Black Britannia Exhibition: Celebrating Black Britons

The saying goes "A picture is worth a thousand words" and when it comes to the BME community, especially in the media, it can often portray a negative stereotype which can shape thoughts in people's minds.

But any challenge to the preconceived ideas we have about a certain community in this country is a welcome, especially during Black history month, which is supposed to celebrate the positive and progressive aspects of Black culture and the contributions made in Britain and the wider world.

Celebrated photographer John Ferguson, who was one of the first Black photographer's in Fleet Street during the 1980s, made it his mission to show Britain at large the incredible achievements of the Black community across many sectors. What resulted was the Black Britannia exhibition, celebrating the achievements of 50 black Britons who have triumphed in their chosen careers.

Along with former F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton and supermodel Naomi Campbell, Ferguson also includes the likes of English national ballet dancer Shevelle Dynott, Dr John Sentuma, Britain's first Black archibishop and Nicholas Tunge, one of the few Black soldiers to take part in the Changing of the Guard as well as Justice Linda Dobbs, the first Black woman to appointed a judge at the High Court.

The exhibition was first unveiled in 2008 by then Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who praised the contribution of the Black community in Britain, and has been showcased every year.

The exhibition will once again be available for the publice to view, this year at Sheffield's Showroom Workstation and will run for four weeks beginning October 18.

Black Britannia aims to inspire the younger Black generation to follow in the footsteps of those who have broken through the glass ceiling in different sectors while achieving success by striving for excellence.