Six Inspirational Black Welsh People

Black History Month is an important time to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black people throughout history.

While it’s great to learn about well-known figures like Betty Campbell, it’s also important to shine a light on people who are making a difference right now. Here are five influential Black Welsh people, all making waves in their fields and inspiring others along the way.

Tayce Szura-Radix

Tayce is a drag queen who was a runner-up on the TV show RuPaul’s Drag Race UK (Season 2). After the show, they became super popular on Instagram. Tayce is a role model for the LGBTQ+ community and has worked with big brands like Coca-Cola. They even helped create a collection of gender-neutral clothes with the fashion brand Nasty Gal.

Tayce is important for Black History Month because they are a successful Black LGBTQ+ person in the public eye. They show everyone that you can be yourself and do amazing things. By speaking openly about important topics like STIs, Tayce helps to stop people from feeling embarrassed about these things. This shows how Black people in the spotlight can use their voice to help others and make a positive change.

Ali Abdi

Ali Abdi is someone who does great things for his local community. One of those things is using sports to get young people involved, making it easier for Black, Asian, and other ethnic minority groups to play sports and stay healthy.

Another thing he organises is called Grangetown Careers and Role Model week. This event helps people in Grangetown get advice on careers, how to get into university, and how to apply for jobs. Ali brings senior university staff to the community to meet young people and their families personally.

Ali shows how one person can make a big difference in their local area. His work directly helps people who have faced challenges because of their race, ethnicity, or background. By helping young people and creating job opportunities, he is building a better future for his community. In 2019, he was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for his work.

Vaughan Gething

Vaughan Gething is a politician in Wales who, in 2024, made history by becoming the first Black leader of a European country when he was elected Welsh Labour leader in the Senedd and served as the First Minister of Wales. He reached the highest level of government in the country.

While his time in the role was brief and ended in resignation, his historic achievement in reaching such a high office is a significant milestone that breaks down barriers and inspires others to get involved in politics and public life.

Liana Stewart

Liana Stewart is a BAFTA-winning filmmaker whose documentaries have been shown on channels like the BBC and Channel 4. One documentary, Black and Welsh, explored what it means to be Black and Welsh by featuring people from across Wales sharing their experiences. This film won Liana a BAFTA award for Best Director: Factual. She also worked on the series Take Your Knee Off My Neck, which was made in response to the death of George Floyd.

Liana’s films tell compelling stories about Black people’s experiences and gives us a deeper understanding of what it’s like to be Black in Wales. By openly sharing the challenges she faced in her career, she inspires other young Black creators, helping to make the TV industry a more inclusive space for everyone.

Ibby Osman

Ibby Osman was involved in a campaign called ‘Don’t Hate, Educate‘ to fight against racism. Since then, he has worked on a lot of different topics, like mental health and poverty. He has worked with the Children’s Commissioner for Wales, using his voice to help young people who have a tough time in school, especially those from a global majority background.

Ibby shows how young Black people can be leaders for social justice. His work shows the power of how young people’s voices can make a difference. By fighting for equality in schools and working to make sure young people’s ideas are heard, Ibby is helping to build a fairer future for everyone.

Uzo Iwobi

Uzo Iwobi is a solicitor and activist in Wales. She is the founder of the Race Council Cymru, an organisation that works to challenge racial inequality and promote fairness and understanding across Wales. Uzo also founded the African Community Centre in Wales and the National Minority Ethnic Youth Forum for Wales. She has worked as a specialist advisor to the Welsh Government on equality and diversity.

Uzo has spent her career fighting against racism and pushing for a more equal Wales. She has received awards for her work, including a CBE from the Queen for her services to race equality. Her life shows that one person can make a huge difference in their community by speaking up and creating a space for everyone.