BESTOFKENT
Black History Month 2025 cont...
THE BLACK CREATIVES ENRICHING KENT’ S CULTURE
BLACK HISTORY MONTH IS MORE THAN A MOMENT ON THE CALENDAR; IT’ S A VIBRANT CELEBRATION OF THE PEOPLE AND STORIES THAT WEAVE TOGETHER THE DIVERSE CULTURAL FABRIC OF OUR COMMUNITIES. IN KENT, A COUNTY STEEPED IN HISTORY AND HERITAGE, THE CREATIVE VOICES OF BLACK ARTISTS, MUSICIANS, WRITERS AND DESIGNERS ARE ENRICHING THE CULTURAL SCENE IN WAYS THAT ARE BOTH INSPIRING AND TRANSFORMATIVE. THEIR WORK TELLS STORIES OF HERITAGE, OF RESILIENCE AND OF INNOVATION, WHILE THEIR PRESENCE IN THE COMMUNITY FOSTERS INCLUSIVITY AND EMPOWERMENT. IN CELEBRATION OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2025, THE THEME OF WHICH IS‘ STANDING FIRM IN POWER AND PRIDE’, POLLY HUMPHRIS SHINES A SPOTLIGHT ON THE TRAILBLAZING BLACK CREATIVES WHO ARE SHAPING THE COUNTY’ S CULTURAL SCENE.
Visual Arts
In Medway, an artistic revolution is quietly but powerfully taking place. Founded by the dynamic artist Michi Masumi, The Black Art Hub has become more than just an exhibition space: it is a cultural movement that exists to amplify the voices of grassroots Black British visual artists and poets, offering them a space to express identity, heritage and lived experience in a way that is unapologetically authentic.
Workshops, creative collaborations and peer reviews form the backbone of this initiative, fostering not only skill-building but also community. The hub’ s exhibitions, such as 2024’ s Intersectionality showcase, an offshoot of The Black Art Trail Project, have become must-see events, providing both artists and audiences the chance to reflect on the complexity and beauty of Black British life. Vitally, The Black Art Hub isn’ t just about looking at art, it’ s about feeling seen, heard and celebrated.
Michi Masumi herself is emblematic of this mission, her work blending bold visuals with storytelling that speaks of ancestry, identity and the unrelenting power of creativity as activism. By providing a platform to others, she ensures that the hub has a legacy far greater than the sum of its parts – it is a thriving community where talent is nurtured and diversity is celebrated.
Music
If Kent has a musical jewel, it is undoubtedly Omar Lyefook MBE, the British soul legend who proudly calls the county home. Known simply as Omar to his legion of fans, his unmistakable voice and innovative sound have graced stages worldwide, winning him a reputation as one of the UK’ s finest musical exports.
From collaborations with Stevie Wonder to working alongside Erykah Badu and Carleen Anderson, Omar’ s career spans decades of soulful storytelling through music, yet despite his international success, Omar’ s Kentish roots ground him in the community, inspiring a new generation of local musicians. His music – a distinctive blend of soul, jazz, funk and R & B – carries the imprint of heritage, creativity and resilience, echoing the very ethos of Black History Month.
Beyond the records and the accolades, Omar’ s greatest gift to Kent is the cultural inspiration he provides, with young musicians looking to him as proof that from this corner of the country, you can shape global conversations through music.
Design
Graphic designer, diversity and inclusion consultant, lecturer and public speaker of Caribbean heritage, Greg Bunbury has built a career on the idea that design is far more than decoration – it is a powerful tool for social change. Based out of The Margate School, Greg’ s work champions diversity and inclusion, ensuring that organisations and brands not only speak to wider audiences but truly connect with them.
Through his workshops, consultancy projects and creative campaigns, Greg places social consciousness at the heart of design, with his projects often exploring themes of identity and representation, offering platforms where underrepresented communities see themselves reflected and celebrated. In a county like Kent, where
OMAR LYEFOOK
GREG BUNBURY
18 • www. insidekent. co. uk