Contemporary Black British Changemakers
Two inspiring Hackney women have been recognised for their work with portraits at the National Portrait Gallery
Rena Kydd-Williams’s group portrait by Giana De Dier
Dawn Carter-Mcdonald, chief executive of Hackney Council, and community activist Rena Kydd-Williams were both nominated as examples of ‘contemporary changemakers’ from Britain’s African and Caribbean diaspora by the Hackney community.
Panamanian collage artist, Giana De Dier, turned their portraits into artworks for a year-long display at the gallery, as part of ‘Artists First: Contemporary Perspectives on Portraiture’.
Inspired by the gallery’s collection of cartes-de-visites, Giana created a series of small portraits for display alongside the historic cartes.
Giana explains: “The women, men and young people featured in Contemporary Black British Changemakers were all recommended by others within their communities and networks.
“Both Dawn and Rena are working tirelessly in different ways. In Rena’s case, she decided that her portrait would also feature the women and men she collaborates with.
“Dawn’s is a solo portrait but also shows, in a slightly different way, how influential and inspiring her father’s work as a pastor within his community was for who she is today and the work she does currently.
“I’m hoping that people seeing the project for the first time feel and see themselves reflected in the people featured.”
Watch Dawn Carter-Mcdonald’s reaction to being chosen as an example of a ‘contemporary changemaker' from Britain’s African and Caribbean diaspora by artist Giana de Dier.
Dawn says: “I would hope that I was chosen because I’m a good example of someone who just wants to see a difference around me.
“Throughout my lifetime and my career I’ve tried to demonstrate how important it is to be a great example to your community, family, and your friends.”
Rena adds: "I've been fortunate that I’ve worked with so many diverse and dynamic people throughout my years. I couldn’t have done what I did alone.
“It was important to have a group shot of some of the people who have supported me, or who I’ve supported, because I’m socio-politically minded. I feel that any wins I achieve is for the greater good of the community.”
The exhibition is supported by the CHANEL Culture Fund and will be on at the National Portrait Gallery until August 2026.