Prominent people | Salford CVS

Edward T Nelson (1874 - 1940)

Edward T Nelson, who was born in Guyana, was one of the first black barristers in England. Having studied at St John’s College Oxford, he became a barrister in 1904 and his legal practice was based at King Street in the centre of Manchester.

Olive Morris (1952 - 1979)

Olive Morris was a community activist in the 1970s. Despite dying aged only 27, she made a great impact on the rights of black women. While at the University of Manchester she co-founded the Manchester Black Women’s Co-operative and the Black Women’s Mutual Aid Group.

Nana Bonsu

Also known as Beresford 'Berry' Edwards, Nana Bonsu is regarded as a founding father of Manchester’s African-Caribbean community. He came to Britain in 1960 and fought to better the lives of those in that community through empowerment, better housing and political awareness.

Sharon Amesu

Born and bred in Manchester, Sharon Amesu is a Leadership Speaker and Executive Coach who has influenced business leaders to lead more effectively, more courageously and, importantly, more inclusively. She empowers people to make a difference.

Lemn Sissay MBE

Lemn Sissay MBE is a world renowned author and broadcaster. He has been BAFTA nominated and is an International Prize writer, who was awarded an MBE for services to literature by The Queen. Born in Wigan, Greater Manchester to an Ethiopian Mother, Lemn Sissay took stories from his own life to produce some of his most notable work.

Louise Da-Cocodia (1934-2008)

Louise Da-Cocodia was a pioneering nurse who worked at Manchester Royal Infirmary and later became the Deputy Chief Nursing Officer for the city. Beyond her nursing career, she was a notable community activist who fought against racism, advocated for better educational opportunities for Black children, and worked on improving community relations. In recognition of her contributions, Da-Cocodia was appointed as a Justice of the Peace in 1978 and was later honored with an MBE.

Diane Modahl MBE

One of Britain’s most successful athletes, Withington-raised Diane chairs Greater Manchester's new Young Person’s Task Force, set up by the Mayor's office to challenge the effect of the COVID-19 crisis on young people in our city.
She founded Diane Modahl Sports Foundation (DMSF) in 2010 to champion undiscovered talent - and brings elite coaching and mentoring opportunities to able-bodied and disabled young people, particularly those living in disadvantaged areas.

Justin Onuekwusi

Fund manager Justin is one of Britain's most influential investors, recently honoured with the Freedom of the City of London in recognition for his work promoting inclusivity in the financial sector. The former St Monica's High School pupil grew up in Cheetham Hill and, as Head of Retail Multi-Asset Funds for Legal and General, holds a coveted position in the UK's world-leading financial sector. He has been instrumental in a number of events and initiatives to encourage inclusiveness in the industry, such as the Investment 20/20 and Diversity Project, which connected 100 students from black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds to 30 different asset managers.

Shirley May

A generation of actors, writers, poets and spoken word artists have been inspired and coached by Shirley May through her work as the director of Young Identity, a writing collective for young people. A renowned poet from the city's Speakeasy collective, she has performed internationally, and is a key figure in Manchester's literary scene. Having spent years as a creative mentor, she encourages youngsters to 'examine each life experience' and persist in their goals - as well as finding their voice in verse and make the most of their potential.

Lydia Ina

Lydia, from Fallowfield, spent decades fostering children in Manchester before founding an orphanage in Nigeria, supported by the charity she founded, the Gapolunya Foundation. Her dedication to providing vulnerable children with shelter and access to education, supporting subsistence farmers and malaria prevention has seen her hailed as 'Africa's Mother Theresa' - work made possible through fundraising in Manchester.

Sally Penni

A high profile barrister, Sally is the founder of Women in Law UK which aims to support the next generation of leaders in law. A keen fundraiser, she has supported numerous local and national charities including Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, and is also the founder of social enterprise FMD which campaigns to end loneliness and isolation.

Information taken from:

https://artsandculture.google.com/story/5-key-black-figures-from-greater-manchester-greater-manchester-chamber-of-commerce/lwVhfeZPUHegug?hl=en

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/black-history-month-black-brilliant-19025494

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