Visionary Voices

Black History Month is more than a moment on the calendar; it’s a vibrant celebration of the people and stories that weave together the diverse cultural fabric of our communities. In Kent, a county steeped in history and heritage, the creative voices of Black artists, musicians, writers and designers are enriching the cultural scene in ways that are both inspiring and transformative. Their work tells stories of heritage, of resilience and of innovation, while their presence in the community fosters inclusivity and empowerment. In celebration of Black History Month 2025, the theme of which is ‘Standing Firm in Power and Pride’, POLLY HUMPHRIS shines a spotlight on the trailblazing Black creatives who are shaping the county’s cultural scene. 

Michi Masumi

Visual Arts

In Medway, an artistic revolution is quietly but powerfully taking place. Founded by the dynamic artist Michi Masumi, The Black Art Hub has become more than just an exhibition space: it is a cultural movement that exists to amplify the voices of grassroots Black British visual artists and poets, offering them a space to express identity, heritage and lived experience in a way that is unapologetically authentic.

Workshops, creative collaborations and peer reviews form the backbone of this initiative, fostering not only skill-building but also community. The hub’s exhibitions, such as 2024’s Intersectionality showcase, an offshoot of The Black Art Trail Project, have become must-see events, providing both artists and audiences the chance to reflect on the complexity and beauty of Black British life. Vitally, The Black Art Hub isn’t just about looking at art,  it’s about feeling seen, heard and celebrated.

Michi Masumi herself is emblematic of this mission, her work blending bold visuals with storytelling that speaks of ancestry, identity and the unrelenting power of creativity as activism. By providing a platform to others, she ensures that the hub has a legacy far greater than the sum of its parts – it is a thriving community where talent is nurtured and diversity is celebrated.

Omar

Music

If Kent has a musical jewel, it is undoubtedly Omar Lyefook MBE, the British soul legend who proudly calls the county home. Known simply as Omar to his legion of fans, his unmistakable voice and innovative sound have graced stages worldwide, winning him a reputation as one of the UK’s finest musical exports.

From collaborations with Stevie Wonder to working alongside Erykah Badu and Carleen Anderson, Omar’s career spans decades of soulful storytelling through music, yet despite his international success, Omar’s Kentish roots ground him in the community, inspiring a new generation of local musicians. His music – a distinctive blend of soul, jazz, funk and R&B – carries the imprint of heritage, creativity and resilience, echoing the very ethos of Black History Month.

Beyond the records and the accolades, Omar’s greatest gift to Kent is the cultural inspiration he provides, with young musicians looking to him as proof that from this corner of the country, you can shape global conversations through music.

Greg Bunbury

Design

Graphic designer, diversity and inclusion consultant, lecturer and public speaker of Caribbean heritage, Greg Bunbury has built a career on the idea that design is far more than decoration – it is a powerful tool for social change. Based out of The Margate School, Greg’s work champions diversity and inclusion, ensuring that organisations and brands not only speak to wider audiences but truly connect with them.

Through his workshops, consultancy projects and creative campaigns, Greg places social consciousness at the heart of design, with his projects often exploring themes of identity and representation, offering platforms where underrepresented communities see themselves reflected and celebrated. In a county like Kent, where demographics are now changing and diversity is beginning to flourish more, his work feels both timely and essential.

Literature

Kent is no stranger to literary talent and its Black writers are enriching the cultural conversation with stories that resonate far beyond the county’s borders. These voices bring fresh perspectives, weaving heritage and identity into narratives that challenge, inspire and uplift those that read them. 

Maggie Harris

Maggie Harris – Poetry Rooted in Place and Memory

Maggie Harris, originally from Guyana, has long been a literary powerhouse in Kent. Having lived in Thanet for many years, she studied at the University of Kent, gaining a BA in African and Caribbean Studies and an MA in Post-Colonial Studies. Her award-winning poetry collections, including Limbolands and Sixty Years of Loving, explore themes of migration, belonging and love. Harris also won the Commonwealth Short Story Prize for her story Sending for Chantal, cementing her place on the international stage.

For all her accolades, however, Harris’s contribution to Kent is deeply local: she has nurtured budding writers through creative writing courses in Broadstairs, inspiring many to find their own voices. Additionally, her return to Thanet after a decade in Wales marked a homecoming for both the poet and the community that she continues to enrich.

Bernardine Evaristo

Bernardine Evaristo – A Booker Winner with a Kentish Connection

While primarily based in London, Bernardine Evaristo OBE – Booker Prize-winning author of Girl, Woman, Other – has forged a meaningful link with Kent by opening her cottage here as a retreat for writers. This generous initiative underscores Evaristo’s lifelong commitment to mentoring underrepresented voices and creating pathways for the next generation of writers.

Her decision to offer a quiet Kentish haven for creativity places her firmly within the county’s cultural story, reminding us that literature thrives where opportunity is nurtured.

Moses McKenzie

Moses McKenzie – A New Voice for a New Era

Though based in Bristol, Moses McKenzie represents the exciting future of Black British literature and his influence is fast rippling across the South East. His debut novel, An Olive Grove in Ends, won the prestigious Hawthornden and Somerset Maugham Prizes, while his second, Fast by the Horns, continues his exploration of identity and belonging against the backdrop of Britain’s social history.

McKenzie’s stories resonate strongly with Kent’s growing audience of diverse readers and writers, holding up a mirror to the Black British experience that feels as poetic as it does necessary.

What unites these artists, musicians, designers and writers is not only their individual brilliance but also their shared commitment to community. Whether it’s Michi Masumi’s workshops for grassroots artists, Greg Bunbury’s advocacy through design, or Maggie Harris’s nurturing of new literary voices, each of these creatives is building a legacy of inclusion and empowerment.

Events like The Black Art Trail and cultural festivals across Medway and Canterbury provide spaces where the wider community can celebrate these contributions. By turning art galleries, streets, and stages into places of storytelling, these initiatives transform our progressive county into one where creativity is both inclusive and accessible, adding another layer of depth and excitement for the future. 

Black History Month is not only about looking back, it is about recognising how history is still being written today. The contributions of Black creatives in Kent are proof of this living history, reminding us that culture is not static, but that it evolves with each story told, each song sung and each piece of art created. Supporting these artists means more than applauding their work. It means attending exhibitions, buying books, going to gigs, commissioning design work and sharing their stories. It means building a cultural economy in Kent where everyone’s creativity has the space to thrive.

As the spotlight shines on Black History Month, Kent has much to celebrate. From the soulful melodies of Omar and the bold visuals of The Black Art Hub to the lyrical power of Maggie Harris and the trailblazing initiatives of Bernardine Evaristo, Black creatives are ensuring that Kent’s cultural scene is vibrant, inclusive and future-facing. Their stories remind us that creativity is not just about self-expression – it is about connection, empowerment and community. And in celebrating these voices, we celebrate Kent itself: a county enriched by diversity, proud of its talent, and open to the stories still to come.

blackhistorymonth.org.uk