A21 Celebrates Diversity
Explore Black History Month October 2025
Start
What is Black History Month?
Award Winning Writers
Iconic People
Read/ Listen
Get involved
Reflect - My thoughts
Award Winning Writers
Malorie Blackman: A highly acclaimed author whose dystopian novel 'Noughts & Crosses' examines prejudice and power through a forbidden romance. Dean Atta: Author of the award-winning young adult novel 'The Black Flamingo', a queer coming-of-age story. Alex Wheatle: An award-winning novelist whose books, including 'Straight Outta Crongton' and 'Home Boys', are set in the fictional London borough of Crongto. Yomi Sode: Author of 'Manorism' an original book that charts the vulnerabilities and rich nuances of black masculinity in Britain. Danielle Jawando: A Manchester-based author whose novel 'And The Stars Were Burning Brightly' tackles issues of grief and identity.
Back to contents
Malorie Blackman
Back to Writers
Back
Next
Dean Atta
Back to Writers
Back
Next
Alex Wheatle
Back to Writers
Back
Next
Yomi Sode
Back to Writers
Daniell Jawando
Back to Writers
Iconic People Past and Present
Nelson MandelaRosa Parks Martin Luther King Katherine Johnson
Mary Seacole Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock Sir Lenny Henry
Back to Contents
Nelson Mandela
First black president
This man fought to abolish apartheid, in south africa
- Apartheid was a policy imposed in South Africa and Namibia during the 20th century.
- This policy was the racial separation system used to discriminate the people of color.
- Nelson Mandela fought to abolish this policy, getting jailed several times. He became president in 1994, when Apartheid was finally abolished.
Back to Iconic People
Rosa parks
Afroamerican activist
This woman changed us segregation system with a simple act
- In the 1950s, racial segregation was a policy imposed in the US.
- One of its laws imposed that black should yield their seat to white people.
- On the 1st of December, 1955, Rosa Parks was arrested for not wanting to obey this law, which resulted on her getting jailed.
- Since then, a lengthy protest emerged. Black people didn't use the bus service, resulting in the government changing this law.
Back to Iconic People
Martin luther king
Activist and leader of the civil rights movement
I have a dream!
- He was the leader of the civil rights movement, which was a non-violent resistance.
- MLK lead marches, held speeches and participated in protests such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955, the Rosa Parks Incident.
- His famous words "I have a dream!" were held on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
Back to Iconic People
Katherine Johnson
afroamerican Mathematician
She worked at NASA and helped the space program
- A career as a research mathematician wasn't easy to enter as African Americans or women
- Thanks to her many breakthroughs in the aerospatial sector were made.
- She worked at various NASA programs, and contributed with the Moon Landing.
Back to Iconic People
Mary Seacole
A nurse
She worked as a nurse and promoted diversity and inclusion in the UK Nursing Profession
- She was a self-funded caregiver during the Crimean War: Despite being turned away by the official British nursing service, Seacole used her own funds to travel to the Crimean Peninsula.
- She gained experience in treating tropical diseases.
- She was celebrated for her bravery and skill, and received several medals for her service,
Back to Iconic People
Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock
British Space Scientist
She is a co-presenter of the BBC television series 'The Sky at Night'.
- She designed instruments for the Gemini telescope.
- She also worked on missile warning systems for the Ministry of Defence.
Back to Iconic People
Sir Lenny Henry
British Actor Writer and TV Presenter
He is well known as the co-founder of Comic Relief - REd nose day.
- Began his career by winning the TV talent show New Faces in 1975 when he was just 16 years old.
- Voice work: His many voice roles include the shrunken head on the Knight Bus in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. He also provided the voice for the character Martin Tenbones in the TV series The Sandman.
Back to Iconic People
Important People
From the 19th century
With slavery at its peak, they needed to abolish it
John Brown
Frederick Douglass
Harriet Tubman
Back to contents
Anti-Racist Groups
From our era
These people reunited to make a change in history
Big Six
BEO
Black Panther Party
Back to Contents
Racist laws
What discriminated black people
These policies were adopted by important countries, but how?
Jim Crow Laws
Apartheid
Back to Contents
Reflect
Back to Contents
Next
Diversity Matters
Thank you !
Back to Contents
Harriet Tubman
Social Activist
In her early ages she was a slave treated terribly. One time, his enslaver threw her a heavy metal weight, but managed to survive. She participated in the creation of the underground railway, as well as collaborating with John Brown's Harpers Ferry Raid, working with Frederick Douglass and being an activist for the women suffrage movement. Fact: During the Civil War she became the first woman to lead an armed military raid in 1863.
- Araminita Ross
- Born: 1822, Dorchester, Maryland
- Died: 1912, Auburn, New York
Dean Atta
Dean Atta is British and of Cypriot and Jamaican descent. He wrote 'The Black Flamingo' (2019) exploring themes of identity, race and LGBTQ experiences. It won the Stonewall Book Award. Writing Style: Known for his powerful, lyrical voice and ability to weave personal narratives with broader social issues.
Interesting fact: He is a member of Keats House Poets Forum and Malika's Poetry Kitchen
Frederick Douglass
Social Reformist
He spent his first years as a slave, but he was being taught the essential knowledge as the alphabet or how to read. Eventually, he became free, and participated in the creation of the Underground Railway, to free slaves and move them to the northern states or Canada. Fact: He was friends with Abraham Lincoln!
- Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey
- Born: 1818, Talbot, Maryland
- Died: 1895, Washington D.C.
Apartheid
South Africa
Apartheid was a system of institutionalised racial segregation that existed in South Africa and South West Africa (now Namibia) from 1948 to the early 1990s. Apartheid was delineated into petty apartheid, which forced the segregation of public facilities and social events, and grand apartheid, which defined housing and employment opportunities by race. Thanks to several activists an politicians like Nelson Mandela, this policy was abolished in the 90s.
John Brown
American Abolitionist
Even though he was white, after seeing the horrors that slaves lived, his life goal was to free them. John Brown believed that a pacific protest wouldn't be enough to catch the attention. To make a change, he commanded anti-slavery forces during Bleeding Kansas. During Harpers Ferry raid, he was captured and executed. Fact: Some say he's a hero and a martyr, others say he's a terrorist.
- John Brown
- Born: 1800, Torrington, Connecicut
- Died: 1859, Charles Town, Virginia (West)
Big Six
Civil Rights Movement
The Big Six was a group of activists formed by the leaders of the civil rights movement. A notable contribution was the March on Washington, where Martin Luther King delivered his famous speech where he said: "I have a dream!"
- Notable Members: Martin Luther King Jr., James Farmer, John Lewis, A. Philip Randolph, Roy Wilkins and Whitney Young
Sir Lenny Henry
Lenny Henry is a British Jamican comedian, actor, writer and TV presenter.He was knighted for his services to drama and charity. He co-founded Comic Relief in 1985 and the annual Red Nose Day telethons, helping to raise over £1 billion. Additionally, he has written memoirs, screen plays and children's books.
- Fun fact: Initially he was a reluctant Shakespearean actor but earned an "Outstanding Newcomer" award for playing the lead role in Othello at age 50.
Jim Crow Laws
USA
Jim Crow laws were state and local laws introduced in the Southern United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries that enforced racial segregation. Jim Crow was the term used to refer to African-American people, like an insult. Although in theory, the "equal" segregation doctrine governed public facilities and transportation too, facilities for African Americans were consistently inferior and underfunded compared to facilities for white Americans; sometimes, there were no facilities for the black community at all.
Black History Month
Every October, people in the UK learn and celebrate Black history and heritage and the journey towards ongoing equality. This year we are celebrating inspirational authors and Illustrators and important people in history.
Alex Wheatle
Alex Wheatle is of Jamaican descent and raised in the social services system in Surrey. Key themes in his writing are to do with urban life, race and identity. Awarded an MBE in 2008 for services to Literature. His novel "Crongton Knights" won the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize in 2016.
Interesting fact: he was a founding member of the Crucial Rocker soundsystem; his DJ name was Yardman Irie. He wrote lyrics about everyday life in Brixton, south London.
Mallorie Blackman
Awards: Winner of several awards including the Red House Children's Book Award and the Eleanor Farjeon Award. Children's Laureate: Served as the United Kingdom's Children's Laureate from 2013 to 2015.Other Work: She has written television scripts and contributed to anthologies. Themes tackle issues like identity, racism and ethics.
Interesting fact: She orignally studied computing and was a systems programmer before she became a professional writer.
Black Panther Party
Demanded Reparations
After centuries of suffering, the BPP was formed in order to defend black people. They also invented the so-called 10 point program, which demands rights, equality and reparations for black people.
- Founded: 1968
- Dissolved: 1982
- Leaders: Huey P. Newton, Bobby Seale
Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. has contributed the civil rights in many ways with pacific protest. He was assasinated in Memphis, Tenessee, when a man shot him in front of a motel. He now rests in the MLK Jr. National Historical Park
- Fun fact: He was named Michael King. After visiting Germany, he decided to rename himself as Marthin Luther King.
BEO
Civil Rights
BEO is an independent, national Black civil rights organisation created to dismantle systemic racism in Britain, drive generational change and deliver better lived experiences for Black people across the country.
We are ready for a generational shift and will strive tirelessly to dismantle systemic racism and make the UK a better, fairer country for Black people.
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela became president in 1994, after the abolishment of Apartheid. Negotiations to abolish this law started four years before.
- Interesting fact: He stayed in over 4 jails!
- He wrote an autobiography 'A Long Walk to Freedom'.
More Authors and Illustrators
Patrice Lawrence Author of 'Orangeboy' and the picture book 'Granny Came Here on the Empire Windrush'. Elizabeth Acevedo Author of 'The Poet X' a young teen who finds her voice. Benjamin Zephaniah
A poet and writer known for his performance poetry and social activism. His works include Refugee Boy.
Caryl Phillips
An author and playwright, noted for novels like Crossing the River and The Lost Child.
Leah Johnson Known for her fiction 'You should see me in a crown'.
Film clips
David Olusoga - Black History in Britain. BBC Stories
Onyinye Iwu
Katherine Johnson
Katherine Johnson's contribution to the US Space Program was huge. Thanks to her the NASA could launch rockets to orbit and even land on the Moon!
- Fun fact: She didn't really feel there was segregation in NASA, since everyone was on their researchs.
Yomi Sode
Yomi Sode is a multifaceted British-Nigerian writer renowned for his poetry, theater work, and ability to weave African and British cultural narratives. Sode is celebrated for his dynamic poetry performances, blending spoken word with themes revolving around identity, heritage, and the immigrant experience. His debut poetry collection, "Manorism," has been praised for exploring masculinity, family, and society
Interesting fact: Aside from poetry, Yomi Sode has written and produced plays, showcasing his versatility as a writer. His theatrical productions often complement his poetic narratives.
My Research
Choose one author or illustrator and complete five facts about them and explain what inspired them to become a writer.
Rosa Parks
Rosa Parks incident generated a protest which consisted on black people not using Montgomery's bus service. This resulted in it getting bankrupt, and the US government changing segregation laws.
- Fun fact: The white man who wanted to sit on her seat didn't ask her to move!
Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock
She was born in London to Nigerian parents. Aderin-Pocock developed a passion for space early in life.
She was diagnosed with dyslexia but earned a BSc in physics and a PhD in mechanical engineering from Imperial College London. She designed instruments for the Gemini telescope. She also worked on missile warning systems for the Ministry of Defence.
Honours: She received an MBE and a Damehood for her work in science education and diversity.
- Fun fact: Her fascination with space was sparked by the children's TV show 'The Clangers'.
Danielle Jawando
She is from Manchester. Her novel 'And the Stars Were Burning Brightly', was published in 2020 and has received critical acclaim for its exploration of themes such as grief, bullying, and mental health.She has an MA in Creative writing and themes in her writing focuses on: contemporary social issues, aiming to give a voice to marginalised communities and tackle subjects like racial identity and inequality.
- Interesting fact: She worked on the TV show 'Coronation Street' as a storyline writer.
Mary Seacole
Mary Jane Seacole was a British nurse and businesswoman. She was famous for her nursing work during the Crimean War and for publishing the first autobiography written by a Black woman in Britain.
- Fun fact: She broke social rules and prejudices to travel the world, run businesses and help those in need.
1805-1881
Lit408 October Black History Month 2025
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Transcript
A21 Celebrates Diversity
Explore Black History Month October 2025
Start
What is Black History Month?
Award Winning Writers
Iconic People
Read/ Listen
Get involved
Reflect - My thoughts
Award Winning Writers
Malorie Blackman: A highly acclaimed author whose dystopian novel 'Noughts & Crosses' examines prejudice and power through a forbidden romance. Dean Atta: Author of the award-winning young adult novel 'The Black Flamingo', a queer coming-of-age story. Alex Wheatle: An award-winning novelist whose books, including 'Straight Outta Crongton' and 'Home Boys', are set in the fictional London borough of Crongto. Yomi Sode: Author of 'Manorism' an original book that charts the vulnerabilities and rich nuances of black masculinity in Britain. Danielle Jawando: A Manchester-based author whose novel 'And The Stars Were Burning Brightly' tackles issues of grief and identity.
Back to contents
Malorie Blackman
Back to Writers
Back
Next
Dean Atta
Back to Writers
Back
Next
Alex Wheatle
Back to Writers
Back
Next
Yomi Sode
Back to Writers
Daniell Jawando
Back to Writers
Iconic People Past and Present
Nelson MandelaRosa Parks Martin Luther King Katherine Johnson
Mary Seacole Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock Sir Lenny Henry
Back to Contents
Nelson Mandela
First black president
This man fought to abolish apartheid, in south africa
Back to Iconic People
Rosa parks
Afroamerican activist
This woman changed us segregation system with a simple act
Back to Iconic People
Martin luther king
Activist and leader of the civil rights movement
I have a dream!
Back to Iconic People
Katherine Johnson
afroamerican Mathematician
She worked at NASA and helped the space program
Back to Iconic People
Mary Seacole
A nurse
She worked as a nurse and promoted diversity and inclusion in the UK Nursing Profession
Back to Iconic People
Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock
British Space Scientist
She is a co-presenter of the BBC television series 'The Sky at Night'.
Back to Iconic People
Sir Lenny Henry
British Actor Writer and TV Presenter
He is well known as the co-founder of Comic Relief - REd nose day.
Back to Iconic People
Important People
From the 19th century
With slavery at its peak, they needed to abolish it
John Brown
Frederick Douglass
Harriet Tubman
Back to contents
Anti-Racist Groups
From our era
These people reunited to make a change in history
Big Six
BEO
Black Panther Party
Back to Contents
Racist laws
What discriminated black people
These policies were adopted by important countries, but how?
Jim Crow Laws
Apartheid
Back to Contents
Reflect
Back to Contents
Next
Diversity Matters
Thank you !
Back to Contents
Harriet Tubman
Social Activist
In her early ages she was a slave treated terribly. One time, his enslaver threw her a heavy metal weight, but managed to survive. She participated in the creation of the underground railway, as well as collaborating with John Brown's Harpers Ferry Raid, working with Frederick Douglass and being an activist for the women suffrage movement. Fact: During the Civil War she became the first woman to lead an armed military raid in 1863.
Dean Atta
Dean Atta is British and of Cypriot and Jamaican descent. He wrote 'The Black Flamingo' (2019) exploring themes of identity, race and LGBTQ experiences. It won the Stonewall Book Award. Writing Style: Known for his powerful, lyrical voice and ability to weave personal narratives with broader social issues.
Interesting fact: He is a member of Keats House Poets Forum and Malika's Poetry Kitchen
Frederick Douglass
Social Reformist
He spent his first years as a slave, but he was being taught the essential knowledge as the alphabet or how to read. Eventually, he became free, and participated in the creation of the Underground Railway, to free slaves and move them to the northern states or Canada. Fact: He was friends with Abraham Lincoln!
Apartheid
South Africa
Apartheid was a system of institutionalised racial segregation that existed in South Africa and South West Africa (now Namibia) from 1948 to the early 1990s. Apartheid was delineated into petty apartheid, which forced the segregation of public facilities and social events, and grand apartheid, which defined housing and employment opportunities by race. Thanks to several activists an politicians like Nelson Mandela, this policy was abolished in the 90s.
John Brown
American Abolitionist
Even though he was white, after seeing the horrors that slaves lived, his life goal was to free them. John Brown believed that a pacific protest wouldn't be enough to catch the attention. To make a change, he commanded anti-slavery forces during Bleeding Kansas. During Harpers Ferry raid, he was captured and executed. Fact: Some say he's a hero and a martyr, others say he's a terrorist.
Big Six
Civil Rights Movement
The Big Six was a group of activists formed by the leaders of the civil rights movement. A notable contribution was the March on Washington, where Martin Luther King delivered his famous speech where he said: "I have a dream!"
Sir Lenny Henry
Lenny Henry is a British Jamican comedian, actor, writer and TV presenter.He was knighted for his services to drama and charity. He co-founded Comic Relief in 1985 and the annual Red Nose Day telethons, helping to raise over £1 billion. Additionally, he has written memoirs, screen plays and children's books.
Jim Crow Laws
USA
Jim Crow laws were state and local laws introduced in the Southern United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries that enforced racial segregation. Jim Crow was the term used to refer to African-American people, like an insult. Although in theory, the "equal" segregation doctrine governed public facilities and transportation too, facilities for African Americans were consistently inferior and underfunded compared to facilities for white Americans; sometimes, there were no facilities for the black community at all.
Black History Month
Every October, people in the UK learn and celebrate Black history and heritage and the journey towards ongoing equality. This year we are celebrating inspirational authors and Illustrators and important people in history.
Alex Wheatle
Alex Wheatle is of Jamaican descent and raised in the social services system in Surrey. Key themes in his writing are to do with urban life, race and identity. Awarded an MBE in 2008 for services to Literature. His novel "Crongton Knights" won the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize in 2016.
Interesting fact: he was a founding member of the Crucial Rocker soundsystem; his DJ name was Yardman Irie. He wrote lyrics about everyday life in Brixton, south London.
Mallorie Blackman
Awards: Winner of several awards including the Red House Children's Book Award and the Eleanor Farjeon Award. Children's Laureate: Served as the United Kingdom's Children's Laureate from 2013 to 2015.Other Work: She has written television scripts and contributed to anthologies. Themes tackle issues like identity, racism and ethics.
Interesting fact: She orignally studied computing and was a systems programmer before she became a professional writer.
Black Panther Party
Demanded Reparations
After centuries of suffering, the BPP was formed in order to defend black people. They also invented the so-called 10 point program, which demands rights, equality and reparations for black people.
Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. has contributed the civil rights in many ways with pacific protest. He was assasinated in Memphis, Tenessee, when a man shot him in front of a motel. He now rests in the MLK Jr. National Historical Park
BEO
Civil Rights
BEO is an independent, national Black civil rights organisation created to dismantle systemic racism in Britain, drive generational change and deliver better lived experiences for Black people across the country. We are ready for a generational shift and will strive tirelessly to dismantle systemic racism and make the UK a better, fairer country for Black people.
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela became president in 1994, after the abolishment of Apartheid. Negotiations to abolish this law started four years before.
More Authors and Illustrators
Patrice Lawrence Author of 'Orangeboy' and the picture book 'Granny Came Here on the Empire Windrush'. Elizabeth Acevedo Author of 'The Poet X' a young teen who finds her voice. Benjamin Zephaniah A poet and writer known for his performance poetry and social activism. His works include Refugee Boy. Caryl Phillips An author and playwright, noted for novels like Crossing the River and The Lost Child. Leah Johnson Known for her fiction 'You should see me in a crown'.
Film clips
David Olusoga - Black History in Britain. BBC Stories
Onyinye Iwu
Katherine Johnson
Katherine Johnson's contribution to the US Space Program was huge. Thanks to her the NASA could launch rockets to orbit and even land on the Moon!
Yomi Sode
Yomi Sode is a multifaceted British-Nigerian writer renowned for his poetry, theater work, and ability to weave African and British cultural narratives. Sode is celebrated for his dynamic poetry performances, blending spoken word with themes revolving around identity, heritage, and the immigrant experience. His debut poetry collection, "Manorism," has been praised for exploring masculinity, family, and society
Interesting fact: Aside from poetry, Yomi Sode has written and produced plays, showcasing his versatility as a writer. His theatrical productions often complement his poetic narratives.
My Research
Choose one author or illustrator and complete five facts about them and explain what inspired them to become a writer.
Rosa Parks
Rosa Parks incident generated a protest which consisted on black people not using Montgomery's bus service. This resulted in it getting bankrupt, and the US government changing segregation laws.
Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock
She was born in London to Nigerian parents. Aderin-Pocock developed a passion for space early in life. She was diagnosed with dyslexia but earned a BSc in physics and a PhD in mechanical engineering from Imperial College London. She designed instruments for the Gemini telescope. She also worked on missile warning systems for the Ministry of Defence. Honours: She received an MBE and a Damehood for her work in science education and diversity.
Danielle Jawando
She is from Manchester. Her novel 'And the Stars Were Burning Brightly', was published in 2020 and has received critical acclaim for its exploration of themes such as grief, bullying, and mental health.She has an MA in Creative writing and themes in her writing focuses on: contemporary social issues, aiming to give a voice to marginalised communities and tackle subjects like racial identity and inequality.
Mary Seacole
Mary Jane Seacole was a British nurse and businesswoman. She was famous for her nursing work during the Crimean War and for publishing the first autobiography written by a Black woman in Britain.
1805-1881