Activism /

Activists Through History

The journey to liberation is far from over, indeed, it often feels like it is only just beginning. What we must not forget, however, is that those of us doing the work now are working from the blueprint of and with the ancestral fire from those who fought before us.

To our ancestral activist spectres, we give thanks for your fight, time, dedication and love.

We will continue to keep you alive through the speaking of your names, learning of your ideas, and the embodying of your effervescent spirits.

Ase.

Olive Morris

1952–1979

‘It seems to me that Olive came into the world fully formed in terms of her politics and ideas; that she knew what she wanted to do with her life. If she had lived, I am convinced that she would be campaigning against the current housing crisis, prison reform and white supremacy. She would have refined her ideas and found a space in the intellectual homes of the radical black tradition, Black British history and politics, African diaspora history, intersectionality, and Pan Africanist politics.’

- Dr Angelina Osborne

Thomas Sankara

1949–1987

Born to a family of some privilege due to his father’s position in the colonial military. In his early years of education his parents wanted him to be a priest, however he followed his own path and entered into the military.

Nasa Begum

1963 - 2011

A badass pioneer and comrade, Begum serves as a reminder to us that there are millions of voices, lives, advocates, activists, change-makers, beautiful human beings who have dedicated their time on this earth to make it a better space for those experiencing with them, and those to follow in the future.

Ella Baker

1903–1986

Ella Josephine Baker was an African-American civil rights and human rights activist. She was a largely behind-the-scenes organiser whose career spanned more than five decades.