Understanding the one-drop rule
The one-drop rule is a social and legal principle that originated in the United States. It dictates that any person with even one ancestor of African descent is considered black. This rule has played …
Features: Highlighting voices that deserve the spotlight
This is where stories come alive. Our Features hub highlights the trailblazers, changemakers, unsung heroes, and villains who have left their mark on history, culture, and the community. From global icons to local legends, we showcase individuals whose lives changed history, inspire, challenge, and uplift.
Each profile is more than a biography — it's a celebration of resilience, creativity, and impact. Whether you're discovering a revolutionary thinker, a cultural pioneer, or someone quietly changing the world, these stories remind us that greatness comes in many forms — and every voice matters.
The legacy of Elizabeth Obi and the Brixton Black Women’s Group
The Brixton Black Women’s Group (BBWG) was a groundbreaking organisation that was crucial in shaping the Black Power Movement in Britain during the 1960s and 1970s. At the forefront of this …
Olive Morris: A powerful advocate for Black women’s rights in Britain
Olive Morris was a political activist and key figure in the fight for black women’s rights in Britain during the 1970s. In her short life, Morris raised awareness of inequalities by travelling, …
Aretha Franklin: The iconic journey of the Queen of Soul
Aretha Franklin, the undisputed Queen of Soul, left an indelible mark on the music industry with her soul-stirring voice and powerful performances. Born on 25 March 1942 in Memphis, Tennessee, Aretha …
Dora Saint aka Miss Read
Miss Read (17 April 1913 – 7 April 2012)
Miss Read was the pen name of Dora Saint, who wrote over thirty books from the mid-1950s to the mid-1990s.
Dora Jessie Shafe was born on 17 April 1913 in …
The cultural divide between Cancel Culture and the rest of us
We have witnessed widely publicised examples of tension between social justice activists and those who advocate for restraint. The most recent example is the Cancel culture movement and its backlash …
The role of the media in fuelling culture wars
Media plays a vital role in shaping public awareness and providing information that shapes attitudes and opinions. The media has become a powerful tool, whether it is TV, radio, or the internet. As a …
Sybil Phoenix OBE – community leader
Sybil Phoenix is a community leader who has devoted her life to helping other people, especially in Lewisham, the town she made home.
Early years
She was born Sybil Theodora Marshall on 21 June …
Rosa May Billinghurst – suffragette and women’s rights activist
Lewisham’s famous women: Rosa May Billinghurst ( 1875 – 1953)
Rosa May Billinghurst (commonly known as May Billinghurst) was born on 31 May 1875 at 35 Granville Park, Lewisham. She was the second …
A vote of her own
6 February 2018 marked 100 years since the Representation of the People Act 1918 – the act which allowed some women in the UK the right to vote. This was a major landmark in the history of our …
Edith Lanchester – socialist and feminist
Lewisham’s famous women: Edith Lanchester (1871-1966)
Many people know of the famous Catford born actress Elsa Lanchester, but what do you know of her socialist and feminist mother, …
Clemence Dane (Winifred Ashton) – Novelist and playwright
Lewisham’s famous women: Clemence Dane (1888-1965)
Clemence Dane was born Winifred Ashton on 21 February 1888 in Westcombe Park Road, Blackheath. In 1897, the family moved to 22 Westwood Hill, …