To celebrate Black History Month this October, Rail Delivery Group’s race equality network, Embrace, have chosen to highlight notable Black people from important locations across the rail network. 

There are also links to some Black History Month events taking place in these locations, so you can travel by train and get involved.

Benjamin Zephaniah (1958-2023) was a writer, poet and activist, born in Handsworth. In 2011 he became a professor of poetry and creative writing at Brunel University London. Throughout his career, he was awarded 16 honorary doctorates. 

There are host of activities in Birmingham during Black History Month. 

Roy Hackett (1928-2022) was born in Jamaica, and moved to the UK in 1952 as part of the Windrush generation. He was a civil rights campaigner for the British African-Caribbean community in Bristol, and was one of the primary organisers of the Bristol Bus Boycott. In 2020 he was awarded an MBE for services to the community in Bristol. 

Here are some examples of events celebrating Black History Month in Bristol in the second half of October. 

Shirley Bassey was born in Cardiff in 1937. She is the only artist to have recorded songs for more than one James Bond film (Goldfinger, Diamonds Are Forever, and Moonraker). She was appointed a Dame in 1999 for services to the performing arts, and is the first woman to have a UK Top 40 album in seven consecutive decades. 

John Kent was Britain’s first Black police officer. He worked as a constable in Maryport, before joining the Carlisle City Police.

Eunice Olumide is a model, actress and presenter born in Edinburgh. She was awarded an MBE for services to broadcasting, the arts, and charity in 2017. 

 Kwame Nkrumah-Acheampong (Glasgow)

The first person of Ghanian decent to take part in the Winter Olympics, Kwame Nkrumah-Acheampong is also known as “The Snow Leopard”. He competed in the ski slalom event at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. He was born in Glasgow in 1974. 

If you're heading to Scotland this month, there are a wide variety of events on offer.  

Simon Woolley, Baron Woolley of Woodford, is a politician and activist, born in Leicester in 1961. He is the founder and director of Operation Black Vote, a nonprofit organisation which encourages community engagement and voter registration in minority ethnic communities. 

Check out what's on offer in Leicester. 

In September 2019, Anna Rothery became the first Black Lord Mayor of Liverpool. Born and raised in Toxteth, she has been a councillor on Liverpool City Council since 2006. She also works as Programme Coordinator for Migrant Workers North West.

Wilston Samuel Jackson was born in Jamaica, and moved to London in 1952. Ten years later, he was the first Black train driver in Britain. Based at King’s Cross and St Pancras until 1967, he drove both the Mallard and Flying Scotsman steam locomotives, as well as diesel trains. 

There's a huge selection of things you can get involved with in London. 

Sir William Arthur Lewis, born in St Lucia, was an economist who became Britain’s first Black lecturer in 1947 when he began a job at the Victoria University in Manchester. A year later, he was made a full professor, and taught there until 1957. He went on to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics in 1979. 

Here are 10 ways to celebrate Black History Month in Manchester. 

Robert Wellesley-Cole (1907-1995) was born in Freetown, Sierra Leone, and moved to the UK where he graduated from Newcastle Medical College in 1934. He became the first African Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in 1944. He practiced in Newcastle until 1949. 

There are sure to be many events in Newcastle, here's a suggestion to get you started. 

Louis Smith is the first British gymnast to win Olympic medals in three separate games, winning silver in London and Rio, and bronze in Beijing. He was awarded an MBE for services to gymnastics in 2013.  

A Motown experience, if you find yourself in Peterborough.

Arthur Warton migrated to the UK from Ghana. He became the first Black professional footballer in 1894, when he played for Sheffield United as a goalkeeper. 

Be empowered, educated and entertained by the options in Sheffield. 

Heather Melville is the Chancellor of the University of York, and was appointed this role due to her work supporting “a real culture of fairness, equality and justice.” 

Events in York

There's lots to explore in Yorkshire and Humberside.