Every October in the UK we take time to observe, respect and promote knowledge of black history, heritage and culture. We pay tribute to those historic figures from the world of politics and human rights as well as celebrating more contemporary figures from the world of popular culture who have embraced those values and set themselves out as role models for the next generation.

We hope you enjoy our infographic which features figures from our range of classroom posters which reflect the following topics:

Read below for an extended biography of our Black History Month role models.

Black History Month Infographic

Dr Charles Drew (Physician)

Charles Drew was a pioneer in blood storage and transfusion and his work in developing large-scale blood banks helped save thousands of lives, particularly during WWII.

Dr Martin Luther King Jr (Minister)

Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy as the figurehead of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States cannot be understated. Before his assassination on 4th April 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee, when he was only 39 years old, he popularized the use of non-violent civil disobedience based on his Christian beliefs as an American Baptist Minister to further the cause of racial equality.

Muhammad Ali (Boxer)

After winning the gold medal in the 1960 Rome Olympics, Muhammad Ali started boxing professionally. His boxing career is notable, not just for winning the heavyweight championship at only 22 years old, but also for his flamboyant self-promotion.

Pele (Footballer)

The word ‘legend’ is often used inappropriately to describe sporting heroes – but it may well suit the only footballer with three world cup wins and well over 1000 first-class goals to his name – Pele.

De Mae Jemison (Astronaut)

Only a handful of people have travelled into space but only one can say she was the first African American woman to do so – former NASA astronaut, Mae Jemison.

Samuel L Jackson (Actor)

Born 21st December 1948, Samuel L. Jackson is a prolific actor and film producer, appearing in more than 100 feature films (more than 700 counting television). His breakthrough to stardom came late – he was 46 when he co-starred with John Travolta in Pulp Fiction. The role of Jules put Jackson on the “A” list and he was nominated for the Best Supporting Actor Academy Award.

Stevie Wonder (Musician)

Stevie Wonder’s birth was six weeks premature, which resulted in his blindness. Wonder showed an intense aptitude for music at a very early age in singing and played a wide variety of instruments. Over his career, he has had more than 30 top ten hits and has won 25 Grammy Awards, more than any other individual performer, and has sold more than 100 million records.

Michael Jordan (Basketball Player)

Michael Jordan, born in 1963 in Brooklyn, New York, is most famous as a talented American basketball player. His career lasted 20 years. His signature shoe, the Air Jordan, along with the use of his image, is said to be worth a billion dollars to Nike.

Hope Powell (Football Coach)

Hope Powell is a former Millwall and England footballer who went on to achieve much greater recognition for her successes as head coach of the women’s national team, taking up the post in 1998.

Oswald Boateng (Designer)

Having made history as the first black tailor on London’s iconic Savile Row, Oswald Boateng’s name is synonymous with sharp suits that offer a new take on traditional British bespoke styles.

Baroness Amos (Civil Servant)

For someone who has occupied such posts as cabinet minister, House of Lords life peer, senior UN official and advisor to the Mandela government, Lady Valerie Amos is the first black woman to take charge of a UK University. She is the newly appointed head of SOAS (University of London), another notable achievement in a life and career filled with them.

Dame Kelly Holmes (Athlete)

Born in 1970 in Kent, this former army physical training instructor left the forces to pursue athletics full time in 1997. She finally managed to battle to Olympic gold in the 800m in Athens 2004, adding a second gold a few days later in the 1500m.

Benjamin Zephaniah (Poet)

Born in 1958 in Birmingham, British Jamaican Rastafarian poet and musician Zepheniah has been named by The Times as one of the 50 most important post-war UK writers.

Barack Obama (US President)

He was an Illinois state Senator from 1997-2004, and a United States Senator from 2005-2008, and then was elected as the country’s first African American president, serving two terms.

Usain Bolt (Athlete)

With the nickname “Lightning Bolt,” Usain Bolt is considered the fastest human being alive. He holds the world record in the 100-metre sprint at 9.58 seconds, as well as the 200-metre record at 19.19 seconds.

Trever Nelson (Dj & Presenter)

Lifelong Londoner Trevor Nelson’s DJ career began way back in the mid-1980s on the then pirate broadcaster, Kiss FM. He has been honoured numerous times, including multiple MOBO awards, a Sony Radio Academy lifetime achievement and an OBE for his volunteer work.

Williams Sisters (Tennis Professionals)

From 1999 through the present, sisters Venus and Serena Williams have dominated women’s tennis. Venus, a year older than Serena, has won 22 major titles while Serena has 36. Both women have been ranked number one in the world on several occasions.

Beyonce (Singer)

Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter was born on 4th September 1981 in Houston, Texas, and began singing and dancing at a very young age. When she was eight, she joined with four other girls to form a group called Girl’s Tyme. The group eventually landed a contract with Columbia Records in 1996 and changed their name to Destiny’s Child.

Brian Lara (Cricketer)

Brian Charles Lara is one of the all-time greatest cricketers. Born in Trinidad, he was introduced to the sport at six years old. He holds several high-scoring records in cricket, including being the only person to top 500 not out in first-class play. He’s also the only person to score 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 in first-class games as a senior player.

Nicola Adams (Boxer)

Boxer and proud Leeds resident Nicola Adams made history at London 2012, contributing to the impressive tally of gold medals won by Yorkshire members of team GB.

Rageh Omaar (Journalist)

Somalian born Oxford University alumnus, Rageh Omaar, is a writer and journalist, currently working as ITV News’ International Affairs Editor. He has also been the recipient of an Ethnic Multicultural Media Academy award for best TV journalist and is a keen activist for the Somali community.

Lewis Hamilton (F1 Driver)

Lewis Hamilton drives Formula One for Mercedes, and he’s pretty good at it, having won the World Championship in 2008 and then again in 2014. “Born to race,” Hamilton knew as young as age ten that he was going to be on the circuit. He turned out to be the youngest to ever get signed to drive, and the youngest to win (in 2007).

Mo Farah (Athlete)

Mohamed ‘Mo’ Farah is Britain’s greatest ever distance runner, a double Olympic and World Champion and UK record holder for 1500m, 5000m and 10,000m.