Mya-Lee (Lower Sixth), speaking for the Afro-Caribbean Society, reflects on an assembly they gave to the pupil body to celebrate Black History Month.

“Rather than focusing on the usual historical figures like Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks and Malcolm X, we wanted to highlight more contemporary voices. Our aim was to inspire the School community by showcasing some modern activists.

Together, the Society selected four distinctive individuals: Stormzy (British musician), Chadwick Boseman (American actor), Whoopi Goldberg (American actor and comedian), and Lewis Hamilton (British race car driver). These well-known celebrities are much more than their public images suggest. Each has faced injustice and racism, which have driven their efforts to increase representation and create more opportunities for Black individuals in predominantly white and male fields.

Highlights of our modern activists:

Stormzy:

• Founded the ‘Merky Foundation’ to support higher education for Black youth.
• Established the Stormzy Scholarship for Cambridge, covering full tuition and living costs for Black students.

Chadwick Boseman:

• Played the protagonist in Black Panther, a film that inspired young Black audiences worldwide.
• Motivated Black youth during on-set visits and through speeches encouraging them to dream bigger.

Whoopi Goldberg:

• First Black woman to win all four major American entertainment awards: Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony.
• Supports Black and female communities through investments and charities.
• Involved in BLKFAM, a Black-centric family streaming service.

Lewis Hamilton:

• First Black driver in Formula 1 history.
• Faced racism throughout his career.
• Founded the Hamilton Commission in 2020 to promote diversity in motorsport and STEM fields.

Behind their fame, these individuals use their voices to fight against injustice, break down barriers and work for a fairer society. Our main message was that although the fight for equality was most visible during the Civil Rights Movement, change is still happening today and these four celebrities show us that progress is happening right now, in front of us.”