Planet Village

10/06/2026

Harriet Tubman exemplified perseverance in every phase of her

life. Born into slavery, Tubman made the daring decision to escape

slavery in 1849, leaving behind her family. She travelled nearly

90 miles on foot, using the North Star for guidance and following

the Underground Railroad, a secret network of safe houses and

abolitionist allies that helped enslaved people escape. Tubman

successfully reached Philadelphia and gained her freedom.

However, her sense of responsibility for others still in bo***ge drove

her back to the South countless times over the next decade to free

other slaves.

All the World's Your Stage (https://www.planetvillage.co.uk/shop/ ), is a study module on Harriet and other iconic role models from Black history. They are an invitation to sit with your children, family members or friends and reflect on what we can learn from their lives to enrich your own

05/06/2026

03/06/2026

Marcus Garvey (1887–1940) was a towering figure in the struggle for Black empowerment and Pan-African unity. His resilience shone through his ability to overcome personal, social, and political challenges. From his humble beginnings in Saint Ann’s Bay, Jamaica, to his global impact through the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), he faced systemic racism, imprisonment, and exile. Yet, he never wavered in his mission.

He rebounded from financial ruin, betrayal, and government persecution to continue advocating for Black pride and self-reliance.

Even in his final years, marginalised and in declining health, Garvey remained steadfast in his vision.

Garvey was born on 17 August 1887, in Saint Ann’s Bay, Jamaica. His father, Marcus Garvey Sr., was a stonemason and an avid reader, instilling a love for learning in young Marcus.

However, Garvey’s experiences with racism came early; as a child, he played with white children, but as they grew older, they distanced themselves from him due to racial divisions. This painful rejection shaped his awareness of racial injustice.

All the World's Your Stage (https://www.planetvillage.co.uk/shop/ ), is a study module on Marcus and other iconic role models from Black history. They are an invitation to sit with your children, family members or friends and reflect on what we can learn from their lives to enrich your own.

27/05/2026

Mary Prince (1788–1833) used creativity as a tool to reclaim her
voice and humanity in a society that sought to suppress both.
Profoundly expressed through her storytelling, her life story,
documented in The History of Mary Prince, a West Indian Slave,
Related by Herself (1831), was the first narrative of an enslaved
woman published in England. It was ground breaking, combining
vivid storytelling with raw truth to expose the brutal realities of
slavery.

Her narrative wasn’t just a personal account but a call to action. By transforming her
pain into prose, Prince elevated her life into a powerful testament against injustice, a
form of creative resistance against the institution of slavery.
Each chapter of our publication,

All the World's Your Stage (https://www.planetvillage.co.uk/shop/ ), is a study module on Mary and other iconic role models from Black history. They are an invitation to sit with your children, family members or friends and reflect on what we can learn from their lives to enrich your own.

12/05/2026

Daisaku Ikeda (1928–2023) was a Buddhist philosopher,

peacebuilder, educator, author, and poet. He served as the third

president of the Soka Gakkai and was the founding president of

the Soka Gakkai International (SGI), a global Buddhist association

promoting peace, culture, and education.

Born on January 2, 1928, in Tokyo, Ikeda was the fifth of eight children in a family that

harvested edible seaweed. During his youth, he suffered from a weak constitution,

compounded by tuberculosis. At the age of 13, Japan entered World War II, and his

eldest brother was killed in the conflict. This experience deeply impacted his views on

the futility of war and his later commitment to peace. He suffered from tuberculosis as

a teenager, which at that time was a life-threatening illness. These factors drove his

spiritual search for meaning and purpose in life. He later wrote;”I developed a deep

hatred for war, its cruelty, stupidity and waste.

Each chapter of our publication, All the World's Your Stage (https://www.planetvillage.co.uk/shop/ ), is a study module on Ikeda and other iconic role models from Black history. They are an invitation to sit with your children, family members or friends and reflect on what we can learn from their lives to enrich your own.

05/05/2026

Angelou’s creativity was multifaceted and evolved throughout her life. She first explored
performance arts through dance and theater, later embracing poetry and memoir
writing. Her autobiographical series, beginning with “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”
(1969), broke literary ground by blending personal narrative with historical and social
commentary. She used rhythm and language as tools of expression, much like a jazz
musician crafting improvisational melodies. Her poetry, spoken-word performances,
and collaborations with artists across different mediums showcased her ability to
translate personal and collective experiences into influential art.

Each chapter of our publication, All the World's Your Stage (https://www.planetvillage.co.uk/shop/ ), is a study module on Maya and other iconic role models from Black history. They are an invitation to sit with your children, family members or friends and reflect on what we can learn from their lives to enrich your own.

29/04/2026

Muhammad Ali, born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. on January 17, 1942, in Louisville,
Kentucky, grew up in a racially segregated America. His father, Cassius Clay Sr., was a sign painter, while his mother, Odessa Clay, worked as a domestic helper. Ali’s early life was shaped by the racial injustices he witnessed and experienced firsthand.
At the age of 12, his life took a dramatic turn when his bicycle was stolen. A police
officer named Joe Martin, who was also a boxing trainer, encouraged young Cassius to take up boxing. Under Martin’s guidance, he developed a strong work ethic and a brash, confident personality. By his late teens, he was a standout amateur fighter, winning a gold medal in the light heavyweight division at the 1960 Rome Olympics. However, upon returning home, he was still subjected to racism, an experience that fueled his later activism.

Known not only for his unparalleled achievements in boxing but also for his activism,
charisma, and unwavering self-belief, Ali’s life was a testament to the power of conviction. He stood firm in his principles, even when it cost him dearly, and he inspired millions with his boldness, courage, and determination.

Each chapter of our publication, All the World's Your Stage (https://www.planetvillage.co.uk/shop/ ), is a study module on ALI and other iconic role models from Black history. They are an invitation to sit with your children, family members or friends and reflect on what we can learn from their lives to enrich your own.