Launch of Seeking the Pioneers: Reclaiming Narratives Exhibition

On October 2nd, we officially opened the Seeking the Pioneers: Reclaiming Narratives exhibition at the BRIG Café at the Warehouse. This inspiring launch event brought together trailblazing activists, community members, and supporters to celebrate an exhibition dedicated to Birmingham’s ongoing fight against racism. Honoring racial justice pioneers from Birmingham and the surrounding areas, the exhibition showcases the tireless efforts that have shaped the city’s journey toward equality and justice.

During the launch, one of our honoured pioneers, Mukhtar Dar of Kings Heath United Against Racism, delivered a moving speech, which we’re excited to share with you all.

Good evening, everyone! Thank you for joining us tonight for the opening of the "Seeking the Pioneers" exhibition. It is indeed an honour to have been asked by BRIG to curate this impressive collection of photographs, which not only showcases the individuals in these portraits but also reflects the transformative movements they inspired and helped to shape.

I feel incredibly fortunate to have collaborated with Ibrar and Vinod, who worked tirelessly to ensure these portraits were printed, framed, and displayed within a week—despite the space limitations. Their dedication, combined with the invaluable support of Siobhan and Jagwant, has enable this exhibition to come together as part of the opening of the BRIG Cafe.

But tonight is about much more than just the technical aspects of displaying photographs. It’s an opportunity to honour the pioneers who have relentlessly fought against racism, advancing Birmingham’s journey toward becoming a truly anti-racist city. While I was not involved in selecting the individuals represented in these portraits—and any selection process is inevitably subjective and open to interpretation—the significance of this exhibition remains undiminished.

"Seeking the Pioneers" aims to spotlight both past and present figures whose contributions, whether large or small, have helped bring marginalised communities from the periphery to the centre. These individuals have shed light on the ongoing struggles against racism, pushing boundaries and challenging injustices.

As we reflect on their contributions, we are confronted with a deeper question: How do we acknowledge these individuals without falling into the trap of glorifying them as isolated heroes, detached from the movements they represent?

When I worked at The Drum art centre, I witnessed the birth of many awards and accolade ceremonies that have grown over the years. While recognition is important, sometimes these events can feel self-congratulatory, even performative. We must remember that within our communities, especially marginalised ones, there are countless unsung heroes—and sheroes—who work quietly, without seeking the spotlight. These are the individuals who have made lasting impacts, not for personal fame, but because they believed in justice, in community, and in collective action.

Many of these unsung heroes resisted recognition. They viewed it not as a reward but as a risk—something that could undermine the very movements they helped build. They resisted what they saw as the trappings of hyper-individualism and the cult of personality. This is where we encounter a dilemma: Can we truly honour individuals for their contributions without overshadowing the movement itself?

In today’s world, we are increasingly caught up in the politics of individualism. Social media has created an environment where personal branding and visibility can often take precedence over real, grassroots change. There is a real danger here—one that confuses activism with performance, leadership with likes and followers, and movements with moments. We must be careful not to elevate individual contributions to a status that eclipses the collective struggle.

And yet, we cannot deny that movements need individuals. Pioneers lead, they inspire, and they take action. The battle for racial justice has been sustained by many, but it often begins with the courage of a few. These individuals remind us that change does not happen in a vacuum—it requires human action. But to celebrate these pioneers is not to indulge in hero worship. It’s to honour their sacrifices, their dedication, and their refusal to let the world remain unjust.

However, the way we recognise them matters. We live in a society where state honours awards and accolades, like the Empire honours awards, are often used to domesticate and pacify activism. These honours reward individuals, sometimes at the cost of co-opting their radical vision and turning it into something more comfortable for the status quo. In contrast, grassroots movements recognise their own—recognition that is grounded in the community and based on shared struggle, not on external validation.

So, what makes a pioneer? What makes someone an unsung hero or shero? It’s not about public visibility or grand gestures—it’s about dedication to a cause greater than oneself. Pioneers dedicate their lives to justice and equality, often at great personal cost. They don’t seek the spotlight, but rather, they work tirelessly in service of the collective. Their contributions, whether large or small, are essential to the success of movements that aim to dismantle systems of oppression.

The people depicted in these photographs did not seek glory. They were part of something bigger than themselves—a movement that continues today. And while this exhibition does not claim to present a conclusive list of pioneers, it serves as a reminder of the countless individuals who have contributed to the fight for equality. Some are visible in these images, while many more remain unnamed, but all are part of the same struggle.

Tonight, as we walk through this exhibition, let us remember that the true power of these pioneers lies not in their individual achievements, but in their collective vision. They remind us that change is possible when we work together, when we refuse to be divided, and when we stand firm in the face of injustice.

So let us applaud them, not as isolated figures, but as part of the larger movement they represent. Let us honour their politics, their struggles, and the communities they fought for. These pioneers—our heroes and sheroes—are not just historical figures to be admired from a distance. They are living examples of what it means to fight for a better world, and it is this legacy, rooted in the collective, that we must carry forward.

Thank you.