Profiles: Civic and political campaigners

OBV Profile: Dr William 'Lez' Henry

.. he was forced to go to the local comprehensive school, on account of his skin colour

OBV Profile - Dal Babu (Superintendent)

Was it a sense of civic duty that drove a young Dal Babu to join the Metropolitan Police force back in 1983?

OBV Profile - Farida Anderson

Farida Anderson MBE, can be described as the 'mother and father' figure of the national charity POPs - Partners of Prisoners, for having provided advice, guidance and strength to many ...

OBV Profile - Mia Jones

Mia Jones was a Liberal Democrat councillor for Chester, a former local authority cabinet member and parliamentary candidate in the 2005 General Election. On top of this she also runs her ...

OBV Profile: Abdul Malik

“Basically I knew there was an opportunity and vital service needed in this area that was profitable in the way that I could give back to the community and empower them and so this was the way to ...

OBV Profile: Adeela Shafi

"I know that there are many Pakistani Muslims who say 'we've always voted Labour so let's leave it at that',"

OBV Profile: Ali Hadawi

Iraqi-born Ali Hadawi is the principal of Southend Adult Community College who has a simple yet powerful agenda

OBV Profile: Amerdeep Somal

Among the most fulfilling parts of her work is the thought that she is making a difference

OBV Profile: Anna Manwah Lo

Lo, elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly in March 2007, got straight into action by outlining the government’s first policy on the racial equality strategy

OBV Profile: Art Hall

Much of his ideals have always been about standing up for peoples' rights and fighting for those who are less privileged

OBV Profile: Brian Haley

Haley, said to be “one of the most influential Black councillor’s in London

OBV Profile: Chris Mullard

One of Focus’s many achievements has been an increase in the level of ethnic minority candidates recruited into the British Army

OBV Profile: Chuka Umunna

Some would say his life has been one long preparation for a future in politics

OBV Profile: Cllr Betty Evans-Jacas

Noted as referring to Martin Luther King as her political hero, Cllr Evans-Jacas herself has made considerable contributions to the fight for equality

OBV Profile: David Michael

David Michael was just one of a handful of Black people who joined the Metropolitan Police Service in the early 1970s. He became one of the founding members of the Black Police Association at a ...

OBV Profile: David Weaver

As one of the founding members of the human rights campaigning organisation The 1990 Trust, David Weaver has been an inevitable force in seeking equality for Black people. OBV profiles one of ...

OBV Profile: Denise Headley

This week OBV profiles Enfield Labour Cllr Denise Headley who has dedicated her life and career to political activism and community regeneration.

OBV Profile: Donatus Anyanwu

This week OBV profiles Labour councillor Donatus Anyanwu who makes it his goal to help excluded and disadvantaged communities.

OBV Profile: Floyd Millen

This week OBV profiles Labour Party member Floyd Millen who was recently selected to be on the list of potential candidates for Members of Parliament.

OBV Profile: Gavin Jacobs

Growing up during the apartheid in South Africa was just one of the many challenges faced by Pastor Gavin Jacobs, today he is the director of Youth Alliance, an organisation striving to ...

OBV Profile: George Lee

George Lee has made one of the quickest jumps in any political career. From joining the Conservative Party in 2007 he is now its parliamentary candidate for Holborn and St Pancras. OBV ...

OBV Profile: Gloria Hyatt

Gloria Hyatt can be regarded as someone who made a historical milestone becoming the first Black head teacher in Liverpool and establishing the UK's first Black independent school. OBV profiles ...

OBV Profile: Gloria Mills

For the past 30 years Gloria Mills has played a dynamic role in the trade union movement. The pinnacle of her career to date was her appointment as the president of the Trade Union Congress in ...

OBV Profile: Harinder Mann

This week OBV profiles the political trailblazer Harinder Mann, who was the first ethnic minority person to stand in North Yorkshire for the 2005 general election, and who is now at the forefront ...

OBV Profile: Harmander Singh

Few men from the South-East region of Asia or anywhere else, for that matter, can boast a life that connects as many dots in public life as Harmander Singh.

OBV Profile: Hyacinth Parsons

“Rising to the challenges posed by a job is the driving force for and the explanation of a diverse portfolio” says Hyacinth Parsons. OBV takes a glimpse of her life and achievements.

OBV Profile: Jennette Arnold

Jennette Arnold plays an instrumental role serving the needs of her community as a member of the London Assembly. OBV profile's this keen snow skier and former nurse looking at her life and how ...

OBV Profile: Joe Montgomery

Joe Montgomery is the person responsible for the implementation of regenerating many areas around the country. OBV profiles the director general by looking at some of his achievements.

OBV Profile: Karamjit Singh

Philanthropist Karamjit Singh has made it a personal commitment to make a difference in society. OBV profiles the Electoral Commission’s only BME commissioner, taking a look at his life and ...

OBV Profile: Kay Hampton

As the final chair of the Commission for Racial Equality Kay Hampton has played an important role ensuring that race equality matters are put on the political agenda. As the CRE comes to a close ...

OBV Profile: Kulveer Ranger

Kulveer Ranger is no ordinary politician. OBV profiles the former DJ looking at what he hopes to achieve in his political career as a Conservative Party member.

OBV Profile: Mari Rees

Can she do it? That is the question being asked of OBV shadow Mari Rees, Wales' prospective future MP. But this is not a story about how one woman seeks to become the country's first black ...

OBV Profile: Marvin Rees

Tackling poverty and racism is at the heart of Marvin Rees' political aim, OBV profiles this potential MP by looking at some of the experiences that have shaped his career.

OBV Profile: Matilda MacAttram

Matilda MacAttram is one of the leading figures addressing the issue of mental health within the African-Caribbean community. OBV takes a glance at her life and her campaign to amend the 2006 ...

OBV Profile: Merlene Emerson

Merlene Emerson has joined the growing ranks of political leaders of Chinese origin in the UK by her election as a prospective parliamentary candidate for the Liberal Democrat party. The ...

OBV Profile: Mia Morris

Mia Morris, described as a renaissance woman, has established herself as a leading light in the Black community. OBV profiles this lady on a mission to raise Black awareness.

OBV Profile: Priti Patel

Priti Patel is tipped to be the first Asian woman MP for the Conservative Party. OBV profiles this prominent politician looking at her task ahead as a candidate for the new constituency of ...

OBV Profile: Shaun Bailey

Shaun Bailey is a rising politician with a distinct advantage. With no political background but a passion for youth and community work he is recognised for being able to represent people he can ...

OBV Profile: Shirley Marshall

Shirley Marshall (pictured) made history becoming the first Black woman councillor in Bristol City Council. OBV takes a look at this church minister's life, career and the many community ...

OBV Profile: Sonika Nirwal

As the first Asian women to ever lead a political group on any council, Sonika Nirwal looks set to continue that trend in the hope of becoming a Member of Parliament. OBV speaks to Nirwal about ...

OBV Profile: Steve Stephenson

There are few equality advocates that have had a career in race relations that spans as long as Steve Stephenson. OBV Profiles a man on a lifetime mission.

OBV Profile: Sukhninder Gill

Sukhninder Gill, also known by many of his colleagues as 'Rocky', has actively made grassroots politics an obligation in the borough of Barking and Dagenham. OBV profiles the Labour councillor, ...

OBV Profile: Sunder Katwala

This week OBV profiles Sunder Katwala, the general secretary of the political think tank, the Fabian Society. We take a look at Katwala's life and glance over some of the progressive steps the ...

OBV Profile: Sylbourne Sydial

Noted for his cause to promote the political advancement in Black and minority ethnic (BME) communities, OBV profiles lawyer Sylbourne Sydial, the man who hopes to be the first Jamaican born ...

OBV Profile: Thabo Jaiyesimi

Next month photographer Thabo Jaiyesimi launches his new exhibition of work, OBV profiles this artist discussing the social and political content of his photography.

OBV Profile: Yousuf Miah

Yousuf Miah has come a long way since he came to England from Bangladesh. OBV profiles this prominent Conservative councillor and looks at some of the hopes he has for his local area. ...

OBV Profile: Zehra Zaidi

A passion for life, a passion for politics! Such words seem to fit Zehra Zaidi, who at the age of 33 is on the verge of making an impact in the world of European politics. In March 2008, Zehra ...

OBV Profile: Ziauddin Sardar

Ziauddin Sardar has established himself as one of the leading scholarly writers in Britain having penned over 40 books. OBV profiles the political writer who now stands as a commissioner for ...

Profiles: Civic and political campaigners

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