People, Places, Events   

In 1956, Vincent and Nerissa Oliver, made the decision to move to England with their four children. Upon settling in their new home, Vincent found work as a machine operator involved in the construction of the M1 motorway. This job became a significant part of his identity, and he would often fondly recall his time working on such a major infrastructure project. Meanwhile, Nerissa secured a job at John Bull, a rubber factory located in Evington Valley Road.

Roy Francis made history not only as rugby's first Black coach but also as Britain's first Black coach in any sport. His leadership and authority over white men in Britain during a time when racial barriers were prevalent in society is truly remarkable. In the 1950s, colour bars prevented many Black individuals from securing jobs, making Francis's achievements even more significant

The historic appointment of the Venerable Dr Rosemarie Mallett in 2022 as the Bishop of Croydon marks a significant milestone for the Church of England. Breaking barriers and shattering glass ceilings, Dr Mallett becomes the first woman to hold this esteemed position. The historic appointment of the Venerable Dr Rosemarie Mallett in 2022 as the Bishop of Croydon marks a significant milestone for the Church of England.

Leigh-Anne Pinnock, born on 4th October 1991, is a multi-talented English artist known for her work as a singer, songwriter, and actress. She gained widespread recognition as a member of the popular girl group Little Mix, which was formed and emerged victorious in the eighth season of The X Factor UK. During her time with the group, they made history by winning three Brit Awards, making them the first girl group to secure the title of British Group.

Mark Alleyne holds the distinction of being the first Black British and the third Black individual overall to coach an English first-class cricket team. He follows in the footsteps of Derief Taylor and John Shepherd, making a significant impact in the world of cricket coaching.

Anthony Oluwafemi Olaseni Joshua OBE was born on October 15, 1989, in Watford, Hertfordshire. His parents are Yeta and Robert Joshua, with his mother being of Nigerian descent and his father having Nigerian and Irish roots. Joshua's Nigerian heritage can be traced back to the Yoruba people, where he holds an aristocratic rank. Interestingly, his cousin, Ben Ileyemi, is also a professional boxer, and they both began their professional boxing careers in 2013.

Born and raised in Wandsworth, London, Leomie Anderson is of Jamaican descent and embarked on her modelling career at the young age of 14 after being discovered. Initially aspiring to become a fashion journalist, her path took a different turn when she caught the attention of renowned designer Marc Jacobs at the age of 17, who promptly booked her for her first catwalk show, marking the beginning of a fruitful collaboration.

Kano, the talented British MC, discovered his gift for words and song at a young age. Originally named Kane Brett Robinson (born 21 May 1985) and hailing from East Ham, he grew up in London during the emergence of grime music. As a founding member of the N.A.S.T.Y Crew in east London, Kano quickly made a name for himself in the underground music scene. His solo album, Home Sweet Home, released in 2005, showcased his exceptional talent with tracks like ‘P’s And Q’s’, propellin

At the age of 14, Jay Blades vividly recalls being subjected to a vicious assault by a group of police officers. Late in the evening, while walking home near his residence in North West London, a police van suddenly pulled up beside him. Without any hesitation, the van's rear doors swung open, revealing a group of five or six uniformed policemen eagerly awaiting his presence. Shockingly, they didn't even bother to conduct a search before unleashing a brutal attack on him.