Black History Month 2021: The people who shaped our past

For its 34th year Black History Month UK launched a new campaign: Proud To Be.

Catherine Ross, editor of Black History Month UK, said: ‘It’s been a challenging time for many Black and Brown people, with so much in the media about racism, inequality and injustice. We wanted the theme of Black History Month 2021 to focus on celebrating being Black or Brown, and to inspire and share the pride people have in their heritage and culture – in their own way, in their own words.’

And with that in mind, here’s a collection of some of those people who instil pride and inspiration within us.

Ignatius Sancho (1729 – 1780)

Ignatius Sancho’s remarkable life started on board a slave ship, where he was born somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean. He was orphaned young, and arrived in England before his third birthday.

Ignatius taught himself to read and write, and spoke out against the slave trade. He also composed music and wrote poetry: Ignatius was the first published Black British composer.

In 1773, Ignatius and his wife opened a grocer’s shop in Westminster, which became a meeting place for many famous writers, artists and actors.

Because of his financially independent status, Ignatius was able to vote. And in 1774, he became the first Black person of African origin to vote in parliamentary elections.

But this landmark event wasn’t his last. After his death, Ignatius’ letters were published and became an instant best-seller. Later, his writing was used to support the movement to end slavery.

Queen Charlotte (1744 – 1818)

Packs of Pomeranians, a hand in developing young Mozart’s career, and a champion of women’s education: Queen Charlotte had a life far richer than simply being the wife of ‘Mad King George’.

Though she was born to German royalty, historians believe Charlotte descended from a Black branch of the Portuguese royal family: the house of Sousa-Chichorro.

And now, she’s widely thought to be Britain’s first Black queen.

In 1761, 17-year-old Charlotte married the young King George III – just six hours after arriving in England. They had 15 children, 13 of which survived. (One of Queen Charlotte’s grandchildren was Queen Victoria.)

Charlotte was a patron of the arts and scientifically minded. She played a key role in expanding Kew Gardens, and was a committed botanist. She was also a patron of – and fundraiser for – the ‘General Lying In Hospital’: a pioneering maternity hospital. She surrounded herself with the women’s education group, the Blue Stockings Group, and was a close friend of Marie Antoinette.

And one of our favourite things about Queen Charlotte? Her attitude: ‘I am of the opinion that if women had the same advantages as men in their education, they might do as well.’

Mary Seacole (1805 – 1881)

A hero of the Crimean War, a pioneering nurse, and an inspiration to thousands in healthcare: it’s no wonder Mary Seacole was voted the greatest Black Briton in 2003.

Mary grew up in Jamaica, where she learnt her healing skills from her mother – covering everything from treating injuries and tropical diseases to the necessity of hygiene, hydration, and nutrition.

When the Crimean War broke out in 1854, Mary travelled to England to volunteer as a nurse. Yet on applying, she was turned away as ‘no more nurses were needed’. Mary read between the lines, knowing they rejected her because of the colour of her skin.

Undeterred, Mary funded her own journey to the Crimea and built her own hospital: the British Hotel. From there, she tended to the wounded, provided food and medicine, and gave soldiers somewhere to rest and recuperate. Mary also took to the battlefields herself, treating wounded soldiers from both sides (even when under fire).

In 1856, a journalist from The Times – William Howard Russell – arrived at the British Hotel, wanting to write about Mary’s work. What emerged was just how much the soldiers loved her, calling her ‘Mother Seacole’.

And after the war, back in London – where Mary was bankrupt – this love and respect came full circle. When Russell visited and discovered Mary’s destitution, he wrote a story to remind the public about her work in the Crimea. What followed was a four-day Fundraising Gala on the banks of the Thames, attended by around 80,000 people (including royalty).

Mary published the stories of her travels – ‘The Wonderful Adventures of Mrs Seacole in Many Lands’ – which, aside from becoming a bestseller, was the first autobiography written by a Black woman in the UK.

But following her death in 1881, Mary was lost to history for almost a century.

Now, her contribution to British history is well recognised: after Mary was voted the Greatest Black Briton, a campaign for her statue was launched, and in 2016, it was unveiled in the grounds of St Thomas’ Hospital.

From annual prizes to leadership programmes, Mary Seacole’s legacy is entwined with British healthcare.

Walter Tull (1888 – 1918)

An orphan, a professional footballer, and a World War I officer: the story of Walter Tull is as tragic as it is heroic.

Walter’s childhood was marred by tragedy. When he was just seven, his mother died of breast cancer, and two years later, his father, a carpenter from Barbados, passed away from heart disease.

Both Walter and his brother were taken in by an orphanage in Bethnal Green. Not long after, his brother was adopted by a family in Glasgow.

But joy was just around the corner: Walter was spotted by Tottenham Hotspurs while playing for his local football team – and soon enough, he swapped Clapton FC for White Hart Lane, playing in front of thousands of fans.

Walter was one of English football’s first Black players – and would soon become the British Army’s first ever Black officer to command white troops.

Because when World War I began, Walter enlisted.

He joined the Footballers’ Battalion – alongside other professional players – and quickly ascended the ranks to Sergeant.

During the war, Walter’s gallantry and bravery resulted in a promotion to officer. He led 26 men on a night raid against an enemy position, crossed into enemy territory, then returned under heavy fire. All came back unharmed.

Walter overcame tragedy as an orphan. He overcame racial abuse while playing for Spurs. He overcame institutional barriers to advance in the Army.

And at just 29 years old, he died in combat.

Despite the efforts of a former goalkeeper – Private Tom Billingham – Walter’s body was never found. Like hundreds of thousands who fought in the war, Walter’s last resting place is a field in Northern France.

Claudia Jones (1915 – 1964)

Notting Hill Carnival is a highlight for millions of people: it’s one of the largest street festivals in the world, attracting almost 2.5 million people every year. (Not even COVID-19 could stop the Carnival, with a virtual experience replacing the normal festivities.)

And its existence, in part, comes down to Claudia Jones.

Claudia and her family moved to New York from Trinidad in the early 1920s.

She became a member of the Communist Party USA, campaigning for issues like equal pay. She also worked to get Black women equal respect within the party, and pushed for ‘babysitter’ funds so women were free for activist duties.

But in 1950, Claudia was ordered to be deported. After a trial and imprisonment – plus suffering a heart attack in prison – in 1955, she left for the UK.

And the UK needed Claudia as much as she needed a home.

Claudia worked within the British African-Caribbean community and was involved in the movement for equal rights, campaigning against racism in housing, education, and employment, as well as racism in the workplace. Claudia also knew people needed a voice. So, in 1958, above a barber shop in Brixton, she founded the West Indian Gazette.

And she didn’t stop there. After the Black British community was rocked by the Notting Hill race riots, Claudia realised they needed to be lifted up. The answer? Notting Hill Carnival.

William Robinson Clarke (1895 – 1981)

William Robinson Clarke always wanted to fly. So, when World War I broke out, he left his home of Kingston, Jamaica – alongside over 15,000 other Black Caribbean volunteers – and paid £150 to travel to England.

But this decision didn’t just change William’s life: it changed history.

He became Britain’s first Black pilot.

In 1917, William qualified as a Royal Flying Corps pilot. And not long after, his skills were put to the test. During a flight to capture images of enemy territory, William came under attack from five German planes. Despite a serious injury – a bullet through the spine – he flew his plane back to relative safety, crash-landing behind allied lines.

William recovered from his injury, and later received the Silver War Badge. He also became Life President of the Royal Air Force Association’s branch in Jamaica.

Beryl Gilroy (1924 – 2001)

A prolific writer and pioneering teacher, Beryl Gilroy’s journey to becoming London’s first Black headteacher wasn’t an easy one.

Born in Guyana, Beryl was raised by her grandparents, who home-schooled her until the age of 12. She learnt about everything from herbs and local medicine to folk culture and stories of slavery. Then, when she joined school, she progressed quickly, and eventually graduated with a first-class teacher’s certificate.

But on her arrival in London in 1951, the education board rejected her qualifications, meaning she had to start studying again.

With new qualifications in hand, Beryl taught at schools across London, eventually becoming headteacher of Beckford Primary, in Camden.

And that wasn’t all. Alongside teaching, she continued her studies in psychology, she wrote textbooks for West Indian schools, and she wrote novels for children and adults.

Turn celebration into action

Learning about and celebrating Black history isn’t a monthly tick-box affair. The work should continue all year round – and it should result in change.

So, use this time to learn and reflect, then channel that into action.

Here at Talking Talent, we wanted to better understand the stories of those who shaped the UK’s society. Because the importance of learning about other people’s stories – whether they’re in our history or in our present – can’t be understated.

And we’ll leave you with these parting words from Donna Herdsman, award-winning professional services executive and mentor, and judge for the Black British Business Awards:

‘We all have the opportunity to shape the world, making it a better place tomorrow than it is today – a place where we all belong and know we will be embraced for who we are, and the diversity of thought we bring. We must continue at pace and be deliberate in our plans, actions, and execution to create a society where equality and equity is simply the right of all!’