Daniel Kaluuya, Marcus Rashford and Michaela Coel named among UK’s most influential Black people

Marcus Rashford is among one the most influential Black people in the UK, a new report states (Picture: Pixathlon/REX/Shutterstock)

Stars including actor Daniel Kaluuya, England footballer Marcus Rashford and television presenter Alex Scott have been named on a list of the UK’s most influential Black people.

The Powerlist 2022, published by Powerful Media, has since its launch in 2007 ‘showcased Black role models to young people’, according to its organisers.

Kaluuya, who earlier this year won an Oscar for his role in Judas and the Black Messiah, features in this year’s list, as does footballer and activist Rashford, whose work forced the UK Government to provide school meals for children during lockdown.

Also on the list is actress, screenwriter and director Michaela Coel, the mastermind behind BBC’s brilliant I May Destroy You.

Comedian and actor Sir Lenny Henry, who recently released a children’s book centering on a Black superhero, was also named.

The prestigious annual list has this year been topped by Microsoft’s corporate vice president and chief digital officer, Jacky Wright.

Michaela Coel in I May Destroy You (Picture: BBC)

According to a statement from The Powerlist 2022, Wright came at the top of the ranking ‘for the sheer scale of the work she is doing’.

‘It was felt that she is one of a handful of people who are changing the world by bringing the digital revolution to ordinary people all over the planet,’ it added.

Responding to the news, Wright said she was ‘truly honoured to be given the number one spot on The Powerlist 2022’.

‘I am proud to be in the company of these great leaders of African and African Caribbean heritage, but I am reminded that we still have a very long way to go,’ she said.

Wright continued: ‘Each of us has a responsibility to ensure that we not only showcase role models, so future generations can envision who and what they can be, but more importantly, we need to make monumental shifts to create a more equitable society.’

Oscar-winner Daniel was on the lost (Picture: Backgrid)

Michael Eboda, founder and CEO of Powerful Media, which publishes The Powerlist, said: ‘The Powerlist continues to be a great showcase, acknowledgement and reminder of the amazing individuals of African, African Caribbean and African American heritage we have in the UK and I would like to congratulate each and everyone on the list.

‘Jacky Wright is a true professional who is totally well deserved of being recognised as the UK’s most powerful black Briton on the Powerlist 2022.

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‘She is a shining example of professional excellence and this is evident through the roles she has been appointed to throughout her illustrious career.

‘She is a role model to many and I applaud the great work she is doing at Microsoft.’

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