Dragons' Den entrepreneur Levi Roots was among the speakers at an Age UK Black History Month event.
The event, which took place on October 21, was attended by more than 100 people at the Ann Owens Centre in East Finchley.
Levi Roots spoke about the significance of understanding our history and shared his personal experiences of growing up in Jamaica and moving to London.
He said: "History is so important because it gives us a chance to understand ourselves.
"As one of my heroes, Marcus Garvey, once said: 'Without knowledge of your past, you're like a tree without roots'.
"We need to reveal the true stories of history to better understand who was responsible for the issues we face today, and so we can carve out a better future."
Author Charlotte Osho and her daughter, comedian and actor Andi Osho, discussed Charlotte's recently published memoir, The Jagged Edge.
This memoir explores her 'journey to happiness' after leaving Nigeria and an 'abusive marriage.'
Charlotte Osho said: "I wrote about how I learned to stand up for myself and how I got my life back.
"It's a story of hope and resilience that people can learn from."
Anne Stennett, a partner at Curwens Solicitors, also shared her story of success and how her parents, who ran a newsagents in Finchley, inspired her ambition.
She said: "I learned from them about hard work, how to speak up, what it takes to run a business, as well as patience and persistence."
The event also featured musical performances, a cookery demonstration, an exhibition exploring the lives of individuals who have made significant historical contributions, and a display of paintings by East Finchley resident and Age UK Barnet volunteer Eugene Turney.
DJ Tibzz kept the energy up with some African Caribbean music.
Service manager Jenny Jean Charles, who organised the event, said: "This was a wonderful opportunity for people from all different backgrounds to share experiences and learn about African Caribbean culture and history, challenging the narratives that have often overlooked the contributions and achievements of Black individuals both in the UK and around the world."
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