The Sun has launched a special series featuring famous names to mark Black History Month.

The series has seen Lewis Hamilton, Maya Jama, Trevor McDonald and Alison Hammond write about their personal hero from black history.

Long-running ITN news anchor Sir Trevor wrote about Nelson Mandela and Formula One racing superstar Lewis Hamilton paid tribute to boxing hero Muhammad Ali.

Lewis Hamilton said: “Storytelling is one of the most important things out there today. That’s why I am so grateful to hear that The Sun is doing this special series because there is so much we don’t know about black history and it is so helpful, because there are so many great stories out there and they should be heard.”

Editor-in-Chief of The Sun, Victoria Newton added: “Over the summer we hosted a panel discussion on race, Time For Change, – featuring World Heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua, Trevor Phillips and Katharine Birbalsingh – and we’re delighted to be following it up this week with a joyful celebration of Black heroes from the past, nominated by influential figures in public life today.

 “It was a particular honour to speak to Lewis Hamilton about his role model, Muhammed Ali, and we’re delighted that the F1 star is supporting this important Sun project.

“For us to understand where we are, and how we got here, it’s clear we need to understand our shared history.”

The Sun’s series commenced on October 1.

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Throughout October, the Society of Editors will be spotlighting how news organisations are marking Black History Month and will be including the initiatives in our regular email bulletin. Please email mariella.brown@societyofeditors.org to be featured.