Mojatu Magazine Derby D004

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BABY PEOPLE

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AFRICAN & CARIBBEAN Recipes to Try

Why you shouldn’t fear the smear - Page 23

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What were you doing this time last year? I’d just started a new job helping to launch a brand-new magazine in Derby. Four issues in, and I can honestly say that no matter how high my expectations were, I would never have been able to foresee just how rewarding this project would be and how well it would be received.

Over the past twelve months, I’ve learnt so much and met so many remarkable people. Derby’s African and Caribbean population is abundant with talent, aspiration and innovation, and while we can only fit so much into a 36-page magazine, I hope that we’ve captured at least a fraction of what our city’s underrepresented communities have to offer. To everyone we’ve interviewed or collaborated with so far: thank you for trusting us to tell your stories.

2023 has already been fruitful for Mojatu. The magazine is now available from over a dozen different venues (and counting), and we’ve been getting great feedback from our readers. Also, what started as a two-man Derbyspecific team – shout out to my colleague Tristan –doubled for this issue with the addition of two placement students from Derby Uni. Between us – and with some help from staff in Notts and London – I believe we’ve put together a really strong selection of articles.

Nonetheless, we can’t afford to rest on our laurels. There’s much work still to be done to make this magazine the best it can be, and we’d love to hear your suggestions – so please get in touch with us via any of the email addresses below. If this project keeps on growing as it has been, who knows where we’ll be in another year’s time?

Jamie Morris Managing Editor

Editorial

Group Editor: Pa Modou Faal – pa@mojatu.com

Managing Editor: Jamie Morris- derby@mojatu.com

Design: Robert Borbely - robert@mojatu.com

Photos: www.freepik.com

Contributors: Jamie Morris | Tristan Best

Sarah-Louise Elton | Jerry Kahn | Omar Mohammed

Mohamed Duale | David L. Lester-Masse

Galbur Foundation | Vara Saripalli, Psy.D.

IT |

Social Media: Amanda Duke

Accounts: Thierry Karume - accounts@mojatu.com

Admin: Penny Cooper - penny@mojatu.com

Sales & Marketing | Community Engagement

Abdoulie Jah - jah@mojatu.com

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The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publishers. Every effort has been made to ensure that the contents of this magazine are accurate but the publisher cannot take responsibility for errors, omissions, nor can we accept responsibility for the advertisements or editorial contributions.

News & Comments: news@mojatu.com

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WINDRUSH 75TH ANNIVERSARY TO COMMEMORATE ‘FOUR GENERATIONS OF LEGACY AND STRUGGLE’

By Jamie Morris

Campaigners are uniting to raise awareness of a major upcoming anniversary for the Windrush Generation.

75 years since the HMT Empire Windrush arrived on UK shores, people are calling for a year of commemoration on par with that of a ‘Diamond Jubilee’.

The Windrush Generation – referring not just to the hundreds who made the voyage from Jamaica in 1948, but those who followed suit throughout the Fifties and Sixties – were the forefathers of much of today’s Black British population. This includes the parents of activist Patrick Vernon, who convened the Windrush 75 Network in their honour.

“My dad is 91 while my mum is in her 80s,” Vernon said. “By the time we reach the 80th or the 85th anniversary, most of the generation will no longer be here. It’s very important to acknowledge and thank those members of the generation up and down the country while we can.”

Plans for ways to pay homage are already underway, such as actor-comedian Lenny Henry writing both a play and a TV drama to mark the occasion. “It’s vital this year to celebrate the courage of those pioneers who gave up the life they knew to seek a better one here in Britain. They paved the way for those of us who have followed,” said Henry, whose parents were also of the Windrush Generation.

“With my one-man play August in England and upcoming TV series Three Little Birds, I want to bring their stories to wider attention in 2023. Big respect to those pioneers – we stand on their shoulders.”

Windrush stories will also be featured in museums nationwide, allowing people to learn more about how their arrival impacted the cities they live in and what life was like for them there. Derby Museums, which held an exhibition focused on Derby’s West Indian population last year, said it will continue to build upon its Windrush-centric work in 2023.

“Museums are civic spaces where stories are told. More often than not this is done by way of objects and art – but many of those people who made that journey 75 years ago did not bring objects with them,” Executive Director Tony Butler said. “Over the years, as places of memory, museums and community heritage organisations across the UK have collected oral histories and memories to share their stories with the public.”

Historian David Olusoga described the arrival of the Windrush as ‘a pivotal moment in Black history and

British history’. “We see its legacy every day, when we turn on the radio or TV, walk down the High Street or cheer for England at the World Cup,” he said. “So it’s important that the anniversary is marked in a significant way and that everyone is invited to take part.”

This isn’t the only seminal moment in British history reaching its 75th anniversary this year – 1948 also saw the foundation of the NHS, in which members of the Windrush Generation played an instrumental role.

NHS England CEO Amanda Pritchard said: “From 1948 to today, the NHS has always welcomed talent from around the world. Many of the new arrivals’ contributions to the health service helped to create a new and free health care system for all. I am honoured to work alongside their descendants and generations that followed in their footsteps.”

Windrush iconography will also appear on a series of commemorative stamps and a special 50p coin from the Royal Mail and Royal Mint, respectively.

However, many believe that more should be done to honour this anniversary. A poll by the Windrush 75 Network found that 60% of Britons agree that we ‘owe a great deal to the Windrush generation and should recognise their contribution as part of our national story’.

Furthermore, there are calls for the Government to recognise their struggles, particularly by making amends for the 2018 scandal that saw many from the generation deported, detained, denied benefits and made homeless.

Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: “The 75th anniversary will be an emotional day in many communities as we remember the sacrifices of a generation which gave so much to this country, but it is bittersweet. A time to celebrate how migration and diversity has helped build modern Britain – but also to put pressure on the Government to finally give the victims of the scandal the compensation they deserve.”

Vernon reiterated that efforts should be made throughout 2023 to honour Windrush history, pay due respect to those of the generation still with us and ensure a positive future for their descendants. “This is like a Diamond Jubilee for modern, diverse Britain. We are celebrating four generations of contribution, legacy, struggle and positive change. And it is a moment to look to the future too, at how we address the challenges to come.”

Find out more at windrush75.org

MUSEUM REQUESTS SUPPORT FOLLOWING PLANNED BUDGET CUTS - By

Derby Museums could be forced to close sites and introduce admission fees due to a proposed reduction in Council funding.

The City Council has asked Derby Museums to accept a £71,000 cut to its annual budget – 10% less than the usual amount – in order to reduce local authority spending during the ongoing cost of living crisis.The charity is already expecting its electricity and gas costs to at least double within the coming months, leading Executive Director Tony Butler to fear that the cuts could have a ‘devastating effect’ on the services it provides.

“In the last few years, Derby Museums has done the right thing,” Mr Butler said, listing successful exhibitions and projects such as Leonardo Da Vinci: A Life in Drawing, Poppies: Weeping Window and the Derby Ram Trail.

“However, the current financial model leaves little headroom and as things stand, I fear we may ‘run out of road.’”

Derby Museums operates three venues within the city centre: its flagship Museum & Art Gallery, Pickford’s House and the Museum of Making, with the latter of which being selected as an Art Fund Museum of the Year finalist in 2022.

Recent Derby Museums projects have made an effort to put the spotlight on historically underrepresented groups within the city. This includes the Culture and Legacy collaboration with the Derby West Indian Community Association, which Mojatu called ‘a fascinating deep-dive into the history of the city’s Caribbean population’, and the ongoing History Makers exhibition, which focuses on the accomplishments of women and gender diverse people.

Jamie Morris

The Council’s financial plans outline that reducing its overall spending isn’t just a case of incrementally scaling the budget, and that the ‘financial resilience and sustainability of the council must remain front and centre’. As a result, other council-funded services are facing cuts of varying severity.

In addition to the museums, libraries are also at risk of losing funding – most notably the proposal to end the funding and staffing of all community-managed libraries in the city. For Council-managed libraries, a year-long reduction in spending on the purchase of new library books and on various library service resources has also been suggested. Money for the staffing of public parks and live events could also be reduced.

Jonathan Smale, Conservative Cabinet Member for Finance, Digital and Culture, described the Council’s current predicament as ‘a perfect storm of increasing costs and rising demand’ but iterated that the plans are a work in progress and the floor is open to community input.

“We’re facing some extremely tough choices, and some services will look very different,” Smale said. “We’ll continue to look to the future – our ambition for the city remains the same, even if we have to change how we go about it.”

Those who benefit from the museum, libraries, parks or other services subject to cuts can read the full details of the proposals on the Let’s Talk Derby website, and people have been able to share their own views via a questionnaire, which Derby Museums urged people to complete.

“Whether you live, work, visit or benefit from services in Derby you are entitled to respond to the consultation,” Mr Butler added.

THE COST OF LIVING CRISIS AND WHAT IT COULD MEAN FOR YOU

Get up to speed on the financial struggles being faced by households across the nation…

The initial cost of living has been quickly increasing across the United Kingdom since the early months of 2021, following the economic stumble that Covid-19 had left upon our nation. The annual inflation rate reached 11.1% – a 41-year peak – before decreasing to 10.7% in November 2022, which is still alarmingly high. This ultimately caused an increase in the cost of the household items which we use every day.

According to government research and estimates, the percentage is meant to decrease by 2% by 2024, which is great but not enough. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has had a knock-on effect on the price of gas and electric, water and fuel, which are all skyrocketing and putting strain on our pockets here in the UK.

The economy is struggling, and it is gradually getting more

By Tristan Best

and more difficult for smaller businesses as it is becoming extremely difficult to trade with Europe. As a direct result of this, the economy is less resilient, less productive, less flexible and less responsive to the global market.

In GDP growth, the UK has fallen behind other countries such as Germany, Japan, USA and Canada, and the USA’s rate is positively soaring above us at the time of writing.

Another unfortunate consequence of all of this is that more people are at risk of homelessness, with rates increasing, and more and more jobs becoming insufficient to fund the needs of the general public.

This level of stress and anxiety is also having an affect on people’s mental health, and their physical health may also be impacted by a change in diet or the need to take on longer shifts. The latter also inevitably takes the time out of their social lives – a night out and a meal, now off the cards for many.

MANCHESTER UNITED VS MOJATU: A cup game coincidence

- By Tristan Best

Manchester United managed to play Nottingham Forest twice and Reading once in the cups – both homes to our magazines. Fate nearly fell in place with Derby having the opportunity to play against West Ham United, unfortunately losing 2-0 in the process. If Derby had won, they would have had to face the Red Devils as well.

Starting off, Manchester United had to face off against Nottingham Forest in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final. The game started off slow-paced, with not too many chances falling either way, but you could see that Forest didn’t exactly have a plan to break United down. They seemed un-equipped for the match, and like a colony of ants, the home side (Notts) managed to get squashed one by one by their opposition’s quality football. Thanks to interchanging passes and quick flowing pressurised movements, the Notts side was left out of possession of the ball, massively.

It started off with Rashford, the elite catalyst at the forefront of United’s attack. With pace-filled long strides, he surpassed the opposition with ease and produced a composed weaker foot finish, leaving Wayne Hennessy reaching for the ball out of the back of his net. Following this, both sides had managed to find themselves in spots of opportunity, De Gea stopping Forest, and Forest having an offside goal disallowed.

Shortly after this, Man United drove forward, causing mania again. Pellistri, recently subbed on, had the ball taken from him by the opposition, but the clearance was poor and Rashford picked the ball up to pass it on to an on-form Bruno, who put the game definitively to rest, with 3-0 being the score in the end.

Secondly, Man United faced off against Reading at Old Trafford. They made minor rotations, and manager Erik ten Hag’s judgement was definitely sound, as Marcus Rashford opened the scoring with a header. VAR controversially disallowed the goal, however, by only a few centimetres. Following this, Mr Casemiro, my hero, managed to successfully dink the ball past the Reading keeper making the match 1-0.

Only minutes later, the world class Brazilian superstar smashed the ball in from almost 30 yards out, if not further. To make it 2-0, and later on down the line, EtH subbed Fred on for Antony, which later led to Fred scoring making the game 3-0, dead and buried. Then, out of nowhere, Andy Carroll caused a massive row of disgust as he got a red card for going through Eriksen, ultimately putting the rest of his season at risk. Reading scored from a corner a little while later but the game was already done for by then.

Lastly, Manchester United faced off in the last leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final at Old Trafford, with a 3-0 lead, and being in front of the United supporters in their masses, I already knew where this tie was going to lead us: to Wembley, of course. Man United started a strong team with very few changes to the first 11 – three in fact, with one being forced with Christian Eriksens unfortunate injury against Reading on the weekend. Fred stood in for him, Garnacho in for Rashford, and Heaton in for De Gea – a well needed rest for those two. It was a breath of fresh air to see Garnacho, with his immense ability oozing from touch to pass, to pivot and pull off the defender. A true super prospect.

Luke Shaw created the first initial chance with a great delivery from a free kick, Casemiro forced Hennessy to stop the chance roughly 30 minutes in, and then another decent Luke Shaw delivery from a corner got cleared out, falling to Antony who had to smash it and stun the opposition. He narrowly missed on this particular occasion.

Nott’m Forest had a chance blocked by their own player, which could have thrown the game into a frenzy if the ball sought for the back of the net. Garnacho shortly after this had his own opportunity saved by Wayne Hennessy. Due to Dean Henderson being on loan from Manchester United, he was forbidden to play against his parent club – would that have changed the end product of these ties if he did play? I personally think not, as Hennessy put in an honest 180+ minutes.

Between the 60-70-minute mark, United switched the front three from, Garnacho, Weghorst and Antony to Rashford, Martial and Jadon Sancho, with the latter being met with an exceptional response from the crowd following a darker few months for him personally. This changed the medium of the pitch for Forest, dropping them in an ocean of sinking sand, far from the accolades of winning the Cup.

United struck forward, Martial drove forward where he tried to find Rashy, losing the ball to the Notts defender, to whom managed to fumble the ball and leave it in the most ideal position for the French man. This made the score 4-0 on aggregate – a superb play followed with confidence oozing. Sancho passed outside to Fernandes, who passed to Rashford, who then scuffed the ball inwards towards the path of Fred, who nudged the ball over the line to finish the game.

It was an honour to witness these three fixtures, and also I find myself grateful to have a reason to write passionately and descriptively about something that I have loved for years on end.

A LOOK AT DERBY COUNTY’S LEAGUE ONE TRAGEDY – PART THREE - By

Tristan Best

Where we left off last time, the mighty Rams had just handed defeat to the Baggies in the second round, which clearly would have given the boost needed in terms of morale and confidence for the games that followed…

Peterborough

The joint best defence took on the league’s joint top scorers in a highly anticipated bout. With the Rams beating the Posh in the last four meetings before this match, they would’ve had a positive mentality going into the game. In the first few minutes, Wildsmith got lucky with United’s Jack Marriot – a former Derby player – missing a great opportunity. Barkhuizen’s pace and steadiness nearly led to a great Sibley goal, with Sibley merely missing the goal by inches.

Another Barkhuizen slalom nearly lead to a magnificent goal for the Rams, the Posh’s keeper being urgently called into action following a swift team effort, from Barkhuizen, to Hourihane to then Collins who pressures the opposition into spilling the ball into the lively Barkhuizen, with a volley answered by the keeper. Shortly after this, Sibley and Thompson got into a minor altercation leading to the latter getting the first booking of the match. Derby upped their aggression and headed for a counter attack, Dobbins run and through ball to Sibley was answered with a decent pull back on the edge of the box for Barkhuizen, who unfortunately didn’t take his time and managed to punt the ball skywards.

Even though we didn’t manage to score in the first half, you could see we had the favour going forward, and Barkhuizen was my man of the match so far. Following the break, Derby’s Barkhuizen managed to twist up Thompson, leaving the ref no choice but to book the player again, sending him off in the 55th minute. This left the Posh a man short, which was fortunate for Derby, but somehow they managed to lose the stride given to them by this incident, and Peterborough kept on applying plenty of pressure, forcing Cashin to make a prompt goal line clearance. Peterborough’s Josh Knight came off the bench to put in a cross from Burrows, which was nodded on by their number 6 Frankie Kent, a great team gem.

After this, it was clear that the Rams had to get back on equal terms. It took a while, but fortune landed in our favour, with a stunning header from Jason Knight, the equaliser, in the 88th minute. Following this, Dobbin struck gold, managing to out-pace his defender and also find McGoldrick on the cut back in the box. The crowd erupted, as this was the last chance of the match and gave Derby the three points they needed – and deserved. I’d have to insist on Barkhuizen as

my man of the match, as his consistent direct approach drew me in and has got me invested in future matches.

Grimsby

The Rams started off quick and fresh with Nathaniel Mendez-Laing depositing the ball into the net, displacing the opposition keeper with a quick shift of pace from the men in black and white. With the striker scoring in the first six minutes into the match, it was great to see the lads keep up the positivity and turn their effort into the end product. The match went on for a while until the well-in-tune Louie Sibley managed to convert the forward talisman. Mendez-Laings cut back, with excellent composure in his stride whilst doing so, doubling the lead. Shortly after this, the lads upped the pace, and took further control of the match with Max Bird making it 3-0, smashing the ball from out the box to find the net, following a failed set piece. Absolute class from the Derby Academy graduate – taking the risk and finding gold.

The two teams managed to keep the score as is for the remainder of the match, until Grimsby player Brandon Kiernan found the net, disposing of the Rams’ clean sheet. Nevertheless, the mighty Rams still managed to hang on despite this consolation. A well rounded performance from Laing and Co.

Plymouth

After the astonishing run Derby managed to pull together, it would only be right for them to resume in the same fashion. Back in the net, Joe Wildsmith managed to pull off a great save in the earlier minutes, and Cashin pulled off a breath-taking block, denying the opposition again. The first goal fell to the Rams, with James Collins converting McGoldrick’s pass lightly with a dink to the keepers left – his first goal for Derby. Eventually, Plymouth attempted to push up again, with their forwards losing the ball. Hourihane managed to punt the ball up to Mendez-Laing, to whom was able to pass the ball to the others. This move ended back in Mendez-Laing’s feet, with him throwing a fake, and then a brisk slalom through the two defenders blocking his path. This was the last huge moment in the first half for either side.

At half time, Plymouth’s manager pulled off a clear demonstration of tactical excellency, adjusting the losing side and promptly coming back in the rear end of the match with goals from Morgan Whittaker and Sam Cosgrove. The latter scored a brace, one of which happened to be during the last minute. Initially causing frustration for the Rams fans, alas, the streak ended. But lessons are best learned early, instead of it being too late.

NORMANTON LIBRARY LAUNCHES GROUP TO CONNECT COMMUNITY OVER ARCHIVE PHOTOS

By Sarah-Louise Elton

Normanton library has recently added the ‘Conversation Cafe’ to its long list of events offered to the local community.

In a world where images are now usually viewed behind a screen, there is really something special about holding an old original printed image. The Local Studies Library is a treasure trove of rich history, storing images from past carnival events to bands in the past.

Rosa said: “We have such a nice environment here. We want to offer a well-considered space where people can call in and join together. There is nothing else like this in the city – it’s something unique.”

Situated in the heart of its community, Normanton Library is a vibrant place full of great opportunities. In addition to the books available in a variety of languages, the library offers a theatre space, computers and a list of groups and activities.

This is a monthly meet held at the library on Almond Street, offering the community a chance to come together to chat, connect, create and celebrate the Normanton community over old photos of the area. These will all be supplied by the Derby Local Studies and Family History Library.

The group, which was recently developed in partnership with Friends of Normanton Park, welcomes the community to drop in – no need to book – to enjoy a free hot drink in a safe and warm space to celebrate the wealth of history Normanton has to offer. This may appeal to people who have lived in the area a long time or just moved here recently. Everybody is welcome. Discussions are prompted by images, maps and other material from Derby Local Studies and Family History Library, alongside personal photos and items brought by members of the group.

Rosa Straw, the Derby Libraries Activities and Events Support Officer for Derby City Council said: “Everyone’s welcome just come and have a chat. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t got any memories you want to show, you can just come and listen and connect with all the people and in the community.”

The images work well as conversation starters and members of the group have already recognised the people and streets within them. The sessions soon transform into trips down memory lane, discussing how things have changed over time. There are even photos of Windrush pioneer Tom Douce and his wife Iris on their wedding day in 1954 – six years after he arrived in the UK via the Empire Windrush ship itself. There is so much to discover and discuss, like the changes in fashion and the area over time.

Find

Photos courtesy of Derby Local Studies and Family History Library

5 GENERATIONS OF MY FAMILY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

By Mohamed Duale

My family has lived in the UK for five generations, and I am the third generation. In 1908, Dualeh Mohamed became the first person to settle in Cardiff.

Dualeh Mohamed, my grandfather, was a unique individual with conflicting traits. On one aspect, he was a distinguished war veteran of both great wars (1st & 2nd World War) who risked his life for our freedom here in the UK. On the other hand, he championed a nonviolent anticolonial campaign against the same colonial powers, which led to him becoming a formidable civil rights and political activist.

In the early 1920s, my grandfather met and fell in love with a beautiful Christian mixed-race widow with Irish and Brazilian descendent. On August 24, 1924, they had their wedding in Cardiff, the capital of Wales. In addition to her already existing son Mosses Hassan from a previous marriage, my grandmother, Prudence Roberts Dawdy from County Dawn in Northern Ireland, and Dualeh Aftaag were blessed with two boys, Abraham, and Yusuf T Mohamed.

Due to Dualeh Aftaag’s leadership and the establishment of several non-governmental organizations including the British Somali Society,

the United Somali Party, and the UK branch of the Somali Youth League, which were responsible for Somalia’s independence, Dualeh came to be known as the father of Somali politics in the UK. In the middle of the 20th century, he also closely collaborated with African Americans leaders like Paul Robeson and W.E.B. De Bios. He consequently became a concern for UK national security. As a direct result, he was branded as a communist collaborator and subject of national security in the UK. However, this rural Somalian man’s meagre resources, aspirations to travel abroad, autodidactic education, and unwavering willpower enabled him to play a significant role in the liberation of his country. His life experiences— from the arid and hostile deserts of Northern Somalia to the humiliations of colonial rule, the bigotry he encountered in Cardiff, and the struggle to restore his nation via shrewd and tenacious political campaigning—defined his viewpoint. After reading a poem titled, I Am Born Today on the day of the flag-raising more than fifty years later “Somali’s Independence Day”.  Eventually in mid-June in 1960 Dualeh along with his two sons moved to Somalia, who he had nurtured them in Cardiff.

It is crucial to note that Abraham Dualeh, my father, and Dualeh’s second child, enlisted into the military and contributed to the defence of the UK by fighting in the Second World War and unfortunately  an 8-month of being a Prisoner of War  under Hitler. Derrick Hassan, Dualeh’s grandson, also became the first black police officer in the Welsh police force.

After years of relentless political engagement and giving up 50 years of his life, my grandfather ultimately succeeded in achieving his goal of  Somalia becoming an independent republic from the British Colony in 1960. Dualeh Aftaag earnestly wished for his son to wed a strong, beautiful Somali woman, so he and my grandfather returned to Somalia together. The fact that my father identified as a black Welshman who could speak English, Welsh, and a little bit of other European languages (French and German) without being able to speak Somali, and that my mother, Ebado Adan Ali Istahil, was a Somali native in every possible way—culturally and linguistically. My mother was one of the nicest, kindest, strongest, and most familyoriented soulmates that my father has ever met. Without a doubt, she was my greatest inspiration and role model. God, please have mercy on my parents, both. Even though they are no longer here, we will always cherish their memories.

Four boys and three girls were among the seven children my parents were blessed with. We left Mogadishu, Somalia for Britain to be with our father just before the central government of Somalia disintegrated in 1990. To achieve one of my life goals, which was to be a highly educated person, I started learning English as soon as I moved to Cardiff. I enrolled to universities when I become proficient in English and eventually graduated with a Chemical Engineering undergraduate degree, master’s degree in computing, and PGCE.

https://mojatu.com/2022/12/07/5generations-of-my-family-in-theunited-kingdom/

AUSCHWITZ SAPLING PLANTED AT DERBY UNI TO HONOUR HOLOCAUST VICTIMS

By Jamie Morris & Tristan Best

A sapling from Auschwitz has been planted at the University of Derby as a tribute to victims of the Holocaust.

Dr Larissa Allwork, the university’s Associate Professor in History and Impact, said: “It is my great honour to open this dedication of the Auschwitz memorial sapling. I hope that the planting of the sapling will remind us of the Jewish victims of the Naziperpetrated Holocaust and the Third Reich’s wider victims. Coming from abroad and now rooted in Britain, I also hope that the Auschwitz sapling will be a symbol of hope against antisemitism and racism.”

from the Nottingham Liberal Synagogue, then recited a prayerpoem in both Hebrew and English, and vocalist Phil Tomlinson closed the event with a stirring performance of a Yiddish song dedicated to those who lost their lives.

The sapling was brought back from the former concentration camp in Poland as a horse chestnut by visitors who saw it as a symbol of hope, and now resides on the grounds of the university’s Kedleston Road campus.

“As we made our way out of the camp, we were stopped in our tracks by the majesty of the horse chestnut trees – and there at our feet was this abundance of rich, brown conkers,” said Kate McRae, one of the visitors who brought back the chestnut in October 2016. “They were resplendent seeds of the future, and I picked up three and treasured them.”

As a result of Kate’s care and attention, one of the three conkers has since grown into a healthy sapling. It is marked by a plaque which describes the young tree as a ‘living reminder of the Holocaust’ and ‘a symbol of remembrance and hope’.

The sapling’s arrival on university soil forms part of a series of events commemorating Holocaust Memorial Day in Derby, and also coincides with the Hebrew month of Shevat, during which trees are planted as an annual tradition. It was hosted by the Multi-Faith Centre, which aims to facilitate dialogue between people from the city’s several different religious communities.

The sapling’s inauguration featured speeches and readings from a number of guests. Judy Sherwood, whose grandmother and grandfather died in Auschwitz, read a 14-year-old girl’s heartrending recollection of when the Nazis came to power in 1939.

Isaac Pizer shared how the killing of several of his Sephardic Jewish ancestors from Greece has impacted multiple generations of his family, and how he was touched by a visit to Auschwitz in 2014 in which he connected with a German couple he met there named Monica and Volker.

“Simultaneously viewing the camp watchtower through the window, and looking at Volker, I sensed the different relationship we would have had in this place seventy years ago. I felt white light explode from my head,” he said.

“Through his writing and a subsequent meeting, I learned that Volker’s father had been a member of the Waffen SS and worked in concentration camps. In a childhood surrounded by Nazi family and teachers, Volker had been deeply inculcated with this ideology. I felt the loneliness and courage of his journey towards spiritual freedom.”

Rabbi Gili Zidikyahu, visiting Derby

Over 1.1 million people died in Auschwitz during the Holocaust, nearly a million of which were Jewish. While Auschwitz was the deadliest of the camps, this huge number tragically only makes up a fraction of the six million Jewish people who were killed under Adolf Hitler’s Third Reich between 1941 and 1945. In addition, Roma people, Soviet prisoners of war, disabled people, Jehovah’s Witnesses, gay people and Black people also lost their lives to the abhorrent regime.

Kate hopes that, as passers-by continue to watch the Auschwitz sapling grow year by year, they will remember the tragic events of the past and strive for a better future. “I am tremendously thankful for this opportunity,” she said. “It’s an opportunity for remembrance, growth, new life and hope.”

Find out more about the Multi-Faith

LONGFORD FISHERY: THE BEST FISHING SPOT IN DERBYSHIRE?

By Tristan Best

Psst – keep it a secret, fellow anglers…

Since I was a young lad I have always been inquisitive, adventurous and daring. I had a particularly strong passion for the outdoors, sports and leisure. For me, fishing had always been interesting, but I had never really gotten engaged with it over the years. I’d have a few mates or family members mention it to me, to see if I would be up for the challenge, but it hadn’t ever really tempted me.

However, following a sad period where I had lost one of my family members, my Aunty Dennie, I took up the opportunity to spend time with my uncle, to ease off the stress and ensure there was something to keep us active and motivated to go out during this time, as it was his beloved wife who had passed away. On our adventure in the following months, we fished the Derwent, with our only success being a sole chub. Nonetheless, the Derwent is actually a great way to go in Derby, as it has a wide variety of trout and other species.

Please remember, however, that you’ll need a licence before you fish on any inland waters. The licence alone also does not give you permission to fish anywhere, as you still need to get permission to fish from the owner of the fishing rights or the angling club that controls the fishing on that water.

A great place to start is the Longford Fishery in Ashbourne. As it’s a beautiful, picturesque place, hidden away for anglers to thrive. They say you can’t not catch them here – in other words, the fish love to bite. I caught a small carp and a roach on one of my very first trips to the spot. It’s good to note that this area is around 7-8 miles away from my home, so I have made some effort to get out here – there is a populated lake up the road from me, but it just doesn’t seem to give me or my uncle any bites.

When we made the trip out to Longford Fishery on the last day of January, we – or more accurately, I – failed to lure In a juicy carp. My uncle, though, pulled in a healthy, beautiful, pristine five-pound scaled grass carp. It had a major fight in it.

This is the start of a lifelong documentation of my fishing journey, which will follow me around the world catching and studying a wide variety of fish as I dive into a world of marine biology, geography and leisure.

LUDICROUS LITTER: PUT IT IN THE BIN

By Tristan Best

It appears – perhaps as a result of a lack of enthusiasm – that many of us in Derby have begun to forget how important using bins is for our community.

At this point in time, we need to start to show more love and respect for our neighbourhoods in and around Derby. Places such as Normanton, Stenson and all the way to Allestree are seeing an increased amount of litter spread amongst our parks, shopping centres and residential areas. So what can we do to help make a change?

You can start by disciplining yourself into a healthier perspective which will accommodate less laziness and provide you a will to find your nearest bin. For those of us who have forgotten, or simply don’t know, here’s a rundown on what each type of colour-coded bin is for.

The black bin

This bin is used for things that cannot be recycled, such as waste accumulated from meat-eating pets like cats and dogs, or other products such as nappies and sanitary items. No building materials, such as soil, sand, bricks and other heavier objects should be put in your bin, as the bin men can refuse to empty it.

The blue bin

Recyclable plastic, glass, cardboard, tins and cans belong in this bin, and should be rinsed for any food waste where possible. Also ,make sure any aerosol cans are completely empty before putting them in your blue recycling bin, as they could explode in the compactor machine used to compress the rubbish load.

The brown bin

The brown bin is a key ingredient to a healthier garden in the blossoming time of the year, as it’s used nationwide as a compost bin. Composting is an organic way to unlock natural fertilisers, which has been utilised in agriculture for centuries. According to Derby City Council, around 30% of the average household bin is food waste and much of it is avoidable. Unavoidable food waste doesn’t have to end up in the bin though – composting is a great way to stop it becoming waste.

Public bins

If you are out and about, you might not necessarily have a bin in direct proximity at any given moment. That said, keep an eye out and you’ll find a number of public bins at regular intervals for you to use, so hang on to your litter until you have somewhere to dispose of it responsibly. Have a look to see if there’s a recycling symbol on the bin before you use it, and it should also indicate what kind of rubbish you can put inside.

The contents of general waste bins are not recycled, but even then it’s still preferable to dropping your litter on the floor if there are no other bins nearby. Most public litter bins will also have an ashtray of sorts on the top to stub out cigarette butts so they can be thrown away safely.

Disposing of waste responsibly and recycling where possible is so important. We can make such a great impact on the environment if we can find a way to be efficient. Find out more about the facilities available in your local area at derby.gov.uk/environment-and-planning

‘I PUT THE T IN POETRY’ AND OTHER SPECIAL GUESTS BRING LIVE LYRICISM TO DERBY

By Tristan Best

We went along to a brilliant, free poetry event held at the Baby People recording studio – here’s what we thought of each act…

to get some awesome seats in the middle.

The DJ, a cool gentleman going by DJ Steadman, managed to captivate us for a good twenty minutes or so before the main event started. At first, we didn’t notice the mirrors on the wall making the room look much bigger, but it gave us a good giggle, as we had found ourselves a slight bit overwhelmed by the illusion of hundreds of guests sitting around us. The audience was very friendly, and managed to assist in accommodating the night’s overall vibes and welcoming presence.

I Put the T in Poetry (Tamika Steadman)

entire room with a warm and cheerful aura, engaging all of us in chants and laughter.

She opened with a lighter set of poetry and then flowed effortlessly into a more serious set of relevant topics, such as a booster for young Black women struggling to find confidence in their selfimage. This was very moving for the room and most definitely won the audience over, whilst demonstrating confidence and an intellectual presence. It’s clear to see how natural this is to her, and how performing is something she carries masses of potential in. I would expect to see Tamika at more events in the future.

It was a dark quiet night in Derby city centre as myself and fellow Mojatu Derby journalist Jamie Morris passed through the city on the way to the Baby People recording studio. We strolled down Curzon street looking for the venue, and to our luck, they had a great fresh sign up for us to spot. As we entered, to our surprise the venue was almost full, but we managed

The main event began with our host and performer Tamika Steadman, aka ‘I Put the T in Poetry’, who managed to captivate the

“I never used to call myself a poet, just a person who writes poetry,” Tamika said – and clearly loves to do so. She has managed to channel her pain and losses in life into a thoughtful and just medium, which is incredible, as this arguably isn’t something you see too often in our generation.

Chilled1 (Priya Gill)

When Tamika introduced Priya it was wholesome as she explained the massive impact that they have

had on each other regarding their confidence battles when going on the stage.

Brwn Girl in the Ring

historical topics, and when she sang.

Odd Priest (Reisz Amos)

The term ‘positive bullying’ was thrown around, and it’s clear it worked well for the two of them. Priya captured our attention with witty jokes and a cool sense of humour, giving us a grasp of her character which initially helped us with what she would eventually perform later down the road. Nonetheless, we laughed, engaged and fell victim to the set at hand. Priya is the former deputy youth mayor of Derby, and is currently completing a creative writing degree at the University of Hertfordshire – following this she hopes to release some creative projects crossing boundaries of genres and styles.

Aisha Ayan

Brwn Girl in the Ring is a storyteller through poetry, fiction and theatre, based in the West Midlands. Her work focuses on anti-colonial healing, female pleasure, spirituality and nature. She set a scene and managed to create a different kind of atmosphere within her performance, which I could see the entire audience enjoyed. I myself didn’t quite understand the entirety of the performance but got the gist of it at times. The mood was definitely sensual and I really caught on and enjoyed the poetry by the end. Despite my own struggles with some of the material, she really did do great, and delivered regardless – especially when speaking on

Odd Priest is a multi-disciplined artist from Birmingham and is known as a mentor to many in the artistic and creative fields across the UK and beyond. He managed to captivate the audience just as the other performers did previously, in tune with DJ Steadman who also seemed to shine throughout the night. Odd Priest managed to keep us happy overall with clear lyrics and good beats behind him. After a couple songs his beloved wife came up to sing with him and this just managed to raise the roof even more. They really did work well together, which simply isn’t a coincidence I assume. Overall a great conclusion to the line-up.

When Aisha came on to sing, she looked humble and confident at the same time. She effortlessly drew the attention to herself when singing over the beat, meaning the lucky audience got to experience a great live singer in addition to the poetry. The first track was great but what really sold the ticket for me was the freestyle – she had a sick beat and started off with a slower flow which eventually sped up and allowed her to stretch the capability of her voice and wow, we really did get blown away. This was top quality Derby-sourced music.

SENEGAL ON SCREEN: Two films by Ousmane Sembène

By Jamie Morris

We take a look at the early works of the ‘father of African cinema’...

While world cinema has seen an increase in popularity over the past few years, films from Africa still seldom find an audience outside of the continent. However, with the release of Saint Omer, a new film directed by Alice Diop, whose parents hail from Senegal, moviegoers are being reminded of the rich cinematic history of this West African nation.

Senegal is home to what is considered the first authentic SubSaharan African feature film to receive international recognition: 1966’s Black Girl, directed by Ousmane Sembène. As such, Sembène has since become revered as the ‘father of African cinema’, and although much of his work remains difficult to access in the English-speaking world, his earliest two features are considered classics worldwide.

Before his career in film, Sembène was an established novelist whose social realist writing was critical of colonialism and the introduction of capitalism to Africa, and these ideas would find their way into his first feature film.

Black Girl’s title refers to Diouana, a woman who moves from Senegal’s capital, Dakar, to Paris after being hired to work as a maid by a wealthy white couple. She is promised a joyous new life caring for their children during the day, and exploring the big city at night – but these dreams don’t match up with the harsh reality she experiences.

The children Diouana was expecting to care for are largely absent, and she is instead made to do unrewarding menial tasks and is treated more like an animal than a human being. Furthermore, she is never given the opportunity to leave the house, thus reducing her experience of Paris to

the same four walls, rather than the vast metropolis she expected it to be.

Over the course of the hour-long film, we see Diouana’s mental state deteriorate through a subtle yet heartbreaking performance by M’Bissine Thérèse Diop. As she can’t speak French, her thoughts are conveyed to the audience by way of a voiceover, emphasising her isolation. We also see flashbacks of her time in Dakar and how excited she once was to live a better life in France.

Its themes transcend their immediate context of 1960s France, as today, migrants hoping for a better life are still expected to be grateful for the bare minimum – which is why this deeply tragic film remains an enduringly potent and vital watch over half a century later.

Sembène’s subsequent film, Mandabi (‘The Money Order’) is lighter in tone, but still deals with themes of false hope and the strain of capitalism. Taking place in the slums of Dakar, it revolves around an unemployed man named Ibrahima who receives a money order for 25,000 Francs from his nephew in Paris. Ibrahima is told he can keep 2,000 Francs for himself if he saves the rest for his nephew and his mother (Ibrahima’s sister), but soon discovers that receiving even a single cent will be a challenge.

Before Ibrahima can cash in the money order, he needs proof of his identity – and in order to verify that, he needs his birth certificate and photos of himself. Getting his hands on this documentation proves easier said than done, and the struggling father ends up having to spend money he doesn’t yet have, all the while attempting to appease lenders and avoid scammers.

Sembène depicts Ibrahima’s plight with astute realism, placing emphasis on his routines via long takes of him eating, washing, praying

and walking, while star Makhourédia Guèye effectively conveys the toll that even daily motions such as these can take on an ageing man.

However, while we can sympathise with Imbrahima, no character in this film is entirely virtuous, as he is shown being frequently disrespectful towards his two wives, Mety and Aram, who work hard every day to ensure his wellbeing –giving the film a feminist angle that to an extent aligns it with Diouana’s story in Black Girl. Even these two women have their shortcomings, in fact, as Aram puts their family into greater debt by purchasing a bra she can’t afford, and she and Mety later spread a lie that the money order was stolen from Ibrahima.

“In this country, only the crooks live well,” says one of the scammers in the film – an apt summary of Mandabi’s themes that’s applicable not only to life in Senegal, but perhaps most capitalist nations.

Both of these films are at once distinctly African and universally resonant. The level of detail with which Sembène depicts his characters and their surroundings serves as a lasting record of what life was like for Senegalese people in the 1960s, while the morals behind his stories are strong enough to speak to people regardless of when and where they’re watching them. But with only two of his nine feature films widely accessible in the UK, we can only hope more of Sembène’s work will be available to watch in the future.

CELEBRATING RUPAUL: A role model & pioneer

By Tristan Best

RuPaul Andre Charles, born in San Diego November 17, 1960, is a wellknown actor, television personality, musician and model, and is best known for being an American Drag Queen and for hosting and judging the internationally successful show RuPaul’s Drag Race.

A list of his overall accomplishments and awards leads on from twelve Primetime Emmy Awards, three GLAAD media awards, two Billboard music awards, a Tony award and finally a Critics Choice Television award. Of course, he has also been established as The Queen of Drag itself.

Also known as RuPaul,or Ruru, he was born in the state of San Diego and moved to Atlanta, Georgia, at the young age of 15 to pursue studies in the performing arts sector.

It was during this time when Ru started playing in punk rock bands displaying his passion for music, which eventually gave him his path to exposure in the public eye. His first initial hit album was called Sex Freak, which would incidentally spark his first performance in drag.

In 1987, RuPaul left for New York City and was inevitably dubbed the Queen of NYC much later on. With the Big Apple in his grasp, he took note and managed to find his way into the LGBTQ+ nightlife scene, meeting a wide variety of diverse people on the way.

Although still not quite at his peak, he was given the opportunity to dance in B52’S massive track Love Shack, giving him more exposure. By 1990, he was already named the Queen of Manhattan by the local community,

he used this fusion of positivity to move forward again and find a role in up and coming shows such as Manhattan Cable.

Following this, he released the hit single (Supermodel) You Better Work, which went on to sell over 500,000 records. With other tracks hitting dance chart number ones such as Back to My Roots, this also helped gain appearances in films such as Crooklyn, The Brady Bunch Movie, To Wong Foo and Thanks for Everything Julie Newmar.

On top of this, Ru has done various charitable work including, raising awareness and funds for people living with or at risk of HIV and AIDS. Musician, writer, actor, model, activist…the list simply doesn’t end. A role model and pioneer for the LGBTQ+ community.

THE LIFE OF JOSEPHINE BAKER

By Jerry Kahn

Josephine Baker was considered a remarkable woman whose life was filled with both hardship and glory. Baker, born in 1906 in St. Louis, Missouri, overcame poverty and racism to become one of the most recognisable performers of the 20th century. In addition to her extraordinary skill as a singer and dancer, she was an activist for civil rights and a World War II spy.

This quote represents Baker’s vision of a society in which race, religion, and nationality are no longer used to excuse discrimination and injustice and in which individuals are judged on the basis of the content of their character and the values they advocate. Although she didn’t identify as bisexual – the term wasn’t widely used during her lifetime – Baker was also known to have had relationships with both men and women, and went on to inspire other Black, openly-LGBTQ+ performers such as Janelle Monáe.

Baker’s career began at 15 when she left home to join a touring vaudeville troupe. She quickly gained a reputation as a talented and dynamic performer, known for her signature ‘banana dance’ and her ability to captivate audiences with her charm and charisma. In the 1920s, she moved to Paris, where she became a sensation in the city’s thriving jazz scene. She performed at the famous Folies Bergère and was soon the highest-paid performer in France.

Baker’s success in Europe did not shield her from racism, however. She was met with segregation and discrimination when she returned to the United States for

a tour in the 1930s. Refusing to perform for segregated audiences, Baker was a vocal advocate for civil rights and became involved with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). She worked to desegregate theatres and fought against racism in the entertainment industry.

During World War II, Baker’s activism took a new turn. She worked as a spy for the French Resistance, smuggling messages and documents across borders and hiding refugees in her home. She was awarded the Croix de Guerre for her bravery and service to France.She also adopted 12 children from different parts of the world and called them her ‘rainbow tribe’, believing that people of different races and nationalities could live together in harmony.

Josephine Baker died in 1975, but her legacy lives on. She pioneered the entertainment industry, breaking down barriers and opening doors for future generations of performers. She was a passionate advocate for civil rights and a courageous fighter for justice. Her life and work continue to inspire people around the world.

HOW MENTAL ROOTS FOUNDER NATHAN ADDAI IS HEALING COMMUNITIES THROUGH ART

By Jamie Morris

We talk to the content creator bringing Black mental health to the fore…

Studies show that approximately 23% of Black British people will experience a common mental health problem in any given week, compared to 17% of their white counterparts. While this gap may at first seem small, it’s big enough to suggest that, in spite of many commendable UK-wide campaigns, one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to discussions around our emotional wellbeing.

For Nathan Addai, authentic representation is key when talking about mental health – something he found to be largely lacking within his own industry while studying to become an animator. “I was in the final year of my undergraduate degree, and was already thinking about ways I could take animation and use it to address relevant societal issues,” he tells us. “I found that, when it came to Black British experiences, there was pretty much no history when it came to animation, and one of the issues I was researching was the stigma around mental health.”

Nathan explains that expectations put upon Black people – be them familial or societal – can have an adverse effect on mental health, which is only furthered by a lack of education on the topic among underrepresented communities. “I wanted to highlight different factors of Black mental health like masculinity, male/female dynamics, institutional racism and poverty,” he said.

“I’m of Ghanaian descent, and a typical trope in West African families is this idea that you have to work twice as hard as your white counterparts, and this hustle culture of not really having the luxury to take care of yourself because you’re just trying to make ends meet.

On top of that, you’ve also got spiritual beliefs that can make it hard to have those transparent conversations with older generations.”

As he continued to conduct research around issues such as these, what started as a coursework project gradually evolved into an entire creative brand aimed at healing Black minds, named Mental Roots. Since Nathan pitched the idea for the initial animated short film to the BBC, it has been broadcast on national television and, more recently, showcased on the big screen as part of the BFI’s Future Film Festival in London. But there’s one place Nathan is the most proud to have his work shown: in the classroom.

“Coming from a working-class family, you wouldn’t hear much about the different jobs that are available within the animation industry, and how you can use animation to address very real issues,” he says. “In some of the sessions I did in schools, I got the young people to think about transferable skills, and it was amazing to see in the written feedback that some students felt that they could finally have a future in doing creative things.” The film has even been shown to students in the US, demonstrating that despite being a distinctly

British production, its messages have worldwide relevance.

As a Christian, a big motivator for Nathan is his faith, and the idea that we’ve all been put here for a reason. “This goal of mental health and empowering underrepresented communities is bigger than me,” he says. “It’s not about how nice I can make my animations look, even though that’s an enjoyable aspect of it – it’s about the lives that I can touch through what I do.”

In addition, Nathan has found reconnecting with his own roots to be a massively beneficial experience, as last year, he visited Ghana for the first time in seventeen years. “Growing up as an ethnic minority,

you’re constantly trying to figure out who you are, so going back to your country of origin can help to ground you mentally,” he says. “It goes to show that your immediate background doesn’t have to define you, and when you get in touch with your roots, that can be the mental and emotional healing that you need.”

The past two years have been full of growth for Nathan, and he’s committed to continuing to grow the Mental Roots brand over the course of 2023, one step at a time. In particular, he’s keen to keep working with his community on fresh projects, and is on the lookout for new collaborators. “There’s a lot going on and I’m still trying to figure a few things out, but what I want to do this year is more workshops,” he says.

“I’ll hopefully find some people that can help with the brand, as well. Even those within the Mojatu audience – if any of you are maybe reading this interview and think this brand is in line with your values and you want to add value in a certain way, then feel free to email me at mentalrootspod@ gmail.com.”

PRIDE & PREJUDICE: A celebration of Black LGBTQ+ heroes

By Jamie Morris & Sarah-Louise Elton

We look back on the achievements of nine remarkable Black LGBTQ+ activists…

AIDS strategy. He also successfully campaigned for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to put more funding towards educating Black communities about HIV and AIDS, and continues to raise awareness to this day.

providing support for the trans community for nearly half a century. Homeless for much of her early life, she participated in sex work and other illegal activities to survive and was incarcerated for five years. A few years after her release from prison in the 1970s, Miss Major moved to California, where she provided healthcare services to people affected by HIV and AIDS. At 82, she continues to fight for trans women’s rights.

Marsha P. Johnson was one of the leading gay rights activists of the Sixties and Seventies, and participated in New York’s seminal Stonewall uprising in 1969. Johnson described herself as a drag queen and used she/her pronouns, and while the term transgender was not widely used during her lifetime, she has since become an icon for trans people around the world. Openly HIV positive, she was also an advocate for people affected by HIV and AIDS.

Karamo Brown was one of the first openly gay Black men to appear on reality TV when he starred in The Real World: Philadelphia in 2004, and is perhaps best known as one of the hosts of Netflix’s Queer Eye. Although not HIV positive himself, Brown co-founded the short-lived charity 6in10 to combat the statistic that 60% of gay Black men are predicted to contract HIV before the age of 40, which has since fallen to 50%. Karamo continues to use his platform to raise awareness of sexual health among the Black LGBTQ+ community.

Zahara Green is a trans woman who spent five years in prison for shoplifting after facing an all-white jury. After her release, she went on to set up the charity TRANScending Barriers Atlanta, aimed at improving the lives of trans people, and become the board president of Black and Pink, which provides support for LGBTQ+ and HIV-positive prisoners in the US.

Phill Wilson founded the Black AIDS Institute in 1999 after being diagnosed as HIV positive and losing his partner to an HIV-related illness. He served as the charity’s CEO for twenty years, during which time he was appointed as an advisor for President Obama’s national

Miss Major Griffin-Gracy is a transgender activist who has been

James Arthur Baldwin was an

American playwright, novelist and civil rights activist focused on raising public awareness of racial and sexual oppression. Through his honest portrayal of his own personal experiences in his semiautobiographical novels, Baldwin challenged America to uphold the values it promised on justice and equality. He garnered acclaim from his novels Notes of a Native Son, The Fire Next Time and Go Tell It on the Mountain. I Am Not Your Negro, a 2016 documentary starring Samuel L Jackson, is based on the unfinished manuscript Remember This House by Baldwin, animating his observations of Black cultural struggles within America.

whilst performing, unapologetically flirting with female members of the audience. Her bold lyrics saw a midtown Manhattan nightclub padlocked shut by police after complaints the club exhibited scandalous ‘dirty songs’. Her name does not receive the same recognition as her Harlem singing peers, as she was not invited to sing in the mainstream venues due to her unapologetic boldness and controversy.

been awarded ‘Changemaker of the Year’ by Cosmopolitan and an honorary doctorate by the University of Brighton. In 2019, Bergdorf joined UN Women UK as an advocate to support the movement of tackling female genital mutilation.

Gladys Bentley, the proud crossdressing Black lesbian, shot to fame during the Harlem Renaissance during the 20s to 30s due to her fiery powerful voice. Originally from Trinidad, a skilled pianist and entertainer, she often wore a tuxedo

Munroe Bergdorf shot to fame in 2017, when she was appointed as the first transgender model to work for the brand L’Oreal. She was dropped by the brand after a few days, however, following accusations of racist Facebook posts, but the brand soon apologised and rehired her as an advisor after she challenged them in 2020. Bergdorf featured in the Channel 4 documentary What Makes a Woman, aired in 2018. Since then, she has

Staceyann Chin, is a Jamaican nationalist now residing in New York City proudly identifying as a female, Black, Caribbean, lesbian –well known for her work as a poet, writer and activist of LGBTQ+ rights. Her most recent publication, , is the first full-length collection of her poems. These combine her hilarious one-liners with the refusal of her to conform to society. Chin received a Drama Desk Award in 2003 for her Def Poetry Jam on Broadway, which was co-written with Russell Simons. Chin boasts a long list of achievements with her poetry and performances which has led on to her holding poetry workshops around the world.

MY HIV DIAGNOSIS

By David L. Lester-Masse

Through modern technology and the advancement of science, HIV is not the death sentence it was 40 years ago. But it is the thing most of us living with it fear will eventually take us out.HIV is a diagnosis that is not the same as any other.

losing this fight. And I wonder, is it even worth it?

In the beginning

I will never forget being in a relationship with the person I thought I was going to spend the rest of my life with. We shared a home, a life, and a mutual understanding of what we wanted our future to be.I am the type of person who loves deeply and likes to go into most situations knowing all of the details. My partner’s health was one of those things I thought I knew, but not to the extent I should have.

pamphlet, and I left the building.

Trying to digest any information at that point seemed useless because there was nothing a pamphlet, a Google search, or even my family could do for me. They didn’t know my truth. This was my body, my diagnosis, and my life.

On the drive home, I was busy thinking about how I would disclose my diagnosis to my (then) partner. The strangest thing was, when I sat him down to share my news … he said nothing. Not a word of advice, support, anger, or remorse. Nothing!

The stigma still exists. And it doesn’t seem to be getting any better. At least not for those of us who live with this reality every day.There may be many of you reading this article who are in a mental space where you’re not sure about life, finances, love and relationships, medication adherence, or when and how to begin a health regimen. Which can make maintaining your mental health a challenge.

Depression affects so many of us living with HIV.Sure, I’m an advocate for people with HIV, but trust me, sometimes those of us out here advocating are hit the hardest with depressive thoughts. There are days when I don’t want to get out of bed. When I have no desire to do any of the things I love. When I don’t want to go to work or be bothered with life. Period!

As an advocate, there are times when I am not sure that what I’m saying is uplifting others. And times when I’m not sure the knowledge about best practices is getting through to those who need it most. Especially when I see the rates at which we are still

When he shared his HIV diagnosis with me, I thought,  OK, this is something that he’s managing. I didn’t see him take any medications for it, and I didn’t go to any doctors’ appointments with him. At that point, I’d known about HIV, but this was my first time dealing with it up close and personal.

Let’s pause. If I could give you any word of advice or caution: Find out as much as you can about the person you’re in a relationship with. When they start to hide or tell half-truths about something as important as their health, pay attention! If you’re being intimate with them, it’s no longer just about their health. Your health is important as well!

Positively unprepared

When I sat in a room over 10 years ago and was told my life would change forever, I had no idea to what extent it would change.

When they shared the news of my diagnosis with me, I promise, everything after that sounded like Charlie Brown’s teacher talking — I didn’t hear a word they said. I replied by nodding my head, they gave me a

Shortly after this interaction, I would come home from work to find him, and all of his belongings, gone.

When I realized there was no one but me in the townhome I’d planned to spend my future in, every thought imaginable went through my head: Who would I tell first? How would they respond?

Given the stigma around HIV, who would want to be around me now? What if I told no one and just ended it all right here in this house?

But I knew I couldn’t do that. I knew I mattered to someone. I wouldn’t want them to find me in that state, left wondering what happened, spending years of their own lives without answers or proper context.

So, I did the only thing I knew to do — I kept my diagnosis to myself. For years, I attended gatherings with family and friends and said absolutely nothing.

For more: www.healthline.com/ health/depression

I know we dread it. When the letter pops through the letterbox, we all grimace – but that little test can save your life. Did you know that in England, screening currently prevents 70% of cervical cancer deaths? If everybody attended regularly, those figures could shoot up to 83%.

The symptoms of cervical cancer are so slight, they could be missed or mistaken for normal menstrual symptoms. These include bleeding between periods and changes in vaginal discharge. That’s why we should cheer for the smear – how lucky we are to have a tenminute test that can catch those issues early on and treat it more effectively.

Cervical screenings – often referred to as ‘the smear’ – are often mistaken as a test for cancer. This is not the case. Nearly all cases of cervical cancer are caused by a virus called human papillomavirus (HPV). A smear is looking for abnormal cells caused by the HPV virus, which left untreated can develop into cancer. It normally takes around five years for the HPV virus to cause abnormal cells. Meaning that keeping on top of your screening attendance, which is normally every three years if no

abnormal cells are found, you have a strong chance of catching these cells before they cause any issues.

HPV is extremely common and most people are likely to have the virus at some point of their life. It is passed through close skin to skin contact during sexual activity with either a man or a woman. It is likely that your immune system will fight this off and you’ll never even know you had the virus. But in some cases, the virus can cause abnormal cells on the cervix.

A common myth that I wanted to look into was that women feel that is they have only had one sexual partner for a long amount of time, it meant they don’t really need to attend their smear, as it is unlikely they would have the HPV virus. This however is untrue as the virus can live in the body at a very low or undetectable level for a long time. Therefore, a partner from a long time ago could have passed you the virus. Another myth I wanted to check was that it if the opinion of some that if they have received their HPV vaccination, they do not need to attend their screening. Again, this is not the case. Whilst the vaccination does protect you from the high-risk types of HPV, it does not protect you from all. There are some less

DON’T FEAR – let’s cheer for the smear

By Sarah-Louise Elton

common strains of the virus that can still lead to abnormalities, which are not covered.

Lastly, I often hear from women about it being painful as ‘they take a layer of cervix away’ during the treatment. I attended my smear last week and had a good luck at the instruments beforehand. I could maybe liken it to an oddly shaped toothbrush. This is simply ‘smeared’ very quickly across the cervix with very minimal sensation at all. It was all over within around three minutes from start to finish.

The most effective way to protect yourself from cervical cancer is to simply accept that invitation for your screening. Nurses that perform the treatment, do it day in day out and do their absolute upmost to make the experience as comfortable as possible. I’m sure there is nothing you have they haven’t seen before. I was asked before any treatment commenced, if I was comfortable to go ahead alone as there is the option to have another nurse in attendance.

Of course, in the morning beforehand, I was nervous but I left with great satisfaction that I had gone ahead and done my best to prevent issues, and at how quick and easy it had been overall.

WOMEN’S HEALTH: WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT MENOPAUSE?

By Galbur Foundation

What is it all about?

Menopause is when a woman no longer has a period. This usually means that they are no longer able to have any more children. Women usually go through menopause at the age of 45. When women go through menopause, there is a fluctuation of hormones; this is the decrease in estrogen levels, and this causes symptoms like

o Calcium levels decrease which causes muscle and bone problems

o mood swings fatigue

o hot flashes where wake a woman up from their sleep

o Not wanting to leave the house/ getting out of the house

o Dry skin

o Insomnia

o Irritability

o Hair loss and other skin problems

o Potential infections due to vaginal dryness

Symptoms like these can sometimes have an impact on a person’s mental health, especially because these symptoms have such a huge change in a woman’s life. It is important to remember that testing for breast cancer from age 25-30 is important to reduce the risk of further complications, especially when it is detected at an earlier stage

The medication HRT (hormonal replacement therapy) can be provided which helps regulate hormone levels. It is important to remember that HRT is dependent on the circumstances of the individual - every woman that goes through menopause has a different experience.

Increase the intake of calcium so that it reduces muscle and bone pain. Reduce stress by talking to friends and family and ensuring that women are joining social gatherings. This is what is good for the mind, and it is especially important for women who are mothers - put Uunsi on and get off social media.

Also, A hysterectomy (removal of the ovaries), forms of contraception such as the coil and the patch can help regulate hormones. Blood pressure tablets for those who cannot sleep at night. Therapy - sometimes talking to someone, especially a professional about any of the problems people go through helps guide them to a healthier mindset.

Changing eating habits and diet overall will helporganic foods are always going to be better for us. Foods like celery, kiwi and kale help aid mind and body health

Apple cider vinegar, reduce the number of sugars because the bacteria thrive in that kind of environment where the sugar intake is high. Yoghurt has good bacteria that reduce the growth of bad bacteria and promote good gut health – it also reduces acid reflux (eat less towards the end of the day).

Colonic cancers can be reduced by having a Mediterranean diet and foods that promote gut cleansing i.e., yoghurt, honey and foods that are high in vitamin D, and C - this would also lower weight and reduce the risk of diabetes. It is always essential to go to the doctors to help symptoms but having a good and healthy diet will make going through menopause a lot easier.

Change daily routine where there is an implementation of physical activities and general exercises reduce levels of insomnia and make the mind and body more tired  Taking paracetamol or a painkiller for every complication. It’s also advised that women talk to the GP about how going through menopause has had an impact on the woman’s mental health; the GP can prescribe anti-depressants.

Also, taking supplements like vitamin D and magnesium for bone and mental (depression) health and B12, vitamin C and calcium for bone health It would be better to receive vitamin D from sunlight. So, the next best alternative is to take tablets.

Ibuprofen gel or spray on the body for muscle/ bone/ joint pain. Drink lots of water. Try to get at least 8 hours of sleep, iron tablets and foods that are high in iron for anemia (this is where there are low hemoglobin levels in the blood).

Please remember, methods of relieving symptoms are dependent on the woman’s experience so not everyone may follow the same treatment.

What is depression?

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DEPRESSION (MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER)

By Vara Saripalli, Psy.D.

Depression is classified as a mood disorder. It may be described as feelings of sadness, loss, or anger that interfere with a person’s everyday activities. It’s also fairly common. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and PreventionTrusted Source estimates that 18.5 percent of American adults had symptoms of depression in any given 2-week period in 2019.

Though depression and grief share some features, depression is different from grief felt after losing a loved one or sadness felt after a traumatic life event. Depression usually involves self-loathing or a loss of self-esteem, while grief typically does not. In grief, positive emotions and happy memories of the deceased typically accompany feelings of emotional pain. In major depressive disorder, the feelings of sadness are constant.

People experience depression in different ways. It may interfere with your daily work, resulting in lost time and lower productivity. It can also influence relationships and some chronic health conditions.

Conditions that can get worse due to depression include:

arthritis | asthma | cardiovascular disease | cancer | diabetes | obesity

It’s important to realize that feeling down at times is a normal part of life. Sad and upsetting events happen to everyone. But if you’re feeling down or hopeless on a regular basis, you could be dealing with depression.

Depression is considered a serious medical condition that can get worse without proper treatment.

Depression symptoms

Depression can be more than a constant state of sadness or feeling “blue.”

Major depression can cause a variety of symptoms. Some affect your mood and others affect your body. Symptoms may also be ongoing or come and go.

females, teens, and children.

Males may experience symptoms related to their:

• mood, such as anger, aggressiveness, irritability, anxiousness, or restlessness

• emotional well-being, such as feeling empty, sad, or hopeless

General signs and symptoms

Not everyone with depression will experience the same symptoms. Symptoms can vary in severity, how often they happen, and how long they last.

If you experience some of the following signs and symptomsTrusted

Source of depression nearly every day for at least 2 weeks, you may be living with depression:

• feeling sad, anxious, or “empty”

• feeling hopeless, worthless, and pessimistic

• crying a lot

• feeling bothered, annoyed, or angry

• loss of interest in hobbies and interests you once enjoyed

• decreased energy or fatigue

• difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions

• moving or talking more slowly

• difficulty sleeping, early morning awakening, or oversleeping

• appetite or weight changes

• chronic physical pain with no clear cause that does not get better with treatment (headaches, aches or pains, digestive problems, cramps)

• thoughts of death, suicide, selfharm, or suicide attempts

The symptoms of depression can be experienced differently among males,

• behavior, such as loss of interest, no longer finding pleasure in favorite activities, feeling tired easily, thoughts of suicide, drinking excessively, using drugs, or engaging in high-risk activities

• sexual interest, such as reduced sexual desire or lack of sexual performance

• cognitive abilities, such as inability to concentrate, difficulty completing tasks, or delayed responses during conversations

• sleep patterns, such as insomnia, restless sleep, excessive sleepiness, or not sleeping through the night

• physical well-being, such as fatigue, pains, headache, or digestive problems

Females may experience symptoms related to their:

• mood, such as irritability

• emotional well-being, such as feeling sad or empty, anxious, or hopeless

• behavior, such as loss of interest in activities, withdrawing from social engagements, or thoughts of suicide

• cognitive abilities, such as thinking or talking more slowly

• sleep patterns, such as difficulty sleeping through the night, waking early, or sleeping too much

• physical well-being, such as decreased energy, greater fatigue, changes in appetite, weight changes, aches, pain, headaches, or increased cramps

For more: https://www.healthline. com/health/depression#symptoms

GYMNASIUM EQUATION: Five key tips for an effective and healthy workout

By Tristan Best

Keep these tips in mind during your next trip to the gym…

feeling clean – not carrying your day’s bodily odour. It shows respect towards others using the space, and it’ll benefit your health and social life massively. It also promotes good hygienic health, plus cleaner skin and appearance.

Start smarter, not harder

When you come back after a long break from exercising, make sure you start off lightly, easing yourself through the initial stages and allowing your body the correct infrastructural support. Don’t just go for broke straight away, but instead start off with a lighter approach. Remember, you only have one body and it is your temple.

Warm up and cool down

When exercising, make sure you warm up and cool down in the appropriate fashion. This allows your heart rate to increase, which allows your body to access more oxygen, therefore doing minimum damage to your tendons and muscles. A warm up also activates and primes the connections between nerves and muscles, allowing more elasticated movement and subsequently allowing you to push yourself further throughout your training routine.

At the core of every successful routine or training exercise, a good old-fashioned stretch is playing its part. This is because stretching is the proper way to loosen your muscles and tendons, this will increase muscles and tendon efficiency massively, allowing a major increase in flexibility, durability and stability, which increases your blood flow and overall performance. Who wants to be stiff?

Stay hydrated and hygienic

Especially in your local gyms, ensure you arrive on the premises smelling fresh and

If you’re usually accustomed to 20kg barbells, start with 10-14kg weights, and then ease your way back up – you’ll thank me later. At the same time, remember to keep your head high. The less mistakes you make the better, as getting injured can lead to you being inactive for months. No one wants or needs that in their lives.

Practise makes perfect

Make sure you practise your techniques with small weights to gain good form and posture, allowing you to directly influence the muscles you’re aiming to break down, instead of hurting your tendons and putting yourself out.

Rest is specifically essential for muscles to grow. Exercise causes microscopic tears in the muscle tissues, and during rest certain cells called fibroblasts repair and strengthen your muscle fibres, helping you to develop in the appropriate fashion. If you are to go without rest, and over-work yourself and your muscles, you could strain or potentially hurt yourself

THE SECRET TO LUSCIOUS LOCKS: How Black hair is styled

By Jerry Kahn

We untangle the history of Black hair and look at how it’s styled and maintained…

Historically, Black people have faced challenges in caring for their hair due to various factors including racism, societal pressures and lack of access to resources. During the era of slavery, Black people were forced to wear head coverings and were often not allowed to care for their hair properly. After slavery was abolished, many Black people continued to face discrimination and were discouraged from wearing their hair in its natural state.

In the 20th century, the ‘good hair’ versus ‘bad hair’ mentality became prevalent, which placed a higher value on straighter, finer hair textures, leading many Black people to use chemical relaxers or straightening combs to alter the texture of their hair. These practices often lead to damage and breakage, making it challenging to maintain healthy hair.

In recent years, however, there has been a movement to embrace natural hair and to provide resources and education on proper hair care for Black people. This movement has been driven in part by social media, where Black people have been able

to connect and share information and tips on hair care. The natural hair movement has also led to the creation of many Black-owned hair care brands and salons that cater specifically to those with natural hair. To address the lack of access to resources for hair care, many Black people have turned to creating their own hair care products and developing their hair care regimens. This has led to many Black-owned hair care brands specialising in natural hair care. Many of these brands use natural ingredients and avoid harsh chemicals that can damage the hair.

Here are five ways Black people style or maintain their hair:

Protective styles: Many Black people use protective styles to protect their hair from damage and breakage. Protective styles include braids, wigs, weaves, twists and bantu knots. These styles allow for low-maintenance hair care and protect the hair from harsh environmental factors.

Natural hair: In recent years, many Black people have embraced their natural hair texture and wear their hair in its natural state. This can include afro, curls, coils, and locks. To maintain natural hair, many people use various natural hair products such as oils, leave-in conditioners, and styling creams.

Haircuts and styles: Black people also frequently style their hair in various haircuts and styles. This can include fades, buzz cuts, and textured cuts. Other popular types include twists, braids, and cornrows.

Hair colouring: To create various appearances, some Black people choose to regularly colour their hair. This can include natural colours like

brown or blonde or more vibrant colours like red or purple. Hair colouring can be performed at home or at a salon.

Hair accessories: Black people also regularly use hair accessories to style their hair. This includes head wraps, scarves, hair pins, and ties. Accessories can add a fun and stylish touch to any hairstyle and can be used to create various looks. Here are some websites that may help explore hairstyles and hair care for Black people:

NaturallyCurly.com: This website has a wealth of information and resources for those with natural hair, including product recommendations, styling tutorials, and community forums.

BlackHairInformation.com: This website provides information on natural hair, relaxed hair, and transitioning to natural hair. It also includes product reviews, styling tips, and hair care advice.

ManeAddicts.com: This website features a wide range of hairstyle inspirations, including tutorials, trend reports, and celebrity hairstyles. While not exclusively focused on Black hair, it includes a lot of relevant content for those with textured hair.

CurlBox.com: This website provides a monthly subscription box service featuring hair products for natural hair. It also includes product reviews and styling tips.

Essence.com/hair: Essence is a popular magazine for Black women, and their website includes a section dedicated to hair care and hairstyles. It features articles on natural hair, styling tips, and interviews with celebrity hairstylists.

HOW DATTIES SOUL FOOD ACADEMY IS CELEBRATING FAMILY LEGACY THROUGH FOOD

By Sarah-Louise Elton

Monica Holton, 53, of Staffordshire, has fond memories of growing up within a catering family, witnessing the creations taking place in the kitchen with her parents.

She is now the fourth generation of her family to carry on the legacy of Jamaican catering, but the first to be branching out with her own range of seasoning.

“I must have been about seven or eight when I remember cooking for the first time with my father. I tiptoed into the kitchen, climbed up on the chair and peered into the floured mixture,” Monica says. “’I want to do it Dad, can I have a go?’ I asked.

“He slowly pushed the heavy bowl towards me and said ‘follow me’. And I did.”

Fascinated by the magic of putting the ingredients together to create tasty dishes like fried dumplings, Monica went on to cook for her friends and family at every opportunity. Fast forward to the present day and Monica is the proud owner of Datties Soul Food Ltd.

Monica named the business Datties in honour of her mum: “Ms Dat… that’s what they called her back home in Patois [Jamaican English], although it was Ms Dot because she was so tiny, even as a young woman. What better way to honour, remember and keep her close than to start a business in her name.”

Whilst catering for events remains the base of her business, Monica and her team, which includes her six sons, saw an opportunity to diversify their brand during the pandemic. With Covid-19 putting limitations on the standard

practice of business, Datties started their own Jamaican cookery lessons online, ensuring their customers could still enjoy those authentic flavours in their own homes.

“Our goal is to share the wonders of Jamaican culture with you, ensuring it can be passed down through generations, just like it was to me.” Monica explains. “We now deliver Jamaican cooking classes to couples, families and corporates.”

But the business keeps on growing. Launched in 2011 and now consisting of four varieties in flavour, Datties now has its own seasoning brand on the market called ‘SEASONED’. After cooking Jamaican cuisines for over forty years, Monica felt the UK market lacked an authentic, organic brand of seasoning. With the market being dominated by several spice companies that require bulk buy, she seized the opportunity to introduce her own range with a product blended to perfection, worthy of the island of Jamaica and a product she feels her parents would have been proud of.

“I lovingly created SEASONED, aptly named as to season the food is a process so vitally important in Jamaican cooking,” Monica says fondly.

Monica reminisces: “We met to discuss our exciting and innovative brand SEASONED. Ten months later we went live in 400 Hungry Horse restaurants leading to a further 146 in Flaming Grill locations a month later.”

Alongside her busy schedule and love of catering, Monica devotes a lot of her time to supporting her local community through running charities and support groups. It

was at an event she volunteered at, that SEASONED caught the eye of corporate company Greene King. Running a corporate cooking class for Black History Month, she used a sample of the seasoning which quickly caught their attention, landing her an invitation for a meeting to discuss the potential of the brand.

There are currently four flavours in the range: Original All Purpose, Curried Blend, Jerk Mild and Jerk Hot, but the upcoming year will see that grow with the release of a further flavour: Yellow Curry Powder. Additionally, there will be two new sauces available: Jerk Barbecue Sauce in Mild and Hot varieties. Following this huge success, Datties Soul Food’s plans are to expand further to include listings in all sectors retail, hospitality and online. After being awarded the Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2022 and Finalist in the Restaurant Marketing Innovation Award 2023, I wanted to know what is Monica’s secret to her success.

“This is due to two things: my faith and authenticity. We are very good at what we do and have been consistently delivering a five-star service for eleven years. We love what we do and that is evident at events,” she said.

6 AFRICAN & CARIBBEAN TAKEAWAYS TO TRY IN DERBY

By Sarah-Louise Elton

Here at Mojatu, we decided to investigate food providers in the Derby area that offer authentically cooked African & Caribbean dishes. Here is what we found…

Food has the power to take you back to a fond childhood memory and the ability to bring people closer together. Authentic dishes, cooked and prepared in the correct way to its geographical region of origin are comforting and popular for communities with links back to other nations. And, of course, some of us just love the flavours.

AFRIKANA

53-55 Queen Street

Restaurant and take away

Afrikana’s vision is to bring authentic home-cooked African inspired dishes to the main street and that was certainly achieved here in Derby City Centre, set just inside the Cathedral Quarter. A menu worth trying in their restaurant complimented by customers to have a beautiful interior and ambient atmosphere.

QUATTIES CARIBBEAN RESTAURANT

109 Normanton Road

Take away

This place must be doing something right as they have been serving Caribbean cuisine in Derby for over 25 years. Praised on reviews

for their perfectly cooked chicken and how much they demonstrate their appreciation for customers. It looks like this place will be around for a long while yet.

BIG TASTE

65 Normanton Road

Dine

in or take away

Based in the heart of the Normanton community, this take away was reviewed by the staff at Derbyshire Live. After absolutely devouring the dishes, they commented on the generous portion sizes along with very reasonable prices. Their opinion that this place was ‘a cut above regular takeaway fodder’.

SISTA SPICE CAFÉ

Victoria House, Unit5, Becketwell Lane

A popular pit stop on a night out in Derby if you are after a spicy Caribbean dish. Open till 4am at the weekends, this place is praised for its saltfish and ackee dishes (ackee is a national Jamaican fruit) and generous portion sizes.

FACEY K’S Allestree, Derby Takeaway

The majority of African and Caribbean takeaways can be found over on the other side of Derby, but this place is a great find in Allestree. Newly opened in 2023, this place has quickly become a hit with

customers with 70% of them voting the mutton dish as their favourite.

DAT IS IT

Normanton Road – Rosehill Business Centre

Dine in or take away

This new Caribbean restaurant that has recently popped up on Normanton Road is eager to provide you with proper flavours and vibes. As this was so close to our office, we thought we would give it a try and get you guys some honest feedback.

Our community journalist, Tristan Best, said: “The texture of the curried mutton was to die for. I must say the meat had been cooked perfectly; succulent and so good. I’d definitely eat that again, and again.

“I ordered a large portion, as I would hate to be left feeling hungry after ordering the regular sized order. But to my surprise, my colleague’s regular sized meal seemed to be a perfect size.

“With the vegetables and the rice filling the gaps, the dish had contrast, which really helps the palette.

“As a whole, the customer service was great and the menu had the right diversity for everyone’s needs. It scaled from more traditional Caribbean food, all the way to your British styled BBQ & fried wings. “Altogether, a great new member of the Normanton food community.”

Discover the rich culinary heritage of Africa and the Caribbean through three iconic recipes.

ACKEE AND SALTFISH (JAMAICAN)

THREE AFRICAN AND CARIBBEAN RECIPES AND THE HISTORY BEHIND THEM

By Jerry Kahn

affordable and widely available. It was at this point, ackee and saltfish became a popular dish in Jamaica, the two ingredients combined complement each other in terms of flavour and nutritional content.

Ingredients:

* 1 can of ackee

* 1/2 pound of saltfish

* 1 tomato, diced

* 1 onion, diced

* 1 bell pepper, diced

* 2 cloves of garlic, minced

* 1 scotch bonnet pepper, diced

* 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil

Instructions:

This popular Jamaican dish is commonly served at breakfast or lunch. Serving it with boiling green bananas, yams, or breadfruit has made the meal a staple in Jamaican cuisine.

Ackee is native to West Africa and was brought to Jamaica via the slave trade. The fruit was originally used as a food source for enslaved Africans and was later adopted by the wider Jamaican population as a staple food.

When European colonists introduced Saltfish to Jamaica, it was not a popular cuisine among Jamaicans. Not until the middle of the 19th century, when the Jamaican fishing industry began to flourish, did saltfish become more

1. Soak the saltfish overnight in water to remove some saltiness.

2. Boil the saltfish for 10-15 minutes before draining and shredding it into small pieces.

3. Heat the oil in a pan and sauté the onion, tomato, bell pepper, garlic, and scotch bonnet pepper until soft.

4. Add the shredded saltfish and ackee to the pan. Then stir gently to combine.

5. Cook for a few minutes until the ackee is heated through.

6. Serve hot with boiled green bananas, yams, or breadfruit.

WAAKYE (GHANAIAN)

The Ghanaian street meal known as waakye is a popular lunchtime dish. It is created from a mixture of rice and beans. It is rooted in Northern Ghana, where it was frequently served at weddings and other important events. It can be found in street food stands throughout Ghana.

The dish gets its distinctive reddish-brown colour from adding dried sorghum leaves, which are boiled with rice and beans to impart a rich, earthy flavour. The dish is frequently served with a variety of sides, including spaghetti, fried plantains, gari (cassava flakes), and the fiery shito sauce, which is made from tomatoes.

Ingredients:

* 1 cup of rice

* 1 onion, diced

* 1 tomato, diced

* 1 cup of black-eyed peas

* 2 tablespoons of red palm oil

* 1 teaspoon of ginger, grated

* 1 teaspoon of garlic, minced

* Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Rinse the rice and black-eyed peas. Then soak them in water for at least 2 hours.

2. Drain the rice and beans. Next add them to a pot with enough water to cover them.

3. Add the onion, ginger, garlic, red palm oil and salt to the pot.

4. Once the mixture has boiled, lower the heat to and cook for 20-25 minutes or until the rice and beans are tender.

5. Once cooked, serve hot with your choice of toppings. This could be boiled eggs, hot sauce and fried plantain.

BUNNY

This well-known takeaway dish called ‘bunny chow’ consists of a hollowed-out loaf of bread with curry inside. Several ingredients, such as chicken, lamb, beef, or vegetables, may be included in the curry filling. The dish, which immediately gained popularity, originates in the Indian community that immigrated to South Africa in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The meal has become a beloved part of South African cuisine and is significant as a symbol of cultural fusion and diversity in South Africa. The dish reflects the blending of Indian and African culinary traditions, as well as the country’s history of racial and cultural mixing. The meal is widely available at street food stands and restaurants.

Ingredients:

* 1 loaf of bread

* 1 pound of chicken or beef

* 1 onion, diced

* 1 tomato, diced

* 2 tablespoons of curry powder

* 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil

* Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Cut the loaf of bread in half and hollow out the centre, leaving a thick layer of bread around the edges.

2. Heat the vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the chicken or beef and sauté until browned.

3. Add the onion, tomato, curry powder, and salt to the pan, then stir well to combine.

4. Pour enough water to cover the meat and let it simmer for about 20-25 minutes or until it is fully cooked.

5. Spoon the curry mixture into the hollowed-out bread and serve hot.

6. To enhance the flavour, you can also add toppings such as chopped cilantro, grated coconut, and hot sauce.

CHOW (SOUTH AFRICAN)

COVID-19 IMPACTS ON MICRO AND SMALL BUSINESSES

By Omar Mohammed

In UK small and medium size businesses, according to bank of England, contribute 45 percent of the total revenues, and employ 60 percent of the private sector employment. More importantly, small businesses represent a lifeline for millions of people whose income and earnings come directly or indirectly from such economic activity. This means that small businesses make huge contributions to our economy and employment.

However, because they are not legally required to present formal profit and loss accounts, small individual or family-owned micro business operate largely informal, hence lack proper business books and plans. They are usually run by family or relative members with limited management skills, experience, and knowledge, and because these businesses largely rely on personal or family earnings and savings, they do not usually pursue external finances and investment options.

Nevertheless, in addition to the over four million lives lost for reasons attributable to covid-19, there are huge economic and business shocks the pandemic has caused. The impacts can be varied from communities and localities, but most certainly have been severe for micro and small businesses owned and run by individuals from disadvantaged persons. Governments small business grants offered to self-employed individuals, micro and small businesses during the pandemic have substantially supported them and enabled them to continue paying vital costs for their operations.

However, to some communities, there were structural challenges to access government grants while they needed them most, these complexities include, according to some businesses, the short termism nature of most of government interventions, while the goodwill and future certainties constitute an integral part of the any business survival strategy.

The government introduced lockdowns and restrictions might have been lifted long time ago, and the pandemic might look over, but for communities, post-pandemic business environment continues

to be tough to run or even to think of business idea. Particularly this period, when the Bank of England wans the economy to experience Country’s longest recession in about a century. A recession is usually characterized with a persistent decline in major economic activities, reduction in consumer demand and higher unemployment rates. Bank of England anticipates this general economic downturn to last at least years.

This coupled by the months of total lock down and restrictions on people’s movements during the peak times of the pandemic, has dramatically dismantled already fragile businesses chains, disrupted traditional client systems and marketing structures particularly for self-employed individuals and micro and small business owners.

These impacts though may vary in scope and durations from sector to sector, businesses, and individuals we spoke to told us that there is noticeable micro business closing their doors since the pandemic started. For those still running, they told us about a significant reduction in revenues and operations due to reasons related to covid-19.

Pandemics do not just come and disappear, they usually come with huge uncertainties, which continues to be a major problem to most businesses even though the government has officially ended the lock down restrictions.

Due to the sole proprietorship nature of most micro businesses, owners had the predicament that compelled them ot abandon their business plans or shift to a different sector, they know very little about. Though business mortality remains a largely under reported phenomenon, it’s a visible reality among immigrant minority communities. Service providers, delivery business, food retailers and transport service are areas that have seen most of shifts because of covid-19 according to people we spoke to.

A. M a farther of four, is an entrepreneur in London’s islington borough has sold out his food retailer during pandemic. Abdi told MOJATU MEDIA that due to the souring running costs and uncertainties around the future of the food sector, he had to give up his business aspirations. He adds that because of the lockdowns, he had to go for other paid employments, which further left his business unsustainable.

THE POWER OF PERSISTENCE: THE RISE OF THREE BLACK BILLIONAIRES

By Jerry Kahn

Meet three Black billionaires who have shattered barriers to achieving success. Despite facing challenges, these individuals remain committed to philanthropy and social justice causes, inspiring others to dream big and make a difference.

Oprah Winfrey is a television producer, author, actress, and philanthropist. Winfrey has given back to her community in many ways, including establishing the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa and donating millions of dollars to various charities and organisations. She was born into poverty in Mississippi in 1954 and faced numerous challenges throughout her childhood, including physical and sexual abuse. She overcame her challenging background by establishing a strong work ethic and an unwavering determination to succeed.

She began her career as a local news anchor before transferring to host one of the most successful talk shows in history, The Oprah Winfrey Show, which ran for 25 seasons. Winfrey also launched her own production company, Harpo Productions, which has produced numerous films and television shows. In addition, she has made investments in various companies and brands. Winfrey strongly advocates pursuing your dreams and never giving up, even in the face of challenges. She encourages people to be true to themselves and to pursue their passions with determination and perseverance.

Robert F. Smith is a businessman and investor who is the founder, chairman, and CEO of Vista Equity Partners. He is known for his philanthropy, particularly in the area of education. In 2019, Smith made waves when he stated he would wipe off the student loan debt of the graduating class of Atlanta, Georgia’s historically Black Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia.Smith was born in Denver, Colorado in 1962, and grew up in a predominantly Black and Hispanic neighbourhood. He overcame the challenges he faced by working hard and developing his skills, eventually founding Vista Equity Partners, one of the world’s most successful private equity firms. Smith made his money through his career in finance. He worked for several companies, including Goldman Sachs, before founding his own private equity firm, Vista Equity Partners, in 2000. Vista has since become one of the world’s most successful

private equity firms, with over $75 billion in assets under management.

Forbes says his net worth is $8 billion, approximately £6.6 billion. Robert F. Smith emphasises the importance of concentrating on one’s own goals rather than comparing oneself to others, and that everyone has something special to offer. Therefore Smith advises people to embrace their individuality rather than trying to be like others. His ‘You are an original’ message encourages people to appreciate their distinctiveness and leverage it in their personal and professional pursuits. By following this approach, individuals can run their own race and achieve success on their terms without being distracted or discouraged by comparisons to others.

Michael Jordan is a retired professional basketball player and businessman. He owns the Charlotte Hornets NBA team and is known for his charitable giving. In 2020, Jordan donated $100 million to organisations that support racial equality, social justice, and greater access to education. He also established the Jordan Wings Program, which provides mentorship, education, and support to young people from underserved communities. Jordan was born in 1963 and grew up in Wilmington, North Carolina, and faced racism and discrimination throughout childhood. Despite these challenges, he excelled in basketball and eventually became one of the most successful and famous athletes of all time. He overcame the challenges he faced by developing a strong work ethic and an unshakeable confidence in his abilities, which helped him to become one of the greatest basketball players in history.

The former athlete made his money primarily through his career as a professional basketball player and various business ventures. Throughout his NBA career, Jordan played for the Chicago Bulls and the Washington Wizards and is widely recognised as one of the best basketball players ever. He also has numerous endorsement deals and has invested in various companies, including a stake in the Charlotte Hornets NBA team, of which he is the majority owner.

According to Forbes, his net worth is 1.7 billion US dollars, approximately 1.2 billion British pounds. Jordan is a strong advocate of resilience and perseverance. He encourages people to embrace failure as an opportunity to learn and grow and to never give up on their goals and dreams.

MOJATU TRANSFORMS CAREER PATHS WITH FREE ONLINE GOOGLE COURSES

By Jamie Morris

The Mojatu Foundation is offering access to multiple Google-certified courses that provide a fast-track into a range of professional careers. From data analysis to digital marketing, each of the free, fully-online courses is designed to prepare learners for some of the most in-demand roles in today’s job market. In particular, these courses are ideal for people who need to balance their learning around other commitments, such as an existing job. The courses are expected to be completed within around 6-8 months (at a rate of 4-8 hours per week), but learners can progress through the coursework at their own pace whenever and wherever they like.

Mojatu is also providing laptop loans and SIM cards topped up with data for any learners who are struggling with internet access. Erin O’Donoghue, Training, Learning and Development Manager at Fearless Youth Association, said: “I couldn’t recommend these courses enough – they’re easy to navigate and fit perfectly around my already tight schedule.”

Each of the five courses on offer focuses on training the learner for a specific role, which are outlined as follows:

• IT Support Specialist: Evaluate and troubleshoot technology issues so equipment runs smoothly

• Data Analyst: Collect, organise, and transform data to make informed decisions

• Project Manager: Oversee the planning and execution of projects to ensure they’re successful

• UX Designer: Make digital and physical products easier and more enjoyable to use

• Digital Marketer: Define and develop digital strategies to deliver business growth through online channels

No prior experience is needed for any of the above, but Google recommends that those who are interested consider how they can effectively build upon their existing skills and interests when choosing a course.

For example, the Data Analyst course is intended for those who are proficient with numbers and have a keen eye for detail, whereas the UX Designer course is geared more towards someone who is a creative thinker and considers themselves a people person. That said, don’t underestimate yourself – if a course piques your interest, then why not enrol?

Those who complete a course will not only be equipped with a plethora of desirable skills and specialist knowledge – they’ll be rewarded with a Google Professional Certificate that looks great on a CV and can be shared with future employers via LinkedIn.

Graduate survey responses from 2021 indicated that 75% of Professional Certificate completers in the US made a noticeable leap in their career journey within just six months of finishing the course, such as by receiving a promotion or even moving to an entirely new line of work.

Daijah, a graduate from the UX Design Professional course, said: “The program really helped me to mould my idea of what a user experience designer’s work should be.

“Being able to share my work through peer feedback, and really see my product come together as the courses progressed was encouraging, and I could directly see my skills improve and my toolkit expand.”

In addition, Chukwuma, who took the IT Support Professional course, said: “I believe the certificate showed my then-prospective employer proof of my skills and qualification – especially coming from a global brand, Google.”

Mojatu is providing spaces for up to 500 learners across the five courses, so be sure to seize the opportunity yourself by taking a look at what’s on offer.

Find out more at coursera.org/programs/mojatufoundation-google-learning-program-qqssv`