We are pleased to publish this Cordis Bright article for Black History Month 2023. This year’s theme is ‘Saluting our Sisters’, which is centred on highlighting the crucial (and often overlooked) roles Black women around the world have played in shaping global history and inspiring social change. This article focuses specifically on the achievements of Black women in the UK by highlighting the careers of five women who worked to reduce social inequalities in some of the sectors in which Cordis Bright specialises e.g., criminal justice, children’s services and health and social care.

During Black History Month, we acknowledge that it is imperative to recognise the impacts and scale of racism. In our upcoming Pulse Special, we will explore the effects of systemic racism in the form of disparities in health outcomes. However, Black History Month is also an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of Black people, and therefore we hope that this article offers a more positive outlook by stimulating further conversations about ways to better recognise and appreciate the efforts of Black women in the UK.