Black History Month 2025: Standing Firm in Power and Pride

This year’s theme for Black History Month highlights the contributions made by Black people who have shaped history.

The campaign is also a call to action, to ensure Black voices are heard, valued and celebrated.

United Welsh is proud to show its support for racial equality and provide platforms for people from ethnic minority backgrounds to shape, influence and change the services we deliver.

To celebrate Black History Month, we are highlighting some of the ways Black people have led the way and made a positive difference in Wales throughout history.

Betty Campbell

Betty Campbell was Wales’ first Black head teacher. Born in Butetown, Cardiff, in 1934, her father was killed in World War II.

Betty won a scholarship to the Lady Margaret High School for Girls in Cardiff and wanted to be a teacher from a young age.

At a time when there were few Black teachers, she taught at Butetown’s Mount Stuart Primary School for 28 years, where she became Wales’ first Black headteacher.

Betty’s teaching there helped the school become recognised for its commitment to multiculturalism.

In 2003, she was awarded an MBE for services to education and community life, and a statue was erected for her in Cardiff following a public vote.

John Ystumllyn

John Ystumllyn was the first recorded Black person in North Wales.

Born around  1738, It is believed he may have been a victim of the Atlantic Slave Trade. He was taken to a family estate in Criccieth, where he learned horticulture and was recognised for his talents.

He married a local maid, Margaret Gruffydd, who he worked with on estates around the area. They were later given a cottage and garden in recognition of their service.

John is commemorated by a sandstone memorial at St Cynhaearn’s Church, Ynyscynhaearn, and also by the John Ystumllyn rose, named in 2021.

Shirley Bassey

Shirley Bassey was born in Tiger Bay, Cardiff, and grew up in Splott.

She began performing as a teenager and became the first Welsh person to gain a number-one single in the UK Singles Chart.

Shirley performed the theme song for the James Bond film, Goldfinger, in 1964, becoming one of the first black British performers to gain international recognition.

She also recorded the title songs for two more Bond films, Diamonds Are Forever and Moonraker, becoming the only artist to perform more than one.

She is recognised globally for her career spanning seven decades, her powerful voice and her success as a black British singer.

Vaughan Gething

Vaughan Gething is a Member of the Senedd who served as the First Minister of Wales, making him the first Black leader of any European country.

Born in Zambia, Vaughan was brought up in Dorset before attending Aberystwyth and Cardiff universities. He became the first black president of the National Union of Students Wales.

While working as a researcher, he was the chair of Right to Vote – a cross-party project to encourage greater participation from BME communities in Welsh public life.

Vaughan became First Minister in March 2024, but resigned following a vote of no confidence in August.

In his first speech as First Minister, he said that he wanted to lead a nation “that recognises that we can celebrate our differences and take pride in all of those things that draw us together and make us who we are”.