This year’s Black History Month theme, Reclaiming Narratives, marks a powerful shift in how we view and celebrate Black history and culture. It’s about challenging the narratives that have historically marginalised Black achievements and instead highlighting stories of resilience, success, and empowerment.
This theme is more than just about reflecting on the past—it’s a movement to correct the inaccuracies, reclaim stolen legacies, and ensure that Black voices are heard and honoured.
Throughout this piece, we delve into personal stories from influential figures who have reclaimed their own narratives in the public eye.
From Ncuti Gatwa, the first Black actor to take on the iconic role of Doctor Who, to Thandiwe Newton, reclaiming her Zimbabwean heritage by embracing her true name, these stories show the power of owning one’s identity.
Tennis champion Naomi Osaka and Romeo & Juliet actress Francesca Amewudah-Rivers, also share their journeys of reclaiming space in industries that often fail to recognise the importance of representation.
Reclaiming Narratives isn’t just a theme for this month—it’s a call to action, encouraging us all to honour, educate, and empower ourselves and others by taking back control of the stories that define Black history.
Ncuti Gatwa: Reclaiming The Screen
#MyNameIs: [N-Shoo-Tee] [Gat-wah]
Ncuti Gatwa is reclaiming narratives in British television as the first Black actor to play the iconic role of Doctor Who and also as the first out queer actor to take on the role.
With 14 actors (mainly white and male) having portrayed the Doctor over the years, Gatwa’s casting marks a significant moment in the show’s history and sends a powerful message: anyone can be The Doctor.
“It’s about time,” Gatwa stated. “The character is a shape-shifting alien. It can be anyone. So for there to only have been one representation of the character, I think is just quite limiting.”
For Gatwa, his role as The Doctor not only challenges the traditional casting of the character but also opens doors for others to see themselves in the role. “Who wouldn’t want to see themselves in the shoes of The Doctor?” he asked, highlighting how diversity in casting can inspire a new generation.
Gatwa’s casting is a win for inclusion, but he knows the work isn’t done. “It’s tricky, because you want to celebrate the win, and you do celebrate the win, because this signifies progress. But let’s not stop here. There’s lots more to go. And this should have happened a little while ago, as well.”
Gatwa is using his platform to push for continued change, understanding the importance of representation in a show with such a long legacy in British culture.
What excites Gatwa the most is the impact his casting could have on young Black viewers. “It warms my heart to know that little Black kids out there will be like, ‘Oh, I can be The Doctor,'” he said.
For him, it’s more than a role—it’s about reshaping the narratives of who gets to be a hero and expanding the possibilities for the next generation. Gatwa’s portrayal of The Doctor is a monumental step in reclaiming narratives, proving that diversity in storytelling strengthens the richness of any cultural legacy.
Thandiwe Newton: Reclaiming My Name
Thandiwe Newton- best known for her roles in Crash and Mission: Impossible 2- made the decision to reclaim the original Zimbabwean spelling of her name, serving as a powerful example of reclaiming narratives.
For decades, the acclaimed actress was known by the misspelt version of her name, Thandie, due to an error in the credits of her first film. But now, Thandiwe is taking back what was always hers.
“That’s my name. It’s always been my name. I’m taking back what’s mine,” she told British Vogue, affirming that all future work will be credited with the correct spelling, Thandiwe (pronounced “tan-DEE-way”).
This move is not just a personal reclamation, but a broader statement about identity and representation, particularly in an industry that has historically marginalised Black voices.
Reflecting on how much the entertainment landscape has shifted, Newton said, “The thing I’m most grateful for in our business right now is being in the company of others who truly see me.” Newton’s decision speaks to the heart of reclaiming one’s narrative—choosing to be seen and named on her own terms.
Born to a Zimbabwean mother and a British father, Thandiwe’s journey shows how important it is for Black individuals to reclaim their heritage and identity, both personally and professionally. After years of being known by a name that wasn’t hers, she is now reclaiming her space with authenticity, showing others the importance of taking ownership of their stories and standing firm in their truth.
#MyNameIs: How organisations can help to reclaim names
#MyNameIs is an empowering initiative that aligns with the theme of reclaiming narratives by focusing on the accurate pronunciation of individuals’ names. This effort is about reclaiming the stories and identities that names represent, ensuring they are neither lost nor diminished.
Take Thandiwe’s story; her name, which means “beloved” in Zulu, carries a rich cultural heritage and personal significance. Yet, the mispronunciation of her name often undermined her sense of identity and belonging.
#MyNameIs seeks to address these issues by encouraging the use of phonetic spelling in email signatures, meetings, and name badges, and by fostering open conversations about the importance of names.
By getting names right, we honour each person’s narrative and contribute to a more inclusive environment, much like the positive impact of using correct pronouns. This initiative helps reclaim and celebrate the personal stories that names embody.
Click here to find out about our #MyNameIs tool: https://www.raceequalitymatters.com/solutions/
Naomi Osaka: Reclaiming My Skin
For world champion tennis player, Naomi Osaka, reclaiming narratives means celebrating Black culture while delving into the untold stories of the past. With her Haitian roots, Naomi feels a connection to her heritage and is dedicated to promoting its rich, though often overlooked, history. She is committed to sharing Haiti’s fascinating story with the world and uplifting the Black community in every way she can.
Through her efforts both on and off the court, Naomi honours her Black culture by creating spaces for representation and education. A prime example of this is her company, KINLÒ, which offers skincare products specifically designed for people of colour. This brand is her way of addressing the lack of conversations around skin protection within communities of colour.
For Naomi, KINLÒ is far more than a skincare line—it’s a platform for sparking crucial dialogues about health, identity, and self-care within the Black community.
By focusing on these areas, she actively reclaims narratives, shining a light on stories and issues that are often left untold. Through her remarkable achievements and dedication to her heritage, Naomi Osaka is not only celebrating her roots but also fostering a broader understanding and appreciation of Black culture.
Francesca Amewudah-Rivers: Reclaiming The Stage
#MyNameIs: [Fran-Ches-Kah] [Ah-Meh-Woo-Dah]-[Rih-Verz]
Francesca Amewudah-Rivers is reclaiming narratives on the stage as a Black actress in the West End, speaking out against the racism she endured while playing Juliet in Romeo and Juliet.
After being cast opposite Tom Holland, she was met with intense backlash, revealing that she didn’t feel safe while working on the production. “There were many days where I didn’t know how I was going to get through it,” Francesca shared, describing the abuse that persisted throughout her time in the role.
From online harassment to receiving death threats and hate mail at the Duke of York’s Theatre, she faced a barrage of racist abuse simply for being a Black woman in a lead role.
For Francesca, her experience as Juliet is a stark reminder of how far the UK theatre industry still has to go when it comes to on-stage racial diversity and the protection of Black and Brown actors.
“For it to cause such outrage that I was cast in this role means we have a long way to go,” she said, reflecting on the industry’s failure to fully embrace diversity. “Theatre has a legacy of community; it should represent society. Especially in London – there’s a big Black British community here and in the UK. It shouldn’t be a surprise. Our histories as Black people have been erased, it’s about re-education.”
Francesca’s journey in reclaiming narratives goes beyond just representing Black women on stage. She is calling for structural change within the industry to ensure actors from ethnically diverse backgrounds are protected.
“It is not enough to represent our communities onstage, there also needs to be an infrastructure of support. Safety has to be at the forefront. We can’t do our best work if we don’t feel safe, if we don’t feel held, if we don’t feel understood.” She hopes that by sharing her story, she can push for “broader conversations industry-wide” and advocate for an industry where Black and Brown actors are not just visible but valued, respected, and safe.