Black history month is a time to not only recognize the struggles of the Black community, but also celebrate the achievements of Black individuals.
Black history month is a time to not only recognize the struggles of the Black community, but also celebrate the achievements of Black individuals. Historically, the intersection of race, sexuality and gender identity has been a troubled one. By no means are things perfect now, but increasingly, our world is becoming one where Black queer people are able to thrive. This month, we are looking to Black queer individuals that, in chasing and securing their dreams, have paved the way for future generations. It’s important to take the time to recognize the achievements of artists, activists, actors, athletes, and others who, despite their racialisation, despite homophobia and transphobia, have achieved success. This is by no means an extensive list, it’s just a selection of names and stories that stood out to me.
Paris Barclay
Paris Barclay is one of the most prolific television directors currently, having directed over 200 episodes for the small screen. He has directed episodes for shows such as NYPD Blue, CSI, Lost, Glee, Dahmer - Monster: The Jeffery Dahmer Story, The West Wing, and more. Notably, Barclay is the first Black director to be nominated for every narrative dramatic category by the Television Academy. His role in the film industry has been extensive, with Barclay serving as the President of the Director’s Guild of America for two terms. He’s been described as one of most adaptable and reputable directors in Hollywood and has a laundry list of honours from his 30 year career to back these claims up.
Nabiyah Be
Brazilian actress and singer Nabiyah Be is best known for originating the role of ‘Eurydice’ in Hadestown as well as playing ‘Simone Jackson’ in Daisy Jones and the Six. She has been lauded for her stunning vocals, and indeed has always had a passion for performing. Her father is Jimmy Cliff, a reggae musician, who she toured with as a backup singer and dancer from the ages of 7 to 11. This Summer, she released three singles, ‘HERO’, ‘EVERYBODY’, and ‘POCO AZUL’. Her music combines Brazilian, Jamaican, and American musical traditions, creating a unique, mellow sound that's a perfect studying soundtrack.
Ajamu X
Both a curator and photographer, Ajamu X’s work has been displayed in the Gallery of Modern Art, the Arts Council of England, Autograph ABP, and more. With his portrait and nude work, Ajamu X explores the Black body and intricacies of sexuality and eroticism in his art. He captures a private, intimate view of his subjects. You’re invited to witness subjects’ own joy, their embracing of their desirability and desire. It’s a beautiful and striking look into what it means to be a Black, queer man today.
John Amaechi
John Amaechi is a British-American basketball player who began his college career at Vanderbilt before transferring to Penn State. He would play in the NBA from 1995 to 2003. In 2007, Amaechi made history as the first former NBA player to come out as gay. After his retirement from basketball, Amaechi went on to become a public speaker. He started his company Amaechi Performance Systems, a consultant firm that aims to increase diversity, communication, and leadership skills.
Edward Kobina Enninful
When Ghanaian-British creative director Edward Enninful was 18, he was appointed fashion director for i-D. This made him the youngest ever to hold such a position for an international publication. In 2017, British Vogue appointed him as their Editor-in-Chief, a position he worked in until 2023. In his time there, he sought to make the magazine more diverse, and moved it in a more political direction than his predecessors. He’s achieved countless awards for his contributions to fashion and the advancement of Black and queer diversity in fashion. He rejuvenated British Vogue, raising its readership, all the while featuring more diverse faces in fashion and working to revolutionise the white-dominated fashion industry.
Anita Asante
English footballer Anita Asante began her football career when she joined Arsenal in 1998. First a junior player, she was promoted to a senior player in the 2003-2004 season. In her two decades as a professional football player, she played in the highest women's leagues in America, Britain, and Sweden. Asante has had a decorated career, from winning the UEFA Women’s Cup in 2007 to being inducted in the Women’s Super League Hall of Fame in 2023. At the time of retirement, she had a whopping 71 caps for England. Asante has gone on to try her hand at coaching, joining Bristol's Vixens as a first team coach for 2022/23.
Lee Daniels
Lee Daniels is both a director and producer as well as an activist. From his debut film Monster’s Ball, Daniels has been breaking barriers. In producing this film, he would be the first African-American producer to solo produce an Oscar winning movie. His directorial debut came in 2006 with the film Shadowboxer. Since then, Daniels has made his mark on the film industry, having worked on Empire (2015-2020), Precious (2009), The Paperboy (2012), The Butler (2013), and more. His contributions earned him a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame in 2016. Daniels' work has extended beyond film and into activism, in particular, he's been honoured for his work with HIV/AIDs patients.
Chanda Prescod-Weinstein
Particle physicist and theoretical cosmologist, Chanda Prescod-Weinstein has had an incredible career. She was named a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow from 2004 to 2007. Prescod-Weinstein has won Postdoctoral Fellowships at the Goddard Space Flight Center as well as MIT. Currently, she works at the University of New Hampshire in both physics and astronomy as well as gender studies. Alongside her impressive research achievements, Prescod-Weinstein is also a prolific activist who seeks to decolonise and diversify the sciences. In particular, she advocates for women, especially Black women, and queer individuals in STEM.
These eight names are only a handful of Black, queer figures to look to. I encourage you all to research each of these people; their stories and achievements deserve to be appreciated. Not only that, but they’re so incredible to read - researching this article was enlightening, and, frankly, the most fun I’ve had in a while. I hope it inspires others to do some digging of their own, and that they might find it as fulfilling as I did.