100 Great Black Britons

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The public was invited to vote for the most-admired Black Briton in several categories, and from the thousands of nominations received in 2019 a shortlist was selected. This book comprises tiny biographies of 100 black Britons who have historical significance for various reasons. In the mid-1960s, he was, for a period, a member of the Socialist Labour League, led by Gerry Healy.

As a result, a number of Black historical figures were included on the national school curriculum and had statues and memorials erected and blue plaques put up in their honour. Asked whether things had improved for black Britons since the list was last compiled, he said: “It depends what metrics you are using. Frustrated by the widespread and continuing exclusion of the black British community from the mainstream popular conception of 'Britishness', despite black people having lived in Britain for over a thousand years, Vernon set up a public poll in which anyone could vote for the black Briton they most admired. Now, with this book, Vernon and Osborne have relaunched the campaign with an updated list of names and accompanying portraits - including new role models and previously little-known historical figures.

I loved picking this up and reading five or six of these and then going about my day, feeling inspired by these amazing people who have shaped not just Britain (as the title suggests) but the world as a whole with their work and wisdom. In 2020 Patrick was selected by British Vogue as of Britain’s top 20 campaigners and was included in the 2020 Power list of 100 influential Black People in Britain. Although be aware that if you have children you will wind up listening to "Mole in a Hole" on repeat! You can change your choices at any time by visiting Cookie preferences, as described in the Cookie notice. This book relaunches the campaign with an updated list of names and accompanying portraits - including new role models and previously little-known historical figures.

The selection was made from among people who have made major contributions to arts, science, business, philanthropy and other areas in the UK and who had used their positions to advance the Black community. Arike Oke, managing director of Black Cultural Archives, has said: "The resources on the 100 Great Black Britons site can be used by families, parents, guardians and carers to help children understand themselves and their wider history". I’m a middle-aged, middle-class, white British male who, until fairly recently, had an embarrassingly flimsy knowledge of Black British History.Results will be announced for Black History Month 2020 alongside the launch of the upcoming publication and board game.

I finished this book having celebrated the lives of these women and men, and I am also inspired and encouraged. Following the landmark 100 Great Black Britons campaign of 2003, a number of Black historical figures were included on the national school curriculum and had statues and memorials erected and blue plaques put up in their honour. Following the original poll, 100 Great Black Britons was re-launched in 2020 in an updated version based on public voting, together with a book of the same title. In 2003, Vernon and Osborne, frustrated by the almost complete exclusion of the Black British community from mainstream notions of Britishness in education and popular media, launched their groundbreaking 100 Great Black Britons campaign, which invited the public to vote for the Black Briton they most admired.Mary Jane Seacole ( née Grant; 23 November 1805 – 14 May 1881) was a British-Jamaican businesswoman and nurse who set up the "British Hotel" behind the lines during the Crimean War. He was part of the Sons of Africa, an abolitionist group composed of Africans living in Britain, and he was active among leaders of the anti-slave trade movement in the 1780s.