What Is Windrush Day & Our Top 5 Speakers To Help You Celebrate in 2026
Windrush Day is an important occasion that marks the arrival of passengers from the Caribbean and other commonwealth nations in 1948 to fill post-war labour shortages. 2023 marked the 75th anniversary of the Windrush Generation, making it the Diamond Jubilee for modern, diverse Britain.
When is Windrush Day?
Windrush Day will take place on the 22nd of June 2026. The theme varies from location to location, take a look at how your local community is celebrating. Or you can create your own theme based on the Windrush issues, people. or topics that are important to your audience.
Source: Turtle Bay
What is Windrush Day?
Windrush Day is a commemoration of the Windrush Generation and their descendants. The purpose of the day is to pay tribute to the Windrush Generation and recognise their contribution, legacy, struggle, and positive change in Britain.
Officially established as a national day of celebration in 2018 after the successful campaign led by Patrick Vernon, the government has now also created a grant scheme to fund projects marking the event each year.
Source: UK Parliament
How To Celebrate Windrush Day in the Workplace?
Met with intolerance shortly after arrival, the Windrush Generation experienced many struggles and continues to face struggles in modern-day Britain. This is why it is essential to celebrate Windrush Day in the workplace by acknowledging the contributions made by migrants to the economy, society, and British culture.
Windrush Day should also be used as a time for educating employees about the history of the Windrush Generation, which is best done by listening to Windrush speakers who can share stories of the brave African and Caribbean people who made the journey to Britain.
Source: Tuc
Top Windrush Day Speakers to Book
Patrick Vernon
Patrick Vernon is the man who led the successful campaign to establish Windrush Day as a national day of celebration in 2018. With a rich history campaigning for the Windrush Generation, Patrick is the founder of the Windrush Justice Fund and is responsible for securing 180,000 signatures for a petition to grant amnesty for Windrush Children.
He has held several distinguished positions in diversity and inclusion, including Race Equalities Advisor to the Shadow Equalities Ministerial Team and Editor of the Black History Month Magazine and the Windrush Commemorative Magazine. In recognition of his accomplished work, he was appointed Pioneer of the Nation for Cultural History by the Queen and is now a leading speaker on the Windrush Generation.
Official Testimonial for Patrick Vernon
“The session went great! Please express my thanks to Patrick and thank you for all your help in setting this up!” – Carissa, JP Morgan
David Olusoga
David Olusoga is an award-winning writer, historian, and TV presenter famous for his contributions to Black British History. Covering several complex topics such as slavery, British Empire, and the Windrush scandal, David has fronted multiple documentaries, such as the BAFTA award-winning Britain’s Forgotten Slave Owners and published books including Black and British.
As an eminent writer for prominent publications, David tackles topical subjects in his columns, including the Windrush scandal and Black Lives Matter. Considered one of the most influential Black Britons, David was recently awarded an OBE in recognition of his services to history and community integration. He is now a popular speaker who captivates and educates audiences on the Windrush Generation with his profound knowledge of Black British history.
Official Testimonial for David Olusoga
“Thank you, David, it was a privilege to have you and hear your personal story. It was our most anticipated and well-attended event as part of our Black History Month initiative at UBS and for good reason! We have received some great feedback from viewers, many citing it as one of the most insightful and impactful sessions they have watched at UBS. So many left the session having learnt something new about Black British history and gained an understanding of the depth of ideas behind racism in society. We’d love to have you back again!” – Joseph, UBS
Baroness Floella Benjamin
Baroness Floella Benjamin is a renowned diversity and inclusion campaigner and one of the most recognised actors in Britain. Coming to the UK in 1960 as a Windrush child, Floella is a member of the early Windrush Generation that experienced the harsh realities of living in Britain during an era of intolerance. Felling unwelcomed, receiving cold treatment, and even being threatened with violence, Floella’s struggles were shared by many members of the Windrush Generation.
As the Chair of the Windrush Commemoration Committee, Floella plays an integral role in sharing and preserving the history of the Windrush Generation. Recently the committee commissioned the National Windrush Monument, which symbolises the resilience and contributions of the Windrush Generation. Denoting the remarkable contributions of the Windrush Generation to Britain and offering the audience anecdotes of her lived experience of 1960s Britain, Floella is the perfect Windrush speaker to hire.
Official Testimonial for Baroness Floella Benjamin
“I wanted to take this opportunity to say a warm thank you to Baroness Benjamin for a truly thought-provoking, powerful and amazing inspirational talk at this year’s Deloitte Black History Month celebration. I can honestly say everyone is still buzzing from last week. – Brian, Risk Advisory IT Business Partner, Deloitte LLP
Lord Simon Woolley
Lord Simon Woolley is a decorated British politician, a Crossbench member in the House of Lords, and the first Black male to become head of an Oxbridge College as Principal of Homerton College, Cambridge. Also the founder of Operation Black Vote, Simon has been a major advocate for racial equality in health, employment, and education.
Simon has also played a prominent role in increasing the presence of Black and minority ethnic talent in political roles and was awarded a Knighthood for his services to race equality. As a leading political figure and champion of racial equality, Simon has fought long and hard to create an inclusive environment for successive generations of the Windrush Generation, something he discusses in his speaking engagements.
Bernadette Thompson
Bernadette Thompson is a foremost expert on diversity and inclusion, having held several senior positions with the NHS, Home Office, and Ministry of Justice. On a mission to drive representation in the Civil Service, Bernadette is also an Ambassador of Different Woman, where she campaigns for a more inclusive gender agenda.
Appointed OBE for services to diversity and inclusion in 2021, Bernadette is also recognised for her distinguished work as the winner of the 2020 Workplace Hero category in the National Investing in Ethnicity Awards. Now she is a highly demanded speaker who delivers engaging presentations on Windrush, workplace culture and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Official Testimonial for Bernadette Thompson
“Bernadette sat on the panel for our 2022 International Women’s Day event. The theme was #BreakTheBias and Bernadette brought an inspirational perspective to the discussion. Her views were clear, relevant, and importantly, practical. We were delighted to bring Bernadette’s extensive experience in breaking boundaries to our audience.” – Paul, Partner, Moore Kingston Smith
Book a Windrush Day Speaker for 2026
If you are interested in hiring a passionate speaker to help you celebrate Windrush Day, don’t hesitate in contacting a dedicated booking agent today. Get in contact with The BAME Speakers Agency by calling 0203 9317 392 or by completing our online contact form.
- Featured Speakers
- 5 January, 2026
