The arrival of the SS Empire Windrush in Britain from the Caribbean has been mythologised as the defining moment that changed Britain from an exclusively white country into a racially diverse one. For the launch of the 2020 campaign, nominations were opened, and we received over a thousand nominations. Other figures in the first poll of 100 Greatest Black Britons of all time included musicians, politicians, media figures, religious leaders and even royalty. In March 2020, a petition was started to campaign for the temporary field hospital in Birmingham to be named after Mary Seacole after it was established that Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre would be used to treat COVID-19 patients: this was in response to the temporary hospital at London's ExCel centre being named the Nightingale Hospital after Florence Nightingale. In 2018 Patrick received an honorary PhD from Wolverhampton University for his work on migration and cultural history.

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.Essential cookies enable core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility.

You can change your choices at any time by visiting Cookie preferences, as described in the Cookie notice. it is refreshing to see somebody celebrate the role that black Britons have played in this island's long and complicated history. This year we are putting on a series of evening talks in a programme of events we hope will both entertain and enlighten you. Bassey is considered one of the most popular female vocalists in Britain during the second half of the 20th century.

In September 2007, in Tottenham, London, Haringey Council opened the Bernie Grant Arts Centre in his name.

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. While the book (and list) includes some of the most inspirational (and sadly not very well-known) black people from British history, there are some rather questionable entries.Great Black Britons, Patrick Vernon and Angelina Osborne, book review: 'Inspiring and highly entertaining' ". Hall was married to Catherine Hall, a feminist professor of modern British history at University College London, with whom he had two children.