including the Booker Prize in 1991 for his novel The Famished Road.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Okri; Author: Metsavend; 1 June 2014

Black History

Zadie Smith Writer

1975 -

British. Acclaimed novelist, essayist, and short story writer. In 2003 and 2013 included on Granta’s list of 20 best young authors. Won the Orange Prize for Fiction and the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award in 2006. Her novel White Teeth was included in Time magazine’s TIME 100 Best English-language Novels from 1923 to 2005 list.

Became tenured professor on New York University’s Creative Writing Program in 2010. . https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zadie_Smith; Author: David Shankbone; 22 January 2011

Black History

Caryl Phillips

1958 -

Novelist, playwright and essayist

Award winning novelist. Much of work explores the experiences of peoples of the African diaspora in England, the Caribbean and the United States. Has held numerous academic posts. Currently Professor of English at Yale University.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caryl_Phillips; http://vintageanchorbooks.tumblr.com/post/45265073329/europe-is-no-longer-white-and-never-will-be

Black History

Malorie Blackman Writer

1962 -

British. Children’s Laureate from 2013 to 2015. Primarily writes literature and television drama for children and young adults. Has won numerous awards.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malorie_Blackman; Author: Taraforfun at English Wikipedia; Source: Transferred

Black History

Muhammad Ali

1942 - 2016

Boxer, Anti-Vietnam war protester

Considered one of the greatest heavyweight boxers in the sport’s history. Won the world heavyweight championship in 1964 1974, and 1978- the only three time champion..

Joined the Nation of Islam in 1964, converted to Sunni Islam in 1975.

In 1967 refused to be conscripted into the U.S. military, citing the Vietnam War. Arrested and found guilty of draft evasion and stripped of his passport and boxing title. His conviction was overturned in 1971. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_Ali

Black History

Baroness Patricia ScotlandPolitician, Barrister

1955 -

UK Government ministerial include Attorney General for England and Wales and Advocate General for Northern Ireland.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patricia_Scotland,_Baroness_Scotland_of_Asthal; Author: Patricia Scotland 2.jpg: T; Source: PatriciaScotland2.jpg. Original uploader was Virtualstuart at English Wikipedia; derivative work: An-d; date: 29 November 2012

Black History

Lady Sara Forbes Bonettapocock

Queen Victoria’s goddaughter

1843 - 1880

A Yoruban orphaned in inter-tribal warfare, sold into slavery, then liberated. Became a goddaughter to Queen Victoria. Married to Captain James Pinson Labulo Davies, a wealthy Victorian Nigerian philanthropist

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sara_Forbes_Bonetta

Black History

Mary Seacole ‘Nurse’

1805 -1881

Jamaican-born of Scottish and Creole parentage. Set up a “British Hotel” behind the lines during the Crimean War, Cared for sick and wounded soldiers including on the battlefield. Posthumously awarded the Jamaican Order of Merit in 1991. Knowledgeable in herbal medicines in the Caribbean. Mentioned in dispatches.

Autobiography, “Wonderful Adventures of Mrs. Seacole in Many Lands” was published in 1857 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Seacole

Black History

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Composer

1875 - 1912

Successful English composer of Creole descent. Works included “Hiawatha’s Wedding Feast” which led to three tours of the USA. In 1904, he was received by President Theodore Roosevelt at the White House.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Coleridge-Taylor

Black History

George Bridgetower 1778

- 1860 Musician

English pianist, organist and conductor. Renowned interpreter of the works of Gershwin, Bernstein, Duke Ellington and other twentieth-century American composers.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Bridgetower

Black History

Wayne Marshall Musician

1961 -

English pianist, organist and conductor. Renowned interpreter of the works of Gershwin, Bernstein, Duke Ellington and other twentieth-century American composers.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayne_Marshall_(classical_musician); Author:Raimond Spekking; 1 September 2014

Black History

Shirley Thompson Composer and conductor

British composer of Jamaican descent. In 2004 became the first woman in Europe to have composed and conducted a symphony within the past 40 years.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shirley_Thompson_(composer)

Black History

Courtney Pine Musician

1964 -

British jazz musician. Pine is a multi-instrumentalist, also playing the flute, clarinet, bass clarinet and keyboards.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Courtney_Pine; Image author: Augustas DidĹžgalvis 2010

Black History

Dame Cleo Laine Singer and actress

1927 -

British jazz and pop singer and an actress, noted for scat singing and vocal range. Only female performer to have received Grammy nominations in jazz, popular and classical music categories.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleo_Laine; Image author: Michael Cohn; Source: Cleo Laine; Date: 1 September 2007

Black History

Beverley Knight

1973 -

Recording artist, radio presenter and musical theatre actress

Considered one of Britain’s greatest soul singers. Released platinum-selling compilation album in 2006. Hosted four series of the BBC Radio 2 show Beverley’s Gospel Nights, exploring the origins and impact of gospel music.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beverley_Knight; Image author: Ibsan73; Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/63465486@N07/15931894753/;16 February 2015

Black History

Sade

1959 -

Singer, songwriter, composer, and record producer

British Nigerian. The band ‘Sade’s’ debut album Diamond Life (1984). The album sold over six million copies became the best-selling debut ever by a British female vocalist.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sade_(singer); Image author: Thilo Parg; Date: 16 November 2011

Black History

Dido Elizabeth Belle 1761 - 1804 Gentlewoman and heiress

Born into slavery in the West Indies. Natural daughter of Maria Belle, an enslaved African woman and Sir John Lindsay. Brought to England by Lindsay 1765 and entrusted to his uncle William Murray, First Earl of Mansfield, and his wife Elizabeth. Brought up as a free gentlewoman together with their other niece, Lady Elizabeth Murray.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dido_Elizabeth_Belle painting of Belle with her cousin Lady Elizabeth Murray, formerly attributed to Johann Zoffany, 1779

Black History

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Politician

1938 -

First elected female head of state in Africa. 24th and current President of Liberia.

Awarded the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize, jointly with Leymah Gbowee of Liberia and Tawakel Karman of Yemen in recognition of ‘their non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for women’s rights to full participation in peace-building work’

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellen_Johnson_Sirleaf; Image author: Ash Carter; Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/secdef/16664343682/; 27 February 2015

Black History

Sir William Lewis 1915 - 1991 Economist

Appointed as their first economic advisor to Ghanaian government after Ghana gained independence in 1957. Involved in developing their Five-Year Development Plan (1959–63).

1959 appointed Vice Chancellor of the University of the West Indies. Knighted for his contributions to economics in 1963.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W._Arthur_Lewis;Image author: Nobel Foundation;Source: http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/economics/laureates/1979/lewis.html; c 1979

Black History

Desmond Tutu

Bishop and rights activist

1931 -

South African social rights activist and retired Anglican bishop. Prominent during the 1980s as an opponent of apartheid.

First black Archbishop of Cape Town and bishop of the Church of the Province of Southern Africa.

Has campaigned to fight HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, poverty, racism, sexism, homophobia and transphobia. Numerous awards include the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desmond_Tutu; Image author: Libris Fรถrlag; Source: mynewsdesk; 23 October 2013

Black History

John Sentamu Archbishop

1949 -

1996 became Bishop of Stepney , 2002 Bishop of Birmingham, 2005 Archbishop of York. The second most senior cleric in the Church of England .

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevalier_de_Saint-Georges

Black History

George-Washington-Carver c1864 - 1943 Botanist, inventor, pianist, artist i.e. polymath

Born into slavery in Missouri. Main claim to fame is devising over 100 products using for peanuts including dyes, plastics and gasoline, paints.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Washington_Carver; http://www.biography.com/#!/people/george-washington-carver-9240299

Black History

Arthur Wharton Sportsman/Footballer

1865 - 1930

All-round sportsman. In 1886, equalled the amateur world record of 10 seconds for the 100-yard sprint in the AAA championship. Keen cyclist and cricketer. First black professional and the first to play in the English Football League.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Wharton

Black History

Andrew Watson Footballer

1856 - 1921

Watson won three international caps for Scotland. No black person was selected to play for Scotland for over 120 years, until Nigel Quashie in 2004.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Watson_(footballer,_born_1856)

Black History

Baron Learie Constantine

Cricketer, lawyer and politician 1901 - 1971

West Indian cricketer, lawyer and politician. Served as Trinidad’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. Became the UK’s first black peer. Fought against racial discrimination. Influential in the passing of the Race Relations Act in Britain.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Learie_Constantine

Black History

Ira Aldridge

Actor and playwright

1807- 1867

American and later British stage actor and playwright. Made his career largely in London and in Europe, especially in Shakespearean roles. The only actor of African-American descent among the 33 actors of the English stage honored with bronze plaques at the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre at Stratford-upon-Avon. Received top honors from heads of state in Prussia and Russia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ira_Aldridge; Artist James Northcote

Black History

Adjoa Andoh Actor

1963 -

British film, television, stage and radio actress of Ghanaian descent. Has had lead roles at the RSC, the National, the Royal Court, and Almeida Theatres. Known on British television. Appeared in two series of Doctor Who, 90 episodes of Casualty and EastEnders. On radio she is the voice of Alexander McCall Smith’s Number 1 Ladies Detective Agency. Won “Audio Book of the Year” for Tea Time for the Traditionally Built.

Hollywood debut in 2009 starring as Nelson Mandela’s Chief of Staff Brenda Mazibuko. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adjoa_Andoh; http://thunderbirds.wikia.com/wiki/Adjoa_Andoh; Added by Ian678 Posted in Adjoa Andoh

Black History

Joan Armatrading Singer-songwriter and guitarist

1950 -

Received an Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Contemporary Song Collection in 1996 and a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012.

Holds honorary degrees from Liverpool John Moores University the University of Birmingham, the University of Northampton, Aston University, the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, the Open University and the University of the West Indies

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_Armatrading;Image author: Eddie Mallin; Source: originally posted to Flickr as joan armatrading; 1970s

Black History

Benjamin Zephaniah 1958

Poet and novelist

British Jamaican writer, dub poet and Rastafari. Included in The Times list of Britain’s top 50 post-war writers in 2008.

Holds honorary doctorates from the University of North London University of Central England, Staffordshire University, London South Bank University, the University of Exeter the University of Westminster and the University of Birmingham. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Zephaniah;Image author: David Morris from Hull, England; Source: Unaware; 29 January 2010

Black History

1902 1967 Langston Hughes Poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist

American. One of the earliest innovators of the then-new literary art form called jazz poetry. Best known as a leader of the Harlem Renaissance.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Langston_Hughes

Black History

Jean “Binta� Breeze 1956 -

Poet, storyteller, theatre director, choreographer, actor and teacher

A Jamaican dub poet and storyteller, she has worked also as. Has performed her work around the world.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_%22Binta%22_Breeze; Image author: walnut whippet from Hull, UK; Source: Jean Binta Breeze at Humber Mouth 2007; Date: 20 June 2007

Black History

Ronald Moody Sculptor

1900 - 1984

Jamaican-born Moody first qualified as a dentist. Became a self-trained sculptor who specialised in wood carvings. Also explored other materials. Work appears in several important collections including the National Portrait Gallery, London and Tate Britain.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronald_Moody; http://kentakepage.com/ronald-moody-a-distinguish-sculptor/

Black History

Maud Sulter

1960 - 2008

Artist, art historian, curator, publisher, poet

Award winning artist and writer of Scottish and Ghanaian heritage who lived and worked in Britain.

Exhibited across the UK and internationally. Her fine are photographs are held in a number of museums and collections. Also an art historian, curator, publisher and poet. Her first poetry collection As a Blackwoman (1985), won the Vera Bell Prize for poetry. Self-Portrait, 2002, courtesy of the estate of Maud Sulter. . https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maud_Sulter

Black History

Bruce Oldfield

1950 -

Fashion designer

British. Best known for couture occasion-wear. Extensive list of famous clients have including royalty, aristocracy, super stars.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Oldfield; https://wiki.wildberries.ru/people/designers/%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B4%D1%84%D0%B8%D0%BB%D0%B4-%D0%B1%D1%80%D1%8E%D1%81

Black History

Joe Casely-Hayford 1956 Fashion designer

International reputation as a British designer of men’s and women’s clothing since the mid-1980s.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Casely-Hayford; Image author Ben Weller; Source: Joe Casely-Hayford; 12th September 1980

Black History

Ozwald Boateng Fashion designer

1967 -

International reputation as a British designer of men’s and women’s clothing since the mid-1980s.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozwald_Boateng; Image author: Financial Times; Source: Flickr: John Armagh & Ozwald Boateng; 20 June 2013

Black History

Zelda Wynn Valdes

1905 - 2001

Fashion designer and costumier

African-American. Opened her own shop on Broadway in 1948, the first in the area to be owned by an African American. Clientele included black women celebrities such as Dorothy Dandridge and Marian Anderson. Designed the original costumes for the Dance Theater of Harlem.

Became president of the New York Chapter of NAFAD, the National Association of Fashion and Accessory Designers in 1949. Retired at 83 years old. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zelda_Wynn_Valdes; http://divasanddorks.com/womens-history-month-celebrating-black-women-in-fashion/

Black History

Ann Lowe

1898 - 1981

Queen Victoria’s goddaughter

First African American to become a noted fashion designer.Her designs were high society favorites from the 1920s to the 1960s. Designed Jacqueline Bouvier’s wedding dress when she married John F. Kennedy In 1953.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ann_Lowe; http://divasanddorks.com/womens-history-month-celebrating-black-women-in-fashion/

Black History

Tracy Reese Fashion designer

1964 -

American fashion designer. Specialises in women’s ready-to-wear clothing, accessories, and home fashions. Board member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. Clientele includes Michele Obama.

http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/Rtith-5mKsM/Tracy+Reese+Backstage+Fall+2012+Mercedes+Benz/0T1Yr344rl4/Tracy+Reese; - Source: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images North America Feb. 11, 2012

Black History

Elizabeth Keckley 1875 - 1912 Seamstress, civil activist and author

Former slave. Bought her freedom and moved to Washington DC in 1860. Became a successful seamstress with an elite clientele including Mary Todd Lincoln wife of President Abraham Lincoln, civil activist and author in Washington, DC. Designed Mary Todd Lincoln’s inaugural gown.

Published an autobiography, Behind the Scenes: Or, Thirty Years a Slave and Four Years in the White House (1868).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Keckley

Black History

Baroness Floella Benjamin 1949

Actress, author, television presenter, singer, businesswoman and politician

British, known as presenter of children’s programmes such as Play School, Play Away and Fast Forward. She is chief executive of Floella Benjamin Productions, which has produced television programmes since 1987. On 28 June 2010, Lady Benjamin was introduced to the House of Lords as a Life Peer in 2010

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floella_Benjamin,_Baroness_Benjamin

Black History

Michael Fuller Policeman

c 1959 -

The first ethnic minority chief constable in the United Kingdom and the first black officer of chief constable-equivalent rank. Joined the Metropolitan Police Service in 1975 as a cadet. Became Chief Constable of Kent Police in 2004.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Fuller; https://www.pinterest.com/pin/181903272423105846/

Black History

Chris Ofili Artist

1968 -

Won the Turner Prize in 2003. One of the Young British Artists. Known for his painting ‘No woman no cry’, his tribute to Stephen Lawrence. He was Selected to represent Britain at the Venice Biennale 2003.

Exhibitions include the Arts Club of Chicago (2010),Kestnergesellschaft, Hanover (2006), the Studio Museum in Harlem, New York (2005), the Serpentine Gallery, London (1998) and Tate Britain (2010). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Ofili; http://remixculture.wikispaces.com/Chris+Ofili

Black History

Steve McQueen

1969 -

Film director, producer, screenwriter, and video artist

British. Won an Academy Award, BAFTA Award for Best Film, and Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama for 2013 film, 12 Years a Slave. First black filmmaker to win an Academy Award for Best Picture.

Turner Prize winner in 1999.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_McQueen_(director); https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Steve_McQueen_holding_Best_Picture_Oscar.JPG; Image author: Aprillamb;: 2 March 2014

Black History

Yinka Shonibare Artist

1962 -

British-Nigerian artist. His Ship in a Bottle, was exhibited on the Fourth Plinth Trafalgar Square from May 2010 and to January 2012. The sculpture is now in the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleo_Laine; Image author: Michael Cohn; Source: Cleo Laine; Date: 1 September 2007

Black History

Eddie Chambers

1960 -

Artist, contemporary art historian and curator

British based in the United States Alongside Marlene Smith, and Donald Rodney formed the BLK Art Group, an association of Black British art students in 1982.

Assistant Professor of art history at the University of Texas, Austin. Published work include Things Done Change: The Cultural Politics of Recent Black Artists in Britain (2012), Black Artists in British Art: A History from 1950 to the Present (2014). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Chambers_(writer_and_artist)

Black History

John Langston

1829 -1897 -

Lawyer, abolitionist, educator, activist, diplomat, and politician

First dean of the law school at Howard University and helped create the department. First president of what is now Virginia State University. Worked for African-American freedom, education, equal rights and suffrage. One of the first African-Americans in the United States elected to public office when elected as a town clerk in Ohio in 1855.

Elected to the U.S. Congress as the first ‘representative of color’ from Virginia in 1888. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Mercer_Langston

Black History

Charlotte E. Ray Lawyer and teacher

1850 - 1911

First African-American female lawyer in the United States. Graduated from Howard University School of Law in 1872. First female admitted to the District of Columbia Bar, and first woman admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia. Ray opened her own law office and ran advertisements in a newspaper run by Frederick Douglass. Unable to practice in the racial and gender climate of the time, she became a teacher. Involved in the women’s suffrage movement and joined the National Association of Colored Women https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlotte_E._Ray;http://www.bet.com/news/national/2012/02/27/this-day-in-black-history-feb-27-1872.html

Black History

Ella Baker

Civil and human rights activist

1903 - 1986

African-American. Worked alongside some of the most famous civil rights leaders of the 20th century, including W. E. B. Du Bois, Thurgood Marshall, A. Philip Randolph, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Mentored many emerging activists such as Diane Nash, Stokely Carmichael, Rosa Parks, and Bob Moses. Promoted grassroots organisation and radical democracy. Critic of professionalized, charismatic leadership. Called ‘One of the most important African American leaders of the twentieth century’ and perhaps the most influential woman in the civil rights movement. http://www.ellabakercenter.org/page.php?pageid=19&contentid=9

Black History

Thomas Sankara 1949 - 1987

Military captain, Marxist revolutionary, pan-Africanist theorist, and President

BurkinabĂŠ. President of Burkina Faso from 1983 to 1987. Viewed by supporters as a charismatic and iconic figure of revolution, Priorities after taking office were feeding, housing, and giving medical care to his people. Launched a mass vaccination programme in an attempt to eradicate polio, meningitis, and measles. 2.5 million BurkinabĂŠ were vaccinated in one week. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W._Arthur_Lewis;Image author: Nobel Foundation;Source: http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/economics/laureates/1979/lewis.html; c 1979

Black History

Queen Nanny of the Maroons

Leader of the Jamaican Maroons c1685 - c1755

Born in Ghana. Brought to Jamaica as a slave. Ran away from the plantation with her brothers and founded Maroon communities. By 1720, Nanny and brother Quao had settled and controlled an area in the Blue Mountains called Nanny Town. Strategic location and single town entrance made surprise attack by the British practically impossible. Freed more than 800 slaves, and helped them to resettle in the Maroon community. Was a national heroine in the 18th century. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanny_of_the_Maroons; https://pattipowell.wordpress.com/2011/02/22/stage-comings-and-goings%E2%80%A6jamaican-national-heroes/

Black History

Bayard Rustin

1912 - 1987

Civil rights leader, activist and pacifist

African American. Pacifist and civil rights campaigner. Helped to initiate a 1947 Freedom Ride challenging segregated busing. Leading strategist of the Civil Rights Movement 1955-1968. Chief organiser of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. After civil rights legislation of 1964–65 worked on improving economic situation of unemployed African Americans. Promoted the unionisation of African Americans. During the 1970s and 1980s served on many humanitarian missions, such as aiding refugees from Communist Vietnam and Cambodia.

A gay man and public advocate for gay and lesbian causes in the 1980s.

Posthumously awarded Rustin the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama 2013 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayard_Rustin

Black History

Jean Jacques Dessalines 1754 - 1806 Soldier, revolutionary and political leader

A commander in the Haitian revolt against France. Led many successful engagements, including the Battle of Crête-à-Pierrot. Became the leader of the revolution after Toussaint Louverture was betrayed and captured in 1802, Defeated a French army at the Battle of Vertières in 1803. Originally governor general when Haiti became an independent nation in 1804 he later proclaimed himself emperor Jacques I of Haiti. Assassinated in 1806.

Regarded as a founding father of Haiti. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Jacques_Dessalines

Black History

W.E.B. Du Bois

1868 - 1963

Civil rights activist, Pan-Africanist, sociologist, historian, author and editor

First African American to earn a doctorate at Harvard. Professor of history, sociology and economics at Atlanta University. Co-founder of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) 1909. Leader of the Niagara Movement working for equal rights for black people. Opposed the Atlanta compromise promoted by Booker T. Washington. Advocated full civil rights and political representation. Protested against lynching, Jim Crow laws, and discrimination in education and employment. Pan-Africanist. Supported independence of African colonies from European powers. Prolific author. Work includes “The Souls of Black Folk”. Wrote the first scientific treatise in the field of sociology. Editor of the NAACP’s journal The Crisis. Peace activist and advocate of nuclear disarmament.

Black History https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W._E._B._Du_Bois

Yaa Asantewaa

c1840 - 1921

Queen mother and military and political leader, anti-colonial rebel

Queen mother of Ejisu in the Ashanti Empire—now part of modern-day Ghana. In 1900, she led the Ashanti rebellion known as the War of the Golden Stool, also known as the Yaa Asantewaa war, against British colonialism

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yaa_Asantewaa

Black History

Amílcar Cabral

1924 - 1973

Nationalist and political leader Agricultural engineer and writer

Guinea-Bissauan and Cape Verdean. One of Africa’s foremost anti-colonial leaders. Also known by his nom de guerre Abel Djassi, Led the nationalist movement of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde Islands and the ensuing war of independence in Guinea-Bissau. Assassinated on 20 January 1973, about eight months before Guinea-Bissau’s unilateral declaration of independence. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Am%C3%ADlcar_Cabral; http://fototeca.iiccr.ro;-http://fototeca.iiccr.ro/picdetails.php?picid=37306X2X8

Black History

- 1980 Paul Revere Williams 1894

Architect

First African-American member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in 1923 and AIA Fellow In 1957. He received several awards including the AIA Award of Merit for the MCA Building in Los Angeles in 1939 and designed the homes of numerous celebrities, including Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, and Barbara Stanwyck.

Published The Small Home of Tomorrow in1945 and New Homes for Today in 1946. https://goo.gl/kBc0gR

Black History

Norma Sklarek Architect

1928 - 2012

One of the first African American women to be licensed as an architect in the USA and the first to be licensed in the state of New York in 1954 and state of California in 1962.

First African-American director of architecture at Gruen and Associates in in 1966. First black woman to be elected Fellow of the American Institute of Architects in 1980. First African-American female architect to form her own architectural firm.

Designs include the San Bernardino City Hall, California, the Fox Plaza San Francisco, Terminal One at the Los Angeles International Airport and the US Embassy in Tokyo.

Black History https://goo.gl/n9oe09 http://goo.gl/Br5imJ

David Adjaye Architect

1966 -

British. Works include the Museum of Contemporary Art, Denver, the Nobel Peace Centre, Oslo and the Skolkovo Moscow School of Management. Selected in 2009 to design the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington.

Work includes exhibitions, and collaborative projects. Co-authored two seasons of BBC’s Dreamspaces television series. Hosts a BBC radio programme. Presented the documentary Building Africa: Architecture of a Continent in 2005. Holds a Visiting Professor post at Princeton University School of Architecture.

Black History https://goo.gl/ZOGlxt Author Rossi; Source David Adjaye Dhaka.jpg; Date 22 February 2013

Mark E. Dean

1957 -

Inventor and a computer engineer

American. Part of the team that developed the ISA bus. Led a design team for making a one-gigahertz computer processor chip. First African-American to become an IBM Fellow. Inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 1997.

Currently, the John Fisher Distinguished Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Tennessee. Was an IBM Vice President. Holds more than 20 patents including three of IBM’s original nine PC patents. https://goo.gl/GuJIEx http://goo.gl/qP2aM0

Black History

Benjamin Banneker 1731 - 1806 Mathematician and astronomer, scientist, surveyor, almanac author, clock maker and farmer.

African American Published a commercially successful almanac for six consecutive years between 1792 and 1797. These included his astronomical calculations, medical and tidal information.

Also published information on bees and calculated the cycle of the 17-year locust.

http://goo.gl/q9bv5q https://goo.gl/orgcaX https://goo.gl/u5hY3v

Black History

Katherine Johnson 1918 -

Physicist, space scientist, and mathematician

American. Contributed to the USA’s aeronautics and space programs with the early application of digital electronic computers at NASA. Known for accuracy in computerized celestial navigation, she calculated the trajectory for Project Mercury and the 1969 Apollo 11 flight to the Moon.

Has numerous awards. https://goo.gl/6R63z3

Black History

David Harold Blackwell1919 - 2010 Mathematician

Was Professor and head of the Mathematics Department at Howard university until 1954.

Professor of Statistics at the University of California, Berkeley. One of the eponyms of the Rao–Blackwell theorem. First African American inducted into the National Academy of Sciences, and first black tenured faculty member at UC Berkeley.

A pioneer in textbook writing and game theory. Blackwell wrote one of the first Bayesian textbooks, his 1969 Basic Statistics. https://goo.gl/95HpgU

Black History

Valerie Thomas Scientist and inventor

1943 -

African-American. Began working for NASA in1964. Invented the illusion transmitter and received a patent for it in 1980. Was associate chief for NASA’s Space Science Data Operations Office.

Currently an associate at the UMBC Center for Multicore Hybrid Productivity Research. Is a youth mentor for the Science Mathematics Aerospace Research and Technology and National Technical Association https://goo.gl/pYG4rE

Black History

Shirley Ann Jackson 1946 Physicist

First African-American woman to earn a doctorate at MIT in 1973 Appointed as Chairman of the U.S.Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) by President Bill in 1995, the first woman and first African American to hold this position. First woman and first African American to president of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1999.

Has numerous awards including the Thomas Alva Edison Science Award for her contributions to physics and for the promotion of science. Inducted into National Women’s Hall of Fame in 1998 as a distinguished scientist and science advocate https://goo.gl/eGLfko Author: Shirley Ann Jackson Annual Meeting of the New Champions Tianjin 2010.jpg: World Economic Forum (Qilai Shen) derivative work: Gobonobo (talk) Source: Shirley_Ann_Jackson_-_Annual_Meeting_of_the_New_Champions_Tianjin_2010

Black History

Wangari Muta Maathai 1940 - 2011 Environmental and political activist

Founded the Green Belt Movement, an organization focused on the planting of trees, environmental conservation, and women’s rights. The first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for “her contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace”

https://goo.gl/ds2NBK Author: Demosh, http://www.flickr.com/photos/44222307@N00/140284053/, 20 March 2006

Black History

Elizabeth Coleman Aviator

1892 –1926

First female pilot of African American descent and first person of African-American descent to hold an international pilot’s license

https://goo.gl/l7L2F6

Black History

Annie J. Easley

1933 - 2011

Computer scientist, mathematician, and rocket scientist

African-American. Worked for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and its predecessor, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA). Leading member of the team which developed software for the Centaur rocket stage and one of the first African-Americans in her field. https://goo.gl/YrNae2

Black History

Kelly Miller

1863 - 1939

Mathematician, sociologist, essayist, newspaper columnist, intellectual and author

African-American. Known as “The Bard of the Potomac” in his day.

Appointed professor of mathematics at Howard University in 1890. Introduced sociology into the curriculum in 1895 and served as professor of sociology until 1934. Appointed Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences in 1907.

Numerous articles and essays were published in major newspapers and magazines. Wrote several books. Called the government’s failure to stop lynching “the disgrace of democracy”. https://goo.gl/sJP6kZ

Black History

Mary Maynard Daly 1921 - 2003 Scientist

First African American woman to be awarded a PhD in science in 1947. Associate Professor of biochemistry and medicine at Yeshiva University.

Served as an investigator for the American Heart Association. Member of the Board of Governors of the New York Academy of Sciences for two years. Fellowships received include the American Cancer Society, American Association for the Advancement of Science, New York Academy of Sciences, and Council on Arteriosclerosis of the American Heart Association. https://goo.gl/UYnO1p

Black History

Mae Jemison

1956-

Astronaut, physician, dancer and choreographer

First African American woman to travel in space aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1992.

Professor-at-Large at Cornell University and was professor of Environmental Studies at Dartmouth College from 1995 to 2002.

Has choreographed and produced several shows of modern jazz and African dance.

https://goo.gl/YC4GWW

Black History

Philip Emeagwali

1954 -

Engineer, mathematician, computer scientist and geologist

Nigerian-born. Has worked in a number of areas including working as a civil engineer.

Won in two categories of the Gordon Bell Prize in 1989, one for developing an application which used computational fluid dynamics for oil-reservoir modelling. Another related to seismic data processing.

https://goo.gl/Mibp5J Attribution: Rahulghose at en.wikipedia 2009

Black History

Elijah J. McCoy Inventor and engineer

1844 - 1929

Canadian. Held 57 U.S. patents, mostly related to lubrication of steam engines.

The expression ‘the real McCoy’ is associated with his oil-drip cup invention.

https://goo.gl/JFRnZu

Black History

James E West

Inventor and acoustician

1931 -

American. Co- developed the foil electret microphone in 1962 while developing instruments for human hearing research. Nearly all of the millions of microphones produced are based on the principles of the foil-electret. Also used in everyday items such as telephones, camcorders, and audio recording devices among others. Holds over 250 foreign and U.S.patents Currently a research professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

Holds numerous awards including co-award of The Franklin Institute’s Benjamin Franklin Medal in Electrical Engineering. Advocate for greater diversity in the fields of science and technology. https://goo.gl/YfKHK9 Author: Nanoman657at English Wikipedia Source: Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons by Wdwd using CommonsHelper Date 14 February 2011

Black History

Diébédo Francis Kéré 1965 Architect

From Burkina Faso, based in Berlin, Germany. Multi award winning architect. Awards include Aga Khan Award for Architecture (2004), Global Award for Sustainable Architecture (2009), BSI Swiss architectural Award (2010), Marcus prize for architecture 2011, Holcim Awards Gold 2011 Africa Middle East, Global Holcim Awards 2012 Gold. https://goo.gl/73XZhN Author: Schulbausteine; Date: 12 December 2000

Black History

Una Marson

1905 - 1965

Poet, playwright, writer, activist and feminist

Jamaican. Produced poems, plays and programmes for the BBC. Produced Caribbean Voices a radio programme which provided a forum for Caribbean literary work. Numerous authors’ work was presented including V. S. Naipaul, Samuel Selvon, George Lamming and Derek Walcott.

Nevertheless, her radio show, Caribbean Voices, was described by Kamau Brathwaite as ‘the single most important literary catalyst for Caribbean creative writing in English. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Una_Marson; http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205124253

Black History

Claude McKay

1889 -1948

Writer and poet

Jamaican-American. Seminal figure in the Harlem Renaissance. He wrote Novels include best seller Home to Harlem (1928). It won the Harmon Gold Award. Poetry collection, Harlem Shadows, was among the first books published during the Harlem Renaissance.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claude_McKay

Black History

Nicolás Batista

1902 - 1989

Poet, journalist, writer and political activist

Cuban. National poet of Cuba.

After being jailed in 1936, joined the Communist Party. Went to Spain in 1937 and covered Spanish Civil War as a magazine reporter. Stood as a Communist in Cuban local elections of 1940 leading to visa application to enter the United States being refused in 1941. After decades abroad refused reentry to Cuba in 1953. Spent five years in exile. Returned after the successful Cuban revolution of 1959. From 1961 he served as president of the Unión Nacional de Escritores de Cuba, the National Cuban Writers’ Union. Awards included the Stalin Peace Prize in 1954, Inaugural winner of Cuba’s National Prize for Literature in 1983 Black History https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicol%C3%A1s_Guill%C3%A9n

Baroness Doreen Lawrence

1944 Anti-racism campaigner and working peer

-

British Jamaican. Campaigned for reform of the police after her son Stephen Lawrence, was murdered in a racist attack in 1993. Appointed OBE for “services to community relations” in 2003, and created a Life Peer in 2013. Key figure in the campaign leading to the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry.

The inquiry concluded that the Metropolitan Police was “institutionally racist” and that this was one of the main causes of their failure to solve the case. Founded the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust to promote a positive community legacy in her son’s name. A member of both the board and the council of Liberty, Took part in the 2012 Olympic opening ceremony. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doreen_Lawrence,_Baroness_Lawrence_of_Clarendon; http://labourlist.org/2015/06/doreen-lawrence-encourages-labour-mps-to-ensure-rushanara-ali-makes-the-ballot/

Black History

Ursula Burns

Chairwoman and Chief Executive

1958 -

Chair and CEO of Xerox. First African-American woman CEO to head a Fortune 500 company.

First woman to succeed another woman as head of a Fortune 500 company. Rated as 22nd most powerful woman in the world by Forbes in 2014.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ursula_Burns

Black History

Jackie Kay Poet and novelist

1961 -

Award winning novelist and poet. Awards the Saltire Society Scottish First Book Award (1991) Somerset Maugham Award for Other Lovers, and the Guardian First Book Award Fiction Prize for Trumpet.

Her play Twice Over was the first by a Black writer to be produced by Gay Sweatshop Theatre Group in 1988. Currently Professor of Creative Writing at Newcastle University, and Cultural Fellow at Glasgow Caledonian University. Appointed Chancellor of the University of Salford in 2014 and the University ‘Writer in Residence’ in January 2015. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackie_Kay; Author: Slowking4, 9th April 2013

Black History

Idris Assani Mathematician

Beninese born African-American. Professor of mathematics at the University of North Carolina (UNC).

First African-American tenured associate professor, first African-American full professor at UNC, and only mathematician there to be promoted from associate to full so quickly.

Research area is ergodic theory. Named as one of the inaugural fellows of the American Mathematical Society https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idris_Assani; https://goo.gl/VVjZym; http://math.unc.edu/people/faculty/idris-assani

Black History

Pablo Fanque Circus Proprietor

1796 - 1871

The first non-white circus proprietor in Britain. Headed the most popular circus in Victorian Britain for 30 years.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pablo_Fanque

Black History

Ms. Dynamite

1981 -

Recording artist, rapper-songwriter, and record producer

Recipient of the Mercury Music Prize, two BRIT Awards and three MOBO Awards.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ms._Dynamite; Image author: Pedro Kwezi; Source: Ms Dynamite, Uploaded by ShinePhantom; Date: 29 May 2010

Black History

Colin Jackson

1967 -

Athlete, commentator and presenter

Welsh former sprint and hurdling athlete who specialised in the 110 metres hurdles. Represented Great Britain and Wales. Won an Olympic silver medal, became world champion twice, World indoor champion once, undefeated at the European Championships for 12 years twice Commonwealth champion. Held a world record of 12.91 seconds for the 110m hurdles for over a decade. Remains the 60 metres hurdles world record holder. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colin_Jackson; Image author: Ludovic PĂŠron; 23 August 2012

Black History

Denise Lewis

1972 -

Athlete, commentator and presenter

Retired British track and field athlete, who specialised in the heptathlon. Won the gold medal in the heptathlon at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Is now a athletics commentator for the BBC Television

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denise_Lewis; Image author: Kate from UK; Source: Champion NH jockey - A P McCoy; Date: 23 April 2011

Black History

Kelly Holmes

British middle distance athlete.

1970 -

Holmes specialised in the 800 metres and 1500 metres events and won a gold medal for both distances at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. Set British records in numerous events. Still holds the records over the 600, 800, 1000, and 1500 metres distances

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelly_Holmes; Image author: Russell Garner, derivative work: MachoCarioca (talk); ource: Kelly_Holmes_at_Athens_2004.jpg; 10 May 2010

Black History

Jessica Ennis-Hill Athlete

1986 -

British track and field athlete. Specialises in multi-eventing disciplines and 100 metres hurdles.

Current Olympic and world heptathlon champion. Former European heptathlon champion and world indoor pentathlon champion. Current British national record holder for the heptathlon. Former British record holder in the 100 metres hurdles, the high jump and the indoor pentathlon.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jessica_Ennis-Hill; Image author: Adam Kerfoot-Roberts from Halifax, UK; Source: Jess Ennis - Yorkshire Track and Field Championships; 9 May 2010

Black History

Heather Watson Tennis player

1992 -

British No 1 tennis player. won her first WTA singles title in the final of the Japan Open 2012, becoming the first British female to win a WTA singles title since Sara Gomer in 1988.In her junior career, she won the US Open and gold at the 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games. She had been as high as No. 3 in the world on the ITF Junior Circuit.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frantz_Fanon

Black History

Serena Williams Tennis player

1981 -

American professional tennis player ranked No. 1 in women’s singles tennis. Reigning champion of the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, US Open, WTA Tour Championships and Olympic women’s singles and doubles. Williams. Holds the most major singles, doubles, and mixed doubles titles combined amongst active players, male or female. The most recent player, male or female, to have held all four major singles titles simultaneously: 2002–03 and 2014–15. Also the most recent player, together with her sister Venus Williams, to have held all four Grand Slam women’s doubles titles simultaneously 2009–10. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serena_Williams;Image author: Paulobra; Date: 7 July 2012

Black History

Venus Williams Tennis player

1951 -

American professional tennis player. Became the World No. 1 for the first time on February 25, 2002, the first black American woman to achieve this feat during the Open Era. Has 22 overall Grand Slam titles in singles, women’s and mixed doubles. Holds five Wimbledon singles titles, four Olympic gold medals. She and her sister Serena have won more Olympic gold medals than any other female tennis players. At the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Williams became only the second player to win Olympic gold medals in both singles and doubles at the same Olympic Games, after Helen Wills Moody in 1924. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venus_Williams; Image author: Ken Maynard; Source: Flickr: Venus Williams; Date: 15 August 2012

Black History

Tessa Sanderson Athlete

1956 -

Former British javelin thrower and heptathlete. Competed in the javelin competition in every one of the 6 Olympics from 1976–1996. Only the second track and field athlete, after Lia Manoliu (discus), to do so. Won Olympic gold in 1984 for Great Britain.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tessa_Sanderson; Image author: Tessa_Sanderson.jpg: Original uploader and author was Indianathletics at en.wikipedia, derivative work: MachoCarioca (talk);Source: Tessa_Sanderson.jpg; 19 May 2010

Black History

Mo Farah Athlete

1983 -

2012 Olympic, 2011, 2013 and 2015 World and 2010, 2012 and 2014 European champion in the 5000 metres, and 2012 Olympic, 2013 and 2015 World and 2010 and 2014 European champion in 10,000 metres. Double Olympic gold medallist at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mo_Farah; Image author: Erik van Leeuwen, attribution: Erik van Leeuwen (bron: Wikipedia); Source: www.erki.nl; 2008

Black History

Val McCalla Newspaper proprietor

1943 - 2002

Founded The Voice, a British weekly newspaper in 1982 as a voice for the British African-Caribbean community.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Val_McCalla; http://www.snipview.com/q/Val_McCalla; Image via http://www.voice-online.co.uk/artic...

Black History