To celebrate Black History Month 2025 at Forward Role, we have had a number of activities throughout the month, such as our dedicated library of books, focused on black authors and stories highlighting racism, overcoming adversity, and celebrating the achievements and positive cultural impact of black people. The books are available for the team to take home and enjoy reading. (Check them out on our Instagram page!)
We also enjoyed incredible, authentic Caribbean food from ARMR Manchester. They create the most flavourful dishes for the community, and that’s why we look forward to our team lunches from them so much!!
Our ED&I team have also been sharing some weekly stories internally,, of some brilliant Black trailblazers, who have had a real impact on their industries and British society & culture, and we thought we would share some of those stories with you too!
Margaret Busby, CBE
Margaret Busby has spent a lifetime inspiring and celebrating black women in the literary field. Busby first made her mark as not only the youngest publisher in Britain, but the first African female book publisher in Britain, when her company published its first books in 1967.
She was the editorial director for her own publishing company, Allison & Busby, for 20 years, and went on to write for The Guardian in the 1990s, whilst also freelancing in radio and television broadcasting. In 1992 Busby published her own anthology of black women writers, which is recognised as a landmark publication in the field.
In her long and illustrious career, she has championed for a more diverse literary industry. Publishing is historically a very white, male-dominated field, and Busby has spent years campaigning for increased black representation within British publications, founding her own group - Greater Access to Publishing, and participating in literary festivals and conferences across the world.
Her activism and achievements have been thoroughly celebrated with dozens of awards and accolades. These range from honorary degrees from universities of London, Exeter, Oxford Brookes and Johannesburg, fellowships, lifetime achievement awards, and in 2021 she was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to publishing.
In UK Black History Month 2019, Zadie Smith wrote about Busby, penning the following quote:
“Margaret Busby has been a cheerleader, instigator, organiser, defender and celebrator or black arts for the past 50 years, shouting about us from the rooftops, even back when few people cared to listen. ‘We can because she did’ is a cliché, but in Margaret’s case it is both true and no exaggeration. She helped change the landscape of both UK publishing and arts coverage, and so many Black British artists owe her a debt. I know I do.”
Lemn Sissay MBE
Lemn Sissay, the acclaimed poet, author, broadcaster & University of Manchester chancellor, is British-Ethiopian and grew up in the care system around Manchester.
Born in 1967 to an Ethiopian mother, shortly after she moved to England to study, he was taken into long-term foster care until 18 years old. Despite these immense personal challenges, he rose to become one of the UK’s most celebrated literary voices and was honoured in the 2010 New Year Honours.
"If I had said that one day, you will be in Windsor Castle to receive an OBE from Prince Charles, I would never have believed that kind of magical story - almost fairytale - would happen,"
His Achievements:
- Poet Laureate of the 2012 London Olympics
Lemn’s work was featured widely during the games, showcasing his unique ability to connect with diverse audiences. - Chancellor of the University of Manchester (2015–2022)
He was the university's first Black Chancellor, using his platform to inspire students and push for greater inclusivity in education. - Founder of the “Lemn Sissay Foundation”
This charity supports young people leaving the care system, helping them transition to independent adulthood. - Author of the memoir "My Name Is Why" (2019)
A powerful book exploring his childhood in care and the search for his identity. It became a bestseller and sparked national conversations around the care system.
Lemn Sissay’s work is not only artistically important, but it also challenges systemic issues in British society, especially those around race, identity, and the care system. He’s a living example of resilience, creativity, and social impact, and remains deeply connected to Manchester’s cultural and civic life.
Barbara Beese
Barbara is a powerful figure in Black British history, known for her courage, activism, and commitment to justice. Barbara grew up in London and found that racism and discrimination were a big part of everyday life. In her 20s she became part of the British Black Panther movement, focused on the issues faced by Black communities in the UK, inspired by the US movement.
She is best known for her involvement in the Mangrove Nine, a group who were put on trial after protesting against police harassment in Notting Hill. The police had repeatedly targeted a Caribbean restaurant called The Mangrove, which was a cherished community hub. One of few women in the group, Barbara stood strong throughout the trial and became a landmark in British legal history for one of the first British court acknowledgements of police racial prejudice!
Beyond the courtroom, Barbara was also a writer and contributor to magazines that gave voice to Black political thought, culture, and grassroots struggles. Her work built awareness of the injustice Black people face in housing, education, and employment.
Barbara is inspirational not just because of what she did, but because of how she did it, with integrity, intelligence, and determination. She challenged authority at a time when speaking out was dangerous, especially for a Black woman. Her story reminds us that activism isn’t always about fame or recognition. Sometimes, it’s about standing firm, telling the truth, and refusing to be silenced. Her legacy continues to influence anti-racist work in Britain today.
Why It's Important To Celebrate Black History Month
In a world that seems to be becoming increasingly divided at the moment, Black History Month is super important, as if gives us the opportunity to celebrate black culture and heritage, while thinking about those in our society who have been marginalised and repressed historically, yet who have enriched and contributed hugely to the world. It also serves as a fresh reminder to take stock of where systemic racism persists and give visibility to the people and organisations creating change.
Forward Role Represent
Diversity and inclusion is something we champion in our industries and is at the heart of everything we do. ED&I is fully integrated into our business at all levels, and we’re passionate about providing equality of opportunity for all. FR Represent is a solution we offer our partners. We create inclusive recruitment strategies that give businesses tangible ED&I data and offer advice to shape their own values and reach their hiring goals. Find out more
