An Ipswich-born actor, presenter, writer, and producer said he is touched by the honour of being featured in an exhibition celebrating people from the black community. 

Ricardo P Lloyd is among those featured in the Anglia Ruskin University Celebrating a Legacy of Black Excellence at the ARU Cambridge exhibition. 

This tribute recognises the achievements of ARU’s Black alumni and honorary award recipients, with Ricardo himself graduating from ARU with a Master of Business Administration degree. 

He said: “I was so touched by this honor. I must keep going for the invincible audience out there.

"I am honored to be part of this exhibition, where I share the spotlight with renowned figure David Haye."

Ipswich Star: Ricardo P Lloyd has been featured in an exhibition at Anglia Ruskin University’s Cambridge campus, Ricardo P LloydRicardo P Lloyd has been featured in an exhibition at Anglia Ruskin University’s Cambridge campus, Ricardo P Lloyd (Image: Ricardo P Lloyd)

Ricardo said he grew up facing a lot of hardship, including the stigma around what black masculinity looked like. 

The 29-year-old artist decided to fight the pressure and chose to rise above his circumstances. 

He said that he was not handed opportunities on a silver platter; instead, he stood up to the pressures that surrounded him.  

He added: “I chose the path of courage over self-destruction, and within the world of acting, I discovered my sanctuary—an escape from the confines of my environment.” 

In 2022, he presented his first radio documentary, which explores the struggles and structural barriers for black people in the UK’s theatre, television and film industry. 

In a world where stereotypes often confined the concept of black masculinity, Ricardo confronted these limitations.  

He said: “I understood that emotional expression was not a sign of weakness, but a testament to inner strength.” 

Ipswich Star: Ricardo P Lloyd has been featured in an exhibition at Anglia Ruskin University’s Cambridge campus, Ricardo P LloydRicardo P Lloyd has been featured in an exhibition at Anglia Ruskin University’s Cambridge campus, Ricardo P Lloyd (Image: Ricardo P Lloyd)

Through acting, he unlocked a hitherto unexplored facet of his identity, a transformation that forever altered the trajectory of his life. 

In March of this year, Ricardo appeared in a BBC comedy sketch called An Afroscot in Brixton.