A celebration of the lives, stories and contribution of Black British people

Patrick Vernon OBE and Dr Angelina Osborne, founders of the 100 Great Black Britons campaign, are proud to publish 100 Great Black Britons, a book that honours the remarkable achievements of key Black British individuals over history. With a foreword written by David Olusoga, the book includes a list of Black British names and accompanying portraits that explores these individuals’ contribution and legacy to British History.

In 2019, 16 years after the initial launch of the 100 Great Black Britons, Patrick Vernon OBE and Angelina Osborne launched a new campaign to celebrate Black British History and Black Britons who contributed to shape Great Britain by their work and actions. The public was invited to vote for the Black Briton they most admire.

The campaign was a huge success and we received thousands of nominations. In January, a panel of experts were invited to do the final short cut of 100 Great Black Britons. The book will compile the updated list and act as a companion to this vital and updated campaign.

“I am delighted to see the relaunch of 100 Great Black Britons [campaign]. For too long the contribution of Britons of African and Caribbean heritage have been underestimated, undervalued and overlooked”.
Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London

Graphic by www.penmendonca.com @MendoncaPen

Find out who is in 100 Great Black Britons 2020. Did your nomination make it to the final 100?

100 Great Black Britons – alphabetical listing by surname:

100 Great Black Britons

In 2004, for the initial launch of the 100 Great Black Britons campaign, Mary Seacole was voted the Greatest Black Britons of all time. During the last 16 years, academics and independent scholars have discovered new Black British historical figures and new role models and icons have emerged since 2004.

For the launch of the 2020 campaign, nominations were opened, and we received over a thousand nominations. In January 2020, a panel of experts composed of:

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: “I’m delighted to see the relaunch of 100 Great Black Britons. Black Londoners have played an important role in the success of our city for centuries, but for too long the contribution of Britons of African and Caribbean heritage have been underestimated, undervalued and overlooked.

From Mary Prince becoming the first woman to present a petition to Parliament to Sir Trevor McDonald anchoring the News at Ten, generations of black Britons have blazed a trail. It is only right that we once again come together to recognise and celebrate them.”

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