This book contains biographies of people who have made their mark in society, varying from the services, professions, community and religious work, sport, music, the arts and literature.
Included among over 60 biographies, some famous, some not, are: Baroness Amos, the first black woman to be Leader of the House of Lords and first black woman cabinet minister; Air Commodore David Case, the highest ranking black person in the Royal Air Force; Lord Waheed Alli, media tycoon, the youngest peer in Parliament when appointed; Trevor Phillips, Chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality and first Chairman of the Greater London Assembly; and Professor Cynthia Pine, the first woman and first black person to be Dean of Dental Studies, University of Liverpool. The biographies also include: media psychiatrist Dr Raj Persaud; administrative doyen Lord Herman Ouseley, headmaster Sir Dexter Hutt, and celebrated conductor the late Rudolph Dunbar, the first black person to conduct a symphony orchestra in London.
They share in common a background in Guyana, known previously as British Guiana, (the former colony with its proud traditions and strengths, with a rich cultural heritage - European, African, Asian, and American - a microcosm of the world).
They made good. They were not privileged. They were brought up with ambition and to value education and hard work. In the UK they seized every opportunity to make their mark. They reached for the sky. They ignored barriers. In the march of humankind for betterment, with their upbringing, inborn ability, drive and self confidence, these achievers have made history.