07:00, 09 October 2025
Words by Cheyanne Bryan, Editorial and Campaign Marketing Executive, London
Black History Month is well and truly here in the UK and we at Smiley News are going to follow the example of the Black Cultural Archives in what they call Black Futures Month as they honour Black history every day.
While this month is usually about celebrating those that have come before us, we think it’s just as important to celebrate those that are currently here making history. Here are some notable Black British individuals that are currently building that history that others will come to remember in many years to come.
History contribution: First Black man to shoot a cover for British Vogue.
Let’s start with Misan Harriman, a man whose name is now etched into British fashion history. Born in Nigeria and raised in the UK, Misan became the first Black man to shoot a cover for British Vogue in its 104-year existence.
But his lens doesn’t just capture fashion, which was shown during the Black Lives Matter protests as his photographs were some of the most widely shared images during the protests. His artistic expression portrayed the urgency he felt in joining the conversation to bring awareness to an issue that was felt by many Black individuals around the world. His photographs documented a time in history where discussions about racial inequality and structural systems were pushed to the forefront. Misan has shown that photography is more than art; it’s activism.
History contribution: Co-founder of UK Black Pride
Moving from the world of images to the world of words, Lady Phyll Opoku-Gyimah - affectionately known as Lady Phyll is a DIVA Magazine columnist and co-founder of UK Black Pride. She is known as a powerhouse in the field of championing for the rights of Black and brown LGBTQIA+ folk for over 20 years.
Her leadership at UK Black Pride has made it Europe’s largest celebration for LGBTQ+ people of African, Asian, Caribbean, Latin American and Middle Eastern descent. Furthermore she was the former executive director at Kaleidoscope Trust, extending her already long list of LGBTQIA+ activism.
History contribution: Advocated for the rights of young migrants in the UK.
Equally inspiring is Chrisann Jarrett MBE, who co-founded We Belong, a charity that champions the rights of young migrants. As a young woman who experienced the Hostile Environment policies firsthand, she refused to stay silent. Through her work, she has helped countless others like her find belonging, purpose and a voice. The fact that she now holds an MBE is not just recognition, it’s a testament to what determination and courage can achieve.
History contribution: Bringing Black-led stories to the big screen
Over in entertainment, Andrew ‘Rapman’ Onwubolu is shaking things up with Supercell, a Netflix global hit. This recent body of work at first seems like a South London-based superhero film, but Rapman goes much further by weaving information about sickle cell disease – a condition that is mostly experienced by Black individuals.
His creative style is punctuated with blending music and storytelling, in all of Rapman’s work he has brought South London stories to the world stage. On numerous occasions he proved that Black British narratives are not just worthy of attention, but global acclaim. His work reminds us that culture doesn’t have to be diluted to be enjoyed by the masses.
History contribution: Made a resource for better understanding of how medical conditions appear on Black and Brown skin.
Then there’s Dr. Malone Mukwende, a senior lecturer who decided that the world needed a better understanding of how medical signs and symptoms appear on Black and brown skin. His book Mind the Gap fills a glaring hole in medical education, one that had gone ignored for far too long, continually addressing medical inequality.
Malone’s specialism in Diversity and Medical Education has continued to be a revolutionary contribution to the healthcare industry and has been read over 500,000 in more than 75% of countries globally.
History contribution: Founder of The Black Curriculum.
Finally, we must highlight Lavinya Stennett, founder and CEO of The Black Curriculum. After realising how little Black British history was taught in schools, she launched a movement to change that.
Her organisation works with schools across the UK to ensure students learn a history that reflects all of Britain, not just a narrow slice of it.
