October marks Black History Month, which is a time when people around the world reflect on and celebrate the lives, histories and cultures of the black community.
This year’s theme for Black History Month in the UK is “Celebrating our Sisters”.
This year’s commemoration will feature trailblazing Black women who have made incredible contributions to literature, music, fashion, sport, business, politics, academia, social and health care, and more.
Additionally, there will be a focus on themes such as resilience, self-care, and well-being, underscoring the strength and determination of Black women throughout history.
This year’s celebrations also mark the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the Empire Windrush.
As part of LondonWorld’s series on Black History Month, we want to celebrate it by highlighting the work of 10 inspirational Black female Londoners.
5. Little Simz
Simbiatu “Simbi” Abisola Abiola Ajikawo, better known by her stage name Little Simz, is a British-Nigerian rapper, singer and actress. Her fourth album, Sometimes I Might Be Introvert (2021) received widespread critical acclaim, with several publications deeming it the best album of 2021. It went on to win the 2022 Mercury Prize. It also earned her the 2022 Brit Award for Best New Artist and the Libera Award for Best Hip-Hop/Rap Record. The Islington born star also stars as Shelley in the Netflix revival drama series Top Boy. | Getty Images
6. Dianne Abbot MP
Dianne Abbot is both the first Black woman elected to parliament and the longest-serving Black MP in the UK. Though she is a member of the Labour Party, she sits in the House of Commons as an independent, having had the whip suspended in April 2023. She has served as MP for Hackney and Stoke Newington since 1987. | Getty Images
7. Linett Kamala
Notting Hill Carnival pioneer Linett Kamala was one of the first female DJ’s at the August festival at the age of 15. Now a board director at Carnival she has launched a campaign to bring more women into the festival’s soundsystem scene with a new grassroots mentoring programme. Last year she piloted her Lin Kam Art Sound System Futures Programme, which helps educate and empower young talent to further develop UK sound system culture. | Credit: Supplied
8. Bernadine Evaristo
Bernadine Evaristo was born in Woolwich and is a writer and academic. Her eighth novel Girl, Woman, Other won the Booker Prize in 2019, making her the first black woman and first Black Brit to ever win the prestigious award. Girl, Woman, Other was listed as one of Barack Obama’s 19 Favourite Books of 2019. Evaristo, 64, is professor of creative writing at Brunel University, London and is one of fewer than 30 Black female professors in the UK, out of around 20,000 professors overall. | AFP via Getty Images