MEGHAN AND Harry have today launched a campaign to recognise black British leaders making a positive impact.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex worked in collaboration with the Evening Standard to highlight the work of black Britons working across various sectors.

The couple selected individuals they know, have met and those recommended to them to compile the list which features Dr Nicola Rollock, Akala, gal-dem magazine founder Liv Little and poet Caleb Femi. 

In an article written by the pair, they said: “We are today recognising a group of notable leaders whose influence is making a positive and lasting impact on British culture.

“In addition to highlighting their contribution to society, we asked them to identify another member of the black community in Britain whose cause-driven work is creating a lasting legacy for the next generation of Brits.”

While the pair’s campaign is a very public reflection and action to mark Black History Month in Britain, Meghan revealed to Evening Standard journalist Abbianca Makoni, that despite living in the UK for a number of years, she was not previously aware of its existence.

“I didn’t realise there was a Black History Month in Britain,” she said.

Prince Harry, who was interviewed alongside Meghan shared his personal understanding of the importance of Black History Month and representation. He said: “You can only be what you can see.”

He added: “The UK is incredibly diverse and London especially is celebrated as one of the most diverse cities in the world but then if you actually get out on the streets and talk to people i think it doesn’t always feel as diverse as it actually is and therefore now is the best time for us to use our platform – join with your platform as well – so we can actually start a conversation and introduce people to the black community that are making a massive difference within their own communities but across the UK as a whole as well.” 

Harry also spoke about how the month and the campaign was an opportunity to increase awareness and education. 

“I’ve had an awakening as such of my own because I wasn’t aware of so many of the issues and so many of the problems within the UK and globally as well,” he said.  

Meghan added: “It’s educational but it’s also really exciting to find more people in the community that are inspirational.”

The pair were also asked about the Black Lives Matter movement in the UK, which Meghan said she didn’t think there was anything controversial about it in terms of its mission for equality to be recognised.

Education is one such area in which campaigners are working on achieving equality.

Referring to the work of educational campaigner and founder and CEO of The Black Curriculum, Lavinya Stennet, Meghan said: “When you start to look at history books and what we’re taught to see it through a different lens, at least see it through a diverse lens, will help shape how children understand where they come from and then to know better where they’re going.”

You can see the Duke and Duchess’s Black History Month Next Gen Trailblazers list here.