Reni’s primary focus is on feminism and exposing structural racism. As a freelance journalist she has written for a number of publications including The New York Times, The Guardian, The Independent, The Daily Telegraph, The Voice, Buzzfeed, Vice. ID, & Dazed and Confused. In 2017 she completed her debut book Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race. In 2020 her book rose 155 places in the official Bookseller chart. This happened in the wake of the murder of George Floyd. This meant that she became the first back British woman to top the non-fiction book-selling charts at number 1.She stated that she was dismayed by the tragic circumstances in which this achievement came about. On 16 June 2020 she became the first British black woman to be No1 overall in the British book charts. In 2020 and 2021 editions of the Powerlist Reni was listed in the top 100 of the most influential people in the UK of African/African-Caribbean descent. See list of Awards and Recognitions

Michael, born to Ghanaian immigrants in Croydon, is best known for portraying the fictional rapper Big Shaq (also known as Roadman Shaq). His parents wanted him to become a doctor: he was more interested in acting and comedy. He studied film, acting and theatre at Brunel University and took a course from the National Youth Theatre. He began his career by collecting a social following among the British-African community with brief comedic parts in shows likeMeet the Adebanjos which deals with a Nigerian family in London. in May 2017, with Mary Brown, he launched a mockumentary series on You Tube title SW11 (Somewhere in London) which amassed 1 million views in its first series.In this series he created MC Quakez and Big Shaq. His comedic rap Man’s Not Hot developed into a viral meme. and a studio track version of the song was released on 22 September 2017. The song’s music video was released by Michael on 26th October 2017. Sources Wikipedia Superheroes by Sophia Thakur

Reggie (Reginald) Yates has had a career in television and radio lasting 3 decades. (See 2 pages of notes) He made his first television appearance in Desmond aged just 8. He has worked for the BBC in radio and television presenting various shows for BBC Radio 1 as well as hosting BBC1 singing show* The Voice UK*, hosting the first 2 series with Holly Willoughby. He has been a lead voice actor for CBeebies animated cartoon series Rastamouse. In 2021 he released his first feature film Pirates.

Temitope Titillola ‘Temi’ Fagbenie had 11 siblings Her family moved to the UK when she was 2 years old and began to play basketball at the Haringey Angels club. Aged 15 she returned to the USA to study at the Blair Academy in New Jersey. She then attended Harvard University before transferring to the University of Southern California for her final year of NCAA basketball. In 2012 she was 1.93 metres (6ft.4in) tall : she weighed 79.5 kilogrammes (175lbs. She represented Great Britain at the under 16, 18 and 20 levels. She was named in the British team for the 2012 Olympics, Temi has won national championships in Spain, Italy and Great Britain as well as the EuroCup in 2024 with the London Lions. In 2024 she was signed by WNBA team Indiana Fever to a training camp contract She is now suffering from an undisclosed left foot injury. Lets hope she soon fully recovers. Sources Wikipedia Superheroes by Sophia Thakur

Saint Genevieve was a consecrated virgin and is the patron saint of Paris in the Catholic and Orthodox traditions. She was recognized as the patron saint of Paris in the 14th century. She was recognized for her religious devotion at a young age. Miracles and healings happened around her from an early age. Her prayers saved Paris from being destroyed by Attila the Hun in 451 and other wars. Her organisation of the city’s women was called a ‘prayer marathon’ and her ‘most famous feat’. She was involved with two major constructions - a basilica for Saint Denis of Paris in 475 and the basilica dedicated to the Holy Apostles Saint Peter and Paul around c500. Between 885 and 1791 Genevieve was publicaly invoked 153 times during emergencies, Genevieve performed miracles both before and after her death. Sources Wikipedia Saints Over 150 Patron Saints for Today Editor Elizabeth Hallam

Saint Vincent de Paul was an Occitan French Catholic priest who dedicated himself to serving the poor.I In 1601 he was ordained as a priest and became the chaplain at court for Henry 1V of France. He became the tutor for an aristocratic until he was accused of theft. He remained silent for 6 months until his innocence was proved. Conversion dated from this date. For the rest of his life he combined his working with the rich and fashionable and with looking after outcasts, the sick and poverty stricken, galley slaves and abandoned children. He founded the* Cgngregation of the Mission or the Vincentians. He was zealous in conducting retreats for clergy for when the local clergy’s .morals were flagging. He was a pioneer in seminary education. He founded the* Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent of Paul He was renown for his compassion, humility and generosity. He is the namesake of the Vincentian Family of organisations. Vincent was beatified in 1729 and canonized in 1737. In 1883 Pope Leo X11 named patron of all charitable societies. He is now venerated as a saint by both the Catholic Church and Anglican Communion. Note ‘occitan’ is a romance language spoken in Southern France Sources Wikipedia The Encyclopedia of Saints by Howard Loxton *Saints Over 150 Patron Saints for Today * editor Elizabeth Hallam

Inua Marc Mohammed Onore de Ellams was given a MBE in 2023 in the Birthday honours for serviced to the Arts. He rubs his palms into poetry and plays, dusting the mix of his experiences in Nigeria and London into various award winning pagesSophia Thakur. He has written for the Royal Shakespeare Company, Royal National Theatre and the BBC. He has written 3 poetry books * ** Thirteen Fairy Negro Tales, Candy Coasted Unicorns and ** Converse All Stars**. He has seasoned the scene with award winning sold-out plays that tell tales of identity. Sophia Thakur His plays/performances are The 14th Tale, Untitled, Barber Shop Chronicles, The half God of Rainfall, Three Sisters and An Evening with an Immigrant( For more detail read the notes) In 2018 he was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature as part of its 40 Under 40 initiative. Sources Wikipedia Superheroes by Sophia Thakur pages 46/7

Anthony -born Fernando Martins de Bulhoes, was raised by a wealthy family in Lisbon… He died in Padua ). He joined the Augustine canons at an early age. Aged 25 he joined the Franciscan friars. He adopted the name Anthony from the name of the chapel located there, dedicated to Anthony the Great. He was sent to work work among the Muslims in Morocco. Ill health forced to return within the year to Assisi. His exceptional teaching and preaching talents were then discovered. St. Francis of Assisi chose him to teach Theology to the friars at Padua and Bologna. in southern France. He then preached against the Albigensian heretics in Southern France. Between 1227-30 he ruled the Franciscan province in northern Italy. He then retired to Padua and Pope Gregory 1X commissioned him to write a series of sermons for Feast days He died at the age of just 35 in 1231. he was canonized the next year ( one of the most quickly canonized saints in church history). He is the patron saint of lost property The story is that a novice borrowed his written psalter without his permission and was compelled to return it by a terrifying apparition. During his lifetime he gained a major reputation as a worker of wonders and miracles. He was noted by his contemporaries for his powerful preaching, expert knowledge of scriptures and undying love and devotion to the poor and the sick. On 16th January 1946 Anthony was proclaimed a* Doctor of the Church* by Pope Pius X11. Sources Wikipedia Saints Over 150 Patron Saints for Today editor Elizabeth Hallam

Wolfgang is regarded as one of the three great German saints of the 10th century. He was known as the Great Almoner. He was a gifted preacher, teacher, monk and bishop whose ability, learning and humility earned him the admiration of his contemporaries. He exercised a strong and valuable influence at the court of the Holy Roman emperors. He was the tutor to the future emperor Henry11. He was bishop of Regensburg in Bavaria from Christmas 972 until his death in 994. Here he improved standards of discipline and learning among the clergy and monasteries. Towards the end of his life he withdrew as a hermit to a solitary spot in the Salzkammergut region of Upper Austria. On his death a cult sprang up in Regensburg where many miracles of healing were recorded, notably of the stomach. He is the Patron saint for stomach pains. Wolfgang was canonized in 1052 by Pope Leo 1X. Sources Wikipedia Saints Over 150 Patron Saints for Today editor Elizabeth Hallam

St.Crispin and St. Crispinian’s Feast Day is October 25th. They were probably missionaries from Rome who preached during the day and worked as shoemakers at night. They are the patron saint for cobblers. They were martyred by being deheaded on the orders of emperor Maximian. The official who was tormenting them committed suicide first - he had been infuriated because the brothers had already survived downing and boiling. I have included a short word search. Source Saints Over 150 Patron Saints for Today editor Elizabeth Hallam

Theresa of Lisieux born Marie Francoise- Therese Martin is the Patron saint for Missionaries. She is widely venerated in modern times. She is one of 4 sisters who became a Carmelite nun in the same convent. She was only 14 when she experienced her conversion. She entered the order at the unusual early age of 15. Aged 22 she became assistant to the novice mistress. She considered volunteering for missionary work in Hanoi ( now Vietnam) but contracted tuberculosis and died, aged 24, after 18 months of ’ heroic suffering’. She is now one of the most popular saints in the history of the church although she was obscure during her lifetime. The Story of a Soul - her autobiography. written on orders of her prioress and edited by her eldest sister Marie, was an immediate and sensational success. Her spiritual memoir explains her theology of the ’ Little Way.’ Theresa’s immense popularity and reputation for holiness resulted in her being quickly beatified (1923)and canonized(1925) by Pope Pius X1. In 1997 Pope John Paul 11 declared her a Doctor. of the Church. Sources Wikipedia Saints Over 150 Patron Saints for Today edited by Elizabeth Hallam

Saint Lucy was a Roman Christian martyr who died during the Diocletianic Persecution. She is venerated at as a saint in Catholic, Anglican and Eastern Orthodox Christianity. The single fact upon which various accounts agree is that a disappointed suitor accused her of being a Christian which resulted in her being executed during the Diocletian Persecutions. Lucy is one of the best known virgin martyrs. Several pictures show her with eyes removed. She is said to have removed her eyes to discourage a persistent suitor from admiring them. When she died her eyes were some how miraculously restored. This is why Lucy is the patron saint for the blind. She is also the patron saint of the city of Syracuse (Sicily) St. Lucy’s day is celebrated especially in Scandinavian countries. Traditionally a young girl is dressed in a white dress with a red sash (as a symbol of martyrdom) and wears a crown or wreath of candles in her hair. Sources Britannica Wikipedia Saint Over 150 Patron Saints for Today edited by Elizabeth Hallam

Saint Hugh of Lincoln was born in Avalon in France - that’s why he also known as Hugh of Avalon. His mother died when he was only 8. His father, Guillaume, a soldier, decided to retire and together they went to the monastery of Villard-Benoit, near Grenoble Aged 15 Saint Hugh became a religious novice. Aged 19 he was ordained a deacon. On his father’s death in about 1165 he joined the monks at the Carthusian motherhouse of La Grande Chartreuse near Grenoble. He was ordained a priest and later became procurator of the housse ( c.1170). In 1179/80 he came to England where he was appointed by Henry11 to be the first prior of the Carthusian house of Witham in Essex. He became bishop of Lincoln in 1186. He was consecrated at Westminster. As both prior and bishop he defended the church’s liberties and gained respect from the monarchy. In 1185 Lincoln cathedral had been was badly damaged because of an earthquake. Saint Hugh set about rebuilding and greatly enlarging it in the new Gothic style. He was now one of the premier bishops in the UK and acted as a diplomat… Following visit to La Grande Chartreusein in 1200, to promote peace between King John of England and King Philip Augustus of France, he fell ill. He died in London and was buried in Lincoln Cathedral on November 24th , 1200. Two kings, 17 bishops, nobles and crowds of the common people came to the funeral of this much loved man. Saint Hugh is often shown with a swan by his side. This is because at his palace at Stow Park he had a pet wild swan. It would follow him everywhere, looking for food in his clothes, ’ walking ’ upstairs in the house and even guarding him while he slept. At the time of the Reformation he was the best known saint after Thomas Becket. Sources used wikipedia Britannica Online Encyclopedia The Church’s Year by Charles Alexander

While looking for a list of 21st century Christian to use to write more profiles about I came across this list of 20 Christians written by Scott Wilson for Church Ministry ED . Scott has done my homework for me. Scott has written short notes, with a picture, about each of the 20 he chose. He gives his reasons for including 5 famous Christians who have already died because they continue to tribute and influence Christians today. I have added a word search ( with answer sheet) to his notes.

I decided to find out further information about the Top 20 leaders!! Using Wikipedia I found extra information about most of them - see breakdown on first sheet. For Billy Graham and Martin Luther King I have already done profiles for them in TES. For John Mark Comer I used* Pastors Bio*. For Pope Francis there are lots of page about him on Wikipedia. For Jim Winker I could only find a single paragraph. I hope this helps you in your research.

Jourdan, aged 15, was scouted by an agent from Storm Management, while accompanying a friend in a London Primark. She is of Jamaican, Syrian and Grenadian descent. She began appearing on international runways in early 2007. In February 2008 she was the first black model to walk a Prada runway in over a decade. April 2014 she became the new face for Maybelline New York July 2014 she was declared an icon by models.com. Jourdan is considered one of her generation’s supermodels. Unfortunately she has had to defend her colour, culture and hair in an industry of vultures time and time again who only see white skin as perfect. Sources Wikipedia Superheroes by Sophia Thakur

Joshua born in 1993 has held the World Boxing Organizations (WBO) interim light-heavyweight since September 2024. He was born in Accra, Ghana. His parents now reside in Selsdon South London. He graduated with a 2:1 degree in management with Sorts Science from St, Mary’s University Twickenham while competing as an amateur boxer. As an amateur he went to the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games as a light heavyweight - he progressed to the quarter finals. Joshua made his professional debut on 1st July 2017. He has won all of his 19 professional fights, 13 by KO. (Read notes). He is managed by two-times heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua He also supports BoxWise a UK based non-profit social enterprise focused on boxing… ** At the core of a people centred industry, Buatsi freezes the world by shifting the focus from him to his coach: God.* It is God who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle. * Superheroes* by Sophia Thakur Sources wikipedia Superheroes

Saint Apollonia was one of the group of virgin saints who suffered in Alexandra during a local uprising against the Christians prior to the persecution of Decius. According to church tradition her torture included having all her teeth violently pulled or shattered. This is why she is regarded as the patroness of dentistry and those suffering from toothache.or other dental problems. She was probably a deaconess and held in high esteem. Men seized her and broke and repeatedly broke her teeth. They then took her outside the city and erected a pile of wood to burn her alive… She refused to repeat blasphemous against Christ. Given, at her own request, a little freedom, she sprang quickly into the fire and was burned to death. Saint Apollonia is represented in art with pincers in which a tooth is held. Sources Wikipedia Saints Over 150 patron Saints for Today Editor Elizabeth Hallam

Just three short pieces of information about the hermit Saint Antony of Egypt who is remembered on January 17th.

Anthony was born Fernando Martins de Bilhoes. Upon his admission to the the life of friars, later in life in Olivais he adopted the name Anthony ( from the name of the chapel located there and dedicated to Anthony the Great). He was a teacher and preacher. He was so charismatic that the crowds who came to listen to him during his 9 years of ministry could not be contained in a church. They gathered in the marketplace to his attacks on usury and avarice. He was noted by his contemporaries for his powerful preaching, expert knowledge of the scriptures and undying love for the sick and poor. He was chosen by St. Francis of Assisi to teach theology to the friars at Padua and Bologna. He was chosen by Pope Gregory 1X to produce a series of sermons for feast days. He gained a major reputation as a worker of wonders and miracles One of the best known stories about Anthony is that a novice borrowed his personal psalter without permission. The novice was compelled to return it by a terrifying apparition. This is the reason put forward for him being the patron saint of lost property. He died aged only 36. On his death he was one of the quickest to be canonized- less than one year of his death. In 1946 he was proclaimed a doctor of the church by Pope Pius X11. Sources Wikipedia Saints Over 150 Patron Saints for Today editor Elizabeth Hallam