The Phoenix Newspaper - July 2023

We have to celebrate our young people across Birmingham and the West Midlands.

So many great personalities and legends were born right here in Brum, and there is so much that makes us feel proud to be from the region. Ozzy Osborne, Duran Duran, Musical Youth, Apache Indian, Lady Leshurr, Jamelia, and sporting heroes like Fatima Whitbread, Dame Denise Lewis and many more, there is so much talent born and bred in our great region.

We celebrate the legacies that continue to give us hope, and one of those incredible achievements is the Street Cred Magazine. Right in the heart of Birmingham a young man, Mark Dwayne, at the tender age of 17 launched his own magazine over 25 years ago promoting talent, diversity, and inclusion.

He was a young singer songwriter who felt Birmingham should be placed on the

map for an international stage. Mark produced a magazine that gave young talent the chance to fulfil their ambitions and dreams to become the next rising superstar. The Street Cred Magazine started life as just a black and white page in the now defunct ‘The Enterprise Newspaper’.

In 1997 it was launched as a glossy magazine highlighting unsigned talent and rising stars like Jamelia, Beverley Knight, Apache Indian, Damage, and Shola Ama to name but a few, and it showcased the Brit Awards and introduced the MOBO Awards to the Midlands.

It was a magazine that embraced diverse cultures, gen-

res, cutting edge music and all round entertainment.

In 1999 Street Cred Magazine took centre stage and created history by hosting its first award ceremony at the Grand Hotel in Birmingham City Centre, and what a showstopper it was.

Destiny’s Child was indeed part of this unique story as Mark Dwayne was one of the handlers who brought them to the streets of Birmingham. Mark Dwayne and the young Beyonce Knowles were friends as he introduced them to the city.

Street Cred was the only magazine to bring the young Beyonce to the streets of Lozells in Birmingham’s Inner City.

The Street Cred Road Shows attracted record labels such as Sony, Arista, Warner Brothers and more, it was Street Cred Magazine events that gave platform to the young Jessie J where she was discovered as the next big rising superstar.

It was the first magazine to sit amongst smash hits with regular features on Central News and the BBC.

Street Cred became the name on the street for being the first to present Jamelia with an award at their second annual awards ceremony at the Hyatt Regency hotel right here in the heart of Birmingham.

Street Cred was and is truly a trendsetter that took the entertainment industry by storm, a legacy that so many talented artists have been lucky enough to be featured in its pages over the years. Its readership is international online with a steady social media presence as well as a supplement within The Phoenix Newspaper, continuing to inspire and motivate young people on a local, national and international level.

This year Mark Dwayne is celebrating 25 years of being the first entertainment magazine from Birmingham to hit the American market. In 2006 the hip hop economy network proudly invited Street Cred to the USA where they found it difficult to believe that a young black man created and owned his own magazine created right here in Brum.

The legacy lives on today, as there isn’t anyone in the industry from the Brit Awards and MTV (where Mark was backstage press at the Awards in Sweden with Richard Blackwood) to the MOBO Awards that has not heard of the Street Cred Magazine. Generations after generations continue to echo the name as it set the trend as the magazine that has its eye on the streets and what is to be the next big thing.

At the 9th anniversary of The Phoenix Newspaper, Street

By Dr Tony Talburt

Two words seem most appropriate to sum up former Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s leadership, charisma and controversy.

These two character traits seem to follow him wherever he goes. Both ultimately played a significant role in his rise and demise from public office.

As always, there are usually at least two sides to any assessment of this hugely colourful figure and most people either love him or hate him.

One of the appealing features about Boris Johnson is his charisma. Boris, despite his upbringing and social status, was able to connect with people in a way that many politicians could not.

He was, for many people, the kind of person, they could have a drink with in a pub. He has a very likeable and approachable character.

As mayor of London, his excitable and jovial personality helped fuel his popularity. His personal style was also seen as a new lease of life for the Conservative Party in 2019 after the departure of Thresa May.

His election win in December 2019 was the Conservative Party’s largest victory since 1987. It seemed Johnson could do no wrong.

These are some of the reasons why so many people continue to be drawn to Boris Johnson. Despite his affable character, however, controversy seems to follow him wherever he goes. The list of major controversies is endless.

The major ones while he was in Downing Street included; the Dominic Cummings scandal, the Chris Pincher scandal, controversies over the Covid-19 contracts in the UK, the Downing Street refurbishment controversy, and the party gate controversy.

Regarding Johnson’s flat refurbishment controversy, he had asked a Conservative Party donor for funds to help with the refurbishment of this residence at Downing Street, which cost around £200,000.

However, Johnson did not report the donation which he was supposed to do for donations or loans of more than £7, 500 to be logged and reported.

Because he did not report the donation, the Conservative Party was fined £17, 800 by the Electoral Commission in December 2021.

BORIS JOHNSON’S CHARISMATIC AND CONTROVERSIAL LEADERSHIP

While the Party gate scandal was significant, the final nail in the Johnson political coffin was probably the Chris Pincher affair.

When Chris Pincher, the Conservative’s Deputy Chief Whip, resigned after admitting to groping two guests at a dinner, it was later revealed that he had informed Boris Johnson about his conduct after having had too much to drink, but according to Downing Street, the then Prime Minister had forgotten.

Johnson was then under pres-

sure and amidst a wave of dozens of ministerial resignations, he tendered his own resignation.

In the party gate controversy, the senior civil servant who wrote the report said, that the senior leadership at the centre of Johnson’s administration should bear responsibility for a culture that allowed the parties to take place.

Johnson himself was later fined by the Metropolitan Police for attending a party, which makes him the first serving Prime Minister in history to be fined in office for breaking the law.

In the end, Parliament voted to support their own inquiry which concluded that Boris Johnson misled Parliament over a number of gatherings / parties which were taking place at a time when physical or social distancing laws were supposed to be followed.

Many Conservative party members voted against Johnson which indicates that perhaps, for the short term at least, they want to move on from this charismatic but controversial political figure.

Global Reggae stars

UB40 have officially opened the Brian Travers Music Room at a Birmingham primary school, in honour of their late bandmate - a passionate supporter of music education for children and young people.

During a special ceremony at St Edward's Catholic School to unveil the new resource, founding members Jimmy Brown, Robin Campbell, Earl Falconer, and Norman Hassan paid tribute to their friend and colleague, who passed away after a battle with cancer in 2019.

The dedicated music space at the South Birmingham primary school includes a new bespoke portrait of Brian Travers by city graffiti and street artist VOID alongside musical artwork and murals incorporating QR codes.

The room is designed to encourage pupils to research and celebrate artists and songs from the Midlands as part of a schoolwide initiative to increase music education and improve empowerment and engagement amongst children.

As part of UB40’s plans to provide continued sponsorship and support of the Brian Travers Music Room and school, band members presented the first of an annual prize – the UB40 Award –to eleven-year-old pianist Oskar Pineau, for his outstanding contribution to the school’s music community over the past 12 months.

The band’s instrument partner Roland has also provided new equipment to be used in the Brian Travers Music Room.

Natalie Carry, Deputy Headteacher of St Edwards Catholic School, said: “We are delighted to welcome UB40 back to St Edward’s on this very special day. We were inspired when we heard about how Brian supported young people to develop their musical talents and felt it was perfect to dedicate our music room to him.”

“We are really trying to develop an innovative, broad and balanced curriculum here at St Edward’s and want to ensure that our children are able to develop their creativity. We are so proud of Oskar - he is so deserving of this award.

“Music is such an important part of all our lives, UB40 have and continue to inspire generations and it is fitting for us, a Birmingham school, to celebrate their continued success. Thank you to the band and team for continuing to support our children at St Ed-

UB40 OPEN MUSIC ROOM AT SCHOOL IN MEMORY OF BRIAN TRAVERS

ward’s.”

UB40’s ongoing commitment to the Brian Travers Music Room and the school underlines the importance their late bandmate and the band place on music provision in their home city – particularly crucial at a time when arts and music education across UK schools is under threat from declining resources and funding. Robin Campbell, guitarist and songwriter with UB40, said: “It was very moving for us all to attend the unveiling of the Brian Travers Music Room and the wonderful tribute that the school has made in his memory.

“Brian’s legacy will live on, inspiring children to create and make music and that is a beautiful thing. We will continue to support St Edward’s through the UB40 Award and hope this encourages children keen on music to follow their dreams.”

Saxophonist Brian Travers, who passed away in August 2021 after a battle with cancer, was a founding member of the chart-topping reggae band in the city of Birmingham, playing a crucial role

in shaping the sound of UB40 and performing and recording with the group up until his death. A passionate ambassador for music internationally, nationally, and locally in his home city, Brian was responsible for encouraging many young musicians to take up studying instruments and pursue music as a career - including UB40 sax player Martin Meredith.

Martin, a neighbour of Brian’s as a child, showed such keen interest in music and the band, that Brian gave him a saxophone and pushed him to learn more about music. He went on to study music and form bands of his own as a teenager, ultimately being invited to join UB40’s iconic brass section – playing with the band for nearly three decades.

This story is a testament to Brian’s love and passion for music and artistic endeavour, as Brian’s wife Leslie and daughter Lisa who attended the opening, recollected. “To see a school passionate about self-ex-

pression seems kind of revolutionary these days, especially with the pressures on educators,” Lisa said.

“We really salute St Edward’s for being so enthusiastic about music and their pupil's artistic endeavours. The UB40 story is so important for Birmingham and its young people, so to see our family’s story celebrated here, and my dad’s legacy truly continued in the

best way fills my heart. He would have been so honoured and humbled.”

Brian Travers supported a student award for the Music Business (BA Hons) degree course at higher education institute Birmingham City University for over ten years, sending a letter of congratulations to each award-winner - selected for the most self-improvement

and development over the course of their studies. The Travers family have lent their support for the award to continue being presented as part of the musician's legacy.

Earlier this year, teachers at St Edward's Catholic Primary School added learning about UB40 to their Oracy Curriculum as a way of introducing different music genres to children, developing their understanding of culture, identity, and community. Members of the bestselling Birmingham band appeared at a special event, where the Selly Park school children from Reception class up to Year 6 presented their research and sang a selection of the seminal group's hits including Rat in mi Kitchen, Kingston Town, and Can't Help Falling in Love. With over 100 million albums sold worldwide, 50 UK Top 40 singles and 10 UK Top 10 albums, UB40 are the most decorated and successful Reggae group of all time. Formed in Birmingham in 1978, they proudly wore their working-class roots on their sleeves, championing causes and concerns on songs that tackled political and social issues headon. Capturing the hearts, minds, and dancing feet of disaffected British youth, that loyal audience has grown and evolved with them over the past 45 years, thanks to the power and importance of music that continues to resonate today as they fly the flag for the many.

On Bank Holiday Sunday 27 August 2023, UB40 will play a homecoming show to thousands at Moseley Park in Birmingham, celebrating 45 years of the iconic UK band. They have also announced a major UK arena tour for November 2024.

VM GROUP BIRMINGHAM PARTNERS LUNCH

BIRMINGHAM PARTNERS LUNCH

gage and savings institution, we’re also investments, and pensions and money services, property services and much more. We’re committing to serving.”

holders. Courtney introduced Rez and Paul, who have taken on new roles as Peter Reid became Deputy CEO of VM Group.

Following their Brixton Townhall Meeting on the weekend, VM Group senior executives travelled to Birmingham to meet with key stakeholders and partners in the West Midlands.

On Tuesday 20th June, Courtney Campbell, Group President and CEO of Victoria Mutual, along with Peter Reid, Deputy CEO VM Group, Paul Elliott, CEO Building Society Operations, Rezworth Burchenson, CEO VM Investment Limited and VM Wealth Management Ltd, and Leighton Smith, CEO VM Finance & Overseas Offices and Andrew Evans, Deputy CEO at VM Finance Ltd, joined with their guests at Marco the Pierre White Steakhouse Bar and Grill at The Cube in Birmingham. In attendance were High Sheriff of the West Midlands, Wade Lyn CBE CD DL, HAC Dr Marcia McLaughlin F.Birm.Soc, Dr Beverly Lindsay OBE OD DL, Bishop Dr Desmond Jaddoo, Bishop Llewellyn Graham,

Bishop Deverton Douglas, Bentley Cunningham, Beverly Johnson and Dean Alexander

From their vantage point overlooking the city centre, the informal luncheon and chat was kicked off by Courtney, welcoming everyone and thanking them for the warm welcome they had received. Connection

“We were last here in 2019 just before the pandemic, and have always enjoyed our time here in Birmingham. Thank you all for your loyalty and support, this is a special luncheon for the leaders of the Jamaican Community and supporters of VM in the Midlands.

“We want to know what we can do here to serve the Jamaican community and improve their quality of life. Lots has happened since we last met, VM changed our branding at the end of 2021, which was meant to convey how so much has changed in the group, we wanted to ensure the brand sent that message.

“We’re no longer just a mort-

Courtney reminded the group how last year VM members voted, supported by the Central Bank, to incorporate VM Group as a Holding company of all the financial services to preserve its mutuality to allow them greater flexibility.

“Jamaica is doing reasonably well coming out of the pandemic, still struggling with education and crime, but tourism is doing well. Jamaica has some good prospects, and if it fixes those issues it will be fantastic.”

“We launched in 2018 a new service of specialised property lending, and to date we have loaned over £100million to UK developers. When we gave approval to get this started I expected it to do well, but if you’d told me in 5 years we’d be where we are I wouldn’t have believed you!”

New Appointments

Everyone was very happy to be in Birmingham again, and conversation flowed easily between the long-time partners and key stake-

“Paul has taken over from Peter,” Courtney explained, “and Rez leads our VM Investments and VM Wealth Management. It is presenting itself as a serious option to people in the diaspora. Everyone knows about VMBS in the diaspora, but many don’t know, or they aren’t thinking about, investing in the Jamaican Stock Market or other options in Jamaica.”

Paul has been with the Building Society for 7 years now, and is a career banker. “Before joining VM I worked for the two big banks in Jamaica, Scotia Bank and NCB. I then jumped across the Atlantic to Bermuda, for 5 years, then down to Cayman for another 5 years working for the same financial institution.

“When I came back to Jamaica I came to VM, because I thought it was a really great purpose. Started 145 years ago by clergymen with the mission of empowering Jamaicans to own their own homes and achieve financial independence.

“That vision remains the same today, however the Building Society has expanded well beyond that, to a full service financial entity. We have wealth, pensions, money transfer and much more, and we have remained a modern mutual, owned by our members and for the benefit of our members.”

Building Society

Prior to taking on his currently position, Paul was Head of Sales and then Deputy CEO. “We are at our core a mutual organisation, and have offices in 16 branches in Jamaica, and representative offices in New York, Florida, and the UK.

“We want to find a way to continue to impact lives, because that’s what we do. As one of my members reminded me ‘Mr Elliott, real estate is the only “real” estate!’ We are big on financial education, using real

estate to generate wealth to be able to pass onto our children.”

Paul would love to hear from you, especially the young entrepreneurs looking to invest and diversify their portfolios. “Check out our story, and tell us how best to reach you all! What avenues are the best to reach these young people? We want to show you Jamaica, and how you can be a part of it, either through property, investments or other avenues.”

Rez is the CEO for VM Investments Limited, which is listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange.

“Our wholly owned subsidiary is VM Wealth Management. We are the investment and wealth management arm of VM Group offering asset management, stock trading capital market services, and bond trading to Jamaicans in Jamaica and in the diaspora. We’re also expanding in the Caribbean in 2023.”

Investment and Opportunity

“The message we’re spreading is to take a look at the investment opportunities in Jamaica. We know Jamaica as a tourist destination, which it is, and it’s quite amazing, but to tell everyone about the investment opportunities available in Jamaica.

“The Jamaica Stock Exchange was twice voted as the best performing stock market in the world by Bloomberg,” Rez continued, “but how many people, say Jamaicans in the diaspora, have invested in that top performing asset?

“If you’re interested in investing in that, take a look at VM Wealth Management, because we have all the services for you to buy and sell stocks, you also have the digital tools to allow you to trade stocks from anywhere in the world as long as you have access to a computer or a cellphone.”

“In addition to buying and selling stocks, soe people may say they don’t have the knowledge or the time, we have asset management, and portfolios managed by an investment manager.

“There may also be companies in the diaspora who may one day want to raise capital and list themselves on the JSE, come and talk to us!”

After a delicious buffet lunch, discussions turned to how the community could assist VM Group in getting their messages out there.

Reaching The Youth

Rez continued “I think we all know about VMBS savings and loans, but theres more to VM Group

than just that, including VM Wealth Management. The financial life cycle is a journey and you can buy Jamaican stocks through VM Wealth Management.

“Why don’t we know about this?” Beverly Johnson spoke up, “I think it’s vitally important to get our young people to start acquiring shares as their grandparents came here and did just that but with property. It’s a culture already so it shouldn’t be difficult, it’s just getting there.”

HAC Dr Marcia McLaughlin added “The banks are all targeting the young entrepreneurs, 25-30 who have the spending power to invest, and they’re looking not just in the UK but globally.”

VM Group are also interested in contacting non-Jamaicans who have a vested interest in Jamaica and Jamaican companies to speak to them about investing.

“You can own a piece of the rock in many ways, buy real estate, or investing in Jamaican companies, equities is an emerging asset class,” Rez continued.

“The challenges that Jamaica has faced for the past 40 years, we’ve solved all except two, crime and education. Beyond equities, we also raise capital for companies. Really get your circles to take a hard look at these options.”

Communities

As the conversation moved onto the communities and especially the church, Paul said “I’ve been speaking to the Bishops here, and we will be connecting with the youth through events in the church, especially one later in the year. Leveraging that network to ensure that we can reach these people.”

Ben Cunningham added “I’ve never seen a promotional ad of what you’ve done with regards to the investment and property in Jamaica. I’m sure there are a number of stories you could tell, but you’re hiding your light under a bushel. These 2/3 of Jamaicans in the diaspora that are born here, many still want to return to Jamaica, and be a part of Jamaica.”

High Sheriff Wade Lyn CBE CD DL, who also runs the Jamaica Consulate in Birmingham, said that he has seen lots of families wanting to get Jamaican passports for their children. “Some want to compete for Jamaica in sports, some feel that Jamaica is their home and want that for their children too.

Town Hall Events

“The key thing is a good online platform for these younger people to go to.

If you’re going to do these Town Hall events, make sure that they fill out a questionnaire before getting there, make sure you have the people there in the room to assist for the things the questionnaire highlights.

“That’s the way you involve these young people too by doing the pre-requisite work to ensure the people attending are ready and able to invest. We as Jamaicans aren’t good at working together to move forward and benefit each other, not like the Chinese, or Indian communities are.”

VM Group have always been involved with the churches over the years. Bishop

Graham said that he had ensured he took al of his children back to Jamaica, and that they all have Jamaican passports, even the grandchildren. “It’s important for families to encourage that connection to be made and strengthened to continue the legacy.”

The Church & Windrush

Bishop Dr Jaddoo spoke of the legacy of the Windrush Compensation that is finally making its way into the bank accounts of those affected by the Windrush Scandal. “The church has access to these people, who have just received a sum of money and want to invest back into Jamaica, be that in property or shares in

Jamaican companies, but they need the information!”

Bishop Douglas agreed, “VM needs to do more promotion about the Jamaica Stock Market, it’s something that isn’t known about in the diaspora very much. The church may have lost probably 80% of its influence in our community, but it is still by far the most influential organisation in it, especially in terms of reputation.”

Media and More

HAC Dr Marcia McLaughlin explained the need for the use of publications such as The Phoenix Newspaper to ensure that the message from VM Group is able to reach the masses. “We need to utilise newspapers, magazines, online and print to ensure that everyone is reached, and we can all come together for the greater good.

“There is work to be done, and it starts with each and every one of us in the room. Putting these thoughts into action, don’t leave it as a thought or a tick box opportunity.”

With the end of the luncheon, the group dispersed ahead of the Windrush 75th events later in the week, and the Jamaica Diaspora Conference on the weekend. We hope that the information gained from all sides in the discussions over lunch will continue to serve everyone well, and that we see some concrete action moving forward to enact the changes we all want to see.

Rugby League Legend To Address The DIB Sport Conference

FORMER LEEDS Rhinos and England Rugby League legend Jamie Jones-Buchanan has been confirmed as the latest sporting giant on the speaker list of the DIB Business of Sport conference which takes place on Thursday 7th September 2023 at Lancashire County Cricket Clubs Emirates Stadium.

Jones-Buchanan will be in conversation with SEDULO GROUP founder Paul Cheetham, who leads the business advisory firms ‘Be the Standard’ programme for business leaders. Jamie played his entire career with Leeds, winning seven Super League Grand Finals, three World Club challenges, three League Leaders Shields and one Challenge Cup Final with the club. He played for England and Great Britain at international level.

After retiring as a player, he had a spell as coach of the Rhinos, before becoming the clubs first- ever head of culture, diversity, and inclusivity, and he recently took up a role on the board of the Rugby Football League Board. He is the latest big-name sports personality to be added to the impressive list of speakers at the Autumn event.

Among other contributors on the day will be former Man United and England footballer, turned pundit and entrepreneur Gary Neville, the CEO of Women in Football, Yvonne Harrison, Athletics champion and Olympic medal winner Goldie Sayers, Sir Howard Bernstein, one of the architects of the Manchester Commonwealth Games of 2002, and football finance expert, David Murray. The conference is being sponsored by BDP, VSI Executive Education, and Sedulo Group.

Business & Finance

Is Telehealth The Game Changer In The Wellness Industry?

At the height of COVID-19, millions of citizens globally struggled to access quality health and social care services.

Governments were forced to introduce emergency measures in order to reduce infection rates whilst lessening the burden placed on their national health service(s).

BHX ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF NEW CHAIR

The Board of Birmingham Airport (BHX) is pleased to announce the appointment of Sir Hugh Robertson as Chair. He will take up the role as of 18 July after a Board meeting on that date. This comes after an extensive external search process following the current Chair, Tim Clarke, notifying the Board in January of his intention to retire this summer.

Sir Hugh has had a distinguished career in public service and in business. He has served in the Army, worked in the property division of Schroder Investment Management, and in Government as Minister for Sport and the Olympics during London 2012, and as the Minister of State in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

He is currently Chair of the British Olympic Association. From 2018 until earlier this year he was Chairman of Camelot, the National Lottery operator.

Sir Hugh said: “It is a huge honour to be taking over from Tim, after such a successful six years as Chair, and to continue his good work with the Board, Chief Executive Nick Barton and the executive team, in delivering the Airport’s growth strategy.

“I am particularly excited to be joining at a time when Birmingham and the West Midlands region are enjoying such success on the back of last year’s out-

standing Commonwealth Games and so much else that is happening in the region.” Tim Clarke said: “I am delighted to be handing over to Sir Hugh, as someone with such a proven record of public and business service.

“He is well-qualified to lead the Board in securing the Airport’s ambitious growth plans and ensuring its vital contribution to the economy of the West Midlands, international connectivity and to the many thousands of jobs which it directly and indirectly supports.” Nick Barton, Chief Executive of Birmingham Airport, said: “We thank Tim Clarke for his exceptional service over the past six years leading the Board through a period including two years of Covid travel restrictions and working tirelessly to ensure the Airport’s financial resilience and subsequent strong recovery.

“Tim has overseen the recruitment of new executive leadership, and the development of the Airport’s growth strategy, securing major new based aircraft operations by the largest low-cost carriers and the expansion of our route network. We have much to look forward to as we welcome Sir Hugh, including a £40m new security hall due to open in summer 2024 and, once complete in the early 2030s, the new HS2 railway connecting us to London in a barely conceivable 32 minutes.”

Since then, is the face of continuing pressures on health services, is digital technology the answer to health and wellbeing overall?

For instance, the use of smartphones are contributing to phenomenal growth in this healthcare business. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates a shortage of 15 million healthcare professionals by 2030 and increases in artificial intelligence (AI) for the treatment and diagnosis of patients can only enhance the accessibility of healthcare services in remote locations and minimise healthcare expenses.

The global telehealth market was valued at USD 83.5 billion (2022) and is expected to rise by USD 513.85 billion by 2030 (Global Telehealth Market Dynamics, 2022/2023).

The UK telemedicine market was valued at $1.58 Bn in 2022 and is estimated to expand from 2022 to 2030, to reach $16.2 Bn in 2030. COVID-19 has led to a shift towards remote healthcare.

Other factors are growth of the telemedicine market in the

UK involving elders who are demanding more healthcare services. There is also a shortage of healthcare providers. The success of quality telehealth provision is hinged on these factors; namely:-

• Affordable prices for smartphones.

• Functional literary for those with complex learning difficulties.

• Security measures of personal information and data.

• Choice between the use of technology versus ‘physical’ health provision.

If this emerging market is to work effectively and efficiently, then consideration must be given to the range of players who are considered key ‘customer segments’. Apart from patients, clients and other user-groups, the following segments are just as important to modern telehealth provision.

• Doctors and other Healthcare Professionals who are the core of the health industry.

• Clinical Labs since they offer technical advice on drug diagnosis, prognosis and treatment remedial measures.

• Hospitals are focal points since they provide doctors and other clinical staff as well as other services ranging from information and advice on patient care, to handling payments.

• Pharmaceutical Companies as they are in charge of de-

by Dr. Christopher A. Johnson

veloping, manufacturing, dispensing medicine to various parties within the health/ medicare industry.

• Medical-tech Companies because they study carefully, trends involving the combination of medicine with technology and the type of results that are produced from such innovation(s).

• Insurance Companies are also essential to the overall process, as these entities are integral to financing healthcare and operate as intermediates or liaison parties when handling coverage payments or related actuarial/fiduciary matters.

• Public Health Organisations are be vital to assessment process too, since these organisations manage, administer and generally oversee ‘big’ or ‘large’ data on populations, conduct research and create guidance on matters related to public health and allied care/welfare matters. They are pivotal to ensuring telehealth start-ups are properly researched across all industry sectors including the above end-user segments or categories.

New Director To Lead Railway Improvements

In The West Midlands

EXPERIENCED rail industry leader Mal Drury-Rose has been appointed to the twin role of Director of Rail for Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) and Executive Director of the West Midlands Rail Executive (WMRE).

The job involves leading on delivery of region’s Rail Investment Strategy, including development of new stations and services and overseeing the West Midlands Railway franchise.

Mal brings more than 30 years’ experience to the WMRE and TfWM having held senior roles with Virgin Trains, First Great Western, National Express, the Rail Delivery Group and having spent more than ten years as Head of Rail with the Welsh Government.

He joins the West Midlands at a time of great change and expansion for the railway network as the region prepares for the arrival of HS2.

ROADSHOW LAUNCHED TO HELP BLACK FAMILIES IN FINANCIAL CRISIS

ABirmingham couple who are on a mission to redefine modern Black British family life launched a roadshow to educate and empower African and Caribbean communities in subjects such as financial education and economic empowerment.

Nathan and Sabrina Dennis, who co-founded the charity First Class Foundation, will take their Legacy Planning & Financial Preparation Roadshow to cities across the UK later this year. In partnership with Pentecostal Credit Union, the events aim to improve social mobility and access to financial resources that wouldn’t usually be available.

The Legacy Planning & Financial Preparation Roadshow will visit a host of cities later this year, with dates as follows: London - 23rd September, Manchester - 21st October, Bristol - 18th November, and Birmingham - 16th December. Aimed at families, young adults and business owners, the events will feature keynote and educational speakers, and see a host of panel discussions and Q&A sessions take place. The concept was born out of the need to make finance and economics easier to un-

derstand, amongst communities that often lack access to key information and resources.

Speaking about the roadshow, Nathan comments: “We want to provide a collaborative, honest, and supportive environment that improves the financial well-being of African and Caribbean communities. Often success, wealth, stability, and abundance are guarded by a small pool of experts and ‘role models’, and this rarely includes people of African and Caribbean descent.

“Through the work of First Class Foundation, we have been both alarmed and moved by the number of families that have reached out to us during the current cost-of-living crisis. Families have been in situations where they have been sitting in darkness, with no electricity or gas on their meter, as a charity we have stepped in to bridge that gap.” In the last six months, Nathan and Sabrina have helped over 500 families to access free food hampers.

Sabrina adds: “Our Legacy Planning & Financial Preparation Roadshow aims to provide opportunities to develop new financial skills, improve well-being and a sense of purpose, and empower people to feel

more part of society. Nathan and I are passionate about encouraging communities to change the future for the next generation – leaving more positive, sustainable, and abundant legacies.

“We’re so thankful to Pentecostal Credit Union for partnering with us to help take the event to four major cities. We have ambitions to go even further than that and hope to welcome other partners on board who share our vision for financial empowerment within the Black community.”

Nathan and Sabrina founded First Class Foundation in 2019 to create programmes and services that serve young people and their families across the city through our seven spheres of influence: Family, Business, Politics, Media, Justice and Education. The charity addresses social and economic inequality through advocacy and community engagement, delivering mentorship, educational programs, and career development opportunities.

Akeen interest in history, especially Caribbean, African, and Black British history, has been at the core of Dr Talburt’s life since the mid 70’s, and it has led him to the position where he now wants to chronicle this history through tangible documents from those who lived it.

Dr Tony Talburt was born, but not raised, in West Bromwich in the West Midlands, before due to his fathers work, the family moved to live in Bristol at the age of 6 or 7, meaning most of his childhood memories in the UK were of Bristol.

That was until the whole family left the UK in 1974 on the Spanish ship the T.N. Begona, travelling to Tenerife before heading straight across the Atlantic via Barbados, and landing in Kingston, Jamaica.

“Up to that point my knowl edge of Jamaica, the Caribbean, and Africa was almost non-existent, apart from what my parents had told me I had no further infor mation. I thought Jamaica was going to be a jungle!

“As a teenager in 1974, when I got to Kingston dock and saw houses of concrete I was amazed. Caribbean and African history wasn’t taught to me, and my par ents didn’t finish secondary school therefore their level of knowledge of the Caribbean and its history was pretty basic.

“I’ve always had a liking and a love of History, so even when I was in school in Bristol I liked the

DR TONY TALBURT IS SAVING OUR HISTORY

subject, but I was always messing around in school, I wasn’t focused at all.”

To say the education system in Jamaica was a culture shock for Tony is an understatement. “The schools were strict!” Tony remembered, “I went to my first classroom in Jamaica and I still have this abiding image of Mrs Robinson, who when I entered her class had a leather strap over her shoulder as she pointed to my seat and told me that was where I had to sit.

“Instantly I was transformed from a kid with little interest in education, to a literal ‘A Student’, and from then on, my school achievement was

messing around because I didn’t want that strap coming down on my shoulder, and it never did.

It just so happened that Tony picked up a book – “Clinton V Black - History of Jamaica” in 1974/75, a book that for him wasn’t just a history book, it was an adventure book, “It was so exciting!” he recalled.

“I’d never heard of the Arawaks, or about Marcus Garvey and Wilberforce, so that was where my love of history began. I loved it so much that I paid privately to do my

GCE O Level exam in History. I read Carter Digby and Murray Book 3 and half of Book 4 and went in and wrote my exam myself.”

It wasn’t until he left Haile Selassie Secondary School that at least part of his future was set.

“I wanted to do medicine initially, I absolutely loved sciences and still do to this day, but when I finished school I went straight into Teachers College, but I was doing my A Levels in Zoology and Chemistry part time.

“I spoke to my old

teacher who told me I couldn’t, and shouldn’t, do both at the same time, that I should focus on my teaching degree first, and if I finished that and still wanted to do medicine, then switch to that.

“When I finished my teacher training and graduated in 1982, I went straight into teaching, and never came back to do anything in science!”

After graduating, Tony taught for a while before going to the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus where he completed a degree in History, Politics and Economics, before being accepted to do an M.Phil in Politics.

the University of Warwick instead, in 1988, 2 weeks after Hurricane Gilbert.”

After teaching at Further Education colleges in England in the early 1990s, Tony registered for a PhD in International Politics and Development at the University of Warwick, and completed it over 5 years part time. “My supervisor at Warwick transferred to London South Bank University, so a few of us transferred to South Bank, which is where I finished my PHD in 2000.”

Teaching International Politics at the Open University for 10 years as an associate lecturer, Tony also worked with the National Black Boys Can Association until 2012, where he was the education and curriculum advisor, working with young black boys across the country to raise their aspirations and educational achievements in secondary schools.

Before starting his current role at Birmingham City University, Dr Talburt taught African and International Studies in Ghana from 2013 to 2020 at the University of Cape Coast. “Ghana reminded me so much of Jamaica as I experienced it as a child, except it is 40 or 50 years behind.

“Eventually I came back to England in 2020, and took on my current post in Black Studies at BCU.

“When I first started it was the height of the pandemic so everything was done online, the interviews for the position, and some of the teaching. My first semester was teaching in person but socially

distanced, but when 2021 came it was all remote until about September of that year.”

Tony is also a keen author, with 7 books to his name over the last 1015 years, and also a number of academic papers published too. “I’m writing another book based on African Economic Development,” he explains. “A lot of the approaches often reject the western approach, but I think it needs to be a combination, which I call a ‘Jollof Rice Approach’.

“Jollof Rice is a classic mixture of rice, originally from Asia, tomatoes originally from the Americas, ending up in Senegal which is where we believe it was first cooked, and it’s the perfect combination. We don’t need to abandon the West, nor go fully to the East, take the best bits from wherever and make your own ‘Jollof Rice’,” he laughed.

“Go with your passions,” Tony

stated, “You’re going to get knockbacks, but you have to learn that with those knockbacks, you get up and try a different approach, just don’t give up.

“For me I just keep going. There will be criticisms, jealousy and envy, but you just have to keep going, if you stop, you’ll perish. Too many of us give up before we even start, which is the problem.”

Tony’s current passion project is entitled “Letters from Back A Yard”, aimed to setup a national archive of documents at the University, that Caribbean people either wrote about themselves, that are their personal letters to and from the Caribbean, or letters about them. These could be letters of employment, a mortgage offer, bank statements, payment slips, drivers license, official certificates or qualifications.

“We’re looking for primary documents which show that a person

came to Britain and lived here between the 1940’s and 1980’s,” Tony explains.

“Our end aim is to set up the country’s first national archive based on documents from that Windrush Generation. It’s a Windrush project even though I’ve not titled it as such.

“I was just talking to a student, and her father came to the UK on a ship called the T.N. Begona. now many people think it was just the Empire Windrush, but there were many ships. I also went to Jamaica on a ship in 1974 called the TN Begona, and here I’m talking to a student whose father came to the UK on the same exact ship!

Tony wants to collate the archives so that future generations can come and see their history.

“We’re also going to be doing an exhibition in October at Birmingham City University for two weeks. It’ll be a national exhi-

bition where school groups and members of the public can come along once we have the launch of the project in October.

“We’d love readers of The Phoenix Newspaper, who have letters or connections with the black community here, or relatives who have letters and documents.”

This project is primarily British based, as the archive will be here in the UK, and by next year Tony wants the exhibition to tour, so it can be taken it up and down the country.”

“We ask members from the Caribbean communities to kindly, if they’re happy, to give us whatever documents they have. We will then copy or scan them, catalogue them, and most importantly, give them back their documents. We do not keep them as some of these things are precious to people!”

As the project lead, Tony apologises for it taking him this long to start the project!

“It concerned me that many of us in the Caribbean communities are throwing away history and we don’t even realise it. Then we turn around and say “how come no one is writing about it, it’s like we’re invisible!” Well of course we’re going to be invisible if we keep throwing away our history!”

Once the project catalogues the documents, they will also be avail-

able online, making it possible for people to access them digitally from anywhere in the world, and there will be a website dedicated to this project too.

For those unable to get to Birmingham to add their documents, you will be able to scan your own documents and send them to the project too. You will then be sent a consent form to sign to confirm you’re happy to donate the material as part of the collection.

“If people want to donate originals too, they can do, but they need to sign another form agreeing that they are giving us the ownership and copyright of that material.”

“The bible stated that the children of Israel were instructed to never forget where they’re coming from, if you do you lose your identity.

Keep this history and teach it to your children and grandchildren, this is why this project is so important.

We at The Phoenix Newspaper hope that this project grows wings and becomes a shining example of the protection of this important section of history.

LETTERS FROM BACK A YARD

Help us collect and archive aspects of our personal documented history of Caribbean people.

Birmingham City University is setting up one of the country’s first national archives based on the documents of Caribbean people written during the period of the 1940s to the early 1980s.

We are interested in archiving personal letters, letters of employment, post cards, certificates of achievements, boarding passes used to enter Britain etc.

ARCHIVING OUR OWN HISTORY

For further details about this archive project please contact Dr Tony Talburt by email at tony.talburt@bcu.ac.uk

l Dr Talburt being interviewed on local radio

l The T.N.Begona was a Spanish ship Dr Talburt and his family travelled to Jamaica from England on in 1974.

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND RECRUITMENT

PromotingExcellence

EMPOWERING WOMEN AND YOUTH IN MOROCCO

After caring for her mother at home, Wafaa Mokhlis takes a onehour bus ride to an internship in Casablanca, Morocco. She hopes it will lead to a career in civil engineering.

The 20-year-old sees herself someday in a hard hat, supervising crews on a construction site.

“Many young women like me, who were drawn to certain construction sectors such as painting and fitting-finishing, are more than ever determined to conquer other construction sectors, especially those considered too rough for women,” Wafaa said.

She is among students at the Specialized Institute of Building in

Casablanca, one of 15 vocational training centres participating in programs financed, in part, by the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a U.S. government agency dedicated to growing economies.

A $460 million agreement between Morocco and the MCC in 2015 aims to boost employment among youth and women through training. Only 21% of Moroccan women are in the labour force, while youth unemployment is 32%, according to the MCC.

The 15 vocational training centres work with the private sector to identify necessary skills and then provide training to students that matches employers’ needs. One centre focuses on training in bakery

Millennium Point Announces SciMED Careers Showcase For Young People Across The West Midlands

FOLLOWING the success of last year’s SciSPORT event, Millennium Point is hosting a SciMED showcase on Monday 10th July, to inspire young people to consider the myriad of STEM careers within the broad spectrum of the medical sector. School children from across the West Midlands will have the chance to be inspired with all things ‘medical’, from traditional roles of doctors, vets and dentists to wider STEM-related sectors such as physiology, health, wellbeing, pharmaceuticals - and so much more.

Last year’s sports careers event saw 1,000 visitors, ranging from school children to company representatives, educators, and exhibitors, creating a hub of knowledge and insight. The SciMED showcase is aimed at upper primary and lower secondary school pupils, giving them the opportunity to see STEM in action.

Visitors can take part in interactive workshops, as well as meeting exhibitors and speakers. Exhibitors this year include doctors, vets, first aid organisations, dentists, tech-related industries

and universities. Among the exhibitors, students can explore current medical practices, dental practices over the years, Sports and Fitness, optics and eye conditions, and a number of activities through ThinkTank science museum.

Abbie Vlahakis, CEO of Millennium Point, commented: “The SciMED showcase is a fantastic opportunity to promote STEM education across the region and encourage young people to explore some incredibly exciting careers. This event will give them the chance to find out about areas of medicine that they hadn’t previously considered.

“Utilising our space to develop talent and prospects for future generations is exactly why we do what we do.”

Schools who wish to sign up to attend the event can email scimedshowcaseevent@millenniumpoint.org.uk

and pastry arts, while another focuses on tourism.

More than 1,900 Moroccans have found jobs through the program.

When Aziza Ez Zouyny finished school, she had difficulty finding work near her home in central Morocco. She moved to Tangier in search of better prospects.

After a four-year search, she was still looking for work. Ez Zouyny began attending sessions at a vocational centre, where she learned skills such as handling an interview, which helped her land a job in 2022.

“I learned how to define my goals, how to communicate in a positive way, and how to manage teamwork, a skill all young people should have,” she said.

Stormzy Marks Five Years Since Merky Books Launch

SINGER AND RAPPER Stormzy appeared at the famous literary festival at Hay-on-Wye in Wales to talk about his publishing imprint, Merky Books. In his slot, he spoke to mark five years since its launch, and its aims to develop and produce diverse storytellers.

He said that he had a revelation about finding his own authentic voice when he started reading a particular novel at school. "With literature and writing music, both are about finding your voice... and the way you write.

When you're young there's a way you write in school, there's a comma and... you put all these words in and all the fancy moves.

"But it's not about that. It's about telling a story. There was an amazing book in school called Vernon God Little and I was so amazed by this book. It was written in the style of the character. Two words and then a full-stop.

“That's when I realised the whole smoke and mirrors of writing being Shakespearean, eloquent. It's not about that. Your truth is enough. Your words are enough. Your voice is enough." The star said it was important that Merky, which has published works by Derek Owusu and Malorie Blackman, covered all genres.

As part of our ongoing commitment to promoting the positive and inspirational individuals and organisations in our communities, The Phoenix Newspaper presents Promoting Excellence - a closer look at our role models, entrepreneurs, community figures and success stories.

l A U.S.-Morocco partnership provided schools with new equipment, such as microscopes, to help students prepare for jobs.

CITY MAYOR HOSTS A SPECIAL RECEPTION FOR HEADTEACHERS

All headteachers were invited to a reception with the city’s Mayor, at Wolverhampton Art Gallery, which gave Mayor Councillor Sandra Samuels OBE the opportunity to thank headteachers and their schools "for all they do for our families and young people in the city".

She said: "I was grateful that so many headteachers were able to accept my invitation at the end of a busy school day. It has been a real pleasure and a privilege, as Mayor, to meet so many of our pupils over the last 12 months, knowing that they are being well-prepared for their futures and equipped with the skills, knowledge and tools they need to become upstanding citizens who will shape and lead the future of this great city.

"Likewise, it has been an honour meeting many of the leaders, teachers and other school staff who make that possible. This reception was arranged to thank them for all they do for our families and young people in the city.

"I am very proud of our schools, and it is a real comfort for me to know that 89% of Wolverhampton schools are judged as Good or Outstanding by Ofsted, 3% higher than West Midlands average – this is a fantastic position to be in and is thanks to the efforts of school staff, governors, pupils and parents.

"I am fully aware that the challenges of school leadership don’t get any easier, we have increasing numbers of children and young people meeting the criteria for Education, Health and Care Plans in Wolverhampton, schools are still recovering from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and are now having to go above and beyond to help the many families who are struggling through financial hardship.

"Knowing that the key leaders in the city share my passion for young people, for learning and for ensuring the future of this fantastic city is in safe hands has made my role even more enjoyable and, for that, I thank them all from the very bottom of my heart."

l Cllr Sandra Samuels OBE hosted a reception for the city's headteachers

Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. have announced the start of commercial spaceline operations.

Virgin Galactic’s team and vehicles are ready to fly the Company’s first customers to space, having successfully completed the Unity 25 spaceflight and subsequent routine analysis and vehicle inspections.

‘Galactic 01’, a scientific research mission, will carry three crew members from the Italian Air Force and the National Research Council of Italy to conduct microgravity research.

With scientific payloads on board, the spaceflight will showcase the value and power of the unique suborbital science lab that Virgin Galactic offers.

‘Galactic 02’, which will bring Virgin Galactic’s unique experience to private astronauts, is planned for early August, with monthly flights to space beginning thereafter.

“We are launching the first commercial spaceline for Earth with two dynamic products — our scientific research and private astronaut space missions,” said Michael Colglazier, CEO, Virgin Galactic.

“This next exciting chapter for Virgin Galactic has been driven by innovation, determination and a commitment to delivering an unparalleled and truly transformative customer experience.”

Details regarding the crew and manifest for initial flights will be released in advance of each mission. Livestreams for both ‘Galactic 01’ and ‘Galactic 02’ missions will be available to view on our website at www.VirginGalactic.com.

VIRGIN GALACTIC ANNOUNCES THE START OF COMMERCIAL SPACEFLIGHT SERVICE

Jude Bellingham Scores 1.37 Million Follower Boost

JUDE BELLINGHAM has seen a massive boost to his online social media presence following confirmation of his move to Real Madrid, research finds.

Betting site KingCasinoBonus. uk analysed the player’s Instagram following between the 1st and 15th June, to see just much impact the move to Real Madrid has had on his online social standing. On the June 1, the Stourbridge-born 19-year-old England international was reported to have 9.93 million followers, and this has since jumped to a staggering 11.3 million followers as of June 15th, following confirmation of his move by Real Madrid in an Instagram post today - an increase of 1.37 million followers in just over two weeks.

On June 13th, the day before the announcement was confirmed, Bellingham had 10.7 million Instagram followers and by 15th June 2023, this has jumped to 11.3 million – an increase of approximately 613,800 new followers on the platform. Ionut Marin, CEO of KingCasinoBonus.uk, commented: “In the cases of marquee transfers by internationally renowned clubs, it’s always interesting to see just how much this affects a player’s online popularity.

4 In 5 Employers Think Mediation Should Be Used By Sides Involved In Strikes

A NEW SURVEY has found that nearly four out of five employers (78%) think that the various sides involved in strike action should seek independent mediation to resolve their dispute.

Acas, the arbitration body which handles over 500 collective disputes every year, offers a free independent mediation service called collective conciliation that can help employers and trade unions resolve their disputes. The YouGov poll asked respondents whether they thought the various sides in dispute taking strike action should seek independent mediation.

Only 7% said that they should not seek independent mediation and 15% didn’t know. Acas Director of Dispute Resolution, Kate Nowicki, said: “It is clear from our poll that an overwhelming majority of employers would like to see the various sides involved in strike action using independent mediation.

“Acas has decades of experience in resolving conflict and we have a

team of experts that are well prepared and ready to help with the disputes dominating the headlines now. However, we can only hold formal mediation talks when all the parties in dispute agree that the time is right to use our free and independent collective conciliation service.”

Acas has seen a 20% rise in demand for its collective conciliation compared to the same period last year. This help has included confidential background support to the parties involved in strike action.

Using an independent impartial

Acas conciliator in a long running dispute can help bring a calm, fresh pair of eyes to identify common ground between the sides in dispute and find a way forward, which can help break a deadlock.

Acas collective conciliators are independent and impartial. This means they do not take sides or impose solutions. They’re there to help both parties find a solution that everyone agrees to.

CONTINUE THEIR 20TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS

EDITORS NOTE

Yes Street Credders, how are you all!

Have to say 2023 is looking amazing for the world of entertainment as the big old skool artists are coming over to UK and of course we are well in to get the exclusives.

We celebrate 25 years of Street Cred a true Birmingham legacy, a magazine that has been the eye of entertainment and letting you know whats hot and not whats not because that doesnt matter, if its in Street Cred you know its the top flavour.

Look out for the best places to go right here from Restaurants, to Bars and Concerts.

This is the lifestyle

Always cutting edge and representing the street culture positively!

Mark Dwayne

The Halls Wolverhampton burst back into life as Britpop legends Blur marked the official reopening of the iconic venue with a sellout show.

Thousands of music fans revelled in the sunshine in the new-look space outside The Halls - where major investment by City of Wolverhampton Council has improved the public realm.

They then poured through the doors to take in the multi-million-pound refurbishment completed by the Council and new venue operators, AEG Presents, that will ensure the Grade II-listed halls remain part of the city’s fabric for generations to come.

It kick-starts an Opening Season of shows that will grace the new 3,404-capacity ‘The Civic at The Halls Wolverhampton’ and 1,289-capacity ‘The Wulfrun at The Halls Wolverhampton’.

Following extensive and critical construction work undertaken by the Council, AEG

Presents led on internal renovations to the front of house bars, kitchen, sound and lights systems, creating a venue that offers both the very best facilities, as well as first-rate acoustics and musical line-ups.

Overall, visitors will continue to enjoy more comfortable seats, a greater number of bars and enhanced space to socialise, expanded and revamped toilet facilities, lift access for those viewing from the new balcony level, better access arrangements for disabled visitors (including enhanced wheelchair access), a greater number of accessible viewing points and improved room temperatures through the installation of a new air handling system.

The iconic venue will host leading music and entertainment performers, as well as business events and conferences.

It will attract hundreds of thousands of visitors to the city, boosting the local economy by £10million annually. Plans will also benefit local businesses, as well as create new employment

Iconic venue bursts back to life as Blur rock The Halls

opportunities, raising the city’s national and international profile.

City of Wolverhampton Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for City Economy, Councillor Stephen Simkins, said: “It was privilege to be at the official reopening concert on Friday and what an amazing night it was.

“To see The Halls open again

and packed to the rafters with an incredible atmosphere was a very special moment for everyone who’s been involved in the transformation of this incredible venue.” Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, the council’s Cabinet Member for Visitor City, added: “These are such exciting times, and the reopening of The Halls is just the start.

“As we saw when Blur

opened The Halls, people will flock to Wolverhampton to enjoy the best live entertainment available. It will help reinvigorate the city centre, not only creating jobs and boosting businesses and the local economy but making Wolverhampton an attractive visitor destination for people across the region and country, as well as our residents.”

Marley’s Retrospective In His Latest Single

INTERNATIONALLY re-

nowned musician Stephen Marley has recently released his latest single ‘Old Soul,’ alongside the publishing of a new lyric video for the same song, which heavily features Marley’s personal history alongside the history of Jamaica.

The video includes a collection of the singer’s personal history with old family photos and vintage album covers and is presented in an interesting collage-style animation. The song is about Marley’s growth, his childhood, and it serves as a tribute to all of those who made it possible. In this, a coming-of-age track, Marley describes how he saw himself as an old soul at heart, whilst living in the body of a 9-year-old.

The single - co-produced by Jamaican pop star Omi - was released alongside the singer’s 51st birthday, with Marley saying on the collaboration: “I had to change up the years to place my life in it… but really, Omi gave me the first inspiration.”

Before the pandemic, Marley toured with his band frequently, constantly honing their abilities and performing a large catalogue of music. During the pandemic, he created a new studio on a remote family Floridian farm. During a jam session at the makeshift studio, “Old Soul” was recorded.

cclaimed Birmingham-born singer and pianist Reuben James today releases the title track from his debut album Champagne Kisses.

Released on his very own Rufio Records on Friday June 23rd, the album features a host of some of James’s most talented friends and collaborators including Roy Ayers, Braxton Cook, Joel Culpepper, Conor Albert, Ric Wilson, Carrtoons and Vula amongst others.

James has previously worked with a rollcall of superstar names including the likes of Stormzy, Sam Smith and Disclosure and it’s these collaborations, alongside influences from the likes of D’Angelo, Erykah Badu and Robert Glasper, that have led to him developing a smooth, slick sound and style of his own.

James is set to sashay further into the mainstream with brand new track Champagne Kisses, which showcases his inimitable mix of jazz-rooted soul and R&B and follows the release of the albums first two singles – Means The World and Love Stoned.

Reuben says: “Here’s my new offering ‘Champagne Kisses’ featuring the incredible Joel Culpepper and Ric Wilson - this is the title track to my debut album and definitely one of my all-time favourites… this jam is one for the summer with its up-tempo, funky, boogie vibes.

Produced by my brother CARRTOONS, and fleshed out with rich instrumentation, I was trying to explore more deep groove vibes so that I could up the energy during my live show and give me the chance to bust some dance moves!”

Releasing his music on his own record label is something that James has sustained and championed the entirety of his career. Allowing him to control every aspect of his music and legacy, he now oversees a back catalogue that has amassed in excess of 50 million plays across all platforms.

JUNe Gig Listings

REUBEN JAMES RELEASES HIS BRAND NEW SINGLE ‘CHAMPAGNE KISSES’

Latest Adidas And Wales Bonner Sneaker Collab Inspired By Jamaican Landscapes

WALES

BONNER and Adidas

Originals have another collaborative collection on the way, which focuses on the Caribbean as the British designer explores the Trefoil’s lasting presence within Jamaican culture.

According to the British Jamaican designer, the latest unisex collection for spring ’23 collection, which is called “Land of Wood and Water,” reimagines vintage silhouettes through elevated material compositions and new colour palettes.

Drawing on the Caribbean nation’s landscape and environment, the collection features a matching light-teal nylon tracksuit, signature tracksuit in elevated knit construction, striking silver anorak with matching shorts, and the introduction of a Jamaican icon in the form of a Harrington jacket and flared trouser set. Other highlights include a towelling top and shorts set, knitted geometric patten roll neck, knitted sweater vest, neutral sweater sweatpant set, and two vibrant short-sleeve cotton T-shirts.

As for the footwear offering, Bonner reimagines two archival Adidas classics. This season, the WB Samba returns in two distinct makeups: one in a neutral colour palette with a nubuck upper and leather stripes, the other coming replete with a silver leather upper and crochet stripes. In addition, the WB SL72 Knit sees the British designer re-contextualize the retro Adidas runner with a knitted upper and arrives in two distinct colourways which pay homage to Jamaican culture.

The duo’s latest collection is brought to life this season in a new campaign captured by photography and directorial duo Jalan and Jibril Durimel. Styled by Tom Guinness, the campaign mixes traditional portraiture with dreamlike documentary imagery, highlighting the intersection of place and cultural identity.

12 The Beat featuring Dave Wakeling with Bow Wow Wow feat. Annabella Lwin

This isn’t the first time Bonner has referenced her Jamaican heritage in her collaboration with Adidas. The pair’s spring ’21 “Essence” collection was inspired by the early 1980s era of reggae when dancehall music became a staple in Jamaica.

This collection is a follow-up to their first collab, which was previewed at Bonner’s fall 2020 show at London Fashion Week.

l KISS descend on Resorts World Arena on June 05

Edward Enninful Steps Down As British Vogue Editor

British Vogue editor-in-chief

Edward Enninful will be stepping down from his role after six years of breaking boundaries at the top fashion magazine. The 51-yearold will remain as an editorial advisor to the UK title but move into a newly-created job next year aimed at growing the brand globally.

Enninful’s new portfolio as Vogue's global creative and cultural advisor will also allow him to take on external projects where he will be involved with the recruitment search for his successor. The Ghanaian-British creative is the first Black man to hold the top job at the British fashion magazine.

In an interview last year about his favourite Vogue covers, Enninful said the inspiration behind his first one in December 2017 featuring mixed race model Adwoa Aboah was aimed at resetting the image of modern Britain. "It was important to create a cover that represented the Britain of today, a multicultural society where everyone was welcome - where my family was welcome," he said.

HEY DUGGEE TO PLAY THE BELGRADE THIS SUMMER

Hey Duggee, based on the smash hit CBeebies series, will come to Coventry over the summer, playing at the Belgrade from 3-6 August, with a press performance on Thursday 3 August at 1pm.

Duggee, the Squirrels and some of their friends star in the musical play Hey Duggee The Live Theatre Show – named Best Family Show at the 2023 Olivier Awards – which is packed with non-stop fun, laughs, music, singing and dancing.

This is the first-ever stage adaptation of the hugely popular CBeebies series, which brings Duggee and friends to life through extraordinary puppetry and storytelling, with families able to see their TV heroes live on stage.

Hey Duggee The Live Theatre Show has been adapted for the stage by Vikki Stone (#zoologicalsociety – Royal And Derngate, Romeo And Duet – ITV) and Matthew Xia (The Wiz – Hope Mill Theatre, artistic director Actors Touring Company). Matthew also directs the production and Vikki is musical supervisor and arranger.

Matthew said: “My daughter was born in 2014, the same year Hey Duggee started, so we’ve really grown up with the TV series, and it’s been an absolute treat to create this new stage show.

“Without any spoilers, the Squirrels have never been to a show before, and they set out to learn about all the things that go into making a show and earn the relevant badges, with some of our favourite Hey Duggee characters helping them along the way. And the children and families in the audience are very much part of the Squirrel gang with some important jobs to do!”

Vikki added: “Hey Duggee is such a special TV series in the realm of co-viewing, where adults are watching it with their

children, not just putting it on to entertain them while they’re doing something else. And it is brilliant to see families come together in theatres on the tour to experience that same magic live on stage – and in many cases it’s the children’s first theatre experience.”

Since bursting onto TV screens in 2014, the BBC Studios and Studio AKA creation has won seven BAFTAs and is an international Emmy award-winning hit. Hey Duggee was the most streamed children’s show on

Jason Derulo Heats Up The Summer With “Slow Low”

MULTIPLATINUM global superstar Jason Derulo has shared his latest summer smash, “Slow Low”, available now via Atlantic Records at all DSPs and streaming services.

BBC iPlayer in 2022 for the third year in a row and is popular among both children and parents; with fans both young and old, up and down the country now able to join the much-loved character on tour.

Hey Duggee The Live Theatre Show is presented by award-winning theatre producer Kenny Wax and theatre and live entertainment promoters Cuffe and Taylor in association with Live Nation.

Written by Jason Derulo and Shawn Charles, produced by Pink Slip (One OK Rock, Royal & The Serpent), and Jackson Morgan (Machine Gun Kelly, Sam Fischer), The change of tempo in “Slow Low” is a never-been-done-before creative choice that is sure to get everyone’s attention. Jason is no stranger to being a trendsetter and being first.

Written by Jason Deruloand Shawn Charles and produced by Pink Slip, the sultry track interpolates Dido’s 1999 top 3 hit single, “Thank You,” famously sampled in Eminem’s classic “Stan.”

Food & Fine Dining

Naksha Recipe Kits has taken its first stride into the UK by securing stardust listings of its delicious and beautifully designed recipe kits at Whole Foods Market, Harrods and John Lewis.

Naksha's UK-made range include both savoury and sweet (baking) dishes, encouraging users to discover and cook off-thebeaten-track cuisines in their own kitchens.

First launched by Nisha Ramisetty and her husband Sam Williams in Dubai in 2020, Naksha quickly gained traction by winning the prestigious Spinneys and Waitrose Local Business Incubator and has been listed in Spinneys and Waitrose stores in the UAE ever since.

Naksha's arrival in the UK in June 2023 is shaking up the cooking experience of UK homechefs by redefining store-bought, shelf-stable recipe kits.

With whole, small-batch ingredients, authentic local recipes, and original hand-drawn artwork by emerging artists, Naksha's kits prove that simplicity and convenience are compatible with premium look-and-feel and gastronomic wow-factor. Kits suit weekdays, special occasions and gifting.

According to co-founder Nisha Ramisetty, Naksha is solving the problems of cooking inspiration and accessibility. “Many people want to cook more often but struggle to keep their menu varied”, she says.

“At the same time, many tempting cuisines are perceived to be too complex, expensive or wasteful to cook at home.

"Naksha tackles this by curating recipes from amazing places and giving customers the specialist ingredients needed to cook them without waste or fuss. UK consumers are hungry to cook food with engaging origin stories, and we are feeding that appetite.”

Arranged into regional collections, Naksha's recipe kits give customers an immersive cooking experience encompassing great flavours, thoughtful storytelling, stunning packaging, and simple cooking methodology.

The recipe kits focus on cuisines with strong appeal but limited visibility, looking beyond the predictable world of Mexican, Thai and Indian.

Naksha's kits instead bring to life dishes from countries including Cuba (Ropa Vieja), Singapore (Lemak Cili Padi), Turkey ((Dark chocolate fondant with Turkish coffee), Jamaica (Curried Goat) and Lebanon (Milk chocolate blondies with Lebanese tahini); meeting demand for international food which - according to a recent Waitrose & Partners report – is growing rapidly in the UK.

They are vegan-friendly as they don't include perishable ingredients. Instead, the shelf-stable products include easy recipe cards and specialist ingredients such as spice blends, herbs, grains, noo-

NAKSHA RECIPE KITS LAUNCH IN THE UK

GTA Launches Culinary Partnership With James

Beard Award-Winning Chef Alexander Smalls

KNOWN AS the Spice Isle of the Caribbean, the Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA) has launched a culinary partnership with renowned Chef Alexander Smalls to raise its profile as a leading culinary destination.

The partnership will involve a Master Class with local chefs, recipe development showcasing Grenada’s spices and cacao, a Tastemaker event featuring celebrity and influential chefs, a Fireside Chat with Grenada’s leaders in food security, agriculture and sustainability, and the Spice Replanting Program.

Alexander Smalls, both a Grammy and Tony award-winning opera singer, is a James Beard Award-winning chef, restaurateur, author, and culinary activist.

He is the visionary of the restaurants, The Cecil, which won Esquire magazine best new restaurant in America, New York City’s first Afro-Asian-American

Brasserie and its sister jazz club, Minton’s, the birthplace of BeBop in Harlem.

He is the founder and curator of Alkebulan, the first African Dining hall in the world opened in Dubai in 2021, visited by over 24 million people. There are plans to open future Alkebulan concepts in London and Harlem, New York coming soon.

Chef Alexander Smalls commented, “I’m excited because the Spice Island concept is near and dear to the work that I do. I look forward to bringing a congress of chefs to explore the island and to create partnerships on the ground with local vendors and restaurateurs.

"We’ll also be creating a series of engaging and interactive video content that will excite the locals, as well as the global community that should know and celebrate Grenada as we do.”

Dom Pérignon, Liquid Icons And The Gérard Basset Foundation

Announce The New Dom Pérignon Golden Vines MW Scholarship

DOM PÉRIGNON, the renowned Champagne House, announced today that it is partnering with Liquid Icons (the fine wine research and content production company founded by the late, great Gérard Basset OBE MW MS and his friend Lewis Chester DipWSET) and the Gérard Basset Foundation to launch a new Dom Pérignon Golden Vines MW Scholarship.

dles, sauces and other extras. The fresh items (i.e., veg and protein) that a customer needs to complete the dish are easily obtainable as part of a normal weekly shop, maximising choice and flexibility.

Customers aren't locked into costly commitments - yet, thanks to Naksha's diverse range, they can access a multitude of flavours. Most of Naksha's recipe kits are also gluten free and contain or-

ganic ingredients. Naksha is based between London and Brighton and has manufacturing facilities in Derbyshire.

The Dom Pérignon Golden Vines MW Scholarship Winner will undertake an intensive, paid training program for 4 weeks at Dom Pérignon, in which time they will work closely with the winemaking team, attaining skills and knowledge which will aid them both with the MW studies and with their future career progression. The Scholarship will fund the winner to undertake the MW Certification.

The Dom Pérignon Golden Vines MW Scholarship is open

to applicants from marginalised communities. Scholars may be situated anywhere in the world but must be willing and able to travel to France for the duration of their internship. The Judging Panel for the Scholarship will consist of Vincent Chaperon, Chef de Cave of Dom Pérignon, and Romané Basset, Co-Founding Trustee of the Gérard Basset Foundation.

Vincent Chaperon commented on the launch of the new Dom Pérignon Golden Vines MW Scholarship: "We will be delighted to welcome the eventual winner of the Scholarship at Dom Pérignon."

l On a recent evening in New York City, the Grenada Tourism Authority hosted an intimate dinner party at the home of Chef Alexander Smalls (right) to introduce a new culinary partnership.

MOTORS

ALL-NEW AEHRA SEDAN BRINGS SUPERCAR LEVELS OF DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY TO THE PASSENGER CAR SECTOR

AEHRA, the new global ultra-premium electric automotive brand, has today revealed the exterior design of its second ground-breaking model, a sinuously styled Sedan.

Presented to the international media at the Milano Monza Motor Show today, the AEHRA Sedan follows swiftly on from the brand’s first model, an SUV presented late last year.

Based on the same highly flexible ultra-advanced EV plat-

form as the AEHRA SUV, the AEHRA Sedan was conceived in tandem with its sibling without compromise. And while the new model shares the same design language and body surface treatment as the SUV, it is quite different in character thanks to unique graphic signatures at the front and the rear of the car.

A shape inspired by centuries of Italian design and purity of expression

AEHRA’s soft, simple, uncomplicated design language is expressed in the new Sedan to

stunning effect. From the side, the car features just one uninterrupted fluid line.

The brand’s design team resolutely shunned the need to create numerous edges within the body and, instead, amplified the new model’s character through the use of reflection, with the body divided by light and shadow.

The brand has used a similar ‘division’ approach to express other elements of the Sedan’s character, and this approach is particularly evident at the front of the vehicle.

Here, technical elements, such as the active aerodynamic and cooling elements, are amalgamated in the lower section of the car. Combined with a bespoke battery solution developed in partnership with Miba Battery Systems, the AEHRA Sedan and SUV are designed and engineered to deliver optimum efficiency and target an 800km driving range.

By contrast to the more technical lower section, the top portion of the car represents a much cleaner, purer shape, and one

that flows elegantly all the way from the hood to the windscreen and up and over the roofline.

The crafting of this very fluid shape drew inspiration in part from the aeronautic sector, and it exudes a sheer sense of the AEHRA Sedan gliding effortlessly through the air with great efficiency, even when it is parked and not moving.

“With the AEHRA Sedan, we have had the boldness to go even further and fully exploit the exceptional design freedom born out of our founder Hazim

Nada’s philosophy and vision, and AEHRA’s ground-breaking use of only the most advanced technologies that the global automotive and aeronautic industries have to offer,” explains Filippo Perini, AEHRA Head of Design.

“The design of the AEHRA Sedan is inspired by numerous sources. In Italy, it is often said we exist in a living museum. The influence of art and architecture is all around us, and beauty is all around us. A beauty that stems from purity of expression and aesthetic functionality.”

“For centuries, Italian architects, artists and designers have been inspired by the pursuit of the perfection of proportion. That passion and discipline are evident in every line and detail of the AEHRA Sedan. Adhering to AEHRA’s doctrine that form must always follow function; the Sedan is the anthesis to baroque design culture.

Devoid of unnecessary adornments, yet alive with emotion, the AEHRA Sedan represents a new standard of natural beauty for zero-emission ultra-premium mobility.”

INTRODUCING THE ALL-NEW BMW M2

The new BMW M2 builds on its formidable predecessor’s strengths to deliver an even greater driving experience, taking the formula of a classic high-performance sports car and reproducing it in highly concentrated form with cutting-edge technology.

The new BMW M2 encapsulates the pure joy of driving: its compact dimensions, a six-cylinder in-line engine, a manual gearbox option, rear-wheel drive and an advanced control/ operating concept – allowing the driver to adjust the vehicle setup as desired – are all central to its appeal.

Surefooted agility on demand

and handling that remains easily controllable even as the driver explores the coupé’s limits are at its core. The distinct character profile of the new BMW M2 is reflected in a powerful design that conveys its segment-leading power, even before it turns a wheel.

With a maximum output of 460hp – 90hp more than the original BMW M2 – and exhilarating driving dynamics that have been honed during in-depth testing on the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife circuit and other race tracks, the new BMW M2 represents another highlight in the model offensive celebrating the 50-year anniversary of BMW M GmbH.

The two-door machine embodies an unadulterated racing passion that owners can enjoy day in, day out, along with a comprehensive specification ensuring it is as comfortable tackling the city as it is the most demanding race circuits.

The advances over the first-generation BMW M2, which became the largest-selling model in the BMW M lineup with almost 60,000 examples sold worldwide, are evident not just from the car’s sharper performance but also its far more extensive standard specification.

A focused selection of options is available for enhancing driving comfort or adding even more visual excitement to both

the exterior and interior.

A standout optional extra is the bespoke M Race Track Package that is designed to maximise the performance experience, its benefits including raising the electronically limited top speed of 155mph to 177mph.

The new BMW M2 is built alongside the new BMW 2 Series Coupé at the BMW Group’s San Luis Potosí plant in Mexico, with prices in the UK starting from £64,890 OTR.

Advanced twin-turbo, high-revving 3.0-litre engine develops 460hp

The powertrain technology in the new BMW M2 brings elite performance to the premium compact segment. It is the only

model in its segment to be offered with a six-cylinder in-line engine.

Developing a maximum 460hp from its advanced engine, the new BMW M2 outguns the base unit used by the original BMW M2 by 90hp.

Indeed, its output is even 10hp higher than that of the special-edition BMW M2 CS from the previous model generation.

The 3.0-litre unit differs only in a small number of details from the engine employed in the BMW M3/BMW M4 models.

The straight-six engine combines the latest M TwinPower Turbo technology with the high-revving characteristics of an M car.

Peak torque of 550Nm is produced between 2,650 and 5,870rpm and maximum output arrives at 6,250rpm. The engine revs to a maximum 7,200rpm.

The design principle behind the engine and its technical details reflects the vast motorsport experience of BMW M GmbH.

A rigid crankcase, friction-optimised cylinder bores, a crankshaft drive with high torsional rigidity and a forged crankshaft with lightweight design enhance the engine’s efficiency, power development and high-revving nature.

The core of the cylinder head is 3D printed, enabling a weight reduction and optimised coolant duct routing.

RINA And Aprilia Racing Start Technical Partnership

RINA, a multinational inspection, certification, and engineering consulting company, and Aprilia Racing, one of the most successful racing teams of all time, have signed a two-year sponsorship and technical partnership to drive the development of cutting-edge technologies in elite-level motorcycle sport.

RINA will offer Aprilia Racing its diverse engineering expertise acquired over more than 160 years in various fields where performance is the key factor for excellence, including aerospace, automotive, advanced material studies, and advanced manufacturing technologies.

The collaboration between two esteemed Italian technological leaders will apply to all aspects of a prototype race design. Leveraging RINA's multidisciplinary skills and cutting-edge technology transfer methods, Aprilia Racing will solidify its leadership and pioneering role, introducing ground-breaking solutions to the track and pushing the boundaries of motorsport and beyond.

BIGGEST EVER MOTORING EVENT FOR DISABLED PEOPLE DRIVES RECORD ATTENDANCE

The Big Event, hosted by the Motability Scheme, saw its biggest ever attendance with a record-breaking turnout of more than 11,600 visitors attending the two-day event at The NEC in Birmingham.

The Big Event took place on Friday 19 and Saturday 20 May 2023 and offered the chance for disabled people and their families, friends and carers to find out everything they need to know about the Motability Scheme.

With over 150 vehicles on display, visitors could explore the latest range of cars, take a test drive and have their questions answered by Scheme experts.

For the second year running, anyone unable to attend the event in person could tune in online to ‘The Big Event Streamed Live’.

There were more than 7,000 live views of the digital content including expert Speaker Sessions – with guest appearances from former Royal Marine and Invictus Games athlete, Mark Ormrod, and British Wheelchair Basketball’s Lee Manning – and exclusive Q&As and videos. All of the online content is available to watch, on demand, for the rest of the summer at motabilityonebigday.co.uk/ the-big-event-birmingham/watchon-demand/

Brand new for 2023 at The Big Event, the Innovation Zone also showcased future technology for cars, powered wheelchairs and scooters. The Motability Operations Innovation Team were on hand to answer questions, showcase their latest initiatives, and sign-up customers for future innovation and product pilots.

Alison Beasley, The Big Event manager at Motability Operations, said: “This is the second year running that we’ve had record attendance at The Big Event and we couldn’t be more thrilled. The whole ethos of the event is to offer an accessible and inclusive day out for all ages to enjoy while they gather all the information they might need about the Scheme, so to see the popularity continue to grow is exciting.

“We introduced ‘The Big Event Streamed Live’ last year so that people can join us online if they can’t make it to Birmingham, and to see the numbers of people joining us digitally almost double in its second year is fantastic. We’re already starting to think about how we can increase the online experience for future years too."

The Big Event was the first in the Motability Scheme’s series of summer events, which are free to attend, with plenty of free parking available. The remaining 2023 One Big Day programme line-up includes:

• One Big Day, Exeter –Westpoint, Saturday 22 July

• One Big Day, Harrogate – Yorkshire Event Centre, Saturday 12 August

• The Big Event, Edinburgh – Royal Highland Centre, Friday 15 and Saturday 16 September

Back In The Hot Seat Once Again

FORMULA 1 legends Mika

Häkkinen and David Coulthard teamed up with the reigning WRC Driver’s Champion Kalle Rovanperä in the first episode of Unibet's brand new video series RIDE. Former F1 drivers got the opportunity to experience the thrill of speed in a WRC rally car when they sat on the co-driver seat of Rovanperä while he was testing for this weekend’s Rally Sardegna. Unibet's new video series RIDE brings together three of motorsport's major names – Mika Häkkinen, David Coulthard and Kalle Rovanperä – for the first time ever.

The trio's first encounter can in no way be described as ordinary, as the two former F1 drivers got to experience the thrill of speed

in the place of Kalle Rovanperä's co-driver Jonne Halttunen. The Toyota Gazoo Racing duo Rovanperä–Halttunen were in Italy preparing for the WRC Rally Sardegna that takes place this weekend.

The experience could be described as surprising. Häkkinen and Coulthard, both experienced in extreme speeds, seemed to find it difficult to whole-heartedly enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Mika Häkkinen and David Coulthard

DOMINICA’S JAZZ ‘N CREOLE DELIGHTS MUSIC LOVERS IN ITS 12TH EDITION

Rapper, actor, television producer and businessman, 50 Cent, will be embarking on a global tour to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his game-changing debut album, Get Rich or Die Tryin’. plans to celebrate bringing along guests Busta Rhymes and Jeremih to audiences.

Fans can expect dozens of fan-favourite and chart-topping hits along with select tracks that have not been performed live in decades. Plus, the tour will feature support from special guest and Fif's longtime friend, Busta Rhymes, across all dates and Jeremih supporting on all North American dates - with more special guests to be announced!

As part of his UK dates, The Final Lap Tour 2023 sees 50’ at the OVO Hydro, in Glasgow, on November 9, AO Arena, Manchester on November 10, The O2 in London on November 11 and Resorts World Arena, November 12.

Curtis ‘50 Cent’ Jackson is hitting the road this summer for a global tour called The Final Lap that kicked off in July with a show at the Maverik Center

50 Cent Announces ‘Final Lap’ World Tour With Busta Rhymes And Jeremih

in Salt Lake City. It keeps him on the road through a planned Nov. 12 gig at the Resorts World Arena in Birmingham, England. Produced by Live Nation and presented by Sire Spirits, The Final Lap Tour will see ‘Fiddy’ head across North America and Europe.

l Phyllisia Ross interacts with a local patron onstage

The curtains closed with another successful staging of Dominica’s Jazz ‘n Creole. With a tropical ambiance following the ‘rainforest fantasy’ theme, the event attracted approximately 1,800 patrons based on preliminary reports. An attractive line-up catered well to a mixed audience of music lovers through the sounds of Black Violin, Island Jazz Collective, Swingin Stars, Phyllisia Ross, Octeto Kanaima and Signal Band.

This year’s Jazz ‘n Creole ensured that its patrons’ exquisite palettes were fulfilled through ample cuisine options, provided mainly by food vendors of the northern communities. For the second year, the fashion of local designers was highlighted through the Fashion Show. Models sported various styles of Dominica’s local Creole wear, international designs, and ‘rain-

foresty fantasy’ fashion. Boutik Domnik offered a wide range of local artisan products such as crafts, health and wellness products, and home décor.

Additionally, musical entertainment was provided to patrons while waiting for shuttles and between the main stage performances, providing a new element to showcase local and upcoming artistry. Patrons particularly enjoyed taking and sharing photos at the rainforest-fantasy-themed backdrop frame located in the shuttle drop-off area. The well-supervised Kids Zone provided a host of family-friendly activities including face painting, basketball hoops, and DIY jewellery beading. For those who preferred to unwind while viewing the festival, the Chill Zone created a relaxing atmosphere with numerous benches and a large screen monitor which carried the event live ensuring nothing was

missed.

Growing in popularity since its inception in 2010, plans are currently underway to provide an even better experience for patrons at next year’s festival.

Jazz ‘n Creole was presented by the Commonwealth of Dominica’s Government through the Ministry of Tourism and Discover Dominica Authority (DDA). DDA expresses its warmest gratitude to VIP sponsor – HHV Whitchurch & Co. Ltd.; gold sponsor – Belfast Estate and Kubuli; silver sponsors

– National Bank of Dominica, Tranquility Beach Resort, Fine Foods, Inc., Pirates Ltd., and National Co-operative Credit Union Ltd.; and business sponsors

– Josephine Gabriel & Co. Ltd., Coulibri Ridge, ShopBox Dominica, Arden Sounds, Insurance Company of the West Indies (ICWI), and Sutton Place Hotel.

Busted’s series of 2.0 remakes of their biggest hits is proving to be one of the most fun concepts they’ve ever embarked upon.

The trio - James Bourne Charlie Simpson and Matt Willis - have relished the opportunity to work with bands they’ve always admired (Simple Plan, Neck Deep and Hanson, with many more to come), while fans have seen their old favourites given a fresh lease of life.

The series now continues as Busted give ‘Crashed The Wedding’ a new vibe with the help of featured artists All Time Low.

This new take on ‘Crashed The

Wedding’ is a classic case of: if it’s not broke, fix it anyway. It’s the song you’ve always loved, just with the guitars cranked up to 11, the drums hitting harder than ever before, and its sweet vocal harmonies have become far more layered and energised.

The original, from 2003, is of course a bona fide Busted classic - a Gold-certified song which became their second #1 smash, and a crowd-pleasing highlight of the band’s countless sold-out arena shows.

Busted’s Charlie says, “I’ve been listening to All Time Low since they released their debut

Ali Wong To Visit London This August For Two Shows

ACTRESS AND comedian Ali Wong has announced that she’ll be returning to the U.K. with her show Ali Wong: Live at London’s Eventim Apollo on Saturday, 12 August 2023.

Making her highly anticipated return to the U.K., Wong, a comedian, writer, actress, and director known for her comedy specials Baby Cobra, Hard Knock Wife, and Emmy-nominated Don Wong, will swing into London for one date only, offering two hilarious stand-up shows across an early and late performance during the middle of her 19-city North America tour before heading back across the pond to complete a run of U.S. dates until December 2023.

An executive produces and the voice of Bertie in Tuca and Bertie, and co-writer and star of Always Be My Maybe, plus director of Sheng Wang’s Sweet and Juicy Ali Wong’s U.K. Tour 2023 shows are on Saturday August 12, at 5.30pm and 9pm.

EP ‘Put Up Or Shut Up back in 2006.’ It’s so awesome to have them on board for reimagining one of our biggest songs.”

All Time Low add, “I had the pleasure of getting to know these guys when we worked together on a couple tracks for the McBusted album.

"Getting the call to come in and help recreate an iconic Busted song was a no-brainer. Loved being a part of this one!”

‘Crashed The Wedding 2.0’ follows the recent news that Busted will play the all-star Radio 2 in the Park event in Leicesteron September 16th.

All evidence suggests that Busted are just as big as they were the first time around. Upon announcing details of this year’s arena tour, they sold almost 150,000 tickets instantly - resulting in numerous shows being sold-out and many more being added to the schedule to keep up with phenomenal public demand, which will see them play to a total of 300,000 fans.

The tour features everyone’s favourite brother pop-trio Hanson at all dates from Birmingham (September 9th) onwards, plus New Hope Club and The Tyne.

It is not an exaggeration to say that the concept of Cayman Instyle Fashion Week (CIFW) would not be what we experienced without the creativity of the remarkable designer Norma Ebanks. Another well organised glitzy Instyle Fashion Week has come to an end in the Cayman Islands. It was a festivity of the ateliers and artistry of the many designers who are no doubt pleased with the final pieces of their collection – crafted from the earnest work, emotional commitment and dedication for each piece to make a statement.

Let’s be brutally candid for a

By Dee Burrowes

The Glitter Glimpse -Lessons Learned from Cayman Instyle Fashion Week

minute - out of all the fashion events on the island, CIFW is one of the most coveted shows to look forward to. Loads of stunning models in the most picturesque attire sashay the catwalk for the audience’s entertainment pleasure. Parading these assorted styles on stage were well known public figures Chloe Powery-Doxey (Miss Cayman Islands Universe 2022), Mariah Tibbetts (Miss Cayman Islands Universe 2020), Georgina Kerford (Miss Cayman Islands Universe 2021) and Rashana Hydes (Miss World Cayman 2021) amongst many others. The collections were out of the closet to the fashion

show catwalk allowing a tiptoed peek into its assemblage. It was impossible not to love the CIFW extravaganza – it was a dazzling, prestigious, glamorous and theatrical backdrop. Some of these beautiful clothing were also designed by other local and international designers. The host hotel, The Ritz Carlton portrayed the theme perfectly - it’s Lights, Camera, Fashion - leaving behind the memories of a fashion event well enjoyed. The most striking fashion show, energetic and mingling parties with the emerging and newest talents to be aware of.

The fashion show had young models parading in children’s

wear designed with different pattern making skills in comfortable, colourful and playful designs. Haute couture was graced with a symbol of individualism, character and humour with the evocation of the most stirling soul of happiness decked out. Local and international designers Khylo Butler – Khylo Paris Designs, Carlton Jones - Uzuri International and Adrian Alicea to mention a few.

It was all about elegance and glamour for local designer Khylo Butler – Khylo Paris Designs with sophisticated, beautiful embellishments that were red-carpet inspired, literally turning fashion on its head. As an emerging designer, she embarked on her very first fashion show at CIFW. She hopes to achieve her ultimate goal of wowing the crowd as her collection develops and continues to build her fashion business. No such thing, wholly in particular as a fashion show – in the thick of the elegant and grandiose setting in place to the lavishly appointed front row to the attire. It’s an inexpressible fondness of pure excitement that overtakes the ballroom. Circumambient, by palpable fashion magic, in admiration by virtue of how the whole deal colluded - what happens next exactly for CIFW?

As a top-notch fashion designer, Norma Ebanks' dreams were brought from a thought to commercial sewing machines, inspiration mood board, fabric store, thread, needles and thimbles. Her passion for fashion has been never-ending for all her life which provided a route to mentor several of the highest quality

fashion experts in the industry. Having studied at the prominent Parsons University in New York City and trained in Fashion and Design at the Howell School of Fashion in Jamaica.

Returning to the Cayman Islands with her many years’ of experience the renowned Creative Fashion & Design was founded – a busy and fruitful fashion entity serving the classy stylist demands of customers both locally and internationally in addition to home interior decorating.

Norma Ebanks’ mission is to encourage the youths in the Cayman Islands through fashion is the ultimate form of empowerment and self-expression of art and design. Being an advocate for mental ill-health, her organisation collaborates with the Alex Panton Foundation adding to both their already impressive impact with the community.

Here are lessons gleaned from Cayman Instyle Fashion Week. Hard work does pay off - Hard work is the key to success - for a variety of distinct motivation. Success doesn’t come with ease in any venture and the fashion industry is no exception. As far as fashion goes, persistence in whatever you do certainly pays off. Many times, it's drawing an all-nighter in assembling elaborate pieces or revamping a style to have it perfected.

It's all about the walk - Models are clad in clothing by a designer showcasing an imminent clothing line. Strutting the catwalk with charm, swagger and flawlessness - their bravery stands out with confidence and there’s nothing more magnificent.

Figure out who you are. The clue to clean-cut isn't always conforming to the latest

fashion trends. It's really cleaving to your personal style to evolve with your unique style by searching for inspiration (starting with the runway), and exploring with fashion. Never adapt to every look because it is in season or trendy.

Networking is crucial - The most affluent fashion designers are often supported by a superb team of business partners. Similarly, the most successful entrepreneurs need a boost on the creative side as well. The fashion industry in all parts, alliances and networking on various levels is really everything. Your network is your network kind of mantra.

Presentation is everythingHow you flaunt your design and collection matters as a profound presentation goes a very long way. The smallest of details are always the key. Likewise, adorning yourself in an irresistible outfit and that dazzling best pair of shoes will enhance your outward appearance and brand – be a head turner.

Teamwork - An astute fashion designer knows or should know, there are many benefits of teamwork within their team or industry. Engaging in a influences each team member to be resolute, productive and perform their best to achieve results.

After the fashion creators take their last dip amidst the postshow high, social platform buzz and desire with a lot of work needs to be completed. Welcome to the World of fashion, beyond everything — the hustle never ceases.

Featuring Dee Burrowes

HAC Veronica Pickering

Birmingham Black Business Show

By Steve Williams

It was the perfect platform for too-often unacknowledged businesses, organisations and C.I.C.s to shine a light on their growing successes, as the Birmingham Black Business Show returned to the NEC Birmingham. With some of the biggest, and ever-growing names in their respective fields on hand, it proved to be the perfect platform to connect with professionals and businesses across a number of industries.

Participants registered for this year’s exhibition included Amazon, HSCB UK, Lloyds Bank, Aclt, African Co-Operative Union, Bibinee Dolls, Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, City of Wolverhampton College, Deutsche Bank, Legacy Centre of Excellence, Federation of Small Businesses, Johnson Jamaican Spyrup, Roots to Froots Financial Wellness, Shea Coco and Technis Academy. Many more were determined to be part of this ever-growing event.

The biggest market place for Black

CREATING A PLATFORM FOR A NEW WORLD

businesses, also saw the likes of Lady Anne Welsh, founder and CEO of Painless Universal, Dragons Den icon, the renowned entrepreneur, sauce manufacturer and chef, Levi Roots, Justice Williams MBE, the founder of 'Dream Plan Launch', legendary broadcaster Sir Trevor McDonald, journalist and fellow-broadcaster Marverine Cole, Bianca Miller-Cole and Byron Cole, who have written two books to help aspiring entrepreneurs, film director Labi Odebunmi, presenter, producer and DJ,

MLavontelle and advertising guru

Marvyn Harrison be very much part of a full day of business showcasing, and shining a light on just what is – and, in many ways, what always has been – out there in the everyday, forward-thing world of business.

It was a chance to be inspired, as a select number of established names stood side-by-side with a new generation looking to get their own names ‘implanted’ into the psyche of today’s everyday living with in-depth workshops, seminars

and talks. And, with its exclusive headline partner being the afore mentioned HSBC, at this year’s Birmingham Black Business Show, the latest expert designs gadgets and tips were on hand as an ever-growing crowd of people – from throughout the UK, and further afield – learned so about what, and, more particularly, who, was moving-and-shaking in today’s world. And that, especially, in a climate where too many Black businesses and organisations feel “held back” – for a litany of reasons!

“I pay homage to our entrepreneurs, professionals and allies of Black communities,” said Entrepreneur and author Raphael Sofoluke, founder and CEO of UK Black Business Show, UK Black Business Week, Birmingham Black Business Show and the Black Tech Achievement Awards. UK Black Business Chief Operating Officer, Michael Adeniya, would go on to echo that before host, Marverene (Cole) introduced the likes of Daniella Genas MBA of Be the Boss International, whose inspiring

speech of her success against huge odds was just the start!

“Being Black in business is a ‘superpower’” she endorsed before going on to tell of her steep rise to prominence. “It’s all about ‘mindset and discipline, structure’” she went on. “It’s about letting go of mediocrity. And, it’s not about having a clear vision – it’s about having a BIG vision.” Trade Finance Director at HSBC, Stefan Johnson, then took the stage for an ‘In Conversation

With …’-style debate to tackle the issues faced with many Black entrepreneurs and start-ups in today’s world of business. He and his panel would continue the subject of ‘mindset, integrity and discipline.’

“Sessions like these are paramount to business growth,” he said pointedly, as Denise Myers, founder of Black Talent Awards, also highlighted his “journey” to the top of

his field. And, so it was, as other participants took to the stage to highlight their respective rises to the top, and gave relevant tips on how to do so.

But it was the again, the afore mentioned Sir Trevor (McDonald) who would draw the greatest attention as he told story - of how he struggled, fought and rose to prominence in the British and world psyche, him being the first person to interview the late, great Nelson Mandela, and how he sees himself in the eyes of the world today. That, in itself, was just another ‘coup’ for an event which is very much getting into position to be the greatest of its type in the not-too-distant future.

For the Birmingham Black Business Show, well, already, people are planning for 2024!

VERONICA PICKERING: A BEACON OF LIGHT

Born in Kenya, in a small place called Kisii, a young Veronica Pickering grew up with her sister Florence, with a very headstrong and entrepreneurial mother who was keen to make things better for both herself and her children’s future.

“Women didn't really go to school, didn't study and then married, and that was really their career in a sense, as it was for a lot of women back then and she was also a single parent.

“She raised both me and my sister, then brought us to England and remarried in the late 60’s and we ended up in in Kent.”

Living on a farm in her early years, Veronica remembered working and playing on and around the farm with her cousins and their families, “We could always move around with lots of rural activities. We grew tea, and coffee and corn, even pineapples and passionfruit.

“We didn’t have a sense of any poverty, besides poverty of aspirations perhaps. When my mother travelled around for work to the

cities she would see what the world had to offer and I think that changed her perspective.”

Live for many families in the Windrush Generation, it was the norm for the parents to come to the UK first, and then send for their children to join them, which is what happened to Veronica and her sister.

“I remember arriving in December 1968 and being greeted by snow! We were in Summer clothes as Kenya is hot in December. We were wrapped up in blankets by the stewards looking after us and it was so exciting to me.

“My mother married a British Engineer in the Royal Navy, so we ended up in Kent in military housing, before he got a job with an engineering company in Nottinghamshire, and we moved up there.”

Not being able to speak English very well meant that going to school in a small town school had its own difficulties. “I got into a lot of scrapes, fights and arguments with other children. I just grunted at people, and I remember kids presenting me with things and because I didn’t know what they were doing

or what they wanted, I’d just push them away which would get me in trouble.

“My stepfather was very good though, he was focused on getting us settled and making sure we learned English and Maths so we had lessons.”

Upon moving to Nottinghamshire Veronica completed her primary education and continued to sec ondary where she was particularly good at sport but not very good in the classroom.

“I was great at all things physi cal – I could run, jump, play hock ey, everything that is sporty, but I couldn’t really do Maths or Eng lish very well or anything that meant writing. But I was good at Art, so I left school and thought what am I going to do now?

“All I knew was I wanted to be the best at something. I was bright and knew I was better than I was being told at school.”

Now High Sheriff of Notting ham, Honorary Air Commo dore Professor Veronica Moraa Pickering DL has certainly done just that.

When her mother became a single parent again, she started working in a factory as she had no qualifications, meaning Ve ronica went through school she was on free uniforms, free school meals and benefits. “The fact that you were poor in a predominantly white school when I was black, that element of not being good enough was really pushed in our faces.”

l Working with the SAMBURU community in Kenya

l High Sheriff of Nottingham, Honorary Air Commodore Professor Veronica Moraa Pickering DL

people seemed to lack confidence in the idea of going to Africa and not knowing anyone. I’ve always felt that I’m a global person belonging to a global family.”

This lead to Veronica ending up on a UN Protection Conference in Nairobi, and realising that she could do so much more if she was actually based in Africa. Persuading the head of child protection for the UN working through UNICEF to talk to her about it.

“Unfortunately then the world changed for Kenya, and there was a lot of post election violence in 2007, following one of the general elections. And I felt really, really torn and very upset by what I was seeing on the news. I took a career break of three months to go and help out in Kenya with the children who had been separated from their parents. or were homeless.”

Holding a fundraising event to get her out there, somebody paid for her flight, while somebody else paid for her water. “Somebody else paid towards my travel whilst I was in the country and I persuaded the UN really and UNICEF to let me come as a volunteer.”

Veronica advised on the Child Protection Act for the Kenyan Government, and then inspecting and reviewing Kenya’s children’s homes, “I've seen more of Kenya than most people have because I'd then be flown around on and off planes to go and visit remote places where children were being abused,” Veronica winced. “It was dreadful and their mothers were expecting that because they had no money. They prepared their children to do this, it was shocking stuff.”

After a few months, time and funds were running out, and Veronica realised she had to go home, much to the sadness of the UN who wanted her to continue her work and offered her a consultancy role.

“So I went home for a month and thought about it, spoke to my

husband and he said the only way you can do this now is if you resign from your very comfortable job after 20 something years. The kids were going to Uni, so I handed in my resignation, and started my new position.

“Long story short, four years later I was still consulting around Africa and training in refugee camps, and negotiating with companies to introduce them to communities and ensure they were paid fairly for their work.”

“Nottingham Trent University had a relationship with Nairobi, and I’m not a qualified coach but suddenly everyone was telling me to qualify as one.

“So I went off and did the Masters programme at Sheffield Hallam, which was where I said I think I'm dyslexic and they said let's assess you and they did. Two assessments later they said, ‘Oh my God, you're so dyslexic. I don't know how you've ever written anything down!’

“Credentials were really important to me, having worked in the field that I had done all my career. Then I started coaching which is something I still do today, and alongside that always, always working and championing issues around diversity and talking about that. And how did the rest? Happen. I don't know. It's just life, really!”

While she admits that she will never be ‘rich’, she always says that she is “the richest person you’ll ever get to meet” because of the relationships she’s formed with people and the authenticity of what she believes if right.

“I’ve always been asked to do things, and take on roles, including the Deputy Lieutenant in May 2013, because of the work I’ve done with communities across Africa and the UK.”

“As DL, I’ve ended up supporting the Lord-Lieutenant Sir John Peace, and have had the opportunity to see my county in a new light.”

Five years ago, Veronica was approached by the RAF to become an

Honorary Air Commodore for 504 (County of Nottingham Squadron), and although something she had no experience in, she has grown into the role, all despite feeling out of her depth, “It’s an honour to represent my squadron, particularly this time of change and this reframing and focusing on diversity and people.”

“And I still feel that they need a lot more help and support than they're able to access. I also still think diversity is a major issue for the RAF and the military in general, and a lot more work needs to be done around people, but we're on a journey and I'm helping, I hope, with that.”

Following 3 years of preparation, Veronica took up the position of High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire after being vetted and voted into the role. “It’s exciting, different, unique and mind-blowing because you don't know some of this stuff exists.”

As the first black African/Caribbean and Kenyan woman in the role, she said it is a huge honour to take up the role. “In that year, my focus is young people and elevating and celebrating the achievements of young people because that's what helped me when I was young.”

“The installation was hosted by the YMCA, and the Lord Lieutenants came, the Kenyan Ambassador, people flew in from across the world to come to it, and the RAF did the fanfare and band, it was amazing.”

Veronica was also awarded the Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear by his excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya in 2022 for her services to Kenya. She was flown to Kenya by the RAF to meet and greet those who had supported the award, and to collect her award from the Cabinet Office. “The RAF do training in Kenya and they’ve had a base there for hundreds of years, it was a huge honour to receive this award that only a small number of people receive each year.”

“I couldn’t have done most of what I have done in the last 30-40 years without a lot of help from my husband. He’s an amazing man who really pushes me to do everything I can, he’s fought for me and supported me through everything.”

A National Ambassador for the Woodland Trust, and trustee for RSPB and Nottinghamshire YMCA (Robin Hood Group), Veronica continues to give her time where she can.

One word sums up Veronica’s

outlook on life. Persist. “If you don't do it now, plan to do it at some point. If you think you're not good enough? Persist. Persist and you'll find somebody that does encourage you to be what you want to be. It's never too late. I didn't get there until I was in my 40s because I was too busy looking for security and stability and I still think, gosh, if I started now, there's so much I could do!” We look forward to seeing everything you can do!

Veronica was awarded the Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear by his excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta

l Greeting the The Kenyan High Commissioner HE Manoah Esipisu on Kenyan Independence Day

With HAC Dr Marcia McLaughlin at the recent renaming of a Battle of Britain Class Locomotive to commemorate 100 Years of Volunteer Reserve Service in the RAF

In conversation with Dee Burrowes

5 EFFECTIVE WAYS TO EMOTIONALLY DETOX DURING THE SUMMER SEASON

Now that summer is in full swing, it is the absolute best time of year to do an emotional detox to eliminate impurities in the body and prepare for your best summer ever.

Many have grown accustomed to detox as a physical involvement rather than a psychological one.

The summer season is the perfect means to eliminate pollutants consumed, puffed, infused and soaked up and in some cases maltreated between your typical lifestyle and circumstances.

Emotional detoxes is a common and sensible practice for cleansing putrid and over pro-

cessed waste of feelings emancipating us from unsettled thoughts that work against us.

The summer of life brings plenty of fresh choices, a peculiar blend of blessings, nostalgia and potential that relinquishes the harvest of seeds sown within a lifetime. Braces us to buckle up for any emotional storms that resonate with seasonal cycles by throwing out the garbage taking control of your thoughts.

All too often, the physical body experiences cleansing and detoxification, but yet emotional cleansing is left by the side unaccounted for and begs for a bit of tender loving care because of the lack of compassion. An emo-

tional cleanse will never be an easy feat, it takes dedication but it gives the ability to take a jump forward in crafting a fondness towards emotional wellbeing.

A key ingredient to honing in on emotional and spiritual growth, is detoxing as a means to internally cleanse and open the consciousness of the mind as to grant permission for higher self to infuse without exception. Detoxing is a process of cleansing of the mind that will make you feel light hearted and connected – feeling as you’ve gotten life’s mojo once again.

Bottling up any form of emotions is a burden that many tend to practice almost religiously

that at times resulting in anxiety with powerful outbursts. In setting healthy boundaries, negative emotions can be squashed before they have the chance to fester and explode.

Life’s burdens tend to weigh down the strongest of individuals which gives rise to emotional turbulence that internalise mental tension. Routines that are executed for instance terrible sleep patterns and consuming the wrong diet as well as alcohol and hanging out with negative people that saps your emotional competence taking a toll on your wellbeing exhaustively.

Flow into this season with a clean sweep and rebirth of your

emotional mindset. A popular mantra for commitment is “Out with the old and in with the new.”

In a similar manner, a new season sends us to a clean spree of our mind, body and spirit - making it the right moment to detox the body and emotional weight. We've all heard of detoxes for your body, but what about for your emotions?

Summer is the perfect season to detoxify your mind, re energising your routine and having a more robust mindset is the first step for change. New freshness with your purpose filled life as you let go of any habits or beliefs of your life that are no longer serving you and clear space for rejuvenescence.

“The wounded mind must be reset like a fractured bone. It cannot heal itself without spiritual realignment” - Anthon St. Maarten

It’s about being in tune with your deepest emotions by coming to terms with your pain moving forward in the direction of healing and renewal. The trees dump their leaves in order to turn their focus inward and generate the energy they need for new growth – humans need to undergo the same. Following this rhythmical glide of nature, disconnecting from what no longer serves us or brings about joy even if it is relationships or self-criticism, this will filter a space to create new things to be born and flourish. Similar to over processed and undigested foods that drain our energy, so are our emotions which after an extended period become very unnatural. Feeling stuck, unmotivated and depressed put an enormous amount of constraint and often snowed under by what is identified by lack of breakthrough from symptoms of anxiety, stress and physical pain.

Rather than a juice cleanse flushing out highly acidic foods - think of an emotional detox as a reaction cleanse, where you forced out copious levels of anger, worry and defensiveness.

Emotional detox is not only to rid the body of what is considered to be negativity but rather

to clear out the ones that have been highly stagnated.

Here are several steps to navigate an emotional detox in making your way through these flushing and rebirthing periods.

1. Make clear – Decluttering the mind so that you can clearly work through your emotions. Being cognizant of what triggers you, making you aware of what mostly makes you reactive in your life. Noticing the patterns that blow up your sympathetic nervous system with the fight or flight mode. Adopt ways to calm yourself through exercise, yoga, prayer, hugging or a good belly laugh.

2. Do not sweat the small stuff – Not reacting to insignificant issues that potentially could be blown out of proportion. The less we indulge in the blame game we desist from misconstruing things when our emotions are in flow.

3. Setting Intentions – Listen to the signs of emotional stress by means of setting intentions for the next chapter of your life. Why am I detoxing emotionally and what am I releasing? This will support you to step into a dynamic and more conscious way instead of leaving the results to mere chance. Taking an inventory of how you desire to grow in life and having audacious goals for your dreams.

4. Looking on inward – Having self-reflection is an emotional and mental journey giving importance in being in a place of self-awareness. The looking inward strategy is bridging the gap as you face up to your inner bully accepting to experience the blessing of the raw emotions. Create positive and healthy dialogue with your daily self-talks.

5. Meditate and Journal – There are at least 50,000 thoughts daily which equates to a new thought every 1.2 seconds. Easily, the mind follows random thoughts getting us distracted from keeping our focus. Sit in silence by journaling and writing down what has been waning on your mind.

REFLECTIONS

It was just another visit to see a grand lady, age 99, and after the usual greetings of the welfare of our families and friends we started to reflect and reminisce of life in yesteryear.

As usual the conversation was

mixed with fun and laughter, but also memories of some dark times.

The following is a recount of some of her reflections: I remember the Second World War, but not much, just that it happened and some of our people were involved.

Back in those days we didn’t readily have access to radio or television or even telephone, so news and information from abroad was not common knowledge amongst some local people. However, life was bearable and we managed as best we could.

It was in 1952 when I had to make a decision that would impact the rest of my life and that of our family.

"Go to England and join your husband or you are going to destroy your marriage” is what my father said to me. “I will take care of your children so no need to worry about their welfare”, he assured me.

"I was age 28 and never ever thought that I would have to make such a wrenching decision. Darkness descended on the inner core of my mind and I could not see any ray of light, whichever choice I made.

My husband had departed, like many others, to seek pastures new in a country where, in theory, was full of milk and honey; a place that would provide a brighter future for our family.

The life ahead was largely unknown and difficult to predict but it had a psychological and mystical promise of a more prosperous world.

After all, the common belief was it’s a land, England, where its ‘streets were paved with gold’, so things had to get better, was the common expectation.

MY PATH OF LIFE

Donald Campbell takes us on a compelling journey along a path where we explore what life was like for him as a child in Jamaica and his arrival in UK to reunite with his parents.

Imagine being a young boy growing up in Jamaica estranged from your mother and father who emigrated to the UK.

You are taken from the beauty of the lush tropical climate with

palm trees, fresh mangoes, the sunshine and the adventure of experiencing nature as it unfolds.

To then be catapulted into the innocence of witnessing snow for the first time and the harsh realities of life in England.

This book uncovers some ‘real’ truths that will leave you on the edge of your seat.

Available on Amazon or directly from the author Donald 07802723222.

I had two children, a boy 8 months and 12 days and a girl age 3, so how could I possibly leave them, but it was the love and promise of my father and the thought of loosing my husband that ultimately convinced me to part with my babies.

After all I wouldn’t be away from them forever. However, it was gut wrenching, torture of my mind, body and soul. Why me and what does the future hold? When will I see my babies again? The

constant questions that crowded my mind brought deep, deep despondency and a feeling of hopelessness.

As the date grew closer to departure everything seemed out of my control and the shadow of darkness deepened in the recess of my mind. It reached a point where I became numb with the thoughts and feeling of how am I going to exist without my children.

I do not recall much of the journey, only that I could not be consoled by anyone throughout the duration of the flight. I cried for hours and hours all the way to England.

The joy and and anticipation of joining my husband was at the end of the long, long journey, so I had that to look forward to. I finally arrived in a new world where there were lots of differences such as the climate change, the vicinity and it’s makeup, and of course the people.

However, nothing could prepare me for the immediate shock to find that I had to share one room with a total of six people, two married couples and two single people. I was faced with a degrading and mind blowing start to the end of a terrible journey.

Why me Lord? Wasn’t it enough that I had to leave my children behind? Yet there I was being made to feel that I was lucky to have a roof over my head. What? Unbelievable.

As I remember, we shared the room by some working at different times of day and night, and it was the common knowledge that if you wanted to start a family and became pregnant you would be thrown out of the room immediately the landlord knew about it; what a world.

I left my country where I was at ease with my existence, free to come and go as I wished and there I was, cooped up like chickens in a pen.

My tears were constant because

I couldn’t see any light ahead that would take me out of such descending dark times. My husband must have been beside himself because I did not let up, night or day, shedding floods of tears, wanting to see my babies. He ultimately found a room which meant I no longer had to share the inhumane existence.

Having our own room was a chink of light going forward but still no consolation because I was left on my own every day when my husband went to work. I cried morning, noon and night. It was a horrible existence.

I felt like I was sentenced for a heinous crime that I did not commit and the penalty was a life of nothingness, no babies, no work, nothing but a drab room of four square walls. Nothing, nothing, nothing.

My only light relief was that I was in an open prison so I could escape from the four walls of my room. So I often went out into the street and walked with one aim in mind, to find a woman with a baby.

I did just that, and on occasions I would meet a lady with a baby and I did not hesitate to ask if I could hold her baby. Imagine that, meeting total strangers in the street and approaching them with such a request.

They must have thought I was totally crazy and out of my mind. However, I was desperate, in a mentally dark place, and I believe the women sensed my deep inner hurt and empathised as maybe only a mother could.

I would hold the baby for as long as I was allowed and the feeling of joy that it gave me was immense. Standing there in the street holding another person’s baby gave me satisfaction, beyond belief, because mentally it felt as if I was holding my own babies.

Years later we were able to accumulate the fare to send for our daughter, who was then age 9. I think she remembered me but I certainly remembered her and it was absolute bliss to hold her in my arms again.

Time ticked away slowly because my family was still incomplete. it was another three years before our son, age 9, came to join us, and although by this time my son was like a stranger to the rest of us it felt great to have my whole family with me, finally. Thank you Lord.

My Reflection:

This grand lady’s reflections are a stark reminder of the experiences faced by some generations. As we continued chatting and laughing, putting the world to rights over many other subjects, I too started recounting the years.

I visited Mommy, as I call her, because her son and I met at school, both age 13; our birthdays one week apart. We remain firm friends to this day. He emigrated to the USA many, many years ago but we chat frequently across the miles.

My visit with Mommy was one of countless over decades and, incredibly, my friend and I never came close to this conversation with her. Mommy's reflections, initiated through a casual chat, revealed a most profoundly difficult period of this incredible woman’s life, to myself and more importantly to her own son! Amazing!

I feel absolutely blessed to share, reminisce and reflect over so many years with this 99 year old grand lady.

Many, many blessings Mommy, until my next visit.

By Donald Campbell Founder of The Forgotten Generations

Expansion Of Emergency Department

At Jamaica Hospital Begins

NEW YORK Governor Kathy Hochul has started the $150m expansion and modernisation of the Jamaica Hospital Medical Centre Emergency Department in the US. The project will create a Level One trauma centre and two critical care units with 22 beds each, as well as an advanced emergency department.

Governor Hochul said: “As Governor, my administration is committed to righting the wrongs of the past, prioritising health equity and working to strengthen health care systems across the state.

“Thanks to a $150m state investment, the new state-of-theart facility will help dramatically improve emergency care in this community and provide Jamaica residents the top-rate care they deserve.” Jamaica Hospital’s current emergency department was originally designed to serve 60,000 patients a year but now serves around 120,000.

The expansion project will allow a new facility to be built on the adjacent property to address this increase in demand. Jamaica Hospital president and CEO Bruce Flanz said: “We thank Governor Hochul’s commitment to building a strong and equitable healthcare system will undoubtedly help our organisation and others to provide the highest quality care to the communities we serve.”

KNOCKOUT CHALLENGE SET IN AID OF LEADING MENTAL HEALTH CHARITY THIS SUMMER

The Kaleidoscope Plus Group, the Midlands-based leading mental health charity, will be holding an exciting Midlands Knockout Challenge, a thrilling fun event as part of their #FeelGood50 campaign.

The one-of-a-kind challenge aims to bring communities together across the Midlands while raising awareness and vital funds to support the charity's essential mental health services.

The Midlands Knockout Challenge takes place on Sunday 20 August, and teams of families, local businesses, and organisations are invited to compete in an electric atmosphere of competition and a fun day out for the

whole family. The challenges will include team-based obstacle courses and mental agility tests to challenge everyone involved while supporting the charity's 50th anniversary celebrations.

Monica Shafaq, CEO of the Kaleidoscope Plus Group, speaking on the Midlands Knockout Challenge, said: "We are delighted to launch the Midlands Knockout Challenge as part of our #FeelGood50 campaign." This event provides an amazing opportunity for businesses, families, and teams to band together and actively support mental health initiatives in our community.

“All funds raised will allow our team to continue promoting positive health and wellbeing,

challenging the stigma surrounding mental health, building inclusive communities, and providing life-changing services to those in need.

KPG support services cost more than £2 million per year to keep running and rely on the kindness and generosity of local residents and businesses to keep vital services running.

“I’m sure everyone will have a great time. Together, we can make a real difference and ensure that essential mental health services are accessible to all."

The Midlands Knockout Challenge invites businesses, families, and sports clubs to form teams and participate in this exciting event. By doing so, partici-

Benefits Of A Timely Dementia Diagnosis Highlighted In Dementia Action Week

Dear Editor,

pants not only engage in friendly competition but also contribute to a significant fundraising goal that directly supports the Kaleidoscope Plus Group's mental health services.

Every pound raised goes towards counselling, helplines, support groups, community outreach, and other crucial initiatives that help individuals struggling with their emotional health and wellbeing. The challenge takes place at Brunswick Park in Wednesbury from midday.

Teams of between eight and ten people are welcome; the entry fee is £10 per person, with a fundraising target of £100 for each participant.

During this year’s Dementia Action Week, Alzheimer’s Society highlighted the widespread confusion between the symptoms of dementia and the normal signs of ageing in Birmingham.

This causes many people to avoid mentioning the ‘d word’ – with one in three who noticed symptoms in themselves or a loved one waiting more than a month before voicing their concerns.

Our campaign – It’s not called getting old, it’s called getting ill’ – encourages those worried about their memory, or the memory of someone close to them, to seek support in getting a diagnosis, using a ‘symptoms checklist’, which is available on our website at alzheimers. org.uk

While a dementia diagnosis can be daunting, we believe it’s better to know. And, according to our research, so do 91% of people living with dementia. A timely diagnosis unlocks the door to treatments, support and advice. Since we launched the campaign, the checklist has already been used more than 58,000 times.

I would also like to thank everyone in Birmingham who supported our Forget Me Not Appeal, which ran throughout May.

We asked them to show people living with dementia that they are not forgotten by wearing a Forget Me Not badge or fundraising to help provide life-changing support.

So far, our Forget Me Not Appeal has raised an incredible £1.2million – and the funds are still rolling in. I would encourage anyone who has concerns for themselves or that of a loved one, to visit Alzheimer’s Society’s website for help and advice.

Yours faithfully,

Janice Le Tellier Alzheimer’s Society Area Manager Birmingham

PROSTATE PERILS

By Howard Leader

Men - take a moment to consider these basic questions:

1. Do you know which cancer is the biggest killer of men?

2. Would you know if you are at risk of getting the most common cancer in men?

3. Would you know what to do if you suspected that you might be in the high risk category?

If your answer to any of these questions is no, then you should read on.

British film and television actor Colin McFarlane is leading a campaign to heighten awareness of the risks and symptoms of prostate cancer among men over the age of 45 and encouraging more men in the “high risk” category to understand the disease and the importance of seeking testing early.

He said: “In December 2022, nine months on from my brother’s prostate cancer diagnosis, I too was diagnosed with prostate cancer. I was already aware of the risk to me, so had been having annual and then six monthly, regular PSA blood tests with my GP.

"Thankfully just over a year ago I had told my brother to get a PSA blood test otherwise he wouldn’t have been diagnosed because he had no symptoms.”

So who is at risk?

Generally all men over the age of 50 move into the higher risk category, black men are at greater risk of developing prostate cancer from the age of 45. The uncomfortable statistical truths are that:

1 in 4 black men will get prostate cancer, this is double the risk to other men, so it is important to know your risk and what you can do about it.

Research shows that you are at higher risk of prostate cancer if you are black, over 45, or have a family history of prostate, breast or ovarian cancer.

Prostate cancer is treatable if caught early, but early-stage prostate cancer often has no symptoms - something new research from Prostate Cancer UK reveals and that only a third (36%) of black men currently realise. And here is another figure which may shock you - 10,000 men are diagnosed too late for a cure every year in the UK and die as a result - men can change this by simply being more aware of the risks!

Colin McFarlane said: “I must put my diagnosis into context by saying I am one of the lucky ones, I have been able to catch this very early, which is key as I have no symptoms at all.

"So, although I have been diag nosed with prostate cancer, I do not require any treatment. I am being regularly monitored with PSA blood tests every 3 months and an MRI scan once a year.”

Surely men would spot the

No, as Colin said there often are no symptoms in the early stages of prostate cancer and this is one of the reasons why Prostate Cancer UK believes so many men present too late for effective treatment.

This cancer advances very slowly and, in the early treatable stag es, can often only be detected by a blood test.

Should I wait to be called for screening?

In the UK there is no screening test for prostate cancer, unlike the comprehensive system for screening women for breast cancer, so men will not be called forward for a test!.

Many men are reluctant to visit a doctor unless they have actual symptoms of a prob lem or are in pain, but in the case of prostate cancer, that

l Colin McFarlane, courtesy of Prostate Cancer UK

can be far too late.

There are other factors at play when it comes to men’s decisions to be tested or not - so, let’s do some myth busting:

“It’s unlikely to happen to me!” - Over 52,000 men in Britain are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year on average –making it the most common cancer in men. That means that 1 in

PSA blood test as the first step in checking for potential prostate cancer and in many cases will monitor that PSA level over a period of time to determine if further investigation may be required.

As Colin McFarlane said: “As it’s a very slow-moving cancer I am now in the best possible position to ascertain what treatment I would need in the future if that

50 and black men like me over 45 to be aware that they are at higher risk, and that they need to take personal responsibility, take action and speak to their doctor about having a PSA blood test.

"Too many men are dying through lack of awareness. They need to know that a simple blood test could save their life.”

So, what’s a guy to do?

Alzheimer’s Society Warns Of The Effect Of Hot Weather On People Living With Dementia

WITH TEMPERATURES expected to soar in parts of the UK this week, Alzheimer’s Society is providing advice to help the over 84,000 people estimated to be living with dementia across the West Midlands and the UK stay safe and hydrated during the hot spell.

Dehydration is a common challenge for people living with dementia and memory problems mean they can easily forget to drink enough water. During the hot weather, the charity suggests families and carers can help by; leaving glasses or jugs of water within easy reach, sharing a drink with the person, leaving reminders to drink and providing high water content foods.

Judith King, Alzheimer’s Society Head of Services for the West Midlands said: “Of course, people should enjoy the nice weather, but high temperatures can lead to severe health problems for people with dementia unless they take special precautions to keep cool and well-hydrated.

"People with dementia may forget to drink enough fluids and wear suitable clothing. As the temperatures rise this week, we are urging families and carers to check in on people with dementia to make sure they are staying hydrated, wearing light clothes and keeping out of direct sun.

“Popping round to check on a neighbour, friend or family member with dementia can help protect them and keep them safe during the hot weather.” Jelly Drops ‘water sweets’ are an alternative way to help people with dementia stay hydrated and help boost daily water intake.

Jelly Drops are supported by Alzheimer’s Society and are bitesized, sugar-free sweets containing 95 per cent water and added electrolytes. The colourful sweets can be taken throughout the day to keep the person hydrated during the hot weather.

HOW PEOPLE REMEMBERED, AND LEARNED ABOUT THE WINDRUSH GENERATION

By Steve Williams

It was that solemn, yet celebratory, time of the year when people around the UK packed town and city centres to mark ‘Windrush Day’ as people paid homage to those who debarked form the HMT Empire Windrush passenger liner and cruise ship, at Tilbury Docks in Essex, on June 21,1948, after the then Colonial Office invited citizens from across the Commonwealth to the UK to rebuild the country after the devastating state that Britain was in following the six harsh years of World War II.

Windrush Day refers to the people who migrated, en masse, from Caribbean countries to Britain, on

the HMT Empire Windrush, and this year marks the 75th Anniversary of that famed arrival with mass acknowledgements around the world – and no more so than in Birmingham, in the UK. With support from Birmingham City Council and led by the We Are West Indians Standard Bearers, a special Windrush 75th Anniversary flag was raised, in Centenary Square, to mark the occasion, with dignitaries, from home and abroad, present to be part of this auspicious day in history as tomorrows ‘history’ was created –today!

Markedly amongst those present was a group of women form the United States, who made the trip to represent family members, and

the renowned Six Triple Eight, all-Black, all-female battalion serving in the American Armed Forces during the War, were based in the second city, and have had an affinity with Birmingham ever since.

“As representatives, we came here to give thanks to Birmingham for the hospitality they show during that traumatic time,” said retired Col. Edna Cummings. “You will always be in our hearts.” And then, it was onto the Council House for a special Civic Reception to commemorate the 75th Anniversary.

Welcomed by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Chaman Lal, and poignant speeches by the Deputy Lieutenant, Jenny Loynton and Wade Lyn, CBE, DL, the High Sheriff of the West Midlands, and a Windrush poem – ‘A Day To Remember’ - was red, by Sharon Vaughan, which would fully instil the full impact that those first passengers made then – and have since.

“People came here to the UK, with their heart and determination to contribute to the country, making a critical contribution to the nation,” said the High Sher-

iff. “That first generation made an enormous impact on the development of a new Britain with determination and the ability to overcome adversity.

“Let’s build bridges and not walls for a community that works better as one!” Council leader, John Cotton, added: “As you know, the Windrush Generation helped to shape a new Birmingham. We have genuine reason for acknowledging the Windrush Generation, and I am proud to call Birmingham a true Windrush city.”

He went on: “The Windrush Generation made our city their city. Let’s be frank, it was tough because they were never always welcome here, so I have to thank the ‘first’ of the city – Bert Carless and Sybil Spence for paving the way in high office “Brum”, he went on, “is a Windrush city. Their contribution has – and still is – a major part of the growth of our city.” This before the Birmingham City Choir sang their version of ‘No Matter What,’ but, it was Professor Carl Chinn MBE Deputy Lord Lieutenant, who was

forever informative and always passionate about the real history of his city’s contribution and welcome, before turning to more recent history: “We have to pay tribute to the likes of Mayor (Cllr. Lal) as the first Indian Lord Mayor and Bishop Dr Desmond Jaddoo MBE, as Chair of the Windrush National Organisation.

He was well into his stride, going on about his connection (to the Windrush Generation): “My Uncle Johnny Brown was born in Por Antonio, Portland, Jamaica, in 1926, before coming to Birmingham in 1949. But, for me, no matter where you’re from – big, small or whatever – you, we, are all citizens of Brum!

“Without the contributions of the Caribbean, the war could have been very different.” As the premier Historian, he continued to give an in-depth story of those first Caribbeans in the city and their struggles and determination too overcome the ills of the hosts. To the Windrush Generation, to those who came before and to those who are here how – I Thank You and

God Bless You,” he concluded.

Bishop Dr Desmond Jaddoo was next to speak, giving thanks to Bert Carless - Birmingham's first Black Councillor, who opened the door for others from the Commonwealth to take up political office in the city. “He changed the face of the City Council”, he said. “It’s now all about enhancing a new generation to prepare for the future. Don’t let anyone tell you what you could be – decide that for yourselves.

“We all owe our present to Bert and Sybil – and now, also Cllr Lal.” He went on to highlight the main contribute at major corporates, like IMI, before pointedly reminding all of the still not resolved Windrush Scandal. He would finish by praising the works of Dr Beverley Lindsay OBE, OD, Social Commentator Human Rights Activist & Author Maxie Hayles MBE and other leading Caribbean figures in the city.

Giving a very detailed history of the huge impact made by Caribbeans in the Royal Navy, Brigadier Jock Frase MBE ADC reeled

off stories that, until now, had never been told – of Caribbeans in the Navy – during World War II through to today, before those present were treated to a performance by Broadway Academy Choir - who gave all who were present, hope for the future.

The closing speech of an incredible day of remembrance emotional celebration was made by WAWI (Why Are West Windians) chair, Horace Barnes, emphasised: “It’s all about love, unity and sharing,” he said before he too highlighted the importance of remember the true past to make a better future. “It’s about us all believing in what is true for us all, to have a better future.” And, with that, the closing blessings was made by Minister Jasmin Brown.

Holiday and Travel

The city of Atlanta was filled with vibrant colours, infectious rhythms, and a celebration of cultural diversity as the annual Atlanta Caribbean Carnival took place this past Memorial Day Weekend.

This highly anticipated event brought together thousands of people from various backgrounds to revel in the rich traditions and heritage of the Caribbean.

The 36th edition of the event which is produced by the Atlanta Caribbean Carnival Bandleaders Association (ACCBA) proved to be an overall success, and captivated attendees with a kaleidoscope of Caribbean culture, music, dance, and cuisine.

The festival showcased the vibrant spirit of the Caribbean islands and provided a unique platform for Caribbean communities to share their traditions and customs with the wider Atlanta community.

Taking centre stage during the annual extravaganza was the downtown Atlanta Carnival parade which displayed dazzling costumes from the city’s major mas bands and other smaller and medium-sized bands which represented for other US cities as well as the Virgin Islands.

The streets of downtown Atlanta came alive with the rhythmic beats of Soca, Bouyon, Reggae, and other Caribbean genres, drawing spectators into a world of infectious melodies and captivating dance moves.

Following the parade, masqueraders and spectators made their way over to the festival village at the Westside Park. There they

ATLANTA CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL 2023 CELEBRATED CULTURAL DIVERSITY AND UNITY

were treated to an immersive cultural experience and got to savour delicious Caribbean cuisine, explore indigenous arts & crafts, engage with various community activations and enjoy onstage entertainment by an all-island cast of performers.

The post-parade concert featured energetic sets from Barbados’ Alison Hinds and Lil Rick, T&T’s Shal Marshal, Farmer Nappy and Squid, Jamaica’s D’Angel, St. Vincent’s Skinny Fabulous, USVI’s Pumpa, Dominica’s Asa Ban-

ton and Antigua’s Burning Flames among others.

Regarding the success of 2023’s Carnival events, ACCBA President Patricia Tonge Edigin shared: “I am pleased that everything ran smoothly and that everyone came out to celebrate one united Carnival. We are proud to have created a space where people from different backgrounds can come together, learn from one another, and celebrate the vibrant culture of the Caribbean”.

With a new parade route and

Sandals And Beaches Resorts Celebrate With Rhythm & Blues Sale

In honour of National Caribbean-American Heritage Month this June, Sandals Resorts and Beaches

Resorts are celebrating the region they call home with the ‘Rhythm and Blues Caribbean’ sale, offering travel advisors a number of incentives – from bonus commission to cash back, while providing consumers with air credits up to $500 and $150 in spa credits at the award-winning Red Lane Spa on eligible bookings.

“With average airfare prices up nearly 30%* in the last few years, we’re giving travel advisors the incentives necessary to

How PM Dahal Made Nepal The Centre Of World Tourism

delight their existing customers and attract new clientele to the brands,” said Gary C. Sadler, executive vice-president of sales and industry relations at Unique Vacations Inc. (UVI), an affiliate of the worldwide representative for Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts. “And when advisors succeed, we all succeed; it’s the beauty of our longstanding partnership and one we’re thrilled to celebrate by offering the top revenue earner a stay at one of our newest resorts.”

With the new Rhythm and Blues Caribbean sale, travel advisors will earn up to a 3% in bonus commission plus $200 cash

incentive on each booking. Their customers who book from June 1 to July 27, 2023, and travel through the end of the year will receive air credits of $500 on 7-night stays, $250 in air credits for stays of 5 or 6 nights, as well as $150 in spa credits at Red Lane Spa for stays of 5 nights or greater.

The offer is eligible across the entire resort portfolio including the recently opened Sandals Dunn’s River, which takes design inspiration from nearby Dunn’s River Falls; Sandals Halcyon, which recently debuted two new categories of luxury suites; and Beaches Negril, the award-win-

concert venue, the 2023 Atlanta Carnival featured many notable highlights such as US Reality TV Star Martell Holt, Clarkston Mayor Beverly Burks and St. Lucia’s Motto serving as parade Grand Marshalls. Additionally, Motto along with the ACCBA and other outstanding individuals received proclamations from the city of Atlanta and Fulton County, Georgia for their contributions to the arts and dedication to the Caribbean community.

The 2023 Atlanta Caribbean

Carnival would not have been possible without the generous support of corporate sponsors, partners, volunteers, and the dedicated members of the organizing committee whose unwavering commitment and enthusiasm contributed to the successful execution of this unifying grand celebration. The ACCBA is currently planning for an even bigger and more exciting 37th Atlanta Caribbean Carnival which takes place from May 24th to 27th, 2024.

THE HIMALAYAN Travel Mart 2023 opened at the impressively decorated ballroom at the Hotel Yak & Yeti in Kathmandu. Right Honourable Prime Minister of Nepal, Mr. Pushpa Kamal Dahal, personally rushed in from a security conference to open this event, indicating the rebegin of a bright tourism future for Nepal. The Chief Guest inaugurates the 4th Himalayan Travel Mart (HTM 2023) by lighting the traditional Nepali Lamp. The Honourable Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation for Nepal, Mr. Sudan Kirati, spoke at the opening, as did Mr. Bibhuti Chand Thakur, Chairman PATA Nepal Chapter. This is the first Travel Mart since 2019, when COVID closed tourism worldwide.

In The night’s opening, Mr. Ubaraj Adhikari, Executive Chair of Nepal Airlines Corporation, addressed the audience with new developments, followed by closing remarks delivered by Mr. Suresh Adhikari, Secretary for the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

ning family property set to introduce a new level of family accommodations on July 1 with its beachfront Firesky Reserve Villas & Eventide Penthouse collection. As a bonus for travel advisors, the top earner through the entirety of the sale will be rewarded with a five-night stay at any Sandals Resort, as a ‘thank you’ for their efforts.

Further celebrating Caribbean Heritage Month and the beaches and waterways renowned throughout the region, for every booking made on World’s Ocean Day (June 8), a donation of $100 will be made on guests’ behalf to the Sandals Foundation, the notfor-profit organization created to make positive change throughout the Caribbean.

“Sandals is a Caribbean-born company first and foremost,” said Sadler. “Protecting the Caribbean ‘blues’ that makes these sun and sea destinations coveted around the world is an effort we’re proud to support.”

*According to Consumer Price Index

The Solution Is...

“Knowing When it’s Time to Reform”

What if the change you so desperately crave end up being detrimental to future generations?

Reform is a catalyst for progress and improvement in various aspects of our lives, whether it be personal, societal, or political.

The decision to undertake reform is a pivotal one, as the timing can greatly impact the success or failure of the endeavour.

Knowing when is the ideal time for reformation requires careful evaluation of the current circumstances, understanding of theoretical frameworks, and consideration of relevant opinions and ideologies from well-read and learned influential figures.

In this issue we will delve into the concept of timing in relation to reformation, explore the significance of timing and draw from theoretical references to better gauge the best timing to embark on transformative journeys.

Throughout history, numerous individuals and societies have recognised the need for transformation. Philosopher and economist John Stuart Mill asserted, "The only freedom which deserves the name, is that of pursuing our own good, in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs."

One can conclude that this quote highlights the importance of reform as a means to ensure individual liberty and the betterment of society as a whole.

Additionally, the theory of political convergence, proposed by Donald Shaw and Maxwell McCombs, suggests that reform should occur when there is a convergence of societal issues, media coverage, and public opinion.

They posit that when these critical elements align, it creates an environment ripe for successful transformation initiatives.

The imperative to reform often arises from recognising crisis points, where existing systems and structures are no longer serving their intended purpose; I am sure you can identify many such systems in our society today.

Alvin Toffler, American author and philosopher made a solid argument when he stated: "The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn."

This quote reminds us that reform necessitates adaptation to changing circumstances, rather than clinging to outdated practices – and as cliché as it goes: change is constant.

It is crucial to identify crisis points and act accordingly. For instance, in the realm of environmental reform and sustainability, the indicator of a looming environmental crisis serves as a call for immediate reform efforts to combat climate change and preserve our planet.

As societies become more aware of the urgency to protect natural resources, reforms in various sectors are needed.

This includes transitioning to renewable energy, enforcing stricter environmental regulations, pro-

by Khori Hyde

moting sustainable practices in industries, and adapting conservation measures.

Public support plays a crucial role in determining the success of reform initiatives. As reform leader Nelson Mandela once said, "There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living."

Mandela alludes to the importance of public support and mobilisation, as reform movements are often sparked by the voices and actions of passionate individuals.

To gain public support, it is essential to create awareness and provide education regarding the need for reform. Sociologist Stanislav Andreski points to the success factor for reformation when he stated that reform is more likely to succeed when the affected population clearly understands the benefits and risks involved, fostering widespread support and cooperation.

Reform is important across generations because societies continuously evolve and face new challenges. No generation can claim to have created a perfect system that suits all future needs. As time progresses, different values, beliefs, and circumstances arise, thus requiring adaptation and improvement. Reform ensures that systems, institutions, and policies remain relevant and effective in addressing present-day problems.

Several sectors of society often require reform for various reasons, especially Government and politics.

Political systems and institutions may become stagnant or corrupted over time, hindering fair representation, accountability, and responsiveness to citizens' needs.

Reforms in this sector can include electoral reforms, anti-corruption measures, and transparency initiatives to strengthen democracy and ensure effective governance. Let us explore some contexts in which reform has become unavoidable.

Constitutional Reform presents an opportunity to signpost a crucial component of peacebuilding and reconciliation in some developing nations.

Contextually, it can help address historical grievances and ensure that different groups in society are represented and included in the political system.

This likely fosters social cohesion and stability, especially in post-conflict or divided societies. In fact, done correctly, constitutional reform can lead to a more inclusive, accountable, and responsive government, promoting social progress, and enhancing democratic governance.

In the context of the economic shifts and the concomitant ad-

The African Development Bank Group and the Republic of Tanzania have launched the Skills Development for Youth Employability in Blue Economy project. This is a project that will enable Zanzibari youth to find well-paying maritime and other blue economy jobs.

justments required by nations to be relevant in this modern era, economic reform is crucial in order to: adapt to changing global conditions, address income inequality, and promote sustainable growth.

Updating regulations, tax policies, labour laws, and education systems can improve fairness, productivity, and long-term economic prospects.

From the perspective of social justice reforms, mandates in this realm often originate from systemic disparities and discrimination in society.

Actions in this regard will include reforms in education, healthcare, criminal justice, and employment to ensure equal opportunities and protect the rights of marginalised groups.

And still yet, with the rapid advancements in technology and digitisation, reformation efforts are often caught on the hind leg as reform issues associated with data privacy, cybersecurity, intellectu al property rights, and regulation emerge.

The reforms required in these areas will seek to protect individ uals' rights, ensure ethical practic es, and keep pace with innovation.

So there you have it, reformation is an imperative in several indus tries/sectors and it is essential to recognise this need.

While the specific areas that re quire reform may vary depending on the context, challenges, and aspirations of a particular gener ation, regular evaluations and en gagements with citizens, experts, and policymakers are necessary to identify areas that truly need re form and to shape effective strat egies for positive change.

Timing is key in ensuring that reform is an essential catalyst for positive change. Therefore, under standing when to reform requires examining historical perspec tives, recognising crisis points, and garnering public support. In the words of philosopher George Santayana, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." By distinguishing historical precedents and employ ing theoretical frameworks, we can ensure that reform occurs at the opportune moments.

Having relied upon the expe riential wisdom of influential figures such as Nelson Mandela, John Stuart Mill, Alvin Toffler, Stanislav Andreski and George Santayana, it should become ap parent that they support the idea that reform should occur when societal issues converge, crisis points arise, and public support is mobilised. By adhering to these principles and always consider ing the timing, we can unlock the door to positive change and shape a brighter future for all.

The Bank is providing grant financing of $48.65 million for the project, with the Tanzanian government contributing an additional $5.42 million. Both parties signed the grant agreement on the 21st of November 2022, with its official launch taking place on 17 May 2023. The project will benefit about 43,000 youth (40% of them female) and prepare over 1,500 of them to start their own enterprises. They will be able to improve their livelihoods and spur the creation of new jobs. Ocean-based activities, including tourism, contribute more than 29% of Zanzibar’s gross domestic product and employ about 33% of its work force. At the same time, 60% of tourism workers in the islands are foreign.

Dr. Hussein Mwinyi, President of Zanzibar, launched the project during a ceremony held at the Golden Tulip Hotel near Zanzibar Airport. Ministers, permanent secretaries, and other senior government officials attended the ceremony, as did representatives of civil society and youth-led organizations.

President Mwinyi thanked

$54m Project To Create Youth Jobs In Zanzibar’s Blue Economy

the African Development Bank Group for what he said was its timely support, which would enhance youth employability and job creation in tourism and in the maritime, and oil and gas industries. The Skills Development for Youth Employability in Blue Economy project will support the expansion of the State University of Zanzibar through construction of a technology and business incubator at Unguja, the archipelago’s main island.

The incubator will offer training and mentorship to young entrepreneurs, bolstering job creation in tourism, the maritime sectors, and the oil and gas industry. Approximately 400 SUZA academics and lecturers will receive new skills and training.

The project will also help up-

grade Karume Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), which will offer courses relating to the oil and gas industries. In addition, the project will support construction of five vocational training centres in Unguja and Pemba Island.

African Development Bank Group Tanzania Country Manager Patricia Laverley acknowledged the Government of Zanzibar’s request for support in addressing the peninsula’s high unemployment, especially among the youth. She said the Bank’s presence at the launch ceremony was evidence of its commitment to advance human capital development and help transform Zanzibar’s economy. The project is aligned with Zanzibar’s 2021 Education Policy and the Blue Economy Strategy.

YOUNG ADOPTEES LACKING CRITICAL SUPPORT

Up to 46% of families with adopted children aged 13 to 25 say they are at “crisis point” or “facing severe challenges” amid a lack of support according to new research from the Adoption UK charity. Parents of teens and young adults were twice as likely to say this than parents with younger children.

Over half of adopted young adults accessed or attempted to

A Father's Adoption Anniversary Post Is Seen By Millions

access mental health services last year, and 23% of adopted 16 to 25-year-olds are not in education, employment or training (NEET), nearly double the UK average, the research also shows. In addition, 16% of 13–18-year-olds have been drawn into criminally exploitative activity.

The figures come from Adoption UK’s fifth annual ‘Adoption Barometer’ report, the most comprehensive stocktake of adoption in the UK. The report offers a rich

picture of the impact of adoption policy and practice in the lives of adopted people and adopters across the UK.

Chief Executive Officer at Adoption UK, Emily Frith, said: “This report shows that the challenges facing young adopted people remain as difficult as ever. It should be a wake-up call for governments and adoption professionals across the UK.”

The Adoption Barometer is a 140-page report covering all as-

pects of adoption. It is divided into sections covering Early Stages, Established Adoptive Families, Families with Older Children and Young People, and Adult Adoptees. It draws on a large survey of adopters and adoptees, and analysis of policy and practice relating to adoption. It includes specific analysis covering England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Afather has spoken of his pride after posts about how his adopted son became part of their family went viral online.

Barney Thorne, from Leicestershire, posted a series of messages on Twitter to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of meeting Adrian. He was nine at the time with severe learning disabilities.

Mr Thorne said that it was an amazing decade as he described his son as brimming with love, life and happiness.

Mr Thorne and his wife Layanne first requested to meet Adrian, now 19, after watching an appeal to find him a weekend foster family. Adrian has global development delay and autism,

and had been in local authority care for several years. They spent months getting to know each other before he was allowed to move in with them. A few years later, they adopted him. Mr Thorne's posts, detailing the story of how they became parents to Adrian got a huge response.

"I was really busy at work and just got straight into the car and drove home," he said. "I could feel my phone constantly vibrating."

"It just kept on going with loads of comments about how it has emotionally touched people, how it's a beautiful story." The posts have since been viewed by millions of people.

Poland Scraps Bus Route 666 To Hel After Church Complains

HAJJ SOURCES POSITIVE EMOTIONS – STUDIES SHOW

How Hajj Facilities Flourished In 100 Years Under House Of Saud

AFTER ENGLISH-SPEAK-

ING visitors noticed the pun in taking route 666 to “Hell”, the bus line became a tourist attraction. Polish transit operator PKS Gdynia announced that due to complaints from the Roman Catholic Church it will be renumber its notorious ‘Satanic Bus’ route serving Pomeranian resort area.

According to the operator, bus route 666, serving Poland’s Baltic Sea resort of Hel, will be re-numbered at the end of June.

“We changed the number from 666 to 669, [to be] less controversial and less conspicuous,”

PKS Gdynia executive said, citing complaints by the church as one of the reasons for the decision.

“For us, the most important thing is that the buses run and that the routes are served properly. The line number is secondary.” After the transit operator had assigned the number to bus few years ago, English-speaking visitors noticed the pun in taking route 666 to “Hell” and the line became a tourist attraction.

The ‘Satanic Bus’ route became so popular with outside visitors that Hel, a resort community of about 10,000 residents, became overcrowded at times during the summer beach season. Some tourists made the

trip to the peninsula only to ride the bus.

While bus route 666 proved to be good for business, it was perceived less charitably by some in the traditionally Catholic country. Christian numerology associates 666 with the devil, based on a line from the Biblical Book of Revelation about the “number of the beast.”

Back in 2018, the Catholic newspaper called the pun “Satanic stupidity” and argued that it made frivolous fun of the “horror of soul death and separation from God’s love.” The outlet said it would call on the Polish government to intervene unless PKS Gdynia changed the route number.

“The Bus line 666 running to Hel, to put it briefly and bluntly, strikes at the Christian order of the Polish state and its foundations, and hence – at the well-being of all of us,” the paper cried. But apparently, PKS Gdynia has now been inundated with complaints from the other camp.

“We are shocked how many supporters of the old numbering have contacted us,” bus operator’s executive said, adding that it might be possible for Route 666 to return – maybe not this year, but perhaps the next.

Several international research institutes and centres have developed a growing interest in the Islamic Hajj pilgrimage season, one of the largest annual human gatherings on earth, with some US and British universities publishing research papers proving that Hajj is an abundant source of positive human emotions.

Some of these papers found that Hajj supports the principles of tolerance and peace among pilgrims, facts that are considered as a testimony by neutral parties for the benefit of the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, as well as other Saudi authorities who strive to provide millions of pilgrims with a modern yet spiritual atmosphere. World-renowned Harvard University stated in a study published in 2008 that surveys conducted among several pilgrims highlighted that they develop a sense of connectedness and unity with their fellow Muslims, while they explained that taking part in Hajj supports their adherence to Islamic practices such as performing prayer and fasting.

The study, titled "Estimating the Impact of the Hajj: Religion and Tolerance in Islam's Global Gathering", stressed that performing Hajj raises awareness among Muslims, since they usually refrain from non-Islamic practices after performing pilgrimage, such as seeking blessings from amulets.

The Harvard study also highlighted Hajj as a trip that reinforces the belief in equality and harmony between different ethnic groups and

Islamic sects, since strengthening the unity among people of the Muslim world cannot be accompanied by hatred towards non-Muslims, while pilgrims show an increasing sense of belief in peace with followers of other faiths.

Elsewhere, the European Journal of Social Psychology published a research paper in August 2019 titled "The Crowd Psychology of the Hajj" for the University of Sussex, based on surveyed opinions of

1494 pilgrims, which proves that pilgrims experience strong positive human emotions as they gather at the holy sites in large numbers to perform their religious duty. Analysis of the study data, which included 64.1 percent males and 35.6 percent females from 72 countries, exposed that the crowd density in the holy sites does not impact the pilgrims negatively, who usually feel safe and comfortable.

NEARLY ONE century has passed since King Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud founded Saudi Arabia after conquering Mecca in 1924, since then a series of rapid developments took place until present day. The latest expansion encompasses sub-mega projects, namely the squares project, the foot tunnels project, the central services station, and the Haram Ring Road project. Furthermore, the pilgrims' growing modern needs required infrastructure projects to grow rapidly, including Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah Metro, which has been running with full capacity since 2018 to move 60 million people every year between Mecca and Medina in merely two hours. Additionally, 17 trains are operating at the holy sites between Mina, Muzdalifah, and Mount Arafat with a capacity of 72,000 people per hour. Over the past 80 years the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has always strived to raise the quality of services and to facilitate the procedures for the arrival of pilgrims as well as Umrah performers.

Tax Relief Contributes To 25,000 Additional First-Time Purchases

Analysis has revealed that a tax relief introduced to help people get onto the property ladder has resulted in 25,000 extra sales to first-time buyers.

First Time Buyers’ Relief (FTBR) increases the threshold at which first time buyers pay Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) and was introduced in November 2017.

An evaluation report from HMRC reveals today that in its first year the tax relief boosted first-time purchases by 11% for properties worth between £125,001 and £300,000, and 18% for houses worth between £300,001 and £500,000 – equating to an extra 25,000 homes bought by first time buyers in one year alone.

Victoria Atkins, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said: “We are doing all we can to make the dream of home ownership a reality.

“First Time Buyers Relief is making a real difference and it’s

just one of the ways we are helping people get a foot on the property ladder.”

Last year the government increased the thresholds for the tax relief to support the housing market in response to the challenges the property market is facing in a difficult economic period. Currently properties valued below £425,000 do not pay any Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) whilst properties worth between £425,001 and £625,000 pay 5% SDLT.

These increases are in place until 31 March 2025, after which they are planned to revert to their original thresholds of £300,000 and £500,000, meaning that nearly 70 per cent of those claiming First Time Buyers Relief, continue to pay no SDLT whatsoever.

First Time Buyers Relief is one of many measures which have been introduced by the government to help people get on the property ladder.

This includes the First Homes

scheme, which offers properties to first-time buyers at 30-50% off the market rate. Shared Ownership meanwhile gives first time buyers the option to buy a share of their home (a minimum of 10%) and pay rent on the remaining share.

The Mortgage Guarantee Scheme has also helped more than 35,000 households get on the property ladder since 2021. It sees the government offer lenders the financial guarantees they need to provide mortgages that cover 95% of the loan, subject to affordability checks, on a house worth up to £600,000.

The government has also introduced the Lifetime ISA, which allow those aged 18-40 to save or invest up to £4,000 per year, receiving a 25% government bonus on their savings.

Since 2010 more than 837,000 households have been helped to purchase a home through government-backed spending schemes in addition to all those who have benefitted from the SDLT reliefs.

HOUSEBUILDER BACKS

FRIENDLY FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT IN OXFORDSHIRE

An action-packed tournament for football teams at primary schools in Oxfordshire was recently held by a football club in Benson.

Supported by local developer David Wilson Homes, Benson United Football Club hosted the tournament with Benson CofE Primary School, with a goal to promote community engagement and sportsmanship to schools across the county.

The tournament witnessed the participation of 13 teams from six primary schools, bringing together over 100 enthusiastic children along with their supportive parents.

Benson CofE Primary School emerged as the tournament champions, showcasing their exceptional skills and team spirit. The event was backed by David Wilson Homes, which is building

new homes in Benson at Chiltern Grange. The developer was made the headline sponsor of the club following a £2,000 donation.

Campbell Gregg, Managing Director at David Wilson Homes Southern, said: “At David Wilson Homes, we firmly believe in supporting community-based projects that encourage physical activity, teamwork, and a sense of belonging amongst youth individuals.

“Benson United Football Club is an excellent club that shares our values of encouraging togetherness while investing in the wellbeing of the local community. We hope that it was an exciting and fun evening for all those in attendance.”

The partnership between David Wilson Homes and Benson United Football Club marks an exciting chapter in the development of youth sports and community

engagement in the Benson area. The tournament's success and the enthusiastic participation of the teams and spectators demonstrate the power of sports in uniting communities and inspiring young athletes.

Danny O’Driscoll, Chairman at Benson United Football Club, said: “It was a great evening, all of the children tried so hard, some of whom had never played football before. They all seemed to really enjoy themselves.

“We are a fun, fair and friendly family orientated club at Benson United and believe that while football is of course a competitive sport, winning should never override the values of good sportsmanship, honesty and respect for all. We are looking forward to hosting the event again soon and are very grateful of David Wilson Homes’ support.”

l Benson CofE Primary School’s football team

SEVEN ATHLETES SELECTED TO TAKE ON THE IAU 50KM WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Great Britain and Northern Ireland team for November’s

(5) IAU 50km World Championships in Hyderabad, India, has been announced with seven athletes set to represent at the 2023 edition of the Championships following medal success at the Europeans in 2022.

Andrew Davies – the individual bronze medallist at the 2022 European Championships - returns to the fold as a member of the men’s quartet. He was also part of the gold medal winning men’s team at the Europeans, as was Will Mycroft who will receive his second GB & NI vest at the Championships.

The pair will be joined by Ollie Garrod, who represented Great Britain and Northern Ireland at the World 100km Championships in 2022, and Andrew Heyes – a senior international on the roads and cross country – who will take on his first major Championships 50km. The women’s team includes Rachel Hodgkinson, Carla Molinaro and Sarah Webster.

Molinaro set a fast 50km spilt in the recent Two Oceans Marathon

in South Africa on her way to third place overall. She was also the third woman to cross the line at the prestigious Comrades Marathon last weekend.

Sarah Webster won the ACP 100km in April and obtained the 50km standard in Romania last month, so she has been in strong

form throughout the 2023 season. Webster and Rachel Hodgkinson receive their first call-ups to a GB & NI team.

Team Leader, Walter Hill, said: “After great performances at the European Championships last year, we are looking forward to seeing how the British teams will

BBL Appoints Its New Commercial Director

THE BRITISH Basketball League (BBL) have announced the appointment of Elliot Stein as the League’s new Commercial Director.

perform on the world stage later this year. We have some incredibly experienced athletes in the team who have competed across a variety of distances at major Championships, as well as two athletes experiencing this for the first time. It will be great to see them all in action against the best in the world later this year.”

The Great Britain and Northern Ireland team for the IAU 50km World Championships:

WOMEN

Rachel Hodgkinson (Liverpool Harriers)

Carla Molinaro (Martin Cox, Clapham Chasers)

Sarah Webster (David Leach, Northern [IoM])

MEN

Andrew Davies (Stockport)

Ollie Garrod (self-coached, Belgrave)

Andrew Heyes (Mara Yamauchi, Hallamshire Harriers)

Will Mycroft (Cambridge & Coleridge)

He joins the BBL with exceptional experience within the sports business sector, having most recently held the position of Director of Business Development at B+A.

During this time he cultivated relationships with clients such as Nike, Pinterest, Foot Locker, Ubisoft, Meta and many more, where Stein was intrinsic in generating new business and increasing revenue.

Furthermore, the Londoner holds a First-Class Honours Degree in Marketing and additionally spent three years at Silence Media; to date he has built close to ten years of experience in the industry.

Away from the office, Elliot is a passionate basketball enthusiast and has been involved with the sport since his childhood.

He continues to play and coach the sport in the UK at a high standard and is passionate about promoting the many benefits of the game to potential partners across the globe.

As part of the League’s commitment to growing the sport in the UK, Stein will be tasked with helping create exciting

new partnerships that will help bring both the British Basketball League to new audiences in the UK and beyond.

In addition to this, he will be responsible for maximising the League’s current partnerships to broaden the awareness of both the sport and the brands committed to helping take the professional game to new heights.

Speaking on his arrival to the League, Elliot said: “Growing up playing basketball in the UK, I could only dream of an opportunity like this.

"Over the last few years, it has been amazing to watch the growth of the British Basketball League. The League is in a very exciting position, with a highly entertaining product and a valuable, engaged young audience.

"I look forward to building authentic partnerships with brands that will continue to help build awareness and grow the sport in the UK.”

Irish Star Adeleke Sets New 400m Record In Sensational NCAA Triumph

RHASIDAT ADELEKE moved to 20th in the all-time list for the women's 400m as she won the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) title in the US after smashing her own Irish record by 0.34 seconds in Texas by triumphing in 49.20 seconds.

US star Britton Wilson was the strong favourite for the final but had to settle for second spot in 49.64. Adeleke's win saw her become the first Irish victor at the NCAAs since 2006.

Sligo athlete Mary Cullen's 5,000m triumph 17 years ago was the last time an Irish athlete had triumphed at the prestigious US collegiate championships. Wilson remains second in this year's world rankings behind Dominican Republic athlete Marileidy Paulino (48.98) but the American was unable to get close to her season's and personal best of 49.13 as she was overhauled by the Irishwoman in the closing 50 metres.

The American's hopes of achieving a historic 400m and 400m hurdles double at the championships unravelled as she later could only finish seventh over the barriers in a disappointing time of 55.92 - some 1.47secs behind winner Savannah Sutherland. Adeleke's win saw her become the first Irish sprinter to win a NCAA title and she also helped her University of Texas team clinch the 4x100m relay gold.

The Tallaght athlete said: "I just went out trusting myself. I'm not really sure what I went through the 200 in.

“I just put myself into position coming into the home stretch and it was the kick at the end, which is something I've been doing well all season." Adeleke's collegiate triumph adds further credibility to the belief that she will be among the medal contenders at this year's World Championships in August.

BRING ON FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP 2023

Holders, the United States, will again be the team to beat as the FIFA Women’s World Cup kicks off in Australia and New Zealand later this month, as Euros champions, England, will be another of the favourites to lift the coveted trophy.

And, Africa's most successful national side, Nigeria will also be ones to watch as the global celebration draws ever closer.

Won by four different national teams, the USA already hold claim 4 times, whilst Germany

have won it twice, with Norway and Japan winning it once each. But those figures will not deter the challenges from the likes of other European powerhouses Spain, France, the Netherlands and Sweden, as well as perennial tournament “favourite”, Brazil, who have – like the country’s male counterparts in recent years – have flattered to deceive.

The Brazilian ballers have shown that they’re not messing around this time and will be looking to claim more than the runners-up medals they achieved in 2007, with Marta and Debinha

set to be included, along with Geyse, Rafaelle and veterans Luciana and Tamires. Ranked sixth in the world and being the current Olympic gold medal-winners, Canada have just scraped into the top 10 and are ready for the group stage.

The Netherlands will be without star striker, Vivianne Miedemasidelined by a ruptured ACL, the team face an uphill battle without her. Nobody has more World Cup podium finishes than the ‘Blågult’, but, with the like Magdalena Eriksson and Fridolina Rolfö who have grown accus-

tomed to winning at club level, Sweden will, again be worth a look at.

This year’s co-hosts are gearing up to make their ninth World Cup appearance, and will be hoping to claim the top prize while performing on home soil. The Matilda’s squad has never been stronger, with Ellie Carpenter, Mary Fowler and Sam Kerr set to do what they do best - scoring screamers.

European champions England are expected to go the distance.

As the tournament's second favourites though, they will be doing so without injured duo -

captain, Leah Williamson, and EURO 2022 golden boot winner, Beth Mead, with both ruptured ACLs.

Chelsea centre-back Millie Bright, who, herself, has not played since March will skipper England in Australia, and says: “I am really confident about being ready in time,” with England’s first match of the tournament against Haiti taking place in Brisbane on July 22.

So, let the games begin!

25TH ANNIVERSARY LEGACY SHOWCASE

Cred Magazine took centre stage again to reignite the career of Apache Indian, to celebrate its continued existence Street Cred is bringing back memories of all those who has passed through its pages over the years.

Mark Dwayne would like to highlight mental illness, especially in young people. The lockdown during 2020 impacted on a lot of young people including Mark himself which is why he would like to highlight this very damaging issue that many young people have experienced during this pandemic.To this end, the event will be highlighting Mind as the nominated charity.

It’s a way of saying we made it through, that it’s ok to say that you suffer with it, and to encourage others to seek help. Peace and reconciliation is part of the healing process.

This is why we invite Birmingham to come out to celebrate a legacy that cannot be ignored.

Mark Dwayne the founder of this amazing legacy is staging Street Cred 25th Anniversary Legacy Showcase at the Symphony Hall in November.

The young people need a voice. Street Cred Magazine wants you to listen.

Street Cred envisages 3000 people from its past, present and future to grace the Symphony Hall and will witness a historical entertainment masterpiece.

They will be celebrating a legacy Birmingham should be proud to showcase.

Street Cred needs sponsorship to fly in the international artists that respect their involvement in the magazine, along with UK artists and the up and coming talent Birming-

ham and the West Midlands is still producing.

It will be an night never seen in our second city but one that will make us feel proud. This is a Birmingham legacy to celebrate 25 years of media started by a young 17 year old that turned the music industry on its head!

If you are from Birmingham, thousands will remember a young Mark Dwayne who would sell his magazines outside the Mothercare, Primark, Woolworths, C&A, JB Sports, HMV and other stores in the city centre to everyone of every nationality and culture in the age before social media, when the internet and social media were not at everyones fingertips. Every month 10,000 copies of the magazine were sold on the streets to fund the next print run. This was the remarkable engagement that Mark built with his readers. Street Cred is truly a solid foundation

The Street Cred Magazine Legacy Showcase will be a top class Entertainment Spectacular of diverse artists from the past Present and future

LIVE BANDS

INTERNATIONAL CELEBRITY

PERFORMERS

DANCE ACTS FROM STREETS TO BALLET

DJ SHOWCASE COMEDY DRAMA

FASHION SHOW

Street Cred is the magazine that inspired change and helped shape youth culture hands on. Encouraging the industry to push unheard UK music genres to the mainstream such as Grime, House, Garage & HipHop. Mark is also adept at interviewing people from all backgrounds, genres, and

walks of life across the entire entertainment and sporting industries, having worked with the Symphony Hall and also Aston Villa where he was the face of Kicking Racism Out Of Football. We spoke the language of our readers and all the artists got behind us as we are their voice.

Street Cred Mag azine targets the 13-18, and 18-30+ demographics and reaches people from every community.

Truly showing off Birmingham like nev er before ..a much needed entertain ment showcase for our city to be proud of.

If you are a busi ness or organisation that values the youth, and wants to invest in the next generation, then the Street Cred Magazine 25th Anniversary Legacy Showcase is the perfect platform.

We're looking for partners, sponsors, supporters, and volunteers to get involved. If you fit the criteria and believe in the greatness of Birmingham and the West Midlands and the hope for the next gen eration, we would welcome your support by emailing mark.dwayne@streetcredmagazine.com

We've got the streets locked down!