The Africa Centre had the profound honour of celebrating one of the most extraordinary figures in our cultural life: Margaret Busby CBE. As Margaret launched her new book ‘Part of the Story’ at The Africa Centre, among us, it felt entirely fitting that this moment took place here. Like Margaret herself, The Africa Centre has always stood as a home for African voices, ideas, and stories.

Margaret’s career has been intertwined with the Centre’s for over 6 decades, and it was with immense pride that we presented Margaret with our Icon of the Africa Centre award. This recognition barely scratches the surface of what she means to us and to generations of writers, readers and thinkers across the African diaspora. She became Britain’s youngest and first Black woman publisher when she co-founded Allison & Busby in the 1960s, and her landmark anthologies Daughters of Africa and New Daughters of Africa remain two of the most important works in our literary canon.

But more than her titles and accolades, what moves us most is her spirit: the quiet, unwavering conviction that African stories matter, that they must be told, and that the people telling them deserve a champion in their corner. Margaret has been that champion for over half a century. Moreover, Margaret is one of the most beautiful souls whose very presence elevates the spirit of any space she occupies. 

Last night was a celebration of a remarkable book (a selected collection of her writing over 5 decades), a remarkable woman, and a remarkable friendship between Margaret and this Centre. We are grateful, we are inspired, and we are proud to call her our own.
It is interesting that one of the pieces in the book is an essay on her relationship with Wole Soyinka. Wole Soyinka was recognised as an icon of The Africa Centre on his 90th birthday 2 years ago. Margaret and Wole met at The Africa Centre in the 1970s. 
Thank you, Margaret. Stay Wonderful!