Meet the people behind our Black History Month portraits

For Black History Month, we invited local Black residents to share their experiences, achievements and hopes for the future as part of our Honouring Our Communities photography exhibition at Wokingham Library. 

Here are their stories:

Barbara and Florence

Barbara lives independently in her own flat in Wokingham, close to the town centre she loves. With support from her primary support worker, Florence, she enjoys getting out and about, whether that's travelling to Reading or Bracknell for shopping and lunch, meeting friends, or taking part in the many groups and activities that fill her week.

Growing up in Arborfield as one of eight children, Barbara comes from a large, close-knit family and remains proud of her role as an auntie and great-auntie to her many nieces and nephews. Family is at the heart of her life, and she treasures spending time with relatives, keeping in touch regularly, and enjoying family celebrations whenever she can.

Barbara enjoys bowling, holidays, café trips, and socialising, and is a familiar face at CLASP (Caring, Listening, And Supporting Partnership) events and activities. She is especially proud to be a member of the CLASP Choir and to have taken part in CLASP stage shows. She values people who take the time to listen, have a chat, and share a laugh, and she brings warmth and kindness wherever she goes.

Since supporting Barbara in 2023, Florence has had the privilege of seeing her achieve personal goals with determination and confidence. Through their time together, she has watched Barbara grow, embrace new opportunities, and continue building the independent life she enjoys today. Together, they show how encouragement, friendship, and community can help people thrive.

Dr Thanda Mhlanga

Thanda’s life and work have been shaped by Ubuntu, a Nguni African philosophy often expressed as "I am because we are." Ubuntu emphasises compassion, dignity and human interconnectedness, teaching that our humanity is realised through our relationships with others.

Guided by these values, Thanda and his family are proud to call Charvil home. They have found it to be a welcoming community and a place where their children can learn, grow, and thrive.

Through voluntary roles in education, faith, sport, and local engagement, Thanda has sought to give back to his community. These experiences have strengthened his belief that thriving communities are built through participation, service, and mutual support.

For Thanda, Honouring Our Communities is about recognising both the progress society has made and the inequalities that continue to shape people's opportunities and experiences. It is about more than celebration. It is about ensuring that people who have historically been overlooked are seen, heard and valued.

Thanda's own culture, family, faith and community have reinforced these values throughout his life, teaching him that justice, belonging, and human dignity are responsibilities that we all share.

He is proud to have built a career that reflects these principles. Through his work in the NHS and through Ignite Inclusive Leadership, he has focused on helping organisations remove barriers, challenge bias, and create opportunities for people from all backgrounds to thrive.

While he is proud of the impact of his professional work, Thanda's greatest source of pride is his family. As a husband and father, his greatest motivation is helping to create a more compassionate, inclusive, and equitable society for future generations.

His message to future generations is simple: embrace education, remain curious, and cultivate empathy. Education is not only about gaining knowledge. It is about developing the confidence to question injustice, challenge discrimination, and uphold the dignity of others.

Francis Mbiye Kaninda

Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Francis’ journey has taken him from Central Africa to Belgium and eventually to the United Kingdom. As the eldest son in his family, he learned early the importance of responsibility, resilience, and supporting those around him. Today, he is a proud father of five children and remains guided by the values of family, community, and service.

After moving from the Democratic Republic of Congo to the UK, Francis built a career in technology and software, learning English while continuing to develop professionally. His work has spanned the private and public sectors, including projects that helped strengthen public services and infrastructure in Congo.

Today, Francis works for Wokingham Borough Council, where he is committed to supporting local communities, building partnerships, and helping residents access opportunities and services. Since joining the council in 2022, he has worked with colleagues and community organisations to strengthen connections across the borough.

For Francis, Honouring Our Communities means recognising the value of every person's story and ensuring that communities are built on understanding, inclusion, and mutual respect. He believes that by listening to one another and working together, we create stronger communities for future generations.

Francis is most proud of using his skills and experience to make a positive difference in people's lives. Whether helping bring NHS Health Checks into local communities or supporting local groups to grow and connect, he believes success is not measured by personal recognition, but by the opportunities created for others.

His message to future generations is simple: never let your circumstances define your potential. Be proud of your heritage, embrace learning, work hard, and persevere through challenges. Success is not only about what you achieve for yourself, but how you help others along the way.

Funmi Alder

From an early age, Funmi knew she wanted to be a teacher. Encouraged by her aunties to aim high in education and beyond, she developed a strong belief in the power of learning to transform lives and open doors.

Today, as Headteacher of Bearwood Primary School, Funmi is passionate about helping every child achieve their potential and preparing them for the next stage of their educational journey. She believes that every child deserves the opportunity to succeed and thrive.

Funmi is proud to work in Wokingham Borough, recognising its commitment to inclusion, equity, and creating safe spaces where everyone feels valued. She particularly values the borough's work to support children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and its ambition to ensure that all residents have the opportunity to flourish.

For Funmi, Honouring Our Communities means recognising and celebrating those who have overcome challenges and adversity, paving the way for future generations. It is about acknowledging the trailblazers whose courage, determination, and achievements have created opportunities for others to follow.

Her message to the next generation is simple: focus on your education, know your purpose, and believe in your potential. Be clear about your goals, work hard to achieve them, and never be afraid to let your light shine.

Jacqui Mukono

Jacqui is the founder of Project Salama, a community-led organisation supporting survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence, harmful practices, and trauma. Through culturally sensitive support, advocacy, and wellbeing services, she has dedicated herself to creating safe spaces where people feel seen, heard, and empowered to rebuild their lives.

As a mother of neurodivergent children, Jacqui is a passionate advocate for inclusion, diversity, and intersectionality. Her personal and professional experiences have deepened her understanding of how identity and lived experience shape the support people need, reinforcing her commitment to ensuring everyone feels valued, respected, and able to thrive.

Proud to serve communities across Wokingham Borough, Jacqui has helped build connections through initiatives such as Chai & Chat sessions and specialist support services. She believes strong communities are built through compassion, understanding, and celebrating the contributions of people from all backgrounds.

Jacqui is most proud of the impact Project Salama has had on survivors and their families, and of the volunteers, professionals, and community members who have helped create a supportive network for those who may otherwise feel isolated or unheard. 

Jacqui’s message to future generations is to lead with kindness, courage, and compassion. She encourages future generations to celebrate their heritage, value diversity, and be proud of who they are. She believes communities become stronger when people stand alongside one another, challenge injustice, and ensure everyone feels safe, respected, and included.

Jael Gomez-Santana

Jael is proud of her Caribbean heritage and the values it has given her, including the importance of family, education, hard work, and respect for others. Originally from Trinidad, her journey brought her to the UK, where she has built a career in education and raised her family.

A secondary school maths teacher, Jael is passionate about helping young people reach their potential. She finds great joy in supporting students and seeing them grow in confidence, especially when something they once found difficult suddenly makes sense.

After moving to Wokingham from London ten years ago, Jael built a life rooted in family, friendships, and community. She values the area's strong sense of connection and the way people from different cultures, backgrounds, and generations come together. For her, belonging is about both feeling welcomed and sharing something of yourself with others.

To Jael, Honouring Our Communities means recognising the people, cultures, and experiences that have helped make us who we are. It means celebrating where we come from while also appreciating the communities we are part of today.

Family has always been at the centre of Jael's life. Growing up as one of five children and now raising four children of her own, she believes success is not only about personal achievement but also about supporting others and setting a positive example for future generations. Her Caribbean heritage has taught her the importance of family, hard work, looking out for one another and finding reasons to laugh, even when life does not go to plan.

Jael's message to future generations is to be proud of who they are and where they come from. She encourages young people to value education, work hard and take opportunities when they arise, while remembering that setbacks are a natural part of life. Above all, she hopes people will continue to show kindness, respect and support for one another, recognising that strong communities are built when everyone feels they belong.

Natalie Stephens

Natalie Stephens is a Financial Assessment Officer at Wokingham Borough Council and Co-Chair of the Ethnically Diverse Staff Network. Her story is not a straightforward one, but it has shaped her understanding of identity, belonging, and community.

Natalie was raised by her amazing white mum, who gave her the values, resilience, and support that continue to guide her today. Although she sadly lost her mum last year, she remains incredibly proud to be her daughter.

Her connection to her Black heritage came later in life. Natalie's grandmother was part of the Windrush generation, travelling from Barbados to the UK to work as an NHS nurse. Learning more about her grandmother's story helped Natalie understand and embrace an important part of her own identity.

Wokingham is special to Natalie because it is a place where people are encouraged to be themselves and feel they belong. To Natalie, Honouring Our Communities means recognising that every story is different. She is proud to help create inclusive spaces where people feel seen, valued, and supported.

Her message to future generations is simple: embrace your story, celebrate your differences, and help others to belong too.

Ray Hassan

Ray was born in Tiger Bay, Cardiff, one of the oldest multicultural communities in the UK. With Somali and Irish heritage, she is proud of the rich history, diversity, and resilience that shaped her early life. Growing up in a community where people celebrated different cultures, religions, and traditions together taught her the value of kindness, respect, and understanding from an early age.

After living in London for 16 years, Ray moved to Berkshire and has called Wokingham Borough home for the past seven years. She values the balance of being surrounded by nature while remaining close to family and friends in the city. Whether spending time at Dinton Pastures with her family and dog, or supporting local people through Citizens Advice, Ray enjoys being part of a strong and caring community.

While her childhood was shaped by inclusion and belonging, Ray also experienced racism as a young person when she moved into a less diverse environment. Those experiences gave her a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by many people and strengthened her commitment to equality, fairness, and community connection. She believes that Honouring our communities means recognising what brings people together, respecting differences, and valuing the contributions that everyone makes.

Ray is most proud of her four children and the positive impact they are making in the world. From careers in law and broadcasting, to representing England and Wales in international basketball, she has watched them grow into confident young adults who challenge injustice, embrace diversity, and use their voices to create positive change.

Drawing on her own journey, Ray encourages future generations to believe in their worth, work hard, and never give up on their ambitions. She believes that with determination, support from others and a commitment to treating people with kindness and respect, positive change is possible. Her hope is that future generations continue pushing for a more equal and inclusive society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Stephanie Todd

Stephanie is a Black Deaf woman of Bermudian heritage, a mum of three, and the person behind WovenAware. Born in Bermuda, she moved to the UK when she was five for better access to Deaf education. Her family, heritage, and Deaf identity have all shaped who she is today.

Wokingham has been home for Stephanie and her family since 2012, and it is where her children are growing up. Through the Inclusive Design Group, she has become more involved in the wider community. 

For Stephanie, belonging is not just being invited into a room. It means being able to take part properly, having communication access and knowing she can be herself. 

WovenAware grew from years of experiences and thoughts she could not always put into words. She now uses writing and storytelling to help people notice what may sit beneath the surface.

Her hope for future generations is simple: that they never feel they have to make themselves smaller just to belong, and that every part of who they are matters.

Thank you to Dave Rapley and Steve Buesden from the Wokingham Photography Club for taking.