David Harewood OBE
Transform conversations on diversity and social justice with David Harewood OBE, speaker, acclaimed actor and mental health advocate. David works with organisations to address racial inequality and promote mental wellbeing, delivering powerful insights as RADA President and UNICEF UK Ambassador.
London, United Kingdom
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Harewood advocates for the British government to apologise for its role in the slave trade, a cause deeply personal to him due to his ancestry. His great-great-great-great grandparents were enslaved on a plantation in Barbados owned by Henry Lascelles, 2nd Earl of Harewood. He has engaged with David Lascelles, the current Earl, who shares his views on the need for an apology. In 2007, Harewood visited Harewood House, built with profits from slavery, to discuss this history with Lascelles. In September 2023, a portrait of Harewood was unveiled at Harewood House, acknowledging their families' shared past.
In addition to his acting career, Harewood has been involved in various political and charitable efforts. He presented a Party Election Broadcast for the Labour Party in 2012 and supported Change UK in the 2019 European Parliament election. He has also donated bone marrow to save a life and campaigned for the British Lung Foundation to ban smoking in cars with children.
Harewood is a passionate supporter of Birmingham City Football Club and participated in Soccer Aid 2018, helping England win a charity match for UNICEF, which raised over £5 million. His accolades include nominations and awards from the Screen Actors Guild, Nashville Film Festival, and the Edinburgh TV Festival, among others. In 2023, he was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire for his contributions to drama.
With a career spanning nearly 35 years, Harewood has performed in prestigious theatres and on major television networks. He made his directorial debut during the final season of Supergirl. His documentaries, such as David Harewood: Psychosis and Me, explore mental health and racial injustices, making him a significant advocate for change. His memoir, Maybe I Don’t Belong Here, was published in September 2021.
As a UNICEF UK Ambassador, Harewood has raised awareness for children's health and vaccination efforts, particularly in Sierra Leone. He has also been a vocal advocate for mental health, sharing his experiences to encourage open dialogue and support. His work extends to promoting representation in the arts and addressing issues affecting the black community, including organ donation and voting rights.
Harewood continues to use his platform to challenge inequalities and inspire change, both in the UK and beyond.
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