BHM 2025: Tributes to Lord Herman Ouseley

Lord Herman Ouseley was more than a public figure; to me, he was a mentor, confidant, and friend.

We first connected during my time as Director of the Brent Health Action Zone, where his leadership talks inspired and guided local change. Over the years, we would often meet for tea at the House of Lords. He never dictated solutions, but invited reflection and empowered others to lead with integrity.

When the Windrush scandal erupted, he was deeply troubled. He advocated passionately for truth, transparency, and justice—not only to respond to the harm done, but to prevent future injustice.

I was proud to include him in my book, 100 Great Black Britons. His service—as the first Black chief executive in local government, Chair of the Commission for Racial Equality, and founder of Kick It Out—was trailblazing. Yet it was his humility and consistent elevation of others that left the deepest mark.

When he retired from public life, I made sure to give him his flowers while he was still with us. I was privileged to present a tribute to him on the Guyanese Speaker platform—a public expression of the deep gratitude and admiration shared by many.

He embodied the theme of Standing Firm in Power and Pride: he stood firm against injustice, carried himself with dignity, and never faltered in his pursuit of justice. I miss our tea chats, but more than that, I miss his steady presence in turbulent times. His legacy endures in the hearts of all he inspired.