Baroness Lola Young of Hornsey is a crossbench peer in the House of Lords, cultural advocate, and former actor and academic. Born in London to Nigerian parents, she began her career in the arts, appearing in BBC children’s programmes and the sitcom Metal Mickey. She later became a professor of Cultural Studies at Middlesex University, where she explored race, gender, and representation in media.
A passionate campaigner for social justice, Baroness Young has led initiatives on ethical fashion, modern slavery, and cultural heritage. She served as Head of Culture at the Greater London Authority and chaired the Nitro Theatre Company. Her work bridges activism, education, and the arts, championing equity and inclusion across British public life. She was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2001 and became a life peer in 2004.
Her recent memoir, Eight Weeks, is a powerful reflection on her childhood in care and her journey to public leadership—an essential contribution to contemporary Black British history. She continues to champion equity and inclusion across public life, blending personal insight with political impact.
