The Voice Newspaper: December 2024 by thevoicemediagroup

DECEMBER 2024 • ISSUE NO. 1961

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From Strictly to stand-up: Eddie Kadi talks comedy, culture, and staying authentic › p34

Merry Christmas to our readers

MUSIC HEALED ME AFTER MY LOSS

MUCH MISSED: Peetah Morgan

EXCLUSIVE

Morgan Heritage star Gramps Morgan tells The Voice he is dealing with the pain of his brother’s death “one day at a time” REGGAE LEGEND Gramps Morgan (inset) has opened up about the grief of losing his brother, fellow singer Peetah Morgan, and how it almost made him quit music. With the emotional festive period upon us, many can take inspiration from this story.

Wicked role a ‘dream come true’ Cynthia Erivo, star of Wicked, called landing the role of Elphaba “a dream come true” but admitted the pressure was intense. “I put my whole self into it to make everyone proud,” she told The Voice. • For full interview see the Life & Style. Cynthia Erivo has wowed critics and fans

Inside THIS MONTH

The Voice says

ROUNDUP

News, views, stories & videos

THE 10 MOST POPULAR STORIES ON VOICE-ONLINE.CO.UK

A fair chance: supporting Black families in financial crisis

From Pulpit to Pedals: Bishop leads London ride to end domestic violence

A salute to Dr Paul Stephenson, the civil rights hero who changed British history

Festive cheer without the fear: managing diabetes over Christmas

What’s On: There’s something for everyone this Christmas

In the saddle: Jockey Sean Levey on amazing year

The Caribbean needs more support this festive season

S THE festive season approaches, for many in the Caribbean, this year will not be one of celebration. Instead, communities are grappling with the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, which wreaked havoc across Grenada, Carriacou, St Vincent, and beyond. With lives lost, homes flattened, and livelihoods shattered, the region faces an uphill battle to recover. Hurricane Beryl was no anomaly. Fuelled by rising ocean temperatures, its catastrophic impact underscores the disproportionate vulnerability of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to climate change. The Caribbean contributes minimally to global emissions, yet its people pay the highest price. For families like Terry Jones’ in Carriacou, whose story is featured in this edition, rebuilding homes is the immediate priority, not festivities. Beyond the physical devastation, there is a growing psychological toll. Reports highlight widespread trauma and emotional strain as communities endure the relentless cycle of disasters, clean-ups, and rebuilding. Grassroots efforts and non-profits like Zoe Smith’s Caribbean Institute for EcoLiberation, also fearured

This issue is 48 pages EDITOR Vic Motune E. vic.motune@thevoicemedia group.co.uk

CORPORATE AFFAIRS & COMMUNICATIONS Paula Dyke E. paula@thevoicemedia group.co.uk

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Paulette Simpson E. paulette.simpson@thevoice mediagroup.co.uk

ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Joel Campbell E. joel.campbell@thevoice mediagroup.co.uk

in our report inside, have stepped in to assist, but the burden is overwhelming. The injustice is glaring. While the Caribbean is on the frontlines of climate change, Western leaders continue to drag their feet on meaningful action. This indifference to the plight of these nations — many of which share historical ties with the UK — infuriates Black Britons, who often witness the devastation firsthand through friends and relatives who live in the region. The festive season is traditionally a time for joy and family gatherings. But when there is no roof over your head, how can you celebrate? Western nations, as the largest polluters, have a moral obligation to act. This means not only reducing emissions but also committing to substantial climate reparations to help vulnerable nations rebuild and fortify against future storms. The Caribbean is resilient, but resilience alone cannot withstand stronger, more frequent hurricanes. The time for urgent, equitable global climate action is now. Islanders cannot continue to face Christmases marked by survival instead of celebration. The world must not ignore their plea.

Opinion: Kemi Badenoch (above) a Black British first we are not prepared to celebrate News: Chris Kaba Documentary sheds new light on shooting case Sport: Football presenter racially abused after match vows not to stay silent Opinion: Kemi Badenoch’s rise: a win for the Tories, a loss for Black Britain News: Leeds bids farewell to Alford Gardner, Windrush legend and community champion News: Ethiopian shield looted by British troops finally returns home after more than 150 years News: “We were the victims”: #KingsCross3 seek justice after racist tube attack and dropped court case News: Civil rights trailblazer Dr Paul Stephenson, leader of the Bristol Bus Boycott, dies at 87 News: Birmingham honours its first Black councillor with memorial portrait Opinion: Kemi Badenoch and the battle over Black identity in British politics

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DECEMBER 2024 THE VOICE | 3

News Features BLACK TALENT AWARDS 2024: SHINING A LIGHT ON ROLE MODELS IN OUR COMMUNITIES

POSITIVE OUTLOOK: Sian during her travels abroad (photo: St

George’s, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group)

SHIFTING PERCEPTIONS: Black Talent Awards founder Denise Myers addresses the audience

‘LIVING WITH LUPUS DOES NOT MEAN GIVING UP’

HEN SIAN Walker first experienced severe joint pain and swelling while preparing for exams nine years ago, she chalked it up to stress, thinking it was just the pressure of her studies catching up with her. But as the symptoms persisted and worsened, she visited her GP, who, knowing her family history, ordered tests that led to a lifechanging diagnosis: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). She was just 24 years old. “My lupus journey began while I was completing my final law exams,” she explains. “At first, I didn’t think the diagnosis would change my life, but it has. Managing the disease has required me to adjust significantly. I experience severe fatigue and joint pain, and the anxiety that comes with living with a chronic illness has been overwhelming at times.” Now, nearly a decade later, Sian faces another chapter in her health journey with a recent diagnosis of Lupus Nephritis, a kidney condition linked to lupus. “I manage my flares with medication and try to avoid overexerting myself, taking time to rest as I often experience fatigue. My diagnosis has also triggered anxiety, making me fearful of everyday activities. Additionally, due to my compromised immune system,

Sian Walker was just 24 when she was diagnosed with the chronic illness but that hasn’t stopped her from thriving despite the odds. By Sinai Fleary I’ve developed pneumonia twice.” Despite the challenges, Sian is unwavering in her resolve to live a full and happy life. “Lupus is challenging, but with the right treatments and adjustments, it can be managed,” she says. Navigating life with lupus Lupus, a chronic autoimmune disorder, disproportionately affects Black women. The disease causes the immune system to attack the body’s tissues and organs, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, joint pain, and inflammation that can affect major organs like the kidneys, heart, and brain. For Sian, the condition has brought its share of trials, including frequent hospital admissions and bouts of pneumonia due to her compromised immune system. She credits her resilience to her supportive network of family, friends, and medical professionals. “Living alone, I rely on my parents and friends to help with

RESILIENCE: Sian Walker daily tasks during flares,” she adds. “This experience has taught me the importance of accepting help without shame.” Her positive outlook also stems from her commitment to selfadvocacy. From making use of mobility aids to adopting a lifestyle that prioritises rest, she has learned to embrace her “new normal”. Raising awareness Last month, during Lupus Awareness Month, Sian, who is a patient at St George’s hospital in south London, took part in a campaign to highlight the realities

of living with the condition since her diagnosis nearly a decade ago. Her message is especially critical given the heightened risk Black women face in developing lupus. Experts have noted that women of colour are two to three times more likely to be diagnosed with the condition compared to their White counterparts. She hopes that by sharing her story, she can inspire others to persevere and seek the support they need. Pushing for resources “I want people to know that having a chronic illness is nothing to be ashamed of,” Sian says. “It may take time to navigate your new normal. Eight years after my diagnosis, I’m more comfortable with my illness and have a better understanding of what works for me.” By raising awareness, Sian is not only advocating for better understanding, but also pushing for greater representation and resources for those living with the condition. For Sian, living with lupus means more than just enduring, it’s about thriving despite the odds. “While I sometimes worry about the future, I strive to live in the present, grateful for my healthy days,” she says. “For anyone newly diagnosed, I recommend joining support groups, considering therapy, and leaning on loved ones.”

A SOCIAL entrepreneur who transformed his life after prison and a trailblazing sports media executive are among the winners of the Black Talent Awards 2024, held recently at Birmingham’s ICC. The awards, now in their third year, spotlight inspiring Black professionals with the aim of shattering stereotypes and championing equality. Zak Addae-Kodua, who once served three prison sentences for drug and robbery offences, won the Charitable, Voluntary, and Social Change award for his work as a broadcaster and advocate for ex-offenders. Through his awardwinning podcast XConversation and cohosting The Sit Down, he promotes rehabilitation and the need for greater diversity in the criminal justice workforce. Charlene Gravesande, a former Sky Sports producer, received the Media, Marketing, and Creative award for her contributions to inclusive storytelling in sports broadcasting. A BAFTA-winning producer, her short film chronicling the sporting world’s response to George Floyd’s murder was met with global acclaim. Founded in 2022 by Denise Myers, the Black Talent Awards aim to shift mainstream perceptions of Black communities from underachievement to inspiration and success. “Storytelling has the power to change how

society views Black excellence,” Myers said. “These awards are a platform to amplify voices that redefine success against all odds. “The Black Talent Awards is less about the award and event itself and more about providing a platform upon which remarkable people can tell their stories. Since establishing the Awards, I’ve been fortunate enough to meet with so many inspiring people who succeeded despite the setbacks.” EQUALITY She continued: “Theirs is a story of grit, determination and successes that follow second chances. Storytelling is not a panacea for the racial equality problem but it can move mountains in terms of the wider perceptions of Black achievement, and that is what we hope to do.” West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker applauded the winners as “role models whose determination and self-belief exemplify the incredible talent within our communities.” Other winners included biomedical scientist Bamidele Farinre, awarded in the STEM category for her mentorship and groundbreaking work despite being told she would never succeed in science, and Trevor Gordon, who received the Trailblazer award for advancing diversity in education. n For more on Black role models who have been honoured see page 7

4 | THE VOICE DECEMBER 2024

FAMILIES STRUGGLE TO REBUILD LIVES AFTER HURRICANE Christmas after Hurricane Beryl: Many in the Caribbean are just thankful to be alive and say they will build back better and stronger. By Sinai Fleary

HILE MANY will be looking forward to spending happy times with loved ones over the festive season, people in parts of the Caribbean may find this Christmas marked by challenges and uncertainty. Hurricane Beryl, a recordbreaking Category 4 storm, caused widespread destruction across the Caribbean, including Grenada, Carriacou, and St Vincent, in early July. Intensifying rapidly due to warm ocean conditions, Beryl devastated Carriacou, home to 10,000 people, which was especially hard hit when Beryl made landfall. Those trying to rebuild their lives on the island say there are no plans to celebrate Christmas this year and are just thankful to be alive. Terry Jones lives in Mount Royal in Carriacou — his family’s home was completely ruined in the storm. Speaking to The Voice, he said: “I don’t think anybody is really thinking about Christmas, everybody is more concerned about building back their homes right now.”

Jones was sheltering in the basement of his cousin’s home with his three children when Beryl made landfall in his homeland. He said: “There was a lot of coconut jelly trees where we live and I remember the coconuts just kept flying off the trees because the wind strength was so powerful.” Jones told The Voice how he risked his life to rescue an elderly couple during the hurricane. “I heard them calling for help,” he said. Their home was destroyed, with water pouring in and the roof gone. The couple wanted to seek shelter down the road, but Jones feared they would be caught in the storm. Instead, he carried the elderly man in his 70s to a neighbour’s house, while his friend helped the man’s wife. Though Jones got the couple to safety, it was too dangerous to return to his children sheltering elsewhere. “As soon as we reached the basement, the wind was strong again,” he said. Jones tried retrieving medication for the man but couldn’t. “Everything was scattered and blowing about,” he explained. The father-of-three was separated from his children for about two hours, which took an

“Christmas really is a time of families getting together and spending time with loved ones but when you literally don’t have a roof over your head, that’s really tough”

- Zoe Smith

emotional toll on him. “That was the hardest part for me because I was wondering what happened to them,” he said. Once the storm passed, Jones was reunited with his children, and says he was so relieved they were not hurt. Prior to Beryl, Jones, who is a farmer, was living in a twobedroom house with a large garden where he grew his own fruits, such as plums, oranges, coconuts, golden apples and tamarind. But now, he is having to start over. “The golden apples survived, but the lime and the pear tree that gone, and the mango tree is gone too,” he said. He described the current state of his home as “completely broken down”. DETERMINATION But filled with hope, resilience and determination, he has already started to rebuild and has fitted some temporary windows and covered the top of his house with tarpaulin. He believes it will be a couple of years before his garden is back bearing all the fruits and vegetables he once had. Jones also

HERO: Terr y Jones risked his life to rescue an elderly couple

had a bee farm and was producing honey, but the bee hives were also wiped out in the storm. He told The Voice he has noticed there is the lack of bees on the island due to so much of the vegetation being damaged. “You are not really seeing bees around Carriacou because there are no flowers to attract them,” he said. He hopes once his garden grows back the bees will return and he can get back to making and selling honey again. Jones said what is needed most is building materials and tools to rebuild homes. He says he is

grateful to everyone from around the world who has sent relief items and those who will continue to do so in the coming weeks and into the new year. “We have life, so that is the most important thing,” he added. Sadly, there were several hurricane-related deaths across the region. In Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique six people were confirmed to have died, and another six people lost their lives in St Vincent and the Grenadines — which was another nation that was hardest hit. In Jamaica, Beryl claimed the lives of four people and

DECEMBER 2024 THE VOICE | 5

News Feature DESTROYED: The remains of a house devastated by Hurricane Beryl highlights the widespread destruction and ongoing challenges faced by island communities rebuilding their lives

HELPING HAND: Young apprentices, trained by The Caribbean Institute for EcoLiberation, rebuild a home in La Fortune, Grenada, that was devastated by Hurricane Beryl (photos: Zoe Smith)

ACTION: Zoe Smith moved to Grenada from Britain in 2021; above, Raymond Charles, a farmer from the St Marks parish in mainland Grenada, with some of his produce (photos: Zoe Smith/Sinai Fleary) several more deaths were reported in the United States, Canada and Venezuela. Farmers in mainland Grenada are also picking up the pieces of their businesses and are confident they can also return back to work in the agricultural sector. Raymond Charles is a farmer in the mountains in the St Marks parish in mainland Grenada. He told The Voice the majority of his farm has been obliterated and it will be sometime before things return to normal. “The carrot, the cabbage mash up, the potato is stifled and part of my crops is damaged,” he said. Charles also grew nutmegs — which is used as a symbol on the national flag of Grenada — and a staple ingredient in Grenadian cooking and baking. He said with only a few trees remaining it will be years before he is back producing the well-loved spice. “With the state of the nutmegs it will take a while,” he said. “But if I plant back now, it could take five years before I get any nutmegs.” Before the hurricane, Charles’ farm was producing an abundance

of fruits and vegetable like figs, bluggoe bananas, carrots, cabbage and potatoes. But now, the lifelong farmer says he only has a few provisions like dasheen, tanya and casava. Rebuilding after a hurricane is not new for Charles, and he is using his experience with Hurricane Ivan in 2004 to motivate him to keep going. “After Ivan everything was destroyed but with time the farm grew back,” he said. OPTIMISTIC He estimates he has lost approximately $10,000 (£2,938) Eastern Caribbean dollars-worth of crops. The charismatic farmer has also worked in the construction industry and as a painter, but told The Voice farming is his first love and he hopes he will be able to work with nature again. “I could do a lot of things, but I just like the farming,” he said. Despite the current hardships and the growing adverse weather conditions, he is remaining optimistic and is putting his trust in his faith.

“I know everything will grow back stronger and better,” he said. “This is not the first time a hurricane has destroyed the farm. I trust in God, the Most High, that my farm will come back better than it was. “Things have already started to grow back and that is a sign of great things to come.” According to official reports, Hurricane Beryl devastated 98 per cent of the infrastructure in Carriacou and Petite Martinique. The latest Hurricane Beryl Monitoring Report for Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines, by the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), and the UN Emergency Technical Team (UNETT) for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, indicates that over 80,000 people need humanitarian aid across Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines. Relief efforts include 540 tarpaulins, 57 tents, and cash aid for 3,477 individuals in Grenada. Hygiene kits reached 1,758 people on Grenadine islands, and 8,810 received food kits in St Vincent and the Grenadines. However,

electricity restoration in southern islands faces delays until late 2024 or early 2025, hindering the recovery efforts the report found. With an overwhelming amount of help still needed, some Black Britons with Caribbean heritage who live in Grenada are doing what they can to give back to those in need. Zoe Smith, a writer and journalist originally from Watford, moved to Grenada in July 2021. She runs a non-profit organisation called The Caribbean Institute for EcoLiberation (CIEL), which is assisting with rebuilding homes in La Fortune, a coastal village in St Patricks in the north of Grenada. She told The Voice: “My organisation has been working with one particular community since August this year. We rebuilt two houses and we are now looking to build a third and we are doing that by training young apprentices.” Smith collaborated with an American contractor to design hurricane-resilient board houses. “We worked with young guys in the area to show them how to build from the foundations up,” she said.

She aims to make all Grenadian homes “structurally sound” and resilient against increasingly frequent climate disasters. With “skilled help in short supply,” she is urging diaspora construction workers in the diaspora to volunteer. “Being on the ground, working with local suppliers, is the quickest way to make a needed physical difference,” she explained. VULNERABLE Campaigners and political leaders have stressed the urgent need for global conversations on how climate change devastates the Caribbean and other Small Island Developing States. The region remains highly vulnerable to climate change, bearing disproportionate impacts despite contributing minimally to global emissions, with stronger storms continuing to devastate the region. Another recent OCHA and UNETT report highlights the growing psychological toll of Hurricane Beryl, citing trauma, climate-related stress, and the emotional strain of repeated disasters alongside ongoing

physical clean-up and socioeconomic challenges. This is an issue that Smith says she is becoming increasingly concerned about. “In the month or two after the hurricane, for those who were directly affected there was a real fight in them to get themselves back on their feet to get the government to give them help and the community too,” she said. “Initially there was a swift grassroots community response from Grenadians coming together. “But I think five months and six months on, I think that fight has turned to genuine depression and I think a lot of people have given up the fight. “Grenadians are big believers in God and ‘we’ll get through this’ but when you sit and talk with them a bit longer there’s a lot of demoralisation.” She continued: “Christmas really is a time of families getting together and spending time with loved ones but when you don’t have literally a roof over your head or you had to move out of your home for it to be reconstructed, that’s really tough.”

6 | THE VOICE DECEMBER 2024

News Feature GIVING BACK: Money A+E has supported over 15,000 people in managing debt and gaining financial confidence

MONEY A+E: A FINANCIAL LIFELINE FOR BLACK FAMILIES

HEN SAMUEL*, a builder in southwest London, arrived in the UK from Ivory Coast in 2018, he worked tirelessly to support himself and his family back home. But his life took a devastating turn in 2021 when he was struck by a car while cycling home from work, leaving him with a serious knee injury. Unable to work and ineligible for sick pay due to his agency employment, Samuel quickly burned through his savings just to cover rent, bills and food. Forced to borrow money from friends and return to work before fully recovering, the ongoing strain has left him battling physical pain and mounting financial insecurity. His recent eviction, after his landlord raised the rent by £400 a month, has only deepened his struggles. “Trying to manage the cost of living in London is a struggle,” Samuel told The Voice. “I often worry about the future. We’ve tried to look for another flat but it’s so hard to find something I can afford. I’ll find somewhere, apply for it and then told, ‘it’s already gone’”. He continues: “At the moment things are just very, very stressful. My colleagues at work are often asking me if I’m ok, because they can see I’m so stressed. Although I’m working now and have had

Statistics reveal Black families are nearly twice as likely to live in poverty compared to White households. By Vic Motune

help from a foodbank, I’ve used all my savings to survive. It’s only speaking with my mom and dad that gives me hope.” Samuel’s story is a stark reflection of the disproportionate financial pressures faced by Black British families. Amidst the continuing cost-ofliving crisis, many are finding the financial challenges are becoming insurmountable. Statistics reveal that Black families are nearly twice as likely to live in poverty compared to White households, leaving them with little room to absorb rising costs. Research from a 2022 survey conducted by People Like Us and Censuswide found that Black and minority ethnic workers are 34 per cent more likely than their White counterparts to say their salary doesn’t cover essential costs like rent and energy bills. Meanwhile, research from financial services company Plend, published in April 2023, revealed that nearly 60 per cent of Black and minority ethnic Britons borrowed money just to make ends meet during the cost-of-living

crisis, compared to just 30 per cent of their White counterparts. However, the Plend research also found that people from minority ethnic groups were less likely to be accepted for loans, with over half of those who applied (54 per cent) having been rejected in the 24 months to April 2023. Those who were accepted faced higher-than-average APR rates. This is in comparison to just 38 per cent of White people who were unable to get a loan in the same period. Overall, around 29 per cent of Black and ethnic minority people said they felt locked out of accessing financial support.

deserves a fair chance to achieve a problem might experience money stable, thriving life. This fundraiser troubles and need help and advice. is not only a call for donations but We hear from people who have fallalso a symbol of solidarity for the en into debt, or are struggling besystemic change we aim to create.” cause they’ve lost their job or had Since its launch in 2013, Money to move house. Others struggle with their spending habits or aren’t A+E has supported over 15,000 people in managing debt and gain- well enough to open their bills or ing financial confidence. For many keep control of their finances.” Speaking about how people of the organisation’s staff, the Fair Chance fundraiser is deeply perworried about their finances can sonal; more than half of its team manage their mental health, the A fair chance for change spokesperson said: “The most imhaving lived experience with the Recognising the growing problem, challenges Money A+E addresses. portant thing is to talk to someone. Money A+E, a Black-led social A trusted family member or friend enterprise, has launched its Fair may be able to offer a listening ear, Mental health strain Chance fundraiser to provide vital The financial crisis isn’t just imwhile our network of local Minds support for people from disadvan- pacting bank balances — it’s taking across England and Wales provide taged communities. a range of quality mental health a toll on mental health. The initiative aims to raise services. These might include For many Black families, the £10,000 to deliver financial literacy stigma surrounding mental health talking therapy, help with housing, workshops, debt advice, and crisis and the lack of culturally sensitive support with applying for benefits grants to low-income, ethnically or help with money problems.” resources creates additional bardiverse families in London. riers to seeking help. This double Speaking about the campaign burden leaves individuals navigat- Breaking the cycle Gregory Ashby, co-founder of Mon- ing both financial and emotional Community-driven initiatives like ey A+E, said: “We believe everyone turmoil in isolation. Fair Chance could also provide a lifeline for families caught in this The Plend research found that MONEY nearly 70 per cent of Black and crisis. STRESS: As the Money A+E’s holistic approach minority ethnic individuals say the festive season – combining practical financial cost-of-living crisis has affected approaches, advice with crisis support and their mental health, compared to some Black less than half of White respondents. education – offers immediate relief families may A spokesperson from the mental while empowering individuals to have to make the health charity Mind told The Voice build lasting stability. choice between poor mental health can make man* Name changed. survival and aging money more difficult and, celebration l If you would like to support the conversely, financial difficulties can (photo: Getty Images) Fair Chance fundraiser, please visit: make one’s mental health worse. “There are many reasons why www.localgiving.org/fundraising/ fairchance someone with a mental health The rising cost of survival Adding to the strain is the festive season. For parents, in particular, the pressure to meet expectations for gift-giving and holiday celebrations can feel overwhelming, forcing them into tough decisions between basic necessities, such as food and heating, or buying gifts for their children.

DECEMBER 2024 THE VOICE | 7

News Feature

CELEBRATING DIVERSITY

Dazzling event is so fitting to honour those championing such vital causes. By Vic Motune

HE 15th annual European Diversity Awards (EDA), held at the InterContinental Park Lane, London, was a dazzling celebration of those who champion diversity and inclusion across Europe. Sponsored by Optum and hosted by Gillian Joseph and Kamali Melbourne, the prestigious event recognised individuals and organisations driving change in fields spanning race, gender, sexual orientation, and more. With powerful speeches, emotional moments, and breathtaking performances, the evening underscored the transformative impact of the men and women who champion diversity in all walks of life. Linda Riley, founder of the European Diversity Awards, opened the event by reflecting on its 15-year journey and its enduring mission. “These awards are about breaking down barriers and creating societies where everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed,” she declared. Riley’s impassioned plea for continued progress resonated with the audience as she emphasised the importance of people feeling the sense belonging that prioritising diversity brings. “In a truly inclusive Europe, every voice is heard, every culture is celebrated, and every individual is given the chance to thrive,” she said, encouraging attendees to keep pushing for a more equitable world. A night of powerful moments The evening’s keynote speech was delivered by Dame Vivian Hunt, setting a tone of empowerment. Performances by legendary group Boney M and West End star Elesha Paul Moses thrilled the audience, while an impromptu performance by Olivier award-winning actress and singer Beverley Knight brought the house down. Knight, dubbed the “Queen of British Soul,” received the Outstanding Commitment to Diversity award, presented by Labour MP Dawn Butler. Praising Knight’s advocacy for equality and social justice, Butler

TAKING CENTRE STAGE: European Diversity Awards founder Linda Riley (centre) with hosts Kamali Melbourne (left) and Gillian Joseph (photo: Jonathan Phang)

said: “Her legacy goes beyond her exceptional vocal talent; it’s about breaking down barriers and fostering a world where everyone feels represented and valued.” In her acceptance speech, Knight struck a deeply personal note, crediting her success to those who came before her, including the Windrush generation. “I was lucky enough to be encouraged by wonderful people around me, starting with my mum and dad, my school and my friends, my peers, the theatre group I was a member of, even

certain members of the church I went to,” she told the audience. “If you have a goal that you want to achieve and you can see someone who looks just like you and who is achieving that thing, it just encourages you to become that thing. I stand on their very broad shoulders.” Her words inspired a standing ovation, and she capped her moment with a stunning rendition of Greatest Love of All. Honouring inspirational figures The Inspirational Role Model of

Photos: Andrew Edgecumbe and Jonathan Phang

the Year award went to Blessing Mutamba, NatWest’s Business Inclusion Programme Manager. Mutamba, a mentor and advocate for ethnic minority-owned businesses, reflected on her journey in her acceptance speech. “On a daily basis, I’m driven by what I like to think are small and gradual steps towards a better outcome,” she said. “So, to win the award really blew me away because it made me realise that what I think is a small action is actually a big step in the right direction towards creating more equitable spaces. I’ve overcome

barriers, worked through difficult moments in terms of my personal growth and have had to work hard at getting buy-in from others.” Mutamba’s message to the audience was clear: “Be delusional. That’s a message I want to send anyone else working towards their goals and objectives. You never know who is watching, so give everything your all and never lose faith.” The evening also celebrated Piers Linney, a member of Sky UK Ltd’s Diversity Advisory Council, who was named

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Clockwise from above, Boney M; Gillian Joseph, Beverley Knight, Dawn Butler and Kamali Melbourne; Sky UK Ltd’s Piers Linney; Blessing Mutamba with Julie Baker, NatWest Head of Strategic Partnerships

Abercrombie & Fitch Diversity Champion of 2024. Other notable attendees included Paulette Simpson CBE, CEO of Voice Media Group, MP Kate Osbourne, Olympian Jennifer Stoute and author Kimberley McIntosh. A catalyst for change The European Diversity Awards, established in 2010, has become one of the continent’s most prestigious diversity events, celebrating those who lead the charge for inclusion. This year’s awards once again highlighted the breadth of diversity work being undertaken, from grassroots activism to corporate leadership. The event honoured achievements across all strands of diversity, including age, disability, race, religion, and sexual orientation. Riley’s words summed up the ethos of the evening: “Let’s continue to inspire each other to build a future that celebrates all voices, all cultures, and all people.” As trailblazers like Knight and Mutamba took centre stage, their stories illuminated the profound impact of inclusivity on both individuals and society. With its mix of heartfelt tributes, visionary speeches, and dazzling performances, the European Diversity Awards served as a powerful reminder of the strength found in embracing diversity – and the necessity of amplifying the voices of those who champion it.

8 | THE VOICE DECEMBER 2024

News Feature

‘END THIS CYCLE OF VIOLENCE’

Bishop rides across London to highlight chilling abuse against women and girls. By Vic Motune

ALARMING: Every three days, a woman is killed by a man in the UK, driving Bishop Lusa Nsenga-Ngoy, above, to launch his Bishop on a Bike campaign; inset below, children’s author Onjali-Q. Raúf (main photo: Getty Images)

VERY THREE days, a woman is killed at the hands of a man in the UK. This haunting statistic from Femicide Census, launched by Women’s Aid and frequently cited in conversations about domestic violence, is more than a number; it is a grim reminder of a pervasive social problem. Sadly, domestic violence is an issue that often raises its head during the festive season. Equally alarming, one in five children live in households where an abusive adult is present. These chilling realities moved The Rt Revd Lusa Nsenga-Ngoy, Bishop of Willesden, to take action. Last month, on November 29, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Bishop Nsenga-Ngoy took to the streets of London in a powerful demonstration of solidarity and advocacy. He was joined by a small group of cyclists for Bishop on a Bike, an initiative calling for men and boys to take responsibility for ending violence against women and girls. Beginning at St Mary’s Church in Willesden, the ride passed iconic landmarks, including the Houses of Parliament, before concluding at Greenwich Observatory. Along the way, the cyclists raised funds for women’s refuges, sparked dialogue, and renewed calls for legislative and societal action. The event,

organised in partnership with Making Herstory, a charity founded by children’s author Onjali Q. Raúf, and joined by White Ribbon UK, the country’s leading charity engaging men and boys to end violence against women and girls, highlighted the importance of men being involved in such campaigns. Changing the narrative For Bishop Nsenga-Ngoy, this mission is deeply personal. Reflecting on his roots in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a country where sexual violence has been used as a weapon of war, he says he recognises that violence against women is not confined to specific regions — it is a global crisis. “I’ve got three children, two of

them are girls, and I don’t want my daughters to one day become statistics,” he told The Voice. “If men are part of the problem, then men can also be part of the solution.” The campaign’s hashtag, #LeaveHerBe, encapsulates this message, drawing inspiration from a biblical story where Jesus commands men to stop harassing a woman. It serves as a universal call for respect and the acknowledgment of men’s roles in perpetuating or ending violence. Engaging boys and young men A key focus of Bishop on a Bike is the ongoing need to engage boys and young men in conversations about domestic violence.

“Our boys are often subjected to toxic expressions of what it means to be a man,” Bishop Nsenga-Ngoy said. “The challenge is to inspire them to find new ways of being men, ways that allow them to flourish while contributing positively to their positive role models in these spaces communities.” can inspire young men to embrace This approach aligns with values of equality and non-violence, broader research showing that breaking cycles of abuse. education is crucial in preventing domestic violence. Boys need safe A collective responsibility spaces to learn about consent, Domestic violence is often emotional intelligence, and healthy described as a “private” issue, but relationships. Campaigners say Nsenga-Ngoy firmly rejects this that schools, sports teams, and notion. community groups can provide “This isn’t just an issue to be these platforms, equipping young kept behind closed doors or conmen with tools to challenge harm- fined to newspapers — it should ful stereotypes and behaviours and mobilize all of us,” he said. “If we

can change the narrative, perhaps fewer families will have to endure the trauma of abuse.” The funds raised through the ride will support nia, a charity providing services to survivors of domestic and sexual violence. The proceeds will help build a therapeutic space where women can heal safely. Bishop on a Bike also aimed to challenge bystander apathy, encouraging men to speak out against violence and take action within their communities. A symbol of hope The decision to end the ride at Greenwich Observatory carried strong symbolism. The observatory features prominently in Raúf ’s bestselling book The Star Outside My Window, which explores the impact of femicide on children. It serves as a reminder that domestic violence affects not just women but entire families, leaving lasting scars on the next generation. Bishop on a Bike may be a single initiative, but Nsenga-Ngoy says he is hoping that its message is far-reaching. “It feels like a drop in the ocean, but even one drop can make a difference.”

BAND AID: FUSE ODG SAYS DOCUMENTARY DEHUMANISES AFRICAN PEOPLE

GRAMMY-WINNING artist Fuse ODG has criticised the BBC for releasing a documentary about Band Aid, saying it dehumanises African people. Band Aid — which was formed by Sir Bob Geldof — released its charity single Do They Know its Christmas? to raise money following the catastrophic famine in Ethiopia in 1984. It was released on December 7, 1984 and spent five weeks at the No 1 spot on the UK music charts and raised a reported £8 million for Ethiopia. The song was

also later re-released in 2004 and 2014 and a 40th anniversary version is due to be released in the run-up to the festive season. Earlier this month, the BBC announced they are planning to release a documentary to commemorate the song’s re-release, but Afro-beats star Fuse ODG wants to stop the programme from being broadcast. Writing on social media, he said: “Someone tell the BBC to stop the release of their documentary celebrating Band Aid.

“Bob Geldof is releasing another version of Do They Know Its Christmas?, a project that dehumanises Africans and destroys our pride and identity in the name of ‘charity’. This can’t run now in 2024.” In the video post he also said: “Band Aid and initiatives like it over the past 40 years has cost the African continent trillions in lost revenue from stifling economic growth, investment tourism and more dangerously destroying our collective dignity.” He added that it is impor-

MAKING A STAND: Fuse ODG (photo Getty Images) tant that African people “take back their own narrative.” Fuse ODG also spoke about the issue on Good Morning Britain (GMB), where he said he wanted to

give a different perspective on the idea of charity. “My problem is the longterm effect of trying to help this crisis and also it was one crisis in one country but it painted a whole image of Africa, it’s the same with Ukraine, one crisis in Ukraine, imagine the whole world seeing Europe as a war-stricken place because of one country,” he said. British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran did appear on the 30th anniversary version of the song in 2014. But he has now said if he was asked for permission

for his vocals be used on the new 40th anniversary version he would have “respectfully declined.” Sheeran’s statement on his Instagram story said: “My approval wasn’t sought on this new Band Aid 40 release and had I had the choice I would have respectfully declined the use of my vocals. “A decade on and my understanding of the narrative associated with this changed, eloquently explained by @fuseodg. This is just my personal stance, I’m hoping it’s a forward-looking one. Love to all x.”

DECEMBER 2024

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10 | THE VOICE DECEMBER 2024

News Feature

‘THE PAIN IS THERE, BUT I’M LEARNING TO LIVE WITH THE PAIN’ Morgan Heritage star Gramps Morgan opens up on the loss of his brother and bandmate Peetah, and how new music has helped him back from the brink. By Sinai Fleary

EGENDARY REGGAE singer Gramps Morgan has revealed how he almost quit music after his brother passed away. In February this year, it was announced that renowned reggae singer and songwriter Peter “Peetah” Morgan — who was just 46 years old — had died. He was affectionately known as “Peetah” and was the talented lead singer of the Grammy award-winning reggae group Morgan Heritage — along with his brothers Gramps and Mr Mojo Morgan In the past, the group also consisted of their other siblings Una Morgan and Lukes Morgan. Speaking to The Voice, Gramps Morgan reflected on the heartache he experienced following the loss of his sibling. “At one point when Peetah passed away I was like let me just walk off into the sunset,” he recalls. “I don’t want to do music no more, because I’ve done so much and got over a thousand songs, toured the world and have millions of fans.” Gramps has been working with leading American band Louis York — made up of Claude Kelly and Chuck Harmony —

and admits working with the duo, is what helped to stop him from walking away from the industry. “Playing music with Louis York reminded me that there’s still work to do,” he says. He has recorded and released a song with Louis York called Have a Little Light, which has already topped the iTunes reggae chart and the video has racked up almost three million views on YouTube. For many, approaching the Christmas period following the loss of a loved one can be tough and feel like an uphill journey for those navigating their grief. PROCESS However, Gramps says keeping busy with music has helped him to live with the pain and he is taking the overwhelming loss “one day at a time”. He describes working with Kelly and Harmony as part of his healing process. “I lost a brother but I gained two because of these brothers,” he says. “We do music from the heart and it’s a spiritual thing. Doing music like that with these brothers has been such an incredible healing process, that the pain is healing, it’s like a band-aid with magic.” Gramps has also been doing

“We do music from the heart and it’s a spiritual thing. Doing music like that with these brothers has been such an incredible healing process, that the pain is healing”

- Gramps Morgan

some work with Buju Banton — who has been on a highly anticipated US tour. “This album, being on tour and doing some work with Buju Banton — he’s another one of my musical brothers — so the pain is there but I am learning to live with the pain. “But it doesn’t go away, because sometimes I’m sitting there or I’m driving in the car and I just say, ‘Peetah, Peetah man, why you left me?’ and then the moment will go away and then I will stop at a gas station and put some gas in the car.” The Morgan siblings, who are all children of reggae legend Denroy Morgan who passed away in 2022, formed the band in 1994 and released their debut album Miracle in 1994. The group quickly gained respect from industry peers for their unique roots reggae sound which honours Rastafari, spoke about love and social and racial injustice. With their positive messages, sharp vocals and harmonies the group built a devoted and loyal fanbase. Some of their biggest hit songs include Don’t Haffi Dread, Down by the River and Tell Me How Come. Known as the Royal Family of

DYNAMIC TRIO: Mr Mojo Morgan, Peetah Morgan and Gramps Morgan in New York City last year (photo: Getty Images)

Reggae, Morgan Heritage won their first Grammy Award in 2016, scooping the Best Reggae album category for their hit album Strictly Roots. The band later released the album Avrakedabra, which was nominated for another Grammy in 2018, cementing them as one of reggae’s most successful groups. In recent years, the group operated as a trio with Peetah, Mr Mojo and Gramps Morgan. Gramps told The Voice, his son, the singer Jemere Morgan,

would be taking up the baton as a member of the iconic band. “We don’t say that he’s the new lead singer of Morgan Heritage, we say that he is performing his royal duties because to fill the shoes like Peetah there’s nobody like him in reggae music” he says. “What he has done in his life in the years he was given on this planet, to perform in so many countries and be known as the face of this band and the voice of this band, I put him right up there with

DECEMBER 2024 THE VOICE | 11

News Feature GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN: Peetah Morgan died earlier this year (photo: Getty Images)

FAMILY BUSINESS: Morgan Heritage (Gramps, Lukes, Una, Peetah and Mr Mojo) attends the Grammy Awards at Madison Square Garden in 2018 (photo: Mike Coppola/FilmMagic)

GROUP MENTALITY: Mr. Mojo, Peetah and Gramps perform at SiriusXM Studios, New York City, in April last year (photo: Getty Images) Michael Jackson.” Reflecting on his early days in music with Peetah he says: “We grew up copycatting R’n’B singers like Donny Hathaway who is the truth. If you are a singer and you don’t know who Donny Hathaway is, you need some lashes.”

the genre is not respected enough for its global influence and its social, political and religious impact. “Reggae music is an undeniable music but it is an underappreciated genre. That is one of the things that I want to fight for. I want to fight for my genre and for the many artists HOLY GRAIL to come.” He also named Charlie Wilson Details about Peetah’s cause of and Brandy as part of the “holy grail death have not been released. of vocalists”. “If you are not studying these singers to try and make yourself better then you truly don’t want to be one of the best singers of all time. “This is what me and my brother did, we studied Marvin Winans, BeBe and CeCe Winans, just the monsters of the music.” Gramps said he and Peetah experimented with sounds and GRAMMY decided to fuse both R’n’B and WINNERS: reggae music together to come up Lukes, Peetah, with a unique signature sound. and Gramps “We studied R’n’B singers to pose with the become some of the best singers in award for Best reggae music and that is the legacy Reggae Album at that Peetah has now left — he is the 58th Grammy one of the baddest singers to ever Awards in Los touch reggae music.” Angele in 2016 Gramps is passionate about the (photo: Mike Windle/ future of reggae music and believes WireImage)

The news was announced in a statement on Morgan Heritage’s Instagram page, which said: “It is out of sincere love that we share that our beloved husband, father, son and brother and lead singer of Morgan Heritage, Peter Anthony Morgan, has ascended today, February 25. Jah come and save us from ourselves because love is the only way.”

The statement continued: “Our family thanks you in advance for your overwhelming love and support and we ask for your continued prayers as we go through this process. We also ask that you please respect our privacy during this time of healing.” Following the announcement, several stars from the world of music paid tribute to Peetah, who

was described as a “superstar”, “brilliant” and “talented”. Buju Banton shared heartfelt memories of working with the star and wrote: “You are totally a reggae music superstar who gave from where our father said we should, our hearts. “All those memories, all that laughter, all those tours. I am going to miss you Peter and I will comfort myself with this thought. You cannot come to us but we must come to where you are. Until then Peter, I love you. The brother I never had.” Freddie McGregor wrote: “What a sad day and a great loss for the Jamaican reggae music industry, with the passing away of the brilliant and talented reggae singer Peter Morgan of @morganheritage. “The Big Ship family is sending healing prayers and comfort during this tough time. Rest in peace, Peter. Gone too soon, but not forgotten.” Capleton shared a throwback music video of the group on Instagram and captioned it: “Condolence to the entire @morganheritage family. Rest In Power Peter Morgan. JAH bless.” On Facebook, Etana said: “I am never ready to say goodbye! Not

enough words to say and still few words are not enough. Salute Peetah Pete! (Peter Morgan).” There were also tributes from Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who wrote on X: “I send my deep condolences to the Morgan family as they grieve this tremendous loss which is also a colossal loss for Jamaica and for reggae music. GRATEFUL “Our country is grateful for his life and contribution and the sharing of his exceptional musical talent which touched each of us. I pray for the family’s peace and comfort during this unimaginably difficult time.” Jamaica’s Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange wrote: “I am shocked and deeply saddened by the passing today of Peter “Peetah” Morgan, lead singer of Morgan Heritage.” She added: “We honoured them at the 2023 Grand Gala at which they also performed. I shall surely miss Peetah’s calm, unassuming and respectful manner. Rest well my son.”

12 | THE VOICE DECEMBER 2024

News Feature

THE POWER OF PUPPETRY Dr Les Johnson says the art form is being increasingly used to bring Black British history to life for all ages

HE HISTORY of Black Britain cannot be told without understanding the complexity of migration, settlement, diaspora, and cultural negotiation that has shaped its trajectory. In the mid-20th century, the arrival of the Empire Windrush in 1948 and other ships that followed became a defining moment in the history of Britain. The Empire Windrush, carrying over 500 Caribbean passengers, was emblematic of a seismic shift in British society – the beginning of large-scale migration from the Caribbean to the socalled, “Mother Country.” Yet, the Windrush story does not merely represent an event in time; it is part of a wider narrative of Black British history, one deeply entwined with colonialism, resistance, and the continuous struggle for recognition and representation. Windrush: narrative and metaphor as a symbol of cultural negotiation For Black Britons, the Windrush generation’s arrival marked a critical moment in the negotiation of identity and belonging. It symbolized both hope and the harsh realities of British racial politics. As they settled into British life, Caribbean migrants brought with them rich cultural traditions, languages, and histories that were at once suppressed and transformed by their interactions with the dominant White British society. What was labelled “immigrant culture” was not foreign, but rather part of a centuries-old connection between the Caribbean and Britain – one born from the violence of colonialism and enslavement. In the context of Black British history, the stories of these mi-

grants have often been marginalised, relegated to footnotes in mainstream British narratives. The struggle to belong, coupled with the demand for recognition and justice, has been at the heart of what it means to be Black in Britain. But this story is more than about struggle; it is about creativity, resilience, and the ability to forge new identities in a society that has often refused to acknowledge Blackness as central to its own history. Reclaiming histories through puppetry In light of these challenges, how can we engage with Windrush and Black British history in a way that makes it accessible, visible, and, most importantly, human? The answer might lie in creative, socio-educational tools like puppetry, which are being increasingly used by the National Windrush Museum (NWM) to bring these histories to life for audiences of all ages. Puppetry, as a medium, possesses an unusual power: it merges playfulness with profound storytelling, offering a bridge between historical distance and emotional intimacy. Through puppetry, we can make visible the stories that have long been obscured, animating history in ways that are vivid, tactile, and deeply personal. The recent rise of communitybased puppet theatre productions – such as Josephine’s Incredible Journey, a project supported by the NWM – represents a revolutionary approach to how Black British histories can be told. By focusing on a young Black British girl named Josephine, this production takes audiences on a journey through time, using puppetry to introduce historical fig-

ACCESSIBLE: Leonie Wall getting into character with one of the puppets (photo: National Windrush Museum)

REVOLUTIONARY APPROACH: The team at Little Crowns Storyhouse who are bringing Josephine’s Incredible Journey, right, to life; l-r: Cassiopeia Berkeley-Agyepong, Chay FaradayBrowne, Leonie Wall, Alexandra King and Delvene Pitt ures often omitted from the British consciousness. Figures like the pioneering Roman emperor Septimius Severus, who hailed from North Africa, or the Caribbean activists of the Windrush era who can be brought to life on stage, breaking the invisibility that has so often defined their presence in British history. Puppetry and the politics of representation But cultural forms like puppetry are not merely vehicles for storytelling; they are part of the “politics of representation.” Who is represented, how, and to whom, are central questions in understanding the construction of identity and histories. Puppetry is a powerful response to these questions because it invites audiences to not only see but feel the weight of historical injustice, the beauty of cultural survival, and the complexity of diasporic identities. It offers a way of reimagining history from the margins, encouraging us to grapple with how stories are told and whose stories get to be told in traditional histories. According to philosopher – activists such as Fanon, Cornel West, and Bell Hooks – Black people have often been rendered invisible or cast only in narratives of victimhood. NWM is using puppetry to subvert these constraints by offering a more multifaceted portrayal of Black life. In the puppet show Josephine’s Incredible Journey, for instance, Black historical icons are presented

not as passive victims but as agents Reimagining Britishness of change – innovators, thinkers, through Blackness and artists who have reshaped Brit- So, the significance of using pupish society. The puppets become petry to tell the Windrush story exmore than characters; they are em- tends beyond just the performance. bodiments of resistance, joy, and It speaks to a broader cultural shift creativity. in how we understand Britishness Through their interactions, we itself. By bringing to the forefront are reminded that the Windrush the contributions of Black Britons, generation and their descendants from the Windrush generation to have been central to British cultural present-day, we are forced to re-exlife, despite their historical excluamine what it means to be British. sion. By doing museums differently Blackness is no longer peripheral A new pedagogy for history but central to the nation’s cultural I propose that this creative use of and historical identity. We must repuppetry as a socio-educational tool is vital in cultivating new ways member identity is never fixed; it is a process, constantly in flux, shaped of teaching history. For young audiences, particu- by history, culture, and power. In today’s Britain, the legacy of larly Black British youth, puppetry provides a platform where they can Windrush is a testament to this see themselves reflected in the nar- fluidity. The children and grandratives of the past. It disrupts the children of Windrush pioneers have linear, often Eurocentric telling of continued to contribute to the reBritish history and introduces a shaping of British culture – through more dynamic, pluralistic under- music, politics, art, and activism. standing of the nation’s cultural Puppetry, with its ability to merge makeup. Moreover, the interactivity imagination with reality, offers a of puppetry allows for what Paulo unique tool for representing this onFreire might describe as “dialogical going process of identity formation. education” – where the audience is not a passive recipient of knowl- Puppetry as cultural edge but an active participant in resistance In reclaiming the stories of Black the learning process. When children watch Josephine Britain through puppetry, we are engage with the history of Black engaging in a form of cultural reBritish icons, they, too, are invited sistance – resistance against histo engage, question, and partici- torical erasure, against monolithic pate. This shift is critical in reim- understandings of Britishness, agining how we learn about the and against the marginalization of past: history is no longer something Black identities. The beauty of puppetry is that done to us, but something we actively shape and understand. it transcends barriers; it speaks

across generations, making complex histories accessible to young and old, to those familiar with Black British history and those encountering it for the first time. The use of puppetry to tell the Windrush story and other prisms of Blackness is not simply about looking back. It is about forging a path forward – one where Black British histories are celebrated, understood, and placed at the heart of the national narrative. In this sense, puppetry is not just an artistic medium; it can be a political act, a way of reconfiguring the stories we tell about who we are as a society. And in the hands of productions like Josephine’s Incredible Journey, it offers hope that the next generation will not have to search so hard to find role models who look like them in the annals of history. In the words of Stuart Hall, cultural identity is “a matter of ‘becoming’ as well as of ‘being’,” and puppetry is an invitation to continuously reimagine and reconstruct who we are, both as individuals and as a collective. Through these creative engagements, the legacy of Windrush lives on – not just as a chapter in history, but as a living, breathing force in the shaping of Black British futures. l Dr Les Johnson is Founder

and Chairman of the National Windrush Museum

DECEMBER 2024 THE VOICE | 13

YOUNG BLACK MEN IN PRISON FINDING THEIR INNER HEROES

Report highlights transformative impact of life coaching programme for those in jail. By Vic Motune

REPORT has revealed the transformative impact of a life coaching programme tailored for young Black men in UK prisons. The Black Hero’s Journey programme, launched by the charity Spark Inside, addresses the systemic discrimination they face and helps participants build resilience, self-confidence, and a sense of purpose while challenging harmful stereotypes. The groundbreaking report, inspired by this year’s Black History Month theme of ‘reclaiming narratives’, shares powerful stories from young men who have benefited from the programme. It also highlights how this culturally sensitive approach to rehabilitation offers solutions to the racial disparities that persist in the UK criminal justice system. “Programmes like Black Hero’s Journey demonstrate the transformative power of hope, identity, and culturally affirming spaces,” said Dr Noreen Dera, the report’s author. “May the stories shared here spark a flame that drives us towards a fairer and more equitable future.” Addressing systemic inequities Young adults account for 15 per cent of the UK prison population, with Black and minority ethnic men disproportionately represented. Many young Black men describe prison as an environment rife with hostility, discrimination, and stereotyping. This systemic inequality imposes severe emotional and mental tolls, leading to struggles with selfworth which in turn heighten the risk of re-offending. The Black Hero’s Journey programme, co-designed by Black practitioners and young men with lived experience, seeks to counteract these challenges. Delivered by Black professional life coaches, it provides a safe space for participants to explore their racial and cultural

identities. The programme’s unique design fosters genuine connections and trust through shared experiences, promoting a sense of “brotherhood” among participants. A path to transformation Black Hero’s Journey involves four interactive workshops, followed by one-on-one coaching sessions. It encourages the young men to challenge negative stereotypes, develop emotional resilience, and build positive self-images. Participants said they had experienced improvements in mental and physical well-being and discovered a renewed sense of purpose. Black Hero’s Journey also underscores the importance of Black coaches in creating a space where participants feel seen, heard, and understood. Coaches model compassionate listening and curiosity, fostering reciprocal learning and respect for individual identities. Calls to action The report outlines nine calls to action aimed at challenging the prison system to reimagine its approach to rehabilitation by addressing the racialised needs of Black men while also acknowledging the structural issues that perpetuate inequality. Among them are promoting historical and cultural awareness, recognising the essential role of expert, professional, Black coaches, creating and sustaining safe spaces made for and run by Black people and providing essential support for young men as they re-integrate into society. Professor Frank Keating, a leading academic on mental health and racial justice, endorsed the findings. “This report provides sound evidence that programmes addressing the deleterious effects of racism can yield positive outcomes,” he said. “It should be read by everyone concerned with promoting racial justice for Black men in prisons.”

News

SUPPORT: Spark Inside’s programme is empowering young Black men in UK prisons (photo: Getty Images)

14 | THE VOICE DECEMBER 2024

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If you’re worried about your health, don’t delay, get the care you

inter conditions can be bad for our health, especially for our family members and friends who 65 or older, or have long-term medical conditions such as diabetes or sickle cell. Being cold can raise the risk of increased blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes. Cold damp weather can ag-

gravate any existing health problems and make us more vulnerable to respiratory winter illnesses. Dr Datawa Mujong, GP, answers how do we stay well this winter. “We all need to try to stay active and look after our physical and mental health this winter. Regular exercise can help improve your physical and mental

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or your family’s health, need this winter! tions until they are 8 weeks old, because their immune system is developing and are particularly vulnerable to serious infections in this period. But if you are vaccinated while you’re pregnant then the antibodies can be passed on to your baby, and this can help sustain them until they can have their vaccinations themselves.” Dr Oge Ilozue GP and Clinical Advisor for the NHS Vaccination Programme, answering questions about vaccinations. • Why should I have winter vaccinations? “Flu and COVID-19 spread more easily in winter when we spend more time together indoors and usually reach their peak over the festive and new year period. As winter approaches, we see many dangerous viruses circulating in our communities including flu & COVID-19, which tragically can kill thousands of people every year. Winter is a time when many people look forward to spending more time with family and friends, so it is important we reduce the risk of serious illness by encouraging our elderly or pregnant family members and those with pre-existing medical conditions who are especially at risk to get vaccinated ahead of winter.”

Dr Julie Hammond, GP and mum looks at pregnancy and family safety this winter. “My top tip is to make sure everyone in your family moves around indoors and avoids sitting for more than one hour. If you are pregnant it is important that you have your vaccinations. Pregnancy alters the way the body handles infections and it can be harder for your body to

fight off diseases, so you’re more likely to get a virus like flu, and more likely to develop serious health problems when you do get ill. We know that flu, whooping cough, RSV and COVID-19 can have severe consequences for newborns who are especially vulnerable in the early stages of life when their immune system has not fully developed. Babies cannot receive vaccina-

• Don’t these vaccines give you the virus? “No. The injected COVID-19 and flu vaccines ‘inactivated’, meaning they do not contain any of the live virus, so you ‘cannot catch the illness’ from having the vaccine. But what it does do is give you just enough to trigger your body’s own immune response or defence mechanism to produce antibodies to the vaccine. However, you might experience flu-like symptoms as a vaccinations side effect. But these are usually mild and show that your body is producing antibodies to protect itself. And remember, they take two weeks to be effective, so if you catch flu or

COVID-19 in that timeframe you may become ill. That is why we encourage people to have their vaccinations as soon as they can.” • How do I know these vaccines are safe? “These vaccines have been rigorously tested, are constantly monitored and we know that the benefits of having the vaccinations far outweigh any risk. Unprecedented scientific collaborations allowed COVID-19 vaccine research, development, trials, testing and authorisations to be completed in record time to meet the need and it is still monitored. But it’s completely understandable that people may have some concerns about whether it is safe or right for them to receive the vaccines. If you do have questions or concerns about vaccinations, I encourage you to speak to a trusted healthcare professional. This can be your GP, pharmacist, health visitor or consultant, all of whom can provide evidencebased information.” • Can I choose my vaccine? “We want to ensure that everyone receives the vaccine that is most suitable for them. While we may not be able to offer a choice, rest assured that all available vaccines are safe, effective, and have been carefully selected for different age groups and needs. For example, those under 18 may receive a different vaccine, and children under 12 will receive a smaller dose. The most important thing is that you are protected— whichever vaccine you receive will help keep you safe. The COVID-19 vaccines used by the NHS do not contain any animal products, including eggs. Some of the flu vaccines used in the UK contain egg protein and porcine (pork). You can request an injected flu vaccine for your children which does not contain pork, rather than the nasal spray. Tell the person vaccinating you the option you’d prefer, and if you have an egg allergy, they will advise you.”

HOW DO I BOOK A WINTER VACCINATION? You can book via the NHS website nhs.uk/wintervaccinations, the NHS App, or by calling 119 for free How do I find out about what vaccinations I should have when pregnant? Simply go to: nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/vaccinations/ “I encourage everyone who is eligible to get their flu and COVID-19 vaccinations as soon as possible. They are without doubt the best way to protect yourself from these viruses that can cause serious harm.”

16 | THE VOICE DECEMBER 2024

Opinion

Daniella Maison

Join the debate online voice-online.co.uk/opinion

THE DEADLY DANGERS FOR A BLACK WOMAN Evidence proves Black women are more likely to be murdered than any other group of women

BEING A Black woman is dangerous business. For starters, violence against all women is a core component of the world we live in. It is brutally pervasive, yet silently, swiftly swept under the rug. Barriers to reporting, media bias, failures by police, the justice system and other services, are stacked against an insurmountable backdrop of intersecting racial and gender discrimination. Together, they have crossbred to create the tragic reality that Black women are more likely to be murdered than women from other ethnic backgrounds. The Global 16 Days Campaign is underway, and as an international campaign to challenge violence against women and girls, it is crucial. This year’s theme is particularly sobering, because it shines a beacon on femicide. Every 11 minutes, a woman is killed in the world. Every three days, a woman is killed in the UK. Examples are widely and loosely distributed in a digital age where we are inundated with reels, headlines and stories, and possibly as a result they never seem to carry much weight. This is a major issue, because the issues disproportionately affecting Black women are greatly overlooked and grossly under-reported at the best of times. The figures reveal that Black women in London are facing a femicide crisis, but the emergency preparedness, resilience and response procedures that exist for practically every scenario aren’t being engaged. According to figures obtained by PA News from the Met Police in 2022, 43 per cent of femicide victims were Black women, despite comprising only 14 per cent of the female population. This figure rose to 62 per cent in 2023. By contrast, only four of the 21 victims in 2022 were

White. Just one of the 13 victims in 2013 were White women who make up over half (53 per cent) of London’s female population. Even the statistics are marred by racism. Exactly how many Black and racial minority women have been killed in the past decade is frankly unknown. The census sends a request to the relevant police force after a woman is killed. In the information returned to the census, the ethnicity of a victim was recorded in only a fifth of cases, and not always accurately. Here’s one thing we do know: Afrofemicide is one of the most insidious and yet least-recognised human rights abuses in the world – and it’s on the rise. The driving force for the Black femicide rates is believed to be intimate partner violence (IPV). Black female victims are three times more likely to be murdered by someone they know. Still, this is just one of many components. In almost every article I write about the issues facing Black women, stereotyping is integral. The ‘strong Black girl’ and the ‘angry Black woman’ tropes are stereotypes Black girls face from the moment we enter the school system. It is an age-old, colonialborne, race-gender bromide that prescribes and attributes expectations for Black women and contributes to our demise. The construct of the hard-bitten and well-seasoned tough-nut has served to justify the persistent neglect and disregard of Black women. The stereotype of Black women as mannish, violent and

When it comes to the media coverage of murders, why is the value of Black women’s lives so obsolete?

ALARMING: Violence against Black women is widespread and overlooked, compounded by barriers in reporting, media bias, and systemic discrimination (photo: Getty Images)

dangerous has also defined us as in need of a firm hand. As such, there is less empathy towards Black female victims of domestic violence or Afrofemicide. Because of this palpable bias, Black female victims are less likely to report their abusers to law enforcement and social services. These are dark times indeed and much of the nitty-gritty is being disregarded. There have been a disturbing number of Black women whose bodies were found in or near water, with many of these cases being deemed “non-suspicious.” Blessing Olusegun, Kayon Williams, Taiwo Balogun, and Samaria Ayanle. The troubling commonalities in these cases have gone uninvestigated. There is also a list of police failings such as in the cases of Naomi Hunte and Fiona Holm. Both Naomi and Fiona were vulnerable Black women who called on the police for protection from Carl Cooper, a man known to the Met to be a serial perpetrator of high-risk domestic abuse. In Fiona’s case, her report of a serious assault in April 2023 came when Cooper was under investigation for murdering Naomi. Both these deaths were preventable. There is overwhelming evidence to

SPEAKING OUT: Activists and athletes in Kenya carry banners and chant slogans against the murder of Black women suggest Met officers failed to respond appropriately to either of their requests for help, and that after they were killed there were serious and unexplained delays in the subsequent investigations. Naomi and Fiona were both treated with contempt by the police because they were Black women with mental health conditions and not therefore considered to be deserving of protection or help. Of the many Black women killed in 2024, from 15-year-old Tiffany Regis to 76-year-old Nelly Akomah, only one was a primetime news feature. The upshot: it’s safe to say that for every act of femicide that makes national news because of its ‘saleability’, there’s a multitude

of equally brutal incidents that barely receive coverage. Why is the value of Black women’s lives so obsolete? It doesn’t end with the media. A recent campaign by Killed Women movingly commemorated a list of victims on blue and black plaques at the site of their murders. Not one Black woman was commemorated. Black men, are you jumping up in outrage yet? Demanding change and taking action? No? Brothers, please stand up, we need you. We need male allies to enter this conversation boldly and with empathy and a readiness to unlearn any remnants of toxic masculinity. It is unfair to minimise the efforts women make to advocate

for a secure environment for ourselves, but it is also exhausting. We are constantly battling several pandemics compounded by a multitude of issues. The UN’s Right to Move campaign reminds us we are unsafe when the clocks go back. Olympic athletes Rebecca Cheptegei, Agnes Tirop and Damaris Muthee Mutua remind us we are unsafe when we ascend. Valerie Forde reminds us we are unsafe when we try to leave. Niani Finlayson reminds us we are unsafe when seeking protection. Each day, we imbibe large quantities of fear and racism that have become our norm. We transmute it deep within our nervous system and generate cortisol. Then, we endure the reports that question why Black women are more likely to suffer with a history of stress-related ailments. It is time for “deeds not words”. It’s evident we need to go beyond the legal framework to combat Afrofemicide. It will take advocacy, allyship and active participation of our wider community to create longterm solutions to curtail this harrowing reality.

WRITER, ACTIVIST AND AUTHOR DANIELLA MAISON’S NEW BOOK, THE N WORD, PUBLISHED BY AUSTIN MACAULAY, IS OUT NOW.

NOVEMBER 2024

THE VOICE | 1

18 | THE VOICE DECEMBER 2024

Dotun Adebayo

Join the debate online voice-online.co.uk/opinion

Rate him or hate him - you can’t ignore him!

EASTENDERS NEEDS A BROTHA WITH B*LLS **

Let’s face it... the soap’s Black male characters are performing to their White social identity

LL I want for Xmas is a man. A real man. A real Black man. In EastEnders. I don’t care which character gets killed off for the special yuletide edition of the show just as long as the makers of the longrunning soap promise us a Black man we can all relate to mark the show’s 40th anniversary in the new year. It’s time. Why can’t the Black male characters be more like the Black female characters? The women look more like us (apart from our beards), act more like us and have more in common with us (Denise Fox, eh? What an amazing character she is, so elegantly played by Diane Parish). Instead of all the diluted and often confused and dazed fictional representations of the brothas that the soap has continually served up for the last 40 years almost, gimme a brotha with b*lls. No scrap that. Gimme a brotha with b*llocks. That’s what EastEnders needs. I’m not blaming the actors. Of course not. Colin Salmon who plays the part of George Knight, the latest landlord at the Queen Vic, is one of this country’s finest actors — tipped once to be the new James Bond for gawd’s sake. And yet, I’m not really feeling his character as a Black man. Especially not in his relationship with his son Junior Knight (Micah Balfour). There are certain conversations that Black men do not have with their fathers/ sons and one of them is the confessional. Not least when you’re confessing to having an affair with Ian Beale’s missus. ‘’Forgive me, father, for I have sinned’ is not the kind of chit-chat we have with our dads. Or am I wrong? Going back to the beginning of EastEnders, the Black male characters have nearly always been somewhat suspect. Who remembers Kelvin Carpenter (Paul J. Medford) and his father Tony (Oscar James)? The Carpenters were the first family on the square. James, a

really good actor, complained that “the powers that be” did not consider his character interesting enough. As for Kelvin? Dear oh dear. What was that about? A Black teenager with virtually zero personality. When the Taverniers subsequently moved to the square, the Black storylines got better but not the Black male characterisation. Michelle Gayle as Hattie was amazing, and although Clyde, Celestine and Jules Tavernier were talking about the conversations that Black British men were having at the time, the characters never seemed comfortable in their own skins. As if they were reciting lines someone else had written. Not being funny, but who comes up with these Black male caricatures? And perhaps, more importantly, is there a directive that every Black male character must not be the kind of real Black man you have in your family, that you spar with on a regular and you buck up on road? And if there is, where does it come from? Who is afraid of the big Black man? Why must he always be neutered? Because they can’t have got it wrong by accident so many times. And yet time after time.... I guess EastEnders is not aimed at us. Otherwise they wouldn’t cock up the men so much. Its audience is primarily a White audience. And they have to cater to them. I get that. So you cannot have someone speaking in a full

The producers are looking for a neutered palette and we don’t do neutered. At least not well enough that our blackness doesn’t shine through

INAUTHENTIC: Kelvin Carpenter (Paul J. Medford) and his father Tony (Oscar James); below, Colin Salmon and Rudolph Walker, the longest surviving Black member of the EastEnders cast

yardie. However, you cannot go too much the other way either and having the characters be too cockney. That is the dilemma and the jeopardy of the soap for its Black actors in general. But it is particularly with the Black male characters that the producers are looking for a neutered palette and we don’t do neutered. At least not well enough that our blackness doesn’t shine through. The Black philosopher W.E.B. Du Bois described this state of the Black condition as ‘double consciousness’. It is the feeling of having more than one social identity. Which one of us Black men have not experienced that? We have one social identity for our White audience (school mates, teachers, co-workers, employers, officialdom). And another social identity when we are amongst ourselves and we can just be ourselves — as Black as we are. Herein lies the essential problem for EastEnders’ Black male characters. They are performing to their White social identity. And thus they become the inauthentic Black man. If they were allowed to perform as if they were amongst their Black community their realness would shine through. As it did on the one occasion when the soap dedicated a storyline to an all-Black cast. That was back in

2009 and the BBC received 2,000 complaints amongst the 8.37 million viewers who watched it. In my humble opinion this was the best EastEnders episode ever (certainly it was the most unforgettable) and the quality of the acting matched the quality of the writing and the realness of the characters for once. They all seemed to be relishing the fact that they could perform to their Black identity and they all raised their acting game. Having said that we used to get so much joke about some of the outrageously unreal Black men they used to feature in the soap. Who remembers Steve Elliott (Mark Monero) back in the 1990s who worked as a takeaway chef for Ian Beale? I don’t think most Black Britons even remember him as Black. He just so happened to be. He may as well have been White. Gus Smith (Mohammed George) was another character who just happened to be Black

at a time (2002) when we were looking for a real Black man to relate to. And who remembers Alan Jackson (Howard Antony) the Mr Nice Guy who was too much of a Mr Nice Guy to be a real Black guy. And then there’s Winston the market stallholder who was in the soap forever and a day with only a word or two to say for most of that time. He was the one saving grace. A Black man who seemed to genuinely be a Black man. Lucas Aaron Johnson (well portrayed by Don Gilet) was on the right track for a believable Black character until his storyline became unreal. I wasn’t convinced about Richard Blackwood’s character in the soap or Chucky Venn’s character either. Indeed they have both gone on to other soaps in which they are more Black than they were in EastEnders which shows that they can do it if they are allowed to. Of course the legend that is Rudolph Walker

(Patrick Trueman) is the longest surviving Black member of the EastEnders cast, long outlasting his two sons, the somewhat implausible Dr Anthony Trueman and his brother Paul, who was more cockney than ‘Black’. Rudolph Walker is sometimes the only real Black man on EastEnders. If the producers would take the shackles off the other Black men (as they seem to have done with Rudolph) and let them do what they do best (being Black men) rather than competing with the cockneys on being cockney, they would be worth watching. Like Smiley Culture in his hit tune Cockney Translation. If EastEnders Black men could do what he does in balancing Black and cockney without losing their Blackness, the soap would be amazing. Merry Xmas. ** B*llocks! l Dotun Adebayo, Britain’s

most celebrated Black broadcaster, is known as the King of the Nighttime Airwaves. All views here are his own. Listen to him overnight on BBC 5 Live from 1-5am Saturday mornings - Monday mornings & 1am 4am on BBC Radio London (Wednesday to Friday mornings). Follow him on X: @radiodotun

NOVEMBER 2024

THE VOICE | 19

20 | THE VOICE DECEMBER 2024

Dr Paul Stephenson 1937-2024

A LIFE OF PURPOSE, COURAGE, AND LEGACY

The Voice pays tribute to Dr Paul Stephenson, a pioneer of the British civil rights movement who led the 1963 Bristol Bus Boycott

HEN THE news of Dr Paul Stephenson’s passing at the age of 87 broke, it was met with immense sadness in communities across the UK and beyond. For many, his death was not just the loss of a beloved elder statesman of the British civil rights movement, but the end of an era — an era defined by an unyielding fight for racial equality and justice. Dr Stephenson’s life was a remarkable tapestry of activism, courage, and an unwavering commitment to the ideals of fairness and inclusion. Born the son of an African father and mixed-race British mother, his heritage imbued him with a profound sense of responsibility to challenge racial injustices that he witnessed firsthand. Arriving in Bristol in 1962, he took on a role as the city’s first Black social worker. However, he immediately encountered systems riddled with exclusion and prejudice. But his response was not to shrink from these challenges. Instead he confronted them head-on. What followed was a career — and a life — that redefined what it meant to fight for civil rights in Britain. The Bristol Bus Boycott: a landmark in British history Dr Stephenson’s pivotal role in the 1963 Bristol Bus Boycott catapulted him into national prominence. Alongside a group of determined activists, he orchestrated a 60-day boycott

CONTROVERSY: The 1963 Bristol Bus Boycott created national headlines at the time against the Bristol Omnibus Company, which had refused to hire Black or Asian drivers. This historic protest, inspired by the American civil rights movement, became a turning point for race relations in the UK. The boycott’s success was monumental: it forced the company to lift its discriminatory hiring policies and laid the groundwork for the introduction of the UK’s first Race Relations Act in 1965. This act was a significant step forward in creating a legal framework to protect Black and Asian Britons from racial discrimination. Reflecting on his father’s legacy, Paul Stephenson Jr said: “Dad’s unwavering commitment to improving the lives and experiences of people in our community was truly infectious. His tireless work and activism touched the lives of so many, both locally and on a broader national and global scale.” A legacy of action His activism extended far beyond the boycott. He took bold stances against discrimination wherever he encountered it. In one notable incident, he refused to leave a pub in Bristol that denied him service because of his race. His subsequent arrest and victory in a defamation case

against the establishment highlighted his willingness to use legal means to challenge prejudice. Dr Stephenson’s accomplishments earned him numerous honours, including being made an OBE in 2009 for services to equal opportunities and community relations. A train was named in his honour in 2020, a testament to his enduring impact on civil rights in the UK. In addition to his domestic achievements, the campaigner’s influence reached wider audiences. He collaborated with prominent figures like former Labour cabinet minister Tony Benn and boxing legend Muhammad Ali, engaging in initiatives that empowered young people and addressed systemic inequities. In 2009, he spoke at the Rosa Parks Museum in Alabama, where his work was presented as a model of civil rights activism in the UK. Historian and writer Dr Edson Burton aptly described him as a “pioneering figure up and down the country” who believed “the values we hold should be upheld, that they were things worth fighting for and more”. A beacon of hope and inspiration Dr Stephenson’s contributions were celebrated by people from

all walks of life following the news of his passing and the tributes underscored the profound impact of his work. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called him an “inspiring civil rights campaigner” whose efforts “changed not just Bristol but part of our own history.” Julz Davis, a campaigner for racial equality, shared how deeply Dr. Stephenson’s principles continue to resonate. “Whenever I’m challenged or looking for a piece of wisdom, I will always ask myself the question — what would Paul do?” Davis said. “We were so

that needs to be told much more widely.” For Marvin Rees, the former mayor of Bristol, Dr Stephenson’s life was nothing short of extraordinary. “Paul lived an incredible life,” Rees said. “Most famously, Paul will be known for the leadership of the Bristol Bus Boycott. Less well known, but incredibly significant, is that it turned into legislation to protect people from racial discrimination.”

PREMIERE: Dr Paul Stephenson and Joyce Stephenson attend the European screening of Selma in 2015 (photo: Getty Images)

blessed as a city, as a country, that he took on the role that he did.” Roger Griffith, a lecturer at the University of the West of England, remembered him as a “champion” whose story “was missing from the page of our school books.”

He called for Dr Stephenson’s contributions to be recognised in curriculums nationwide, a sentiment echoed by Professor Shaun Sobers, who declared the Bristol Bus Boycott “a really important part of British history

A life of warmth and wisdom Beyond his activism, Dr Stephenson was a man of great warmth, intellect, and humour. His family remember him not just as a trailblazer but as a father who valued moments of deep connection. “He cherished long conversations, in particular over a nice glass of white wine, where his

DECEMBER 2024 THE VOICE | 21

News Feature WHY DR PAUL STEPHENSON’S LEGACY SHOULD SERVE AS A CALL TO ACTION Here, Steve Stephenson MBE, veteran community and human rights activist pays tribute to his former colleague and namesake

When I reflect on my career in race equality and community work, I am always drawn to the immense debt we owe to Dr Paul Stephenson. Alongside Guy Bailey and other activists, Paul spearheaded the Bristol Bus Boycott of 1963, which changed the course of history and laid the foundation for subsequent legislation that tackled racial discrimination. Paul’s courage and persistence were pivotal, leading not only to legal changes but also empowering the Black community. His legacy serves as a call to action for people like me, working tirelessly to ensure his vision of equality becomes a reality. He inspired young people In 1981, amidst the unrest sweeping Britain, I had the privilege of welcoming Paul to the Starlight Youth Club in Luton, where I was the leader. The tensions were palpable, but Paul’s presence had an immediate calming effect. When I shared my plans to organise cricket and football matches between the community

MUCH MISSED: Dr Paul Stephenson

warmth, wisdom, and passion for meaningful change always shone through,” his children said in a statement. Dr Stephenson’s humility and humanity left a lasting impression on many of those who met him. Mayur Bhatt, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion lead at the Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership, recalled him as “a truly humble man that put the dignity of people first before any self-gain”. Retired athlete Vernon Samuels, whose father was the first Black bus driver in Bristol, poignantly noted: “These were ordinary people doing extraordinary things to have civil rights.” Carrying the torch Dr Stephenson’s legacy is not only preserved in the history books but also in the lives he touched and the movements he inspired. His influence reverberates in

classrooms, policy discussions, and acts of resistance against inequality. A tribute from St Katherine’s School in north Somerset, which named a house in his honour, captures the essence of his life’s work: “His relentless pursuit of justice helped pave the way for racial equality and set powerful precedents that reverberate to this day. Throughout his life, Dr Stephenson inspired generations to fight for a society free from discrimination.” It went on: “Many staff and students at St Katherine’s were fortunate enough to meet Paul Stephenson when he visited our school on October 25, 2018, shortly after we established Stephenson House. It was a powerful and moving occasion as Paul talked to students and encouraged them ‘to use their brains’ in the fight for equality and said he was ‘overwhelmed’ to have a St

and police, Paul didn’t just endorse the idea — he elevated it. Through his Muhammad Ali Sports Foundation, he provided us with a set of football kits, which we proudly wore in our victorious match against Bedfordshire Police. But he didn’t stop there. His stories about his fight against apartheid electrified the room. Inspired by his words, our young members began sending letters and care packages to Robben Island, supporting Nelson Mandela and other imprisoned activists. It was a transformative moment; Paul had empowered us to feel like we could contribute to a global fight for justice.

Legislation: A shield for the Black community His work was not just symbolic; it had tangible impacts. As a Principal Race Equality Officer, I saw firsthand how the legislation he fought for became a lifeline for our community. Using the Race Relations Act 1976 and later amendments, I helped individuals challenge discrimination and win justice in tribunals. These laws addressed direct and indirect discrimination, victimisation, and harassment, giving us tools to hold institutions accountable. In 2000, the introduction of legal duties for public bodies to promote race equality took our fight a step further. This wasn’t just about addressing wrongs

PRESENCE: A local newspaper report, from Steve Stephenson’s collection, about Paul Stephenson’s visit to the Starlight Youth Club in Luton. Steve Stephenson is on the far right (photo: Steve Stephenson)

Katherine’s House named in his honour. His legacy remains a beacon of hope and a reminder that change is possible when people stand up against injustice. He will forever remain etched on the minds of all at St Katherine’s.” Dr. Stephenson’s passing is a loss not just for his family but for the nation and the world. Yet, his spirit endures, a reminder that change is possible when people stand together against injustice. As his family aptly put it: “His impact will continue to live on.” For those who knew and admired him, Dr Paul Stephenson CELEBRATION: Dr Paul was more than a campaigner; he Stephen son (centre, back row) was a symbol of hope, a source of with fellow campaigners Guy wisdom, and a beacon of courage. Bailey OBE and Roy Hackett His life was a testament to the power of resilience, the importance (also back row) at the unveiling of a plaque to commemorate of justice, and the enduring strength of community. the Bristol Bus Boycott He was, and always will be, a true pioneer.

— it was about changing systems. It was Paul’s activism that ensured these laws existed, empowering people like me to advocate effectively for our community. Building opportunity Paul’s influence extended beyond laws; he inspired systemic change. After the uprisings of the 1980s, I worked to increase Black representation in local government, using the Race Relations Act to recruit more Black staff. Advertisements in The Voice brought in talented candidates, while positive action initiatives offered training that prepared many for lasting careers.These efforts weren’t always welcomed by HR departments, but I stood firm, knowing this was one way to address generations of disadvantage. Paul’s example of bold leadership reminded me that progress was worth the resistance. A lasting legacy His impact on my work and the wider community is immeasurable. Whether lecturing on race equality, training community groups, or reconnecting with Paul in Bristol years later, I always felt his presence as a guiding force. He was a storyteller, an activist, and above all, a man deeply committed to justice. I will never forget his account of the historic sit-in at the Bay Horse Pub, a testament to his unyielding resolve. Even when I faced setbacks — losing my job after standing up for a Black woman in a tribunal — I drew strength from Paul’s legacy. His example reminds us that the fight for equality is never easy, but it is always necessary. Dr Paul Stephenson was more than a campaigner; he was a transformative figure who inspired generations to believe in and work toward a fairer world. It was a privilege to know him and to carry forward his vision.

22 | THE VOICE DECEMBER 2024

Special Feature

ADVERTORIAL

Be the change you want to see: Fe

Femi planting potatoes in his garden, 2024

he art of storytelling has always been a passion for Femi Adebowale. He remembers watching E.T. as a child and being inspired by the film’s director Steven Spielberg. And as Femi got older, filmmakers like Spike Lee and Quentin Tarantino had an influence too, among others. “I was very creative playing with my toys as a kid. I would have ongoing stories or scenarios with my Transformers toys or my Pokémon toys, and as I grew into a teenager and started discovering different types of films, I really got enamoured with that concept of boiling down something into an hour or two and all the different ways you could tell a story through characters, through actions. And from there definitely as a teenager was really where I said, ‘OK, I want to make films’.” And he did just that. Femi now works as a freelance filmmaker in London and has created films including ones focused on Black identity. But the journey to where he is now has not been an easy one. As Femi grew into his teens, he started experiencing severe stomach pain and was losing weight.

ANSWERS Femi says when doctors were trying to figure out what was going on they assumed he just didn’t like school and that was causing an anxious stomach. Luckily Femi’s mother knew something was definitely not right and she pushed doctors to continue looking for answers.

Eventually, after two years of the health issues, Femi was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease at age 16. Crohn’s Disease is a type of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) where parts of the gut become swollen, inflamed and ulcerated. The condition affects over 200,000 people in the UK and many of them have symptoms for a long time before they are diagnosed.

SYMPTOMS Symptoms can include pain in the stomach, diarrhoea, weight loss and tiredness that won’t go away even with rest. It’s one of the two main forms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, the other is Colitis which causes swelling and ulcers in the large intestine (colon and rectum). Femi recalls feeling quite isolated as a teen. “When we were all going through puberty, a lot of my guy friends - even the ones who were shorter than me - were now taller than me. They were filling out and I was just losing weight, so I remember being really insecure and also quite upset because everyone else was going through this really cool thing where they were getting manlier bodies and I was just staying the same, if not getting even smaller.” After his diagnosis, he started treatment. This included steroids over the course of two years. He also had surgery to have a stoma fitted, which he was able to get reversed once he was stable. At one point, his small intestine and appendix ruptured and he ended up in intensive care being fed

Femi outside their home in 2022

through a tube also known as a hickman line. “It was a heartbreaking time because I thought I was going to be in remission and that the battle would be over, and then I ended up (spending) half the year in and out of hospital.”

RECOVER

Femi presenting one of his films at the charity Young Minds in 2024.

Femi managed to get through it and had strong support from his mum and friends. Once out of hospital for good, he slowly started to recover, gain weight and was able to engage more socially. He now takes immunosuppressants and is in remission. He still gets tired and has to be mindful of making sure he doesn’t go too long without being near a toilet, but he is managing. There are still other challenges though in his Crohn’s journey. Such as finding a connection in his culture to dealing with Crohn’s, especially around food

DECEMBER 2024

THE VOICE | 23

Special Feature

ADVERTORIAL

mi’s Journey with Crohn’s Disease

Femi on the set of one of his films called Black Queer Futures in 2022

and what he can or cannot eat. Although there’s no single diet that works for everyone with Crohn’s or Colitis, some people find that what they eat can affect their symptoms at times. “I’m Nigerian and we eat quite seasoned and sometimes spicy foods. I was trying to find someone who could relate to me in the fact that I ultimately am probably more likely to have to give up more of what I enjoyed than a lot of English people, just by the extent of how we prepare our food.” Femi adds that in his culture people often don’t express how they are really feeling. It meant he was hesitant at first to express what it was like living with Crohn’s. He says that is why it’s important to have more diverse role models for IBD and other disabilities. And he has now become the change he wanted to see. He

“Femi wants to continue getting those messages across in the hope of changing hearts and minds” is involved with charity work, including with Crohn’s & Colitis UK which offers support and resources for people living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Femi helps raise awareness by speaking up about Crohn’s. He hopes it inspires others to get through it and know that they are not alone. And although things are

looking up for Femi, he also has concerns about the discrimination he has faced along the way. He recalls one doctor who started making jokes about whether he smoked weed when discussing his Crohn’s concerns. He had no idea how to react, as he was just a teenager at the time. The filmmaker says now that he’s older, he realises talking about intersectionality is crucial especially when talking about a disability. And that people’s disabilities can be perceived differently based on their gender, their sexuality or their race. “I don’t think you can have a conversation about disability without talking about everything else. I don’t think you can talk about race and not talk about disability, or talk about sexuality and not talk about gender. I think they all need to be spoken about together. And that’s why I’m so passionate about it, because the

worst case scenario of this is that a patient could die because of a doctor’s ignorance and beliefs. Everyone deserves to be believed and listened to and their pain to be taken seriously, no matter race, gender, sexuality,” he says.

EYE-OPENER Femi wants to continue getting those messages across through his storytelling in the hope of changing hearts and minds. He offers the example of the American TV series Pose which looked at the LGBTQ Black and Latinx communities and the underground world of the 1980’s and 90’s ballroom culture, also set at the height of the AIDS epidemic. Femi says he and his mother watched the series together and it was an eye-opener for her. “Mum’s really learnt a lot and educated herself about a group

that she hasn’t really had much exposure to. And that I think really pointed out the beauty in that art. And what it’s doing for those people who watch it and who don’t know much about it and that’s how I want people to think, to think about the potential of art in general.” Femi adds that he hopes to create a TV show about a Black person living with Crohn’s Disease. “He says sometimes film or TV can speak volumes about how someone is feeling.”

You can see more about Femi and his story by using this QR code listed above

Supporting

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CL Culture British Black communities’ ever-changing globalised has part- are able to invest is created as a reminder, in, influworld, to understand nered with ence and shape dis- and perhaps as equal another parities whilst strengthenthe Black Brit- stakeholders.” timely starting point” ing commonalities – ain and BelookThe theme and title yond ‘virtual’ symposium ing backwards (Africa) of the symposium, on ‘Being and Belonging’ and sideways (Caribbean TRAILBLA ‘BeZER: ing and Belonging’, The organisers of to be hosted on 24 & USA), and to continue is the the from the EnglandBen Odeje, pictured Octogolden main and ber 2020. The symposi- symposium are UCL Culthread set up after moving forward and which above, was being hailed be- weaves ture’s Revd Professor um’s ethos is to provide dropped together yond. Keith as man of the a Magee, the match world-renowned plenary wider understanding a senior fellow in and By Rodney speakers, performances, relevance to the meaning culture & justice and globHinds and the moderated al social justice scholar, “Black Britishness”, to best and panel take many expect sessions featuring stock of its achievements public intellectual and RSENAL central to interhim to be STARLET an Arsenal visiting professor of generational the European and challenges. The kayo Saka Bu- so doing, resurgenc leading sosyme. In it Champion has regularly Saka became experts. posium will inspire partic- cial justice at Newcaswould be ships that shown his Participants est player the youngthe making ability on ing reception. in Premier will have the opporI have seen ipants, provoke thought, tle University; Ms Sheryl of him, and field of play, the to both League history The youngster nothing score displaying but lost he Nwosu, for and assist tunity to celebrate this season is now a public speakchange my and catalyse progress, words as his mental was to in a north to letters he saw a mind. have to receive resilience toughness er, senior barrister blackness and being of support wall of creating a forum that and . “The ovation at hurtful messages the hateful from fans ini- a returned given to Saka The 20-year-ol and leading Black in Britain now tiates and facilitates defence that me, after 87 training to Arsenal’s Londonwhen he and Jadon d, who was con- barristers of three Marcus and beyond these have Colney versations across ground 25 players one Bedford received. after his internation Black Row, subjected “I knew instantly line racist exertions times, to identify and and an advocate communities locally, during the abuse following to onal that the kind of re- on summer. ability to score I was about articulate their shared issues of race at the their inhate gionally, nationally to receive in England’s and Bar; is a sad shootout Secretary Lonnie Bunch. and that and disparate chaland Mr Andy Mundypenalty reality that internationally. defeat your powerful platforms has bounced to Italy at Euro 2020, “This symposium makes Castle, a documentary lenges, and to determine “Oh my are not doing a gosh,” was stop these major contribution by touted to play back in style and enough to future-facing strategies filmmaker, producer action before his initial messages illuis London and in minating re. derby – a Gunners returna massive role as “There is he started a setting designed how expanding through the record the held by no place “We believe that change director, Managing Directo ulreading hate messages for racism Cesc Fabregas previously minutes our knowledge about Saka, who to former glories. timately strengthen of any kind of support. “How do or this starts with a conversation tor of DocHearts Films. Black Co-organiser Sheryl scored and . Now former for his I even say area of society.” in football or in community will helpan assist personal and professional During UK Black History provided Spurs and this? Can thank you London derby exploits in the north any as his all Nwosu said: “We’re and through the amplifi star turned I just pick Stoke City here, networks. see that the histories vals Tottenham team beat arch - Month, October it all up and for pundit, Garth it home?” know about said all you needed and 2019, the we’re embedded ri- said of cation of the voices take he added. to Crooks, here, his performan less three began experiences of black London derby, in the recent north Saka after Mature beyond to collaboBritthrough history, culture, heard’, said Simon After his ce.” standout play looks his Cane, rate on convening against the Euro trauma, ons are both the story back to dis- been his years, prodigy was of a his after and contribution; arch rivals: Executive Director, Black there has nothing but the keen for buildUCL his penalty people and a nation.” “I said suffer the others not ing and solidifying institu- “There are few things as Culture. “This is a critical Britons to engage in and miss in the On the openingsupport for Saka. abuse he final of critically assess the signifhad received. to important and as day of the He tions, and the very conversation about son, Brentford nec- For continuing fabric essary sea- forms said: “To the social the icance of their fans gave informamedia platunique culof a society that we as the need to future that we want to @instagra him a rouscan better cre- ture, heritage tion about speakers, m @twitter book I don’t and identity. sometimes forget understand the ate, a future where @facewant any Black The goal became that history, performers, sponsors child or adult we have, should we the impact and lives are valued as to galmuch vanise Black want the and registration please Contemporary chalBritons, to it, the ultimate stake as any other, a future in, i.e. that acclaim their visit the events website space in the its future. This symposium lenges faced by black at www.blackbritainbe Britons,’, said Smithsonian yond.org.uk.

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‘For the first time in my life, everything was silent’

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A memory: reggae pioneer Sutara Gayle AKA Lorna Gee hears her radio debut from Holloway Prison. Another: the Brixton uprising, sparked by the police shooting of her sister. Now: a silent retreat, seeking spiritual guidance from her brother Mooji and Nanny of the Maroons. A raucous, transcendent night out full of high-octane musical numbers, The Legends of Them offers a roof-raising mixtape of Sutara Gayle’s extraordinary life – and the legends that have guided her. Coming to the Royal Court Theatre after a critically-acclaimed, sell-out Brixton debut, Hackney Showroom’s unmissable The Legends of Them is written and performed by award-winning actor and reggae star Sutara Gayle AKA Lorna Gee, directed by Jo McInnes. HHHHH ‘This play deserves a huge stage and an even larger audience’ (Afridiziak) HHHHH ‘Raw heartbreaking honesty’ (Theatre News) HHHH ‘Breathtaking solo musical chronicle of Sutara Gayle’s extraordinary life’ (The Stage) HHHH ‘Ever-evolving... original, unique and entertaining’ (Everything Theatre) HHHH ‘A lyrical mastermind...laugh out loud lyrics’ (All That Dazzles)

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Midlands News

POWERFUL NEW FILM SHOWS IMPACT OF FOSTER CARE A

S THE festive season draws in and thoughts move towards home and family, several Midlands councils and children’s trusts have rejoined scores of peer organisations to launch Everything — the latest film collaboration to address the need to find foster homes for the increasing number of children in care. The film was developed with the input of foster carers and people with care experience and project managed by public sector media partner CAN and Rachel Brown. “Many people don’t realise how common it is for relationships made through fostering to last well beyond the ‘official’ caring role” they said. “This has a huge impact on the lives of those who have been fostered, giving them stability and security well into adulthood. We also wanted to reflect how the children of foster carers make a difference to children when they come into care, helping them to feel part of the family.” Everything follows foster carer

Councils and children’s trusts collaborate on Everything in a bid to encourage more people to become foster carers Mike and his family on a journey through time with two of the children they have looked after, who are now adults. A surprise 60th birthday party for Mike gives Will and Zara a chance to reflect on how being fostered made a difference to their lives, thanking him for everything. MESSAGE Thanks to footage shot on a genuine old camcorder, we are taken to the 1990s, to see how Will settles into the family. We also jump back to the 2010s, when a young Zara is being taught to play the guitar by Mike, something that comes full circle when she performs a song at the party. Mike’s son Chris is involved throughout, showing the important role the children of foster carers play. The concluding

message of the film is that what you do with your life could forever change someone else’s — encouraging people to foster in order to make that change. The film is a collaboration between over 100 peer organisations including Birmingham Children’s Trust, councils in Coventry, Dudley, Derby City, Derbyshire, Gloucestershire, Leicester, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire, Walsall and Wolverhampton as well as Sandwell Children’s Trust (SCT). Linda Sanders, SCT’s Interim Chair, added: “The Everything project has given our fostering service an amazing film that shows the long-term impact fostering can have, with relationships between carers and children lasting well into

adulthood. All councils and children’s trusts need to recruit more foster carers, and by collaborating to produce this emotionally powerful film, we will show people how rewarding and life-changing fostering is. “The message is the same for all of us — we need more people to step forward and become foster carers. Everything will help us to reach more people in our communities and encourage them to find out more about this really rewarding role. We want to give vulnerable children and young people we care for the best chance to thrive, which for the vast majority of them is with local foster families.” Official figures illustrate the issue. There are currently over 83,000 children living in care in England, a rise of 10,000 over the last two years, with an increasing number being teenagers. Close to 57,000 live with 43,000 foster families (a fall from 56,000 families in 2022), with the remainder in children’s homes and other types of supporting accommodation. While reliable statistics on the number of African-Caribbean

and mixed heritage children and young people currently in need of foster care are in short supply, 2021’s The Black Care Experience Report indicated a continuing trend: their overrepresentation in the system with the overall lack of foster carers exacerbated by the availability of those of similar cultural heritage. Brown added: “Having over 100 councils taking part in the project, the film will reach a very wide audience, encouraging people to find out more and take the steps towards becoming a foster carer. Fostering with your

The message is the same for all of us – we need more people to step forward and become foster parents – Linda Sanders, Sandwell Children’s Trust Interim Chair

local council or children’s trust means you can better support local children and young people who need a safe and nurturing home where they can grow and thrive.” Everything follows previous film projects to aid foster care recruitment. Two years ago, a similar collective of regional authorities collaborated on Childhood — another film which looked at the impact of neglect, seen through the eyes of two siblings moving from a challenging home environment and into foster care while rebuilding their young lives. Sarah Thomas, chief executive of the Fostering Network, said: “The Fostering Network has been proud to support the collaborative film projects since Giants in 2017. “It’s great to see local authority fostering services pooling resources to produce another amazing film. Everything will help to amplify their message about the chronic shortage of fostering households, encouraging more people to come forward and foster.”

DECEMBER 2024 THE VOICE | 25

If you have a story for the East or West Midlands, call /text Veron Graham on 07954 572 988, email veronpgraham@gmail.com, or find him on Facebook, LinkedIn and X

By Veron Graham

HISTORIC SUMMIT’S PLEDGE TO MAKE CITY ANTI-RACIST City and regional leaders give full backing to Birmingham Race Impact Group’s campaign A CITY campaign collective is gearing up to take the next steps in its “pledge to create an antiracist Birmingham and West Midlands,” following its recent summit which was supported by a broad spectrum of statutory and community organisations. The Biannual Summit, put on by BRIG (Birmingham Race Impact Group), entitled ‘What’s Changed?’, was attended by representatives from Birmingham City Council, Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board, Birmingham City University and the WM Independent Race Equality Taskforce. Also present were West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker and the region’s Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster. PLEDGE The summit, which featured a tribute to the late Birmingham poet Benjamin Zephaniah, also saw city and regional leaders sign a historic pledge to support BRIG’s mission while exploring supportive regional activity such as that the region’s Combined Authority’s Independent Race Equality Taskforce Local. BRIG Secretary Jagwant Johal said: “We rarely witness a historical moment of alignment from our city, regional, civic, public, education, private, faith, cultural, community and

SOLIDARITY: West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker; right, Patrick Vernon OBE signs the pledge (photos: Ryley Morton) voluntary sector leaders. We will be calling those key agency leaders back together in the first week of December to form a Birmingham Anti-Racist Roundtable, which will be aided by community with the aim to meet annually to assess progress towards the City Vision to become global leading antiracist city by 2035. “We will also be asking those that signed to make a statement why they did so straightaway also what they will contribute towards the pledge during Race Equality Week (February 3-9 2025).” BRIG emerged in the

aftermath of the murder of George Floyd following a recognition by local veteran campaigners that little had changed since their political activism in the 1980s. The collective came together with a vision to make Birmingham an anti-racist city with three core objectives: to keep race on the agenda, hold institutions to account, and pass the baton to future generations. BRIG Chair Ranjit Sondhi added: “Bringing city and regional leaders together to tackle racism pro-actively must be a game-changer. It can’t be left to stagnate policies and

procedure, which essentially have become non-racist in continuing to managing the inequality that exists. INEQUALITIES “We have worked tirelessly for decades to get the city, region, and its institutions on the same page in tackling racial inequalities seriously. Inaction is literally killing Black, Asian and racialised communities at least 10 years earlier than the city’s White communities. The response from the system for decades has been ‘it takes time.’ Frankly we haven’t got it. To do

this justice we will need to do more than just signing a pledge, though it is a start for collective action. To be truly anti-racist you need to understand how racism operates. Covid exposed how racism operates structurally and culturally in racist society in killing many more people of colour both on service and community frontlines.” Patrick Vernon OBE, Chair at NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board, said: “I’m proud to be able to commit NHS Birmingham and Solihull and our integrated care system to working collectively to create an anti-racist Birmingham and West

Midlands. I, like many others, have been fighting for the value of a diverse, inclusive, tolerant and equal society for years. “Inequalities in access, experience and outcomes including shocking maternal and infant mortality rates have long been known about and Black, Asian and minority ethnic NHS staff have long endured higher prevalence of bullying and harassment cases, higher prevalence of disciplinaries, lower pay and lack of promotion opportunities. We must tackle this and I hope we can all build on the commitment made today to do that.”

Exhibition challenges outdated perceptions of Black culture THE University of Wolverhampton is looking back with fondness on its alternative take on celebrating Black History Month: through an arts exhibition that honoured and highlighted stories of 19 African and Caribbean communities across the country. The display, named A Welcoming Table, was inspired by this year’s theme of Reclaiming Narratives and curated by Aurea Reis, an award-winning author and TEDx speaker originally from Angola, and photographer Darren Watley. The project used storytelling and visual arts to amplify

overlooked voices, challenge stereotypes, and break down barriers to “inspire a ripple effect of positive change within Black communities.” Another feature of the exhibition was the inclusion of cultural fashion, courtesy of the local African Fashion Shop in Wolverhampton, from which owners Zeal Obryan and wife Nora provided an assortment of accessories. The fashion, combined with the storytelling, serves to challenge outdated perceptions about Black culture, demonstrating that African attire and hairstyles can

be professional, stylish and proud expressions of heritage. Aurea, who has been living in Wolverhampton for 16 years, said: “This year we decided to create our own exhibition and invite like-minded individuals who are building themselves from scratch, inspiring the next generation and implementing positive narratives within the Black community.” The exhibition also included a performance from author/poet Jannette Barrett who read one of her poems, alongside contributions of each participant detailing their individual journeys.

CURATORS: Author Aurea Reis and photographer Darren Watley

26 | THE VOICE DECEMBER 2024

News

THE RETURN: The Shield of Magdala, was looted by British forces during the 1868 Expedition to Abyssinia (Ethiopia) (photo: Alula Pankhurst)

ETHIOPIAN SHIELD LOOTED BY TROOPS RETURNS HOME A STOLEN ancient Ethiopian shield has finally returned back to its homeland after more than 150 years. His Imperial Highness Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie Haile-Selassie – grandson of Emperor HaileSelassie I – successfully negotiated the repatriation of a 19th century ornamented shield stolen by British troops following the Battle of Magdala in 1868. The shield then disappeared into a private collection and was put up for sale by a UK auction house in February this year, but it was withdrawn after public outcry and pressure from the Ethiopian government. Prince Ermias established the Royal Ethiopian Trust (RET) – a non-profit organisation – to preserve and promote the cultural, educational, and economic well-

The shield was purchased from a British auction house by the grandson of Emperor Haile Selassie I. By Sinai Fleary

being of all Ethiopian people and said the shield is an important part of Ethiopia’s rich history. Under the Prince’s direction, the RET took proactive steps to negotiate the shield’s return to Ethiopia, in keeping with the organisation’s mission to protect and celebrate the nation’s cultural treasures. “This shield is not just a historical artefact; it is a symbol of Ethiopia’s history and resilience,” Prince Ermias said. “Our efforts and success in regaining this treasure is a testament to our commitment to preserve

HOME: The Shield will be permanently housed in the National Museum of Ethiopia (photo: Alula Pankhurst)

our heritage and honour our ancestors who fought for our nation’s sovereignty.” The Battle of Magdala, fought in 1868, was a significant event in Ethiopian and British history. Following the capture of Magdala – the mountain fortress of Emperor Tewodros II – British forces looted hundreds of artefacts, including the Emperor’s crown, ceremonial crosses, chalices and weapons. Emperor Tewodros II reigned as Emperor between 1818 and 1868. To secure the return of the shield, the RET collaborated with Alula Pankhurst, a renowned British scholar with an expertise in Ethiopian history. He is also the grandson of Sylvia Pankhurst, an English activist who became devoted to Ethiopia following its invasion by Italy in 1936. Pankhurst previously told The Voice: “An exceptionally beautiful shield with the date of the Battle and Magdala inscribed on it proving its looted provenance beyond any doubt. A noteworthy case of a noble restitution gesture by the

RESCUE: His Imperial Highness Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie HaileSelassie stands with the Magdala Shield which has been repatriated to Ethiopia (photo: Royal Ethiopian Trust)

Royal Ethiopian Trust. It has been an honour to work with Prince Ermias and the Royal Ethiopian Trust to return this significant piece of history to its people,” Pankhurst added. “Our families have long been dedicated to safeguarding Ethiopia’s heritage, and ensuring that this shield returns to the Ethiopian people is a proud continuation of that legacy.”

negotiations with the UK-based Anderson & Garland auction house. Anderson & Garland had put a 19th century Abyssinian shield up for auction on its website saying it was expected to sell for between £800 and £1,200. The auction was scheduled to take place on February 29 earlier this year, but the auction house confirmed to The Voice the item had been withdrawn. Campaigners had branded the sale as “unethical” and demanded the historic item be removed. Pankhurst previously told The Voice he believes the shield could belong to Emperor Tewodros II. He said: “Experts have also looked and confirmed that it is indeed a Maqdala item and because it is such a high quality shield – very beautifully produced – if it was not owned by Emperor Tewodros himself, it would be by someone very close to him.” He added: “When items have The Magdala Shield will now be clearly been looted, and in this case housed in the National Museum of there is no doubt because whoever Ethiopia, where it will be on owned the shield had it embossed display for the Ethiopian people with the words Magdala 13th April and visitors from around the 1868, so there is absolutely no world. doubt about it.” The shield, one of numerous Before it returned to Ethiopia, artefacts seized by British troops the shield was on display at the following the battle of Magdala Toledo Museum of Art in Ohio in in 1868, holds immense cultural the United States during the value, and was acquired through Ethiopia at a Crossroads exhibit.

DECEMBER 2024 THE VOICE | 27

News

MANAGING DIABETES OVER THE FESTIVE SEASON Christmas can be a challenge for those living with the condition. By Vic Motune

S CHRISTMAS approaches, many families look forward to joyful gatherings, laden tables, and festive cheer. But for those living with diabetes, especially within Black and minority communities, the season can also bring unique challenges. From tempting high-sugar treats to traditional calorie-rich dishes, managing diabetes during the holidays requires thoughtful preparation. According to the NHS, over 3.2 million people in England have type 2 diabetes, with people of Black heritage at greater risk of developing the condition and at a younger age. The festive season amplifies the difficulty involved in managing blood sugar levels, but experts stress that a balanced approach can allow people to enjoy the celebrations while safeguarding their health. “It always feels motivating to take control of your health instead of just accepting a diagnosis,” said Sam Seidu, Professor in Primary Care Diabetes and Cardio-Metabolic Medicine, in an interview with The Voice in March last year. “In the Black community, where

TEMPTATIONS: Type 2 diabetes risk is significantly higher in Black communities

diabetes prevalence is higher and affects us at younger ages, adopting healthier lifestyle changes is essential. Simple steps like improving your diet, exercising, and managing your weight can help avoid serious complications like vision loss, kidney failure, and strokes.” Recognising that the festive season doesn’t have to derail these efforts, the charity InDependent Diabetes Trust (IDDT) has stepped in with timely support. ADVICE It has published a free booklet, Diabetes at Christmas, designed to help families navigate the festive period. The booklet includes practical advice, recipes for healthier options like lower-calorie Christmas pudding, and tips on managing unpredictable mealtimes. It also offers advice on balancing the enjoyment of the season with diabetes management. “We understand how difficult this time can be, especially for those newly diagnosed with diabetes,” an IDDT spokesperson said. “Christmas brings a mix of temptations and challenges that can disrupt routines. Our booklet provides practical guidance to help people enjoy the festivities safely.”

(photo: Getty Images)

Beyond festive-specific resources, the recently launched NHS Healthy Living online programme continues to offer valuable yearround support for those with type 2 diabetes. This free resource provides tailored advice on managing blood sugar levels, incorporating physical activity, and maintaining a balanced diet. Among the practical tips for managing diabetes that visitors will find there is advice about planning meals in advance, making healthier versions of

traditional dishes, and practicing Experts say that it’s essential to seek support from family members portion control. which can involve them in creating For example, swapping white diabetes-friendly meals. rice for brown or cauliflower rice in dishes like jollof or curry can significantly reduce carbohydrate CONFIDENCE intake. Reducing oil, butter, and With the right preparation and sugar in recipes, as well as incorresources, people living with diabeporating non-starchy vegetables, tes can embrace the festive season can also help maintain blood sugar with confidence. stability. Staying active is another Professor Seidu advocates takimportant factor. A brisk walk after ing advantage of such resources. meals or joining in festive dances “Being diagnosed with diabetes can improve glucose levels and can be a shock, but having access overall health. to information and ideas can make

it feel less daunting,” he said. “Resources like Healthy Living give you a practical path to follow, putting you in control of your health.” l For a copy of the IDDT booklet ‘Diabetes at Christmas’ you can call 01604 622837 or email enquiries @ iddtinternational.org l For more details about the NHS Healthy Living online programme please visit www.healthyliving.nhs.uk

MEET THE MAN RESHAPING THE WORKFORCE Stripe, and Zoom. His business is not only reshaping the marketing world but also expanding rapidly, with 65 per cent of revenue now coming from outside the UK. Algomarketing is projected to reach a staggering £150 million in revenue by 2030 — a testament to THE TECH industry’s diversity investment firm LDC (part of the Tejumola’s ambitious vision and problem has long been the subject Lloyds Banking Group), and The the demand for his services. of scrutiny, especially in fields like Times, Tejumola exemplifies the The rise of AI innovators leaders strides Black entrepreneurs are artificial intelligence (AI), where like Tejumola highlights broader making in the world of AI and tech. representation is often lacking. progress in the tech industry, But in recent years, Black entre- His company, Algomarketing, is where Black entrepreneurs are preneurs and executives have been transforming marketing operations challenging longstanding barriers. worldwide, proving that AI has the breaking new ground, using their Organisations like Black in AI in potential not just to streamline expertise to challenge biases and the US and the UK Black Tech push for more inclusive practices. work but also to enrich it, ultimateinitiative have emerged as critical ly benefiting both individuals and From pioneering ethical AI to support networks, empowering INNOVATOR: Yomi Tejumola, who was named in a list of the businesses. mentoring future tech leaders, professionals through mentorship, UK’s Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders for 2024 “It’s an incredible honour to be Black innovators are making a networking, and advocacy. significant impact — and nowhere recognised as an LDC Ambitious ing after spotting an opportunity Since its founding, AlgomarketFor Tejumola, the recognition is Business Leader this year,” said is this more evident than in the during his time as a data scientist ing has created a global network of more than just a personal accolade success of tech entrepreneur Yomi Tejumola. “Since starting this jour- at Google. over 200 “Algos” (marketing super – it’s a step toward his goal of ney in 2017, I’ve been on a mission Tejumola. Recently named one He saw a gap in the market for talent), who deliver data-driven transforming the field of marketing to restore joy to the world of work.” AI-driven solutions that could free solutions for major tech clients, of the UK’s Top 50 Most Ambiby creating what he calls a new era tious Business Leaders for 2024 by Tejumola launched Algomarket- employees from repetitive tasks. including Google, OpenAI, Cisco, of “evolved workers” who are em-

Yomi Tejumola is the founder of fast-growing AI company Algomarketing. By Sinai Fleary

powered to leverage AI to improve their productivity and creativity. “I’m striving to build a future where marketers leverage AI and automation to not only make them more productive, but improve their work-life balance, creativity, and general wellness” he said. “This will allow them to become ‘evolved marketers’ which brings benefits to both the individual and business.” John Garner, managing partner at LDC, praised Tejumola and others named in the Top 50 list, emphasizing the scale of their achievements and the potential they hold. “Our business leaders for 2024 show relentless drive and determination in their growth ambitions, and I’d like to congratulate them on everything they’ve achieved so far,” he said. “This is certainly not the end of their success, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds.”

28 | THE VOICE DECEMBER 2024

Lyndon Mukasa Eye on the Diaspora

Join the debate online voice-online.co.uk/opinion

LIMITATIONS OF REPRESENTATION POLITICS IN THE WESTERN WORLD From Obama to Sunak: Why Black leaders exist to manage the system and not change it

“

FALSE HOPE: When Barack Obama was elected as America’s first Black president the news was greeted with jubilation. But, says Lyndon Mukasa, having Black people in high office doesn’t always translate into progress on equality

HERE ARE two types of Black people in the world, those who want change and those who only want exchange.” This was the thought-provoking statement that my history teacher made while I was a secondary school student in the Caribbean. At its core, this statement asks the question of what does political progress for Black people look like materially? For many it is about ending poverty and inequality across many Black communities, while other people look at whether Black people have power and full self-determination. I personally see it as a combination of all of this. However, there is sometimes a sense that the desire to see Black people being represented at all levels of society takes precedence over what they do and what they stand for. Over the years we have seen many Black political leaders position themselves as candidates for change, progress and sometimes even liberation, only to turn around and consolidate the status quo of inequality, anti-Blackness and White supremacy. This repeated pattern has consequences for our understanding of power and representation politics. In general, Black people across the diaspora celebrate and support the rise of Black leaders in positions of prominence and power as we have mostly embraced the ideals of living in a Western liberal democracy. It is generally believed that more Black leadership in Western countries could,

(photo: Getty Images)

in theory, help Black communities. However, over time it has become apparent that “Black faces in high places” doesn’t always translate into progress. In fact Black representation has been used for the opposite purpose. Black faces in high places This has been especially apparent over the last decade as we have seen an increase in prominent Black politicians across the Western world enact policies that consolidate Western imperialism. The expansion of the U.S drone programme by the former US president Barack Obama killed thousands of civilians across the Global South in countries such as Yemen and Somalia, as well as destabilizing Libya in 2011, which has had cascading effects across West

Africa in terms of security. Most recently, former US presidential candidate Kamala Harris pledged further unconditional support to Israel in the midst of its genocide and war crimes against the Palestinian people as it continues its project of White supremacist settler colonialism. Moreover, elements of her campaign were problematic as she played up to right-wing anti-immigrant talking points as well as putting forward superficial policies for Black Americans compared to other groups. In the UK, we have in recent years seen the rise of many prominent Black and non-White politicians who have celebrated their ascendancy as a sign of Britain’s progress on racial equality. But many of these politicians, such as former prime minister Rishi Sunak, presided

over austerity measures, cutting public services, growing inequality, and massive transfers of wealth from the poorest communities to the richest. Others such as current UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy showed potential when challenging the racist Home Office Windrush Scandal when it was a safe political issue to highlight. But as he rose to higher positions he became more quiet on the issue and has been conspicuously silent on the matter of reparations to the Caribbean that was raised in the October Commonwealth Summit. The rise of Kemi Badenoch is particularly interesting. She has become the first Black leader of the Conservative Party and has built her rise on elements of reactionary politics and an appeal to White nationalist

sentiments in the UK combined with an historical interpretation of Britain’s role in colonialism that is inherently anti-Black, laying the foundations for a potentially antagonistic relationship with Black communities across Britain should she become prime Minister in the future. Why radical progressive Black leaders don’t get into power A common argument often made by supporters of the politicians mentioned is that they don’t have a choice, and they are limited by the system that they are in. That may be true to some extent. However, we have to consider that if this is the case why do they pursue these positions in the first place? If they are going to be beholden to a political system that cannot and will not offer anything substantial for Black communities then what is the point? The reality is that the system of liberal democracy in the West is tied to capital and many of the politicians that operate within it serve the interests of corporations. These leaders exist to manage the system and not change it. As such, any radical ideals would either have to be filtered out in order to progress up the political ladder. Progressive leaders are either forced to abandon their ideals to conform and if they don’t conform they are never allowed to get far in their political careers. This is why someone like Diane Abbott will likely never be leader of the Labour Party, but Badenoch can become leader of the Conservatives. Moreover, more radical leaders have all met unjust fates that kept them from making progress for their communities. From imprisonment to assassinations, the era of Black radical politics in the mainstream has been suppressed for over 50 years, leaving it with only moderates, opportunists, careerists and rightwingers.

SOUTH AFRICA LEADS WAY IN CONDEMNATION OF ISRAELI ONSLAUGHT FOLLOWING Israel’s devastating attack on Gaza, which has killed over 44,000 Palestinians and potentially far more since October 2023, much of the world outside the West has condemned the violence. African nations, led by South Africa, have taken strong actions, with South Africa shutting down the Israeli Embassy and suspending ties until a ceasefire is reached. South Africans, including President Cyril Ramaphosa, have shown solidarity with Palestine, with widespread support for the boycott, divestment, and sanctions movement and pro-Palestine

marches have seen up to 200,000 participate. South Africa has shown strong solidarity with Palestinians, drawing parallels between Israeli occupation and apartheid. Nelson Mandela called Palestinian liberation “the moral issue of our time”. In November 2023, South Africa referred Israel to the International Criminal Court for war crimes, further straining relations between the two nations. However, trade between the nations reached $285 million (£225m), with South Africa as Israel’s largest African trade partner, supplying 15 per cent of its coal.

Critics argue these exports fuel Israel’s military and settlements, undermining South Africa’s stance. Historical parallels to apartheid highlight the importance of economic sanctions, yet South Africa’s government resists calls to cut ties. Pressure has increased, especially after Colombia banned coal exports to Israel, citing their role in sustaining illegal settlements and military operations on Palestinian land. South African Trade Minister Parks Tau has defended the country’s economic ties with problematic nations as part of a

strategy of economic diplomacy. But critics argue this approach prioritises neoliberal interests over meaningful solidarity with oppressed peoples. South Africa’s history shows that direct action, not sympathy, drives change. Campaigners hope that growing pressure may push the country’s government to align its policies with its stated values of global solidarity.

l Lyndon Mukasa is a writer

and researcher. He studied International Development at the London School of Economics

‘MORAL ISSUE’: Nelson Mandela showed solidarity with Palestine

DECEMBER 2024 THE VOICE | 29

Muyiwa Olarewaju OBE

Nothing But Truth and Light

Join the debate online voice-online.co.uk/opinion

PEACE IS FOR EVERYONE These are the sacred days which offer us a moment to pause, reflect, and embrace the meaning of Christmas

S THE Christmas season arrives once more, we gather to celebrate a story that is both familiar and continually new: the birth of Christ. With each passing year, our hearts seek a renewed sense of hope, especially considering events around the world, and this season reminds us that peace is meant for everyone. The Christmas season invites us to celebrate not only the joyous birth of our Saviour Jesus but also the grace, redemption, and strength found within our communities. These sacred days offer us a moment to pause, reflect, and embrace the meaning of Christmas – a meaning that weaves together the promises in scripture and the rich narratives that shape our history, struggles, and triumphs. The story of Christ’s birth is an everlasting source of hope, captured in the words of Isaiah, who foretold, “To us a child is born, to us a son is given... and he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). OUTSHINES For centuries, these words have encouraged believers to lift their eyes from the weight of life’s trials, knowing that Jesus brings a light that outshines even the longest night. His birth offers us a promise that, no matter how dark our circumstances may seem, there is always a reason for hope and the assurance of a greater purpose. When the angel announced, “Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord” (Luke 2:11), it was a message of profound inclusivity – Christ came for everyone, regardless of where or how they live. His arrival as a child in humble circumstances speaks to each person who feels overlooked, weary, or marginalised, offering a hope that transcends circumstance. Christmas also holds a profound reminder of grace. As Ephesians teaches, “in him we have redemption through

his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace” (Ephesians 1:7). This time calls us to remember that no one stands beyond the reach of God’s mercy. We are all invited to accept, believe, and live out this grace. Titus further declares that “the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people” (Titus 2:11), affirming that salvation, love, and acceptance are gifts meant for each of us. This message is vital in a world that has historically overlooked or undervalued Black lives. Just as recent movements like Black Lives Matter affirm the inherent worth of each person, Christmas calls us to remember God’s grace is for everyone. His love does not discriminate; it gathers us all into His compassionate embrace. The theme of grace resonates deeply in stories like Dolen Perkins-Valdez’s Take My Hand, where we witness lives shaped by systemic issues yet uplifted by the resilience of family and community. As we reflect on the birth of the Messiah, we are reminded that His love liberates us, offering forgiveness and freedom regardless of our past or current challenges. The Christmas message calls us to acknowledge our own worth and the worth of others, inspired by a grace that transforms and renews. Reflecting on the Nativity, we find ourselves connected to a

PRECIOUS TIME: Christmas brings not only festive joy but renewed hope through the story of Christ’s birth, says Muyiwa (photo: Getty Images)

story of resilience within a world marked by political tension, oppression, and longing for freedom. In the account from Luke, “In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree... Joseph went up from Nazareth into Judea to Bethlehem, the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David” (Luke 2:1-4). This was a world ruled by power and force, yet even here, God’s purposes were unfolding. The wise men who travelled from the East, following a star and asking, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews”

PLEDGE: Christ’s birth promises hope and light amid life’s trials, reminding believers of peace, even in the darkest times

(Matthew 2:2), remind us that in a world governed by human authority, God’s will prevails. Jesus’ birth disrupted the status quo then, and He continues to challenge systems that divide and dehumanise. This narrative encourages us to see Christmas as not only a story of the past but also a present call to action, one echoed in the book The Salvation of Black Life and All Life in Luke and Acts by Marcus Jerkins. The birth of Jesus becomes a declaration of liberation and justice, speaking to today’s struggles and affirming that we, too, are part of God’s mission to bring peace, love, and equality to the world. In this way, the Nativity is a call to honour the value of every person and to stand for a just and compassionate society. Christmas also reminds us “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:14). Jesus didn’t remain distant; he entered our world and became part of our shared struggles, joys, and dreams. God’s presence among us affirms that each of our stories is sacred. This season, let us hold close the truth that every person’s journey matters, that

In a divided world, Christmas urges us to embrace a message of compassion, unity, and kindness each story is a gift that enriches the greater tapestry of our community. Reflecting on works like Nudibranch by Irenosen Okojie, we see how each individual story contributes to a narrative of resilience and courage. Christ’s birth calls us to live out this truth, to see and honour the unique stories of those around us, and to uplift each other in love and understanding. In a time when the world often feels divided, Christmas urges us to embrace a message of compassion, unity, and intentional kindness. The angel’s words, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause

great joy for all the people” (Luke 2:10-11), are as relevant today as they were then. This is a season to release fear and embrace the joy and peace Christmas promises. Let us carry this message forward, offering hope through acts of service, words of encouragement, and the warmth of genuine care. As we celebrate this season, let us remember Christ’s birth was the ultimate gift of love to the world, and may we offer our own gifts of love to those around us. In this sacred time, we are called to live with compassion and to shine with the light of peace, grace, and redemption. The message of Christmas is not confined to one day or season; it is a daily call to live with hope, to see God in each person we encounter, and to spread His love throughout our families, our communities, and our world. Let us live in a way that honours the divine love that came to us in Bethlehem, carrying the joy, peace, and promise Christmas offers to all. l Muyiwa Olarewaju OBE is station director at Premier Gospel radio, a TV & radio broadcaster, and principal of gospel group Muyiwa & Riversongz

JUNE 2024

30 | THE VOICE DECEMBER 2024

THE VOICE | 29

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CAMPAIGN DEMANDS ACTION TO CURB RISING VIOLENCE IN NIGERIA

TAKING A STAND: Protesters barricade the Lagos-Ibadan expressway at Magboro, Ogun State (photo: Gett y Images)

UK government urged to do more as figures reveal an estimated 20,000 have been killed and many others kidnapped in the last three years. By Richard Sudan

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HE 2024 World Watch List for Christian persecution highlights a disturbing reality, part of the devastating ongoing security crisis impacting Nigeria. With 1,200 kidnappings reported so far in 2024, women, girls and schoolchildren remain especially vulnerable. Alarmingly, Nigeria ranks sixth globally for religiously-motivated killings, accounting for 90 per cent of such incidents in Sub-Saharan Africa. In the last three years, an estimated 20,000 killings have taken place across the country, with countless families and communities displaced, living in a climate of danger, fear and uncertainty. Many in the West are unaware of the crisis, and that’s why public figures and activists including Annie Lennox, Emma Thompson, Lord Simon Woolley, Baroness Sayeeda Warsi and Kate Henshaw are urging people to sign a petition asking Downing Street to urge the Nigerian government to step up and stop the violence. Petition organiser Femi Oluwole, an activist collaborating with PSJUK (International Organisation for Peace Building and Social Justice), speaking to The Voice, explained the critical need for action. “There are currently three million people that are internally displaced, meaning they can’t get back to their homes, because of the lack of security,” he said. “This campaign is about getting the Nigerian government to take this issue seriously, and they clearly have the means to do so. We saw them with the massive police brutality in the SARS scandal, and so it’s about pressuring the UK government to get them to do something. “The UK government has a security pact with the Nigerian government, diplomats come over here bringing lots and lots of money, so we clearly have the diplomatic tools.” According to Oluwole, Britain failing to prioritise human rights in other countries ultimately feeds anti-refugee and migrant rhetoric, playing into the hands of right-wing populists. “There’s this habit of taking a

‘Britain first’ approach, which is very short-sighted, and we’ve seen this with Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan and now Gaza,” he said. “We go in thinking about what will benefit us now in the short-term, but we end up having this debate about what to do with refugees and asylum seekers from countries where we haven’t prioritised human rights. We end up with a populism that destablises us even more.” PSJUK is calling for urgent action through its Stop Nigeria Genocide campaign. The petition urges the UK government to intervene and pressure the Nigerian government, calling for a halt to military aid and weapons sales. Banditry and kidnaps, including by religious fundamentalists such as Islamist groups, have devastated communities. Despite assurances from Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, meaningful action remains elusive. Just last month, Boko Haram killed 84 people in Yobe state, a stark reminder of how widespread violence has become in the West African country. Speaking about the underlying causes of the violence, PSJUK CEO Ayo Adedoyin told The Voice: “The security crisis in Nigeria is multifaceted. There are various causes, including religious attacks, ethnic tensions, economic inequality, poverty, political instability, weak institutions, and the growing presence of extremist groups such as Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province and armed bandits. “Beyond the physical and economic damage, there are deep psychological scars left behind. Many of the displaced live in constant fear of further violence, and entire generations are growing up without stability or normalcy, which could have long-term consequences for Nigeria’s future.” Adedoyin added: “The diaspora can play a critical role by raising awareness and advocating for international action. “Supporting humanitarian efforts, like those of PSJUK, which work directly with affected communities, is another way to make a tangible difference.”

DECEMBER 2024

THE VOICE | 31

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is not simply a name change for us. It indicates that our members can expect to see a broader range of services and capabilities. This evolution represents a strategic move to better serving our members’ needs in a rapidly changing world.

BUILD WEALTH

We are committed to the economic empowerment of our members. We believe that a community’s economic empowerment is linked to its entrepreneurial success. Community banks like PCB play a crucial role in stimulating economic growth within the community. Because of the loans we have provided to our member businesses and churches, they have been able to expand their operations, create jobs, contribute to the local economy and build wealth. Unlike larger banks, we have a better understanding of the community market and are more willing to take risks on small

businesses and our Pentecostal Ministries. We have built this organisation on a foundation of trust and transparency. The Pentecostal Community Bank is not just a place to manage money; it is a partner in dreams, ambitions, and progress. Whether it’s supporting small businesses, helping to build ministries, helping families buy their first homes, or providing a safe place for savings, our mission is to be there for our members every step of the way. For more information go to: www.PCBank.co.uk Contact: info@PCBank.co.uk Tel: 0333 355 1022

PC Bank Board (left to right) David Frederick, Marcia Jones, Chair Leslie Laniyan, CEO Shane Bowes, Lorna Lynch, Patricia Toussainte, Ann Waugh, Rev Geoff Folkes

The Pentecostal Community Bank is the trading name of The Pentecostal Credit Union, authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authorityand regulated by The Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (FRN 213242)

The Pentecostal Community Bank – The Voice Advertorial

32 | THE VOICE DECEMBER 2024

Cynthia V Davis

Join the debate online: voice-online. co.uk/opinion Consider joining employee networks or organisations that focus on the advancement of Black professionals in your field, as they often provide valuable resources such as mentoring programmes, and sponsorship connections. Having access to a supportive community can greatly enhance both personal and professional growth.

No one should underestimate the power of guidance in helping us reach our full potential, including the numerous talented Black professionals out there

Diversity in mentors Don’t feel that you must find mentors who look like you or have the same background you do. Valuable mentorship often comes from individuals with a range of perspectives who can offer new insights and alternative views that challenge you to grow. Many of my mentors are from entirely different backgrounds and upbringing from me, and I am continuously learning from them every time we meet.

LACK professionals are still vastly underrepresented in the workplace, particularly in leadership positions. As a young (or not so young) Black person trying to navigate the corporate world, it’s not unusual to feel out of place, overlooked, or even a little lost. I’ve been there. It’s why mentorship and sponsorship can be so powerful in breaking down the barriers that still exist for Black talent, “widening the gate” to promote equality and close unfair gaps. Mentorship can be transformative for underrepresented Black professionals, providing essential guidance, support and opportunities for growth. It helps navigate corporate challenges, fosters confidence, and connects individuals with influential networks. By bridging access gaps, mentorship empowers Black talent to advance and thrive in leadership roles. I’ve also seen the statistics. Mentoring has been proven to increase the satisfaction people from minoritised ethnic backgrounds get from their jobs, with 74 per cent of minorities participating in mentoring programmes when they are offered, often with great results. As a former mentee myself, now a mentor to young school age students and emerging future leaders, I have seen first hand the power of guidance in helping someone unlock their potential and step confidently into future roles. Working with leaders just five years into their careers has shown me how transformative this support can be. Mentorship or sponsorship? Where a mentor contributes to skill development, a sponsor actively advocates for career progression. One isn’t better than the other — both mentors and sponsors can play key roles in furthering your career. Mentorship is about guidance.

INVALUABLE SUPPORT: Black professionals are under-represented in the corporate world. Mentorship and sponsorship can help break down barriers. (Photo: Getty Images)

WHY MENTORSHIP CAN BREAK DOWN BARRIERS FACING BLACK TALENT

It means providing support and advice, sharing insights, and connecting you (their mentee) to other influential people in their sphere to help you navigate the world of work and develop professionally. Sponsorship, on the other hand, is about action — a sponsor will routinely use their influence to create opportunities by endorsing individuals for projects or promotions. They’re someone who believes in you and your

future, and will help you to get there. Finding mentorship opportunities As someone who has been on both sides of the mentor-mentee relationship, my advice to anyone seeking a mentor is to not just wait for formal mentorship programmes to come to you. Go looking for them instead! Industry events, networking groups, and LinkedIn are all great

places to connect with potential mentors. Actively reach out to people you admire — I have done this most successfully through LinkedIn, by following people who inspired me and reached out to them for guidance. Many of these people are still my mentors to this day. Try respectfully requesting advice or a meeting (but be mindful of their time and existing commitments) and make the most of any opportunities to

connect. Many professionals are open to mentoring those who show drive and initiative. Before you seek a mentor or sponsor, take time to reflect on what you want to achieve. Are you looking to expand your skill set, navigate corporate politics, or accelerate your advancement in leadership? Defining your objectives will make it easier for others to know how they can help and to provide more targeted support.

Actively reach out to people you admire – I have done this most successfully through LinkedIn, by following people who inspired me and reached out to them for guidance Mentors also don’t have to be older than you, or more advanced in their careers. Having a younger mentor can be a fantastic learning experience, one that keeps you up to date with new ways of thinking and allows you to better understand younger people in your workplace — a key asset for anyone considering a career in leadership. Mentoring and being mentored has given me deeper insight into the aspirations and challenges of others and has enriched my own leadership skills, reminding me of the continuous learning journey that all professionals, regardless of experience, are on. Through mentorship, I have learned to be a better listener, a more empathetic advisor, and a more effective advocate for what I believe in. I hope it does the same for you. n Cynthia V Davis CBE is a Black

British entrepreneur, employment expert and diversity advocate. She is CEO and Founder of Diversifying Group, a D&I services organisation, and Co-Founder of Diversifying Jobs, a diversityfocussed job board

Lifestyle 34

Where to go, what to do this Christmas

It’s all about the Vibez for Andre

EDDIE KADI Grateful for it all

David Kazadi is a man of lights, camera and action!

34 | THE VOICE DECEMBER 2024

Lifestyle

Comedy

Eddie Kadi has taken his storytelling to the next level – and it’s paid off! By Joel Campbell

DDIE KADI is grateful. Grateful for life, grateful for his career, his family and friends, grateful for it all. The comedian is in a candid mood when he sits in the Red Chair, a new series hosted by yours truly in partnership with RepDat TV. He’s had an amazing year and by the end of our interview, 2025 looks like being another humdinger. He’ll be touring the UK and, while it’s far from his first rodeo, he is looking forward to connecting with the UK public up and down the country. “2024 has been a blessing,” he shares. “It’s been an eye-opener, it’s been a year of growth, facing things I feared before, facing myself, totally bowing down to life. And that’s where I’m at. “Understanding that not everything is in your control, but it definitely works for you, most things work for you and very little works against you. That’s my belief now and where I am in life.” When the PR hit my inbox alerting The Voice to the tour Kadi will be going on in 2025, he was referred to as ‘one of comedy’s fastest rising stars’. Hold up, this is a man that has been around for nearly two decades filling the stomachs of a vast array of audiences with laughter. If the rise has been fast, we’d hate to see slow. MAINSTREAM Truth is, Kadi was special to the Black community long before he was held in high esteem by the mainstream. We love the guy. His authenticity. His dancing. His unapologetic love of Africa and Congo, where he is from. Honing his craft in the earlier part of his career was no easy feat. The years that moulded him sound similar to stories you hear quite often from African people who have come to the UK. He did what he could to fit in, being funny made that process easier. “I always say I grew up pretty normal,” he says. “My story was unique to me, but to which many people could relate because they were in the same boat, having come here from another country, assimilating and integrating in this country and watching my parents try to make a living in a place that wasn’t home. “They were here, but not knowing if they were here for the next five years, six years or

IN DEMAND: Eddie Kadi is hitting the road in 2025

Eddie ready for the next chapter going back home like many of our relatives and friends had to do. “So, as a kid, because you are protected from that process, you’re just trying to fit in, and in fitting in I realised I was different. “I couldn’t speak like everybody else. I didn’t have the stories that they did. I was restricted from travelling around the country and around the world so then I found joy in the things that were around me which were laughter and friendship. “So when I went through university, which is like the standard thing, you’re here in this country, take advantage of the education, make your parents proud so that their efforts were

When I was a kid, I couldn’t speak like everybody else. I didn’t have the stories that others did

worthwhile. I got to a stage when I met all types of people, and that’s when my world exploded.” Kadi said he learned at that point he could do anything he put his mind to. More importantly, he recognised he can do anything, being himself. “The fact I could talk about having a different language and I still had an accent and I ate certain foods, so many people could relate (at uni) and we all sat down and spoke about it, laughed about our parents and laughed about our uncles and aunties. “It became storytelling, and storytelling was that thing which connected me to the world, that was my unique selling point. That’s how I found myself.” Kadi found that connecting with audiences through his stories and educating people on Africa was a ‘teachable moment’. During his time at university he realised that many weren’t previously comfortable with speaking about their own African experiences until he was. He ascended to President of the Kingston University African Caribbean Society, which presented him with opportunities to connect with other university students who had caught his

speeches and loved what he was saying. “Students would say they loved what I was talking about, and they got it. Can I come and speak at their university, how much do I charge? I was like, what, how much do I charge? You’re going to pay me to be me? “All of that was the joy, the confidence, having people around me, people like Adetokunbo T Oyelola, Charlie Kenny and YoLanda Brown, the list goes on. “We were all kids from different backgrounds but very similar backgrounds. We had a story to tell and facilitated each other.” He added: “There’s nothing better than having a tribe that backs you and says ‘go forth man’, even if others don’t understand it, we get you.” MISSION That support pushed Kadi into ‘the real world’. He didn’t want to ‘do anything else’. The mission was clear after that. Express himself, perform. Sing, dance, do the parking attendant character as he played in popular movie Anuvahood, talk about pounded yams and what fufu was. Talk about how much of the Caribbeans he understood and

how ‘similar they are to being Africans’. And then, “more and more people wanted to listen to me,” he enthused. “That’s all it was. And it was a joy, I became addicted to it. I found myself in it. My parents didn’t understand, but I was like, ‘listen to me, this is what I like’.” The period Kadi is speaking of is circa 2008/9. As aforementioned, it’s been a long walk. The rise and rise of his stock and brand at that time saw him perform a headline stand-up show at the O2 Arena in London in 2010. Few from the UK Black comedy circuit had even dared to dream about taking on the behemoth of a venue at that time. It was, Kadi says, ‘the most emotional moment,’ that he’s experienced. “There hasn’t been anything better even to this day in my career,” he says. It was a peak which many assumed, this journalist included, would only lead to more peaks, bigger achievements. It didn’t arc in the way many anticipated. “The 02 was the peak at that time for so many reasons. In terms of my confidence, in terms of all of the hard work and the people I was connected with, in terms of culture. When that happens,

commercially, you become the hot thing. You’re the ‘go to’ guy, you’re the person to celebrate, the news of the moment. “But emotionally, you’re like, let me chill a little bit. And that balance of when everyone wants a piece of you, the challenge is now growth. You’re now in a space where you want to grow more, but your friends, the people around you, colleagues, they may have other ideas on ways they want to see you grow. “I’m not just Eddie Kadi, everybody in the team is Eddie Kadi. Clashes happen and people go their separate ways. “I followed my path. I’m so glad I did and I never regret it because in following that path and being in a space where you are dealing with people from a different world, they ask a lot of you and you have to answer. “In experiencing those challenges I realised I didn’t want to lose the essence of what got me here. So I had to take a step back.” Refusing to compromise who he was and the value he brought, saw Kadi set about reorganising his priorities. Watch the full interview online for a more in-depth insight into how he navigated that period. LOVED Alongside a show-stopping appearance on Strictly Come Dancing, he has continued to rise as one of the most loved and sought-after entertainers. Nominated for Best Breakthrough at the Royal Television Society Awards and Edinburgh Awards, Kadi is also a captain on ITV’s Sorry I Didn’t Know, hosts the official AfroBeats chart show on BBC1XTRA and has hosted the MOBO Awards. A multi-award-winning standup, his 2025 UK tour will see him head out on a run of dates kicking off with a hometown show at London’s Leicester Square Theatre on February 7. He’s obviously looking forward to it, but there was consternation before he committed. “It was a thing I needed to face,” he said. “The last three years I have been feeling like, even with the whole Strictly thing, am I good enough? Does the country want to hear from me?” Yes, they do!

DECEMBER 2024

THE VOICE | 35

Special Feature

ADVERTORIAL

Finsbury Park— the host to the most fashionable road in London, Fonthill Road and above all, the crown of this unique street THE LONDON FASHION CENTRE with it’s unique ethnically diverse outlets of the latest event fashion.

ack in 1948 Fonthill road was a street comprising of terraced homes and a few local shops, along came an enterprising young Cypriot who opened the first fashion outlet focusing on British manufacturers, he became a wholesaler, putting together a collection of various British and foreign producers, over the coming years, many other like minded entrepre-neurs joined him, and three quarters of a century later, over 100 ethnic diverse traders inhabited this unusual London retai landscape. The benefits in those early years was its transport linkage, the underground station became one of the most important, and well used hubs, alongside the Bus terminal that served most of North london, and of course the overhead rail ser-vice going Eastward,

but the station was outdated going back over half a century, today a brand new station has been devel-oped with outlets like Marks and Spencer’s and Gails and a host of general businesses, a cinema and one of the best small theatres in London—The Park Theatre Amidst the 100 shops in the road the jewel in the crown is “THE LONDON FASHION CENTRE” with a variety of fashion, from wedding dresses, menswear to hats and evening wear, each with it’s unique blend of cultural background. For 30 years they have been serving, local, national and inter-national customers, who come back time and time again, we thank the loyalty of those that visitors every new generation, so please celebrate our anniversary and the longevity of this the popularity of it’s adjacent park.

This postcard (right pic) is from over a century ago showing the importance of Finsbury Park to London and the UK

YEARS IN FONTHILL ROAD

FASHION CENTRE 89-93 FONTHILL ROAD, FINSBURY PARK, N4 3HT TELEPHONE: +44 (0)207 263 0458

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU

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Wells Terrace entrance

AD RO

OPENING TIMES: MON - SAT 10AM TO 6PM

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E AC R R

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E AC RR

N TO

N EN

AD RO

D OA LR HIL NT FO

G1 Harpal G2 Tamana couture G3 Next G4 Next G5 Morison G6 Bridal Originals G7 Cerrura G8 Tamana Bridal G9 Cerrura G11 Tamana Fashions

We welcome you again on our 30th year, to our unique Fashion Mall in the heart of Fonthill Road. Drop in to see the latest stock and latest styles, focused on weddings, events, and general fashion for men, women and children.

FINSBURY PARK

AD RO S ER ST SI

Goodwin Street entrance

N VE SE

B R I TA I N S B E S T K E P T FA S H I O N S E C R E T

36 | THE VOICE DECEMBER 2024

Lifestyle

What’s On guide

Panto at the theatre, ice skating, ballet or a night at the London O2 Arena, there’s a little something for everyone going on during the festive season. By Joel Campbell

HACKNEY EMPIRE: DICK WHITTINGTON AND HIS CAT

Directed by and starring Olivier Award-winner Clive Rowe as Sarah the Cook, in what will be his 17th pantomime at Hackney, Dick Whittington and his Cat will run at Hackney Empire until January 5. Joining Rowe will be Kat B, also starring in his 17th Hackney pantomime, as Thomas the Cat, alongside Graham MacDuff as King Rat, Beth Sindy as Fairy Bowbells, Kandaka Moore as Dick Whittington, Tony Timberlake as Alderman Fitzwarren, Aryana Ramkhalawon as Alice Fitzwarren and Max Mirza as Idle Jack. Rowe said: “What a privilege it is to be part of this great tradition at the Hackney Empire. “Twenty-four pantomimes, around one million audience members so far, and we can’t wait to welcome new faces and welcome back familiar faces for our 25th.”

CBEEBIES PANTO: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

Modern Films Family in partnership with CBeebies are excited to announce that this year’s CBeebies Panto is Beauty and the Beast which will be airing in cinemas during December. Beauty and the Beast was filmed in Edinburgh at the Festival Theatre to a live audience of over 1,900 people over two days and four performances. The result is an all-singing, alldancing and storytelling theatrical experience with a heart. It takes the well-known story and brings it into the CBeebies world through its RnB XMAS characters, settings and messaging. BALL all features Raven’s James Mackenzie narrates B nB Xmas R s this year’s CBeebies Panto alongside This year’ t and SWV a e w S Keith GT a star-studded cast of familiar faces superstars gside supergroup T plus n k, lo n a a T g d in including Rhys Stephenson, George ine an headlin se, Ginuw se and re a y C T f y, o k Webster, Tyler Collins, Jennie Dale, d ic e compris p Pretty R u ro g cember e B n D dR Puja Panchkoty, and more, with a live on g in rm much love o rf s the wn all pe special guest star... Gladiator Steel. ow follow Horace Bro na London. The sh Ball B re mas Rn n CBeebies Panto: Beauty and 22 at O2 A augural X in ers e n th li f d o a ess d he the Beast runs in cinemas through huge succ ich saw RnB legen t u -o ld o h s w mash a s December last year, V W S d a an Joe, Monic embley Arena. W ember 22, as Ball Dec m X B n R n na, London The O2 Are

PINOCCHIO

Stratford East pantos are famous for tearing up the rulebook and telling classic stories with a special east London twist. This year is no different; written by awardwinning Trish Cooke, with music and lyrics by panto veteran Robert Hyman, and directed by Omar F. Okai, Pinocchio will feature Stratford East’s signature blend of show-stopping original music, side-splitting comedy and enchanting sets and costumes that will transport audiences into a world of magic and wonder. n Pinocchio plays at Stratford East until January 4, 2025.

n Dick Whittington and his Cat at the Hackney Empire until January 5, 2025

EVENTS TO GET YOU IN A FESTIVE MOOD

BALLET SHOES AT OLIVIER THEATRE

In a crumbling house full of dinosaur bones and fossils, three adopted sisters — Pauline, Petrova and Posy — are learning who they are and what they want to be. Under the watchful eyes and guidance of their guardian Sylvia, Nana, and some unlikely lodgers, they fight to pursue their individual passions. But in a world that wasn’t built for women with big ambitions, can they forge a future, keep their family together, and even learn a dance or two along the way? n Ballet Shoes at the Olivier Theatre on until February 22, 2025

GLIDE AT BATTERSEA POWER STATION

Glide at Battersea Power Station is brought to you by the IMG team behind the highly acclaimed Winter Wonderland and Lift 109 glass elevator experience at Battersea Power Station. With exciting activities, entertainment, and immersive partnerships, this year’s event promises to elevate the holiday spirit and create unforgettable memories for all attendees. n Glide at Battersea Power Station on until January 5, 2025

ELECTRIC DREAMS: ART AND TECHNOLOGY BEFORE THE INTERNET AT TATE MODERN This major exhibition will celebrate the early innovators of optical, kinetic, programmed and digital art, who pioneered a new era of immersive sensory installations and automaticallygenerated works. One of Tate Modern’s most ambitious shows to date, Electric Dreams will offer visitors a rare chance to experience incredible works of vintage tech art in action — from psychedelic environments created in the 1950s and 60s, to early machine-made art from the 70s and 80s, which has paved the way for today’s experiments with AI. The exhibition will show how groundbreaking figures imagined a visual language for the future. n Electric Dreams: Art and Technology Before the Internet, on until June 2025, open daily 10am to 6pm

DECEMBER 2024 THE VOICE | 37

Lifestyle

Music

THERE ARE PLENTY MORE STRINGS TO ANDRE’S BOW

HEN ANDRE Vibez sits down with Lifestyle, it’s clear the Nigerian wants people to know that he is more than just the man who produced Calm Down, the smash hit track which took the world by storm in 2021. There are other strings to his bow that the world will soon be aware of which transcend beyond music but still tap into his love for art and business. It’s been a hectic 2024 for Vibez. He says that being honest, having experienced such a high over the last few years he wasn’t sure how the last 12 months were going to pan out but he’s very clear about what 2025 holds. “I think people just know me as a producer for now but there is more to me than just making music,” he said. “Although I am fine with just getting recognition for being a producer for now, I feel that other things will come along the way.” His impact in the Afrobeats space has been colossal, Rema and Selena Gomez’s hit Calm Down was the first Afrobeats track in history to accumulate over one billion streams. The genre’s biggest Grammynominated producer and

Calm Down producer is tapping into his love for art and business . By Joel Campbell

songwriter worldwide with over four billion streams and over 100 songwriting and producer credits, Vibez is also known for working with household names including Ayra Starr, Omah Lay, Bnxn, Don Jazzy, DJ Neptune, Mr Eazi, and more. He’s got his eye on enabling others, too. “I have two artists, so within the first six months of 2025 I want to put them out there and I hope their projects are really successful and put them on the map properly. “I also want to launch my clothing brand and introduce my record label to the public.” Explaining more on his plans to build on his brand, he enthused: “It’s not just music for me, I’m kinda into a lot of things. “All the years I have been doing music I have also been mapping

out things that I want to do in the future and fashion is a part of it. “That’s something that I am really hoping to get started next year. I also own a restaurant and lounge in Lagos called Sonic Room and I am into real estate. I’ve been acquiring properties and doing short lets, rentals and Airbnbs, stuff like that. “I’ve also recently got into pig farming. I just acquired four acres of land in Ogun State, southwestern Nigeria, and there are just a lot of things that I am doing at this point.” The creative streak in Vibez has always been there. He studied Fine and Applied arts at university, majoring in sculpture. It’s served him well but he says. Alongside watching his father work in the music business, there were other lessons he learned as a young man that have prepped him for the life he lives today. “I used to perform in school, so I already had a taste of what it felt like to be popular. “I think from that experience I learned how to handle that and I also understood how crazy it can get if you don’t handle certain things.” l Check out the full interview on The Voice website

BIG YEAR AHEAD: Andre Vibez is set for a hectic 2025

CYNTHIA GREEN? AHHH, IT ALL MAKES PERFECT SENSE NOW THERE WAS a lot involved with creating the perfect green for her skin in order play the role of Elphaba in Wicked, Cynthia Erivo told the Lifestyle Lowlighters, highlighters, undertones and team meetings, the process was a meticulous one, but they got it very right in the end. No matter what perspective you catch a glimpse of Erivo in Wicked, the first chapter of a two-part immersive, cultural celebration, you can’t help but be impressed with the consistently high standard in which her character is presented. As The Voice knows, such attention to detail hasn’t always

TRANSFORMED: Cynthia Erivo been the case. Explaining how the standard was attained, Erivo enthused: “We first tested a green but it had the wrong undertone in it. “So what they did after taking my

make up off, Alice Jones, my makeup artist, had a conversation with the makers of the make up which is like, an alcohol-based air brushing colour, and we created a primer that was just the right green so it would sit on my skin and create the right base for me and then we created a yellow/green. “My green had a highlighter yellow in it, which is why my skin comes through just a little bit, so you can see the undertones which are in my actual skin, which is usually gold or orange. “And so that yellow brings out some of the skin tone that I naturally have which is why the green looks

so good on my skin. “It was made for me, it’s literally called Cynithia’s Green.” Erivo’s character in Wicked is a young woman misunderstood because of her unusual green skin who has yet to discover her true power. She said the team behind the scenes worked their magic to ensure they got the right look for her on-screen at all times and that, in fact, there is a bespoke green for us all. “We worked on the right highlighter, the right lowlighter,” she explained. “My lowlighter was like a deep, deep, deep, purple, so all of my

angles can be put back in again, which is why my face looks like my face, just green. “But yes, there is a perfect green, everyone would have their perfect green. “They worked really hard. It was a process of trying one, trying another, it not quite being right. “We had to find the right make up too. We tried different types, some would rub off really easily and we needed something that had staying power so then we went for the air brushing and we used that green for the airbrush.” l Watch the full interview with Cynthia Erivo on the Voice website.

38 | THE VOICE DECEMBER 2024

This is Brukout!

by Seani B

HEADLINE ACT: Bounty Killer performed some classic hits

THREE B’S BACK IN TOWN

T IS not very often I get the chance to enjoy some of the UK iconic venues with my chosen style of music. For the August carnival season it was my pleasure to be working alongside some of the biggest names from the soca scene like Machel Montano, Alison Hinds and Bunji Garlin in the OVO Wembley Arena in London. But I think I would have to go back as far as 2018 to say the same for anything dancehall or reggae. If my memory serves me correctly at the time of writing it would have been the veteran Shabba Ranks that would have had his name as headliner in Wembley in recent times. After a surprise promo visit to the UK last year with Cham, Bounty Killer announced for his return he would do a major show for his fans after a 15-year hiatus from the UK. Many thought it would be a major festival such as City Splash or Reggaeland, but we didn’t see the announcement until the end of the summer festival season... Bounty Killer, Baby Cham and Beenie Man at Wembley Arena! Immediately the phoned started buzzing and everyone asking, “Is it real? The Three B’s heading to the UK!” Fast Forward to the actual event. For such big occasions I do like to know I’m rested and ready for an epic night, however, this is the reality of how that day went for me…

Bounty Killer, Baby Cham and Beenie Man make it a night to remember at Wembley Arena

4.30am: I arrive home after driving from London to Leicester for an event, only to have to drive back to Brixton for a next gig, arriving home shattered knowing what the next day holds. 2pm: I’m up and out. All morning my phone has been constantly ringing, asking the same question I’ve had all week. “Seani can you sort out any passes?” This is very typical of dancehall events as everyone wants a backstage pass to be amongst the cool kids… sigh.

3pm: I didn’t realise it was an event day at Wembley with England playing a home match. This makes everything extra slow. Once I’m inside the venue I could hear Jamaica’s number one show band RuffKutt in full soundcheck mode. 4pm: Babycham — ever the professional — was the first artist and the only artist I saw come and do soundcheck. 5pm: Still no show of the other artists, but Babycham’s dancers are now rehearsing.

6pm: Doors open and people start trickling into the venue. This is always a nervous time. Knowing that Wembley is 12,000 capacity you really want it to get busy quickly but have to have patience. 6.30pm: Starting to feel the vibe in the arena building with more movement backstage as special guests start to arrive. One of those guests was Usain Bolt. Usain is a massive dancehall fan, so I’m interested to find out who would have the most impact tonight. As a true fan who knows how not to get into trouble he emphatically told me “Let us see!” 7pm: DJ HottKidd is warming up the audience nicely with a nice juggling of anthems from

CROWD-PLEASERS: The audience shows its appreciation as Beenie Man, left, and Baby Cham take to the stage

the 90s. Around this time, Beenie Man and a solid entourage enter the arena. 7.40pm:: The first act The Promise. Two young ladies who I could see were quite nervous. But hats off to them for delivering a confident set. 8pm: Myself and Ras Kwame introduce Cham on stage. Straight into the hits with Man & Man and he didn’t ease up. His catalogue is one of big songs and he has always been a showman. Cham breezed through his well choreographed set with dancers. It was obvious that he came through to execute his plan. 9pm: After a brief interval it was time for Beenie Man,

backed by the Ruffkutt band. I never get bored of seeing Beenie Man perform his slew of hits. Some may complain about him chopping through some of their favourite songs quickly, but how do you please all your fans when you have so many hits? Before he exited the stage, he brought on Harry Toddler who took the opportunity with the few minutes granted. In quick succession Toddler reeled off a barrage of his 90s hits and left the stage for UK artist Beenie G to take a quick forward. 10.09pm: Knowing the strict 11pm curfew, me and Ras took no time to bring on the poor people governor Bounty Killer. In Bounty’s words, “It’s been a long time!” Earlier in the night I caught up with Rodney Price decked out in a denim suit. I did not trouble him as he seemed he was in a stage show mental warm-up. He simply looked at me and said, “Badness it name”. Badness it was as the warlord stepped out with some of his classic badman songs. 11pm: For me this was the biggest disappointment of the night. Wembley has a very strict curfew and Bounty ran into that time, so they cut his mic as he started to sing Look into my eyes. I truly wish the night hadn’t ended like that as we couldn’t get to close off what was a very big night for dancehall. Let’s hope we don’t have to wait too long for another one.

DECEMBER 2024 THE VOICE | 39

Lifestyle

Business

A MAN ON A MISSION David Kazadi is relishing the roller coaster ride as he sets his sights on building Zambia’s biggest theme park. By Joel Campbell

EET DAVID Kazadi, a man who by the end of his first five minutes of talking to Lifestyle editor Joel Campbell pointedly outlines his desire to build Zambia’s biggest theme park. Big dreams. He’s definitely a man of ambition, and having already gained acclaim for producing and directing Zambia’s highestgrossing action movie, Black Dollar, as well as working with some of the biggest names in the international music business, he seems to be well and truly on his way. Kazadi, a ‘London-raised filmmaker’, fell in love with making films when he was at university. His story is one that will inspire many. “I graduated as a filmmaker and did some photography and directing,” Kazadi enthused. “I did a few works in the UK. But for some reason I just always felt that I wasn’t necessarily complete. “There was always something missing and I always had a passion to come back home (Zambia) and set up something, knowing fully well that when I was in the UK, my country really wasn’t represented as much. “There were only a few people who were having conversations about what was going on in Africa. I think the biggest country that was making moves and waves back then was Nigeria. AMAZING “So I wanted to come back and be like, okay, if Nigeria’s done it, why can’t we do it as well? “I’d initially come back to visit, but then after visiting I stayed on to be able to make our first feature film, Black Dollar, that went on to do some amazing stuff. “We started having very important conversations with industry players, from Netflix to Universal. “So I realised, okay, cool, the world has one standard and, if you meet that standard, it doesn’t really matter which part of the world you’re in. People do pay attention. “When I was in the UK, setting up a meeting with the head of Universal was a very difficult thing to do because they’re meeting with people that they

grew up with, or people that they know. So me being a little Black boy was like, ‘okay, what can you offer’? “But being on this side, I no longer was just another boy. I was a filmmaker, a businessman who’s doing stuff to be able to grow the narrative on the motherland. “So the conversations were much easier. They were a bit more willing to listen to me.” Kazadi relocated to Zambia seven years ago, leveraging his diverse expertise in film to establish Kazadi Films and venture into music management with Kazadi Music. He’s very much a media mogul you haven’t heard of — yet — but all that will change. Black Dollar and his viral sensation series Divorce Club are standout works. But the youth drama series, Natasha, is another one which has caught the attention of viewers. In visually stunning scenes and crisp cinematography, the series offers a painfully realistic depiction of teen life, addressing taboo topics in the African community, such as abortion and blesser culture. Research by LSE found that Zambian teenagers resort to unsafe abortions due to stigma, with 60 per cent terminating pregnancies unsafely using sticks or rat poison. With his foray into filmmaking proving fruitful, Kazadi’s other passion, music, was a natural place for him to turn his attention to. He said: “So my background is music. I sing and I play instruments, which I’ve been doing for a very long time from my church days. “I decided to invest in opening a recording label and see how we can also get into the music industry, because one of my dreams has always been to operate in film, TV, radio and music. “And then my end goal in life is to be able to own a theme park, a fully Black-owned theme park which I’m going to set up back home and have people travelling into the country to experience. “It’s all step by step.” Moving with purpose and intention has seen Kazadi contribute to the success story of artist Mordecaii, whose viral hit Fire captured global attention on social media with an open-

DREAM TEAM: David Kazadi, right, and artist Mordecaii have enjoyed success together

verse challenge and subsequent bangers, including a recent collaboration with Nigerian artist Lade, a glowing testament to Kazadi’s visionary leadership. “He’s gone on to do amazing things,” Kazadi enthused. “Within the first year of us signing him, he had a number one song which now has up to 4.7 million views and streams on YouTube. “That sort of cemented and established us as both a filmmaking company as well as a recording label. SYNERGY “Off the back of that, I also run a radio station, one of the biggest radio stations out here in Zambia called Hot FM, which is a familyrun business. “So in essence, it created a beautiful synergy because we take our own artist Mordecaii, we put him on radio, he does his radio bit. We shoot his music videos and promotional material within our production company. “ The growth of the Kazadi empire has given the entrepreneur the opportunity to develop a grip on the industry in Zambia that hasn’t been experienced in recent times. It’s inevitable that aspiring artists would gravitate to what

he’s building and, at this point, he says the sky is the limit. “A lot of younger artists kept coming and asking whether or not we could sign them, manage them and sort of give them the same thing we gave Mordecaii. “So I then realised this is something that can work. How do we now grow it and create more? And create more value for the people who are involved?” Looking across the industry in order to find inspiration and emulate winning strategies, Kazadi says it was a no-brainer to establish The Icon. Similar to hugely popular shows like X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent, the show aims to discover Zambia’s next pop sensation. Speaking to the process of bringing the latest venture to market, he explained: “As you know, these things require big budgets. So we had to be able to work within the confines of what we have access to and what we can do. “The premise of it was we open the gateways to people being able to be signed under our label. They get to win a brand-new car. They get to win some money. They get to go to a brand-new house, medical insurance and a few other things.

When you’re here, there’s a lot of things about your heritage that you get to learn and find out about “But in the process, because we’re only going to have one winner, we get to show the rest of the countries and the rest of the labels what talent exists within the motherland. What talent exists within Zambia.” The success of the first season of The Icon has attracted discussions with current and potential sponsors for another season which will allow Kazadi to elevate the production levels. For him, though, that’s not the most interesting thing he’s taken from the process. Exposing his country to the big wide world in ways he didn’t envisage has been an added bonus. He explains: “When you’re on

this side of the world there’s a lot of things about your heritage that you get to learn and find out about. “For example, I got to learn that there’s about six or seven different languages that we speak, and more tribes and different sects that make up what we call Zambia. “Some of the challenges that we had in the talent show is to have the contestants come and sing songs that are from specific tribes, while teaching us about those tribes and what these tribes are about, where they came from, what they represent and only being restricted to wearing clothes from those tribes, and singing with the instruments that are created by those specific tribes. “When this came about, I was like, this is brilliant because I’ve never seen in my life a talent show that sort of delves deep into that level of heritage and that level of knowledge. “If I’m a child in the UK and I’m watching this type of talent show, I may not know much about where I come from, but this talent show will allow me to get to know a bit more. “It’s all music, and people love music.”

40 | THE VOICE DECEMBER 2024

Lifestyle

Books

Experience a world where light and darkness clash S

PEAKING TO Lifestyle about her latest book, The Platinum Sword and the Kingdom of Reveal, co-author CherryAnne Carew said the lure of the ‘mythical’ realm was hard to resist. She’s right, it’s one you’ll struggle to put down. The Platinum Sword and the Kingdom of Reveal transports readers into a vast world where light and darkness clash, chimeric monsters roam, and heroes battle, replicating the feeling of pageturning hunger that books like The Lord of the Rings and Chronicles of Narnia blessed us with. The story follows Thomas Hughes, an aspiring triathlete, and his companions who find themselves unexpectedly transported to Elevassia, one of the five kingdoms in The Land of Candronnia, after encountering a mysterious pixie. Stranded in a world on the brink of ruin, they confront a tyrannical ruler and his monstrous minions, facing perilous creatures and discovering ancient magic. It’s the first book of a trilogy, with the narrative exploring the timeless conflict between good and evil, with the emergence of heroes, the revival of legends, and the formation of deep connections. The Platinum Sword and the Kingdom of Reveal blends modern and classic fantasy elements, offering readers an immersive adventure with thrilling twists and familiarity,” Carew enthused.

Seasonal upliftment or just another one for the shelf, Joel Campbell has some literature for you

CO-AUTHOR: Dean Antoniou “Following the journey of Thomas Hughes, a triathlete, his brother and two close friends, the story plunges them into the realm of Elevassia, one of five kingdoms within The Land of Candronnia. “As they navigate this mystical world, they encounter fantastical creatures, face epic battles, and confront personal struggles that shape their destinies. “The story combines human desires and supernatural abilities, propelling readers on a journey filled with themes of loyalty, bravery, and the everlasting clash between light and darkness. “But the story’s magic lies in its unique blend of Thomas’s athletic

grit and the fantastical elements, bringing a fresh perspective on the genre. “Then there’s Spartacus, a mischievous pixie, who defies the typical ‘wise mentor’ trope with his unpredictable guidance, adding a touch of whimsy and humour to the story. “His playful antics make the story all the more charming.” She added: “The book creates a world that feels real with its well-developed characters and imagined settings. “The work delves into deeper themes of belonging, loyalty, and identity, which are universally resonant and will connect with audiences on a fundamental level. The novel’s emphasis on the bonds of friendship and the power of collective action provides not only a refreshing escape, but also a compelling journey through a world where courage and community triumph, leaving a lasting impression on readers.” Dean Antoniou was the co-author of this epic.

ON THE WRITE TRACK: CherryAnn Carew has co-written a book featuring a triathlete which is sure to be a winner

BOOK SOME TIME TO READ THE RE-WRITE By Lizzie Damilola Blackburn (coming 2025) Temi and Wale meet in London. They flirt, date, and meet each other’s friends. Then Wale dumps Temi to go on ‘Love Villa’. Instead of giving in to heartbreak, Temi throws herself into her dream: writing. She’s within touching distance of a book deal that would solve all her problems. But publishers keep passing on her novel, and bills still have to be paid. So, when the opportunity to ghost-write a celebrity autobiography arises, Temi finds herself accepting. And, of course, the celebrity turns out to be Wale. Has too much time passed... or just enough to spark a whole new relationship?

THE WHITE STORM: HOW RACISM POISONED AMERICAN DEMOCRACY By Martin Gelin A piercing examination of America’s struggle with racism and why this now threatens the survival of the nation’s democracy. When the US Capitol was stormed in 2021, it was an attack on the very idea of America as a pluralist democracy. It was also a reminder that the worst threat to the United States today doesn’t come from any foreign despot, but from domestic racism. In The White Storm, the journalist and author Martin Gelin looks back at two decades as a political correspondent and three centuries of American history to understand this moment of crisis.

Three new titles Joel Campbell wants you to know about N WORD By Kieren-Paul Brown The highly anticipated release of N Word presents a captivating narrative that transcends time and identity. This genre-defying novel blends historical fiction, thriller, erotica and psychological introspection, featuring richly developed female characters shaped by a Black male author through a female lens, challenging traditional gender dynamics. It also addresses themes of race and social justice across historical contexts, connecting past injustices to contemporary issues while also maintaining historical authenticity.

DECEMBER 2024 THE VOICE | 41

Darell J. Philip

Join the debate online: voice-online. co.uk/opinion

DESTINED TO TEACH

classrooms at the prestigious Wolmer’s Boys’ School in Jamaica as a teacher of English for students from years 8 to 13 as well as a Form Tutor for a year 8 class, I was nervous. “WBS was a great place for a new university graduate and aspiring teacher. It taught me to be a teacher and I was allowed to grow unfettered in order to develop my skills, take risks and be unconventional, innovative and creative. I had staff who mentored and believed in me, who took me under their wings. “I had students who became my ‘sons’ and I had students from whom I learned while I taught.”

Sanjo Jeffrey reflects ‘on the plan given to me by God’ to achieve a rewarding career in education

URING HER childhood, Sanjo Jeffrey had not thought of becoming a teacher later on in life, although she clearly had the makings of one. “There were things that I did that suggested I had a propensity for teaching,” she recalls. “When I prepared for tests, I would teach the desk and benches and the flowers outside. When I went to the country during the summer holidays, I taught the children what I had learned at school.” Born in St Mary, Jamaica, Jeffrey, who currently resides in north London, is now a 58-year-old educator with over three decades of experience behind her, both in Jamaica and the UK. She is a teacher at Freshsteps Independent School based in Enfield, and led by Ms D Anderson, who have received four consecutive outstanding grades from Ofsted. PASSION Education has always been a passion of Jeffrey’s since childhood. “I loved school – especially reading, writing and spelling,” she recalls. “I looked forward to the weekly spelling tests in prep school and revelled in the weekly gold stars I saw beside my name after each test. I loved learning, except for maths! I was terrified of maths. “I loved reading so much that I always had a book reading even in class while the teacher was teaching (got spanked for that). We learned poetry by heart in prep school, and as a class recited it in unison – great for memory retention skills and teamwork. “I don’t think I knew I wanted to be a teacher, but school was fun even when I found maths terrifying. It was inconceivable to me that people did not enjoy school and truanted from school. I made solid friendships at school,

INSPIRATION: Some of Sanjo Jeffrey’s students have gone on to become authors and professors

and even today I have school friends from prep school and secondary school.” Jeffrey is a product of Christian education, having attended West Indies College Prep and High School in Mandeville, Manchester, where she spent her formative years from year 8 to 11 followed by the Seventh-day Adventist School there. But it was an incident which took place during her childhood which might have made her story very different to what she now shares. “The year was 1976 and I was in grade 5. It was after dismissal. Taxis and cars were collecting children at the school gate. I was late and rushed through the school gate without looking. A car and I ‘collided’ and I landed on

the other side of the road. I was terrified and in pain; blood and tears were streaming down my face.” Luckily, Jeffrey was rushed to a private hospital in Mandeville just in time to receive the critical care she needed, and with prayer from her family as well as those who knew her, she made a miraculous recovery. INJURIES She said: “Looking back now more than 40 years ago, I can say that God had a plan for my life. I could have died. The coming together of human flesh and metal at speed usually concludes in major injuries with long rehabilitation – mental, emotional and physical or death. I had none...

I lived. I didn’t lose sight in my left eye although the cut was in and above my left eyebrow. “I had no vision problems and only began wearing glasses in my 40s. I did not suffer neurological damage or PTSD as far as I am aware. God had a plan for my life, and he is still working on me, in me, through me so that my purpose will be complete at the right time. I was baptised a year later (after the incident) when I was in year 6 and I haven’t turned back since. The road has not always been smooth but my life is in God’s hands forever.” It was her love of learning, and of English in particular, which led to Jeffrey pursuing a career in teaching. For over three decades she

has been teaching, first in Jamaica for 15 years and now in the UK, inspiring hundreds of students in her chosen subject area of English as well as more recently making a positive impact in the lives of those in Pupil Referral Units (PRU’s) as well as those with Special Educational Needs in her role as a Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO). “I began teaching because I wanted to do something that I loved,” said Jeffrey. She continued: “I loved English — all aspects of it. I also knew that girls were doing better than boys in English, and I thought I could do well in helping boys learn to love English and use their words rather than their fists. In 1989 when I entered the

PROFESSORS Such has been Jeffrey’s impact in the lives of her students, that some have even gone on to become professors and authors themselves. “The best thing about teaching for me is the students who are able to say, ‘you made a difference in my life’ or the ones that remember you with love. One is always touched when your students are able to ‘turn thanks’. “One former student, Kei Miller, (the award-winning Jamaican poet, author and Professor of Creative Writing) who I had invited to speak to my students when I taught at a PRU did just that on his return to Glasgow from London. He wrote a piece for his blog entitled ‘To Ms Jeffrey, with love’.” But in addition to her students, there is one other special person Jeffrey acknowledges as having made a lasting impact in her own life. “My mother has always been my main cheerleader; encouraging me to write; believing in me and my dreams; creating opportunities for me to be independent; teaching me to think about others; making sacrifices; being supportive of my adventures and without fail, always being there for me. I am nowhere without you. Love you, mommy.” l ‘It is possible Tuesdays with Sanjo’ is a platform for sharing inspirational stories of ordinary people; of resilience, resolution and rigour; of persons living with or working with disability; of victory over difficulties; of possibilities. It can be accessed at www.youtube.com/@sanj8767 l Darell J. Philip is a teaching assistant, academic mentor and award-winning journalist

42 | THE VOICE DECEMBER 2024

TOP SPORTS COVERAGE 24/7 VOICE-ONLINE.CO.UK/SPORT

OF SPORT NEWSPAPER

DECEMBER 2024 | THE VOICE

EVERYONE CAN BELONG ON THE GOLF COURSE Inspiring Golf Inclusion is helping women explore their potential in a sport they once thought wasn’t for them. By Rida Oyebade

“I

ALWAYS assumed golf wasn’t for me,” shared Jasmine as she reflected on her first experience at the golf course. “I never saw anyone who looked like me playing, so I just didn’t think it was something I could be part of.” This sentiment, echoed by many women and girls that day, highlights the importance of visibility and representation in sports. Inspiring Golf Inclusion (IGI) CIC, founded by Julia Regis, is committed to changing these perceptions by making golf more accessible to girls and women, particularly those from culturally diverse backgrounds. As Julia explains: “We want women to see themselves on the golf course and recognise the opportunities that the sport can offer.” Recently, Inspiring Golf Inclusion held a clinic led by professional golfers Nicola Bennett and Trey Niven who are also trustees of IGI. Before the clinic officially began, there was an opportunity to observe 12 women and girls from the programme tee off on the first hole, demonstrating the skill this sport takes but more importantly, how much fun they were having as a collective. Among them were three driven young golfers, including 11-year-old Myka, who said: “Golf isn’t just physical — it’s a mental sport.” She added: “I want to become a pro because it’s the only sport that challenges me and helps with my mental health.” Inspired by her grandfather’s passion for the game, Myka dreams of one day filling her own trophy cabinet. Similarly,

IN THE SWING: A golfer in action

Neveah, who started playing during the pandemic with her dad and brother, added: “Golf means everything to me.” Her talent was quickly recognised by Nicola who praised her natural swing and encouraged her to pursue the sport further. As the clinic got underway, the energy on the course was electric. Trey and Nicola led the group through putting drills and challenges. Later, there was a fun competition, and the day concluded with a meal of jollof rice, bringing everyone together for a final celebration. The shared meal highlighted the growing sense of community, with participants feeling supported and connected. Maria Perry, who attended the event with Pastor Fadeyi, reflected on the welcoming atmosphere of the day. Both expressed that they had a lot of fun and truly enjoyed the experience. Pastor Fadeyi also highlighted the importance of representation, saying: “I always feel encouraged when I see people of colour involved in a sport.” Echoing this sentiment, Maria said: “It’s nice because you feel comfortable in a space where you might not normally feel comfortable. I’ve realised, actually, I can do this. This can be my space.” They also noted the accessibility of golf for people of all ages: “For those who aren’t as active, golf is a gentle way to get into activity, and you don’t even realise how many steps you’re taking.” Anna, who had lived near a golf course for years, initially hesitated to join, unsure if she would find a sense of belonging. But when she attended her first session and saw Nicola, a young Black woman, leading the group, everything changed. “Seeing Nicola made me feel comfortable – like I would belong here.” Encouraged by Nicola’s words, “You’re a natural,” Anna embraced the sport and now plays regularly, describing the feeling of hitting the ball perfectly as “euphoria.” Trey, one of the coaching professionals, shared why this project is so meaningful to him. Growing up, the only person in golf who looked like him was Tiger Woods. “I want to be that face for the next generation,” Trey explained. “When kids see me coaching or on TV, they’ll

CHANGING PERCEPTIONS: Members of Inspiring Golf Inclusion know they can belong in this sport too.” Nicola’s enthusiasm is truly inspiring. Her mantra, “Think like her, act like her, become her,” was seamlessly woven into her coaching session, motivating each of us to believe we belong here and are capable of excelling in this game. Inspiring Golf Inclusion is giving women the chance to see themselves in a sport they may have never considered before. The joy, camaraderie, and newfound confidence shared by the women who participated speak to the power of creating spaces where they feel welcome. For many, golf is evolving into a community where they can challenge themselves and find opportunities for both mental and physical growth. Hearing the stories of women like Myka, Neveah, and Anna, it’s clear how much this initiative means to them. Inspiring Golf Inclusion is opening doors, creating lasting memories, and offering a platform for women to explore their potential in a sport they once thought wasn’t for them. This is what makes the programme so important — it’s about learning golf and building a future where everyone can belong on the course. l Rida Oyebade is a digital marketer specialising in social media strategies for corporate brands. She began her golf journey with Inspiring Golf Inclusion this summer, inspiring her to get more involved in the game

PHILLIP FINALLY RECEIVES HALL OF FAME HONOUR By Rodney Hinds

THE first Black woman to captain England, Mary Phillip, has entered the National Football Museum Hall of Fame. Phillip’s induction took place at the museum as part of a preview of Black in the Game, a brand new exhibition coming in 2025. The Score Gallery exhibition will open to the public in next autumn and tells the important story of Black footballers in the English game. Phillip was inducted for her exemplary playing career at domestic and international level and her pioneering feats that have gone well beyond her time on the pitch. Phillip said: “It’s really nice to be inducted here. I’ve been told it’s been a long time coming, many years I was told that my name often came up, but this year it came through. It couldn’t be a

better time with Black in the Game coming out as well.” The tough defender earned 65 international caps and was part of the Lionesses squad that competed in England’s first ever FIFA Women’s World Cup in 1995. In addition to her impressive international career, Phillip enjoyed significant success at club level. She began her career with Millwall Lionesses before moving to Fulham, where she helped secure a domestic treble in 2003. Further achievements came at Arsenal, including a historic victory in the UEFA Women’s Cup, marking the first time an English club won the competition. Since retirement, Phillip continues to make history as the head coach of Peckham Town’s men’s team, the first woman to hold that position. Under her guidance, the club won the London Senior Trophy in 2020. l Photo courtesy of the National Football Museum

DECEMBER 2024 THE VOICE | 43

Sport

Riding on the crest of a wave

TALENT: Jobe Smyle blitzed through the British Racing School

SEASON TO REMEMBER: Sean Levey won two Royal Ascot races this year; inset, Sean after a victory on Rosallion (photos: Dan Abraham/ Focusonracing

GIFTED JOBE GRADUATES FROM SCHOOL By Matthew Chadder

Eswatini-born flat jockey Sean Levey reflects on a sensational 2024. By Vlad Andrejevic

LAT jockey Sean Levey enjoyed an unforgettable year in which he picked up multiple high-profile wins to put him amongst the world’s best. The Eswatini-born athlete notably won two Royal Ascot races this year, the prestigious St Leger and St James’s Palace Stakes, with two separate horses; Jan Brueghel and Rosallion, as well as the Irish 2000 Guineas with the latter. Despite previously enjoying success on the big stage — four previous major British wins in the last six years, the first of which came in 2018 in the 1000 Guineas Stakes — this year stands out as his best. Sean recently took time out to reflect on his sensational 2024. He told the Voice of Sport: “I was on a horse quite young, it wasn’t in England — my dad did travel quite a bit on the back of his apprenticeship through Germany, Sweden amongst other places before ending up in Swaziland where I was born. Mum had a stable of her own retraining race horses for show jumping and that’s where

I probably sat on my first racehorse.” It was originally his aunt who had moved to Eswatini before Sean’s father Mick followed suit. They stayed there until Sean was 11 before they moved to Ireland. This is where Sean would fortify his interest in the sport and it would become a way of life for him and his younger brother. “It was never anything that was forced upon us but at the same time the opportunity was given and then it was whether or not it was taken up — we both did it organically,” said Sean. “I got the bug!” As he completed his education, he would spend summers pony racing before signing on as an apprentice at the age of 17 at Ballydoyle racehorse training facility. That’s when things became serious. “It was a massive change — pony racing is a child’s game in comparison to the real thing and that’s what signing on was,” he explained. “That period was the be all and end all of everything — I had to succeed. It wasn’t a hobby any more, it had become a way of life.”

Success did not come easily for Sean, who had to bide his time and make a lot of difficult decisions to gain some traction. “It took me years — I had two rides the whole first year that I was signed on, I didn’t have my winner until the second year, that’s when my trainer decided I was good enough for racing. “Then opportunity presented itself where I rode in a lot of big races as an apprentice for a number of years,” he recalled. “I wasn’t happy with the momentum I was picking up so I made the huge decision to move to England from Ireland where I went at it on my own — that was a hard couple of years but eventually it paid off.” Sean’s humility means that he struggles to pinpoint attributes he possesses that have allowed him to succeed, rather citing luck and the horses as the real contributors. “Success is judged on the opportunity to get on good horses — it’s the horses at the end of the day that do the running. The thing about racing is it’s ultimately the search

of getting on to the best horses you can — it wasn’t up until recently that those good horses came along for me.” He does concede that it was his ever-improving performances and reputation that allowed him to reach the level that he has, and that his resilience played a crucial role. “The more success you have more doors open for you — I keep using the word opportunity but ultimately that’s what it is. The more winners you ride, the more in favour you are — the more chances you have of coming in contact with a good horse.” The horse he rode to multiple victories in the last 18 months, Rosallion, is unsurprisingly his favourite horse he has ridden. He feels he has something special, and led him to believe for the first time in his career he had reached the level he worked so hard for. “You never know when your big day will come — I’m having my best year but I’m looking forward to better ones hopefully,” he added. l Sean Levey will at riding at a racecourse near you, to find your nearest fixture visit www.greatbritishracing.com

DURING the summer a young man from Leicestershire, Jobe Smyle, accompanied by family, friends, and community activist Freedom Zamapaladus, gathered in Newmarket to celebrate the 22-year-old’s graduation from the prestigious British Racing School. However, at the beginning of the year, this was a dream which Jobe himself could have never imagined. “Freedom helped me a lot. I don’t know how it would have gone if I’d started somewhere else, it might have been a bit much,” Jobe told The Voice. “When I started, all I wanted to do was learn how to ride a horse. I couldn’t imagine how quickly it would go, from getting involved with Freedom to graduating the British Racing School.” Freedom is the founder of The Urban Equestrian Academy, which was set up to offer young people, specifically those from disadvantaged backgrounds, an opportunity to learn how to ride horses professionally as well as how to look after them. BLOSSOMED Freedom said of his protégé: “What I love about Jobe is his willingness to give something a go, and he’s just blossomed throughout this entire experience. “I made him aware of this opportunity with the British Racing School. He did the assessment, did the interview and here we are 18 weeks later, with Jobe having blitzed through the British Racing School. “It is incredible, I don’t think it has sunk in for him yet. The assessment is not easy, and Jobe nailed it. “Jobe has seen the realities now. He’s seen the good, the bad and the ugly and now he has the paperwork, and the opportunity to go and do whatever he wants in this industry. He is certified. “He is the inspiration and pioneer behind a programme I launched in August, called the Hood to Horses Pathway Programme. “Jobe and I don’t come from a highly privileged place with a lot of opportunity. We come from a place which not a lot of people make it from. So, when you put people like us in a particular place to thrive, we take that opportunity and he’s just gone and done that.”

44 | THE VOICE DECEMBER 2024

Sport

THE POWER OF TRUST GAME-CHANGER: Boxing legend Chris Eubank shows off the new platform

OXING legend Chris Eubank is set to bring some Christmas cheer this festive season. The former pugilist is a 19-time world champion who has left an indelible mark on the sport and British culture. He has long since stepped out of the ring and into the tech world with the groundbreaking launch of Trust Huddle — a game-changing platform set to revolutionise community fundraising and administration. The innovative new system, which sits on your phone for ease of use, brings communities together, slashing the headache of admin and turning everyday users into fundraising powerhouses. Trust Huddle is a one-sizefits-all solution that caters to the needs of every group — be it sports clubs, PTAs, or local charities. Eubank’s knockout platform, unveiled globally recently, offers free access to a centralised hub where communication and fundraising become effortless.

Chris Eubank is hoping to land a knockout blow in the world of tech. By Rodney Hinds With a career defined by innovation and perseverance, Eubank’s latest venture is already making waves. Trust Huddle has stormed the market, attracting over 200 school PTAs and 3,000 users in just its soft launch. It’s unlike anything out there — and it’s only just getting started. Eubank has spent the last 18 months working closely with a team of specialists who have developed the tech software and it is now ready for growth across the UK market and beyond. “I’ve always been a believer in the power of unity, and Trust Huddle is the ultimate tool for driving communities forward,” said the former champion who has also been an influential figure in the world of sports entertainment and philanthropy.

“From sports clubs to charities and everything in between, this platform empowers people to achieve more — raising

funds, communicating, and thriving together. I couldn’t be more excited about changing the way communities work.” The tech was developed internally by Trust Huddle founder Paul Broadbent, bringing a wealth of experience from his involvement in several highprofile projects. Broadbent

previously led the creation of seven new brands and websites for schools within the East Midlands Academy Trust. Broadbent said: “Trust Huddle is an incredibly versatile tool, ideal for a wide array of communities, from school PTAs and sports clubs to towns, villages, and local parishes. It’s also perfectly suited for special interest groups, social clubs, Facebook communities, charities, and even internal business communications. Essentially, it’s a solution for any CHAMPION: community that needs a central Chris Eubank hub to connect, communicate, left an indelible and thrive.” mark on boxing The platform uses automated messaging to email every member of a community and keep them updated on important news and events. It can organise events and sell tickets for community facilities or causes as well as collect payments online. It also manages memberships and subscriptions with ease. Trust Huddle allows members to buy

and sell pre-owned and unwanted items, with a percentage donated to the community. It can sell locally donated or branded items with all online payments secure using Stripe. Eubank captured the WBO middleweight and supermiddleweight titles, amassing a professional record of 45 wins, five losses, and two draws. Now he is of the opinion that he can help communities win too. “Trust Huddle isn’t just about keeping people connected — it’s about helping communities soar,” Eubank added. “Whether you’re managing a sports club, a charity, or a social group, this platform brings your community to life and makes fundraising effortless. The future is here.”