Celebrating Black History, Culture and Heritage: Made By Nicole at Schonfeld
Artwork with a lasting impact
On 22 October 2026, artist and founder Nicole Thornton was invited to lead a Black History Month event at prestigious hedge fund Schonfeld, celebrating African and Caribbean culture, heritage and the enduring legacy of influential Black figures throughout history.
Through a vibrant and engaging presentation, Nicole shared her journey as an artist, exploring how her work celebrates Black identity, challenges perceptions and honours the people and stories that have shaped history. With a particular focus on two of her tonal drawings, Revolutionary (2015) and The Greatest (2016), Nicole explored the power of art as a means of preserving history, inspiring conversations and educating future generations.
Honouring the Legacies That Shaped History
Through her tonal drawings, Revolutionary (2015) and The Greatest (2016), Nicole paid tribute to Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Nelson Mandela and Muhammad Ali, celebrating their contributions to civil rights, racial equality and social justice.
Beyond their historic achievements, she highlighted their courage, conviction and willingness to challenge the status quo, reflecting on how their enduring legacies continue to inspire generations to stand against injustice and use their voices and platforms to create meaningful change.
Art With Purpose
Nicole also showcased original pieces from her Her Divine Thread series, including Imani, Nala and Nandi, celebrating Black womanhood, faith, heritage and identity. Through her work, she emphasised the importance of positively representing Black beauty and culture while encouraging self-love, self-acceptance and a deeper connection to our stories and heritage.
Beyond the canvas, Nicole is committed to using her art to make a positive impact. In 2023, Made By Nicole raised £470 for Urban Synergy through an artwork auction, reflecting her belief in the power of creativity to give back to the community.
A Milestone for Made By Nicole
Being invited as a paid guest speaker marked an exciting milestone for Nicole and the continued growth of Made By Nicole. The opportunity represented not only recognition of her work as an artist, but also the value of the stories, historical perspectives and cultural conversations her artwork can bring to wider audiences.
The event demonstrated how art can serve as a powerful educational tool, helping to bring history to life while encouraging meaningful dialogue around identity, representation, equality and heritage. By sharing the stories behind her work, Nicole invited attendees to look beyond the artwork itself and consider the people, struggles and triumphs that inspired it.
The presentation concluded with food inspired by African and Caribbean cuisine, bringing the event to a close with a celebration of the cultures and traditions at the heart of Black History Month.
For Made By Nicole, the experience was a meaningful opportunity to share the purpose behind the work, celebrate the richness of Black history and heritage, and continue building a creative practice that honours the past while inspiring the future.
