Black History Month at BRIG: Sharing the stories of our Anti-Racism Activists
As we mark Black History Month this October, Birmingham Race Impact Group proudly celebrates the achievements of extraordinary Black men and women who continue to challenge racism and shape a more inclusive society. Across Birmingham and beyond, these leaders inspire change through advocacy, creativity, scholarship, and community engagement.
Keith Shayaam-Smith is an award-winning business leader, social entrepreneur, and creative visionary. As CEO of 7E Youth Academy and of The Legacy Centre of Excellence—Europe’s largest Black-owned arts and business centre—Keith has over 20 years of experience in youth engagement, mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs, and driving transformative community leadership.
Anita Shervington, a science and cultural strategist, works to advance racial equality through Black STEAM—spotlighting Black talent in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. Co-chair of Birmingham’s British Science Association branch, Anita has received a Winston Churchill Travelling Fellowship and a Wellcome Trust Public Engagement Fellowship. She co-founded BLAST, a pop-up festival merging science, arts, and Black culture to drive community engagement and social change.
Professor David Mba, Vice-Chancellor of Birmingham City University, has shaped higher education across the UK, championing innovation, widening participation, and accessible world-class learning. Beyond academia, David is Chair of the Birmingham Cultural Compact, co-chair of the Black Leaders in Higher Education network, and a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering. His leadership is rooted in excellence, equity, and inclusion, making him a key voice in Birmingham and beyond.
Lorna Shaw, an anti-racism advocate, emphasises that dismantling racism must go hand in hand with building a society that works for everyone. Her work with the Birmingham Stephen Lawrence Commission and her deep engagement with Black feminist thought inform strategies that centre lived experience and foster justice, belonging, and opportunity for all.
Khembe Clarke has dedicated over two decades to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Founder of Kemcan Training and Consultancy Ltd and Deputy Director at Birmingham Professional Divercity, Khembe also leads the Return To Your Roots Festival, celebrating African Caribbean heritage and community wellness.
Maxie Hayles served for more than two decades as Chair of the Birmingham Racial Attacks Monitoring Unit (BRAMU), addressing racial harassment, supporting victims, and shaping national and international discussions on racial justice. His campaigning work has tackled systemic injustices and ensured that local voices are heard in the fight against racism.
Dr Robert Beckford is a pioneering scholar-activist whose career spans over 30 years at the intersection of theology, racial justice, and media. A leading figure in Black Theology in Britain and internationally, he combines rigorous academic research with grassroots activism and broadcasting to challenge racism and create pathways for social transformation. He has developed access programmes in theology, founded the Black Theology Research Group, and mentored the UK’s largest cohort of Black doctoral researchers in theology. An award-winning broadcaster, Robert has produced landmark documentaries addressing reparations, state multiculturalism, corporate exploitation, and church racism.
Professor Joy Warmington is a transformative leader whose work turns barriers into blueprints. Born in Birmingham to Caribbean and Indian parents, she has spent over two decades at the helm of brap, making it one of the UK’s most fearless voices for racial justice and equity. From grassroots youth work to organisational transformation, Joy combines bold research, community advocacy, and systemic change with a deep commitment to healing, learning, and empowerment. She is also a proud mother, grandmother, and psychotherapist in training.
Siobhan Harper-Nunes has spent decades advancing equality, diversity, and Black heritage in Birmingham. From delivering diversity training for magistrates in the 1980s to managing Birmingham’s Black History Month as a trustee of the Black History Foundation, she has championed systemic change and community development. Founder of Shakti Women, Siobhan continues to support Black women-led and marginalised communities through professional growth initiatives and advocacy.
This Black History Month, Birmingham Race Impact Group invites everyone to explore the stories of these remarkable individuals and many others at our “Seeking the Pioneers” exhibition, hosted at Birmingham Library from 6 October to November. Their work reminds us that the fight against racism is ongoing—and that local pioneers continue to lead the way.
By celebrating their achievements, we honour their contributions, amplify their voices, and inspire the next generation to continue the journey toward equality, justice, and inclusion.
