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History

Black Tech Expo Hall of Fame

Black Tech Expo

Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame

Inspired by Legacy. Built by Community.

For centuries, Black leadership, intellect, creativity and courage have shaped the world. This archive recognizes those whose impact best established foundations and those who continue to build upon them.

Hall of Fame legacy leaders

“Their vision built the future. Their legacy lights the way”

From great
ancient kingdoms to
modern innovators.

Explore the Legacy

126+

Inductees

1,245+

Community Champions

35+

Regions

485+

Award Winners

Carol Ann Whitehead, Executive Director Heritage & Legacy
Carol Ann Whitehead
I.

The Legacy Timeline

Six centuries of impact, one continuum

From ancient kingdoms to modern innovators, Black excellence has shaped the world. Scroll through the record.

1200s

Mansa Musa

Mansa Musa

Wealth & Scholarship

14th-century emperor of Mali, symbol of African wealth, scholarship and global trade networks.

1500s

John Blanke

John Blanke

Tudor Court Musician

Royal trumpeter in Tudor England, documented in the 1511 Westminster Tournament Roll.

1700s

Toussaint Louverture

Toussaint Louverture

Haitian Revolution Leader

Architect of the Haitian Revolution, the first successful uprising that reshaped global power structures.

1800s

Harriet Tubman

Harriet Tubman

Freedom Strategist

Strategist and liberator who led enslaved people to freedom through the Underground Railroad.

1900s

Claudia Jones

Claudia Jones

Civil Rights Pioneer

Journalist, activist and organiser whose work shaped Black British political and cultural history.

2000s

Modern Innovators

Modern Innovators

Technology & Leadership

A new generation advancing technology, education, entrepreneurship and social impact.

← Drag to explore the archive →

II.

Foundations

Foundations of Greatness

Pre-1900 leadership and power. These figures represent early visibility, sovereignty and resistance proof that Black excellence has always existed at the centre of history.

John Blanke

John Blanke

C. 1511

Music. Court. Presence.

Court musician in the Tudor household. One of the earliest recorded Black individuals in Britain.

Mansa Musa

Mansa Musa

14TH CENTURY

Wealth. Scholarship. Empire.

Emperor of Mali, symbol of African wealth, scholarship and global trade networks.

Queen Nzinga

Queen Nzinga

17TH CENTURY

Strategy. Resistance. Statecraft.

Queen of Ndongo and Matamba who resisted Portuguese expansion and defended African sovereignty.

Yaa Asantewaa

Yaa Asantewaa

1840–1921

Courage. Leadership. Legacy.

Leader of the Ashanti resistance whose courage inspired generations across Africa.

Toussaint Louverture

Toussaint Louverture

1743–1803

Revolution reshaped the world.

Leader of the Haitian Revolution whose leadership transformed global history.

III.

Intellectual & Literary Traditions

Voices that moved a nation

18th–19th century thought leaders whose words transformed public consciousness and reshaped moral debate across continents.

Olaudah Equiano

Olaudah Equiano

1745–1797

Author and abolitionist whose autobiography influenced the British anti-slavery movement.

Sojourner Truth

Sojourner Truth

C.1797–1883

Abolitionist and women's rights activist whose speeches challenged injustice at its core.

Frederick Douglass

Frederick Douglass

1818–1895

Orator, statesman and one of the most powerful advocates for emancipation and equality.

Harriet Tubman

Harriet Tubman

C.1822–1913

Strategist and liberator who led enslaved people to freedom via the Underground Railroad.

Chinua Achebe
1930–2013

Until the lions have their own historians,the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter

Chinua AchebeAuthor, Things Fall Apart

IV.

UK & Manchester Influence

Institutional impact, civic
leadership

These figures shaped modern Britain and local community transformation anchoring this archive to Manchester

Claudia Jones

Claudia Jones

1915–1964

Culture as resistance.

Founder of the Notting Hill Carnival and advocate for Caribbean communities in Britain.

Erinma Bell
Spirit of Manchester

Erinma Bell

Featured Inductee · 2026

Peace built from within.

Community peace advocate and civic leader recognised for long standing contributions to youth engagement and neighborhood safety in Manchester.

Doreen Lawrence

Doreen Lawrence

1952 – Present

Justice through perseverance.

Campaigner for justice and systemic reform in the UK legal system.

V

Global Modern Era

Global Inspiration

20th 21st century influence. Illustrated portraits only, in keeping with an interpretive, non-photographic archive style.

Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela

1918–2013

Global symbol of resilience, reconciliation and principled leadership.

Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou

1928–2014

Poet and memoirist whose words continue to empower across generations.

Wangari Maathai

Wangari Maathai

1940–2011

Environmental leader and Nobel laureate whose work inspired global change.

Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton

Active

Seven time World Champion and advocate for diversity in global sport.

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Your guide through the archive

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VI.

Contemporary Archive

Community Champions

History does not end with icons. It continues through entrepreneurs, technologists, mentors, and youth leaders every graduate, every speaker, every innovator shaping the future now.

Wayne Bennett

GMBTE AFRICA4U EMPLOYABILITY & WORKFORCE IMPACT AWARD

Wayne Bennett

Recognized for improving access to employment by connecting skills, opportunity, and real workforce pathways across Greater Manchester.

Employability & Workforce Impact

Esther Aluko

GMBTE AFRICA4U COMMUNITY COACH & MENTOR AWARD

Esther Aluko

Recognized for guiding individuals through mentorship and coaching, connecting skills, and opportunity across Greater Manchester.

Community Coach & Mentor

Samantha Lubanzu

GMBTE AFRICA4U COMMUNITY MENTOR & LEADERSHIP AWARD

Samantha Lubanzu

Recognized for leading through mentorship and service, nurturing confidence, capability, and positive change across the community.

Community Leadership

Lewis Adeniregun

GMBTE AFRICA4U LOCAL BUSINESS & ECONOMIC SUPPORT AWARD

Lewis Adeniregun

Recognized for strengthening local businesses and supporting economic growth within the community.

Local Business Support

Carol Ann Whitehead

GMBTE AFRICA4U LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Carol Ann Whitehead

Recognized for a lifetime of service, leadership, and a long lasting impact within the community. She's a huge inspiration to all.

Lifetime Achievement

Ngozi Weller

GMBTE AFRICA4U HEALTH, WELLBEING & SOCIAL IMPACT AWARD

Ngozi Weller

Recognized for advancing health, wellbeing, and positive social impact within the community.

Health & Social Impact

Mary Temiloluwa Ogunrewo

GMBTE AFRICA4U EMERGING TECH TALENT AWARD

Mary Temiloluwa Ogunrewo

Recognized for demonstrating exceptional innovation, skill, and promise in technology, shaping the future of Africa's digital landscapes.

Emerging Tech Talent

Daniel Jimoh

GMBTE AFRICA4U STUDENT EXCELLENCE IN DATA & AI AWARD

Daniel Jimoh

Recognized for outstanding achievement and innovation in Data and AI, advancing knowledge and driving impactful solutions in the digital era.

Student Excellence Data & AI

Donna Sergeant

GMBTE AFRICA4U HERITAGE ADVOCACY & SOCIAL IMPACT AWARD

Donna Sergeant

Recognized for championing heritage preservation and driving positive social impact within communities across Africa.

Heritage Advocacy & Social Impact

Leone Shaw-Brown

GMBTE AFRICA4U HERITAGE & JUSTICE ADVOCACY AWARD

Leone Shaw-Brown

Recognized for promoting heritage preservation and advancing justice through impactful advocacy across communities in Africa.

Heritage & Justice Advocacy

Paul Obinna

GMBTE AFRICA4U CULTURAL INNOVATION & DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT

Paul Obinna

Recognized for driving cultural innovation and harnessing digital engagement to inspire, connect, and empower communities across Africa.

Cultural Innovation & Digital Engagement

Veronica Owusu

GMBTE AFRICA4U GLOBAL CHANGE MAKER AWARD

Veronica Owusu

Recognized for creating transformative impact and driving positive change on a global scale through leadership, innovation, and vision.

Global Change Maker

Lisa Rees-O'Donnell

GMBTE AFRICA4U ALLY CHAMPION AWARD

Lisa Rees-O'Donnell

In recognition of outstanding commitment to advancing inclusion, equity, and opportunity for Black communities.

Ally Champion

Inspired by Legacy. Built by Community

Legacy continues
with us.

Next Induction Ceremony

17 July, 2026

10am - 2pm

47 Lloyd St, MANCHESTER M2 5LETitle: POWER OF EXPRESSION 2026
Power of Expression 2026 induction ceremony