A photography exhibition of black role models opens at the International Slavery Museum this week. Laura Davis reports
In some ways, by creating Black Britannia, Ferguson is following in the footsteps of his father, who was keen to demonstrate to his son just how successful black people could be.
Together, they watched Conteh’s boxing matches and saw Bill Morris speaking out for workers’ rights on television. In 1991, Morris would become the first black general secretary of a TUC affiliated union.
“He was an articulate black guy on mainstream TV,” remembers Ferguson.
“ I’d never seen anything like that before – maybe Trevor McDonald but that was about it.
“It was a TV generation in the 70s and you didn’t see many black people. My father made a deal of pointing out these people to me.”
He admits that, perhaps subconsciously, he is repeating the favour for a new generation.
“If just one person looks at the pictures and is inspired, maybe breaks away from the peer pressure they’re under, then it’s all been worthwhile.”
* BLACK Britannia is at the International Slavery Museum from August 7 to February 28, 2010.
Roll of honour
THE role models featured in the Black Britannia exhibition include...
Gina Yashere: Born in Finsbury Park, London, the stand-up comedian was a finalist in the prestigious Hackney Empire New Act of the Year competition in 1996. She regularly appears on TV show Mock the Week and has released several DVDs of her stand-up show.
Royston Ffrench: A welder’s son from Telford, Ffrench followed jobs in a pallet-making factory and a garage to train as a jockey. In 1997, he became the first young black jockey to make his mark in a white profession and rode 50-odd winners in the first year of his career.
Estelle: Born Estelle Fanta Swaray, the Grammy Award-winning British R&B singer-songwriter, rapper, and producer broke into the UK charts in 2004 with 1980 and Free. She made her name internationally with the song American Boy, a collaboration with US rapper Kanye West.
Lewis Hamilton: Often labelled "the first black driver in Formula One", Hamilton won success in karting before taking part in the 2002 Formula Renault Winter Series, finishing fifth.
He became Formula One World Champion in 2008.
Ms Dynamite: Born Niomi Arleen McLean-Daley, Ms Dynamite is a R&B, garage and hip hop singer and rapper from North London.
A double Brit Award- winner and three time MOBO Awards-winner, she considered becoming a schoolteacher or social worker before turning to a career in music.
She recently finished fourth on reality TV show Hell’s Kitchen.
