The Voice Newspaper: March 2024

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MARCH 2024 • ISSUE NO. 1952

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n e m o w r u o g n i t a r b C ele

SOUP, WINE AND FAITH

Mavis Wallace, 105, tells The Voice her secrets to a long life

105 YEAR-OLD Mavis Wallace, affectionately known as Aunty May, credits her long life to Caribbean pot soup, red wine and faith in God. Now friends and family of the centenarian, who came to Britain in the mid-1940s just before the arrival of the HMT Empire Windrush, are planning a special celebration for her in August. › p5 Mavis Wallace, affectionately known as Aunty May (inset) Mavis as a young woman in the mid-1950s

Inside THIS MONTH

Mums’ plea for family unity Bid to stop Black children going missing p4

ROUNDUP NEWSPAPER

News, views, stories & videos TOP 10 ONLINE STORIES FEBRUARY 2024

1. Vybz Kartel murder conviction appeal begins

Kartel’s lawyer told the Privy Council he hopes the conviction is “quashed”

2. Grenada at 50: Will it become a republic?

Sinai Fleary speaks to Black Britons of Grenadian heritage about calls for the country to become a republic

Diane Abbott Trailblazer, campaigner and an unwavering voice for change p6

3. Met chief shuns officers’ calls to discuss racism claims Sir Mark Rowley accused of showing “no desire” to tackle discrimination

Met chief’s call Dr Alison Heydari leads the charge for change in policing p12 & 21 Lives well lived A salute to campaigners Yvonne Witter and Audrey Adams p22

4. Bob Marley’s son makes claim over biopic auditions

KyMani Marley says legend’s children didn’t get to audition for biopic

5. Black groups shut out from Labour launch of equality plans Labour party accused of trying to evade Black voters’ criticisms of its race equality pledges

6. ‘Keir Starmer doesn’t care about Black people’

Serious questions raised about party’s commitment to its Black voter base

7. Popular market trader faces eviction by billionaire developers

Let’s spread the wealth Tynah Matembe’s top tips p36

Campaigners say redevelopment plans will lead to gentrification

8. Black boy, 14, attacked by adult spectator at football Police confirm they have launched investigation into the violent attack

9. Titi Bello secures the bag on Dragons’ Den

Titi Bello, founder of Ori Lifestyle, wins Emma Grede’s support on BBC show

Saluting our sporting heroes Football Black List 2023 p46-47

10. Nala’s Baby gets celebrity backing

Popular ‘naturally, clean baby products’ expands into major supermarkets

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

The Voice says Why we should celebrate Black women every day ON International Women’s Day, people across the world pay respect to the strength, courage, and incredible accomplishments of women.

It’s a time to celebrate their achievements and help support the continuing campaign for gender equality.

Black women have played a key role in these campaigns, tirelessly campaigning for equality and rights for all.

Women such as Claudia Jones, Olive Morris, Diane Abbott, Baroness Ros Howells, Baroness Doreen Lawrence, Althea Jones-Lacointe, and Dame Jocelyn Barrow have etched their names into the annals of civil rights history in Britain.

Their unwavering dedication and resilience have inspired generations, laying the groundwork for progress and it’s essential that their contributions are recognised.

International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month provide a great opportunity to honour the contributions of Black women and recognise their pivotal role in driving societal change and championing equality. By highlighting their stories, we demonstrate our dedication to building a world that is fair and equal for all.

This special edition of The Voice will shine a spotlight on some of these incredible stories.

But despite the fact they have accomplished so much, Black women still face enormous obstacles.

They bear the brunt of poverty, discrimination, and violence, facing systemic barriers entrenched by racism, sexism, and classism.

Their representation in positions of power remains scarce, underscoring the urgent need for concerted efforts to dismantle barriers and foster inclusivity.

Acknowledging both their contributions and the barriers faced by Black women, they should not be treated as a one-time event. We must all work together to provide them a platform, defend their rights, and honour their accomplishments.

All women, regardless of their ethnicity or socioeconomic status, will be able to reach their full potential in the future if we do this.

Recognising Black women’s achievements and the barriers they face should not be treated as something we only do one day or month in the year. By consistently acknowledging the role Black woman have played gives them a voice, And in the long run, this helps to ensure that women of all backgrounds and socioeconomic levels are heard and acknowledged and supported in realising their potential.

Got a story? email us at yourviews@thevoicemediagroup.co.uk SPORTS EDITOR Rodney Hinds E. rodney.hinds@thevoice mediagroup.co.uk ADVERTISING AND SALES E. advertising@thevoicemedia group.co.uk

NEWS DESK E. newsdesk@thevoice mediagroup.co.uk

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MARCH 2024 THE VOICE |

3

News Feature

Celebrating Women

Unearthing untold stories Norma Gregory is on a mission to preserve the history of Nottinghamshire’s Black community. By Vic Motune

A

UTHOR AND historian Norma Gregory is the driving force behind a social enterprise with one very important mission: to unearth and preserve the history of Nottinghamshire’s Black community.

Nottingham News Centre, which she founded in 2013, provides history and heritage content, and services for museums and heritage arts organisations.

Through Gregory’s tireless efforts, the company has shed light on the often overlooked stories of Jamaican members of the Windrush Generation who worked as miners in the region’s coal industry.

Through books, exhibitions, broadcast programme content and workshops among other projects, she has ensured that their contribution to the city and the region’s cultural, social, and economic landscape is not only remembered but celebrated for generations to come.

Her work has not only provided new insights into Nottingham’s history but earned her a host of plaudits for initiating important discussions about identity, representation , and belonging in the modern world.

The latest honours for the former teacher solidify her reputation as an innovator in the fields of community advocacy and historical preservation.

In November, Gregory won Women’s Champion of the Year at the Social Enterprise Awards UK for the work she has done with Nottingham News Centre.

“I couldn’t believe it because I was up against some seriously strong, young talent,” she says reflecting on the night she won.

“It was an amazing event and it was just nice to be among innovative people. Everyone in that room was doing amazing projects that help people in some way.

“I was shortlisted in the Women’s Leadership category. They read out the names on the screen one at a time and then there was a long pause. My table was right at the back. Often when you sit right

at the back, you know you’re not getting an award because you’ve got a long walk to the front. So I didn’t think I would win an award.

But I was really proud and honoured when I did.”

The following month she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Letters at the University of Nottingham.

While impressive Gregory regards these accolades as confirmation of her view that the work she does is about much more than personal accomplishment.

“Winning the Social Enterprise Award was an amazing achievement, not just for myself but for Nottingham,” she says. “I’m really passionate about that. Nottingham has brought me forward and I like to bring the city and the county where I’m based with me on my journey.

“As the founder of Nottingham News Centre CIC, a social enterprise deeply rooted in community impact, seeing my city recognised alongside me was immensely gratifying. My journey rere flects the belief that it’s never too late to pursue one’s passions.

There’s alal ways time to do what you want to do and I want to e n c o u ra g e women of all ages to pursue their dreams.”

Indeed, Gregory’s decision to create NottingNotting ham News Centre was a leap of faith that took some courage but one that has paid off.

“I started my company in 2013 after 13 years in education. I felt compelled to establish Nottingham News Centre because I was driven by a desire to address gaps in knowledge in the educational systems. So I embarked on a mission to revamp, renew, and update content for today’s world.

“I redirected my focus to producing content and fostering informal learning through museums and heritage work. My passion now lies in heritage and history and recognising their power.

“Also, I felt that as a woman I needed to lead my ship. I’m the captain of my ship. And we can be captains of ships, we can be leaders of business. Nottingham News Centre is a social enterprise,

HONOUR: Norma Gregory’s work has also brought recognition from the University of Nottingham who made her an Honorary Doctorate of Letters in December; above, Gregory’s book, Jamaicans in Nottingham: Narratives and Reflections published in 2015, was the first to collate the oral histories of Black miners

so money is not the driving force.

Of course, we have to earn income so that we can still do the work we do. But being able to make choices about how I do things and the content such as the television and radio programmes I assist with as a consultant, or the books I produce, that’s part of creating change, creating resources that are positive, inclusive, diverse, engaging.”

Academic research has only recently begun to recognise the hidden histories of Black miners in the UK, who contributed to the economic and industrial de-

velopment of Britain during their relatively short period in coal mining history dating back to Roman times.

Gregory’s groundbreaking book, Jamaicans in Nottingham: Narratives and Reflections, published in 2015, was a major catalyst in that shift.

The book included some oral histories of Black miners of Jamaican heritage in the region. While writing the book she discovered that her father’s cousin had been a miner.

A later exhibition she curated at the National Coal Mining Museum

called Digging Deep: Coal Miners of African Caribbean Heritage, shed further light on that story.

It combined unique historical artefacts with previously unseen photos.

Black miners are now known to have worked in a number of other mines in England including Sutton Manor Colliery and Dawdon Colliery and also Welsh mines.

The wide impact and acclaim of Gregory’s work in bringing this story to light has led to a host of other opportunities with major museums and heritage organisations, not just in the UK but HISTORICAL ARTEFACTS: Gregory with one of the exhibits from the Digging Deep exhibition; inset, a photo of a Black miner circa late 1950s. (photos: Gareth Williams Black Miners Museum Archives/ Rupert Meikle Black Miners Museum Archive)

around the world. However, the driving vision that led to the creation of Nottingham News Centre remains at the heart of her work.

“My current focus involves consulting for museums across the world, particularly on looking at how they interpret the workforce in their displays and exhibitions,” she says.

“What I’m doing really is just working wider and thinking more globally, taking the knowledge we have here in the UK, because we have a lot of knowledge in museums, and looking at it as a service that can be exported.

“But I remain as passionate as ever about ensuring accurate and inclusive representation in museum narratives She continues: “Any museum I have been in contact with what I talk about is about inclusion, inclusive content, inclusive heritage.

Diverse stories that are visually engaging because that’s the future.

We’ve got to keep museums open but we need people to come.

“If they are not stories that are representative of different groups then the sector is missing a whole section of a society. You’ve got to keep people interested, and the only way you do that is to have diverse stories that represent many different sections of society.”

4 | THE VOICE MARCH 2024

News Feature

Black community urged to build support networks Black British mothers warn ‘breakdown in family connection’ linked to children going missing . By Sinai Fleary

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LACK BRITISH mothers are issuing an urgent warning that family breakdowns and peer pressure are driving Black children to go missing from home across the UK. The call comes as recent research from the multi-award-winning Manhood Academy Global (MAG), a registered charity that provides Black children with lifechanging transformation opportunities, highlighted “breakdown in the family dynamic” as the main reason for Black boys going missing in London.

Research from leading national charity Missing People and research consultancy Listen Up, found Black children are more likely to be missing for over 48 hours and for over a week compared to White adults and children.

In an effort to tackle the impact of family breakdown and peer pressure and stop her son from drifting into crime, one Black mother revealed how she enlisted the help of extended family members to form a protective shield around her son, to safeguard him from potentially being lured into a gang and criminally exploited.

Molinda Wadzanai Buka, from Westminster, London, says she had to take the drastic step of having an intervention meeting with her extended family members in order to save her teenage son.

“I called all the trusted adults that are invested in my son and said ‘We need to have a meeting because I don’t want him to throw his life away’.

“The meeting reminded him that we love him and that he is a good person and thankfully it worked. It was the grandparents, uncles, aunties, cousins and his dad as well,” she said.

Prior to her family intervention, Buka says her son — who is now 16 — was hanging around with the wrong crowd, behaving badly in school and was making bad choices.

“He wanted to be cool and he wanted to belong,” she explains. “It was like he had a split personality, he was one person at home and then when he was outside, he was

living a colourful Rude Boy life. We didn’t raise him that way, but that is what he felt like he needed to become to fit in with his peers.”

Buka says she initially engaged with MAG when her son was nine years old because she was concerned about his future as a Black boy living in the capital.

She reveals she wanted to have a “village around him.”

Buka tried to keep her son busy by enrolling him in a lot of activities while balancing the demands of her career as a telecoms project manager. However, the demands of her job exhausted her.

Stressed out and preoccupied, Buka failed to notice her son’s success when he passed a computer science exam. Sensing that he needed more attention, she quit her job in February 2022 and made her child’s welfare her top priority.

“If you are not there to talk to your children, to hug them, to listen to them, they are going to go outside and look for that in different ways,” she says.

DREAM

Buka says the family intervention has worked and her son has more self-esteem and is “actively looking for work, is making good choices and intent on fulfilling his dream of becoming an accountant”.

Buka, now a Parent Advocate and MAG Trustee, encourages struggling parents to seek support from community groups like MAG without shame. She views MAG’s empowering families program as

GUIDANCE: Davis Williams, third from right, and members of his team with young people during a Manhood Academy Global event crucial for the Black community.

Charlene Matthews, from Enfield, north London, also has a 17-yearold son who attends MAG. He has been with the group since he was 13.

“My son Kanye did go off the rails, he went missing a number of times,” she reveals. “One time he went missing for a whole week.”

Matthews was relieved that despite Kanye’s absence, he continued to communicate with Davis Williams, MAG founder, which put her mind at rest. The pandemic presented difficulties which saw the teenager involved in risky behaviour. She was grateful for MAG’s support which involved group sessions in which topics like school, smoking and friendship were discussed. She says her son is

“doing amazing now” but believes she could have helped him earlier if his previous school had told her people known to the police were hanging outside his school.

“He was actually being groomed for his love of cars,” she says.

Matthews also attended an empowerment parenting programme run by MAG and said it has transformed her and her son’s relationship and is also urging other parents not to put off seeking out help if they need it.

“Make sure they have something that they have a passion for, make sure there is something they want to do more than being on the streets. They have to have something that keeps them focused and piques their attention,” she said.

Williams says the trend of Black BACK ON TRACK: Far left, Charlene Matthews and her son Kanye; left, Molinda Wadzanai Buka with her son

boys going missing is worrying, but can be fixed with robust family and community-based solutions.

“A young boy going missing at 12 is not normal,” he said. “When I say missing, they are being exploited, they are running county lines, up and down the UK.” According to the National Crime Agency, county lines are where illegal drugs are transported from one area to another, often across police and local authority boundaries (although not exclusively), usually by children or vulnerable people who are coerced into it by gangs.

GROOMED

Williams said he wants parents to become more informed on how social media works, as he has found it is a place where Black children are being targeted by gangs and groomed online.

“Conversations that they should not be having with strangers are taking place on social media,” he said.

He also slammed aspects of British youth culture he feels are putting pressure on Black boys to behave a certain way.

“Young Black boys especially, need to look a certain way, walk a certain way and act a certain way, they have been branded,” he said.

Williams works closely with the police and social workers when a young child goes missing.

“Even when they go missing,

sometimes they will come to us rather than go to their own parents and that is not good,” he said “But we would rather they come to us than no one knows where they are.”

He says that when the boys open up, they usually disclose that “something has happened at home” or “mum and dad are arguing” or “mum don’t understand the journey that they are on”. The breakdown of that family bond, that connection, once that begins, that’s when the young boys start to look for it elsewhere,” he explained.

Williams is urgently calling for the Black community to rebuild their family support networks in order to help the next generation.

His organisation offers a free 12week program to strengthen family bonds, supported by London Mayor’s funding. It blends online and in-person sessions, retreats, and guest speakers, emphasising community involvement in nurturing the next generation “A lot of families are in survival mode, they are working full-time, and they are busy We are advising parents to get your family unit in order,” he says. “Develop core values as a family, have your principles, your family pledge whatever it may be to keep those bonds strong.”

For more details on Manhood Academy Global or to book a place on their family empowerment programme, visit: www. manhoodacademyglobal.com

MARCH 2024 THE VOICE |

5

News Feature

Celebrating Women

‘Aunt May’ is still going strong

ENTHUSIASM FOR LIFE: Although Mrs Mavis Wallace will be 106 in August, her family and friends say she has lost none of her youthful energy; inset below, Mavis as a young woman in the 1950s

The secret to a long life is wine, Caribbean pot soup and faith in God, says 105-year-old Black British woman. By Sinai Fleary

A

105 -Y E A R - O L D BLACK British woman says wine, traditional Caribbean pot soup and faith in God are the secrets to a long life.

The much-loved Mavis Wallace, who will celebrate her 106th birthday in August, insists that what keeps her fit and healthy is drinking the water from boiled Jamaican yam and sweet potato and having at least two to three glasses of red wine a week.

“When you boil the yam, the banana, and the pumpkin, that water is called pot soup. That’s what I love,” she tells The Voice.

When asked if she prefers rum or wine, Mrs Wallace quickly replies with a laugh: ”Drink white rum and tumble down.”

The well-respected pensioner, affectionately known as ‘Aunt May’ to those in her family and local community, still has a busy social life and enjoys spending time at a local Caribbean luncheon club.

However, her family say that as well as her love of traditional Caribbean pot soup and a glass of wine, her faith and strong religious background has helped to keep her mentally alert and full of energy.

Aunt May was raised in the Pentecostal Church but has been a proud Jehovah’s Witness for over 30 years.

She still attends Bible studies and goes to church conventions

and meetings when she can. Her niece Evelyn Holness, and grandniece Lorraine Gordon, say it’s very much a family effort looking after their beloved Aunt.

“When she goes to church on Sunday, everyone comes and wants to hug her and congratulate her,” says Holness. “Everywhere we go people shout ‘Sister Mavis’ or ‘Aunt May’ and she will stand up there and talk to people.”

Mrs Wallace says she doesn’t let anything slow her down.

She travels back to Jamaica every year and also takes frequent trips to America to see her other family members.

Ms Gordon said: “She only just got back from Jamaica and was last there for about nine months and she’s ready to go back. She’s a VIP, she travels first class with Virgin and British Airways, and she goes like twice a year.”

Mrs Wallace was born in the little town of Wait-a-Bit situated in Trelawny, Jamaica, in 1918, and came to the United Kingdom in the mid-1940s.

She has vivid memories of growing up with her parents Mary and Joseph Powel, her three brothers and four sisters.

She was called “the Wash Belly”, a popular Jamaican term that refers to the youngest child,

and recalls being a bit of a rebel.

“When I was at school, I would play about and meet people, sometimes we quarrel sometimes we fight,” she says. “I was very bad you know, I used to fight because I want to have my own way and I can’t get it.”

She came to England in the mid-1940s. After arriving in Lewisham, south-east London, it took her some time

to adjust to life in a new country.

“What I remember, is leaving the sunny place to come to England and that it was cold, it wasn’t nice,” she recalls. “But we enjoyed it, and until now after how many years, I’m still holding on.”

Mrs Wallace married her late husband Glen after he had a tragic accident in Lewisham when he was hit by a bus and lost a leg.

The couple remained happily married for over 50 years until his

death nearly ten years ago. They didn’t have any children together.

However, she takes great pride in the fact that she played an instrumental part in raising her husband’s nephew, Patrick Wallace, from an early age.

Prior to her marriage, she was 16-years-old when she gave birth to a beautiful baby boy she named Eastern.

Mrs Wallace still remembers going into labour upstairs in the family home and recalls exactly how her father reacted when the labour became intense and painful.

Chuckling, she recalls him saying: “It’s sweet too, but it’s a bitter one,” a popular Jamaican saying often used to describe the difference in feelings when getting pregnant and when in pain going through labour to have a baby.

Eastern, a popular little boy, sadly died when he just six years old.

Mrs Wallace said she left him with her sister while she went shopping.

Her sister picked a closed Ackee from a tree, cooked it, and gave it to Eastern which unfortunately poisoned him.

“She loved the pickney so much and gave him some Ackee from the tree, cooked it up and gave it to him and it wasn’t that good,” she explains.

Despite losing her only child in such tragic circumstances, Mrs Wallace poured her love and af-

“When she goes to church on Sunday, everyone wants to hug her. People shout ‘Sister Mavis’ or ‘Aunt May’ and she will stand up and talk to people” fection into raising other children in her family including her grandniece Ms Gordon and her brother, Johnny Gordon.

She worked at the Peek Freans biscuit factory in Bermondsey, south-east London, for nearly 40 years before retiring in the 1990s. She was given a golden watch for her decades of tireless service.

Following her retirement she realised she had more love to give, and later took in and cared for overseas students from Spain

and France who came to London to study.

“Some of them I have to keep them for the week because they couldn’t go to their parents,” she recalls. “It was such a far way that some of them come from, so they can’t go to school and we have to keep them and I cooked for them.”

Mrs Wallace loved cooking traditional Jamaican dishes for the students who stayed with her.

Ms Gordon says that after all these years, her grand aunt is still fondly remembered by the students she once looked after.

“She used to pick them up from the station, she would run up and down, cooking breakfast, lunch and dinner. When we were clearing out some of her stuff we saw letters from some of them who have gone on to have families of their own.

“Some of them are from India, Japan, Switzerland and they sent pictures and still remember her and thanked her so much because she looked after them so well.”

She adds: “Sometimes when it was time for them to return home they didn’t want to, they wanted to stay with her.”

Mrs Wallace believes she has been blessed with a long and healthy life because she has helped many people over the years.

And to celebrate the next milestone in that life, her 106th birthday, she says she is planning another trip to Jamaica or even a cruise later in the year.

| THE VOICE MARCH 2024

6

News Feature

Celebrating Women

Read the room, Starmer Growing calls for Labour Party to reinstate Diane Abbott after suspension. By Richard Sudan

H

“

AVING NEVER spoken in Parliament, and however experienced you are at public speaking, it’s a huge thing.

It was an intensely male place and White place and was quite intimidating. My mother of course was very proud.”

Veteran MP Diane Abbott is reflecting on her maiden speech in Parliament back in 1987, as a young political firebrand.

Since then the daughter of Jamaican Windrush Generation parents has carved out a remarkable political career spanning almost four decades. She became a trailblazer and remains an inspiration to many. As the first Black woman in Parliament, Abbott has walked a path, paving the way so others might march in her footsteps.

Abbott comes from a long line of determined Black women. She speaks warmly about her Jamaican grandmother in particular, as being an inspiration, and recalls a powerful anecdote from a family trip to Jamaica as a teen which has remained with her ever since.

The pride of a Black Queen “Before I went to university, we visited my grandmother” Abbott tells The Voice. “I always remember that mummy and I were packing our cases while we were getting ready to fly back to London.

And granny said to my mother, ‘Can I help you?’

“When she did, she literally put the two suitcases on her head, and walked to the road where the bus was. She looked so dignified, so proud, and so Queenly almost.

“So, at any time of crisis or difficulty for myself, I’ve always thought of my grandmother and at least tried to have a little bit of that pride and dignity.”

TRAILBLAZER: Diane Abbott made history as the first ac female MP in Parliament. She’s pictured in 1987 alongside the ate ernie rant, a oaten , the then Labour leader Neil innoc an Keith Vaz (photo

by Fox Photos/ Hulton Archive/ Getty Images)

Proudest achievement Inspiring Black girls and boys in the way that she was inspired by those who surrounded her like her grandmother, is one of the most important and proudest areas of work for Abbott, who remains the MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington.

“I held a series of conferences on the underachievement of Black children, especially boys, and this was when no one was talking about it.

“There was an assumption that Black children weren’t achieving because they were stupid. You had to make the case as to how structural racism affected them. Funnily enough, I actually got a positive response in the end from Tony Blair’s education minister.

“Sadly, it’s not been possible to get (Sir Keir) Starmer’s leadership to take the issue up. He just isn’t interested. But I still think it’s one of the most important issues I’ve worked on.”

Hackney is also the constituency where the Child Q incident happened in which a Black teenager was strip-searched by female Met officers in 2020 after she was wrongly suspected of carrying cannabis. The assault was a reminder of just how vulnerable Black children are even in what should be safe spaces for them. The problem is an afterthought for the government and Starmer, and is therefore the reason why we need advocates for Black girls like Abbott in Parliament.

“Recently we had a 14-year-old schoolgirl, in Hackney, who the teachers called the police on and they strip searched her in a very intrusive way. Rather than going forwards, we’re going backwards,” she says.

SUPPORT: Diane Abbott attends a Stand Up to Racism rally outside Downing Street in 2021 (photo: Getty Images)

Anti -war to the core Throughout her time in Parliament, Abbott has consistently spoken out on international issues, such as the Iraq invasion of 2003 and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

More recently she has also called out Israel’s war on Gaza, and what millions of people have described as both genocide and apartheid.

Like so many people, including members of the Labour Party, she is deeply angry at the party’s failure under Starmer, to demand an immediate ceasefire while at the same time justifying Israel’s policies.

“Party politics has become all about climbing a ladder,” she explained. “It’s almost like people have forgotten, that it’s about the will or even a responsibility to intervene in the wider politics.”

We also discussed Labour’s re-

cent disastrous launch of its proposed Race Equality Act. Even if the act eventually becomes law, it doesn’t go nearly far enough in addressing the issues facing the black community, especially around policing.

Abbott says she’s not against the plan. But for her, the question is about the political will needed to implement existing law. We have enough legislation she says.

There’s nothing stopping this government or the next from demanding action from police forces across the country.

Many loyal Labour voters are increasingly questioning their alliance to a party which they feel has significantly drifted away from the reasons that once attracted them.

Unfair treatment of Black women She is currently sitting as an independent having had the whip removed over a year ago, in a move many Black Britons have strongly delibcriticized as a shameful and delib erate attempt by Starmer’s circle Lato prevent her representing La bour at the next election.

A survey conducted by The Voice with its readers suggested that around 80 per cent could consider switching parties over Labour’s treatment of Abbott.

Many are, to say the least, cynical about the party’s grounds for suspending her. While some might agree that Abbott’s letter to the Observer last year was ill-advised and poorly worded, for which she commuapologised, many in our commu exnity understand the unique ex perience of anti-Black racism she

doesn’t care about Black votes.”

Does she think she will be Labour MP again?

“I hope so,” she says simply, adding she can’t imagine being part of anything else.

“The idea that after nearly 40 years in public Could Abbott rise again? would never run as an life fighting “Iindependent.

For better or worse I’ve been a member for racism, my 40 years. Myparty commitment to remains the same. But own party socialism I can see why Black Labour are frightened and why Black could exclude MPs Labour supporters are disillume and call me sioned.”

My last question to Abbott is anti -Semitic about the support people have for her. If enough people wanted is quite her to stand as an independent if Labour refuses to reinstate her, is extraordinary” there any scenario in which she was trying to unpack. “The idea that after nearly 40 years in public life fighting racism, my own party could exclude me and call me anti -Semitic is quite extraordinary. It’s like those 40 years of campaigning meant nothing. No one even called me in to talk to me or even ask me what I meant,” she says.

Several Black MPs have told me privately that they believe Labour is looking for any reason to drop them, even those who might not have been associated as being close to former party leader Jeremy Corbyn.

“It really is any excuse now,” Abbott says. “I understand the fear. Black colleagues are right to think any excuse. Labour just

would do so?

“I’ve been Labour my whole life, in some ways I can’t even rationalise it. I’m Labour through and through.

“But, if it was really the case, that there was a groundswell of people wanting me to continue to serve in organised politics, I’d have to consider it.”

This last comment is something our community needs to consider.

If Labour’s plan is indeed to prevent Abbott from continuing to represent the party in Parliament, we should question our loyalty to a party which no longer seems to represents us.

The Labour Party needs to read the room.

Reinstating Abbott during International Women’s Month could be a powerful gesture.

7 | THE VOICE FEBRUARY 2022

FEBRUARY 2024

THE VOICE | 7

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| THE VOICE MARCH 2024

News Feature

Celebrating Women

Adejoké makes history

ACCOLADE: Adejoké Bakare has won plaudits for combining West African cuisine from across the region with finesse an creativity(photos: Harriet Langford)

s first lac emale ichelin starred che is reshaping diners e perience o est rican cuisine y Vic Motune

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DEJOKÉ (JOKÉ) Bakare, the founder of Chishuru restaurant in London, has been hailed as a trailblazer in the culinary world.

She has won plaudits for combining West African cuisine from across the region with finesse and creativity, inspiring a new generation of chefs and reshaping diners’ experience of African food in the UK. Renowned food critics such as Jimi Famurewa of the Evening Standard and Harriet Fitch Little, food and drink editor of FT Weekend have lavished praise on Bakare’s talent and the innovative range of dishes that Chishuru.

Last month, the spotlight was further thrown on the Nigerian-born Bakare’s talent when Chishuru was one of 18 restaurants awarded a Michelin star, making her the first Black female Michelin-starred chef in the UK, and only the second in the world.

Bakare says she is amazed by the outpouring of positive responses her success generated.

H e r Michelin s t a r sparked joyous celebrations a m o n g the Nige-rian diaspora, many of whom flocked to social media to declare “Naija no dey carry last”.

Some highlighted the fact that her milestone achievement wasn’t just about the restaurant and food industry becoming a more diverse and inclusive space.

Bakare’s journey from selftaught cook to Michelin-starred chef illustrates how far perseverance and resilience in the face of formidable odds can take you.

Her long-held dream of opening a modern West African restaurant is now a reality.

But despite being grateful for all the accolades and recognition, she says she is determined to stay humble because of what she says is the weight of responsibility.

“The way they ran the awardgiving meant we thought we’d missed out completely,” she reveals. “My blood ran cold when the host got to the end of the list of new one-stars. And then he said

‘but we have one more star to give to a chef, and she...’ and I didn’t really hear any more of the words after that because I knew it was me.

“There were 17 new one-star male chefs on the stage, and I came up to join them. Michel Roux gave me a big hug to calm my nerves and I had my arms in my custom-made Michelin chef jacket.”

Bakare continues: “I have been blown away by the reaction to my Michelin star. My business partner Matt walked into the kitchen this week and asked ‘Joké what’s this phrase everyone is using... Naija no dey carry last?’ and Moruf (our kitchen porter) and I collapsed into laughter. I’ve lost count of Instagram story reactions and even some people talking about making history. It’s incredibly touching, but also that’s what I mean by the ‘weight of responsibility’. It’s a kind of attention I’ve never had before in my life.

“We had a wonderful comment on our Insta today: ‘Being amazing privately is great, but being brave enough to impact others is destiny. Keep walking in purpose, and leave the door open for all the Black womwom en running behind.’”

B a k a r e’s journey to cucu linary stardom is inspiring. Raised in Kaduna, Nigeria, with diverse food influences from her Yoruba mother and Igbo father, she developed a passion for cooking alongside her grandmother.

Despite studying biological science, her love of cooking endured and she always harboured a goal to one day open her own restaurant.

After relocating to the UK for university, cooking remained a hobby while she pursued other career paths.

In 2017, persuaded by friends, she organised her first supper club.

Two years later she won a Brixton Village cooking competition. The prize offered her an opportunity to operate a three-month pop-up restaurant.

Winning the competition boosted her confidence as a chef and made her realise that she had the ability to pursue her culinary dreams. Despite lacking profes-

sional kitchen experience, she became a restaurant owner.

In September 2020, Chishuru launched as a pop-up, featuring modern West African cuisine after Bakare’s Brixton Village competition win. Despite her novice restaurant experience, the response was overwhelming, drawing customers from across London. Bakare deliberately labelled her menu West African, not just Nigerian, highlighting the region’s culinary similarities and the cuisines of her upbringing. Her skills at blending these influences with modern techniques meant that the venture thrived, attracting Britons new to this food as people of West African heritage.

Chishuru’s popularity meant it quickly outgrew its Brixton Village location, prompting Bakare’s decision to close it and look for

new premises. After searching across the capital, Bakare and business Matt Paice settled in Fitzrovia, central London, as Chishuru’s permanent home in August last year.

“Having my own restaurant was a life-long dream,” she says.

“I wanted to cook the food of my heritage, the food I grew up with.

As the oldest of my siblings, I was often tasked with cooking at home. Food is spiritual for me.”

Among the popular dishes are sinasir, fermented rice cake with shiitake mushrooms and crushed walnuts, moi moi made from bean cake, bone marrow, omelette, red pepper and scallop roe and yassa, a dish of charcoal-grilled guineafowl breast, caramelised onion and lemon sauce.

“At Chishuru, I aim to give a London restaurant twist to my dishes.

So if you have moi moi at my restaurant, you will absolutely recognise the tastes and the ingredients, but perhaps not the presentation.

A lot of the time, it’s about applying restaurant techniques to homely dishes. We add a few more steps to a few more ingredients to make the dish feel more London.

We don’t have a rulebook, we’re not presenting classic restaurant dishes that have been produced for centuries. Our excellent suppliers will always enthuse about the best seasonal produce they’re getting in, and I try to use that as our starting point.”

Despite the apparent lack of diversity in restaurant ownership in London, Bakare refuses to allow barriers to hinder her vision of what she hopes to achieve.

“Matt and I offered on four sites before we got the one we’re in now. We HIGH PRAISE: Leading food critics have heaped praise on the innovative dishes, inset, served at Chishuru in Fitzrovia, central London, which include guinea fowl with yassa sauce, and grilled hispi cabbage with wild watermelon seed sauce

were turned down by one Fitzrovia landlord — he just wasn’t interested in having a West African restaurant in his property, and this was only six months after us winning Time Out’s restaurant of the year.

She continues: “I wouldn’t say it was prejudice necessarily, just narrow-mindedness. Similarly, although we’re flying high now, Matt and I were very struck when we opened in Fitzrovia that other new restaurants serving more familiar food had every restaurant critic flocking to them, whereas we really had to hustle for our coverage.

Critics definitely need to cast their nets more widely.”

Bakare dismisses claims that African food lacks crossover appeal. She believes such assertions overlook the rich diversity of African culinary traditions.

The Michelin star chef says she hopes that the growing interest in African cuisine will help dispel the often repeated claim that the continent’s cuisine lacks crossover appeal. She sees Chishuru as helping to lead a change in perception.

“In fairness, west African food has more of a struggle because to date the region hasn’t been big for UK holidaymakers,” she says.

“Think of all the gap year kids coming back from Thailand desperate to experience authentic Thai cuisine in London. One of my dear friends (and regulars) went to a hotel resort in Ghana for Christmas and raved about it. We need more of that.”

9 | THE VOICE JUNE 2022

FEBRUARY 2024

THE VOICE | 9

10 | THE VOICE MARCH 2024

News Feature

Celebrating Women

Let’s make our future female Georgina Wilson is on a mission to motivate budding entrepreneurs. By Leah Mahon

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POWER IN NUMBERS: Encouraging Black female entrepreneurs to embrace fearlessness and authenticity in their quest for success is a key part of Wilson’s work (photo: Getty Images)

Are you eligible for a £10,000 support payment?

If you, or someone you know, was affected by abuse while placed by Islington Council in one of its children’s homes between 1966-95, the Islington Support Payment Scheme is open for applications for a £10,000 support payment.

Apply by 31 May, 2024.

Need help to apply or have questions?

Call the Support Payment Team on 020 7527 3254 or email supportpayment@islington.gov.uk

N THE world of entrepreneurship, where opportunities for Black female entrepreneurs to grow their businesses are rare, Georgina Wilson is a source of empowerment and hope.

Over the last decade she has led an initiative aimed at providing more avenues to help Black female business owners to succeed in achieving their entrepreneurial goals.

However, Wilson’s vision is about more than just business. As the founder of BUD Leaders, an organisation that promotes development and empowerment opportunities for women, she wants to rewrite the existing narratives about the lack of diversity and inclusion in UK entrepreneurship.

As part of that vision, she recently launched a groundbreaking campaign called Challengex2.

The initiative has a bold target: to double the revenues of Black and Global Majority businesswomen by 2030, while also addressing glaring power imbalances in leadership roles across the country’s businesses.

Challengex2 brings together changemakers from large corporations, smaller companies, trusts and foundations with Black and Global Majority female entrepreneurs with the aim of transforming the UK business landscape and creating opportunities for their business growth.

Its call to action is aimed at reshaping procurement and contracting, areas in which Black and minority-owned businesses have historically faced systemic barriers.

The initiative will encourage all the organisations that have signed up to actively work towards addressing the structures that have created the inequality faced by Black female entrepreneurs and supporting them in increasing their revenue and growth.

The statistics paint a stark reality: less than one per cent of corporate spending is directed towards Global Majority-led businesses, and a mere five per cent of Black women-owned businesses secure contracts with large corporations.

How e v e r, Wilson, right, refuses to be daunted by the figures, and says she is determined to channel her

“Be prepared to grow. You’ve got to be ready to go after what you want” energy into tangible action that brings about lasting change.

“The reason we launched Challengex2 is because last year, we looked at theories of how to create more equity for Global Majority and non-White leaders in business,” Wilson says.

“And what we recognised was that there are key elements that are really important to seeing real systemic change. Everybody recognises that there is a massive disparity between Black and White business owners, the evidence is there. But how are we going to create real change? I wanted to come up with a tangible vehicle from which to do that.”

Wilson continues: “We wanted to have a big, hairy, audacious goal, but we recognised that we didn’t want to do it all on our own. We just want to facilitate this change.

We want to bring £50 million minimum into Black communities.

And the key here is about legacy.”

According to Wilson, if Challengex2 achieves it goal it will create a ripple effect as other underrepresented entrepreneurs see more people who look like them become successful.

Wilson’s journey into entrepreneurship and social impact began in Tulse Hill, south London.

While managing a community café in the area, she saw firsthand the wealth of unrealised potential of people living there.

Recognising the need to support and guide people who also wanted to run their own businesses, she set out to help them by providing advice on how to identify their strengths and chart a path toward success.

“I had an opportunity to run a community space in Tulse Hill. I got a lot of interest and enthusiasm

from members of the local community who wanted to come in and test out their businesses and projects,” she recalls. “However they didn’t have the confidence, tools, resources or networks to be successful. And so, I started having coffees with them. Because I’ve got an entrepreneurial background I started supporting them to piece together their project ideas or their business ideas. But it was happening far too often.

“And I just thought, this is a real systemic problem because far too often, these people looked like me.

So, I decided to create an organisation to do something about it.”

Central to Wilson’s approach is her emphasis on collaboration and partnership. This ethos is deeply ingrained into the work that BUD Leaders does and in Challengex2, whether that is forging strategic partnerships with organisations and companies committed to positive change or providing opportunities for Black female business owners to network and exchange ideas and information.

“There’s so many things that you can do as an individual. But what I would say is that the way that women are going to be able to be successful, it’s really about connecting with other successful women, and letting go of some of those barriers that may be holding them back,” Wilson says.

“It’s also about women taking the time to work on themselves, put themselves first and after doing this work take all of the things that they have learned and step into their greatness.”

Following the launch of Challengex2 Wilson says she is looking forward to pushing forward the BUD Leaders vision of breaking barriers and create a more equal and inclusive UK business landscape.

Central to that vision is an unwavering commitment to encouraging other Black female business owners to cultivate a mindset defined by fearlessness, vulnerability, authenticity, and a relentless pursuit of personal growth, qualities shew feels are crucial in a world where their voices are often ignored.

“I would describe myself as the Black fearless female. I’m very motivational.

“It’s often said that if you hang around me, be prepared to grow.

But this kind of fearlessness is really about vulnerability, an acceptance of who you are and being your true authentic self. You’ve got to be ready to go after what you want, but actually recognise who you are and still go for it.”

MARCH 2024

THE VOICE | 11

Mental Health

ADVERTORIAL

STRENGTH IN ASKING FOR HELP: Veterans Find Support with Op COURAGE

Op COURAGE: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service from NHS England is a lifeline for those who have served, ‘We’re in it together’

Veteran Denis received support after leaving the Army, saying he “felt valued and understood” by the Op COURAGE team.

Denis 19th Regiment Royal Artillery, 2008-21 discharged due to injury (Credit Op COURAGE)

A

djusting to life after leaving the Armed Forces can be difficult for some veterans, who may experience challenges with their mental health.

This can happen soon after leaving the military or even years later. The important thing for veterans who experience these problems, is that they ask for help and support from people who understand what they are going through.

Denis, a veteran who served 13 years in the Royal Artillery 19th Regiment, spoke to us about how he was affected after leaving the Army. Denis explains that it felt like “a reverse culture shock” and that the transition back to life at home can be difficult for those who have served. Denis went on to say, “it’s hard for civilians to understand military culture but equally, it can be hard for veterans who have recently transitioned to understand civilian life”.

HELP Noticing when veterans may need support with their mental health is very important. Changes in mood, motivation and sleep can be the first signs that they may need to speak to a professional about their mental health.

Denis found the help he needed through Op COURAGE: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service, after his friends and family noticed his

(Jackie Dewe Mathews photography)

sudden weight loss, changes in his lifestyle and that he was becoming less sociable. Denis says Op COURAGE, which is an NHS England service, “really listened to me and made a real effort to help me… I felt valued and understood”. Until this point, Denis had thought he had reached breaking point, but he notes the team at Op COURAGE “helped me realise it was just the beginning”. In his first session with Op COURAGE they told him, “we’re here for you, but you also have to be there for yourself ”.

TREATMENT Looking back at the support he got from Op COURAGE, Denis explains that “the treatment I received was personalised to me and that’s what other veterans can expect – the teams understand what it means to serve, and they know that every veteran has a unique experience…everyone is different and help needs to be provided on a case-by-case basis.

Op COURAGE spend the time with you, to help you heal.”

Denis was nervous to ask for help at the beginning due to what he calls the ‘fear of showing weakness culture’. Now having felt the benefits of what the right help can do, he wants to encourage other veterans to ask for the support they need “...so they don’t have to reach the lows I did”.

Fellow veteran Larissa worked as a chef for the 27 Regiment at St Omer Barracks in Hampshire for six years, joining the Army

after emigrating to the UK from Grenada. Larissa was very dedicated to her role in the highpressure barracks kitchen where she served over 500 soldiers a day, preparing meals seven days a week. However, the fast paced and labour-intensive job, left her with little personal time for herself or her family and led to burnout.

After leaving the Armed Forces, Larissa went through a difficult time, finding herself homeless for five years. Also a single mother and with her family far

away in Grenada, she felt alone and let down, in addition to having no support network around her during this difficult time.

JOURNEY Thankfully, after advice from a fellow veteran and a referral from her local GP, Larissa found Op COURAGE. Looking back on her journey, Larissa said “I am blessed to be alive today. Finding Op COURAGE was a big part of where I am today in my life; without their support I don’t know who I would be.”

With nearly 30,000 referrals since its launch in 2017, Op COURAGE offers a range of mental health and wellbeing support tailored to each person’s specific needs. The team at Op COURAGE specialise in helping individuals to recognise and treat early signs of mental ill health, as well as more advanced mental health conditions and psychological trauma.

ASSISTANCE They also provide support and treatment for substance misuse

and addictions and can refer to other NHS services where needed. In addition, Op COURAGE liaises with charities and local organisations to help ensure support is provided for the wider health and wellbeing needs of veterans, including assistance with housing, relationships and finances.

Op COURAGE also recognises that family members of those who have served in the Armed Forces may need support too and can help them access local services.

We’re in it together: visit www.nhs.uk/opcourage

Larissa, 37, Armed Forces veteran “without Op COURAGE’s support I don’t know who I would be”. (credit: Op COURAGE)

Op COURAGE is an NHS service available in England for veterans, reservists and service leavers of the UK Armed Forces.

Individuals in Wales can visit www.veteranswales.co.uk to find out about the support available to them.

Information about the support available in Scotland can be found at www.nhsinform.scot/veteran and in Northern Ireland, go to www.gov.uk/guidance/ support-for-veteransand-their-families-innorthern-ireland.

12 | THE VOICE MARCH 2024

News Feature

Celebrating Women

A passion for diversity, equality and inclusion

FOUR-LEGGED FRIEND: Dr Alison Heydari can ride as a o nte o ficer in the Met Police

The Voice profiles etropolitan Police eputy ssistant ommissioner r lison eydari

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CTING DEPUTY Assistant Commissioner Dr Alison Heydari began her policing career 23 years ago in Hampshire Constabulary and she knew very early on in her career that she wanted to be a Detective.

She spent the next seven years in CID as a DS, DI and Temp DCI in various roles in Public Protection, child abuse investigation, force-wide strategic lead for hate crime and harmful practices. The partnership response to Domestic Abuse interested her greatly, and eventually led to her reading for a PhD, with the thesis entitled ‘Enhancing the experience of Procedural Justice for survivors of Domestic Abuse’.

Acting DAC Heydari returned to uniform where she worked in both rural and city geographical areas including Southampton.

Much preferring to keep busy, Acting DAC Heydari always elected to carry out additional roles to the day job. She was a Negotiator for eight years before training as a Public Order Public Safety (POPS) commander.

Acting DAC Heydari has also been seconded to His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary Fire and Rescue and worked abroad teaching at John Jay Exchange College of Criminal Justice in New York.

She transferred to the Met in June 2020 as a Frontline Policing Area Commander, and after three years in that role saw the opportunity to apply for the Director of the Race Action Plan.

This appointment was the culmination of many years of commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion that has been a passion of hers since joining the police service. This passion started in Acting DAC Heydari’s probation where she sought to improve the police response to the diverse communities living in Southampton, quickly followed by writing the first Race Action Plan for Hampshire Constabulary.

This activism and support for others who are aiming to improve policing has never waned as she sought to find and share good practice, encourage innovative ways of engaging with communities and participation, especially from those who trust police least.

Acting DAC Heydari’s appointment as Director compliments her role as NPCC Chief Officer lead for Out of Court Resolutions. She feels privileged to be driving the Police Race Action Plan, necessary to respond to critically low levels of trust and confidence in black communities and sees this as an opportunity UK Policing cannot miss.

We want to bring about positive change for Black people AS A a ser n po e o fi er find t deep troub n to no that so e a o un t es ha e or ar too on e t trau a ro the ondu t o po n ste ds r nat on n po n s e dent ro the ed e per en e shared b an a peop e hrou hout the de ades there ha e been an nord nate a ount o p ota o ents h h ha e sto ed the on ersat ons and ed to de ands or han eab e a t on n the a po e ser e a o un t es n ear o d tephen a ren e as urdered b stran ers on h s a ho e n an unpro o ed ra a ot ated atta he po e n est at on that pro eeded ed to no on t ons and n response the tephen a ren e

Dr Alison Heydari on the impact o the ational Police ace ction Plan n ur as r tten n e then a s or an n us e ant d s r nat e po e or e ha e run ar and de ent se en ears ater ear o d eor e o d as urdered at the hands o a po e o fi er aus n r pp es a ross the or d and a a n sh n n a ht on ds r nat on ast ear aroness ase pub shed her e e h h as a ed or a ter a ser n po e o fi er dnapped raped and urdered ear o d arah erard he report deter ned nst tut ona ra s se s and ho ophob a

n the et o e th s n turn has ade e er or e a ross the stop and re e t here are a so da to da o ur ren es that are a ause o on ern an e a p e o th s an be seen n the d spar t o stop and sear h here the nat ona stat st s re e t that a a person s ore e to be stopped and sear hed than a h te person rut n has ne er been so h h and po e or es shou d e o e that here are po ets o ood pra t e here po e or es are arr n out so e e e p ar o

aborat e or n reased o us needs to sh t to a t on ood pra t e and nno at on u d n ba trust onfiden e and e t a throu h ro edura ust e s o para ount portan e here s urrent a b t on and ded at on ro peop e n po n to o aborate th others to or to ards erad at n ra s and ds r nat on a er hope u han e s under a he o e a e t on an no n as he an as set up to bu d an ant d s r nator and ant ra st po e ser e and ad dress d spar t es a e t n a peop e or n th n or ntera t n th po n n u ust had the pr e e o be n appo nted re tor o he an to pro de d re t on and

support to the or be n done sa pr e e be ause t s er ee a put n tou h th peop e a ross the ountr both ns de and outs de o po n ho are or n to p e ent han e and o mitting efforts to make policing an ant ra st ser e he tea or th s ade up of people from police forces across n and and a es e are a pas s onate and ded ated to br n n about pos t e han e or a peop e he an s d ded nto our or strea s ea h ha n a or strea oord nator or n deter ned to understand the a e t po n has on o un t es and hat an be done to a e po n ont nued on pa e

MARCH 2024 THE VOICE |

13

News

Celebrating Women

Nothing holding us back

SPECIAL TALENTS: Left to right, legendary Lovers Rock singers Carroll Thompson, Victor Romero Evans and Janet Kay are among the stars who have performed at ICOMS

In Celebration of My Sisters goes from strength to strength. By Vic Motune

F

OR THREE decades now, In Celebration of My Sisters has been a beacon of empowerment and unity for Black British women across the UK. What started as a relatively small show first performed at Brixton’s Carlton Hall featuring a variety of entertainment such as Lovers Rock, opera, poetry, and comedy has blossomed into the nation’s largest and longest-running Mother’s Day event, which also celebrates the contributions of Black women on International Women’s Day. Since that first show 30 years ago, ICOMS has evolved into a cultural phenomenon, captivating sell-out crowds at esteemed venues like the Royal Festival Hall as well as performing in cities all over the UK. So far, over 50,000 people have watched the show. And audiences have applauded its vibrant, uplifting message.

Here, ICOMS founder Tony Fairweather tells The Voice about how the event was launched and shares his thoughts as it reaches its 30-year milestone.

“

Back in 1994 I found myself seated n r ton o fi e on International Women’s Day, questioning my team about the absence of celebrations for Black women on this s n fi ant o as on he r response, that the day was exclusively for White women, prompted me to challenge th s narro perspe t e As the Creative Director o the o pan set up he r te h n the ha en ed me to come up with someth n on e n a s on for a diverse and inclusive celebration, I penned down my aspirations on the back of an en e ope Proposing a fusion of genres such as Lovers Rock, Opera, soul, dance, classical music, poetry, and comedy, I faced scepticism from those who doubted the feasibility of such a mix as this concept of a show had not been produced by anyone previous ndeterred I pressed forward receiving the backing of Val McCalla the founder and CEO of The Voice who said: see our s on Following three years of workshops, we transitioned to the grand stage of the Brixton heatre no n the da of the show, with only two hundred tickets sold out of a thousand available seats, doubt n ered n the a r As Brenda Emmanus the host and I gazed upon the initially modest audience, the turning point emerged hen the bo o fi e ana er rushed in with surprising news — a queue snaked down the road, around the block, and

nto the ne t street ent outside and asked attendees waiting outside why they hadn’t bought their tickets in ad an e soon d s o ered the reason for this was they were sceptical that the show would indeed materialise because no show had been produ ed e th s A remarkable 700 people attended the inaugural ICOMS stage show, marking the beginning of an enduring su ess stor Our endeavours have extended beyond entertainment, raising funds for charities including the African ar bbean eu ae a rust and other charities representing Sickle Cell, Fibroids, o est buse he p at or has a so served as a launchpad for numerous emerging artists, some of whom have achieved international a a on them are Yolanda Brown, Bernardine Evaristo, Gina Yashere, Felicity Ethnic, Andrea e err an e er e n ht he n do ho r Donna Spence, Angie Le Mar, ho a a e e a deon h s pr there be a fi n ht sho n The Color Purple & Set It Off, two iconic movies that highlight the resilience and strength of a o en As we commemorate 30 years of ICOMS, I acknowledge the pivotal role of my team on th s path and a fi ed th joy about what the show has one on to a h e e e has passed s t and find se n a e re e t n on the incredible journey e e underta en to ether

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14 | THE VOICE MARCH 2024

Health

ADVERTORIAL

Meet a nurse who specialises in Crohn’s and Colitis and inspires other women through her work

Dayna outside hospital

W

HEN DAYNA was about eight years old living in Jamaica, she remembers her father teaching her something very important.

“My dad put me in front of the mirror and said who do you see in the mirror? “Do you see anybody else? No? So love her,” explains Dayna.

He was building her self-confidence and from that age on she learned to love and believe in herself.

It is something that has helped

her in her adult years too and in her current job as a Crohn’s & Colitis UK Nurse Specialist at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth. She has also just started a scholarship through the help of the charity to do a masters in advanced clinical practice.

MENTOR

She uses what her father taught her to encourage other women to gain confidence in the field of nursing. And one nurse recently asked her to be her mentor.

And with March 8th being

She uses what her father taught her to encourage other women to gain confidence...

“I’m all about female empowerment, because a lot of us don’t remember or don’t understand the power we have within our own self”

International Women’s day and the entire month of March Women’s History Month, Dayna reflects on the importance of inspiring other women.

“I’m all about female empowerment, because a lot of us don’t remember or don’t understand the power we have within our own self. Especially nurses, you are brilliant, you are inspiring, you are courageous, just phenomenal. I think a lot of us need to remember that, as nurses, when you walk, fix your crown and walk in like the queen that you are,” she says.

MARCH 2024

THE VOICE | 15

Health

ADVERTORIAL

Dayna, who originally trained in Jamaica as a nurse adds that not only did her father give her that confidence that she now shares with others, he also helped her develop a love for nursing. He has an autoimmune condition and Dayna often took care of him in Jamaica.

ENJOY

“ I just really fell in love with the fact that taking care of him gave me inner satisfaction because it helped him to function to some extent and drove him to get better and push forward for the family. That’s really where it all started. I enjoy taking care of people on a general note, but I think that’s where it first sparked,” she says.

In 2011 she became a registered nurse in Jamaica and worked in various areas including medicine and surgery. After several more years she made her way to the UK. It was here that she developed a specific interest in Inflammatory Bowel Disease in 2021.

More than half a million people in the UK are thought to be living with Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis, the two main forms of Inflammatory Bowel Dis-

ease. They’re lifelong conditions which means there’s no cure, but there are lots of treatments available to help manage the conditions.

Crohn’s causes inflammation which can affect any part of your digestive system, from your mouth to your bottom.

Ulcerative Colitis causes inflammation and ulcers in your large bowel (your colon and rectum), which is the last part of your gut.

Dayna understands that living with Crohn’s or Colitis can be very challenging for her patients and wants to remind everyone with the conditions that they are not alone. They can also contact their Inflammatory Bowel Disease team for support.

She adds that having someone you can trust to talk to, like a good friend, really helps. Dayna urges anyone who suspects they might have Crohn’s or Colitis not to let things linger, and not to be afraid to go to the GP. The earlier someone is diagnosed, the better.

Symptoms of Crohn’ s and Colitis can include: • Blood in your poo more than once • Needing to have a poo urgently • Diarrhoea – passing three or more loose, watery poos a day • Waking up in the night to poo • Unexplained weight loss • Pain in your stomach (abdomen) • Tiredness that doesn’t go away with rest ( fatigue) • Other symptoms around your bottom, like cracks ( fissures) that don’t heal or abscesses that keep coming back.

Dayna insists education is key as well; raising more awareness about conditions such as Crohn’s and Colitis is crucial.

But there is also hope. She explains that another reason she enjoys her work is to show people with Crohn’s and Colitis

“Come open minded, ready to learn and with enthusiasm. It can be a very challenging job and just take it one day at a time, put one foot in front of the other.” that they can live the lives they want to.

“It’s really satisfying to see when your patient is well and on the road to recovery. And how you’ve impacted them and made them feel human again. A lot of us don’t feel human when we are ill, we can feel inadequate. So, my job is not to make someone feel inadequate but to show them that someone cares. It’s more to empower patients and say don’t worry,

this is just a comma in your story, it will continue,” she says.

INSPIRED

And what advice does she have for the up-and-coming nurses who are thinking of specialising in Inflammatory Bowel Disease?

“Come open minded, ready to learn and with enthusiasm. It can be a very challenging job and just take it one day at a time, put one foot in front of the other.”

“And your patients are inspired by your work and they love what you do. So remember all the good you’ve done and take that on every single day,” she says.

You can learn more about Crohn’s and Colitis and how to check for symptoms www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk Do you have a story you would like to share about living with Crohn’s or Colitis?

If so, please get in touch with Crohn’s & Colitis UK’s team at: media@crohnsandcolitis.org.uk

16 | THE VOICE MARCH 2024

Celebrating Women

L’myah Sherae

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

A letter to Black women

As we mark International Women’s Day on March 8, let’s celebrate the incredible power that Black women hold

I

F I could shout this from the rooftops I genuinely would — Black women deserve all the flowers and so much more.

As International Women’s Day embarks upon us on March 8, I’ve been thinking about the incredible power that Black women hold.

And no, I’m not talking about Black girl magic, nor am I talking about Black excellence. I’m talking about our unwavering ability to endure. To exist. Our ability to weather the incessant storms of racism, gender inequality, and the other intersectional hurdles that are thrown our way.

Our ability to exist in a world where 68 per cent of Black women have reported racial bias at work, 50 per cent of Black women in senior positions have resigned due to racism, and one in eight Black LBT+ women have been seriously sexually assaulted or raped at work according to a 2023 report from Inclusive Employers.

The statistics are harrowing.

But I’m not writing this article to paint a depressing depiction of our world.

I’m writing this article to remind Black women readers that you deserve more praise. You deserve your flowers. And you don’t just deserve this when you achieve something incredible against the odds.

THE NEXT GENERATION: Black girls and young women should feel empowered to embrace their own identity (photo: Getty Images)

You deserve them for enduring everyday life. For the times when you face racism at work but still show up every, single, day because you know you have a right to be there and you have people to provide for.

When you do all that you can to be a loving mother and to take care of your children despite having a million other barriers to face. You deserve them for keeping your self-confidence high and knowing you’re beautiful whilst living in a world that centres whiteness as the beauty standard.

Our ability to survive is our super power. And that’s better than any of the far-fetched superpowers you see in comic books or anime films if you ask me.

And, even though I’m writing this to remind Black women that we all deserve to be celebrated, I also want to make it clear that I don’t think it’s fair that we have to be strong all the time. That we feel that we always need to overachieve. To work “twice as hard”.

To be resilient. Resilience can be exhausting! I know it’s an important strength to build. But being forced to be resilient every single day purely because of how you were born (i.e. your race and sex) isn’t fair. Which is why I truly believe that systems have to change. Where society and institutional cultures fail, there should

RESPECT: Black women deserve praise for their resilience in facing everyday challenges, including racism, while still excelling as mothers and providers, says L’myah Sherae (photo: Getty Images)

be laws, policies and clear implementation practices to protect those who need it.

To be honest, that’s why I started my organisation Enact Equali-

ty, which runs national campaigns to change laws and policies, with an aim to better protect Black communities across the UK. We also founded and coordinate the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Race Equality in Education, which is a coalition of political leaders across both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, who campaign to advance equality in our education institutions across England.

Many of our initiatives have had a huge impact on Black women and girls, and I’m so happy that this is the case — even though I know we still have a long way to go.

In our first year, we launched a huge campaign on Afro hair discrimination, which led to the Equality and Human Rights Commission publishing new national guidance against race-based hair discrimination for schools across England, Scotland and Wales.

“I want us to take a genuine moment to celebrate the Black women and girls in our community” This was also supported by the UK Prime Minister’s Office, and we hope that the guidance continues to reform thousands of school uniform policies in the UK. More than half of Black children

L’myah Sherae is the Director of Enact Equality and the Founder of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Race Equality in Education

have been sent home from school for wearing their hair naturally or in a protective hairstyle, and one in four Black adults have been sent home from work or faced disciplinary action for their style of hair, according to recent research from Dove, UK. I don’t want another generation of Black girls to have to endure this. I want Black children and women to feel empowered to embrace their own identity. I can’t say this enough, our institutions need a massive overhaul.

So as we reflect on International Women’s Day, I want us to take a genuine moment to celebrate the Black women and girls in our community. Yes, the odds may be stacked against us, but we’ve proven time and time again that diamonds are created under pressure.

And, I am so thankful to all of the Black women who continue to break down doors and pave the way for the next generation.

7 | THE VOICE FEBRUARY 2022

FEBRUARY 2024

THE VOICE | 7

18

| THE VOICE

MARCH 2024

Dotun Adebayo

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

THE THREE MUSKETEERESSES: Diane Abbott, Kate Osamor and Claudia Webbe could form a party of their own but it isn’t going to happen any time soon

No strength without unity

D

O YOU realise that for the first time ever in British parliamentary history there are more Black women on the independent benches in Parliament than there are Black women MPs in the Conservative party? Or the Lib Dems or the Greens for that matter.

Isn’t that something?

Diane Abbott, Kate Osamor and Claudia Webbe could actually form a caucus, an alliance, a party of their own. The Black Women’s Independents Party for example.

BWIP. Like The Three Degrees. I can see it now: VOTE FOR BWIP – THAT’S WHEN YOU’LL SEE ME AGAIN. But it ain’t ever gonna happen.

And I’ll tell you why.

Since being suspended from the Labour party a year ago, Diane Abbott has walked a damned if she does and damned if she doesn’t tightrope, sitting on the independent benches, amongst the riffs and raffs of the chamber hoping and praying that it wouldn’t be forever.

I mean, would you like to be in the same room as Matt Hancock (you know, the reality TV star), especially when he’s checked up and down the corridor outside to

Labour has three Black women on the independent benches, but are they united? Hell, no make sure that nobody’s coming?

Not to talk of Jeremy Corbyn. I mean, would you like to be in bed with the former Labour leader?

You see, the independent benches in Parliament was more or less a men-only club (like The Garrick Club) but now that associate membership has been extended to the ‘fairest’ of the species (Black women), you would think, wouldn’t you, that the place would be spiced up. It could do with a good spicing. Such as: Three Black women sitting on the bench Three Black women sitting on the bench And if one Black woman should accidently fall There’ll be two Black women sitting on the bench Three Black women. A historic record. Never been done before. You wait hundreds of years for a Black woman to sit as an

independent and three of them arrive at the same time (like buses), to defend themselves (like buses) from an onslaught of bad press. And they do say ‘unity is strength’.

But are the ‘independent Black three’ (the IB3) united? Hell, no.

They’re in purgatory for different reasons and they want to keep those reasons different.

Abbott, of course, is the most senior of the three ex-Labour independents and she is suspended (in mid-air) from Labour, accused of contravening Sir Keir Starmer’s crusade against anti-semitism in his party by suggesting that only we Black people know what racism is all about because, only we feel it, and that other groups such as Jews and Travellers don’t feel it like we feel it and who feels it knows it.

Now that was pre-Gaza conflict. She has subsequently apolo-

gised for her statement and the clumsiness of pressing the ‘send’ button on her computer in an online debate about race and thereby igniting the fire that she immediately found herself engulfed in.

She put it all down to a health condition. But that wasn’t good enough for Sir Keir and he has left her sitting in limbo and stewing in her own prune juice for coming up to a year now.

Initially, she kept a low profile after suspension in the hope that Starmer would see sense. Over the last few months, however, she’s changed tack and has expressed her doubts about the ability of the internal adjudication into whether she should remain a Labour MP to deliver a ‘just’ verdict in presiding over her fate.

Ouch! Honestly, if words could kill, Ms Abbott could make a living writing best-served-cold murder mysteries. No word of a lie.

I can see now how in frustration at being left out in the cold she’s concluded that, well, if my name’s not on Keir’s list and I can’t come in, I may as well ungag myself.

And that’s what she’s done. Is it still called ‘tweeting’? If Labour

“Labour doesn’t trust itself to tweet about Gaza let alone trust one of its own” was considering letting her back into the party for the elections, I can’t see them doing that now.

Can you?

Labour doesn’t trust itself to tweet about Gaza let alone trust one of its own. Not least when some people still regard her as coming from the party’s ‘anti-semitic wing’.

And the fall out from the recent Rochdalegate where parliamentary candidates were suspended for their conspiracy theories on Israel and given a good talking to after a night or two of long knives that nearly done Sir Keir Starmer in.

Having said that, if Diane has already resigned herself to standing as an independent and allowing the good burghers in the constituency of Hackney North and Stokey to decide who the ‘real’ Labour candidate is come the time Rishi calls the election.

But the last thing she needs is for her suspension to be confused with the suspension of her fellow independent bencher, the Edmonton MP Kate Osamor.

Kate was suspended for suggesting that Israel’s actions in Gaza could amount to genocide.

Crucially, from Diane’s perspective, her own suspension has nothing to do with Gaza and, in fact, pre-dates the conflict in the Middle East by six months.

As for giving it the old ‘third degree’, Claudia Webbe’s troubles are of a different nature altogether.

I can’t see Diane Abbott or Kate Osamor wanting to be linked so closely with those legal challenges either.

So I’m afraid the three musketeeresses are not to be. There will not be a “Black Women’s Independents Party” in Parliament any time soon and their fate remains to be seen.

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 FIVE NIGHTS A WEEK MONDAY MORNINGS TO FRIDAY MORNINGS 1AM - 5AM, AND ON BBC RADIO LONDON EVERY SUNDAY 7PM - 10PM. FOLLOW HIM ON TWITTER: @dotunadebayo

MARCH 2024

Health

THE VOICE | 19

ADVERTORIAL

TALKING THERAPIES Using Your Voice for Good

“Growing up in a Caribbean household, there were many values my mother tried to instil in me and my siblings to ensure we became respectable members of our community. The two that really stood out were “you can’t be wrong and strong”, and “use your voice for the good of others,” explains Sharon from Newcastle.

“Living up to her standards wasn’t an issue, as I was feelings under the carpet or through prayer on its a talkative child, who genuinely loved taking care of own. We all have difficult times in life and there is people. So, using my voice to speak words of kind- no shame in seeking help from a trained profesness, support, and encouragement into the lives sional when such times become overwhelming. of others was second naTo have a mental health ture to me. It wasn’t until problem means having I had my own experience a valid health condition of mental illness that I lost that can be treated. The my ability to voice my condegree of care and respect cerns, to say that I wasn’t you would give a physical feeling ok”. ailment can be equally “My family was private, applied to mental health and I’d learned through problems.” the years to never discuss “I’d encourage anyone “family business” with outin our community strugsiders. I was also fearful gling with feelings of dethat if I opened up and told pression, or anxiety, to people what was happenseek help through NHS ing, they might label me as Talking Therapies serweird, and I would start to vices. These are free, eflose friends. So, I just kept fective, and confidential quiet, and hoped this feeltreatments delivered by ing would go away in time.” trained clinicians like me A new poll by NHS Engwho are happy to help land has found two thirds Dr Chinea Eziefula you learn to cope with these (66%) of people from Black common experiences.” communities have felt conAfter receiving treatment, Sharon decided to cerned about their mental health in the last year*. help others by training to become a therapist. She With just under 2 in 5 (39%) of those asked, reporting they have experienced depression, and over a has been working in the sector for almost two decquarter (27%) admitting to experiencing general- ades and is a Senior Counsellor, an IPT Lead Interpersonal Psychotherapist, and an accredited Talkised anxiety disorder.

“There has been tremendous generational stigma ing Therapies clinician.

Her experience has taught her the importance of surrounding mental health in the Black community,” adds Dr Chinea Eziefula, Clinical psychologist seeking help when you need it and using your voice for NHS Talking Therapies within the North Lon- to help others. Sharon’s work is a source of great don Mental Health Partnership & Regional clinical pride for her, and she is passionate about helping lead for NHS Talking Therapies long-term physical people to help themselves. She firmly believes that health conditions pathways, NHS England. “Mental everyone should have access to professional suphealth problems are not a sign of weakness, and they port when they need it and that this can make all are certainly not resolved by ignoring and brushing the difference.

NHS Talking Therapies can help provide support and treatment for common mental health conditions, such as:

• feeling anxious • feeling low and hopeless • having panic attacks • finding it hard to cope with work, life, or relationships • struggling with flashbacks or nightmares about upsetting events from your past • feeling stressed • worrying a lot • obsessive thoughts or behaviours • fear of social situations • being afraid of things, such as spiders, flying or heights (phobias) The treatments can be accessed online, on the phone, or in person and you don’t need to have a diagnosed mental health problem to be eligible to seek help.

Your GP can refer you for NHS Talking Therapies, or you can refer yourself online at nhs.uk/talk

Sharon

20 | THE VOICE MARCH 2024

News Feature

Celebrating Women

Vivienne’s journey from pain to empowerment Turning pain into purpose: One woman’s mission to not let pain ul past define her future. By Sinai Fleary

G

ROWING UP in the Caribbean surrounded by sunshine and palm trees, Vivienne Green enjoyed an idyllic childhood.

A bright student whose favourite subject was science, she had a wide circle of friends. But sadly, that happy childhood was shattered after she was abused by someone she trusted.

In the years that followed, the abuse, which she struggled to tell anyone about, had a huge impact on her mental health and relationships.

“I noticed something about myself changed severely. I began to smoke, I began to drink and indulge in more risky behaviour and one of them was that I began to sleep around” she tells The Voice.

“I would meet up with people and do what I want to do, and then the next day I would see them, but I would act like I didn’t even know them because I was so numb to my core. I didn’t have any connection with myself, I hated myself.”

When Green received an invitation to the UK in 2002, she believed she could start over and leave her problems behind in the Caribbean. But the unaddressed trauma haunted her.

It ruined her relationship with her former partner, whom she was expecting a child with.

“Days after I gave birth to this beautiful baby girl, I noticed I felt like I wasn’t myself,” she recalls. “I couldn’t connect with my child.

I started to seek help, but there wasn’t any proper guidance or support.”

Green went to her GP but felt her concerns were brushed aside.

“My GP sent me home and said ‘You look okay, there is nothing wrong with you, go home and look after your baby’,” she recalls.

“But that didn’t sit right with me.

Something was wrong.”

Further problems followed. “It was years of a rollercoaster cycle where I became mentally unwell.

I was very depressed, always anxious. I’d often get into a fight with my child’s father and cuss him out.

“There was a lot of hostility from me towards him and he was a very quiet person. It wouldn’t be that he was hurting me directly to

become this defensive or aggressive towards him.

“He helped a lot through my journey, but I was in and out of mental health breakdowns from this one to another one.”

The medications she was prescribed did little to help. During this challenging period, Green says she felt cursed and empty.

Persistent depression eroded her self-confidence and played a major role in her split with her partner who had tried to support her.

Despite her determination to get better, Green continued to experience breakdowns leading to nine years of involvement with social services and the police. And regardless of her describing what she was going through, social services or doctors couldn’t identify the problem.

BREAKING THE SILENCE: Green is determined to destigmatise discussions about abuse in the Black community so that victims don’t continue to suffer in silence (photo: Getty Images)

CYCLE

However, a turning point came when a social worker threatened that her children would be taken away if there was another police incident. It was this conversation that prompted her to realise she needed to address the root cause of her mental health problems, not just the symptoms.

She said: “I was tired of going around in the same cycle and having people look at me a certain way. I needed to close that door. It was then I started to clock where all these problems were coming from.”

By facing the harsh reality of her past and using holistic self-care

TURNING HER LIFE AROUND: Vivienne Green has overcome a traumatic experience of abuse to now provide support and healing to other survivors

tips, Green had a breakthrough and was able to pull herself out of the darkest period of her life.

“I was now able to share strategies and tips that I used for my own self-care with others who had experienced abuse or were going through a tough time,” she says.

“Things such as saunas, avoiding processed foods and drinks and watching my media consumption really seemed to help. The things you watch or listen to, the plants you may not have in your home can all contribute to either you be-

coming better or staying unwell.”

This major move forward led to Green taking steps to start a new career in the mental health sector so she could continue to help others.

She now works as a peer support worker in a mental health recovery within the NHS and uses her own painful experiences to support other abuse survivors, by providing tailored support based on their needs.

“As a peer support worker, I am able to suggest holistic ways that patients can help themselves. For example, when I was struggling to sleep, I tried some lavender or a bath soak with lavender buds and essential oils with a spray on my pillow just before I would go to bed.

“If you have a TV in your room, you need to limit the amount of time you watch it just before you go to bed, all of these things will help.

“These are some suggestions of how I help my peers, one step at a time.”

Green insists one of the keys to healing is by being productive.

She said: “For those who have been in hospital, some of them have been there for maybe months

or even years, where they have not communicated with anyone giving them any kind positive outlook on life.

“I try to offer positivity and encouragement. When people (who have been through abuse) come to me now, I am able to speak some life into them and drop little seeds or nuggets within their subconscious, so they can start pulling themselves up.”

STRUGGLES

Green says she wants to be a living example to people who have experienced abuse that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

“The key thing with being a peer support worker is that I too have gone through my own mental health challenges. So it’s saying to people ‘I’ve (got better), you can too’. It gives hope and shows people they can take hold of their lives. When you have a dip things can get overwhelming, but with support you can get on and live your life.”

Now in her early 40s, the mother-of-three has been open with her children about her past struggles, a decision she says has strengthened her relationship with them and provided her with under-

standing and support. Green is clear about what she wants to achieve in the future.

She is developing plans to establish a Community Interest Company so she can support more Black women who have experienced abuse.

Meanwhile, the weekly social media healing show that she presents is aimed at empowering Black women who struggle with mental health issues.

She is determined to destigmatise discussions about abuse in the Black community so that victims do not continue to suffer in silence as she did for years before facing up to her past.

“I’m doing what I am doing because I know there are a lot of women, especially within our community, who have gone through the same thing and are still suffering,” she says.

“We need to forget about the hush-hush mentality and speak up. Keeping it in will do more harm, it will manifest and it will show up in ways you don’t want it to. Stop being afraid about your journey and speak to your children about what you have been through to break generational trauma cycles.”

MARCH 2024 THE VOICE

Celebrating Women

Positive change top of agenda Continued ro

page 12

better for those we serve and for my Black colleagues working in the police service.

The four themes are internal culture and inclusivity; community engagement and relations; use of powers and not under-protected against victimisation.

These themes are vast and reach out to many parts of society within and outside of policing.

By the end of March the first phase o he an be complete. With that, a number of projects will have been delivered. This includes work focusing on the disparities to the service of Black missing people. This is important work being carried out in collaborat on th the h e o fi er responsible for the response to missing people and leading charities, to better the service missing people are receiving.

It has been over two years s n e the first terat on o he an as r tten and e have begun work to update the latest version. We have never shied away from the a t that he an e o e as it is focused on, and navigated by communities’ priorities which also change

FOCUSED: Dr Alison Heydari says The Plan will evolve

over time. I know that there will be scepticism, it’s been 24 years since policing was first pub branded as ra ist, progress has simply not been quick enough. However, I write with conviction that there are people in policing who not only hope for change, but who are working with others to actively create change.

There is much work to be done but I am assured that my team are working with people across the country to set the foundations of change for the future, with a collective goal of removing racism and discrimination and rebuilding trust and onfiden e th the Black communities we serve. n do n so the benefits o change will be felt in all communities.

To achieve this, we need to know our communities better, we need to know where to focus our energy.

The next version of The an abso ute ust be n uen ed and dr en b a eop e It is important that I know what you think and where you feel the police should focus our actions in order for policing to be and feel different for Black people.

|

21

News Feature LAYING THE FOUNDATIONS: Some of the team members working on delivering the National Police Race Action Plan

22 | THE VOICE MARCH 2024

News Feature

Celebrating Women

Pioneers who devoted lives to Black community

VITAL CONTRIBUTION: Yvonne Witter worked most recently with Operation Black Vote as Interim Chief Executive

The Voice celebrates the roles played by Yvonne Witter and Audrey Adams in creating opportunities for Black Britons

I

NTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S Day provides us with an opportunity to highlight the contributions Black women have made in the struggle for racial equality in the UK. Too often their contribution has been overlooked when it should be honoured. While history has often spotlighted the efforts of men, pioneering Black women have made a significant impact in helping to create a fairer and equal country.

Among them are women such as Claudia Jones, Olive Morris, Diane Abbott, Baroness Ros Howells, Baroness Doreen Lawrence, Althea Jones-Lacointe, and Dame Jocelyn Barrow.

Two pioneering women whose campaigning work contributed greatly to the empowerment of the Black community sadly passed away recently — Yvonne Witter and Audrey Adams.

In mourning their loss, we also celebrate the role both women played in supporting and creating opportunities for Black Britons.

Yvonne Witter

Yvonne Witter, a visionary and global enterprise consultant, dedicated her life to empowering the Black community through entrepreneurship and advocacy.

Through her company, Ampod Ltd, she not only provided essential business start-up and growth services but also instilled confidence and inspiration in aspiring entrepreneurs.

Her belief in the limitless potential of individuals and her unwavering commitment to justice resonated in every endeavour she pursued. Whether collaborating with local governments, lecturing at Ashesi University in Ghana or supporting young people to pick up the baton and follow through on their dreams and aspirations, Yvonne left an indelible mark on all who crossed her path.

Speaking to The Voice in 2017, she said that her greatest passion was encouraging aspiring business owners from the Black community to realise that the only real limit is themselves as they strive to achieve their creative potential. She was also fond of telling people that failure only existed as

an opportunity to grow and learn.

“My career role models are my parents, who returned to Jamaica in 1969 with me and set-up thriving businesses” she told The Voice.

“I developed independence and a mind-numbing work ethic, which was frankly wasted on employment in the UK.” Witter was lauded with a number of accolades for her selfless efforts to help others in her community including an award for Southwark Businesswoman of the Year in 2008. Among Yvonne’s many roles with charities and notfor-profit groups across the UK, she worked most recently with Operation Black Vote (OBV) as its Interim Chief Executive, making an important contribution to their work and the wider anti-racist cause in the UK. Following her untimely passing in December last year, human rights lawyer Jacqui McKenzie, who worked closely with Yvonne, described her as a “phenomenal fighter for racial justice”.

“I was saddened and shocked by Yvonne’s passing” McKenzie told The Voice. “In the past few years when I got to know her, it was clear that she was a phenomenal fighter for racial justice and human rights.

“As the interim CEO of Operation Black Vote, she talked of the critical need to reduce voter apathy in the Black community and was excited about developing a programme to increase representation of Black people in civic and public roles. That this work was cut short is of great loss to society.

Our last meeting was June 2023 at a Voices of Windrush Festival.

Yvonne led an In conversation event with educational expert, Professor Gus John.”

McKenzie continued: “When I invited Yvonne to lead the conversation, she told me she’d been ill and not long released from hospital. Nevertheless, such was her eagerness to support, she made the long journey from Huddersfield to London and enriched the event by doing so. Yvonne shone a bright light on an ever-increasing dim world and her intellect, wise counsel, support, and moments of hilarity, will be missed by me and I’m sure, all those who knew her.”

Audrey Adams

Audrey, inset, was the mother of Rolan Adams, a Black British teenager who was murdered as the result of a racist hate crime in Thamesmead in February 1991.

He had been walking towards a bus stop after spending the evening playing table tennis at a local youth club when he was attacked and fatally stabbed by a gang of White youths.

Two years later, in April 1993, Black teenager Stephen Lawrence was murdered in nearby Eltham in similar circumstances.

As a result of the poor treatment by police they experienced, Audrey and her husband Richard launched the Rolan Adams Family Campaign to ensure justice. This campaign grew over the years and extended support to other victims of racist violence and racism.

Despite her own personal tragedy, Audrey went on to become a respected race equality campaigner, eventually becoming a key figure in the campaign group the

1990 Trust and a board member at Operation Black Vote as well as holding several other roles.

Audrey’s work and tireless commitment in campaigning for race equality inspired a generation of activists and many have spoken about the impact she had on their own efforts.

Speaking to The Voice about her work and legacy OBV founder, Lord Simon Woolley, said: “On every big campaign or struggle that involved Opera-tion Black Vote or the 1990 Trust, Audrey was there, normally behind the scenes making sure things ran smoothly.”

“The love and generosity of spirit she showed to so many people, including myself, will never be forgotten.”

OBV Vice-Chair, Rita Patel, also remarked on the impact of Audrey

Adams’ impact on her own career.

She said: “I had the privilege of knowing Audrey Adams for decades. In that time, I have always known her as a quiet but determined force. Her own personal experience with unjust racism drove her to continually campaign opfor greater democratic op portunities and true representation comfor black com munities.

“I learnt a great deal from Audrey. conShe was con sidered and compassionate and said what she meant and meant what she said.

She never wavered from her principles and values and was a rock not only for her family but for the organisation too.”

David Weaver, Chair of OBV, said: “Despite facing significant health challenges, particularly in recent months, Audrey’s resilience

and spirit remained unyielded. Her departure leaves a profound void within our organisation and hearts.

Her legacy is not merely defined by her remarkable contributions to Operation Black Vote but equally by her tireless advocacy for racial equality, social justice, and human rights. Her dignified presence, characterised by calm authority and unwavering determination, inspired all who had the privilege to collaborate with her. Audrey’s impact transcended the confines of our organisation, touching the lives of countless individuals and communities across the globe.”

He went on: “The tragic loss of her son Rolan in 1991, a victim of a heinous racist murder, spurred Audrey and her resolute husband into activism. Together, they became pillars of strength, not just within their family but across the broader movement against racism. Their fight for justice for Rolan and their ongoing work with various anti-racist organisations underscored their commitment to challenging injustice at every turn.”

JANUARY 2023

THE VOICE | 31

24 | THE VOICE MARCH 2024

News eature

Celebrating Women

CONNECTION: Members of Black Girls Brunch during one of the several social events it regularly organises (photos: Mia Campbell, Olamatu Jabbie and Ashlee Mlambo)

Ladies who do brunch

A

REPORT BY the Mental Health Foundation states that one in three Black people experience feelings of loneliness.

This was certainly the case for me back in 2018 when I completed my studies at the University of Plymouth. I had a wonderful group of supportive friends, yet I was the lone Black woman in my entire cohort.

Only those who have experienced being in a space full of people who look nothing like you understand the unique pressure it can exert. At best, the constant codeswitching, microaggressions, and sometimes outright hostility are exhausting. At worst, it’s traumatising. And no matter what, it’s always isolating. I needed a space where I could feel seen and fully understood by like-minded people who had shared that same burden.

But nothing like this existed for me in Plymouth, so I decided to create it. That was the beginning of Black Girls Brunch. I was already working three jobs, but sheer determination drove me as I planned that first event. I badgered every Black woman I could find with my homemade flyers, even approaching strangers on the street — slightly mortifying!

But it taught me there’s nothing I won’t do in service of community and connection, which was the first of many valuable lessons Black Girls Brunch has given me.

I funded that first event with my own money and with donations from campus fellowship.

Cairo Aibangbee got tired of being the only Black woman in the room when attending events.

Here she reveals how she decided to do something about it

Kind, understanding people from all walks of life heard about my plan, saw the need, and donated between £50-£100 each. I was, and still am, incredibly touched by their generosity and belief. That’s another lesson from Black Girls Brunch: people care.

To this day, we still rely on donations to carry out our work — and, of course, we give back in turn.

Once the planning was done, the budget was there, and the guests were secured, I finally made that first brunch happen. We booked

what was, at the time, the tallest building in Plymouth — courtesy of a friend who lived in its student accommodation!

The brunch was M&S party food served in hot plates from Wilko — shout-out to them for the student discount. The decor was a luxe profusion of fresh flowers, all rescued from the supermarket bargain bin and even, cheekily, pilfered from the town centre when money inevitably ran out.

And finally, being a writer, I wrote a poem for each guest

which they took away in a carefully curated gift bag full of Blackowned business promotions and products. Alongside the whirlwind of stress and hope and nerves, I remember that first event as a warm embrace of tears, laughter, and the community I’d been craving.

I had even managed to secure two guest speakers for the event who travelled down to London and paid for the journey with their own money as they believed in the mission that much.

All in all, through hard work and the support of countless kind people, we cracked the code at the heart of Black Girls Brunch. Even today, six years later, we follow that original format.

Beautiful locations, incredible guest speakers, food and gifts and supporting Black-owned businesses, light and laughter and connection. Thanks to generous donations, we were able to offer 4 free/subsidised tickets to the

event. And the money raised from ticket sales, raffle sales, and other donations, is funnelled directly back into our events and supporting our community. Since that first event, we have built our experience and our community. Now powered by six volunteers, including myself, we regularly have soldout events with waiting lists.

Our most recent brunch followed the theme of “giving youryour self flowers”.

Attendees engaged in a mental health workshop and bouquet arranging session, all in the service

TOGETHER: Stunning locations, engaging speakers, and creating a sense of connection are the hallmarks of a Black Girls Brunch event

of expressing their self-love. Only one thing hasn’t changed: most of our events have been funded by me, alone with a few generous donations that really helped us along the way. subWe offer free or sub sidised tickets to our events wherever possible and hold encommunity en richment propro grammes, theatre trips, art gallery tours and coffee mornings to name a few.

But we don’t yet receive enough donadona tions to achieve my dream of taking Black Girls Brunch nationwide. Black Girls Brunch UK is on a mission to inspire, empower, educate, and connect Black women across the country.

And that requires our reach to extend not just to London, but to Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, and smaller localities that are less diverse — supporting those who felt just like I did back in Plymouth.

We are dedicated to enriching the lives of Black women in the UK by creating that elusive third space in which they can grow and network with one another safely and comfortably. If this is a cause you, too, are passionate about, then let’s make magic. o find out ore about a r s run h stba r sbrun hu o or o o the on nsta ra a r s run h or tter

FEBRUARY 2024

THE VOICE | 25

26 | THE VOICE MARCH 2024

Midlands News

By Veron Graham

Awards shine spotlight on Black excellence

LEADING THE WAY: Jessikah Inaba won oth the ca e ic ce ence war an ns irationa erson o the ear war

Black and blind barrister Jessikah Inaba among winners in special evening celebrating trailblazers in the community

J

ESSIKAH INABA — who made history to become the UK’s first blind, Black barrister — was among a host of high achievers from across the country to be honoured at the Potential Unlocked Awards 2024 at Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham.

Redeveloped since its 2018 debut as an event designed to celebrate ‘Black Excellence and Inspiring Achievers Under 40,’ the event saw Inaba, 25, bag two awards — for Academic Excellence and Inspirational Person.

She told The Voice: “I anticipated a great night, but not winning.

I was nominated alongside so many phenomenal people, some I know. It was wall-to-wall Black excellence on the night.”

The double victory comes thanks to the resilience shown by Jessikah, backed by her parents and three siblings, to navigate the challenges that faced an ambitious student blighted by bilateral microphthalmia, a condition in which neither eye fully develops.

Jessikah has no recollection of having sight.

After her A-levels, Jessikah’s assent to gaining bachelor’s and master’s degrees in law, and now working towards a PHD, came with assistance also from fellow students and eventually lecturers. With materials transcribed and audio recordings made of textbooks and lectures, Jessikah finally had resources in accessible formats. Prior to her speaking

out after her first degree, she literally had no material to work with.

Following successful litigation, with some of the details sealed by a non-disclosure agreement, Jessikah’s academic quest continues.

Now also applying to qualify as an attorney in California over the next year, she said: “I feel a great responsibility being female, Black and blind: it allows me to identify more easily with people with one, two or all of those characteristics.

Also, it’s on me to make the path of the next Black, female or blind person to the bar smoother because I’ve played a part in dismantling key obstacles.”

Another poignant moment on the night was when the spotlight was shone on Davina Hall, the recently widowed mother of Potential Unlocked founder David C Hall, himself cast off in school following his dyslexia diagnosis.

He said: “(Parents), you have a duty of care to your children to watch what (you say to them), to speak words of life over them.”

Pointing to Mrs Hall on stage, he continued: “When I was told I would never achieve anything at school, this lady said to me, ‘One day you will be up there with those high achievers.’ Because she believed in my potential, I believed in it too and grew determined.

“So to any young people who have been told, ‘You are good for nothing, an outcast’, I want to speak to your potential and let you know you are good enough.”

The Potential Unlocked Awards 2024 categories and winners:

CELEBRATIONS: i a eth e ie awa , o ero, with otentia n oc e o n er a i

nit a

er ice

Academic Excellence: Jessikah Inaba Inspirational Person: Jessikah Inaba Educational Leadership Excellence: Adrian Rollins, the first secon eneration hea teacher an ste ns ector Outstanding Contribution to Children: ac en each, networ ro otin ac a e e cators Community Service Hero: i a eth e ie awa , creati e ro cer an theatre a er Creative Arts: hi i e en s, ra hic esi ner Educator: oa e e an, athe atics eacher Entrepreneur: eena a e , sic in str orce an e ae sic ana er Financial Excellence: rian en a in, inancia rotection isor

Legal Excellence Luminary: a a e ers, s o n est ac arrister s ecia isin in a i aw Medical Trailblazer: r essica atan a, e ica octor an content creator Media & Communication Excellence: heo hi o a, roa cast o rna ist STEM Ambassador: irt e o w we, ra ate i i n ineer Thought Leader: enn o o, orensic occ ationa thera ist Visionary Property Investor: i io c a a, irector o R ro ert ro Student of the Year: ssia nch Most Transformed Student: airo

MARCH 2024 THE VOICE

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27

Midlands News

Celebrating Women

BLENDING HERITAGE WITH THE FUTURE: Left, Vernaire Bass, marketing manager at the Montserrat Diaspora Investment Project; above, community activist Shauntelle Carty

The Midlands in Montserrat Birmingham-born Vernaire Bass working with nation’s government in the land of her heritage

T

HERE IS an interesting Midlands angle to an event taking place in the Caribbean this month.

The marketing of the Montserrat Diaspora Investment Engagement — part of its government’s attempt to enhance communication with, investment from, and recognition of islanders at home and abroad — is led by Birmingham-born Vernaire Bass, who relocated to the land of her heritage in 2019.

She told The Voice: “I took the bold step to return to be a part of the change I envisioned for the island. The Montserrat we once knew no longer exists, but we now have a unique opportunity to shape it into what we want it to be.”

The island’s economy and natural resources were blighted by a series of volcanic eruptions between 1995 and 2010, as were its human resources — mass emigration from the island followed the events.

While there was international media attention on similar events in other Caribbean islands news coverage on the Monserrat experience has paled in comparison.

The Voice spoke to two women who were affected: Kei-Retta Farrell, right, Head of the Montserrat Government UK Office and UK Representative Designate who emigrated from the UK, and community activist Shauntelle Carty who went the other way.

VG: What are your memories and thoughts of Montserrat?

KRF: “I moved to Montserrat aged two, leaving me with limited childhood memories of the prevolcano era. Instead, my understanding of the island’s glory days is shaped by the captivating stories passed down by my parents and grandparents. My earliest vivid memories come from spending school summer holidays with my grandmother. I was struck by the people, the culture and beauty of the island. Despite the frequent ash clouds, strong smell of sulphur and volcanic roaring, the resilience of the people left a lasting impression.”

SC: “I was fortunate to be raised in Montserrat. I have many fond memories of a carefree, crime-free environment that allowed me to explore my surroundings without fear. I created many lasting memories with family and friends as we ventured through different parts of the island - the beaches, mountains and the villages within walking distance.

“One of my best childhood memories was climbing trees to harvest mangoes and then eating until I couldn’t manage anymore!

I also enjoyed school: the sports days, concerts and trips.

“My favourite trip was to the waterfall which ended with a picnic on the beach.

“I consider Montserrat as home, where I most feel a sense of belonging. I first returned in 2000, which was a wonderful experi-

ence. I was able to reconnect with family, friends and the culture.

Christmas was always extra special. The impact was so great that I have returned home almost every other year. My last was in 2022.

“I have ensured that my children visit more than once and have their own experiences. My thoughts of Montserrat are always optimistic, despite the current challenges from natural, economic, and societal changes to name a few. It is an island with potential once its greatest resource, the people, engage and give back.”

VG: What impact has the volcano and migration had on your life?

KRF: “Profound, bringing unforeseen opportunities beyond my family’s imagination which have broadened and challenged my worldview. Most significantly, I’ve learned to define what being a British Montserratian means for me — a journey that often feels like navigating between two worlds.”

SC: “I migrated from Montserrat at a very young age before the volcanic crisis occurred in 1995, so like many Montserratians living abroad, I watched from afar as it permanently changed the

landscape and population. Still, it created an opportunity to reconnect with my roots when many Montserratians migrated to the UK during the late 1990s. There was soon a large Montserrat community in Birmingham, as a teenager, it felt amazing to be part of a group that shared my cultural identity. I am a proud Montserratian woman living in the UK with a clear sense of identity.”

VG: How has your heritage influenced you professionally?

KRF: “It’s been a guiding force: being born in a British overseas territory instilled in me a keen awareness of power dynamics and the value of the right to self-determination. This awareness steered my academic path towards social sciences at university. I was previously an equality, diversity and inclusion practitioner in the public and charity sector that advocated for systemic change for marginalised communities. Now, as the incoming Head of the Montserrat Government UK office and UK Representative Designate, I aim to further leverage these experiences for positive impact.”

SC: “I don’t think my heritage has influenced my current profession as a project manager, but my work ethic and val-

ues have. I was raised with an appreciation of working, rather than becoming dependent. My heritage has mostly influenced my voluntary work, ranging from community engagement, youth development, education, and leadership within the black community.

“During lockdown, I created an online series of talks, ‘Montserrat Voices,’ to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Soufriere Hills volcano. The purpose was to bring the community together, share their stories of the crisis, culture and identity, also to record experiences for future generations. I now support MOPPA (Montserrat Overseas Peoples Progressive Alliance), a London-based community association, supporting Montserrat people, on the island and here.”

VG: What are your thoughts about the volcano, its impact on the island and its redevelopment?

KRF: “The trauma caused by the volcano requires collective healing and restoration. Yet, there’s an opportunity to harness its power for positive change. Montserrat’s uniqueness, highlighted by its environmental assets, positions it for renewable energy, agribusiness, and eco-tourism. Its diaspora holds a unique position for cultural exchange and skills development for capacity building that can significantly contribute to the island’s redevelopment. For me, the goal is to appreciate the

past while forging a new and different future founded on inclusivity, resilience, collaboration and progression.”

SC: “They’re both positive and negative. Negative because it has forever changed the landscape and its people. Positive because it has created opportunities many would not have if they hadn’t migrated. Some believe that the eruption launched Montserrat into the global consciousness, prior to that it was a lesser-known island, despite the soca hit song Hot, Hot, Hot by Arrow hailing from its shores.

“The greatest impact resulting from the volcano in my opinion is the effect on its people and future generations. Many Montserratians have no connection nor interest in it and that has trickled down to their children and grandchildren. There is work in the UK to address this apathy.

“I am concerned about the pace of redevelopment after almost 30 years, wondering what reasons or obstacles causing hesitancy and long-term investment.

I’m convinced that redevelopment needs to be a joint venture between those living on the island also abroad. This is why I am encouraged by the Montserrat Diaspora Summit initiative: I see its potential to bring Montserratians together to discuss the issues, solutions, and opportunities to reconnect regardless of locality.”

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

28 | THE VOICE MARCH 2024

Muyiwa Olarewaju

Nothing But Truth and Light

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

Discovering the true essence of resilience

Women are blessed with profound riches if only we all pause to acknowledge them

D

URING THIS period when we celebrate International Women’s Day, I am compelled to reflect on a theme that resonates deeply with the spirit of the celebrations: the invaluable support and wisdom that women within our local communities and families provide, often eclipsing the allure of celebrity culture perpetuated through social media platforms.

As we commemorate the achievements and contributions of women worldwide, it is imperative to recognise the profound impact of genuine connections within our immediate circles, where authentic relationships flourish and resilience is nurtured.

Before delving into this discourse, let us pause to reflect on insights gleaned from reputable sources and scholarly research.

Studies published in esteemed journals such as Psychology Today underscore the detrimental effects of excessive exposure to social media and the idolisation of celebrities on our mental wellbeing and sense of self-worth.

The pervasive habit of incessantly comparing our lives to the seemingly idealised portrayals of celebrities fosters feelings of inadequacy and disconnection from our authentic realities, especially among women.

However, amidst the clamour of social media influencers and celebrity endorsements, we must acknowledge the profound reservoir of strength, inspiration, and support that women within our local communities and familial networks offer our mothers, aunties, sisters, cousins and friends.

Drawing upon the wisdom of sacred texts, we find timeless teachings on the intrinsic value of communal bonds and familial ties. Consider Ecclesiastes 4:910, which extols the virtues of communal support, affirming that “two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labour: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”

This poignant reminder underscores the significance of mutual reliance and solidarity, particularly among women who lean on one another during times of adversity and triumph alike.

Moreover, Psalm 127:3-5 exalts the sanc sanctity of familial ties, por portraying children as “a heritage from the Lord” and “a reward from him.”

It is noteworthy that pos this heritage is not possible without the womb of a woman.

Within the familial sol unit, women find solace, encouragement, and boundless love — a testament to the be profound blessings bestowed upon them by God. Yet, the notion of community extends

GENUINE CONNECTIONS: International Women’s Day highlights the invaluable support and wisdom provided by women in local communities, says Muyiwa; inset, Taraji P Henson is frustrated by Hollywood pay disparity (photos: Getty Images)

beyond biological kinship. Proverbs 27:17 elucidates the transformative power of interpersonal connections, likening it to the sharpening of iron: “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”

When women immerse themselves in supportive communities comprised of kindred spirits, they fortify their resolve, deepen their wisdom, and cultivate resilience in the face of adversity.

I spoke recently with Toure Roberts, a well-known public speaker and pastor to many celebrities in the US. Our conversation was about a trip he and his wife Sarah Jakes Roberts had taken to Nigeria.

Toure Roberts reflects on his time in the country and concluded that the future success of the country and continent was con-

“Let us lean on one another, uplift each other, and revel in each other’s triumphs” tingent on its women embracing their greatness and stepping out of the shadows.

In light of this, we must confront the allure of celebrity culture and its pervasive influence on women’s lives. The carefully curated narratives of celebrities,

often disseminated through social media platforms, may evoke feelings of envy and inadequacy, perpetuating unrealistic standards of beauty and success.

Consider the poignant example of celebrities like Taraji P Henson who despite being the envy of many people the world over, shattered all our presumptions with the revelations about her remuneration in Hollywood and the injustices she has to live with.

While women may admire her achievements and talents, it is imperative to refrain from idolising celebrities. Instead, direct our gaze towards the enduring wellsprings of wisdom and support within our own communities and families.

Indeed, women need not seek validation or inspiration from distant celebrities when they possess an abundance of resources

Muyiwa Olarewaju OBE is Station Director at Premier Gospel Radio, a TV & Radio Broadcaster, and Principal of gospel group Muyiwa & Riversongz

and love within their immediate spheres. Whether it be the sagacious counsel of elders, the unwavering support of friends, or the unconditional love of family, women are blessed with profound riches if only we all pause to acknowledge them.

Therefore, let us endeavour to prioritise authentic connections with the people who form the fabric of our lives.

Let us lean on one another, uplift each other, and revel in each other’s triumphs.

It is within the embrace of our local communities and familial networks that we discover the true essence of strength, resilience, and boundless love.

In this period that we celebrate International Women’s Day, let us all honour the women who hold us up, inspire us, and remind us of our inherent worth.

MARCH 2024 THE VOICE | 29

Sadé Thomas

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

The Gospel Truth

A chance to explore our faith Dr Selina Stone’s new book focuses on the role of Black spirituality

W

HILE LENT usually implies fasting and reflection, for people of African and Caribbean heritage, it’s also a chance to explore faith alongside community experiences, struggles, and influence.

In her new book Tarry Awhile: Drawing on the Riches of Black Spirituality for the Whole Church, author Dr Selina Stone, pictured below, highlights Black spirituality and why it is culturally relevant for Christians as a whole.

The book was chosen as the Archbishop of Canterbury Lent Book of 2024. I recently interviewed Dr Stone about the book’s key themes and why she wrote it.

Congratulations! How does it feel being the Archbishop of Canterbury Lent Book of the year?

Thank you. It is a privilege to be asked, and especially important because as far as I am aware, I am the first Black person to be asked to write a book for Lent by the Archbishop’s office.

I was clear that I would only write a book that would centre on Black voices and experiences, and was pleased that they agreed. The book is encouraging and inspiring those who are Christians, those who have been hurt by the church, and those who are simply curious about faith.

What does Lent mean to you?

I did not grow up in a church that recognised Lent, but Lent has become an important time for me to take an extended period of reflection each year. It is a bit like a spiritual spring clean for me, I will spend regular time in prayer and meditation. I will fast in some form, to give more space for being in tune with God. I take time to pay attention to what is happening

in my inner spiritual life: am I feeling connected and aligned with God? Is something getting in the way? Am I living with integrity? It is a period to remember that we are one with creation, that we are mortal. It is a chance to accept and learn from the seasons of life, growth, death and rebirth.

Which Black spiritual traditions resonate most with you in the book?

For me, it is the way Black spiritual traditions cause us to remember our ancestors and honour those who have gone before us.

This is common in Christian faith, despite the fact that we are often taught to be suspicious of any African reference to ancestors. This is why it was important for me to share my grandad’s beliefs and faith, and speak about the traditions which empower us as Black people to know who we are.

What do you hope readers take from this book?

I would like readers to take whatever is meaningful for them.

Some people will appreciate fresh readings of biblical stories, which I interpret as a Black woman, with Black interests in mind. Others will value the way I highlight African figures in the Bible, Black theologians and spiritual writers.

I challenge binaries between the body and the spirit, or the spiritual and the political – these are interconnected in reality. I expose anti-Blackness in some Christian language and traditions.

Overall, I want people to read something real about the challenges and possibilities of the Christian faith from the perspectives of Black people. Rarely are our voices heard.

You can follow Dr Stone on X and Instagram @selinarstone

JANUARY 202

Track of the month FROM THE first p a o Could’ve Had ne t as nstant tra o the onth n ah s atest s n e s ra honest and bra e aptur n her ourne th r e a ter her ather s pass n he son bens th ent e u tar stru s n spa e or steners to re-

e t on the r o n e per en es o r e both aster u and sens t e n ah s r s s a so to be ad red as her ordp a adds to the son s depth and beaut For Yinkah, Could’ve Had a o ed her to o do n a path o or eness n h h she re-

e ts on her ast on ersat on th her ather n ah s hopn that her son en oura es steners to her sh e er o ent th ea h other trea Could’ve Had on all d ta p at or s and o o n ah on and nsta ra n ah us

30 | THE VOICE MARCH 2024

Asari St Hill

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

Business and Wealth

Breaking down barriers

I

NTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY on March 8 is a great time to celebrate the fact that Black British women are making great strides in the business world.

A high percentage of Black women own or are starting up their own businesses and this trend is growing.

According to the Alison Rose Review of Female Entrepreneurship, ‘only six per cent of UK women run their own businesses, compared to 15 per cent of women in Canada, almost 11 per cent of women in the US, and over nine per cent of women in Australia and the Netherlands.’

However, the Black Report published in 2020 found that 48 per cent of Black British start-ups were founded by women. Most were well-educated, with 95 per cent having gained a degree. This mirrors what is happening in

LEADING THE CHARGE: International Women’s Day provides an opportunity to celebrate the growing number of Black British women starting or owning businesses (photo: Getty Images)

A growing number of Black women are taking the plunge and starting up their own businesses the US and Africa. According to a recent report in the Guardian, Black women are also leading the charge in the US with 42 per cent of new women-owned businesses launched by African-American female entrepreneurs.

As well as launching businesses, these entrepreneurs have formed important support networks, a crucial factor in providing emotional support, mentorship, and navigating the unique challenges faced by Black female business owners such as overcoming systemic racism when applying for funding. These networks foster inclusivity and drive innovation

by amplifying the many diverse voices and viewpoints in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The National Black Women’s Network (NBWN) founded 25 years ago offers networking opportunities and support to Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) women business owners across the UK. The Black Business Club I founded in 2022 has a membership base that is 60 per cent female. This is a reason for optimism but there are several challenges Black women face in the UK. Frustration with life in the corporate sector is one of the big reasons for the growth in Black

female-owned businesses in recent years.

According to a 2021 report from the London School of Economics, Black women are the least likely to be among the UK’s top earn-

ers compared to any other racial or gender group. The Rose Review also states that ‘flexibility around family care is the number one reason to start a business for women with children.’ And this of course

affects Black women, too. However, they face significant challenges.

Regardless of ethnicity, female business owners have a much Continued on page 33

GREAT VA£UE with GRACE Prize Competition

This competition is open to residents of The UK aged 18 or over, excluding employees of Grace Foods UK Ltd. (which is the “Promoter”) and their immediate families, agents, and anyone else professionally connected with this competition.

No purchase is necessary in order to enter the competition. Access to the internet is necessary in order to enter.

By entering this competition, you are deemed to have read and accepted these terms and conditions. The Promoter reserves the right to disqualify any entries which do not comply with these terms and conditions.

­

The competition opens on Friday 1st March 2024 at 3:00 PM and closes at midnight on Sunday 31st March 2024 (which is the “Competition Period”). The winners will be announced on @GraceFoodsUK stories on Monday 1st April 2024 by 3 PM.

The 1 x winner will win the following prize: • 1 x Air fryer (a top rated brand air fryer) • 1 x Goody Bag of Grace Foods products and kitchen goodies.

• Have an Instagram or Facebook account.

• Follow us on @GraceFoodsUK. • Like our ‘Great Value With Grace - Air Fryer Competition’ post on @GraceFoodsUK • Tell us in the comments what your favourite ‘Great Value With Grace’ recipe is (Our ‘Great Value with Grace’ recipes can also be found at: www.gracefoods.co.uk/recipes) • You will receive an extra entry if you send us a photo of your favourite recipe as part of your social media entry post.

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Once the Competition Period has closed, the winner will be selected by random selection from all valid and eligible entries submitted during the Competition Period and announced on our Facebook and Instagram pages.

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There are no cash or other prize alternatives available in whole or in part.

The Promoter reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value in the event of unavailability of the intended prizes.

Good Luck!

FEBRUARY 2024

THE VOICE | 25

32 | THE VOICE MARCH 2024

Lyndon Mukasa

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

Eye on the Diaspora

The legacy of Mia Mottley on climate change debate

A

T THE 2021 COP26 summit on climate change in Glasgow, an important and necessary new voice emerged on the world stage to compel the nations of the world to take significant steps to combat climate change.

That voice was Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley.

She is the eighth Prime Minister of Barbados, the first woman to hold office in that position and the first leader of the new Republic of Barbados since the country severed its ties with the British monarchy in 2021.

Coming from a prominent political family, Mottley has been part of Barbadian politics since 1994. She has served in various ministerial positions in the Barbadian government ranging from Attorney General to the Minister of Home Affairs. The Barbados Labour Party (BLP) member became its leader in 2008 and in 2018 was elected as Prime Minister.

One of the reasons Mottley rose to such prominence at COP26 is because like her counterparts across the Caribbean and the rest of the Global South, she was able to draw upon personal experience by seeing first-hand the effects of climate change on her country and the rest of the region. The difference however was that she was able to successfully and openly describe the climate crisis as a failure of the West morally, economically and ideologically.

As a result, Mottley was able to build a coalition to support her calls for a fundamental reform of

Barbadian PM says crisis is a failure of the West morally, economically and ideologically the international financial system. Using the prominence from COP26 to her favour, the Barbadian Prime Minister was able to work with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and private lenders to restructure the terms of Barbados’ debt by lowering its interest repayments and being granted more flexibility in meeting debt obligations in the event of a hurricane.

However, Mottley has bigger ambitions beyond debt restructuring for Barbados.

REFORM

She wants to completely reform the World Bank and IMF in what has been called the Bridgetown Initiative. Mottley argues that these institutions are inadequate in helping developing countries deal with the effects of climate change because they often force poor countries to adopt severe austerity measures which hinders the ability of those countries to provide basic needs for their citizens, let alone build an infrastructure and adaptive measures to deal with climate change.

The Bridgetown Initiative, unveiled at COP27 in Egypt, set out a plan to create loans that are favourable to poorer countries and

take into account the impact of climate change.

With her ability to build significant coalitions, Mottley has managed to get leaders from the US, France, Canada, the IMF and the World Bank to listen and consider her proposals. In 2022, the World Bank had started to develop a plan for reform that will be unveiled in 2024 with considerations from the Bridgetown Initiative.

While it remains to be seen as to whether these institutions can reform themselves in favour of developing countries, what Mottley has done is significant in that she has put the IMF and World Bank’s credibility under greater scrutiny for governments and policy makers across the Global South.

In light of the challenges of the climate crisis, Mottley has emerged as a prominent voice for her country and the Global South.

Her approach to climate change goes beyond financial aid. Instead, Mottley’s ambitions extend to a complete overhaul of the international financial systems.

While she may not completely reform these institutions, she might be the first in a long line of upcoming leaders from the Global South who in this century will put pressure on the IMF and World TRAILBLAZER: Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley speaking during the opening ceremony for Bank to change or dissolve forever. the Cop26 summit at the SEC in Glasgow in 2021 (photo: PA Images)

Why Africa and the Caribbean lead the way for female representation in politics INCREASED representation of women in politics is often seen as a marker of equality in society, suggesting greater opportunities for women’s advancement.

Often when people think of countries with a high representation of women in government, countries like Denmark or even the United States come to mind.

This however couldn’t be further from the truth as neither country makes it into the top ten in terms of female representation.

In fact, several African and Caribbean countries have far exceed-

ed any arbitrary Western standard for the rest of the world to follow in terms of female representation in government, and have produ ed h h profi e po t ans such as former Jamaican prime minister Portia Simpson-Miller and Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, Trinidad and Tobago’s Education Minister.

In the Caribbean, Cuba is one of three countries in the world where women make up the majority of politicians at 53.2 per cent (second in the world) while Grenada ranks eighth with 46.7 per cent of politicians being women.

However, the country with the most women in government in the world is Rwanda in East Africa with nearly two-thirds of its seats being held by women at 61.3 per cent. Other African countries such as South Africa (10th) have s n fi ant representat on at per cent, Senegal (12th) with 41.8 per cent, and Namibia (sixth) at 46.2 per cent. The factors at play in increasing female representation in government are complex, and vary depending on the country and its circumstances, and history in relation to gender relations.

Many analysts argue that quotas have played a huge role in increasing female representation in government over the last thirty years.

In Rwanda, the constitution of 2003 ensured that 30 per cent of all elected posts should be held by women. By 2008, Rwanda had be o e the first ountr n the world to have a majority of women in government.

As of 2024, Rwanda still has more women as the male population has only recovered to 99 for every 100 women. Both Cuba and

Lyndon Mukasa is a writer and researcher. He studied International Development at the London School of Economics.

Grenada have long histories of investing in equal and accessible education which inevitably translates towards more women who can participate in government.

In Grenada’s case, this was joined by further legislative action since 2006 that enhances gender equality such as targeted policies at eradicating poverty among women.

The Grenada National Organisation of Women since 1995 has worked on creating change in the culture and power relations between men and women.

MARCH 2024 THE VOICE

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33

Business and Wealth MAKING A BIG IMPRESSION: Black female entrepreneurs such as Kanya King, far left, and Emma Grede are successful businesswoman who are achieving si nificant socia impact (photo: Getty Images)

Changing the

face of business

Continued from page 30

lower median turnover than men — £15,000 compared to £45,000, according to findings from the British Business Bank. Its research also identified the fact that 37 per cent of Black female-owned businesses reported making no profit in the past year, compared to only six per cent of White male business owners.

Even the most successful Black women-owned businesses have issues accessing finance for expansion.

The UK Government commissioned some work to investigate this. In 2021, it published a report called Barriers to Capital Flow for Black Female Entrepreneurs (BFEs). It said: “BFEs (Black female entrepreneurs) have difficulty accessing the most commonly available financing instruments for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).’ It also stated that, “unconscious investor bias, such as an aversion or inability to assess unfamiliar business models and target markets, persists as a barrier.”

A classic example of this was highlighted by business and funding expert Marian Arafiena. She

recently spoke about Black female entrepreneurs who were trying to access finance to help expand a business importing frozen yams.

Many people outside the Black community know nothing about this industry. However, the UK is one of the largest importers of frozen yams in the world.

It was stories like these that inspired Arafiena to launch Rise Fund NGO to provide crowdfunding opportunities to Black-owned businesses.

Black women are helping to change the face of business in the UK and achieve significant social impact.

Among them is Emma Grede, who is worth over £300m and is the CEO of the Good American clothing brand. She was a guest Dragon on the BBC’s Dragons’ Den in February this year. She also invested in a Black female entrepreneur, Tito Bello, founder of Ori Lifestyle, a business that sells natural Afro hair products.

Kanya King of the MOBO Awards is another example. Think of the amount of artists, creatives, and other support staff who have achieved success on the back of the MOBOs. King launched an initiative called Mobilise, a digital

platform to connect Black talent with the best career opportunities in the most forward-thinking organisations.

Some Black female entrepreneurs are more famous than others, but each is making a great contribution to Britain.

It’s crucially important not only to highlight this but acknowledge the unique challenges they face, and amplify their voices.

Their entrepreneurial spirit, resilience, and innovation have not only propelled their own ventures but have also positively impacted communities.

Many employ other women and Black staff or Black contractors, providing much-needed jobs and additional business opportunities for others in the community.

By celebrating and acknowledging them we affirm their importance in driving economic growth, fostering diversity and inclusion, and paving the way for a more equitable society.

If you would like business advice from Asari St. Hill — ActionCOACH Business Coach and Founder of the Black Business Club, you can contact him via https://blackbusinessclub.org/

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| THE VOICE

MARCH 2024

Celebrating Women

Darell J. Philip

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

Black female authors are taking charge on kids’ books Amidst a national crisis in reading among young people is a rise in ethnically diverse book characters — with Black female authors at the forefront of publishing

D

URING THE same week that many across the globe will be celebrating International Women’s Day on March 8, young people and those who educate them across the UK and Ireland will also be celebrating World Book Day on March 7.

The theme for this year’s World Book Day is Read Your Way which is hoped would encourage more children to have a choice and a chance to enjoy reading.

This year’s reading initiative comes in the face of a national crisis in reading. Recent research from the National Literacy Trust (NLT) found that fewer than one in two, that is 47.8 per cent of children now say they enjoy reading, which also proves to be more popular with girls than boys. This is the lowest level since 2005, with reading enjoyment lowest among children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Further research by the NLT found that almost one million children in the UK lack a single book at home — a concerning statistic. However, there is a positive trend. Recent years have seen a rise in the publication of books that feature ethnically diverse characters and that appeal to reluctant readers from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Black female authors are leading the way in this trend. A survey of Ethnic Representation within UK Children’s Literature 2022 was published in November last year by the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE) and found that 30 per cent of

children’s titles published in 2022 featured racially minoritised characters. This figure was up from the four per cent reported in the first CLPE report to examine this issue in 2017.

Many of these new diverse children’s titles listed in the latest report were written by Black females, something to be applauded during a month in which the achievements of women are highlighted and celebrated.

The work of these authors has made a significant contribution to representation and inclusion in children’s literature. They have also provided young readers with stories that resonate with their experiences, fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment and offering a broader range of narratives and perspectives that children from all backgrounds can explore and learn from.

While the rise in ethnically diverse book characters alongside the publication of books authored by Black females is to be celebrated, we cannot rest on our laurels. There is still much work to be done in increasing the representation and inclusion of both ethnically diverse book characters and black female authors within wider mainstream publishing.

As you celebrate World Book and International Women’s Day this month, why not support both endeavours by purchasing any of the listed books in this column by our talented Black female authors for yourself and the children you educate? Through your example, you can show them how much fun reading for pleasure can truly be.

A JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY: Black female authors are at the heart of a rise in the number of published books that feature ethnically diverse characters

Black female authors making their mark HERE ARE some of the popular children’s titles by Black female authors highlighted in the report:

Journey Back to Freedom: The Olaudah Equiano Story (Barrington Stoke, 2022) by Catherine Johnson which explores the rise of Olaudah Equiano who overcame a horr fi e o s a er to ater become a celebrated activist and published author.

Our Story Starts in Africa (Magic Cat Publishing, 2022) is an exploration of a family history from CaribAfrica to the Carib bean via slavery.

Granny Came Here on the Empire Windrush, (Nosy Windrush Crow Ltd, 2022) demonstrates the struggle and suc success of the Windrush Generation in pic picture book form. Both books are authored by award-winning writer, Patrice Lawrence, pictured.

Darell J. Philip is a teaching assistant, academic mentor and award-winning journalist.

The Story of Britain’s Black Airmen (Scholastic, 2022) by K.N. Chimbiri, pictured, brings to life the fascinating and rarely heard stories of Britain’s Black Airmen of African and Caribbean descent during the First and Second World Wars.

The Black Curriculum Legacies: Black British Pioneers (DK Children, 2022) by Lania Narjee, pictured, takes readers on an exploration of on fi ures ro a r t sh stor celebrating activists of the past such as Claudia Jones to present day fi ures su h as or u a ne dr er Sir Lewis Hamilton.

The Lizzie and Belle Mysteries: Drama and Danger (Farshore, 2022) by J.T. Williams takes readers back to the 18th century, reliving the stories of a r t sh h stor a fi ures dur n that time period.

Additionally, it would be amiss of me to not mention two additional books that adults and educators must get their hands on: How to Build Your Antiracist Classroom (Corwin, 2023) by Orlene Badu, a Leadership and Education Consultant and racial literacy advocate, calls for educators to build an antiracist classroom which would lead to children becoming the antiracist leaders of tomorrow.

A Trace of Sun (Legend Press, 2024) a debut novel by former fashion editor and Grenadian-heritage Londoner and Educator, Pam Williams, pictured, is inspired in part by the experience of the author’s own family migration from the Caribbean.

Lifestyle THREE AMAZING WOMEN ne ama ing film...

Origin p41

Gymshark and Whitney Adebayo are ‘hair’ for you.

Find out how. p39

Brown Skin Girls Network are on a mission p40

Insidr Music, a platform for the unsigned artist p42

36

| THE VOICE MARCH 2024

Finance

Lifestyle

Let’s spread the wealth

Tynah Matembe shares her top tips on how to improve the financial wellbeing of women

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ROM THE heartwarming tributes of Mother’s Day to the global recognition of International Women’s Day, March highlights women’s remarkable resilience and achievements and celebrates the essence of femininity.

This month, we honour women’s incredible strength, dignity and wisdom as we navigate through life, nurturing and enriching the world despite acin si nificant financia cha lenges, ranging from the persistent gender pay gap to career interruptions, to the need to plan for longer life expectancy.

As we continue to celebrate these achievements, this article is dedicated to empowering women to take control of their financia t res So, ladies, let’s take this special month as an opportunity to i ro e o r financia we ein with practical, empowering tips.

Five game-changing tips to boost finances 1. Build a strong foundation: Every penny counts, and so does consistency in managing it. Start by creating a budget that reflects o r a es an ambitions. It’s not just about keeping the lights on but building a safety net for whatever life throws at you.

Ask, and you shall receive... ensure you are tapping into everything you are entitled to recei e, inc in enefits, entitlements, discounts and so forth; if you are owed it, ask for it.

Did you know that a whopin 1 i ion in enefits oes unclaimed annually in the UK? This strategy isn’t just about meeting your immediate needs; it’s a proactive step towards i in a so i financia foundation. So, let’s turn insight into action and ensure we’re building our economic future on solid ground. . e el up your financial kno ledge n estin in o r financia education can help you manage your wealth, save more and even invest wisely. You can quickly learn about these topics through resources like the MoneyMatiX Community, which offers workshops, events and mentorship opportunities.

Women looking to enhance their entrepreneurial literacy and independence can also enefit ro the tai ore resources available at MoneyMatiX. Seek, and you shall fin in the wor o one ,

S N N Tynah Matembe, below, says it’s time to empower the nation’s Black women by making the most of their money (photo: Getty Images)

treasures come for those who seek them out. For instance, if you are an entrepreneur in the UK, tailored support systems and sometimes funding is available to help you thrive. Do your research on initiatives and grants that could be available to support you. You can start with resources like gov.uk and take it from there.

3. Negotiating fearlessly, lessons from eborah When it comes to negotiating, whether it’s for a pay rise or a critical business deal, it’s essential to stand up for what you’re worth. Let’s take a page from a powerful story of assertiveness and strategy.

Knock, and the door will be opened… imagine a time when a woman’s voice on the batt efie was nhear o nter Deborah, a leader from history who fearlessly broke the mould.

She had to convince Barak, a reluctant warrior, to lead a dangerous but necessary war.

Barak had one condition: he would only go if Deborah went with him. Deborah accepted the challenge at a time when women were rarely seen in such roles, but she added a twist. She predicted victory over her formidable opponent, General Sisera, would ultimately be due to a woman.

This story isn’t just about a

battle; it’s a powerful lesson on challenging norms and leading with courage.

So, what’s the lesson for your negotiations? Be bold and assertive. Your value is immense, and with the right strate an confi ence, o can open doors to fair pay and recognition. Like Deborah, don’t be afraid to take bold steps.

4. Harness the power of community for financial gro th Harness the collective power and wisdom of community – this is where the wow happens. The proverb “iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens another” is especially true when navigating the financia landscape.

Imagine the impact of surrounding yourself with like-minded peers, each bringing their unique perspective and experience. It’s not just about

sharing ideas; it’s about building a support system that encourages accountability, fosters growth and serves as a source of collective wisdom.

Enter MoneyMatiX’s Grow Your Money Business Retreats – a golden opportunity tailormade for women who want to row ersona an financia More than just a chance to network, these retreats provide a platform to connect with a community dedicated to mutual growth and success. Whether o want to refine o r financia strate ies or fin ins iration to push your boundaries, these retreats are the perfect setting to accelerate your journey.

In a world that values individual effort, never underestimate the transformative

power of community. Joining forces with others who share your ambition can turn your tide and propel you towards your financia oa s with renewe vigour and shared joy.

5. Embrace the ant’s isdom n eashin financia rowth through diversity: “Go to the ant, consider her ways, and be wise”. I just love how simple ants totally nailed the smart working gig from time immemorial, and this ancient proverb invites us to marvel at the e ficienc o ants creat res that have mastered the art of dividing tasks among different castes within their colony for e ficienc o can efinite a this concept of division of labour to your money. By clearly estabishin the financia res onsibilities you must take on and then planning how to complete them, you will optimise your resources and achieve your goals more effectively.

Bringing this to life, you should be automating and utilising as much tech as you can comfortably comprehend; things like saving pots, roundup investing, standing orders, and so many other little knacks can help you organise your Money effortlessly. Ants are also known for their exceptional

communication skills with their pheromones. It’s a skill that is equally important in our financia i es ear co nication a o t financia annin and decision-making within your family or with advisors will ensure everyone is aligned with o r financia oa s Lastly, and what inspired me to use this analogy, is the role of the queen ant, whose egg-laying is the cornerstone of the colony’s sustainability. This ea s e to as are o r financial efforts laying fertile eggs? he e to astin financia stability and growth, ie the fertile eggs, is consistent saving and investing, no matter how modest the amount.

Consider your own strategies. Are you pursuing additional sources of income? Or knuckling down on your debt?

Or diversifying your investment portfolio? Whatever you choose to pursue, just stay consistent; it will get you closer to elevating your money.

I invite you to explore a world of resources and support to he o confi ent na i ate the economic landscape.

Whether you’re just starting out or want to deepen o r financia now e e, the MoneyMatiX platform is here to provide you with the tools and community you need.

MARCH 2024

THE VOICE | 37

Community Health

ADVERTORIAL

Services in community pharmacies are expanding, and your local pharmacist is now able to provide medication for seven common conditions, without needing a GP appointment first. Going to your local pharmacy offers an easy and convenient way to get advice on minor health concerns.

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harmacists have long been pillars of the communities they serve, and around 40% of pharmacists in England are from multicultural backgrounds. For many families, it’s a profession that has been handed down through the generations or that is shared with spouses.

Yemi Alimi-Omidiora has been a pharmacist for almost 40 years, having qualified in Nigeria.

She and her daughter, Funke, work together at their local family pharmacy and Funke is also Deputy Head of Pharmacy at an NHS Trust. Yemi decided that she wanted to be a pharmacist while she was at secondary school.

“I had a friend who was going to study pharmacy at the time, and it inspired me to find out more about the profession. My daughter and I have a shared passion for pharmacy and doing our bit to make the world a better place. It’s wonderful to work alongside each other and to be able to make a difference in our community.”

PRESCRIPTION Over nearly four decades as a community pharmacist, Yemi has seen the profession change and adapt in many ways. The most recent change meaning your pharmacist can now help treat and assess seven conditions, without the need for a GP appointment or prescription.

“As community pharmacists, we feel able t e i e en e n to bring joy and hope to people every day” “As well as changes to the services that we offer as pharmacists, our customers and patients also have more knowledge of medical conditions than they did in the past. They google something, but then they come to us for our expertise, and we make sure they’re getting the right medication and treatments. Giv-

ing people the option of seeing us rather than their GP for certain minor conditions allows them a choice of how they want to handle their health concerns.”

FOREFRONT Yemi recounts how community pharmacies were often at the forefront of patient care during

TOGETHER: Olutayo with her husband

STANDING: Adurayemi Alimi-Omidiora and Funke

the COVID-19 pandemic, and how this has changed the way that patients view their role.

“We stayed open to ensure that patient care continued and we were there for our community. Now that we are able to offer even more support and services, such as flu vaccinations and treating common conditions, we’ve taken on a more pivotal role I think. As community pharmacists, we feel able to make a difference and to bring joy and hope to people every day. All of this gives me great career satisfaction, too.”

PASSION Olutayo Arikawe has been a pharmacist for over 20 years.

She was the National winner of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s ‘I Love My Pharmacist Award’ in 2016. Olutayo and her husband work together at their family owned pharmacy.

“I always wanted to be a pharmacist. I really never had

any second choice. It was always pharmacy for me. My only love. I was driven by my passion to help people, and that has continued throughout my life.

My husband and I bought our own pharmacy and have been working together ever since, which is great.

HELPED Like anything, we have different strengths and outlooks, but that makes us a fantastic team.

We feel like a central part of the community and I am always touched when people come back to say thank you for how we’ve helped them. It’s my job, but it makes me so happy.”

Like Yemi, Olutayo has seen a lot change over the years that she has been a pharmacist, and she welcomes this development of the profession and the services they can offer.

“Electronic prescriptions have made such a difference. It’s hard to even imagine now going

to a surgery to pick up your prescription, the pharmacist typing everything in manually.

My younger staff can’t get their heads around it! It gives us more time to focus on our patients and the new services are great.

People can sometimes feel more

comfortable seeing a pharmacist about these sorts of issues as they know and trust us. These changes and the relationships that we have across the community are giving patients more choices and better access to the care they need.”

REMEMBER, YOUR LOCAL PHARMACIST CAN NOW HELP TREAT AND ASSESS THESE SEVEN CONDITIONS, WITHOUT THE NEED FOR A GP APPOINTMENT OR PRESCRIPTION:

• Sinusitis in those aged 12 years and over • Sore throat in those aged 5 years and over • Earache in those between 1 and 17 years old • Infected insect bite • Impetigo • Shingles in those over 18 years old urinary tract infections (UTIs) • Uncomplicated in women aged 16-64

38

| THE VOICE MARCH 2024

Arts

Lifestyle

Miriam Makeba story is living on Mudeka keeping the legend of a singer and activist alive on stage. By Joel Campbell

A

NNA MUDEKA brings the remarkable story of South African singer, songwriter and civil rights activist Miriam Makeba to the stage in Mama Afrika, a new touring show to be staged at Rich Mix, Bethnal Green, this month.

Taking part as part of the Soul on Ice festival from East London Arts organisation Certain Blacks, Mama Afrika charts Makeba’s rise from the townships of Johannesburg to a global star, forced into exile for her stand against apartheid and marginalised for championing Black rights.

The show is set to feature many of Makeba’s best-loved songs, including Mbube, Pata

Pata and Soweto Blues. Mudeka’s solo show has been created for audiences of all ages.

The Voice spoke to the Zimbabwean-born singer, musician an stor te er to fin o t why she chose to focus on Makeba’s story.

“Although decades apart, I can relate to Miriam’s life.

“I grew up in Rugare Township in what was then segregated Rhodesia. I remember hearing the voices of the young men ‘toyi-toyi-ing’ in the night for the liberation of Zimbabwe.

“The toyi-toyi is a dance of efiance, which eca e a or of political protest at the heart of the anti-apartheid movement.

She added: “I also performed a traditional dance. We both fol-

PAYING HOMAGE: Anna Mudeka shines as South African star Miriam Makeba in Mama Afrika (photo: Gideon Graylyons)

lowed our music dreams into adulthood, driven by the strong African women around us who were never afraid to have their voices heard.

“Dr Miriam Makeba’s story is not just a story, it is a legacy.

It offers a reason to be determined. It tells a positive history of empowerment without aggression, intimidation or anger.

“I so admire her ability to navigate through adversity with grace.

“She epitomised the human spirit’s capacity for greatness.

“I wanted to create a story that reflects iria s o rne , e o in se flessness, erseverance, hope and unwavering determination – despite struggle and heartache. Using words

an son to fi ht a ainst in stice, coupled with her remarkable talent, Miriam remains a beacon of inspiration.

Yet her story is unknown to many – she deserves a place in the history books the world over, and her story lends itself perfectly to theatre.

“This is one of the reasons I brought her story to the stage. I want others to learn from her. In fact, ‘Sankofa’ a Twi word from the Akan Tribe in Ghana, sums this up; it means, ‘we must look back to correct the future’.”

Speaking on how Makeba’s brand of activism resonates with Black communities in Britain today, she said: “Mama Afrika should resonate with Black audiences as we know what

discrimination looks and feels like. For those who are new to Miriam’s work, it teaches and reminds people of our history.

“Audiences can take courage from Miriam’s story. She showed me resilience, and I am sure audiences will leave feeling stronger.

“Her story reminds us that we must expect that others may feel uncomfortable as we bring about real change. Miriam never stopped doing this.”

Looking forward to performing the piece at Soul on Ice, Mudeka enthused: “As a performer, I want the Arts to be more representative – to achieve this we need to continue building platforms for ourselves.

“Soul on Ice from Certain

Blacks is one such programme and one which I am very proud to be part of.

“I have to thank The Arts Council of England for understanding the importance of a platform for marginalised voices so we can share our stories with wider communities across the UK. “I am also thrilled to have the support of the Miriam Makeba Foundation, whose blessing adds to the integrity of Mama Afrika.”

Mama Afrika is at Rich Mix on March 17 as part of Soul on Ice festival from Certain Blacks: https://richmix.org.uk/events/ mama-afrika-as-told-by-annamudeka/

Do you fancy taking in a Cheeky little show?

IF YOUR diary is already packed with things to do this March, then why not get ahead for April and get your tickets for a visit to Theatre Royal Stratford East Tiata fahodz, one of the UK’s leading British African heritage contemporary touring theatre companies, presents the London premiere of Cheeky Little Brown by Papatango prize-winning playwright Nkenna Akunna.

Kicking-off on April 16 until the 20th, Cheeky Little Brown is a profound one-woman exploration of friendship,

queer love, heartbreak featuring glittering prose, comic intrigue, and original songs.

Part musical, the show continues tiata fahodzi’s 25th anniversary commitment to investing in the future of African heritage artists in the UK and giving voice to their contemporary world.

Directed by Chinonyerem Odimba and featuring original songs by Akunna, tiata fahodzi’s latest theatre work presents a skilfully written foray into a young woman’s life and personal strug-

gles with change. Akunna enthused: “Cheeky Little Brown is an ode to your early twenties, a second coming of age, an aesthetically pleasing panic attack.

“It’s a story about a young woman’s resistance to change in the people and the city she calls home, and ultimately her journey toward a new beginning.”

Cheeky Little Brown , Theatre Royal Stratford East, April 16 -20, 7:30pm, and 2.30pm matinée performance on April 20

CENTRE STAGE: Tiajna Amayo stars in Cheeky Little Brown

MARCH 2024 THE VOICE

Winning solution to work out, no sweat!

GETTING THE RIGHT RESULTS: The headband has been designed with the Black community in mind

Media star Adebayo gives full backing to Gymshark headband. By Joel Campbell

i 1926 5.1 5th proof CB Jazzwise 1-4p ad a/w to print_Layout 1 26/01/2024 11:5

N AI S RT CK CE A BL

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www.certainblacks.com

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an incredibly rewarding process that has allowed me to tap into assion or hair an fitness “I’m excited for everyone to experience this amazing product for themselves, in and out of the gym.”

The product has been desi ne as one si e fits a , with stretch to fit ateria to acco modate various hairstyles including, wigs, box braids and more. The sweat-wicking feature, which allows moisture to be transferred from the skin to the outer layer of the headband, wi e essentia or fitness oers with gelled edges, silk presses and wig wearers.

Harris added: “We used seamless fabric because of the incredible sweat-wicking benefits, to ens re sweat is o t o the face and hair stays put no matter how hard they’re training.”

S E R

T N E

ul So ONE IC

SEAL OF APPROVAL: Hair brand owner Whitney Adebayo is a big fan (photo: Getty Images) products, and Gymshark should be saluted for the overtly inclusive appeal in general (we see you, see us).

Here at The Voice, we know what you are thinking right now, and it’s probably something along the lines of… hmmm, really, Gymshark did what now?

Fully endorsed by Internet Technology and Multimedia university graduate Adebayo, who will serve as an ambassador for the product, she enthused: “Working with Gymshark as they create an inclusive line of headbands has been an absolute dream come true.

“As a Nigerian woman who has spent the entirety of my career in the hair industry, there is s ch a a in the fitness ar et for people with textured hair.

“Being involved in this campaign with Gymshark has been

39

Lifestyle

Fashion

OR ALL the people that don’t want to ‘mess their hair up’ when working out, have no fear, Gymshark has enlisted the support of media personality and hair brand owner Whitney Adebayo, and they have been working on solutions. est nown or finishin as a runner-up on ITV’s 2023 Love Island UK, since leaving the show Adebayo has leveraged her witty and unapologetic personality into a successful career in highend fashion and beauty.

Last month saw Gymshark announce the launch of the Diffuse Sweat Headband, designed with the Black community in mind.

In order to ensure they were ticking all of the right boxes, the company enlisted the help of e a o, who or the ast fi e years has been running her own company in the hair business, CC Hair and Co, for wig-wearing women the world over.

Gymshark brand Senior Designer of Headwear and Accessories Nichola Harris explained: “We designed the headband to help break down the barriers that people with textured hair might have from working out, such as planning a gym schedule around hair-wash days and hairstyles.

“We wanted to ensure everyone, no matter their hair type, can train whenever they want and focus on their workout, without thinking about their hair.”

It’s great to see the mainstream brands taking the Black community into their consideration before rolling out these

|

L A V I T S FE

1/2/14/15/16/17/23 | MARCH | 2024 1 & 2 March Extended Play 14 March The Katalyst Conversation Jazz Collective The Place 17 Duke's Road London, WC1H 9PY www.theplace.org.uk

15 March The Cocoa Butter Club

16 March Bold Mellon Collective and The Psyber 16 March Giantess (Diana Chochma Amma Gyankoma Hannah Finn Abankwah) Rich Mix 35 - 47 Bethnal Green Road London, E1 6LA

17 March 23 March Mama Afrika Soul on The story of Ice Day Miriam Makeba Fest / as told by Closing Anna Mudeka Party

Box Office 020 7613 7498 www.richmix.org.uk

Social Convention 2 Caxton St North London E16 1XJ

40

| THE VOICE MARCH 2024

Lifestyle

Business

Redressing that balance

Brown Skin Girls Network is doing so much to support Black women in their bid to become future leaders. By Joel Campbell

I

F YOU look at the main image carefully enough, you will see Jayne Doherty, who was on our Ones To Watch in 2024 list, which we published in January.

Doherty, a health and social impact entrepreneur, board trustee or two non rofits, s ccessful property investor and developer, youth mentor, gender equity ambassador, and philanthropist, is one part of a four-person exec team that is the face of the Brown Skin Girls Network (BSGN).

The network was initiated to elevate Black women and support their journey into and within positions of leadership.

Professional women in England face an almost impenetrable ‘concrete ceiling’ when it comes to career progression, according to The University of Manchester and Lancaster University.

Concerned with the fact that numbers of Black women working at senior levels in UK organisations remain distressingly low, despite the increasing efforts to develop a diverse leadership pipeline, BSGN aims to help redress the balance.

PARTNERSHIP

The group kicked-off with a bang ast ear, hostin their first e ent, an intimate meeting of Black female entrepreneurs, senior leaders, infl encers an co nit leaders, in partnership with NatWest and the London Metropolitan Police.

Having hosted their fourth event earlier this year, Linda Onyechi, who works alongside Doherty, Anya James and Jane John-Lewis on the core steering team for BSGN, told Lifestyle more about the movement.

“Each of us has our reasons for why we joined the network and why it was important to do that but ultimately, we realised what we were missing within our professional careers is a real sense of sisterhood.

“And when I mean sisterhood, I’m talking about sisters who you can come to and say, this is my problem at work. What do I do?

Or I wanna do XY, and Z, and I don’t know how to do it.

“Or, oh, my God, I love what you’re doing in your profession.

Look how you’re achieving so many goals. I wanna be around such people. I want my circle to e a reflection o who want to be, even if I’m not completely

there yet as well. And without all the backbiting and the bitchiness and the trying to bring each other down.

“That was the one thing on which we all agreed on. When we set the network up, there’s going to be none of that, none of that whatsoever. It’s going to be positive, receptive energy coming in from our group.”

We’ve already told you about the many hats Doherty wears.

When you understand that Onyechi is a lawyer, Director and Co-Founder of Titan Solicitors and entrepreneur with special interests in property management, James is a Systems Director of 14-19 Education, Careers and Progression Senior Education Consultant for local Authority, business owner – Education reform and consultancy, and JohnLewis is a Medical Technology Consultant – Surgical Robotics, Sports Medicine, Pain Therapy CEO of JC Rising Property Ltd e e o ent an onifie ro erty investor, you begin to understand they are women of serious intention.

They’re not alone.

Underpinning the positive and proactive energy embodied by BSGN are ‘The Elevators’.

Onyechi explained: “We decided, as Black women, let’s look at us inwardly and decide what it is we need in order to feel er fi e n we tho ht, efinite mentorship. It’s important to have people who have paved the way for us. People who we admire and people who we can take direction from.”

She added: “We wanted a platform where our members can look at the women we call ‘Elevators’ within our network and see they’re trailblazers.

“Highly educated women who are able to then steer them in the right direction through love and support. So mentorship was important. That’s one of our core pillars.”

You can check out their website for more information on the estee e na es that are a fi iated to the network already.

But the value doesn’t stop there. “(We have) our retreats. The self-care element, the thing that Black women, I feel are so very much under-appreciated within the community in itself, that we often leave ourselves behind

PANEL POWER: Jayne Doherty, Jane John-Lewis, Nkiru Linda Okoli-Onyechi and Anya James are the brains behind BSGN experiences year in, year out. So

are available in the United King-

the circle or the trust within their groups to say I want to travel with them, because going away sometimes is full of drama.”

Put succinctly, the BSGN are determined ‘to empower and encourage women’ to take the next ste in eco in se s ficient and elevated towards their personal and collective ambitions. othin wor s witho t finance though, an important area of focus for the network’s steering team.

Onyechi said: “Because we are a professional sisterhood and we want to help Black women entrepreneurs and we know naturally that funding is an issue within the Black community, regardless, but even more so with women, I think 0.004 per cent of Black women access public funding options or grants that

ganisations, and where there is funding opportunities in regards to grants, we’re signposting our members. But we want to get to a point where we’re actually providing funds through our own initiative as well.

“Exposure will do that for us, and research will do that for us, too. So we know our future plans, and how we intend to really service that particular pillar that we offer in our community.”

With mentorship, retreats and funding forming three of the four pillars around which the framework for BSGN is built, networking is the fourth and last pillar which makes up the base.

This year will see the group ‘amping up’ their activity as they work towards increasing network participation by at least 30 per cent and attracting even more ‘Elevators’. And just for the

record, while the BSGN focus

for now is very much based in “Let’s look at us the retreat element is something dom or are given access.

“So funding was something we the UK, it’s not limited to these we said is a must for us.” inwardly and efinite wante to ro i e to o r shores in its entirety.

Docherty added: “When we Onyechi enthused: “Networkfin in o t what o r tar et black sisters in the community.” decide what it were ing is a pinnacle part of this market wanted, it was clear Black whole community element. is we need in women don’t have a group of INITIATIVE “We provide opportunities like-minded women to chat with. She added: “Right now we do order to feel It’s not something a lot of women that by signposting. We’re cur- throughout the year where we do do, because they just don’t have rently partnering with different or- face-to-face networking events. very fulfilled” e st finishe oin one in i ethat community. They don’t have when it comes to self care.” She added: “I personally, I don’t. I look after myself really well.

“But also recognising that I might be an anomaly because a lot of Black women don’t, we put ourselves last.

“The retreats element was like, even if you sketch out in your yearly diary, ‘Okay, I might not be a e to t se first eca se o finances, ti e, reso rces, o know, lack of help, but I’m going to give myself the BSGN yearly retreat to do so, because these women will pamper me. They will look after my mind, they will look after my physical health, they will look after my spiritual health’.

“We do it all in our retreat.

“Every single aspect of our retreat covers every single nurturing pain point that the Black woman

ria, in Abuja. We’ve done brunches where we’ve worked with the UKI Black Business Show, Black women in business brunches.

“We’ve done the ‘Elevators’ evening. So we’ve done different networking events, and we continue to provide opportunities for our members to meet, connect and foster relationships..

“So many beautiful things have come out of our networking events, where the women that have attended have then formulated their own groups to set up business or organisations within themselves. That’s just because they’ve been able to have access to being around other women.

That’s what blossoms in a room, and the energy is fantastic.”

The full interview is on our website o e on ne o u

MARCH 2024 THE VOICE

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41

Lifestyle

Films

Tracing the origins of all the hate in the world

va ernay s new film ncovers events in history ept secret from so many people y oel ampbell

F

OLLOWING THE journey of Isabelle Wilkerson, an esteemed Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and American scholar who wrote the book, Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, the fi Origin was created and directed by Ava DuVernay.

Hitting UK cinemas screens this month, Origin takes us on the complex journey undertaken by Wilkerson, played by Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, as she begins to uncover events in history that have been, in the words of DuVernay, inset below, “kept secret from so many people”.

As she’s doing this, Wilkerson is experiencing deep loss and deep love in her own life which begins to inform the way that she sees the world anew.

Juxtaposed with Wilkerson’s fascinatingly compelling personal story, Origin attempts to address the multiplex that is the confl ence an connectin tissue that binds and underpins some of the historical traumas experienced by Black people, Jewish people and Indian people.

It’s explored in a way this journalist hasn’t seen before. It’ll be an emotional watch for many, enlightening for all.

“I read the book and was intrigued by it,” DuVernay said when asked about how the Origin project came to life.

“I didn’t quite understand it in the way that I wanted to. Which was for it to be more personal as opposed to kind of an intellectual anthropological thesis.

“I wanted to really know it, and so I read it again and at some point in that second reading, when I had the light bulb moment of understanding truly what caste is, as a person to person concept as opposed to an academic concept, I felt like it was urgent to somehow try to share the information outside of the book.” renowne fi a er, screenwriter, fi an te e ision

producer in her own right, there so ethin a t an fittin a o t the fact that DuVernay took this project on.

She admits to feeling a similar compelling feeling to “take some of the information that was in the books, and try to put it in a easy, more easily digestible mass, consumer art form”, in a similar way in which she did when “reading books about mass criminalisation and the history of it years ago”, prior to making the o ar etfli oc entar fi 13th in 2016.

“The movie is all my favourite moments from the book where I was like ‘dang’,” Duvernay explained. “When I read the part about the fact that Nazis stud studied the way white America treated Black America, that they actually came here, stud studied our brutal brutality, took it back, debated about it and decided that there were some things that were too much, but, ‘we could keep these things’.

And that’s part of the basis and bedrock of the holocaust, some of the protocols that govern the Holocaust.

“Mind blowing! I’m dog-earing the pages. I’m highlighting that up a storm in my book. I’m putting that in the movie right.”

Excellence and a dedication to it runs through the creation and delivery of Origin.

The trait is embodied, clearly by DuVernay as her work over the years suggests, but also with regards to Wilkerson, right, and Ellis-Taylor.

A staunchly devoted journalist and award-winning author, it took 15 years for Wilkerson to write Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents.

Speaking on the ex-

STELLAR PERFORMANCE: Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor in Origin (photo: Atsushi Nishijima/NEON)

nearly left the theatre THIS ONE is emotional. It’s been a long time since I left a screening feeling as triggered as I did following my first exposure to Origin.

Rage. That’s the only word I could use. It actually took me day or so to shake it off.

Only three films have made me feel like that. Cry Freedom, I Am Not Your Negro and now this one.

It’s a difficult watch at times. In truth, after ten minutes I nearly left the theatre. You see, I’m tired. Tired of perience of working with her to fuse together the ‘Aha’ moments, DuVernay had during her reading of the book, she enthused: “It took two years of interviews with Isabel Wilkerson, where she was generous enough to tell me about (herself).

Because her parts of the

m gla

these narratives being played out for shits and giggles or to hit substantial revenue targets at the box office in the first weekend, with no substance, no meaning, no attempt to move to discussion on. I’m glad I stayed.

This whole project seems a genuine attempt to stimulate a more elevated understanding of that which binds us.

In this case, the pain which runs through almost every sinew of our being. The crossover, the connecting tissue, the overlap, the similarities and

movie are not in the book. The book is only about caste. The movie is about her writing the book, Caste.”

She added: “I interviewed her about her process of writing. How did you get to India? Who did you talk to, to do the research? What does research look like for you? What do you do when you go to a museum? How do you talk to librarians? Tell me about your husband.

“How did he inspire you?

Okay, your mom. Oh, my goodness, tell me about Marion.

“And all of that personal story was written side by side with the ‘Aha moments’, and then I braid-

staye

synergies, the juxtaposition of nuance.

Yes, the difference between experience too, but, put simply, it’s a cinematic education that will hopefully lead to more informed context around issues that have historically impacted by Black, Jewish and Indian people.

When it comes to pain, he that feels it knows it. I’m hoping you can feel from what I’ve written (and I’ve done my best not to tell you too much about the story) that this one deserves your attention.

JOEL CAMPBELL

ed them together, and that was the screenplay.”

Delivering powerfully emotional scene after scene, DuVernay wasn’t shy about lauding EllisTaylor for the execution of the role “Working with her is, it’s an intense process,” she explained.

“She’s an actor unlike any that I’ve worked with before, and I’ve worked with many over the past decade and a half of directin fi s he has an intense aser focus that is kind of unshakeable.

“I won’t say it was hard, but it was a different process to kind of get inside of her process.

“She’s not closed off. She’s not i fic t to wor with he s

just so locked in. And she’s not locked in a way where she’s not fle i e he st co es on the set like an assassin.

“She knows the target. She’s ready, and she’s going to talk with you about it. She’s gonna ask questions. She’s gonna take direction, but she never loses the focus of ‘that’s where I’m going’.

That’s what I’m trying to hit.

“It’s a rigorous process. But it’s one that produces the kind of results that she produces, which are exceptional.”

The work of all three women centra to this fi ein ei ered is exceptional. Lifestyle implores you to go and see for yourselves.

42 | THE VOICE MARCH 2024

Lifestyle

Music

a n tune

Insidr Music app launches to serve millions of unsigned and independent talents — getting them heard and paid. By Joel Campbell

K

IMA OTUNG, born to Nigerian parents, was told in no uncertain terms growing up that she could become a ‘lawyer, an engineer or a disgrace’. The latter wasn’t an option.

So she chose law and hated it. She did, however, learn a few things that would serve her well once the penny dropped on what she really wanted to do.

The brainchild and co-founder of Insidr Music, a service where fans can subscribe directly to artists, Otung has fused her passion for music with a vision to create a ch ore financia eneficia at or to ena e artists to be better remunerated for their work.

A little bit like creator platforms such as Patreon and Substack, with Insidr fans subscribe to an artist and directly pay a monthly subscription price that the artist sets, allowing them to stream all the artist’s unrelea s ed music – and hear any released music first Insidr pays music artists 4,000 per cent more than other music streaming platforms.

So if just 10 fans stream an artist’s song once a day for a month they will earn £37.24 compared to less than one pound on other platforms.

For the growing army of artists that want to go it alone and remain independent, and there are many (unsigned artists’ total revenues have quadrupled in recent years up from £294 million in 2015 to £1.41 billion in 2022), Otung’s platform might just tick all the right boxes.

Explaining why she has dived into this with all of her focus, Otung said: “We built Insidr to make sure unsigned artists could properly monetise their work and reach fans that really crave hearing more of their work. Patreon for video creators is valued at $1.5 bil-

lion (£1.18bn), with over eight million fans subscribing to over 250,000 creators – demonstrating a clear market for this model.

“For music, there is no equivalent, and Insidr was created to meet that need.

“We have launched a platform that’s both ethical and viable which artists have already started making money on, and we look forward to building the Insidr community.”

The potential growth in the sector was also a big draw for Otung, who has partnered with Dan Ryland to bring Insidr to life.

She said: “So, currently, the total market share of independent music in the wider music industry is 40 per cent. And it’s growing year on year.

“So it’s huge. And we really believe the artists need the tools to be able to really capitalise on this opportunity.

“That’s where Insidr came in, because major labels have had decades to build infrastructure, to capitalise the most on the music that they’re in charge of, and independent artists don’t have access to the same infrastructure, so Insidr was create to in o fi in those gaps. So artists can thrive financia “And one really big part of Insidr for us was the focus on unreleased music.”

Otung plays piano, drums and guitar, and it was when she fina e an to et serious about her music that she noticed a glaring difference between the industry she was coming from and the one she wanted a part of.

She explains: “How the product was born is that I realised, as a music artist, I have literally hundreds of songs and ideas and demos and things I’ll just record. I’ll play my piano record into my studio microphone and create a version, one of songs, and I have loads of those.

“But I only had eight songs released at a time and when I really looked into why there was

th the art sts REDRESSING THE BALANCE: Kima Otung is leading the way in ensuring musicians earn what they deserve

such a huge discrepancy, it was because of the cost and time it takes to get a song from being a demo to it being released, ready.

“And so my focus with Insidr was allowing artists to monetise this asset that we have in abundance.”

She added: “I think it’s so important that the platforms and the tools we’re using in the music industry have been built by the music artists. One huge frus-

MAKING TECHNOLOGY PAY: Kima Otung’s Insidr Music streaming service is putting artists first

tration I had when I joined the music artists after being a lawyer was that you’re the person doing the legal work, in the legal industry you take home the majority of the money that comes from that.

“Then I came to the music in str , an was horrifie to fin o t that the eo e who write the music, and make the music, actually earn the least.

And I think that’s been the result over time of artists hand-

ing over all the business and legal aspects of the industry to non-creatives. So you end up with an industry that gets built for the advantage of those noncreatives, and the artists get shortchanged.

“I think it’s so important that artists like myself and musicians, like my co-founder, are the people who are creating the infrastructure for the industry.

“It’s artists focused. And it’s artists first

Over the last year, Insidr has experienced a successful beta testing phase engaging with ‘over a thousand artists and fans on the platform’.

Otung is encouraging independent and unsigned artists all over the globe to get involved and unlock the fullness of their earning potential.

Over the coming months, artist acquisition will be the primary focus. Otung added: “Right now, we are kind of focusing on the grassroots in terms of getting to artists and getting artists onto the platform and then working with them to get their fans onto the platform as well. e efinite ho e in the plat future to collaborate with platforms like TikTok. TikTok is a powerhouse right now in the discov music industry for music discovery, and for independent artists getting their music out there.” o reate an art st profi e on ns dr Music, or for more information s t https ns dr us o u nter e on he o e ebs te

MARCH 2024 THE VOICE

|

Lifestyle

Business

Nala’s Baby has star appeal

W

HEN YOU’RE talking about young ladies who are making their mark in this world, few are moving like baby Nala.

Last month saw the daughter of Sasha Ellese Gilbert and Casyo ‘Krept’ Johnson attract big support in the guise of new investment from celebrities in the UK for her brand, Nala’s Baby.

The brand launched in Boots in June 2022 (in 400 stores nationwide). It sold out online within ten minutes of launch, became one of Boots top selling baby skincare brands in under a few months, and is currently stocked in over 800 of their stores.

The new investors were revealed shortly after it was announced that the Vanilla Cloud Body Butter is now available in Tesco stores nationwide and comes after the recent expansion of Nala’s Baby within major retailers Morrisons and Ocado.

Understandably, baby Nala is staying tightlipped on how big she wants to grow in the future –

Celebrities backing skincare bran that s ma ing a big impact across the y oel ampbell

there are no limits. Speaking on her daughter’s burgeoning business however, Gilbert enthused: “Launching in Tesco, Morrisons and Ocado is a testament to our vision for accessible, natural skincare for families.

“This expansion not only demonstrates Nala’s Baby’s exceptional business growth, but

also our continued commitment to providing families nationwide the best for their little ones.”

Offering a range of products that ha e een scientifica created to cater to little ones from newborn all the way through to childhood, all products feature between 99 and 97 per cent naturally derived ingredients.

With the success of the brand it’s no wonder the likes of boxer Anthony Joshua, left, model and actress Jourdan Dunn, British YouTuber and musician Yung Filly, musicians Konan, K-Trap and Nafe Smallz and GRM founder and businessman, Posty, have invested in the business.

Joshua said: “Nala’s Baby is rated above the rest out there, so I quickly ran to the shelves.

“I was speaking to my business managers, and I said how can I get involved and take this product to the masses? I can’t

wait for Nala’s Baby to potentially reach more people.”

Filly commented: “When Krept showed me he uses Nala’s Baby himself, daily, I realised that it wasn’t just for babies and saw the huge potential of the brand.”

Krept enthused: “We’re thrilled to now be stocked in Tesco and other major retailers, continuing on our mission to bring Nala’s Baby and our clean skincare ethos to households nationwide, making the range accessible for all families.

“We’re particularly excited to announce the new launch of our Vanilla Cloud Body Butter, bringing a well-loved scent to one of our best-selling products, now available at Tesco.”

Nala’s Baby has been awarded multiple industry accolades including the Mother & Baby Gold Award for the Best Baby Skincare Range for two years in a row, alongside a Black British Business Award 2023 and Outstanding Business Of The Year at the Multicultural Business & Community Champion Awards.

PROUD MUM: Sacha Ellese Gilbert and Nala – the Vanilla Cloud Body Butter is now in Tesco stores nationwide

43

44 | THE VOICE MARCH 2024

Lifestyle

Books

Survival through adversity

I

N THESE turbulent times, many of us are seeking answers, perspective, and hope. My own search led me to write Between Starshine and Clay: Conversations from the African Diaspora.

So do come on this journey with me and spend time with 12 remarkable people I’ve come to know who have traversed adversity to forge inspiring paths worthy of celebration.

Historian David Olusoga describes the book as “extraordinary conversations with many of the greatest minds and most ins irin fi res o o r a e The title Between Starshine and Clay is a line borrowed from Lucille Clifton’s poem Won’t You Celebrate with Me. Clifton’s poem speaks of survival through adversity and combines a blunt acknowledgement of how hard it is to survive, to forge one’s own path and yet to pull through and have cause to celebrate.

The stories told here remind me, and I hope you too, that even when the road is rough, the human spirit can prevail.

I’ve had the great privilege of

I hope my book about these 12 people will prove an inspiration.

By Sarah Ladipo Manyika getting to know the 12 people in this book, and this allowed me to o e on their ic rofi es Some, like Michelle Obama and Nobel Laureates Toni Morrison and Wole Soyinka, require little introduction, but there is a lot we discover together.

There is beloved Margaret s , o n est e er an first Black British woman publisher, dedicated public servant Lord Michael Hastings, and Evan Mawarire, a pastor turned electrifying activist who challenged a decades-long dictator and brought a nation to a standstill.

The incomparable Prof Skip Gates, Anna Deavere Smith, Xoliswa Sithole, and Claudia Rankine. The one and only 104-year-young Willard Harris, a story and a life like no other.

Two personal essays, containin reflections ro own life, bookend the collection. he first traces e erience

MUST READ: Sarah Ladipo Manyika’s book Between Starshine and Clay: Conversations from the African Diaspora is one that makes her feel so proud

of being seen as ‘oyinbo’ in Nigeria, African in England, Arab in France, coloured in Southern Africa and Black in America.

The concluding essay is about an extraordinary trip I took to the South Pole, where amongst other things, I came to feel the least Black and most human among fellow travellers.

Readers often comment on the intimacy of these stories – how they foster connection across borders and generations, and how they provide windows into a deeper and richer understanding of the world and the African diaspora; past, present, and future.

If you get a chance to read this book, I know you will laugh, cry, stand up and cheer—not just for the 12 remarkable ones featured, but for the many more whose stories we can learn from, gain perspective and wisdom. will.i.am summed it up: st rea

e s message is all abo t helping s heal thro gh the power of wor s “HEALING THE world one stage at a time through the ower o oetr , that s how Peju Abuchi sees her role in the world of all things literacy.

The author’s new book, A Poetic Odyssey of Proclamations: 31 Ways to Sow, Grow and Flow Goodness into Your Life, explores the art of expression, social impact, personal transformation and global harmony.

Speaking with Lifestyle, she explained that it’s been a book she’s had inside her for most of her adult life.

“It’s been a lifelong journey of writing. Twenty years it’s taken me to harness the craft of bringing this book together to fin oice t in ter s of the actual process of writing, it too a o t two ears She added: “For me poetry is healing. I feel like words really cut deep or heal deeply.

There’s a phrase that I love, ‘Deep calls to deep’. And I feel like words are that thing for me, that is my contribution to the world.

“Different people contribute in different ways. For me, it’s

TIME FOR A CHANGE: Peju Abuchi’s poems are inspiring

that made her put pen to paper.

“I was seeing young people who I was educating, not being able to reach their potential because of the words they were using about themselves, words that you wouldn’t want any child to use to describe themselves.

“And so the pain of watching young people not reach their potential, the pain of watching friends of mine not reach their potential because of the words that we use to describe themselves, or to describe their future.

“The pain of seeing relationships break up because of the negativity that has been sown.

And you’re not necessarily able to take back those words and undo the damage that you’ve done.

“I thought we may not be able to change our situations, but surely we can change the language with which we used to describe that situation to cra t a i erent rea it

the power of the spoken word and the use of that power to bring life into people’s lives, to bring life into communities, to bring life into myself, to bring life into my family.

“You could heal in different ways. You could heal as a doctor, you could heal as a h siothera ist fin se healing through the power of words, through the choice of words, through the audience that I bring life to through wor s Speaking on what inspired her to deliver the book, Abuchi said it was observing the nega- See full interview with Peju tive impact on lives around her Abuchi on our website

MARCH 2024 THE VOICE

This is Brukout!

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45

by Seani B

MOMENTS TO SAVOUR: You need to visit Trinidad’s Carnival and experience everything it has to offer to truly appreciate it

Mecca of carnivals!

They say to experience the Trinidad festivities is as good as it gets – and I see why

I

HAVE BEEN told hundreds of times how much of an experience Trinidad Carnival is, but to say you have to be there is a complete understatement.

I landed in Picaro airport at 7pm on a Sunday and had planned to meet international soca artist Kes at 2am the next morning to join him on the Tribe Band to play J’ouvert.

That is the start of the two days of masquerading in Carnival.

This is where the freedom of this magical experience began. Even though I didn’t make the link with Kes, I was with seasoned carnival attendees who made sure I was in the thick of it all.

I was immediately covered in mud and paint on arrival and given the brightest jacket, with atchin flashin asses, t politely passed on the bright pink afro! Small steps, know what I mean. Nevertheless, I was ready for the streets. With only a few hours on the streets under my belt and with my Notting Hill Carnival in the back of my mind, I knew that this would be totally different and so it should be. This is the Mecca of all carnivals, so there should be no comparison.

Throughout the night, it was very obvious that the coveted title of Road March Song for 2024 was between two people.

The current heavyweight champ Bunji Garlin and his Carnival Contract, which was only a few weeks old, but with massive support, was a strong contender.

The next song in question was by a young man that represents the next generation of soca stars.

Mical Teja’s DNA has een a fir favourite in playlists and DJ sets

for a few months, and hearing it in the eye of the storm gave me goosebumps, with the anthemic chorus of Home, Hooommmeee, Hoommmmee.

With the sun rising and my s ccess first ni ht one, was informed to go back to my hotel, shower off the mud, paint and everything else and be back on the road for 1pm. I was told this at 9am. You do the maths.

Back at the hotel after a 30-minute drive, quick shower, quick one-hour nap and it was out on the road again.

The major difference with Monday was not being under

“A quick shower, quick one-hour nap and it was out on the road again” the safety of the night skies. This is when it ets i fic t with the relentless sun on you all day!

As much as I wanted to be a rum head and really embrace the carnival spirit, I thought it best to drink as much water as possible with a few cheeky shots in between.

What was massively different was that around 2pm when I met up with Bliss Band, everything had STOPPED. Complete shutdown!

It was lunchtime for everyone... truck drivers, DJs, bar staff and revellers. The hospitality that

MEMORIES ARE MADE OF THIS: Yours truly captures the real spirit of the Trinidad Carnival was laid on for those that bought packages seemed second to none to me.

It wasn’t just what was laid on for two days during the break, but the food, drinks, costumes and accessories seemed like a lot of consideration had gone into it.

It was at this point I saw the Queen of Bacchanal, Destra, who told me: “Today is where everyone jumps for free, tomorrow you will see the costumes. Tomorrow you

will see the greatest show on earth.”.

I went back to base around midnight like an excited child, wondering what tomorrow would bring.

What I knew for certain was what it would bring was another early start at the crack of dawn.

Up by 6am, I was in the streets of Port Of Spain by 8am, with that cheeky shot of rum to kick-start the festivities.

Carnival Tuesday looked so different, though.

Feathers, sequins, vibrant colours worked into the most amazing costumes, being worn by women and men embracing the culture of carnival without a care in the world.

I knew today was going to be special as I walked across the carni a sta e or the first ti e in the national stadium.

I had seen this many times before, but to be part of it is quite

different. This and other judging points is where the Road March Song is decided. The gauntlet had been thrown down, and it seemed my early prediction of Mical winning was hugely wrong, as I only heard Carnival Contract from several trucks already.

The early part of the day seemed at an easy pace, but as the night began to fall you could feel the intensity in the streets building. Not a negative energy, but one that tells you it’s about to go off.

And boy, it did go off!

The time was roughly 8pm, and I had bumped into Kes, but this was just as we were about to enter Savannah, a place Kes had sung about in previous years for his hit song Savannah Grass.

This moment felt like climbing a mountain and reaching its peak. I have never experienced such a feeling while standing on the savannah grass stage with thousands of people reaching that climax at the same time.

It truly is an out-of-body experience, hearing that carnival anthe at the fina e o what is more than a week of partying for some people. The sound systems loaded onto the trucks are at their loudest with the hosts whipping the crowd into a frenzy with that one song that represents yours and many other’s time spent at Trinidad Carnival.

The song that took that title was Mical Teja with DNA. My last mission was to hook up with the man himself, which I did and that interview you can watch on the BrukOut YouTube channel BTW. I’m already booked for Trinidad 2025.

46

| THE VOICE MARCH 2024

OF SPORT

Football Black List 2023 NEWSPAPER

PLAYERS OFF THE PITCH

Ugo Ehiogu Ones to Watch

ly e ll l (FBL) celebrates 15 years with the l f rdee e ye r e e re delighted to see new names on the list and hope that this ue e e d and thought about the FBL we had no idea that it would capture the attention of the community, football industry and the game’s stakeholders e y e f r us both is that the momentum ue ll e ee rd er ud e d ur growing legion of supporters, we say respect and a massive heartfelt thank you!

— Rodney Hinds and Leon Mann, co-founders Football Black List

THE JUDGES • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Rodney Hinds Leon Mann Jon Holmes Hayley Bennett Nate Williams Robert Sullivan Michelle Moore Ged Grebby Chris Paouros rr ll vd rdle Vanessa Wallace Maheta Molango Howard Holmes Martin Sinclair Gurpri Bains l e u l r e e r dd Remmie Williams Nana Badu e el r e r Timi Okuwa e ve Billy Grant

LGBTQI+ AWARD

Caz Fields: The udder field e dfielder is using TikTok to educate others around gender identity, having come out as ry er e u over 70,000 followers, with their re e v ver ve They have been featured on y r d r

Keah Forino-Joseph: A key member of the FA’s ED&I team, she delivered two groundbreaking events in 2023.

In June, Wembley celebrated the 75th anniversary of Windrush and its significant impact on English football. After overseeing the evening’s success, Keah conceived and created the uplifting ‘Still We Roar’ in just six weeks. A first in women’s football, the production for Black History Month told the stories of Hope Powell, Kerry Davies and Mary Phillip.

Josh Booth-Sawyerr: Josh is winning recognition for his achievements in not just brand and marketing but also social impact and advocacy. Senior Account Manager at agency Ten Toes, managing and working with some of football’s top talents, he is a Sport Industry Next Gen Leader who had a secondment at Arsenal in 2023 and took on a role supporting FIFA during the Women’s World Cup.

Olivia Portas: Taking the creative lead on women’s football projects, assistant producer Liv is helping to bring new audiences to BBC Sport.

Having worked her way up from being an apprentice, she is already an inspiration to young people coming into the industry, combining a strong work ethic with a meticulous approach to detail that makes her ideas stand out.

Khadidia Timera: The first and only Black judge of FIFA’s Dispute Resolution Chamber, Khadidia was regularly resolving matters of conflict in 2023. Meanwhile, in her role on FIFPro’s board, she was negotiating a more equitable playing field for women in a World Cup year. A Berkeley Law graduate and former Olympic boxing hopeful, her reputation for building bridges is goldmedal standard.

William Bitibiri: He’s already built a following of over 100,000 for his Manchester United fan channel Down The Wings, but William – still only 21 – has an even bigger vision in media.

Whether telling stories from the Premier League’s community projects, or reporting on its Kicks programme, he is elevating the coverage of these important diversity initiatives through his skill as a journalist and his passion.

MEDIA

Helen Campbell: Last season, Helen directed e of the Day show having previously directed Final re d e e the role of lead presentation director on the broadcaster’s award-winning e rld u ver e Miles Addy: Miles has been producing sensational video content for several years, working with Ian Wright and PGMOL and more recently as a freelance assistant producer f r e e l e re r of media content company ‘The Content Club’ Kevin Ramsey: The Director of Studios y ev e most senior Black leader in the business, sponsoring and championing young people to develop

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de f r lf d

Nikita Parris: The Manchester United and England forward has been actively involved in charity work, demonstrating her commitment to making a positive impact on and ff e field f r er ll d goal-scoring prowess, she is a strong advocate for gender equality in sports and takes part in campaigns designed to empower young girls r u f ll Jess Carter: Whether raising funds for Cancer Research or amplifying other good causes, the four-time WSL champion devotes substantial time and energy to l r ur u d u for her club Chelsea and for the Lionesses at the Euros and the World Cup, Carter’s accomplishments as a player are extensive but she is also widely admired for her l ru r Trent Alexander-Arnold: So many y u l yer e r fi e pursue their football dreams, only e du d ffere e f er de y e u l ye r

e

Ade Oladipo: de e e e fir l presenter of a live Premier League game this season when he red r e de ver e e e re Sky Sports News, he has worked for ESPN and Fox Sports and broadcasts a u u e el Seb Hutchinson (below): There was a time – not long ago – when the football industry did not have a single l e r e e f e small group to break that rr er e ver e Premier League and WSL for Sky Sports and as a lead commentator for ITV, he was one of the voices telling the story of the Lionesses’ run to last year’s World Cup fi l

by Liverpool and England star le der r ld is an initiative that provides career and education opportunities to former academy players and scholars when they eed

Jeremie Frimpong (right): Now with Bayer Leverkusen, having started out as a youth-team prospect at Manchester City, Frimpong has created his own program called "Pathways" to provide career opportunities for academy players ve ee rele ed e r e will be launched in Ghana before expanding to the Netherlands international’s homeland, as well as e d er y Lyle Foster: Premier League footballer who is courageous enough to talk about his own mental health – and take the necessary actions to protect it – the ur ley d u fr r er proving himself to be a standard bearer who is helping to improve understanding of mental wellbeing ue e e

Community & grassroots

Andrew Ducille (above): Whether organising its acclaimed Masterclass programme, chasing sponsors, or devoting time to mentoring members of the BCOMS cohort, operations manager Andrew is a pivotal figure in the organisation. He is making an enormous contribution to the sports media industry by developing young talent from underrepresented backgrounds.

Cordell LakeBenjamin: Cordell is a targeted intervention youth worker at the Palace for Life Foundation, assisting young people at risk of criminality or exclusion. By providing them with tailored support, but often going above and beyond, he is truly transforming their lives.

Billie Graham: Billie is Arsenal in the Community’s first-ever women and girls football development co-ordinator.

At a time when the lack of diversity in the women’s game is a big talking point, she is making targeted and strategic moves to address that.

Richard Taiwo: Richard is changing lives as an ESOL teacher and coach of a refugee football team in Bradford. Bringing together players from countries including Burundi, Kenya, Syria and Afghanistan, he moulded them into a side that reached the final in the Refugee World Cup. Solomon Paul: Solomon has been a mainstay of Highfield Rangers FC since it was formed back in 1970. During his 50 years with the Leicesterbased club, he has put in countless hours of coaching, support and mentoring. Now aged 70, he has taken on the role of club groundsman.

MARCH 2024 THE VOICE

NEWSPAPER

FOOTBALL BLACK LIST COMPILED

BY MERT AHMET AND JON HOLMES

CYRILLE REGIS AWARD (Black Excellence in the last year)

Sam Allison: Sam’s appointment to the Sheffield United vs Luton game on Boxing Day made him only the second-ever Black referee in Premier League history.

He is a member of the REFA (Refereeing Equality For All) group advising the game on how to become more diverse and in his job as a fire fighter, he was awarded the King’s Fire Service Medal for promoting inclusivity in Dorset and Wiltshire.

Jeremie FRIMPONG ADMINISTRATION Eartha Pond: Eartha is the first ormer player and first lac woman to e appointed into a non e ecutive director role with he he is ma ing an impact in the independent schools sector and is the ounder and o the P oundation charity

Abiola Ijasanmi: he first woman to hold a suite position at the on ederation o rican oot all ritish lawyer iola has een its chie operating o ficer since ma ing her one o the most power ul women in oot all on the continent Tony Burnett: In anuary it was announced that this season will e ony s last as chie e ecutive o ic t ut hugely

popular oot all figure he has led the anti discrimination organisation since Malcolm Kpedekpo: he cottish cele rated its th anniversary in and alcolm is the governing ody s first director rom an ethnic minority ac ground e too on the independent non e ecutive role in and launched the first diversity and e uality ramewor or the cottish game called oot all nites the ollowing year Matthew Ryder KC: atthew is a senior arrister at atri ham ers and a part time udge who was appointed as an independent non e ecutive director o the Premier eague in uring his year career he has also served as eputy ayor o ondon

Akil Howson: Promoted to the Premier League as an assistant referee before the start of the current season, Akil is the first Black person to be a permanent official in the topflight for 15 years. He has been representing his community with authenticity and great professionalism, having dedicated himself to following the pathways to promotion, often against the odds.

PRACTITIONERS

Ifeanyi Odogwu: One of the UK’s leading sports law barristers and a specialist football arbitrator, Ifeanyi was appointed to the Premier League Judicial Panel in 2023 as one of its youngest members. He has chaired cases involving Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho, and Rafa Benitez, and was the sole advisor to Wilfried Zaha on his transfer to Galatasaray.

Anika Leslie-Walker: Alongside lecturing and research in the sociology of sport at Nottingham Trent University, Anika is chair of the Manchester FA Inclusion Advisory Board and advises NGBs on ED&I issues. She also dedicates time to coaching and mentoring young women from diverse ethnic communities who are seeking to enter the football workforce.

Marcus Gayle: Marcus is considered to be the ‘club octopus’ at Brentford for his extensive ue e d u r e e fir ever lu d r d el le d rd d r ve del ver sessions and workshops to primary schools. He is also Lead Educator for the Bees and can be found at the heart of much of the Premier League’s important community work.

Fern Whelan: Using her degree in psychology which she completed whilst playing, Fern is pushing for greater inclusivity in the game in her role as EDI Women’s Football Executive with the PFA. She is also an exceptional broadcaster and pundit.

Kerry Downes: er r le f u u y ru Kerry uses football as a force for good in the Bedfordshire area. Her background in youth work informs her approach.

Commercial

Christina Taylor: Tina has worked with Manchester United goalkeeper Mary Earps and through her agency Aim Sky High Talent, helped to turn her into a household name with a cult following.

Kemi Benjamin: With over 15 years’ experience at Nike, Kemi can already point to his impact on a host of company campaigns. However, the energy he brings as Senior Brand Director (EMEA) keeps him at the forefront of football marketing, and how it is shaped by youth culture and EDI expertise.

Roscoe Bowman: In the often polarising world of punditry, Ian Wright has a unique ability to bring people together. Roscoe is his manager and cornerman, setting up opportunities that continue to see the Arsenal legend make the most of his platform.

Ini Umotong: The former Brighton ace and Nigeria international striker is now in a player management executive role in the women’s football department of Adidas. She has influenced club campaigns such as that of Arsenal and contributing to the impressive Merky FC project which is having huge impact in the ED&I space.

Kenny Annan-Jonathan: Kenny became the first creative director appointed by a Premier League club in July 2023. The Eagles swooped to bring him in following his success with his consultancy, The MailRoom, where he built his reputation on a sharp ability to identify how to marry the creative and the commercial.

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OF SPORT Coaching & management

Darren Moore: In an extraordinary League One season, Darren’s Sheffield Wednesday side were pipped to automatic promotion despite amassing 96 points.

Then came the now famous fightback from 4-0 down in the play-off semi-finals against Peterborough, and a late Wembley winner against Barnsley. His reputation can be seen in Port Vale’s recent decision to appoint him as manager on a deal until 2029.

Hope Powell: Former England player and manager Hope is a pioneer and leader in women’s football who continues to be in high demand due to her coaching acumen.

In July, she was appointed as the technical director of Birmingham City Women.

Liam Rosenior: Liam is proving his credentials as Hull City mount a strong challenge in the Championship promotion chase – the club’s best campaign since relegation from the Premier League in 2017. He is one of the most highly-rated young managers in the game and signed a new three-year deal at the MKM Stadium in 2023.

Vincent Kompany: By claiming the Championship title with 101 points in 2022/23, Kompany’s Burnley won admirers far and wide. The Manchester City legend has been sticking to his footballing principles in the intense heat of the PL relegation battle, urging his Clarets to maintain belief as they battle to defy the odds.

Nicole Farley: The first female coach at West Ham, Nicole has established herself as a role model for Black women within the game. She has been coaching for over 18 years and also mentors in her Young Ambassador role with the Prince’s Trust.

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

OF SPORT NEWSPAPER

MARCH 2024 | THE VOICE

MAJOR GOALS: Darcy Bourne is hoping to use her hoc e rofi e or the good of the wider community

Bourne to be a winner on and off the field

The GB hockey ace has been making her mark ahead of the Paris Olympics. By Matthew Chadder

I

“

T IS important not to underestimate the impact that you might have on the people who are looking up to you.”

Those are the words of Darcy Bourne, the 22-year-old Team GB hockey player from London who is hugely active in her community where she hopes to use her platform to help diversify the sport she fell in love with at a young age.

“When I was younger, I got introduced to hockey, and me being really competitive, I wanted to catch up with my friends who had been playing for longer than me, so I quickly got stuck in and just fell in love with the sport,” Darcy told the Voice of Sport.

“I started to see hockey as the sport I’d pursue to chase my Olympic dream, and that is still what I’m trying to do today.”

When she was just 18 years old, a picture which had been taken of her attending a Black Lives Matter demonstration went viral, changing her life forever.

“I could have never expected that moment to go so viral, I just really felt like I wanted to attend the protest to be a part of something, but I wasn’t

COMMUNITY ROLE: Darcy Bourne outside the Children at Play Mural in Brixton

expecting to have any impact as an individual. Within the space of three days, that photo was everywhere, Martin Luther King III had shared it, and it completely changed my life.

“I just wanted to be a professional athlete. Being an activist and using my voice was never something I had considered, but after that photo went viral, I realised I had the opportunity to do something really special, and I have been trying ever since to use the

power of that photo, to help and support others.” ince that i e efinin o ent, arc has i e hea first into a ran e of initiatives as she looks to use her platform as an athlete for the greater good.

Darcy was one of 20 athletes from a range of backgrounds who took part in the Powered by Purpose programme, launched by UK Sport in partnership with The True Athlete Project in 2022.

The programme is designed to help n e ath etes with the confi ence, knowledge, and skills to use their platform for social change.

Alongside this, while studying in the US, she co-founded an initiative called Beyond Our Game, a diversity initiative that aims to unite and empower minority communities through sports.

Beyond Our Game has hosted multiple free multi-sport camps, and given their success is currently expanding to the UK. “As a young athlete, it’s weird to think that I might be someone’s role model, and it is important not to underestimate the impact that you might have on the people who are looking up to you,” she says. “When you’re young, whether it’s consciously or subconsciously, you’re going to look up to people who look like you. That’s why I think having relatable role models, diverse role models, is so important, because when I look back at who my role models were, they were all black women, and I didn’t have that in hockey.

“I was really lucky that my local club had Olympians, so I had role models right there, but for other people,

they might not have that which is why having people who look like you is so important, and why for me, I think being the best role models we can be is vital.”

Darcy is a key believer that sport can play a huge part in creating change within communities and hopes to see that change carried out by the time she han s her c eats or the fina ti e “I hope by the end of my career I have inspired some kids who maybe wouldn’t have thought that hockey is a sport for them, to play it.”

With one eye of this summer’s Olympics in Paris, she adds: “Hockey has given me so much, it’s given me a job, friends, access to amazing education and travel, and everyone deserves the opportunity to give that a go.”