Black History is British History: celebrating Black humanitarians at the British Red Cross

Explore Black British history through our fascinating online exhibition of Black humanitarians at the British Red Cross.

Celebrating our Black history

Black people have made huge contributions to the British Red Cross' life-saving work both in the UK and overseas since we were founded in 1870. Despite this, Black history is often underrepresented in our story and in British history in general.

We want to show our long-term commitment to researching and recognising our Black volunteers, staff and notable humanitarians, who have shaped the world we live in today. This exhibition is an important step towards celebrating their achievements.

 

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Help us find out more

Can you help us identify some of the people in the exhibition's images? Do you know of any Black people who worked with the British Red Cross?

Get in touch with us if you can help us with our research into Black history on enquiry@redcross.org.uk.

 

British Red Cross, UK

From the First World War to the present day, Black people have worked as part of the British Red Cross to help those in need, no matter who or where they are.

An old photograph of Dr John Alcindor.

Dr John Alcindor

British Red Cross volunteer doctor, circa 1914-1919 

More on Dr John Alcindor
Emmanuel Cudjoe, British Red Cross emergency volunteer, stands in a London street, smiling.

Emannuel Cudjoe

British Red Cross Emergency Response Volunteer, 2020

More on Emmanuel Cudjoe

British Red Cross, overseas branches

The British Red Cross formed overseas branches in countries which were part of the British Empire. Some remained branches, while countries that later became independent formed their own Red Cross or Red Crescent Societies.

A nurse, who was a volunteer at the South Rhodesia branch of the British Red Cross in around 1961

Volunteer from Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), 1961

The British Red Cross formed the Southern Rhodesia overseas branch in 1930. The Zimbabwe Red Cross was formed in 1981. 

More on the Southern Rhodesia branch
Helen Frett, former director of the British Virgin Islands Red Cross, stands smiling against a red wall wearing a Red Cross t-shirt.

Helen Frett, former director, British Virgin Islands Red Cross

After Hurricane Irma, one of the strongest hurricanes ever seen in the Atlantic, Helen was part of the Red Cross team that sprang into action to help people. 

More on Helen Flett and the British Virgin Islands branch

Notable humanitarians

Black people have made significant contributions to the humanitarian sector, showing how the power of kindness can make the world a better place. 

Portrait of Mary Seacole, 1871.

Mary Seacole, Crimean War nurse

During the Crimean War, Mary Seacole travelled to Ukraine to treat wounded soldiers on and off the battlefield.

More on Mary Seacole
Portrait of Dr Charles Drew in a white coat and with a microscope.

Dr Charles Drew, surgeon and medical researcher

Dr Drew's research into preserving blood plasma helped save thousands of lives in the UK and US during WWII.

More on Dr Charles Drew

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WEB - Black History is British History

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A volunteer from the British Virgin Islands Red Cross stands in front of a mural showing the different ways the Red Cross supported people after Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

Find out more about our overseas branches

We have nine overseas branches in British territories, covering disaster management, community health and more.

More about our overseas branches
A painting of the burning of Bergen-Belsen concentration camp after WWII by British Red Cross artist Doris Zinkeisen.

Discover the 150 Voices exhibition

Find out about the 150 unique items that tell the story of 150 years of British Red Cross history. 

Visit our 150 Voices exhibition

Thank you and credits

Exhibition curated by Mehzebin Adam and Olivia Cummins.

All images © British Red Cross Museum and Archives unless otherwise stated.