Celebrating Black History Month
Since 1991 we've been proud to serve one of the most diverse communities in the UK.
Brent is a very creative, vibrant, and welcoming borough.
We're drawn from across the globe, from different beliefs and backgrounds to the borough we call home.
And Black History Month is a fantastic opportunity to pay tribute and look back and celebrate black people from Brent who have left their mark on our community, this country and our society, and continue to do so.
In the list below we look at just a handful of the hundreds of black and mixed-race people who have achieved great things and hail from the best borough in London (ok we're biased).
General Levy
The ragga deejay and one of the original musicians to bring Jungle music to the masses. He spent his early years living in Harlesden and Wembley and is recognised as one of the borough's brightest musical talents.
Zadie Smith
Zadie Smith is a best-selling author and essayist whose debut novel in 2000 'White Teeth' won the Whitbread First Novel Award and was nominated for the Man Booker Prize. She was brought up in Willesden and still lives in Queens Park.
Shaun Wallace
The barrister turned TV star is a familiar face to many thanks to his show-stopping appearances on the game show – The Chase. He hails from Wembley.
Luther Blissett
The iconic former England footballer and Watford FC legend was a ground-breaking star back in the 1980s. Blissett, who grew up in Harlesden and went to Willesden High School remains a hugely popular figure more than 30 years after his playing days ended.
Sophie Okonedo
The Oscar and BAFTA-nominated actress was raised on Chalkhill Estate. She's gone onto have a stellar career on stage and screen. One of the highlights of her career so far has been brilliantly playing Winnie Mandela in the film Mrs Mandela.
Raheem Sterling
One of the world's best football players who has now become a champion on and off the field. Raheem lived in St Raphael’s Estate and attended Copland High School. He has used his platform to talk about racism and social injustice.
Everyday History Makers
While the above list and many, many others have achieved fame and fortune, we'd like to recognise and remember the everyday heroes from our black community that have done so much to add to the rich texture of life in Brent.
From Africa, the Caribbean and beyond, our borough has benefited from the music, art, culture, and food brought by the thousands of black people who have made this part of London their home.
From the Windrush generation to the modern-day, black people have helped build the economy, serve the NHS, create businesses, introduce innovations, and play a big part in shaping the way the UK is today.
Covid-19 has meant this is a very different Black History Month in terms of physical events we can attend. But the world’s social and political climate, especially in the USA, means there’s never been a more important time to revere, remember and respect it.
To find out more about Black History Month which runs throughout October visit here.
Stay Safe.
Abigail & the team at Grey & Co x.
