Celebrating the Legacy and Impact of the African Diaspora: Reclaiming Narratives and Shaping Culture

This month, we join in honoring the resilience and achievements of Black individuals who’ve contributed to British & global history and continue to shape current culture.

These individuals inspire future generations & their impact deserves to be celebrated every day. The theme for this year centers around Reclaiming narratives; this aligns with our vision at 234 to tell the story of triumph and showcase how the African diaspora are positively impacting their communities.

According to the 2021 census over 1.1million people who identified as Black or Black British: African, live in London. This community emigrating from all over West & East Africa predominantly starting from the 60’s have long played a part in the British and global culture. While Nigerian food and music is enjoying a particular moment in the British culture spotlight, here’s a nod to heroes past who shaped the cultural narratives of their day. 

John Blanke- A 16th century royal trumpeter who petitioned Henry V11 to increase his wages. He was the first African recorded to have his wages doubled. Many of us can definitely take a page from his books. 

Dame Shirley Bassey- The popular Welsh singer born to a Nigerian father & English mother. Known for the longevity of her career, she is the only artist to have performed more than one of the James Bond theme songs including ‘Diamonds are forever’.

John Fashanu: Former international football player who scored 134 league goals in a career lasting 17 years, and went on to become a popular English TV presenter in the late 90’s and early 2000’s.

Miriam Makeba: This singer and activist was born under apartheid in South Africa and popularly known as “Mama Africa,” She spent a lifetime advocating for the liberation of Black Africans and the African diaspora more broadly. In 1959, she moved to New York City where her music flourished and she became the first Grammy-winner born in Africa in 1965