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.
Throughout Black History Month 2024, a range of events, discussions, and educational activities will be taking place across the country, all focused on this year’s theme: Reclaiming Narratives.
UK organisers have invited people to join the conversation, share their stories, and be a part of this movement.
They are encouraging everyone to use #ReclaimingNarrativesBHM on social media to connect with others and keep the conversation going.
As part of LondonWorld’s series on Black History Month, we want to celebrate it by highlighting the work of 10 inspirational black Londoners.
1. Sheldon Thomas
Sheldon Thomas is the founder of Gangsline, an organisation that provides help and support to young men and women involved in gang culture. The 59-year-old is a former gang leader, who now dedicates his life to engaging directly with gang members using a ‘no holds barred’ approach, to changing young people’s lives. Thomas is both an adviser to the Home Office and Scotland Yard on gang culture and violence, and to Trident which is a specialist unit dealing with gun-related crime. | Sheldon Thomas
2. Yvette Williams MBE
Yvette Williams MBE is a lead campaigner on the Justice 4 Grenfell campaign. Williams and her daughter witnessed the fire at Grenfell Tower after being alerted by a family friend who was evacuated from one of the walkways. She has played an important role in the campaign for accountability and justice for Grenfell victims ever since. She is also a founding member of operation black vote – a national campaign encouraging BME communities to engage in the democratic process to get their voices heard and has worked with a number of campaigns including those for Stephen Lawrence and Frank Crichlow. Williams was featured in British Vogue’s 20 Remarkable Activists Ready to Change the World, September 2020 issue. | Credit: Getty Images
3. Adwoa Aboah
Adwoa Aboah is a British fashion model, activist and actress and is one of the key faces in today’s modelling industry. The 31-year-old has appeared on the cover of British Vogue and has modelled for some of fashion’s biggest names including Calvin Klein, Marc Jacobs and Alexander Wang. Along with her modelling career, Aboah is the founder of Gurls Talk, a community-led non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting the mental health well-being of adolescent girls and young women. Aboah often speaks openly about her battle with addiction and depression, making her one of the most influential women in the fashion industry. She starred as Becks in the Netflix revival drama series Top Boy. | Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images
4. Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka was born in Ealing to Nigerian parents and is a professional footballer for Arsenal and the England national team. He is regarded as one of the best wingers and young players in the world.[ The 23-year-old attended Greenford High School where he achieved high grades in his GCSEs, achieving four A*s and three As. | Getty Images