Tracing my Black History: The Legacy of Sarah Forbes Bonetta and J.K. Randle on Do it Now Now
As we celebrate Black History Month in the UK this October, I’m reflecting deeply on this year’s theme, “Reclaiming Narratives.” For me, it’s a call to revisit and reshape the stories of our past—stories that are often told through narrow, limited perspectives. This year, I am committed to reclaiming the narrative of generational impact in the ongoing fight for racial equity. A story that holds special significance to me is that of Sarah Forbes Bonetta, a child of African royalty adopted by Queen Victoria during the era of slavery. Her story is more than history; it’s a personal one. Sarah’s daughter, Victoria Davies, is my great-great-stepmother, and through this connection, I’m reminded of the ties that bind our struggles today with those of our ancestors. The importance of their individual stories and the danger of a single story.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s TED Talk, The Danger of a Single Story, has always resonated with me. She warns of the reductive power of singular narratives and how they strip away the complexity of a people, a culture, or an identity. As a Black woman and the CEO of Do it Now Now, I see firsthand how stories of Black struggle often overshadow the richness of our resilience, intelligence, and diverse contributions. When I think of Sarah Forbes Bonetta, I see a story that disrupts the dominant narrative of African inferiority and European dominance. Instead, it is a tale of survival, adaptation, and generational impact—qualities that resonate deeply with me and the work I do.
Sarah’s story is not well known, but it’s powerful. Born Omoba Aina, she was captured during a raid on her village in West Africa and later “gifted” to Queen Victoria. The Queen became interested in her, providing Sarah with a Western education and integrating her into Victorian society. This relationship, although rooted in colonial power dynamics, offered Sarah a life of privilege, agency, and opportunities denied to many. But beyond royal favour, her story is one of cultural negotiation, adaptation, and strength—qualities that have been passed down through generations, including to me.
The story of generational impact in my family doesn’t stop with Sarah Forbes Bonetta and Victoria Davies. It extends through Victoria’s marriage to Dr. J.K. Randle, a remarkable Nigerian physician and social reformer. Dr. Randle played a critical role in the early development of healthcare and education in Lagos, Nigeria, establishing hospitals and schools that served to uplift the community during a time of great change and colonial rule. His dedication to improving the lives of his fellow Nigerians serves as an example of how deeply woven the drive for social justice and community upliftment is in my family’s history.
Dr. Randle’s legacy was carried forward by his son, J.K. Randle Jr., who made his mark in the world of sports and national pride. J.K. Randle Jr. was a pivotal figure in leading Nigeria to its first appearance at the Olympics, competing in the 1952 Helsinki Games. He believed that sports could serve as a platform for Nigeria to assert its identity and showcase the strength, talent, and determination of its people on an international stage. His efforts laid the groundwork for Nigeria’s future sporting achievements and inspired generations of athletes who followed in his footsteps.
The contributions of Dr. J.K. Randle and J.K. Randle Jr. are significant pieces of the puzzle when I think about reclaiming our narratives. They remind me that my ancestors didn’t just survive—they thrived, and they paved the way for those of us who carry forward their legacy. Their stories highlight a deep-rooted commitment to justice, empowerment, and national pride. Just as Sarah Forbes Bonetta navigated the complexities of her time, so did Dr. Randle and his son, each using their talents and opportunities to build a better future for their community and their country, going into spaces that likely did not welcome or support their integration.
The experiences of my ancestors—Sarah, Victoria, Dr. J.K. Randle, and J.K. Randle Jr.—often make me consider the complexities of code-switching, a pressure that many of us, myself included, know all too well. Code-switching is the act of adjusting language, behaviour, and even appearance to fit into different cultural contexts, often as a means of survival or acceptance. Each of them, in their way, navigated multiple worlds: Sarah, the West African royalty turned Victorian ward; Dr. Randle, the Western-educated Nigerian doctor who balanced tradition with modernity; and J.K. Randle Jr., who embodied the pride of Nigeria on the world stage. They all had to straddle two worlds, proving themselves to be “exemplary” in the eyes of those who may not have fully understood or valued their contributions and despite those contributions there is still much to be done to unravel the systemic barriers that allow some to succeed and insist on the failure of others.
Even today, there is often an unspoken pressure to be the “exemplary” Black person, to represent my community in predominantly white spaces. It can be exhausting, knowing that you’re seen as a symbol of either success or failure in the eyes of a society that has historically excluded you. We wrote not too long ago about my experiences as a Black focused grant funder keenly aware that the opportunities Do it Now Now has been afforded are in no small part due to the public murder of George Floyd. I often think about my position today and the experiences my ancestors must have had. I wonder if they’d cry with me or tell me to “get over it!” By reclaiming the narrative around Sarah Forbes Bonetta and the Randle family, I hope to highlight not only their achievements but also the weight of expectations and compromises that they, like many of us, had to navigate.
Reclaiming narratives isn’t just about rewriting history; it’s about recognising the influence of our ancestors, both those related to us by blood and those who inspire us in spirit. My connection to Sarah Forbes Bonetta, Victoria Davies, Dr. J.K. Randle, and J.K. Randle Jr. is a constant reminder of the importance of honouring those who came before us, whose stories shape our understanding of ourselves and our communities. This recognition challenges the linear storytelling that often characterises mainstream history. Instead, it embraces a more holistic approach that sees generational impact not as a one-time occurrence but as a continuous thread that connects us across time.
The struggles and achievements of my ancestors serve as a source of wisdom and resilience. When I look back at their stories, I see individuals who navigated unimaginable circumstances and forged lives of dignity, service, and strength. Their stories, and those of countless others, remind me that our present-day struggles for equity and justice are not new—they are part of a longer arc of history that stretches beyond our immediate lifetimes. As I work to shape the future as they did, through Do it Now Now, I draw strength from this ancestral connection, using it as a foundation for the work that still needs to be done.
Narrative reclamation is a soul stirring act of defiance against the erasure and misrepresentation of Black lives in history. It is also an affirmation of the value of every struggle, every sacrifice, and every small victory that our ancestors experienced. These stories are not relics of the past but blueprints for the future—guiding us toward a more inclusive and just society. As I move through Black History Month and beyond, I think about how we can continue to honour the impact of those who have come before us.
The lessons of history aren’t confined to textbooks; they live in the memories we choose to preserve and in the narratives we choose to uplift. By reclaiming these narratives, I refuse to be defined by a single story and instead celebrate the richness, diversity, and ongoing impact of Black heritage.
Reclaiming this narrative is not just a personal journey for me; it’s a collective call to action. It’s a reminder that our stories, our ancestors, and our legacies hold the power to shape the future of racial justice work. By recognising the broader generational impact, we can build on the strength of the past to create a more equitable world—one where every story is heard, valued, and understood. For me, this is what Black History Month 2024 is about: reclaiming the stories that empower us to keep moving forward.
