The Voice Newspaper: June 2024 by thevoicemediagroup

JUNE 2024 • ISSUE NO. 1955

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INSPIRED

WINDRUSH

Thousands of people across Britain are preparing to honour the Windrush Generation. June 22 will see a range of community events take place highlighting the Caribbean migrants who arrived in 1948 and transformed the country for the better.

WINDRUSH DAY SUPPLEMENT INSIDE

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Usain Bolt eyes a comeback. The greatest sprinter of all time, right, is set to make a brief return, after PSG superstar Kylian Mbappe accepted the challenge of facing the eight-time Olympic champion in a 100m race

Malcolm X Foundation launched in Grenada to honour his legacy

Meghan Markle thanks Nigeria for warm welcome ‘home’

Baroness Floella Benjamin honoured with prestigious BAFTA Fellowship

Tourism’s doubleedged sword: is the Caribbean gaining or losing?

Birmingham pastor rallies community for blood donation

Will England’s Black players be subjected to racist online abuse at the Euros?

The Windrush generation: Pioneers of modern Britain, deserving of justice

S WE approach National Windrush Day, we celebrate the Windrush generation, those courageous Caribbean migrants who arrived in Britain in 1948 to help rebuild the country after the ravages of the Second World War. Their arrival marked a pivotal moment in British history, one that has left an indelible mark on the nation’s cultural, social, and economic fabric. These pioneers epitomised resilience, courage, and unwavering determination. Facing systemic racism and discrimination, they nonetheless made profound contributions to British society. Their perseverance laid the groundwork for future generations, fostering greater diversity and inclusivity. The Windrush Generation’s legacy is a testament to the transformative power of migration. They brought with them a cultural renaissance that reshaped British music and the arts, and enriched the nation’s cultural landscape with vibrant jazz, calypso, and blues. We owe so much to the Windrush generation. Their tireless sacrifice, undeniable faith, and great courage inspire us to walk fearlessly into the future. They demonstrated resilience, dedication, and a strong sense of community – qualities that remain profoundly important today. By reflecting on their experiences and the principles they upheld, we

This issue is 56 pages EDITOR Vic Motune E. vic.motune@thevoicemedia group.co.uk

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

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ROUNDUP NEWSPAPER

draw valuable lessons applicable to our current challenges. Their commitment to collective progress reminds us of the enduring power of unity and hard work. Yet it seemed as though their immense contribution to Britain’s social and cultural fabric counted for nothing when news of the Windrush scandal broke in 2018. The scandal, directly caused by Home Office errors, was a catastrophe for those affected by it. The destruction of thousands of landing cards and the creation of a ‘hostile environment’ wrongly questioned the status of British citizens of Caribbean origin, leading to them being denied access to healthcare, housing, and employment, and even deportation. The government admitted its ‘errors’ and launched the Windrush Compensation Scheme in 2019. Yet, five years on, many argue that the scheme has been set up to fail, with high burdens of proof and a continued environment of political hostility around immigration. It is imperative that the victims of this scandal are properly compensated. As we prepare to honour the Windrush Generation on June 22, we can be led by the example they set of showing resilience in the face of formidable obstacles. Their story is more than just a chapter in British history; it is a beacon of hope for all.

Nigeria has a new leader. Former AFCON winner Finidi George has been named as the new head coach of the Super Eagles following the departure of Jose Peseiro Daniel Anjorin deserves better. The Sun newspaper’s shameful ‘sword lad’ headline was not just deeply insensitive, it is a reminder of the media’s deep-seated lack of care for Black crime victims

UK family fights for justice after losing home in Grenada. Caribbean legal expert is warning Black Britons to protect their assets if they plan on returning to the region to live

Are you sure you’re British? The realities of renting while Black. Campaigners say that policies such as Right to Rent have meant Black and minority ethnic renters face significantly higher discrimination in accessing tenancies

Woman jailed over viral attack on Black schoolgirl in Ashford. The distressing incident sparked community protests, complaints and a petition Lawyers seeking release of Vybz Kartel. The highly-publicised trial lasted 65 days and was the longest-running court case in Jamaica’s history

Young Chelsea player pays homage to his roots with St Kitts flag on boots. Cole Palmer is proving to be the shining light of the new era in SW6 Chinese national arrested after fake curry found in Jamaican supermarket. Jamaican authorities are working with real curry manufacturers to determine what is in the fake products

Black families turn to online tutoring amid racial bias concerns. The trend follows research from The Voice and Cambridge University which found 94 per cent of participants felt Black children suffered from lower attainment expectations

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News Feature

‘WE WANT TO LET FATHERS KNOW THEY’RE NOT ALONE’ After struggling as a new dad himself, Errol Murray has gone on to create a space for fathers and children. By Vic Motune

EVERAL studies in recent years have highlighted how lonely life can be for new mums. But it’s fair to say that there’s been relatively less attention on how both parents can struggle physically and emotionally after the birth of a child. Becoming a dad triggers a mix of emotions like joy and anxiety. Sleep deprivation, navigating new responsibilities, and feeling disconnected from partners compound the emotional challenges faced by new fathers. Studies reveal that as many as one in 10 men experience mental health issues in the first six months post-birth, with first-time and younger dads at higher risk. Dad-of-two Errol Murray was one of those who faced a tough time following the birth of his daughter Rayya, in October 2010. “We’d had a baby in Leeds, a city that we’d just moved to from Brixton in south London,” the charity manager recalls. “After Rayya was born, I realised that even though we had lots of friends we didn’t have many people close by who we could talk to about raising a child. We had family, but the nearest were hours away. At the time I was working in Manchester and commuting a hundred miles every day. “I was tired and balancing work and family, especially with the added responsibility of a new baby was exhausting.” Murray found that while there are many local and online networks to support new mothers, there were few similar resources available for dads. So he decided to do something about creating a space where he could connect with other dads as well as spending more time with his new daughter. “Back in 2011 I decided to ask a few of my friends, who are also mums, if their partners could join me for a playdate with our children because asking the dads directly wasn’t happening,” he says. “I thought if mums got involved, they would sort of encourage their partners to go, which worked out brilliantly. Our first meeting was four dads with our kids at Leeds City Museum in the café. We talked about feeling constantly tired

“I was tired and balancing work and family, especially with the added responsibility of a new baby, was exhausting”

can share ideas and experiences as well as spending quality time with their children. “Often you might go to a playgroup with your children and you’ll be the only dad there,” Murray says. “And you can feel so excluded and isolated it’s difficult Errol Murray to go back. A lot of dads have told us this. So the key thing that makes and the functional nature of our us different is that we go out of our conversations with our partners way to engage new members.” that revolved mostly around pracA Leeds Dads volunteer in a tical tasks like getting the milk or yellow T-shirt will approach new picking up the baby. dads, offer support, get tea and “And when we all shared our toast, and chat with them. And thoughts we all realised that other the safe space that this provides is people are in the same boat which crucial, Murray says. makes it easier to accept the chal“We found that our greatest lenges of fatherhood and look at strength, our superpower, is peer ways of supporting ourselves. And support. Dads have told us the that Sunday afternoon, we decided group has saved them, it’s given we’d meet again the following them a rock, some sanity. It might month.” be the only adult conversation Since that first meeting in 2011, they’ve had away from their partthat small group has blossomed ner all week. into a charity called Leeds Dads “The space we provide helps which has been hailed as a beacon to foster some honest, incredible of support for fathers in the city. conversations. Many feel unpreIts focus on paternal mental pared for parenthood, and struggle health sees Leeds Dads work with with the contrast between their more than 1,000 fathers every upbringing and how they want year through a diverse array of to bring up their children. These programs, workshops, events and challenges are openly discussed, online conversations. providing a supportive environIts inclusive and welcoming ment for dads to share their fears.” approach ensures that a range He continues: “One dad told of dads, from those experiencing me he didn’t want his partner to fatherhood for the first time to have a child when he found out those with many years of parenting she was pregnant. That led to a experience, benefit from a supdifficult situation. Five years later, portive community in which they he can’t imagine what life would

“The funds that we used to apply for a year ago, have all but dried up,” he says. “It’s a lot harder to get to gain access to funding. We’re looking for organisations to step forward and support us, especially the big national corporate com companies because it’s probably their staff members and their children who are coming to our events. By supporting us, it supports them too.” Despite the challenges, Murray and his team remain fuelled by a shared commitment to support a community where fathers feel seen, heard, and supported on “We also have these challenges in be like without their children. The their journey through parenthood. level of trust is amazing and that the UK. But they were enlightened Many of those volunteers will be enables us to support dads facing by how we have worked with Leeds working on a special forthcoming alcohol, gambling, or relationship University and Leeds Beckett UniFathers’ Day event. challenges. We will signpost them versity to develop workshops and In previous years, Leeds Dads to where they can get professional information that support dads and help. Leeds Dads is something that give them the skills needed to help has organised an event called Dadstastic Day at Leeds City Museum gives men a moment to gather nurture their children.” to celebrate Father’s Day. The event their thoughts, share their experiHigh-profile recognition of Mur- attracts over 3,000 attendees with ence and recognise that they’re ray’s work in the UK came after he free arts, dance, music, and science not alone.” met the Princess of Wales and they activities. The impact of Murray’s work has discussed the work of Leeds Dads “This year is going to be slightly achieved international recognition. with her as part of her own efforts different,” Murray reveals. “We’re He was recently invited to Los to increase public understanding planning a tea party which is basiAngeles to speak at the Families cally a big picnic. It’s a family event. and Fathers Coalition conference. of the importance of the first five years of a child’s life through the We want our Father’s Day events to “It was marvellous being out Royal Foundation Centre for Early be inclusive. there,” he recalls. “A lot of statuChildhood. “But it’s also just a fun way of tory bodies in America, such as However, despite the growing highlighting all that the charity has children’s services, see dads as a demand for its services and the achieved over 13 years. ” problem rather than a source of support for families when it comes efforts of its dedicated volunteers, For more information about Leeds to things such as child protection, Leeds Dads is facing an uphill battle against dwindling funds which Dads and its Father’s Day events or drug and alcohol issues that please visit www.leedsdads.org could threaten its work. affect parenting.

News Feature

GRENADIANS LAUNCH NEW MALCOLM X FOUNDATION Grenadian relatives of the civil rights icon want to honour him in La Digue, his mother’s birthplace. By Sinai Fleary

RENADIAN RELATIVES of Malcolm X have launched a new foundation to honour the iconic civil rights activist in the Caribbean. The Malcolm X Family Foundation (MXFF) was founded three years ago by Grenadian historian Terrance Wilson – who is also a third cousin of Malcolm X – and British Grenadian Derek Marshall. The co-founders say the global Black nationalist leader deserves to be honoured in La Digue, Saint An-drew, Grenada, which is also where his mother, Louise Helen Norton Little,was born in the 1890s. Speaking exclusively to The Voice from his home in La Digue, Grenada, Wilson said: “The family tree and family foundation starts with two African people Jupiter and Mary Jane Langdon, who came to Grenada sometime in the 1860s. “It was said the ship was intercepted by the British Navy and they came here to Grenada as free indentured servants – they were not enslaved people. “They started to work in Grenada and in 1882 they bought a property and had six children.” Wilson explained one of these six children was Malcolm X’s grandmother, and another daughter was Wilson’s great-grandmother and that is how he is related to the former Nation of Islam minister. He added: “I happen to be one of the many third cousins of Malcolm X in Grenada, there’s lots of third cousins and some of them don’t even know they are part of the family.” GRENADIAN ROOTS Malcolm X was born Malcolm Little in Omaha, Nebraska, in the United States, on 19 May 1925. But according to the historian, Grenadian family members of Malcolm X have lived in the area of La Digue for over 150 years – with many still residing there today. He said: “The last surviving second cousin of Malcolm X, she is Ms Eva Louis, she is 87 years old. Her mother was Malcolm X’s aunt.” Wilson has been documenting his family’s history for several decades, and told The Voice he met Malcolm X’s brother, Wilfred X, who had travelled to Grenada in 1993 to meet other elderly Grena-

dian family members. The family land in La Digue – which has been passed down through the generations – will be the focal point of the new foundation. Wilson wants those interested in learning more about Malcolm X’s Grenadian heritage to get “proper information” from his living Caribbean relatives. He added: “I have established the family foundation with the aim to correct and at the same time promote this history in a positive way for the country.” Todd Perotte is another third generational cousin of Malcolm X, and younger brother of Wilson. He said: “I remember seeing my brother and my dad always working on this stuff but I was young then. I remember my family had this photograph of what they wanted the logo of the foundation to look like, the Grenadian map, with the X in it, with the roots of Malcolm.” Perotte said he was around 10

years old when he first realised he was a cousin of the prominent Black Muslim hero. He said: “I never took it serious like how my dad and my brother did, I just knew we were related to Malcolm X and that’s it. “But later on in life, I did, and now, I am getting more interested.” Perotte was born in England and grew up in Grenada from the age of two. He lived in the same family home as many of Malcolm X’s Grenadian ancestors in La Digue until his early 20s. He believes in Grenada there is not enough awareness that Malcolm X’s mother was born in the Caribbean country. “I don’t really think they take history serious,” he said. Perotte is calling for the Black American human rights activist to be included on the national curriculum in Grenada, to ensure his story is not forgotten in the eastern Caribbean country. “Malcolm X was on a worldly level, it is like mentioning Toussaint Louverture or Marcus Garvey, he should be celebrated,” he stated. Currently studying architecture in London, Perotte says he plans to design a peace garden in honour of his world-famous cousin – which will be situated on the family land in Grenada. For Marshall – whose parents were also from Grenada – he hopes the newly established MXFF will celebrate “a rich history of relationships” and provide a community hub for locals and visitors. He said there are also plans to Terrance Wilson mark the place where the family’s house once stood.

“There’s lots of third cousins and some of them don’t even know they are part of the family.”

“A lot of people even with all the modern DNA tests don’t know where they come from, but Malcolm X’s family do actually know their roots right back to ancestors,” he added.

in and told my father ‘don’t deal with Malcolm X, he’s a dangerous man’ but he wasn’t – he was just spreading the truth and the people didn’t want people to know the truth.” Ali Jr is very passionate about ALI FAMILY SUPPORT heritage and urged more people in The MXFF is also being backed by the Black community to research Muhammad Ali Jr – son of former their family history. World Heavyweight Champion He added: “There’s a lot of things Muhammad Ali – who said it is that people do to prevent us from “really an honour” to be working finding out who we really are and with the foundation. where we really came from, so we Speaking to The Voice from don’t know where we are going or America, he said: “We have to shake up the world one more time how we are going to get there.” Ali Jr said he has an obligation and get people back to the way to God and his late father to “conthey were. We need to do this to tinue his legacy”. save humanity.” The filmmaker said it is imperaAli Jr said his father and Malcolm X – who were both members tive to keep the memory of people of the Nation of Islam in the early like Malcolm X and his father alive. He added: “Keep these people 1960s – “were very close” friends at one point. He said: “I know they that did good things for the masses were very close until the CIA came to know who they are and what

they have done and how we can make America better for everyone, not just America but the whole world.” INVESTIGATION Malcolm X was 39 years old, when he was murdered on February 21, 1965. As he gave a speech at the Audubon Ballroom in Manhattan, three men shot him 16 times in front of his pregnant wife, Dr Betty Shabazz, three of their daughters and 400 people. Last February, Malcolm X’s family announced plans to sue the FBI, CIA and New York City police for $100m (£83m) for his assassination in 1965. Ilyasah Shabazz, one of Malcolm X’s daughters, announced she intended to take action against several government agencies for allegedly covering up their role in her father’s death.

Opinion

CYNICAL STARMER WHIPS UP YET MORE DOUBTS

ATE OSAMOR having the whip restored by Labour is welcome, but rather than drawing firm conclusions about the party under Sir Keir Starmer, it raises more questions. The fact is, Osamor never should have been suspended in the first place. As The Voice reported earlier this year, leading activists expressed anger over the fact that the Edmonton MP had been dropped for describing the mass killing of Palestinians as “genocide”. Osamor had done so on Holocaust Memorial Day, while the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust itself makes clear that the annual commemoration is for acknowledging, and standing in solidarity with all victims of genocide, including recent ones. Many credible organisations have taken the position that there is certainly a plausible legal justification in arguing that genocide is what is being inflicted upon the Palestinian people. hich she Osamor’s view, which herefore not apologised for, is therefore controversial and is in reality, in line with how millions of people think throughout the country. he party has now The fact the acknowledged Osamor did no wrong is surely vindication of this. etween the lines, But reading between the timing of the announcement of Osamor being readmitted to the party is interesting. Labour has come under intense criticism recently,

Kate Osamor’s back – but Labour’s suspension of Diane Abbott is still scandalous, says Richard Sudan following the news that Tory MP Natalie Elphicke defected to the party on May 8, citing the implosion of the government. The Dover MP also argued that Rishi Sunak did not have a handle on the “small boats crisis”. To put things in perspective, there is no crisis in Dover as suggested by Elphicke. People largely fleeing war, and who have little more than the clothes on their back, by no means constitute a security threat nor are they a burden on the economy. Any suggestion otherwise is absurd and, more importantly, is not borne out by evidence. In reality, this is part of the culture war, the Conservative

Party’s primary tactic in distracting attention from its mismanagement of the country, and the calamity and outrageous behaviour in Downing Street particularly during the pandemic years. Elphicke is also accused of harbouring questionable rightwing views. She heavily criticised footballer Marcus Rashford’s free school meal campaign and did so at a time when the Manchester United player came under fire and received racist abuse for his performance for England at the 2020 Euro tournament. The motivations for Starmer’s Labour welcoming of Elphicke with open arms, followed by restoring the whip to Kate Osamor is highly suspect. The larger question looming, however, is about the fate of Hackney and Stoke Newington MP Diane Abbott, who remains suspended by the party over antiSemitism claims which several commentators and Black party activists have also rubbished. Abbott has been suspended since April last year with no indication as to when the party ‘investigation’ will be concluded. Many believe the entire process is being drawn out to prevent the veteran anti-racism

campaigner from standing for Labour at the general election. In a nod to Starmer’s warm welcome of Elphicke, Abbott quipped in the media, referring to the former Tory’s track record, that “not everyone is treated with such generosity”. Indeed. It’s interesting that Starmer is giddy over Elphicke with her right-wing views, while Abbott – who has spent almost 40 years on the front line battling for racial equality – remains in the political wilderness with no end in sight. Equally, Starmer’s brazen opportunism in seeking to raise funds following Tory party donor Frank Hester’s racist comments

about Abbott, rather than support her, speaks volumes about the priorities of the potential next prime minister. Kate Osamor never should have been suspended, but the lifting of the suspension seems consistent with Labour’s stance towards the Black community generally and specifically under Starmer – opportunistic and cynical. There’s no reason for Diane Abbott’s suspension to stand, and Labour should make crystal clear what it intends to do. The Black community can clearly see the games being played by Starmer. As I’ve written before, his contempt for those that built his party to what it

is today will come back to bite him at the ballot sooner than he might anticipate and will cost him long-term, politically. He might think he has a first term in the bag – although the writing is far from on the wall – but if he doesn’t want to be a oneterm prime minister he needs to rethink his strategy towards Black voters and understand the longterm impact of taking Black voters for granted, especially those who value figures like Diane Abbott. The solidarity protests in support of Abbott should have been the clearest indication yet that Black voters are not simply asking to be heard, they are demanding it.

News Feature

MUM AND DAUGHTER’S APP GAME IS HAIR TO STAY uo de eloped robelles after struggling to nd characters in games with Afro hair. By Mercy Amene

the case of a lot of games, Afro HE GAMING industry, once niche, is now a hair styles were being depicted in global phenomenon a culturally appropriated way.” with a diverse audience. Aware that her young daughter However, the diversity of was becoming aware of how players is often not reflected in her skin tone, hair and features differed to some of her friends game content. at school, Yvonne wanted to Despite industry initiatives empower Alyssa and other Black aimed at promoting diversity and up game app, was born. “I have girls like her. inclusion, games often adhere She felt it was vitally important some graphic design experience, to traditional tropes leading Black girls with a more positive so I made a comment to Alyssa equality campaigners to highlight representation of their hair and that we should create our own that young gamers of colour cultural identity. A recent study by game – and of course she leapt have to put up with negative Dove found 53 per cent of Black at the opportunity” she recalled. I stereotypes. mums whose daughters have started to think I’d bitten off more According to a recent study by experienced hair discrimination, than I could chew!” Curry’s PC World, only two per Yvonne continued: said their daughters experienced cent of game designers in the US “Together, we sat at the table it as early as five years old. are African American or African The study also found Black and brainstormed three main Caribbean, which means that women’s hair is two-and-a-half characters for our dress up game: Black characters are often under times more likely to be perceived Coco, Kelli and Krista, all with or misrepresented. For Yvonne Ottley and as unprofessional, and that Black beautiful Afro hair that could women are 80 per cent more be styled in a variety of ways, daughter Alyssa, the lack of likely to change their natural including Puffs, Fulani braids, representation on screen sparked hair to meet social norms or and Bantu knots. We then started their venture into the word of app identities,” Yvonne said. “I spent expectations at work. to design an extensive wardrobe development. So she told her daughter they and worked with an illustrator to As a six-year-old Alyssa loved a good while looking for games dress-up games on her tablet that had diverse characters with would create their own game bring the characters to life, before but wondered why there were no Afro hair, but it was really slim – and Frobelles, the UK’s first enlisting the help of a freelance Black girls or characters in the pickings. What I found was either Afro hair-championing dress app developer. “Alyssa represents games she played that had hair the characters were Black but had little to no Afro-hair options, or in the demographic of like hers. girls who want to see Yvonne’s search themselves in the games revealed few games they play, so her opinion, reflecting diverse feedback, attention backgrounds, to detail, and steer on and those that many decisions has been did often required instrumental – she even expensive premium did the voiceover on the subscriptions. This game, and her friends fruitless search made were the perfect testbed.” her realise the dearth Launched in 2020 after of representation for two years of development, young girls with Afro the app itself is available hair in the gaming to download on a wide market. range of platforms. “Children naturally The simple, fun game ant to see themselves want appeals to young girls in the games they who enjoy experimenting play, it’s a part of how with different hairstyles or they start to form their

CEO’, shortlisted for both the

“I spent a good DEI and Young Entrepreneur Awards, and she recently won the while looking for Young Entrepreneur Award at the Celebrating Small Business games that had FSB Awards earlier this year. And the app is continuing to diverse characters develop. Its new ‘story mode’ with Afro hair, but it teaches children how to look after their Afro hair, how to style it, was slim pickings” how to do their own skincare, and clothing and have longed to play with characters that look like them. Players can choose from a range of popular Afro hairstyles, including Fulani braids, flat twists, bantu knots and box braids. The commands and commentary on the app are all voiced by Alyssa, who invites players to style the characters’ hair and dress them, and compliments their choices. The app was an immediate hit. And just a few years after coming up with the idea over the kitchen table, Frobelles isn’t just a game anymore, it’s a growing community with sisterhood at its heart. It has its own fan club, regular offline events, has surpassed 100,000 downloads, has two Black History Month campaigns with the Apple AppStore under its belt, a campaign with GooglePlay, national press coverage, and inclusion in the Startups 100 for 2024. Its success saw Alyssa, who Yvonne describes as her ‘mini

how to get ready for school each day, as sadly, not every child has someone to help them with these tasks. Now Frobelles is launching in the US with the aim of taking its mission of educating curly-haired kids and providing a safe, positive, diverse, and empowering space to the next level. “It’s incredible to see how the Frobelles community has grown, and how active and engaged it is, so we’re really excited to see how our sisterhood evolves as it expands to the US,” Yvonne said. “As the brand continues to grow, we remain 100 per cent committed to fostering inclusivity, empowering young minds, and proving that if you can dream it, you can do it – wherever you happen to live, and whatever age you happen to be. “The journey from a simple question about representation, to the creation of Frobelles, underscores the power of determination, and the impact that even a small initiative can have on challenging societal norms.”

7 | THE VOICE FEBRUARY 2022

JUNE 2024

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News Feature

NURSES MOVING TO UK ‘ASK AUNTY’ FOR HELP

New app helps International NHS staff better adjust to life in Britain. By Mercy Amene

ACK IN 1996, soon after her arrival in the UK to begin her nursing career, Arlene Wellman found herself stranded in a chilly room without any kind of assistance or lighting. She had come from Trinidad on a Friday night and had no one to turn to all weekend. In the years ears since that weekend, Wellman has gone on to become England’s most senior internationally educated nurse and has enjoyed a successful career that has seen overseas coordinator who was her awarded an MBE in 2022. also a nurse and she was amazing But being alone in a chilly room and took me under her wing.” by herself without light or heating Internationally educated wasn’t the start to life in the UK nurses are becoming an that she would have wanted. increasingly important part of the Wellman, now Group Chief UK’s health workforce. Nurse at St George’s, Epsom and According to statistics from St Helier University Hospitals and the Nursing and Midwifery Health Group (‘gesh’ for short) says: Council (NMC), registered nurses “When I arrived it was freezing and midwives trained outside of cold and I was taken to hospital the UK now account for one in accommodation. It was a Friday five (21 per cent) working in the evening and the accommodation NHS – compared with 15 per offices were closed, so I had the cent in 2019, as recruiters look to entire weekend in a cold flat with overseas health professionals to no lights as the previous tenants fill staffing gaps. had taken the bulbs with them There is a long history of and I didn’t know where to get internationally trained nurses replacements. coming to the UK to support the “On Monday I met with the NHS. Later this month (June 22)

will see the country celebrate the 76th anniversary of the landing of the HMT Empire Windrush, which brought many Caribbean nurses to the United Kingdom and contributed to the NHS’s development. However, the similarities between now and the arrival of Caribbean nurses who were part of the Windrush Generation do not end with an increase in the number of registered nurses from abroad. Much like the 1948 arrivals, internationally trained nurses arriving in the UK can find navigating life here tough. They face several challenges that go beyond the professional demands of navigating the healthcare system. The lack of a support network that can extend a welcoming hand can make settling into a new job a struggle. Fortunately, things have improved since Wellman’s early experiences. And now a groundbreaking app produced by gesh offers them even more support. The ‘Ask Aunty’ app pairs newly a r r i v e d staff with a colleague who can help them settle into life in the UK. Through this new and innovative platform, the app

facilitates the creation of some invaluable connections between experienced nursing colleagues, affectionately referred to as “aunties”, and those embarking on their journey in a new country, offering a wealth of knowledge and practical advice to help newcomers navigate the intricacies of life in the UK. “Things are much better for international nurses now but we wanted to develop ‘Ask Aunty’ as there is still room to improve their experience,” says Wellman. “They will be paired with an ‘aunt’ or an ‘uncle’ who can help them to integrate to life in the UK as well as life in the NHS. I remember being told when I was coming to the UK that I needed to get a duvet. I was like, ‘What’s a duvet? I’m from Trinidad and we don’t have duvets’.” “Thanks to the internet, people will know what a duvet is – but there are lots of other things they will be unaware of, which is why the app will make their lives easier. “There are also things like how to open a bank account or how to find s o m e w h e re to rent that some

international nurses won’t know how to do, so we can help them. “The NHS is really dependent on our international nurses to help care for our patients and this app will really help them navigate life in the UK and at work.” Wellman believes it is important to recognise what international nurses bring to the NHS and to give them support in and out of work.

“When I arrived, I had to get a duvet. I said ‘What’s that? We don’t do duvets in Trinidad!’” - Arlene Wellman

Wellman stresses the importance of not only recognising the distinct viewpoints and abilities of overseas nurses, who are an integral part of the NHS, but also establishing comprehensive support systems that take into account the difficulties they confront beyond their clinical work and enable them to fulfil their career potential. There are 781 internationally trained nurses working for gesh who are all offered a support package. Recently St George’s joined Epsom and St Helier by being awarded the NHS Pastoral Care Quality Award, which

recognises the high-quality care given to internationally educated nurses and midwives. “We recognise the knowledge, skills and experience that international nurses have and bring to the NHS and I think we as a group are retaining international nurses well because we are ensuring that they have as many opportunities to progress and to grow alongside UK-trained staff,” says Wellman. “For instance, we have an international nurse who arrived last year and has already been promoted because of her knowledge, skills, and ability. International nurses are not limited in what they can achieve in the NHS. They can access continuous professional development from the day they start. We also value the fact that they also bring a heritage and an identity that they are able to share with people and the patients they care for.” Recently internationally trained nurses working at Epsom and St Helier shared their experiences and exchanged stories at a special networking event. The ‘meet and greet’ was held to ‘empower and support’ the nurses and was deemed a success. “In the Caribbean you don’t have a surgical nurse, a paediatric nurse and other types of nurses – you just have a nurse,” Wellman says. “So if you wanted to excel in your profession the NHS structure gives you opportunity to do that by helping you with your training and your continuous professional development.”

JUNE 2024

Special Feature

ADVERTORIAL

The CAHN Black Healthcare Awards

e Since the inception of the NHS, many Black Caribbean and African people have been the backbone of our NHS, playing a central role in health and care services in a range of sectors all over the UK. In recognition of the volunteering hours put in by our medics, nurses and allied health professionals, CAHN is set to host an awards ceremony celebrating Black health and care workers, taking especial note of their skills, talents, passion and energy as they work within this sector. The first to focus solely on Black healthcare professionals of the Caribbean or African diaspora. The Healthcare Awards recognise individuals who have established themselves as outstanding in their practice, with dogged and unrivalled determination to make a difference to all as they fulfil their vocation. These individuals can be nominated by colleagues who acknowledge the impact of

THE VOICE | 9

their work, or they can be self-nominating individuals. These awards are being supported by highly influential individuals in the health and care sector. Our esteemed patrons are Prof Bola Owolabi, Cedi Frederick, Prof Dame Donna Kinnair, Prof Dame Elizabeth Nneka Anionwu, Baroness Floella Benjamin, Prof Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent OBE, Prof Kevin Fenton CBE, Dr. Marie Gabriel CBE, Patricia Miller OBE, Lord Victor Adebowale, Wol Kolade CBE, and Yvonne Coghill CBE. These awards promise to make for a night to remember. Get tickets and nominate online: www.healthcareawards.cahn.org.uk Nominations are now open for this prestigious black-tie event. Click on the link below to honour the achievements of Black healthcare professionals carrying out outstanding work! Nominations close on Friday 31st May 2024.

News Feature

EGHAN Markle expressed gratitude to Nigerians for welcoming her back to “my country” after finding out that she is 43% Nigerian. The Duchess of Sussex spoke at a panel event in Nigeria’s capital Abuja alongside Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, director-general of the World Trade Organization, earlier this month. The event was part of a threeday visit to the West African country alongside Prince Harry to support the Invictus Games that he founded and which help wounded Nigerian soldiers who have been part of a 14-year battle against extremists. The panel discussion focused on female leadership and the role that women play in driving positive change in Nigeria and globally. It was attended by 50 influential women from across the fields of politics, business, media, and culture. People magazine reported that Meghan told the audience: “I am just flattered and honoured and inspired. “It has been a whirlwind 24 hours since we arrived, and I very quickly got the memo that I need to wear more colour, so I can fit in with all of you and your incredible fashion!” When asked how she felt after discovering she was 43% Nigerian through a genealogy test, Meghan said the first thing she did was “call my mom, because I wanted to know if she had any awareness of it”. “Being African-American, part of it is really not knowing so much about your lineage or background, where you you’re home because that’’s how youre you you’ ’ come from specifically,” People reported Meghan as saying. “And “Representation matters going to help shift any sort of it was exciting for both of us to tremendously,” Meghan said. generational pattern that might discover more and understand “You need to see it to believe be stifling, especially for young what that really means. it. That starts when you’re girls who need to see someone “Never in a million years very young… I often find that who looks like them in that same would I have understood it as whatever travels I’ve done, position.” During Prince Harry and much as I do now. It’s been really regardless if it’s Nigeria or eye-opening and humbling to another country, oftentimes Meghan’s inaugural visit to be able to know more about my when women reach the peak of Nigeria, they met with wounded soldiers and their families, heritage and to be able to know success, they leave. this is just the beginning of that “But you need to come back showing their support in an discovery.” home. You need to at least effort to boost morale and wellDuring the panel discussion, be a familiar face for the next being, according to Nigerian the women continued to generation to say, ‘oh, she looks officials. Invited to the country by discuss the importance of like me. And I can be that’… You representation in powerful roles. still always want to come back Nigeria’s chief of defence staff,

MEGHAN MARKLE THANKS NIGERIA FOR ‘WELCOMING ME HOME’ where

Meghan’s

life

and

The Duchess of Sussex told a panel event in the nation’s capital that it was ‘humbling’ to discover her Nigerian roots. By Vic Motune

“It has been association with the British visit, Prince Harry and Meghan’s royal family is closely followed. eye-opening and Despite being formally billed as trip provided an opportunity a three-day private visit to Nigeria, for the West African country humbling to learn their trip was accompanied by the to prove it could handle such same pomp and circumstance prominent visitors and silence about my heritage.” normally associated with official its critics. royal visits. Sports rehabilitation,

For the Sussexes, the visit

empower-ment, Harry and Meghan’s core passions, were the focal points of their trip. The visit was an important one for both Nigeria and the Sussexes. With the UK’s Foreign Office ranking Nigeria as one of the world’s most dangerous nations to

Africa after stepping down from their official royal duties. It was an opportunity for them to launch an effective charm offensive aimed at winning over hearts and minds, which several commentators said they eagerly embraced.

- Meghan Markle mental health, and women’s marked their first big trip to General Christopher Musa, the couple met injured service personnel as part of a series of events linked to the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games. News of the couple’s visit was met with excitement in a country

BAFTAS’ TOP HONOUR GOES WITH THE FLO

News

Television awards group bestows its highest accolade to ‘unstoppable force’ of children’s TV, Baroness Floella Benjamin. By Vic Motune

ARONESS FLOELLA Benjamin was presented with the highest accolade that BAFTA can give at the group’s recent Television Awards. The acclaimed broadcaster and actress was given the BAFTA Fellowship for her exceptional contribution to television and her support of children. Sara Putt, Chair of BAFTA, said: “We are honoured to present Baroness Benjamin the BAFTA Fellowship for her tireless support of children and young people, her impact on television broadcasting, and for her unwavering championing of diversity. “She is an unstoppable force for good with a determination to create opportunities and positive role models for future generations that has seen her effect a tremendous amount of positive change over 50 years and counting.” Baroness Benjamin, a life peer in the House of Lords, is an accomplished actress, author, singer and broadcaster. Starting her career in 1970, Baroness Benjamin made her mark in popular stage productions like Jesus Christ Superstar and Black Mikado. Later, she ventured into television, showcasing her acting prowess in numerous BBC and ITV series, including Within These Walls, The Gentle Touch, Angels, Waterloo Sunset, and Bergerac. But she is most famous for her work on children’s TV, presenting Play School and Play Away on the BBC between 1976 and 1988, and has worked in and advocated for the industry for over 50 years. Her most recent appearances on the small screen include Mama Mirabelle’s Home Movies, Chuggington, The Sarah Jane Adventures, The Line of Beauty and CBeebies Bedtime Stories. Since the start of her career, Baroness Benjamin has been a staunch advocate for diversity on and off-screen. She currently

advises the BBC and ITV on their diversity policies. She joined BAFTA in 1989, serving as a Council Member from 1993 to 2001. As Chair of the Children’s Committee and later the TV Committee, she played a vital role in establishing the BAFTA Children’s Awards, presenting the first one in 1996. In 2010 she became the first Trinidadian woman to become a Baroness in the House of Lords. Her legislative work focuses on children’s rights, diversity and media. As a peer, Baroness Benjamin has championed key causes, securing legislation for Child Performance Regulations, tax credits for children’s programming, and mandates for public service broadcasters to prioritise commissions for UKmade programmes. She was also the Chair of the Windrush Commemoration Committee from 2018 to 2022, and was charged with creating the National Windrush Monument, unveiled at Waterloo Station in 2022. Two decades after first being published, her book Coming to England was recommended as one of the best children’s books of 2016 by The Guardian, having been used in schools and universities as a tool to explore the Windrush journey. Speaking about the Fellowship award, which was presented at the BAFTA Television Awards ceremony on May 12, Baroness Benjamin said: “My heart is full of joy and happiness. I feel as if I’m standing on the summit of life’s mountain, looking down at the wonderful experiences I have had in my career in the television industry for over 50 years. “It’s been an adventurous journey, with many challenges and adversities, but here I am, receiving the highest accolade BAFTA can bestow. I am delighted that my work, which has predominantly been for children, is being recognised and celebrated in this way.”

Tell your GP instead. Ask for a simple at-home test. Bleeding from your bottom or blood in your poo could be nothing to worry about, but it’s worth making sure. Bowel cancer is treatable when found early. Registered charity number 1071038 (England and Wales) and SC040914 (Scotland)

Dotun Adebayo

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

Rate him or hate him - you can’t ignore him! From nursing to music, food and even gold medals – the best of Britain goes back to Tilbury Docks

O WINDRUSH, no NHS. No NHS, no Great Britain. No Great Britain, no United Kingdom. No United Kingdom, and this place would be a dump. No doubt. I don’t think we really appreciate how much of a dump Britain was when the Windrush docked. Remember, Hitler had bombed the living daylights out of cities like London and Coventry for years. Like the singer Caron Wheeler says on her song UK Blak we were brought over ‘to clean up after the war’. Little did they know that we would change the landscape of the UK for ever and ever. For the better. First, the NHS – or the National Health Service, as people used to call it. There were only seven nurses on the Windrush (six women and one man). What they would discover is that the NHS wasn’t fit for the service it was supposed to provide, until its floodgates opened to the influx of health professionals from the Caribbean who, though initially deployed to wash out bedpans, turned it into a service fit to deliver a king. Professor Jacqueline DunkleyBent is a child of the Windrush generation via Nottingham. She is now the world’s midwife-in-chief. No, really. She is chief midwife at the International Confederation of Midwives in The Hague, the global standard. Until last year she was England’s midwife-in-chief. No, really. She stepped down from her role as chief midwifery officer for England, during which time she oversaw the birth of the next in line, to the next in line to the throne of these here British Isles. In that capacity she got to meet ‘granny’, and her late majesty duly ennobled her with an OBE. It must have been like a carnival that day in June 1948 when the Windrush arrived at Tilbury Docks. From the footage that survived, the passengers on the boat looked like movie stars dressed in zoot suits, with pass-the-riddim jackets in an array of technicolours that made the gathered press look like they were locked in a black-and-white-and-grey silent movie.

WINDRUSH MADE BRITAIN WHAT IT IS

Not a lot of people give the Windrush generation the credit for dragging Britain out of the post-war dreariness of the 1940s and preparing it for the rock ’n’ roll ’50s that would arrive from America. Windrushians brought the swagger and glamour of sunshine to Britain and showed it how to be cool, with a new musical soundtrack to boot. A soundtrack that paved the way for The Beatles and the Swinging Sixties. And Windrushians showed us

Carnival is a living memorial and we cannot imagine a Great Britain without carnival now. How dreary this place would be without it.

how to loosen that stiff upper lip and dance at a time when Britain was still doing the okey-cokey with our left foot in, our left foot out, in-out, in-out, we shake it all about. It started with Lord Kitchener on the docks singing an impromptu rendition of a song he wrote on the transatlantic crossing, London Is The Place For Me. Many more calypsonians would follow on the next boat, and the boat after that, and the boat after that. London was the place to be. But so were many other British cities where Caribbean and increasingly African migrants settled. Kitchener himself headed for Manchester. In these many cities Windrush generation colonies were set up in the face of racial hostility. If we had not stood up to the racists, Britain today would be the bigoted country that Enoch Powell dreamed that it would be. Instead, it is now seen as the European beacon of multi-culturalism having benefitted communally and culinarily and is the envy of the world, which comes to London in particular to expe-

rience the unique Caribbean/ Asian/African/British vibes our capital (and elsewhere in the country) has to offer. That tourism is worth bil-lions to the economy – and not just from the carnival, which is and will always be a living and vibrant memorial to those postwar Windrush pioneers. We cannot imagine a Great Britain without carnival now. How dreary a place this would be without it. As for the culinary experience, I was always struck by the comment made by the bass player of punky reggae band The Clash, Paul Simonon, that when he was growing up in Brixton, he was always envious of his Caribbean friends who were dining on fried plantain and jerk chicken while all he had at home was meat, two veg and potatoes. Let’s face it, we put the GREAT back in Britain when the Windrush blew in to Tilbury. And thank goodness we brought some fancy food with us, is all I’m saying. When you start taking out all the sporting achievements of the

Windrush generation and their descendants, Team GB starts looking a lot paler ahead of the Paris Olympics and every Games since 1980, when Daley Thompson broke through with a gold, or 1984, with Tessa Sanderson’s brilliant triumph in the javelin. The Windrushians are instrumental in giving Britain a platform to punch above its weight in international sport. And if England go on to win the Euros this summer, you would have to say: “IT WAS WINDRUSH WOT

WON IT” in big headlines across all the front pages. And let’s not forget that before the Windrush, people in Britain spoke like they had spoken since the Victorian days. Now, of course, the richness of language across the nation is the echo of the Em Empire Windrush and those 500 or so people who changed Britain forever. Indeed, to think of Britain without them is not worth contemplating. Britain without Windrush is a bleak house.

l Turn to page 19 for our special

20-page Windrush supplement. l Dotun Adebayo, Britain’s

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

Cynthia V Davis Employee research groups vital in taking matters into your own hands YOU’VE probably heard of employee r e s o u r c e groups (ERGs), also known as staff groups or networks. But what do they actually do and is there any point in them? Are they only necessary if a company is doing a bad job? In a corporate landscape where many diversity efforts are performative, Black employee networks are crucial. EDI initiatives so often miss the mark, even if they have the best intentions. Paradoxically, they often do more to make the White dominant group feel good about doing something, whilst allowing themselves to stay comfortable and not rock the boat too much. In short, Black employees do not feel seen and heard by diversity initiatives a lot of the time. Race is still seen as a ‘difficult’ subject to talk about. There is a general feeling that other areas of inclusion – gender, LGBTQIA+, disability – are still a greater priority. Employee networks create a safe space and sense of community for staff from minoritised backgrounds, where they can share their concerns on specific parts of their identity. These groups are normally centralised on a protected characteristic. In a sea of performative company gestures, employee resource groups – when facilitated properly – can create real change from the inside. Black employee networks are doing a lot of the heavy lifting right now in keeping the momentum going. Black inclusion at work went through a period of hyper-attention during the Black Lives Matter movement and the aftershocks of George Floyd’s death. Unfortunately, this has now slowed. If we want to continue to hold organisations to account and not let them tuck previous promises for change under the rug and revert to old ways, Black employee networks are vital. They can be the voice for change. Much more than just a fun social club of like-minded colleagues, these networks can hold a lot of power. Racial discrimination in the workplace is still commonplace – 88 per cent of Black British Voices

Join the debate online: voice-online. co.uk/opinion meaning they can never create impactful change and result in frustrated and disheartened participants. Instead, leaders should clearly communicate that staff are allowed – and encouraged – to attend the sessions. It is super important to designate a sponsor for your employee network – this is a member of a company’s leadership team who can champion the group at leadership level, link them up with the wider organisation, and provide opportunities to make an impact and influence decision-making.

“What Black employee networks should NOT be is an escape route for leadership to push the responsibility for change onto minoritised employees”

WHY BLACK EMPLOYEE NETWORKS ARE SO IMPORTANT

participants report experiencing it across a wide range of areas including recruitment, appointment, retention, and promotion. Employee networks can make big waves of impact across a whole organisation, when nurtured properly. They can develop organisational awareness of topics facing Black communities. Based on lived experiences, the topics they discuss can contribute to policies, processes, and practices implemented company-wide. For instance, in one LGBTQIA+ group I consulted on, the ERG raised that although policies had

been updated, the language used throughout the organisation had not, and was alienating trans and non-binary communities. Through these groups, we can platform a welcome change of perspective to leadership teams that, in my experience, often lack diverse representation. What Black employee networks should NOT be is an escape route for leadership to push the responsibility for change onto minoritised employees. ERGs are voluntary groups in addition to day-to-day work and can involve a lot of emotional labour. Without the right support and resources, this

can be unsustainable for staff. Committee members should be given the time outside of their usual work to meet and carry out actions. After all, they are doing a lot of heavy lifting for the organisation. We should not view employee resource groups in opposition to leadership. The best networks will cultivate healthy collaboration between them, with regular updates and two-way feedback. Having said this, these networks can provide a safer space for employees to raise concerns that they might not feel comfortable talking about with HR. Leaders and management

should support membership engagement in the group and help remove barriers to participating. I’ve often seen a kind of unspoken hostility against people giving their time to ERGs, as if they’re conspiring against the wider organisation. It’s up to leaders to actively work against this perception and create a culture of inclusion and understanding. ERGs that have not formed a working partnership with organisations experience friction where there is a sense of othering and “us versus them” sentiment. I’ve seen ERGs become more of an echo chamber when this occurs,

I’ve seen many employee networks lack this crucial communication link, causing them to fall apart quickly and even have the opposite effect of what was originally intended. The good intentions end up being a burden on the network trying fruitlessly to drive change on their own! So, ready to set up your employee network? The first step is to speak to your colleagues and gather interest in forming your group, align your purposes, and then bring the wider company into the conversation and find your lead sponsor. Next, make sure you have a defined mission detailing what impact you want to have, but keep it realistic! With no mission or goals, you risk becoming a social club. Crucially, figure out how you’re going to measure that impact before you then assign clear roles within the network, i.e. chair, cochair, comms. It might seem counterintuitive to take matters into your own hands, but we have to be the change we want to see in the world. l Cynthia V Davis CBE is a Black British entrepreneur, employment expert and diversity advocate. She is CEO and Founder of Diversifying Group, a D&I services organisation, and co-Founder of Diversifying Jobs, a diversityfocussed job board.

14 | THE VOICE JUNE 2024

Special Feature

ADVERTORIAL

Learn to love yourself - how one woman with Crohn’s is looking forward to a bright future

HENEVER PRINCESS Robinson starts to compare her life to others she remembers the quote “Comparison is the thief of joy”. It essentially means if you’re always comparing yourself to other people, then you’ll never be happy. She admits it has taken her a while to put that into practice though. At just 15 years old Princess was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease and it’s been a challenging journey. Crohn’s is a type of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) where parts of the gut become swollen, inflamed and ulcerated. The condition affects over 200,000 people in the UK and many of them have symptoms for a long time before they are diagnosed. Symptoms can include stomach pain, diarrhoea, weight loss and tiredness

that won’t go away, even with rest. As a teenager, Princess was in and out of A&E for about nine months before she was finally diagnosed. She often felt frustrated and self-conscious due to losing a lot of weight.

“I think there’s a lot of pressure on girls and I found it really, really difficult to lose so much weight and my puberty was massively delayed,” explains Princess. “I was so underweight, so I really struggled with my body image for years and years.” She says she eventually started to realise that everything’s going to happen in its own time for each individual and when she first heard that quote about

comparison she was inspired by it. “I’m really happy now, but it’s sometimes hard to just be happy these days because of things like social media,” she continues. She says it is easy to compare yourself to others and think their lives are better. “But if you actually sit down and think about all the amazing things in your own life, then you’ve actually got a really good life as well.” “I follow a lot of people on social media that have Crohn’s or Colitis. It’s nicer to log on to Instagram and see someone openly talking about the same condition that you’ve got. Or seeing someone that’s got a scar on the stomach like you’ve got or if you’ve got

a colostomy bag..seeing someone that’s got one too.”

It certainly has been a difficult time for Princess dealing with Crohn’s. Shortly after her diagnosis, she was put on medication which helped initially, but then she experienced more flare-ups. At 17 years old, she had to have her bowel re-sectioned because the condition was getting worse. Things then improved for a while until she went to university. “I didn’t do the best job of looking after myself,” admits Princess speaking of her university days. “I didn’t do the best job of staying in contact with the hospital and making sure I got my meds, I kind of just let it all slide.” She soon realised she needed to get herself in a healthier state and she had her Crohn’s reassessed. She is currently

“Eating a healthy, balanced diet is the best way...” using injections to control the condition and has been doing well overall. Princess, who is now 26 years old, says she also found Crohn’s & Colitis UK very helpful when she didn’t know much about her condition. The charity offers a variety of support and resources for people living with Inflammatory

JUNE 2024

THE VOICE | 15

Special Feature

ADVERTORIAL Bowel Disease. World IBD Day recently happened on May 19th, and the charity used the opportunity to break down some of the myths that come with living with conditions such as Crohn’s and Colitis.

have you tried just not eating this.. or have you tried just cutting out dairy?’ “ I don’t really eat much dairy because it doesn’t massively agree with me, but everything is so different for each person with Crohn’s,” she says.

sonal experience of this: “I’ve had so many people say to me ‘Well,

Another common myth centres on how a person looks. Princess recalls one incident where she had to urgently use the toilet in a pub lic space and used the accessible toi-

“I’ve had so many people say to me: In fact, there is no cure for InflammaPeople with invisible illnesses are often tory Bowel Disease. If you have Crohn’s asked whether they are really sick, as they can look well on the outside. Those ‘Well, have you or Colitis, what you eat may affect your symptoms. But it is different for everywith Inflammatory Bowel Disease freThere’s no one-size-fits-all advice quently find themselves being given tried just not body. on diet. Eating a healthy, balanced diet is well-meaning but ill-informed advice the best way to get all the nutrients that about specific diets that could cure their eating this?” are important to help you stay well. symptoms. Princess says she has per-

let, opened using an accessible toilet key from Crohn’s & Colitis UK. When she came out, a woman was standing there with a crutch. “She had a real go at me. She was really quite nasty and she said: ‘You do realise these toilets are for disabled people?’” Princess then proceeded to show the woman her key and explain that she has an invisible disability. Toilet access is a huge issue for people with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Around nine in ten people with Crohn’s and Colitis plan outings around being able to find a loo. Many, like Princess, have been challenged for using an accessible toilet. With Crohn’s and Colitis, you may not be able to see the physical symptoms, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing going on. Princess says at difficult times like

that she is grateful for the two main people who give her much love and support, her mother and her boyfriend.

Of her mother, Princess says, “She was amazing. When I was in hospital, she would sleep on a pull-out bed next to my hospital bed. She was like a super mum.” And although it has been a long road, the future looks bright and Princess says she is hoping to use her creativity whenever she can in life. She takes acting classes and has her own podcast out. She also has advice for other young people out there living with IBD. “Just get used to talking about poo, because you’ll realise very quickly that it’s just anatomy and everybody goes to the toilet and it’s all just very normal.” For more information about Crohn’s or Colitis visit Crohnsandcolitis.org.uk

It’s never too late t If you or someone you know is having issues with drugs or alcohol, there are lots of ways to access free & confidential advice and support from local experts

rug and alcohol problems can affect anyone, with many people keeping it a secret, adding pressure to holding down a job and juggling family life. This can have a serious impact on the people around you, including those you love. Whether you’ve become dependent on drugs and alcohol, or just find it difficult to control your use, it can be difficult to acknowledge and talk about what is happening. But it’s important to remember that effective, confidential, and non-judgemental help is available for anyone who feels they, or

longer with each person. *Aleena (name changed for privacy), 37, has lived through some challenging times. Her father was killed in a road accident when she was 11 years old, triggering her to go “off the rails” as she went into a spiral of drug and alcohol use. When she became pregnant in late 2020, she reached a crisis point and approached her local drug and alcohol treatment provider for support.“ When I was pregnant, I thought enough is enough, and became determined to

“You’ve got to do it for yourself, or nothing is going to change” anyone they know, struggles with alcohol or drugs. Support is also available for families affected by a loved one’s alcohol and drug use. The government is investing additional funding to improve the capacity and quality of treatment. This means that there will be more help available in your local area so you can get the help you need quicker and the help you receive will be better, including from better-trained staff who can spend

change my ways and surroundings. The penny had dropped,” says *Aleena. “I was a mess when I walked into drug and alcohol support services and now, I’m more confident and have my self-esteem back. I don’t have cravings and I’ve got the willpower to carry on. “The talking support groups are intense, but they have got to be intense to work. It opens your eyes to a lot of stuff - especially what you thought was normality.

to tackle addiction “I told my life story over six months, from childhood to now. You’re encouraged to open up to your key worker and once it is off your chest, you can put it in a box and forget about it. “I can’t thank my service provider enough. My key workers took the time to sit down with me and make me feel a lot better about myself. They are like my family and have been excellent with me and my little girl. “You’ve got to do it for yourself, or noth-

ing is going to change. Even if you’re proud. I didn’t want to ask for help, but you need it. Grab it with both hands and give it a go. Then stay calm and keep focused and busy. If you’re bored, your mind starts wandering. You need a routine and structure.” With a fresh start, *Aleena is now raising her daughter and continues to rebuild her life. She is also still in touch with her local treatment service, who continue to offer support.

Lyndon Mukasa Eye on the Diaspora

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

DOES THE CARIBBEAN BENEFIT FROM THE TOURIST INDUSTRY? Visitors bring billions to beautiful beaches – but is this genuine development or just neocolonialism?

HEN people think of the Caribbean they often think of sunny weather, sandy beaches and crystal waters filled with jovial (Black) people eager to please and make their stay as comfortable as possible. This image is not accidental, and it has been around since the mid-20th century. It is a product of marketing that has been endorsed by both Caribbean governments and tourism companies. In the 1950s and ’60s, the UN and the World Bank encouraged newly independent countries in the Caribbean to adopt tourism to increase their comparative economic advantage in an increasingly globalising world. This was during a period of increased economic uncertainty as migration to Britain had increased and industries such as agriculture were struggling to grow. Many activists have argued that tourism doesn’t benefit local people as much as it does tourists and large, foreign-owned tourist companies. Today many locals often hear government officials argue that tourism is vital to development. However, critics of this view have asserted that tourism has undermined local communities, and effectively modernised colonisation where the islands that local people call home don’t feel theirs. Has the tourist industry turned Caribbean countries into a giant playground for Westerners at the expense of local communities? Or has the tourist industry saved many countries in the region from poverty?

At a glance, the figures for the tourist industry look extremely positive. A record of over 28.3 million people visited the region in 2022. Visitors spent almost $37.5 billion, which according to the World Travel and Tourism

“Many political leaders argue that the benefits far outweigh the negatives and that the costs are covered by the huge foreign exchange brought in from the tourist sector. But this argument is false.” Council represents the fastest recovery rate in the world for the tourist sector coming out of the emergency phase of the pandemic. The tourism sector contributes up to 15.2 per cent of GDP to the Caribbean and is responsible for more than 1.8 million direct jobs which over the next 10 years could add 1.34 million more jobs as it expands.

It’s therefore no surprise that the Caribbean is the most touristdependent region in the world. While many across the region take pride in the openness of their countries, others (such as anthropologist George Gmelch) argue that the initial promises of expanding the tourist sector in the 1960s have largely incurred costs that are not worth the benefits outlined. Gmelch contends that many Caribbean governments were not prepared for the much larger capital overlays the sector needed for infrastructure development to attract and accommodate Western tourists. This meant excessive spending in order to import Western food, upgrade roads, sewage treatment plants, large international airports and telecommunication technology. While these upgrades are positive, it compels Caribbean countries to spend

way above their means as other crucial sectors such as the food and agriculture industry failed to grow. Moreover, the cost of maintaining this infrastructure adds to the cost which has forced prices in energy, food and water in the region to remain high with many countries having to borrow from the IMF to prevent economic failure.

Many political leaders argue that the benefits far outweigh the negatives, and that the costs are covered by the huge foreign exchange brought in from the tourist sector. But this argument is false. The reality is that the vast majority of profit leaves the region as the biggest beneficiaries are mostly foreign-owned hotels, tour companies and airlines. It’s staggering that some studies estimate that up to 80 per cent of all profit from tourism leaves the Caribbean. In addition, the proliferation of all-inclusive packages and hotel resorts means that there is little incentive for visitors to spend at local businesses. This is exacerbated further with many resorts buying up previously public land and segregating locals from their own country, preventing further foreign exchange. It is within this context that we can understand the exploitative nature of the industry. There’s no doubt that Caribbean nations have benefited from infrastructure development as a result of tourism, but they face significant costs as profits often leave the region. Tourism saved the region’s economies in the 20th century, but reliance on them raises questions about sustainable growth in the 21st century. l Lyndon Mukasa is a writer

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

ARE CARIBBEAN RELATIONS WITH THE US CHANGING?

Windrush76 Windrush wisdom:

My mother’s journey inspired my legal career

36 The inspirational life of Neil Flanigan MBE

A brush with history: Chloe Cox on painting a Windrush pioneer

Shefﬁeld’s hidden stories: Exhibition explores the city’s Caribbean inﬂuence

Windrush76

FATHER AND SON’S JAMAICAN PATTIES ARE A HIT WITH ALDI

Family-run business’ TV show success inspired by their Windrush generation uncle Trevor. By Vic Motune

NTREPRENEURS Mike Williams and his dad Paul are two entrepreneurs who found themselves in the limelight after featuring on Channel 4 show Aldi’s Next Big Thing. The father and son team, co-owners of Flake Bake, an independent, family-run wholesale bakery in Peckham, south London, that produces authentic Jamaican patties in a range of flavours such as chicken, lamb and beef, won a life-changing contract after their appearance on the show. The duo beat hundreds of hopefuls to be crowned winners of the baking category in series two of the popular show. But asked about the people who inspired Mike and his father to set up the business and propel them on the journey to Flake Bake becoming the successful business it is today, his late uncle Trevor goes to the top of his list. Like so many members of the Windrush generation, Trevor Delroy Miller made the journey to Britain in the late 1960s in the hope of building a better life for himself and his family. Despite the difficulties faced by so many Windrush generation members in finding work, he was determined to be his own boss and work for himself. Similar to others who made the long trip to Britain from the Caribbean, he possessed the ability to be creative and make something out of the difficult circumstances he faced. “The Flake Bake story genuinely starts with him,” Mike recalls. “He came here with his parents and eventually started a bakery business in the 1980s. Through that business, he got a

lot of family members involved. Many of them who came to the UK ended up working with Uncle Trevor and my dad one of those when he arrived here in the late 1990s. “Uncle Trevor was one of the first Caribbean bakers to get a contract with a big supermarket, Sainsbury’s, supplying hardo bread which was a big deal at the time.” Mike continues: “In Jamaica my dad had always been a hustler. He was baking and selling stuff on the roadside so when we came to the UK and started working with Uncle Trevor in the family business, he learned to bake in really big ovens.” The business, Sunsplash Bakery, flourished during the 1980s and 1990s. But a few years after Paul started working there it was facing challenging market conditions. By the time Mike, who grew up in Jamaica, arrived in UK in 2002, the business had ceased trading

“In Jamaica my dad had always been a hustler. He was baking and selling stuff on the roadside.” even though they still had the premises. In the late Noughties, the rising popularity of Caribbean food led them to consider selling patties. Observing how unprofitable the bread business was, Mike and Paul discussed the possibility of starting a patty business in mid2011. Following Mike’s re-branding of Sunsplash Bakery to Caribbean Spice, which was a takeaway, they were already selling patties to a few shops and gaining some customers. However, the father and son team felt that shifting the

business focus entirely to selling patties could be a more strategic and profitable move, one that would attract a larger customer base and provide a more sustainable business model. In early 2013, they launched their patty business, utilising family resources and investments. Initially, Mike managed operations remotely while finishing his masters; degree, taking over fully in September 2013. Upon immersing himself in the business, he realised the need for proper structure, implementing payroll systems and pensions, and establishing standardised recipes. Initially reliant on a network of cooks, Mike and Paul developed their own recipes, a process that involved rigorous testing and documentation to ensure consistency, leading to a comprehensive recipe book. Since 2013, Flake Bake has sold millions of patties earning a reputation as the number one choice in south London. But just like Uncle Trevor, the pair encountered difficult market conditions following the COVID pandemic, along with personal challenges. “I spent six months in Jamaica during COVID, as the restrictions were lighter there compared to the UK,” Mike recalls. “With so many people dying in the UK, we saw an opportunity in Jamaica. My dad and I considered buying land there, and we talked about closing our business since the pandemic’s end didn’t seem near, and costs were skyrocketing. Despite keeping patty prices stable for eight years, I had to raise them due to increased expenses.”

“Earlier in 2018, I was already thinking of leaving the business after my mother died unexpectedly at age 43 during routine surgery. Her death deeply affected me, making me question what it was I wanted to do with my life. I didn’t want to waste time on things that didn’t matter.”

Last year, Mike was getting ready to close the business when a friend got in touch with an opportunity that ended up fundamentally altering the course of Mike and Paul’s life and Flake Bake, opening doors they hadn’t previously considered “Last year, a friend reminded me of a TV competition she had mentioned six months earlier. It was for Aldi’s Next Big Thing. I checked the application, saw the deadline was near, and filled it out, thinking the extended deadline was a sign from God. I quickly built a website with my uncle’s help, using a domain I already owned. I told my dad about the application on our way to the airport, and he encouraged me to complete it. Four days later, I received a call from the show’s producers, expressing interest and scheduling an interview, even though my dad was in Jamaica.” Mike and Paul’s appearance on the show proved a major hit.

The multi-category competition is part of Aldi’s ongoing commitment to support British suppliers. Last year, Aldi spent an additional £1.3 billion with British suppliers and growers, and they provide more than three-quarters of all items sold in its stores. The duo impressed judges with their Flake Bake patties, featuring a spicy ground beef filling in flaky pastry. Despite initial challenges with packaging, production, and shelf life following feedback from the show’s judges, they sought help from a food scientist to improve their product. They extended the shelf life and created attractive packaging, eventually meeting Aldi’s minimum order of 25,000 units. Presenting their improved patties to the supermarket’s buyers they secured an order for over 1,000 stores. The patties sold out nationwide in 48 hours, leading to a second order from Aldi. Mike feels his Uncle Trevor would be proud of the company’s success. “I’d always hear Uncle Trevor say he was proud of me because I was supporting my dad. If he was here now to see that we’ve gone into a major supermarket he’d probably cry with pride to see that another family member did what he did in a different format with a different product.”

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‘A NEED TO SEE SOCIAL JUSTICE HAS ALWAYS HELPED TO INSPIRE ME’

Elaine Banton reflects on the upbringing that helped to mould her into a highl highly successful barrister

Y PARENTS Merdelyn and Eric answered the clarion call from the motherland to help build back post-war Britain and work in public services. Part of the Windrush migration, they arrived as British citizens and they faced many challenges, particularly in those early days in the 1960s. They actually met on board the ship on this long voyage to colder climes. My father Eric was with some of his relatives and had plans to join other family members in the Midlands. My mother Merdelyn was alone with only her suitcase and the name of a woman she knew in Tottenham. The ship’s ledger lists her as “dressmaker” as she then was. So I am a product of my parents’ decision to migrate to England.

After my parents divorced, I grew up with my mum, by then a single-parent nurse, on a council estate in Hackney. By the time I was seven-years-old, I’d set my mind on becoming a barrister. This decision may have been influenced by what I noticed going around me on the estate. There was a need for social justice and that inspired me. I held fast to that dream and the more research I did about what barristers do, the more it appealed. In my state comprehensive school, beset by funding issues, I recall being asked to slow down as my careers adviser took notes on how to become a barrister, from me. A voracious reader, I won a national prize, writing a letter to Martin Luther King. There were some extremely

difficult times, but on that estate, I answered back and stood up for others at school. I learned how to be independent, strong and fearless – all qualities that I have utilised well at the Bar. Later on, moving from the council estate to London Fields was a blessing and resounding silver lining to the pressures we endured. My passion for reading meant I was able to flourish at school despite it going into special measures and sometimes being without teachers or other resources. I leaned deeply into the words of my mother who told me that reading was the key to education. My mother, a powerful orator, was active in her trade union, striking for better terms and conditions for nurses. I was proud to see her on the news asserting her rights. As a teenager, I assisted her and colleagues to successfully challenge their nursing grades. They had been historically recruited within a structure that did not consider them intellectually capable of such progression. I recall compiling a chart logging all the tasks she did at work. These were steps to ameliorate historic systemic disparities faced by Black nurses who took on the work of senior nurses but were not paid at the grade. I later realised looking back, this was my first employment law win. Hence, last year’s 75th anniversary of both Windrush and the NHS resonated strongly with my mother’s 40 year nursing career. Role models were hard to come by, but I had the good fortune of being introduced to Courtenay Griffiths KC (before he took silk) when I was about 17.

Later on, attending his silks party, the support and inspiration he and others gave me has been something I have endeavoured to give back throughout my career in gratitude to those who

“Hailing from an underrepresented group can undoubtedly make you stand out, and also put your seat at the table” have generously assisted me. The experience of facing challenges and obstacles over the course of career has helped me build an inner strength and resilience. My first Court of Appeal group win was a direct result of the fearlessness instilled in me. When I was 20, I answered a

newspaper advert from a national charity looking to train volunteers to help local primary school children improve their reading ability. I did not anticipate the effect my decision would have on the children. I thought they would be embarrassed to read with me but they all wanted to come. They didn’t know what a barrister did, and why would they? But after a few terms spent with them, they were aspiring to work in various professional occupations. This was the perfect grounding accompaniment to Bar school. When the head teacher of the school asked me to become a school governor, this sparked an early passion for governance that has endured to this day. Giving back is a gift to myself and I’ve learned vital insights from the impressive aspiring practitioners that I’ve mentored over the years. I particularly enjoy assisting on equality and diversity matters encountered at the Bar and within the profession more widely. My practice is wide

and varied and with a theme of equality involving matters such as race, age, disability, and sex discrimination.

I am part of a team representing 55,000 doctors, nurses and healthcare workers in the Covid Inquiry. I also recently appeared in a judicial review team in relation to the implementation of Windrush Lessons Learned Review recommendations. Last year I gave evidence in Parliament to the Joint Committee on Human Rights in the Inquiry into Human Rights at work, alongside esteemed academics, debated the cab rank rule when speaking in Amsterdam at the Fédération des Barreaux d’Europe and this year I spoke at a live event at the CSW 68 as a delegate for UN Women UK. My involvement with the arts, (Chair of Talawa Theatre and also Sadler’s Wells Development Committee) has also encompassed thematic issues of

diversity as well as the opportunity to work with talented creatives. From a governance perspective, there was much to learn by helping to steer a theatre through the rigorous challenges of lockdown. I have also brought my insights gleaned when representing national arts institutions and performers, and have presented to a senior group of Theatre and Arts Executive Directors on Gender Critical Theory and have debated diversity with leading arts institutions. Becoming a Bencher at Middle Temple in 2019 exponentially increased my interactions with students. My advice to students is to take all the opportunities that present, to utilise their time at the Inn well, get involved and make connections. Attend courts and tribunals as often as you can, because observing even outside the confines of a mini-pupillage is useful. Becoming comfortable in these spaces will serve you well. Hailing from an underrepresented group can undoubtedly make you stand out and, if you are the only one in the room, to paraphrase the indomitable Shirley Chisholm, put your seat at the table – then turn around and bring others into the room behind you. l Elaine Banton is an experienced employment, equality, discrimination and human rights barrister focusing on complex and protracted litigation at all levels including appellate courts. She was featured in The Lawyer’s Hot 100 in January 2024 and was The Times Lawyer of the Week in March 2023. Her practice includes disciplinary, regulatory, sports law and stress at work.

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PARDNA: KEEPING BLACK MONEY TRADITIONS ALIVE The traditional way of saving money and helping others is having a renaissance. By Sinai Fleary

HE word ‘Pardna’ (also known as ‘Pardner’ or ‘Partner’) evokes all kinds of collective memories for Britain’s Black communities. The Pardna system, well-known in Caribbean communities and known as Likelemba and Susu in some African households, is one of the oldest financial systems in history. The system – where collective savings are handed out regularly to contributors in turn – provided members of the Windrush generation with essential cash lump sums to purchase property, cars, weddings or furnish homes at a time when they faced widespread discrimination from financial institutions in Britain like banks and building societies. One of those people was Wendy Solomon, now 79, who arrived in the UK from Trinidad and Tobago in 1960 as a 16-year-old. Ms Solomon met her first husband – who was also from Trinidad – aboard the ship coming to England and soon after the young couple planned to marry. Speaking to The Voice, she said: “We had to find a way to get the money for a proper wedding. “We didn’t have that system of the father paying for the bride, that is something I learned over here. You stood on your own feet and your parents would help you if they could.” She added: “The friends of my parents, they started to do the Pardna business and we joined, so we were able to save up our things for the wedding and it was a grand sum of £250 at that time. “That was a great help because we were able to do everything that we wanted with that money.” Ms Solomon and her first husband got married in 1962, and they used their Pardna money to furnish their new family home in Battersea, south London. The mother-of-five said many in the Black community used Pardna money to pay for big life events. “We saved for a mortgage for a house and for christenings and other family weddings,” she said. Pardna became an essential part of saving for her and she

started her own private family system to help out with raising her children. The proud Trinidadian ran it for 10 years, also including a few close family friends. She says she would like to see younger Black Britons learn about and participate in Pardna. “It’s important because they don’t realise how much sacrifice we had to make. It’s something that should be documented. I think we should be revered for the things we have done and put up with, have come through and are still standing strong.” In recent years there has been more awareness about the history of Pardna. Currently, there is an exhibition by Museumand, the national Caribbean heritage museum, called Pardner Hand: A Caribbean answer to British banking exclusion. While it is unclear how many Pardna systems are still operating in the UK, some experts say the tradition is still needed and could help build generational wealth.

Since its launch, the app has won several awards and Henriques says he plans to look for further funding to improve it. He said: “We’ve got a lot more users than when we launched and we are still in the process of developing more features – which are not built in as yet.”

In 2021, he launched the Pardna app, which is bringing the traditional method of saving into the 21st century – and helping Black Britons to build generational wealth. “We want to encourage younger people to think of alternative ways that they can manage their money,” he tells The Voice. “They don’t have to use highcost credit cards or take out shortterm loans which charge a lot. They can lean into the cultural aspect of communal saving. Paul Henriques was born in “We think the mobile app is the London to Jamaican parents and bridge between the young and was raised in a typical Caribbean the [older generations] to get that connection. household.

“We do want them to know what Pardna is all about and by delivering a mobile app… it’s a language they understand.” Henriques was inspired to develop the app – which allows users to save, lend and borrow money between close friends and family – after watching his Jamaican parents participate in Pardna when he was younger. In 2021, he previously told The Voice: “I remember when I was a child, I would deliver my mum’s Pardna money to the banker on a Saturday morning. I would take a bus with an envelope of cash to the banker who was collecting the money.”

Henriques is also passionate about ownership and believes Black cultural traditions should remain within the community. “Too many times we hear of us not owning our own platforms or having to go outside of our community for permission to do things or if we are on a platform we can get kicked off,” he says. “But we must start to build and own our own platforms. Only then does creating generational wealth become easier and that can only be good for our community.” Another entrepreneur keen on using Pardna to teach younger Black Britons about creating generational wealth is Jeremy Salmon. He is the creator of a new game called Five Minute Pardna. “I started creating a workshop about the Windrush generation but wanted to give children more

information on financial literacy and I thought Pardna would be the perfect thing,” says Salmon, a home-schooling parent of six and CEO of My Baobab Learning CIC, an education company. “I was thinking a game would be a more interesting way to show them how a Pardna works. “The children really enjoyed playing it and they were able to learn important things like money management, investment, charity and giving back.” He says he never took part in Pardnas himself but “was always around people that have been – my family, my mother, everyone around me growing up”. He adds: “I was a baby in the 1970s when my mum bought our house in Edmonton, in north London. We didn’t have any money for furniture and it was during that time that her draw came through and we were able to get furniture just from getting the Pardna that round.” He says his new game – available to pre-order – is a little way to pay homage to his Jamaican parents’ traditions. But with the on-going cost of living crisis, Salmon believes Pardna is still relevant for Black families. “I think the same way they were disenfranchised in the 1950s a lot of Black people have been disenfranchised today with the financial crisis and people just not being financially literate.” “Many people think Pardna is just for the Windrush generation and that it’s an old people thing. But I think a lot of younger people are getting involved trying to leverage their community and it will grow in popularity and be beneficial to help people through this hard financial time.” l To find out more about the Pardna app visit: www.pardna.com l For more information on the Five Minute Pardna game, visit: www.fiveminutepardna.com

21 - 27,WINDRUSH 2018 70:WINDRUSH SOUVENIR JUNE EDITION 21 - 27, 2018 THE JUNE WINDRUSH 21 - 27, | 9THE 2018 70: WINDRUSH SOUVENIR 70: SOUVENIR VOICE EDITION THEVOICE VOICE|| 19 JUNE 21 JUNE - 27, 2018 JUNEWINDRUSH 21 - 70: 27, 2018 SOUVENIR JUNE 21 - 27, EDITION 2018 70: WINDRUSH SOUVENIR THE VOICE 70: EDITION |VOICE EDITION VOICE | 9THEEDITION VOICE | 9THE 9SOUVENIR JUNE 2024| 9THE

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Windrush76 The Windrush compensation scheme was supposed to right some of the wrongs but where’s the evidence? By Richard Sudan

HEN NEWS of the Windrush scandal first broke in 2018, a monumental catastrophe for Black communities had been shown to be directly caused by the Home Office. The decision in 2010 to destroy thousands of landing cards of Windrush generation arrivals, who came to this country as British citizens, was followed by a tightening of immigration rules in 2012. The ‘hostile environment’ was created, subsequently resulting in British citizens of Caribbean origin having their statuses thrown into question. Some faced deportation. Public outrage erupted as it was revealed that countless people had been denied access to healthcare, housing, and employment, unjustly punished by the system because of government errors. Others became stranded and isolated from their families in countries they’d never called home, unable to return to the UK. They suffered immense emotional and psychological trauma as a result.

The government admitted its ‘errors’ and promised to put things right. The Windrush compensation scheme was launched in April 2019 in order to put things right. More than five years on, the scheme has been dubbed a ‘scandal within a scandal’. Campaigners and experts say it was set up to fail, preventing those impacted by the Windrush scandal from gaining any semblance of justice or compensation. At the start of this year, it’s estimated that approximately £80 million has been paid out by the scheme, with £500 million allocated to compensate victims. Despite predictions of more than 15,000 applications, in the same period less than 8000 claims have been recorded, with only a fraction of payouts made. Windrush justice campaigners have argued the burden of proof for applicants is too high, while others claim an environment of political hostility around immigration has made some of those affected by the scandal fearful of applying for funds they

‘AN ONGOING SCANDAL WITHIN A SCANDAL’

“A lot of young people born before 1988 are having the difficulty of not being able to have their status regulated as UK citizens and have been caught up in this scandal,” she told The Voice. “Their parents fell within the clauses of the hostile environment legislation. Some of their parents came to this country as young children to parents who were already settled or registered as UK citizens but did not think their children had to be registered, and so this then affected generation. “When my youngest the“Ithird am assisting, as an advocate, family of four sisters in their became depressed, aearly 30s born in the UK who only I thought about received their British citizenship and passport last year (2023) and suicide.” because of the fear they felt unable to apply for their own chil- Glenda Caesar dren’s passport.” Caesar explained that the Windrush scandal had a significant compensation scheme which impact on her family, and her son she rejected and described as an in particular. He was offered, and insult. Eventually settling for an accepted, a six-figure payout. He undisclosed six-figure sum, she took it, not because he felt it was says that the figure still doesn’t adequate compensation, but become close to accounting for the cause he could no longer handle suffering with anxiety and had trauma she endured. She warns that younger Black become deeply depressed. “When my youngest, who was Britons remain impacted by what increasing numbers of people are also affected, became depressed describing as the Home Office and would not talk to me this scandal, rather than the Win- pushed me to contemplate suicide as I felt I had placed him in drush scandal. could be entitled to. Glenda Caesar is director of the Windrush National Organisation. Despite arriving with her mother to the UK from Dominica in the early 1960s, when Glenda was an infant, when applying for a passport she was refused. She was sacked from her job with the NHS as a result and was unable to claim benefits or work for a decade. Caesar was eventually offered £22,000, through the

a situation he should never have been in,” Caesar said. “My other children were my lifelines. “They had to take care of not only me but their brother also. My eldest and only daughter, born with the disability of being deaf, shared her disability funds to ensure we were able to survive. “Payments have been minimised. Claims are taking too long to be processed. The people who are working within the scheme are ordinary civil servants who are learning about the real effects of this whole scandal.” Jacqueline McKenzie is a partner at law firm Leigh Day. She’s assisted hundreds of victims with their compensation claims. She told The Voice that, among other problems, the compensation scheme is vastly understaffed considering the enormous task at hand. “The Windrush Compensation Scheme could work quite well in that it’s

unique in recognising family members of victims as secondary claimants. The real problem comes from the lack of resources deployed to implement the scheme. This includes the actual numbers of people deployed so that claims could be processed in a shorter time frame.

“The skills set also seems problematic in that we often see initial outcomes of nil awards being overturned to become six-figure sums. This is indicative of fundamental deficiencies in the case working. “And the onerous and incessant request for evidence, some of this going back decades, in a scheme that’s meant to be light touch on evidence, is not only manifestly unfair but evidence that the team doesn’t fully understand the culture and history of the cohort they’re dealing with, and that this could only be remedied with greater diversity at the senior level.” The ‘incessant’ evidence outlined by McKenzie was recently thrown into sharp focus. The case of Anthony B r y a n

gained national media attention in 2017, after Bryan narrowly avoided deportation despite having lived in Britain for over 50 years. Bryan’s son Dijoun Jhagroo-Bryan was also impacted and, despite having provided ample evidence, was asked by the Home Office to submit a DNA test to prove his relationship to his father, a request he described as “outrageous”. McKenzie says this suggests ongoing ‘fundamental’ issues with the running of the compensation scheme. “The request for DNA from the son of Anthony Bryan, who not only submitted a birth certificate with his father’s name, procured in 2013, five years before the Scandal and who provided photos and other evidence to show he was a child of the family, suggests to me that there remains fundamental problems with the running of the scheme, and that the Scandal should now be the subject of a statutory inquiry” she said. What is clear as we celebrate the Windrush generation on June 22 is that so much work is yet to be done to ensure that justice is delivered. The ongoing treatment of those affected must remain highlighted so the public understands that, far from being concluded, the scandal is ongoing.

JUNE 2024

THE VOICE | 25

Windrush76

WINDRUSH EDUCATION RESOURCES King’s seminal work, showing how he has contributed to changing British society over the past 76 years.

The resources also feature a document and a video about Windrush passenger John Richards who will be 99 years on his next birthday. When John Richards arrived in England on 22 June 1948, he

hese Windrush Education Resources are based on original stories of ex-RAF WWII serviceman Samuel Beaver King, better known as Sam King (1926-2016). He came up with the idea of commemorating the arrival of MV Empire Windrush, and worked first with The Sunday Times magazine which published a special edition in June 1968 commemorating the 20th anniversary of Windrush Day.

Also, Sam created the term ‘Windrush Generation,’ referring only to the passengers who arrived on the ship at Tilbury Docks on June 22, 1948. They are the pioneering of generation who travelled on the Empire Windrush. Their arrival became an iconic symbol of post-war West Indian settlement in Britain. After June 1948, dozens of other ships brought hundreds of thousands of West Indian settlers to the UK. Most of them had travelled in the 1960s and 1970s via British Overseas Airways Corporation (now British Airways). On August 8, 1974, Sam and two other Windrush passengers, Vidal Dezonie and Euton Christian appeared on BBC2 TV’s The Ship of Good Hope, which discussed the June 1948 arrival at Tilbury Docks. Sam became the first Black Mayor of the London Borough of Southwark in 1983/1984. During June 1988, he organ-

ised the 40th anniversary of Windrush Day in Brixton, hosted by the Mayor of Lambeth. June 1998 saw the publication of his autobiography, Climbing up the Rough Side of the Mountain, which became a best-seller. In 1995, he and Arthur Torrington, formed Windrush Foundation which became a charity in 1996.

They organised the 50th Windrush anniversary events in 1998. The 60th Windrush Day commemoration saw the publication of a Windrush Pioneers video and a booklet, which featured the voices and experiences of more than 20 West Indians who settled in Britain during the late 1940s and 1950s. In 2018, during the 70th anniversary, the Tory Government hijacked Sam’s Windrush idea and changed how Windrush should be commemorated. They came up with a contrasting definition of the Windrush Generation: people who arrived from the Caribbean between 1948 and 1971. Sam’s role as founder of Windrush Day was ignored.

The suite of seven Windrush Education Resources contains the facts about Windrush, and the Windrush Generation, including original stories that will assist pupils’ knowledge, and foster a better sense of identity and belonging. The materials feature Sam

immediately made his mark after being photographed on board the ship in an image that has come to symbolise the spirit and resolve of the Windrush generation. John Richards is the third person in the famous photograph showing three sharp looking young men arriving in England on the iconic Empire Windrush. Dressed in a pinstriped suit, he is standing with John Hazel (left)

and Harold Wilmot (centre). John’s first night in England was spent in the Clapham South Deep Shelter, London. He remembers the deafening noise of the Northern Line underground trains as their beds were only one level below the tracks. He soon got a job with British

Rail where he worked as an engineer until his retirement, mostly at the British Rail depot in Orpington, Kent. He worked hard and managed to buy a house in north- west London. To relax, he played his favourite sport, cricket, almost every weekend.

The Windrush Education Resources are suitable for all ages but especially pupils from age 5 to 18, and can be downloaded free from: www.windrushfoundation.com

26 | THE VOICE JUNE 2024

Windrush76

ADVERTORIAL

Ethnic minority theatre comedy drama show The Windrush Warriors set for UK tour

multi-ethnic play set in a community centre is about to embark on a 25date tour of the UK starting in May. Written by and starring black actor Nicola Gardner, who has starred in ITV soap Coronation Street, The Windrush Warriors is a multi-ethnic Windrush-inspired comedy drama. Based around the shocking events of the Windrush scandal, the story follows four older generation African-Caribbean friends as they deal with personal trauma, striking a balance between comedy and sobering drama. National Windrush Day is June 22, 2024. The show builds on the success of Gardner’s last major touring production The Community Centre, which successfully toured between 2016 and 2021. Gardner said: “The Windrush Warriors presents a hilarious and sometimes poignant story of four brave African-Caribbean pensioners who imagined a peaceful later life and are now dealing with an unexpected challenge – the infamous Windrush scandal.

“The fact that the script is based on true events makes for an interesting, socially-conscious show, depicting an imperfect world. “It’s an affectionate story about people in the autumn of their lives. The show is a life-affirming view of survivors, children of the Windrush generation. The Windrush scandal and its attendant hypocrisy is laid bare in this show. It’s an important message embracing untouchable subjects and highlighting current events. “The show exposes the unfair predicament of people who

having lived and worked in the UK for decades, are now heartlessly being shown that they are undesirable.

“It has a diverse mix of cultures and aims to enhance cultural awareness whilst entertaining audiences with a great, true story. These pensioners experience the joys and angst of their golden years and come together when faced with cruel and unjust treatment. And their reaction? To fight adversity with Warrior like ferocity!” As well as appearing in ITV drama Coronation Street, Emmerdale, The Royal and Brookside, Gardner has also had roles in comedy plays for BBC Radio 4, playing the lead in Whoopi Goldberg’s Country Life by Shelagh Delaney and as Biyot Abdulle in Number 10 with the late Sir Anthony Sher. In 2023, she appeared at the Edinburgh Fringe in An Afternoon with the Ladies of the Cliff Richard Fan Club which was attended by Sir Lenny Henry. She has also performed as a stand-up comedienne and at the Frog & Bucket in Manchester. Gardner added: “This successful theatre show is a potential TV series. The Windrush Warriors comedy show is far more than just wonderful entertainment. This ethnic minority theatre group are not afraid to highlight important social injustice. The Windrush Warriors is directed by John Klark, who also directed The Community Centre. The Windrush Warriors is now on the prestigious University circuit with the first show commissioned by UCLAN and performed during Black History Month 2022. Manchester University quickly followed, commissioning the

show to be performed at the Contact Theatre in June and again in November 2023. The lack of diverse roles in theatre, film and television has become a major issue in recent years, both domestically and internationally. Gardner has first-hand experience of the problem within the British media industry, which ultimately led to her writing The Community Centre and The Windrush Warriors. The show begins its tour in London at Theatre Peckham, followed by five-night stints at both Etcetera Theatre in Camden and Applecart Arts in Plashet Grove, East Ham. It then moves on to The Continental in Preston, Huddersfield’s Lawrence Batley Theatre and Manchester’s International Anthony Burgess Centre.

“The Pensioners share funny and sometimes heart-breaking insight into the experience of Caribbean migrants and how they helped to shape the UK. Older black people are under-represented in mainstream entertainment. My aim is that people who come to see the show will leave with a much better tolerance of people different to themselves.” Find out more about The Windrush Warriors at http:// www.thewindrushwarriors.com The Windrush Warriors on Facebook: https:// www.facebook.com/ WindrushWarriors The Windrush Warriors on Twitter/X: @WindrushWarrior

Gardner added: “I wrote a show that would give significant roles to artists from ethnic minorities to showcase our talents on a bigger stage more significantly. I strongly believe in using performance as a theatrical tool for sharing and highlighting social dilemmas. “After years of being the doctor or nurse with a few lines to say in TV productions, I decided to write my own show and make my own luck. The Community Centre and The Windrush Warriors has opened up opportunities for underused minority artists from the world of acting and also film production. “We are all delighted that we get a chance to highlight social issues in a comedic way. Collectively we are Jewish, African, African-Caribbean, and English – the show represents Manchester’s rainbow population, a fact that is not effectively shown on TV.

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TIHARA’S WEAVING PAST AND PRESENT

Designer and textile artist Tihara Smith is honouring the Windrush Generation with a special workshop. By Joel Campbell

N keeping with the spirit of honouring the skill sets embraced by the Windrush generation and those that came before, fashion designer and textile artist, Tihara Smith, is calling all 16- to 21-year-olds to come and engage in a unique embroidery workshop. Taking place in south London and hosted with support from Southwark Council’s Windrush 75 Commemoration Fund, Raffia Workshop for Young Adults

will take place on June 22. Smith’s journey with Raffia embroidery began when she designed and created her collection which was showcased at Graduate Fashion Week in 2018. The impact of her work is shown by the acquisition of an outfit from the collection by the Museum of London in 2021, a testament to her dedication to preserving and sharing the Windrush story.

Workshop details

The creative has since gone on to lead a series of successful inperson workshops at the Victoria and Albert Museum, as well as raffia embroidery workshops in collaboration with Better Bankside for London Design Week, corporate offices, and retail spaces. Speaking ahead of the event which she partnered with Hotel Elephant enabling her to deliver it for free, Smith enthused: | “I am so excited to share my

raffia embroidery technique with others. “It’s a great opportunity for us to experience the joy of creating something beautiful with their own hands and to keep alive a skill that has been embedded in Caribbean culture for many years.” This workshop celebrates Windrush Day, a day that recognises the pivotal moment in British history when thousands of people from the Caribbean

arrived in the UK to help rebuild the country after the war. Attendees will get the chance to learn a little bit more about the Windrush Generation, Caribbean culture, and crafts. A fantastic opportunity to also aims to be an opportunity learn a new creative skill, explore for attendees to explore cultural heritage, and gain insights inspiration from their culture, into textiles and design as well background, and heritage too, as networking with other young and to do embroidery artwork creatives, Smith says the event that represents their story.

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It is an essential read. To purchase your copy simply scan the QR Code * Email: subscription@thevoicemediagroup.co.uk * Tel: 0207 510 0340

Windrush76 African Caribbean Community Association North East CIC

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Bring Me Sunshine

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Celebrating Windrush in Devon

Windrush Family Games ● ● ● ● ¡ ● ¡ ● ● Annual Windrush Day Lecture Leicester ● Windrush Conversation - For Us and By Us CIC ¢ ● ● ●

WINDRUSH

CELEBRATIONS

Events are being held up and down the country to mark the 76th anniversary of the arrival of HMT Empire Windrush

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30 | THE VOICE JUNE 2024

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Windrush: Portraits of a Pioneering Generation

o commemorate the 75th anniversary of the arrival of HMT Empire Windrush to Britain; His Majesty The King, commissioned ten portraits to acknowledge and honour the accomplishments of the Windrush Generation. These men and women who took up jobs in areas such as

transportation, construction, the NHS and numerous other areas; often facing discrimination as they navigated living in a new country and pursued their dream of a better life of their families. The faces of these sitters are a powerful reminder of the personal resilience, determination, and the positive impact of diversity

THE SITTERS AND ARTISTS ARE:

• Delisser Bernard by artist Honor Titus • Alford Gardner by artist Chloe Cox • Linda Haye, OBE by artist Shannon Bono • Edna Henry by artist Amy Sherald • Carmen Esme Munroe, OBE by artist Sonia Boyce OBE, RA • Gilda Oliver by artist Clifton Powell • Professor Sir Godfrey (Geoff ) Palmer, OBE, CD by artist Derek Fordjour • Laceta Reid by artist Serge Attukwei Clottey Linda Hayes OBE has had an illustrious career which included numerous leadership roles in the public and voluntary sectors. She was also appointed Deputy Lord Lieutenant to the county of Hertfordshire ‘ a role that re uires selfless ness, integrity, honesty and leadership - all these principles that have been a core part of Linda’s life. She received an OBE in 2015 for services to education criminal ustice and charity work. Artist- Shannon Bono - Shannon received her MA in Art and Science from Central Saint Martins and her Associate Fellowship in Higher Education from the University of the Arts in London. In 2021 Shannon presented her rst solo e hibition titled The Hands That Hold You, in London and has numerous others since then. She has also participated in other notable exhibitions.

across Britain. The portraits are currently at the Royal West of England Academy (RWA), Bristol from 25 May through to 11 August.

“It was an honour to Chair the Windrush Portrait Committee to honour our Windrush Pioneers. It was wonderful to celebrate the Portraits at the National Portrait Gallery with members of the community and alongside two of the artists. The Windrush Portraits are recognising and acknowledging part of untold British history.”

The Windrush Portraits was the subject of a BBC documentary and is still available on BBC iPlayer see page 35 for details

Baroness Benjamin OM DBE

• John (Big John) Richards by artist Deanio X • Jessie Stephens, MBE, SLPM by artist Sahara Longe The portraits were first on display at he Palace of Holywoodhouse, Edinburgh and then at the National Portrait Gallery (NPA) from October 2023 to March 2024. The gallery hosted a group of persons from the community to view the unique and historic exhibition and meet of two of the artists Chloe Cox and Deanio X.

A staff member from the NPG alongside Baroness Benjamin OM DBE, Rosie Boardley ( Snr Curator, NPG) and Helen Whiteoak ( Head of Programmes and Engagement)

It was truly an amazing experience seeing these historical images in person. Having watched the documentary and the unveiling of these images it was really wonderful seeing them and some of the artists up close and personal. Well done Voice Newspaper for honouring our Windrush pioneers. Evadney Campbell, MBE Co-founder Shiloh PR, Author and Lecturer My visit to the Portrait Gallery to see the Windrush portraits was an eye-opener. The portraits were all amazingly realistic, and I felt the energy of these people who paved the way for us to follo he artists did a fantastic ob Faith Robinson

“It was fantastic to visit Windrush: Portraits of a Pioneering Generation at the National Portrait Gallery. I was privileged to see the portraits at Buckingham alace hen they ere rst re ealed and it as wonderful to revisit them. The impact of portraits and portraiture is signi cant they recognise our elders, the trailblazers whose footsteps we follow in. Having ten portraits of Caribbean elders by ten Black artists, changes the gaze and the landscape of gallery spaces.” Pawlet Brookes, MBE, CEO, Artistic Director of Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage

Portrait of John Richards with artist Deanio X John Richards came to Britain from Jamaica in 1948 on the HMT Empire Windrush. He had no friends or relatives in the UK and so he was among those that were housed in Clapham Deep Shelter that was previously used as a bomb shelter during the war. ohn found his rst and only ob at ritish Rail where he remained until his retirement. John affectionately known as Big John became an active and respected community leader in north west London. He was a founding member of the Learie Constantine West Indian Association and fought against racial in ustice and inequality across the UK, one such campaign was the controversial stop and search policy which still adverting affect the black community today. Deanio explained that he wanted to portray Big John in “an elemental style

that referenced a bond of nature, timelessness and African DNA’. He further stated that he was ‘glad to contribute, through art, to the immortalisation of a living example of dignity, strength and resilience such as Big John, Artist Deanio X is a visual artist based in South London. He graduated from the University of Kent in 2012 with a degree in American Studies (history and literature) and since then he has nurtured a self-taught visual art practice built from research, observational drawing and imagination. He is a scholar of the Royal Drawing School and have undertaken various exhibitions and commissions by Buckingham Palace, Glastonbury Festival, Royal Museums Greenwich and Marlborough Fine Art. CONTINUED ON PAGE 35

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PORTRAIT REVEALS ‘POSITIVE INFLUENCE ON BRITISH SOCIETY’ WINDRUSH generation member Alford Gardner, a 96-year-old Second World War veteran from Leeds, was immortalised in one of a series of paintings commissioned by King Charles last year. The paintings, Windrush: Portraits Of A Pioneering Generation, celebrated the legacy of the men and women who arrived in Britain on the HMT Empire Windrush. The portraits were created by Black artists personally

PICTURE this; you’re six years old and like many children your age you want to be an artist when you grow up. Fast-forward 10 years, and the starving artist trope is so fixed in your psyche it’s almost embarrassing to admit you’d still like to be one.

selected by His Majesty. Manchesterbased Chloe Cox, who painted Alford Gardner’s portrait, was the youngest of the artists. She has described the commission as one of her greatest artistic achievements, one that was important for her as a descendant of the Windrush generation herself. Here, the young artist – pictured inset with the finished painting tells The Voice what the experience of creating the portrait was like.

But now, you’re 26, writing to The Voice newspaper about a once-in-a-lifetime commission from the King. I think it’s safe to say, you’re an artist now. The Windrush: Portraits of a Pioneering Generation project changed my life in so many ways. Not only as a recognition of my artistry, but as a cause for reflection on my heritage. I

have a mixed identity from the Caribbean and the UK. My grandmother and grandfather (Althea HenryO’Neal and Ivan O’Neal) were born in Aruba and St Vincent, respectively. They made the crossing to England in the 1950s to mould a better future for their families and, mindful of prejudice, set high academic standards for their children.

The achievements of their fifth child, who would become a doctor (and later my mother), was a cause for much pride in their eyes. Raised by hard-working parents, but born into an era less sculpted by racial stereotypes, I felt the pressure of education, without fully understanding the importance of it. The truth is, until new

CHLOE COX’S SUCCESS: A TRIBUTE TO HER ROOTS

generations make a conscious effort to ask questions and peel back the mists of time, it’s impossible to recognise the recent privileges you enjoy. That’s why the Windrush project was so crucial. It opened up conversations with people who can still breathe life into those answers and then brought them to our home screens. Alford Gardner’s story was one of optimism and joy – a tale told as much through his easy smile and reverent eyes, as well as his anecdotes. But his life was not without hardship. He built a life in a strange and cold part of the world, shrouded in the sense that he wasn’t welcome there. I came away from our meeting ignited with a hope that in doing his portrait justice, I would be honouring Alford, my

grandparents and the Windrush generation that they are all part of. I therefore chose to paint from a reference photo in which Alford seemed to carry an air of reflection and contentment. This not only felt true to his personality, but seemed an appropriate symbol of the positive and understated influence of his generation on British society. It’s been a dream come true to see this painting exhibited in the National Portrait Gallery and Buckingham Palace. A display of portraits of Black people painted by Black artists in a prestigious setting is an amalgamation of so many important things. I’m glad to have played a small part in this and commemorating an undervalued community at the heart of British society. And I’m proud of the people who worked tirelessly through racism, discrimination and poverty to ensure young children like me could grow up in a world where saying ‘I want to be an artist one day’ was not just an option, but a reality. l Chloe Cox, an awardwinning oil painter based in Manchester, is an artist with a passion for honest depictions of people from under-represented communities. Her accolades include the Emerson Award for Young Women Artists and SAA Young Artist of the Year. She was commissioned for the Windrush: Portraits of a Pioneering Generation project by King Charles.

Muyiwa Olarewaju

Nothing But Truth and Light

WE OWE SO MUCH TO WINDRUSH GENERATION PIONEERS

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

Britain’s religious landscape has been enriched by those who arrived from the Caribbean

HE Windrush Generation epitomises resilience, courage, and unwavering determination. From 1948 to 1971, thousands of Caribbean immigrants embarked on a journey to the UK, seeking new opportunities and leaving behind their homes and loved ones. Despite encountering countless obstacles and injustices, this extraordinary community made indelible contributions to British society, shaping its cultural, social, and economic fabric in profound ways. Proverbs 24:10 encapsulates the spirit of the Windrush Generation, underscoring their resilience in the face of adversity. It says: “If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.” Indeed, these pioneers confronted systemic racism, discrimination, and institutional hurdles upon their arrival in the UK. Despite these challenges, they exhibited remarkable fortitude and determination, laying the groundwork for

future generations to thrive. David Matthews’s seminal work, Voices of the Windrush Generation, offers invaluable insights into the lived experiences of these resilient individuals. Through their stories, we gain a deeper appreciation of the trials they endured, from the harsh realities of migration to the struggle for acceptance and belonging in a new homeland. Their narratives serve as powerful reminders of the strength and resilience that characterised the Windrush Generation. Scholarly research, such as The Windrush Generation: Prejudice and Injustice report by the Movement for Justice and Reconciliation UK, sheds light on the enduring impact of this community on British society. Despite facing systemic barriers to progress, many members of the Windrush Generation made significant contributions across various fields, including healthcare, education, politics, and the

arts. Their perseverance and resilience paved the way for greater diversity and inclusivity in British society. Arriving from the Caribbean to the UK post-Second World War, they brought a cultural renaissance that reshaped British music and the arts. They introduced vibrant jazz, calypso, and blues, infusing the scene with rich, diverse rhythms. Despite facing an uphill battle, their resilience fostered a creative explosion, influencing genres like grime and shaping modern British identity. Their legacy, a testament to the transformative power of migration on culture, continues to echo through the UK’s artistic landscape, celebrating a shared history and the enduring spirit of the Windrush community. Moreover, the Windrush Generation played a pivotal role in shaping the religious landscape of the UK, particularly within the realm of Christianity. Articles such as Windrush Generation Kept Faith highlight their profound influence on faith communities. Many Caribbean immigrants established churches and religious institutions, providing vital support networks and spaces for worship, fellowship, and cultural expression. Their enduring legacy continues to enrich the religious tapestry of the UK, fostering a vibrant multicultural ethos. The story of Windrush is intricately woven into modern British history, and its echoes resonate through the past

Their contri utions sacri ces and resilience serve as eacons of ho e and ins iration reminding us of the im ortance of erseverance 75 years of British church life. When Caribbean migrants arrived at Tilbury Docks in 1948, they carried with them a rich tapestry of skills, professions, and faith. Despite a frosty reception, they contributed significantly to the growth and development of contemporary African and Asian Christian narratives. Their resilience and faithfulness continue to shape modern Christianity in Britain today, reminding us that the Church thrives when diverse voices come together in unity. In recent years, initiatives such as the ‘Future Windrush Kids’ project have sought to preserve and celebrate the heritage of the Windrush Generation, ensuring that their contributions are not forgotten. The global significance of the Windrush story, as highlighted in

publications like The Guardian, underscores its importance as a beacon of hope and resilience for multicultural societies worldwide. It serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring legacy of the Windrush Generation and their role in shaping Britain’s future. Biblical passages such as Proverbs 16:31, celebrating the wisdom and dignity of the elderly, and Psalms 71:17-19, praising the faithfulness of God across generations, resonate deeply as we honour the legacy of the Windrush Generation. Their contributions, sacrifices, and resilience serve as beacons of hope and inspiration, reminding us of the importance of perseverance and the power of diversity in our society. As we reflect on the profound impact of the Windrush Generation, let us also heed the wisdom of Psalm 90:12, urging us to “number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom”. May we learn from their experiences, honour their legacy, and strive to build a more equitable, compassionate, and inclusive society that celebrates the resilience and contributions of all its members. The promises made to the Overcomers in the Book of Revelation feel very apt for this incredible group of people that we call the Windrush Generation. Firstly, the promise of

partaking in the Divine nature reminds them of the inherent value and dignity they possess as individuals, regardless of the challenges they face. Secondly, the assurance of being spared from eternal death encourages them to persevere through present trials with hope and faith, knowing that their struggles are temporary. Additionally, the promise of intimate communion with the Lord underscores the importance of nurturing their spiritual lives and finding solace in their relationship with God amidst adversity. The assurance of authority over nations speaks to their potential to influence positive change within their communities and beyond, using their experiences to advocate for justice and equality. Moreover, the promise of acknowledgment before God and His angels serves as a reminder of the significance of their contributions and the impact they have made on society. Finally, the promise of sharing in Christ’s throne highlights the ultimate reward for their faithfulness and perseverance—a place of honour and glory in God’s kingdom. l Muyiwa Olarewaju OBE is station director at premier gospel radio, a TV & radio broadcaster, and principal of gospel group Muyiwa & Riversongz

FEBRUARY 2024

THE VOICE | 31

Windrush76 Free exhibition showcases the memories and challenges of migrants who came north. By Joel Campbell

HEFFIELD STORIES: Caribbean Footsteps opened at Weston Park Museum last month. The free exhibition, created in partnership with co-curators from Sheffield’s African Caribbean community, brings together archive material and personal mementoes, photographs, film and much more, celebrating the many ways that people of African Caribbean heritage have contributed to Sheffield life. Over 75 years ago, the HMT Empire Windrush brought people seeking new opportunities from the Caribbean to fill post-war labour shortages in the UK. These passengers, and other arrivals between 1948 and 1971, helped forge Britain’s future. This exhibition explores the stories of those who came from the Caribbean to find their home in Sheffield, as well as those of the families they raised here. Shaped by a group of community co-curators, the displays share some inspiring stories of journeys, culture and heritage, from church, sport and carnival to fighting racism and discrimination. Contributions from later generations reflect on the legacy of those who arrived decades before, while interactive displays explore food, music, games and identity. The exhibition also addresses contemporary issues such as the campaign for justice for victims of the ‘Windrush scandal’, with two powerful films contributed by the Justice4Windrush campaign. Simon Jones, one of the community co-curators, said: “The exhibition stands as a tribute to the enduring resilience, unwavering strength, and rich cultural vibrancy of the African Caribbean community in Sheffield. “Collaborating closely with Sheffield Museums has been an enriching experience, one that has allowed us to weave together narratives, memories, and artefacts that speak to the heart of our community’s journey.” He added: “Working alongside Sheffield Museums has not only provided a platform to showcase our heritage, but has also fostered a sense of belonging and empowerment within our community. “Through this collaboration, we have had the opportunity to ensure that our stories are told authentically, with nuance and depth, reflecting the diverse experiences and contributions of generations past and present.” Many of the objects on display

THE REAL STEEL OF SHEFFIELD’S PAST

have been generously loaned by members of the local community, including: l Choir gown, 1980s: A gown which was worn by singers from the Community Choir. Most churches had their own gospel choir, like the one led by Sister Nelson at the Church of God of Prophecy on Duke Street. l Cricket bat, 1968: This bat is signed by the young people and organisers who attended the Living Together Police and Young People weekend. This was held at Unstone Grange with members of Crookesmoor Youth Club and police cadets to improve community relations with police. l Passports and other travel documents: Many Caribbean families that travelled to the UK came in stages – a parent

“Working alongside he eld useums has fostered a sense of belonging and em owerment within our community ” - Simon Jones, community curator

or parents may have come by themselves and their children would have been sent on by other family members later. Hain Archibald Bailey travelled by sea on the T/V Ascania in 1963, his wife Daisy came by plane in 1964.

Three of their children, Glendon (14), Clinton (10) and Daniel (9) joined them in 1973. Jones continues: “The introduction of new displays within the exhibition marks a significant milestone in our

collective narrative. These displays serve as tangible manifestations of our history, offering a glimpse into the lives, struggles, and triumphs of those who have shaped our community’s identity. “Each object holds within it a myriad of stories, each as poignant and compelling as the next, illustrating the resilience of our community in the face of adversity. “Ultimately, the impact of these stories and objects extends far beyond the walls of the exhibition. They serve as catalysts for dialogue, understanding, and appreciation, fostering greater empathy and connection within our community and beyond. “Through the power of storytelling and the preservation of our cultural artefacts, we

hope to ignite a sense of pride and belonging that reverberates throughout Sheffield and beyond.” Lucy Cooper, Exhibitions and Display Curator at Sheffield Museums, enthused: “Weston Park Museum tells the stories of Sheffield and its people and the most powerful stories it tells are the ones told together with our communities. “Caribbean Footsteps is no exception – it’s been fantastic working with our co-curators, who have led and shaped the displays with such vision, thought and care. “The exhibition is a moving, joyful celebration of people gifted with African Caribbean heritage living in the city and we can’t wait for visitors to the museum to explore it.”

JUNE 2024

THE VOICE | 35

Windrush76 CONTINUED FROM PAGE

WINDRUSH:

PORTRAITS OF A GENERATION

Following a remarkable project spearheaded by the King, this documentary sees leading artists create portraits of pioneering members of the Windrush Generation BBC iPlayer

Top Row (L-R) Alford Gardner, Carmen Munroe, Edna Henry, Gilda Oliver, Delisser Bernard Bottom Row (L-R) Jessie Stephens, Laceta Reid, Linda Haye, Professor Sir Geoff Palmer, ‘Big’ John Richards

This BBC documentary, and its predecessor Survivors: Portraits of the Holocaust were incredibly important to me. I’ve made Arts and History documentaries for many years, which is unusual for someone who grew up in an East African Asian household. Against the odds, I discovered at a young age the power of art to communicate fundamental human experiences throughout history, allowing me to connect to people and times from the past. I encountered many of these moving paintings through the medium of television. When I began to visit museums, so often the portrait paintings within them celebrated only the so called ‘great men’ of history. oth of the portrait pro ects pioneered by the ing ll a notable gap - commissioning works of art which celebrate signi cant ritish people ho ha e been hitherto little represented in major British collections. he indrush lm ga e me a special opportunity to document intimate moments with 10 exceptional men and women of the Windrush Generation who were paired with 10 talented portrait artists. We hoped to offer a window into the creative process, foregrounded by the inspiring and challenging testimony of the Windrush elders themselves. It is important that we learn something from the injustices of the past, whilst being inspired to something better by the human stories which survive, and which have become so integral to the fabric of modern British society. Their portraits are guiding lights which show us what it means to be British today.

Contributed by Suniti Somaiya Windrush: Portraits of a Generation is produced and directed by by Suniti Somaiya and the executive producer is Tanya Hudson. A BBC Studios production for BBC Arts, it’s available to view on BBC iPlayer.

Paulette Simpson CBE Executive Director The Voice Media Group and Executive JN Group Mrs Carol-Watson Williams, wife of the Jamaican High Commissioner Baroness Floella Benjamin OM DBE His Excellency Alexander Williams, Jamaican High Commissioner to the United Kingdom “The Windrush Portrait Exhibition was a wonderful display of the eclectic representation of the brave transplants to the United Kingdom, who sought to better themselves and their families by helping to rebuild the motherland after a world war. Etched in the portraits, were the facial lines of struggle and commit-

ment, a testament resilience and courage. I say bravo to the artistes for their willingness in instances to apply modern interpretations to their subjects... a tour de force!” His Excellency Alexander Williams

JANUARY 20

Windrush76 Nelpah Eccleston Flanigan MBE was a remarkable Second World War veteran and a Windrush pioneer. Here the British West India Regiments Heritage Trust pay tribute to him

ELPAH Eccleston Flanigan MBE, affectionately known as Neil, was a remarkable Second World War veteran and a Windrush pioneer. He passed away peacefully at his home in Camberley, Surrey, on March 21 earlier this year, just two months shy of his centennial birthday, which would have been on May 24. His passing marks the end of an era, and his contributions to our community and his service in the Royal Air Force (RAF) have left an indelible mark. He was born in Kingston, Jamaica. At the age of 19 in 1943, an advert with the headline “Britain Needs” caught his eye. He was one of the first men to sign up when representatives of the UK government arrived in the Caribbean, requesting support for the war effort. Neil arrived at the recruitment centre, pushed his way to the front, and signed up as the 39th West Indian to join the RAF. His training began in Up Park Camp, Jamaica, and soon after, he wrote to his mother, informing her that he was on his way to England to continue his training where he arrived in December 1943. During the Second World War, over a million men and women served or supported Bomber Command. They came from 62 nations across the world and were united in their efforts to protect the freedom we enjoy today. Bomber Command comprised the RAF’s light and heavy bomber squadrons whose focus was to severely weaken the German ability to fight – a central strategy for winning the war. The aircrews were supported by approximately 4,400 ground crew drawn from Caribbean and African nations. Mr Flanigan, a specialist in aircraft navigation instrumentation, played a crucial role as a key member of Bomber Command’s ground crew. In 1947 after the war, he briefly returned to Jamaica and worked as an engineer at an aero drone.

A LIFE FIGHTING FOR FREEDOM

However, service to ‘The Mother Country’ remained an integral part of his life. He served as President of the West Indian exServicemen Association, based in Clapham, South London. But he was also affiliated with numerous organisations and community groups, providing valuable advice. He exemplified duty, service, and sacrifice. Little did he know that

he was making history when he stepped forward to answer the call in Jamaica to serve King and country. Throughout the years, he provided unwavering support and dedication to both British and Jamaican communities, working tirelessly into his 99th year. His resilience, courage and valour were unmatched, and he understood the importance of preserving a history worth

telling and publishing. In 2011, in recognition of his sterling community and voluntary support work, he was awarded an MBE. Always dignified with a pioneering spirit of endurance and endeavour, he made weekly visits from Camberley to hold community welfare clinics or attend events all over the country. He spoke about race

relations and shared his wartime experiences with people of all ages and backgrounds. His impact remains unparalleled among his contemporaries. He was one of the founding members of the West Indian ExService Association (WIESA), now known as The West Indian Association of Service Personnel (WASP), located in Clapham. Throughout his involvement, he

held various positions, including Director, Chairman and President. On October 13, 2022 at the age of 98, Neil travelled by coach with us to France. There, he took part in wreath-laying ceremonies at Commonwealth War Cemeteries, where West Indian soldiers from the First World War are buried. Despite failing health, a year later on October 13, 2023, at the remarkable age of 99, Neil – without a second thought –accompanied the British West India Regiments Heritage Trust (BWIRHT) on a three-day battle tour to Belgium. He embarked on this poignant journey as part of a contingent of 60 serving military personnel and veterans. During the tour, he participated in several wreath-laying ceremonies, paying solemn tribute to the First World War West Indian soldiers interred in Flanders. His passing leaves a chasm, a profound void felt acutely by all of us at the British West India Regiments Heritage Trust. Our bond with him, forged in shared commitment and unwavering camaraderie, now bears the weight of loss. U n d e n i a b l y , Neil’s influence rippled through the tapestry of countless lives, leaving an indelible mark — a legacy etched in courage, resilience, and service. May his memory serve as a beacon, illuminating the path for generations yet unborn. Neil would have been 100 years old on Friday 24 May and BWIRHT hosted a Memorial at London City Hall to honour and commemorate his life and service to British Society. Among the participants were HE Alexander Williams (Jamaican High Commissioner to the UK), Dr Debbie WeekesBernard (London Deputy Mayor, Communities and Social Justice), Rev Cannon Jonathon Boardman, Air Commodore Ian Sharrocks OBE (RAF), Ant Metcalfe (Royal British Legion), Rev Michael King, Dr Patrick Vernon OBE, Dr Jack Beula, Leila Thomas, Maurillia Simpson, Judy Best, Sue Liburd MBE and Paul Chambers (BWIRHT) friend of Neil and the main organiser. A special performance was done by Alexander D Great who composed a special song for Neil that was well received by everyone. The brave die never, though they sleep in dust: Their courage nerves a thousand living men.” – Minot J. Savage

Neil Flanigan MBE – May 24, 1924 – March 21, 2024

Windrush76

A NIGHT ON THE TILES? IT’S ONLY DOMINOES! One council labelled the game ‘antisocial’, but its devotees are just following a Caribbean tradition. By Milton Boyce

HE ship HMT Empire Windrush arrived in Tilbury on 22 June 1948, bringing workers from Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and other islands, to help fill post-war UK labour shortages. Migrants were invited by the UK government to help rebuild the “motherland” after the war, and soon arrived at Tilbury Docks, Essex. But what would they do for recreation as they worked tirelessly to build new lives for their families? Play dominoes! The pastime was most likely invented by ancient Egyptians, but is more easily traced back to China during the 12th century. Dominoes were traditionally made from bone, wood or even carved from ivory – materials readily available at the time. Nowadays, modern sets are more commonly made from heavy plastic. The game is played worldwide and gained popularity in the Caribbean, leading the aforementioned migrants to pick it up again when they arrived in England. A good game of dominoes is loud, fun and playful – and often accompanied by a little rum. Of even greater significance are stories and connections that are made when people gather to play the game. A dominoes organiser once admitted that this fun pastime was about much more than winning. “People talking about their lives, what’s going on, their relatives who are still in the Caribbean, the last time they went home, and things of that nature,” he said. “When we come together with the dominoes activity, it creates a greater opportunity for those stories to happen.” To confirm the

“If you are West Indian, you just can’t play dominoes without making a bit of noise” - Ernest Theophile

importance of dominoes, more than 70 years after the arrival of the HMT Empire Windrush, a group of elderly Caribbean men beat a London council that banned them from playing dominoes in a square. Westminster City Council lost a court case in 2022 after Ernest Theophile, then 74, challenged the local authority, which claimed the men were playing the game “too loudly”. The men had gathered at Maida Hill Market Square for the past 12 years to play dominoes, cards and backgammon until town hall officials stopped them. But Theophile, whose family hail from Dominica, accused the council of making a racially motivated decision and took them to court. He won his case after a judge said the decision was “flawed” and “untenable”. Neighbours in the posh area collected more than 200 complaints against the elders, claiming they were causing

anti-social behaviour problems. A judge changed the ban so the friends could return to socialise, but they faced the threat of jail if they were caught “playing loud amplified music, drinking alcohol, shouting or swearing”. As part of Theophile’s court ruling, Judge Heather Baucher criticised officials at the council for not taking equality matters into account on the issue. Theophile told The Guardian: “If you are West Indian, you just can’t play and play a few games to pass dominoes without making a bit of the time.” noise. A council spokesperson said: “The loneliness was one of “We recognise and accept the the biggest factors as to why judgement of the high court. we gather there. That’s why the “This is the first time that square [is] ideal for us. we have been asked to apply “Sometimes the younger equalities law when applying for generation come here and an injunction, which is why we congregate, but we just want had previously not sought one. “We maintain and continue a place where we can socialise

to believe that our actions have always been in the best interests of local residents, who have been plagued by anti-social behaviour and criminality. “However, the council is reviewing its approach to this case with the new administration looking to find a solution that works for the whole community.”

Windrush76

FROM THE WINDIES TO THE HEART OF BRITISH CULTURE

How the stars of international cricket let their glory rub off on the rest of us. By Clayton Goodwin

HE passengers on the Empire Windrush which sailed into Tilbury Docks in June 1948 were full of optimism for the prospects of their new life. Even if, during this time of postwar rationing and restrictions, it wasn’t quite the land flowing with milk and honey, they had no doubt that their expectations had taken a turn for a better future. You don’t have to take my word for it: listen to the lyrics of Lord Kitchener, the king of calypso, who was among their number. His lyrics were soon picked up by British television: “London is the place for me London this lovely city … I have been travelling to countries years ago But this is the place I wanted to know … There you will laugh and talk and enjoy the breeze And admit the beautiful scenery … I mean my life in London is really magnificent.” You get the point – the man was happy to be here. By coincidence, then merely five years old, I might well have been in on the threshold of history. My granddad, who had recently retired after working much of his life as a painter at Tilbury Docks, had taken me there with him that month when he went back to see his old workmates. Two years later the initial optimism was still in full flow as the West Indian immigrants flocked to the cricket grounds as their regional team hammered England 3-1 in what was a major upset. They were particularly jubilant when West Indies humbled England, the imperial masters, at Lord’s, the historic headquarters of the game, with a legendary team

which included the three Ws (Frank Worrell, Everton Weekes, Clyde Walcott) and teenage spinners “those little pals of mine, (Sonny) Ramadhin and (Alfred) Valentine)”. Appropriately, Lord Kitchener was around to give voice to this epoch-making success in calypso form. The way in which the fortunes of West Indies cricket have reflected those of the Windrush generation is almost uncanny. By the time the next regional side toured several years later, harsh reality and disillusion had kicked in, and pessimism had replaced optimism. A team containing many of those same stars – plus potential masters of the future in Garry Sobers, Rohan Kanhai, Wesley Hall and Collie Smith – were expected to repeat that previous triumph but through mishaps and misjudgment were thrashed by the home side. The social situation in the United Kingdom was hurtling towards similar troubled waters leading up to the community disturbances at Notting Hill in 1959, the unresolved murder of student Kelso Cochrane a year later, the accommodation scandal of Rachmanism and rogue landlords who preyed on immigrants, and an explosion of racial invective ( firstly privately and then with increasing frequency in the public domain). But there was a further turn of the wheel. The Windrush settlers, and their children, now realised they would not be returning “home” any time soon, and that much of the host community were not yet ready to accept them. And so the movement towards self-sufficiency, setting up West

“The way in which the fortunes of West Indies cricket have reflected those of the Windrush generation is almost uncanny” Indian businesses – none more iconic than Dyke & Dryden beauty products – as well as organising their own social life and entertainment (with Millie Small providing their first UK-based community’s first pop star), and developing a new identity. Those achievements

produced a heightened sense of self-confidence, just in time to coincide with a wonderful summer when Frank Worrell led West Indies to 3-1 victory in 1963 – still considered the most sporting, harmonious and exciting to grace the fields of cricket. Both teams deserve a round of applause to echo through the ages. Throughout the 1960s, especially the feats of 1966, Sobers proved beyond any possible doubt that he was the greatest and most talented cricketer of all time. Although there was defeat at the end of the decade, amid community depression following politician Enoch Powell’s ‘Rivers of Blood’ speech in 1968, the best was yet to come. For 20 years from 1975, the West

Indies dominated world cricket as no other team before or since. Encouraged by the burgeoning success and confidence of people of similar ethnic and social background across Africa, North America and Asia, the teams led by Clive Lloyd and then Vivian Richards, stamped the term West Indies with excitement, triumph and their own unique style. This initial energy, sense of confrontation and desire to put one over on England in 1976 was sparked by opposing captain Tony Greig’s injudicious remark that he intended to make West Indies “grovel”. The fact that he was a white South African at a time when West Indians, and all Black people and their friends, were incensed by that country’s racist

Apartheid laws only added spice to the mix. Coincidentally, these years of triumph were also the years when the Windrush generation, and descendants, achieved their greatest progress to date across the board in British society, commerce, politics and the arts. They painted a picture to the ages to come of what had been accomplished and what could still be accomplished. What the stars attained on the pitch rubbed off on the most humble in society who looked like them and came from a similar background and demanded the same respect from others. In spite of the development of stars such as the incomparable Brian Lara, West Indies cricket fell from grace. The crowds deserted as results on the field deteriorated. Nobody can be sure which preceded the other. Other interests have arisen to claim that former allegiance. Perhaps enough had been achieved already, and it just had to be. Why? How? Alas, I have come to the end of my allotted words, and shall leave that question for the professional scribes and our readers to quibble over. May these discussions give you as much pleasure as I have enjoyed in reporting West Indies cricket in this country since my debut at the legendary Test at Lord’s in June 1963. For me, and for so many of the Windrush generation, too, the memories will always be there. l Clayton Goodwin is the director of caribcommx.co.uk which will be covering this summer’s Test series between England and West Indies.

Darell J. Philip History has taught us that the migration experience to the UK was far from plain sailing

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

S THIS month pays tribute to the Windrush generation, I am reminded of my own late grandmother, Ann F. Roberts née Martin who made her own journey to the United Kingdom from Antigua in 1960. Taking up residence in Hackney, east London, my grandmother, born in 1934 in the Caribbean island of Montserrat, lived a life full of ups and downs, joys and pains. Yet through it all, it was her beliefs, morals and values stemming from her Christian upbringing which ultimately saw her through some tough times. As a child, I remember the stories she often told me of her own migration experience. The decision she took to leave the Caribbean and her three eldest children behind was not taken lightly. As too was her decision to leave behind a secure job back home along with a rich, warm climate and community she had

known all her life. The promise of job security alongside the stories which told of there being streets paved with gold led to her taking that step into the unknown for the betterment of both herself and her family. Yet, history has shown that for many Windrush pioneers, the migration experience to the UK was far from plain sailing and the landing far from smooth and in the case of my grandmother, this was no exception. The frosty reception from members of the British public revealed in the signs displayed on windows which read “No Blacks, No Dogs, No Irish” coupled with the cold, darkened grey climate and drab

WINDRUSH PIONEERS LIKE MY GRANDMOTHER INSPIRE US TO WALK FEARLESSLY INTO OUR FUTURE

food left many contemplating on if they had made the right decision. When my grandmother told me that the 10 shillings and 6 pence (the equivalent of £5) she earned from factory work would slip through her fingers as water does through a bucket with holes (£2 sent to her children whom she left behind in the Caribbean with the remaining £3 budgeted for her lunch, travel to and from work, shopping, rent, and bills), I could only imagine how difficult that

time must have been for her and that generation. How she was then able to invite guests to her modest abode, offering them something to eat and drink before leaving her home to this day still amazes me. So too does the limited way in which she communicated with her family back home in the Caribbean – often through telephone calls but also through airmail – that is a handwritten letter sent overseas through the post, with the arrival taking weeks at a time, far from the instant

communication we today take for granted via WhatsApp, email and FaceTime. I learned from my own mother, born in the UK but raised and educated in the British Virgin Islands during her formal years, that my grandmother had been building a home for her five children, the building of which had not been completed when in 1972 she received a medical diagnosis of terminal cancer. My mother, though young at the time, in fact the youngest of the

five children, remembers along with her older siblings being told by the medical consultant in no uncertain terms that they should prepare a box for their mother’s burial. My grandmother, always thinking of her children rather than herself, wanted to see the completion of a home which her children could move into. Her prayer that God would give her just six more months to live was answered in the most miraculous way. She died in 2008

– some 36 years after her terminal cancer diagnosis in 1972, probably outliving the medical consultant who had told her young children at the time to prepare a box for her burial. During those 36 years, my grandmother not only saw the completion of the home she was building in the Caribbean but also the birth of grandchildren and great grandchildren. A particular fond photo I have is of my mother, brother, aunty and cousin surrounding me during my graduation from University at the Barbican Centre in London way back in 2003 and in the corner to the left of me in the photo is my beloved grandmother wrapped in a long mac belted coat and with a wink to the camera as if she sneaked into the photo which brings a smile to my face every time. It was the Christian upbringing

Her prayer that God would give her just six more months to live was answered in the most miraculous way her mother gave her which taught my grandmother to show love and kindness to people of all cultures, nations and religions along with her own faith that kept her strong and resolute even in the face of adversity and unkindness she met when first entering the UK. The legacy she’s left behind is one of faith in God, a love of the Hackney Seventh-day Adventist Church where for many years she held membership, and a fourpage letter written just before her death encouraging her family to give their lives to the Saviour who had shown such great love for her during her 70-plus years of life, so that someday they could all be reunited. It is because of the tireless sacrifice, undeniable faith and great courage that Windrush pioneers like my late grandmother demonstrated in their lives that we can be inspired to continue on that path they have paved, enabling us to walk fearlessly into our future. l Darell J. Philip is a teaching assistant, academic mentor and award-winning journalist

News

RICHARD TAYLOR HONOURED AT EMOTIONAL MEMORIAL SERVICE

Hundreds remember the man who became a prominent anti-knife crime campaigner following the tragic killing of his son Damilola. By Vic Motune

James Cleverly and Baroness Doreen Lawrence. A video message from former Manchester United and England star Rio Ferdinand was also played on speakers, while the congregation, including Mr Taylor’s surviving children Tunde, Gbemi, and Florence, listened closely. Damilola was 10 when he was stabbed in the leg and left to die on a stairwell in the North Peckham estate in what became one of the UK’s most high-profile killings. Two brothers – who were 12 and 13 at the time of the killing – were convicted of manslaughter in 2006. In 2001, Mr Taylor and his wife Gloria founded the

come together, the only people who are going to win are the criminals’. There was a real elegant simplicity about that and he had such a calm dignity which is always really humbling. He had a fantastic relationship with local policing over the years with all the work he did against knife crime. Knife crime is an enduring challenge for us, reducing it and tackling it. Some of that’s about policing and some of it is about communities and preventative work and tackling the culture of carrying knives.” Before the service, the Damilola Taylor Trust announced that Mr. Taylor’s son, Tunde, would be taking over as chair of the board of trustees.

ICHARD TAYLOR, the father of murdered schoolboy Damilola, was honoured at a moving memorial service at Southwark Cathedral earlier this month. The 90-minute service on May 12 took place at Southwark Cathedral, just three miles from where Damilola was killed in Peckham, south London in November 2000. Mr Taylor, who founded the Damilola Taylor Trust to campaign against knife crime, died from prostate cancer in March aged 75. The service was attended by more than 400 people, including Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, Home Secretary

Damilola Taylor Trust. They said they wanted their son, who aspired to become a doctor, to be remembered as a boy of hope. The organisation was founded to encourage young people to turn away from committing knife crimes and to create education opportunities for inner-city pupils. Speaking after the service, Cleverly said Richard Taylor’s

legacy “lives on through the Damilola Taylor Trust”. “Sadly, violent crime – murder – on the streets of London hasn’t gone away,” he said. “We have to be constantly vigilant and we have to work on these things all the time.” Mr Rowley said the service was “a fantastic celebration of his life and the way he turned pain into hope”, which “really captured the spirit of Richard Taylor”.

He told The Mirror: “Richard Taylor was such a lovely man and leaves such a legacy behind him. “It was really moving to meet him. He was someone who had such challenges in his life, losing his son to be so constructive and positive about policing in communities. One thing he said that really struck me and stayed with me was ‘if we don’t find a way for policing and communities to

Midlands News

By Veron Graham

TRUE TO HER CAUSE:

Continued on p42

RESPECT:

‘We want the world to be better’

'MY QUEST WILL NEVER END' Defeat in Mayoral election isn't the end of Siobhan's big battle for social justice

RESH FROM her groundbreaking but unsuccessful campaign to become West Midlands Mayor, campaigner Siobhan HarperNunes’ quest for social justice continues in her guise as vice chair of Birmingham’s Race Impact Group (BRIG). BRIG is working with Operation Black Vote and the Black Equality Organisation to promote and launch a national Black British mandate in September to court the attention of every candidate in time for the General Election. This quest is being primed by a series of online and in-person events across the country tasked with re-engaging Black people, particularly Black youth, with the political system in which up to a third of the community does not vote. The aim is to

create statements of intent on what Black communities across the country demand from elected officials. BRIG emerged in the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd: “There was a bunch of us that were very (politically) active in the 1980s – this made it clear that nothing has really changed since those days. “We knew what was going to happen: there would be a flurry of activity, and then nothing. We’d seen this before, so started BRIG with the vision to make Birmingham an anti-racist city with three core objectives: to keep race on the agenda (across multiple sectors including criminal justice, health, education and housing); hold institutions to account and pass the baton on to future generations.” Also working three days a week as a bid writer, Guyana-

born Siobhan, 64, sees her BRIG work as part of her wider quest to use her voice, confidence and autonomy to call out inequality and injustice. She is following in her parents’ fabled footsteps: both were members of Guyana’s People’s Progressive Party, a movement of young activists that helped the South American nation towards independence in 1966. Siobhan and her mother emigrated to the Second City following a 1968 coup in which her father, by then a government minister, was arrested. Siobhan’s mayoral bid was as a Green Party candidate in what could be seen as an audacious challenge to highprofile incumbent Andy Street (Conservative), The election was narrowly won by Labour’s Richard Parker. Hers was the first by a Black woman in a regional mayoral election, also her third tilt at elected office: she stood in the Gravelly Hill ward during the May 2022 Birmingham City Council elections, shortly after taking part in the by-election for the Erdington constituency.

Many ladies said I made them proud: because I dared makes them believe maybe they could run to be our next Mayor too

While her work with the Green Party is separate from BRIG, there is some synergy. “It’s clear the environment affects Black people more. More of us live in areas where there is higher pollution and food poverty” she said. “Research shows we’re the most disengaged: it’s harder to gain traction on green issues when there are pressing dayto-day issues like keeping roofs over our heads and putting food on tables. “The Green Party in

Birmingham was very White, older and middle class – not so much in places like Bristol and London. I wanted to make the organisation more diverse. While campaigning in Gravelly Hill, I did canal walks, held meetings in open spaces, so as a person who loves the environment, the Green Party was a natural choice. There’s a high level of pollution around the (nearby) Spaghetti Junction. I want my four grandchildren to breathe easier and live in a better, safer world. “Running for West Midlands Mayor wasn’t so much about winning but to encourage diversity and change the conversation towards topics like greater investment in local businesses and social enterprises. I wouldn’t say I would never run ( for high office) again but if I didn’t run, I would certainly help someone else to do so. Many of the ladies from Shakti (the women’s support group Siobhan founded in 2006) said I made them proud. Because I dared makes them believe maybe they could do so too.”

IN GOOD COMPANY:

Continued from p41

DONATING IS NOW JUST IN THE BLOOD

'I want to be the voice of the people' PUT IT THERE:

Birmingham pastor Maxine and her family overcome the fear of needles to help save lives of others IN support of an NHS blood donation drive, a Birmingham pastor not only overcame her fear of needles to give blood, but also brought along family and friends to donate alongside her. Maxine Douglas donated at Birmingham Donor Centre alongside her 18-year-old son Keiron Hendricks-Douglas and adopted son Harun Richards, 21, as well as friends Audrey Rochester and Mekhi HyattCookhorn, 17. All five were first-time donors. The group donation was a poignant occasion for Maxine as two of her loved ones were able to have more time with their families thanks to blood donors. Her niece, Georgina, Harun’s mum, received blood during breast cancer treatment, and her children’s adoptive grandmother Loris needed blood when she was terminally ill. Maxine, a mother of three, and adoptive mother to Georgina’s four children, said: “We wanted to donate because Georgina

It’s important to me to lead by example. I don’t want to just say ‘do this good thing’, I want to show I’m prepared to do it. - Pastor Maxine Douglas and Nanny Green had their lives extended because donated blood was available. “When blood donation comes close to your life it makes you reflect. You think – if my nearest and dearest need blood, will it be available? But it’s not something we should just leave to others. You could be the answer to someone’s prayers. I hate needles, so on the day I had to put my big girl

pants on! But it was a tiny scratch for a millisecond and the donation was easy and done in 10 minutes.” Maxine, a pastor with the Church of God of Prophecy (CoGoP), is spreading the message about blood donation to her congregation in the Great Barr area of the city, sharing information and dispelling myths, and posing the question: “If Jesus was here today, what would he do?” The campaign, led by CoGoP’s

charity RAFFA, is particularly aimed at people of Black heritage whose donations are urgently needed to help those battling sickle cell, cancer, blood disorders and those suffering medical trauma or undergoing surgery. Each donation can save or improve up to three lives. Blood stocks are more likely to drop during holiday season, with a particular call for donors with O negative blood type – used for patients receiving emergency transfusions – though all types remain in demand. Maxine added: “It’s important to me to lead by example. I don’t want to just say ‘do this good thing’, I want to show I’m prepared to do it. “My sister has thalassemia and members of my family have sickle cell trait, so I understand the importance of receiving blood from a donor of the same ethnicity. Giving blood is a way we can help to reduce the health inequalities that exist. It’s an easy thing to do, and the right thing to do.” Maxine now plans to make donating a regular family event, also involving husband Kevin and daughters CheyAnne, 18, who is Keiron’s twin, and 17-year-old Bria who were unable to join the group donation, to help bring on board the next generation of donors. Her adopted daughter Amina, 13, despite also disliking needles, also wants to donate in the future: “She remembers her mum having blood transfusions when she was poorly, but she wants to help because someone helped her mommy.”

Lifestyle 44

This BrukOut hails the sound system king

Find out how Michael Ekpechue is supporting Black businesses in Manchester

Head to Grenada

Fran Clark says new book, When Skies Are Grey, makes her think of mum

Lifestyle Chantelle Azille discovers rooms so luxurious you might never get to the beach…

HE production of nutmeg, mace crops and spice is a significant part of Grenada's heritage. The area known as “the Spice Island” is comprised of the main island of Grenada, along with two smaller islands, Carriacou and Petite Martinique. The Spice Island Beach Resort is a luxury resort located on the main island’s Grand Anse Beach. It caters for adventurous travellers with its dynamic culture in St. George's – lush rainforests, sprawling beaches and underwater treasures, a hidden gem waiting to be explored. One of the distinguishing features of Spice Island Resort is its commitment to providing personalised service and attention to detail. The resort takes pride in creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere, ensuring that every guest feels like a VIP. From the moment you arrive, you’ll be greeted with a friendly

smile and offered a refreshing drink to start your vacation on the right foot. Spice Island Resort has been a prominent and cherished destination for over six decades. It was established in 1961 by Sir Royston Hopkin, a Grenadian entrepreneur, as a small 12-room inn. Since then, the resort has grown and evolved into a world-class luxury property, offering guests an unparalleled experience. With its rich history and unwavering commitment to exceptional service, Spice Island Resort has become an iconic and enduring symbol of hospitality in Grenada. For the historians, independence was granted on February 7, 1974 under the leadership of Eric Gairy, who became the first prime minister of Grenada as a sovereign state. The new country became a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, and remains so with King Charles III as head of state.

If you’re planning a wedding or renewing your vows, the resort has its own wedding planner to take care of every little detail! The Spice Island Beach Resort is a popular choice for travellers seeking a luxurious and relaxing vacation in Grenada. The resort is known for its exquisite culinary offerings, with several award-winning restaurants

on-site. Guests can indulge in a variety of cuisines, including international dishes, Caribbean delicacies, and gourmet creations made with fresh, local ingredients. The resort also boasts an extensive wine cellar, offering an impressive selection of wines from around the world. The resort also features a

state-of-the-art fitness centre, a full-service spa, and a golf course nearby. During our stay at the luxurious Spice Island Beach Resort allinclusive 5** AAA Diamond hotel in the capital of St. George, we resided in the exquisite Seagrape

Beach Suites. Seagrape takes its common name from its coastal home and the clusters of red, grape-like fruits it produces. Though not true grapes, these fruits are edible and the taste is often compared to muscadine grapes. Seagrape is beautiful and tasty, but like their mangrove, it is also protected. The beachfront view was exceptional, with the crystal-clear sea just a stone’s throw away from our room. The luxuriously spacious rooms provided the option for both shower and bath, along with all necessary amenities. The thoughtful touches such as a cute beach bag, champagne, and a spice gift set made our stay truly special. A stunning two-mile stretch of white sand beach lined the resort’s watersports facilities, while the swimming pool was a tranquil oasis where we could unwind and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

Travel l

If you’re planning your wedding or renewing your vows, the resort’s dedicated wedding planner will work closely with you to ensure that every detail is taken care of. From the ceremony setup to the reception arrangements, they will ensure that your wedding day is flawless and unforgettable. The resort’s idyllic location on Grand Anse Beach provides a picturesque backdrop for any wedding ceremony. Imagine exchanging vows with the soft sand between your toes and the gentle sound of the waves in the background. Afterwards, you and your guests can celebrate with a delightful reception, enjoying delectable cuisine and refreshing drinks amid the beauty of the Caribbean. In addition to the wedding festivities, the resort offers a range of amenities and activities to enhance your stay. You can unwind by the pool, indulge in rejuvenating spa treatments, or

partake in various watersports such as snorkelling, kayaking, and paddle boarding. And if you’re interested in exploring the island, there are hiking trails and nearby waterfalls waiting to be discovered. With its luxurious accommodations, personalised wedding planning services, and breath-taking setting, this resort is the ideal choice for a luxury Caribbean wedding that you will remember for a lifetime. President and Managing Director Janelle Hopkin – the daughter of founder Sir Royston Hopkin – treated us like VIPs, making our experience truly memorable. Her hospitality was exceptional, and I would love to visit again to relive the wonderful moments at the resort. Recognising the efforts and achievements of the staff is an important way to show appreciation and motivate them to continue delivering exceptional service. With over 40 prizes awarded, including more than $15,000 in cash, it’s clear that the resort values its employees and their contributions. Events like these not only provide an opportunity for staff members to be recognised and rewarded but

also create a sense of camaraderie and unity among the team. Celebrations such as the Annual Staff Awards help foster a positive work environment and inspire the staff to continue delivering excellence in their roles. Congratulations to Spice Island Beach Resort and all the award recipients for their dedication and hard work. Over the years, Spice Island Resort has received numerous accolades and recognition for its exceptional service and commitment to excellence. It has been consistently ranked as one of the top resorts in the Caribbean and has earned prestigious awards from leading travel publications and organisations. The resort aims to provide service that feels like family, creating an idyllic atmosphere for weddings, honeymoons, and tropical getaways on Grand Anse Beach. The staff were truly exceptional, there was nothing they wouldn’t do for us. Any changes to the menu we wanted, it was not a problem. We couldn’t have asked for more. Whilst there we were treated to an amazing Swedish massage. We were covered in beautifully smelling warm oil while our feet and eyes were covered by warm flannels. The spa at Spice Island Resort is a haven of relaxation and rejuvenation. It offers a range of luxurious treatments and services designed to pamper and nourish the mind, body, and soul. Outside of the resort, some popular places to visit are St. George’s Market Square, a vibrant hub of local activity where you can find fresh produce, spices, and handmade crafts. The Underwater Sculpture Park located in Moliniere Bay is a unique underwater gallery, featuring sculptures by artist Jason deCaires Taylor.

Annandale Falls, a beautiful waterfall located in a lush tropical setting, is perfect for a refreshing swim or picnic as you soak up the beautiful scenery. In fact, so prized is Grenada’s nature that last year the small nation won a gold medal for the 16th time at the Chelsea Flower Show.

Additionally, guests can relax and rejuvenate with Hatha Yoga, a gentle introduction to yoga postures aimed at aligning the body and soothing the mind and spirit. The resort is committed to sustainability and ecofriendly practices, including

waste reduction and energy conservation. The Spice Island Beach Resort has received numerous awards for its exceptional service, luxury accommodations, and beautiful location. So whether you’re seeking a romantic getaway, a family vacation, or a destination for a special occasion, Spice Island Resort offers a luxurious and unforgettable experience. It continues to be a beloved destination for travellers from around the world, attracting those who appreciate the perfect blend of luxury, natural beauty, and warm Grenadian hospitality. It was an unforgettable stay, surpassing all expectations.

Lifestyle

Art

Passionate about diversifying spaces and minds, Rudi Minto de Wijs, head programmer at Jumbi and Moko and Director of New Curators, writes about the UK art scene, four years after the death of George Floyd IT’S NOT at all unusual, some would even say it’s typical, for an institutional show to take about four years to come to fruition, depending on its urgency and the venue’s priorities. During my tenure at major institutions, I witnessed shows go up in shorter time frames, but four years remained the norm. It’s been four years since the world reckoned with George Floyd’s murder and the global acknowledgement of the BLM movement. A period followed by an expectancy of institutions to make change and put action to their words and, lest we forget, Black squares. A steady but slow unpicking and decolonising of major spaces in the UK. Yet, there has been little visible and tangible change. However, in April 2024, change was seemingly afoot! Two major institutions unveiled shows centred on Black figuration and their entanglement with slavery and colonialism. The Royal Academy hosts the latter, while The Time is Always Now: Artists Reframe the Black Figure at the National Portrait Gallery, showcases Ekwow Eshun’s stellar curation of familiar Black artists. While I found both exhibitions enjoyable, like others, I’m left pondering why they feel unsatisfactory in parts. Why do they sidestep grappling with the uncomfortable truth – that the very foundations of the institutions they are being shown in often trace back to profits from the slave trade and the complexities of post-abolition economics? And, why do we keep encountering the same artists when fresh, contemporary voices are poised to challenge institutional norms and stimulate the conversation around decolonisation? Voices like Rene Matic, Reginald Sylvester III, Maurice Hibbert, Athen Kardashian and Nina

Mhach Durban, Kione Gradison and Toby Cato... the list goes on. These are, I think, voices that would invigorate current conversations on how to change art spaces and offer a voice that has less institutional familiarity than, for example, Hew Locke. A fantastic artist, pioneering in his approach and scale, but an artist who has had works in at least two major institutions in the past two years, as well as a Duveen commission at Tate Britain. His is a voice that, clearly, institutions are comfortable with and find agreeable. I believe that larger institutions (in London mainly) don’t hold the tools to curate ‘Black art’ or the wider answers – there is too much unlearning and work that needs to be done at the core. This work often falls on the artworks and artists who exhibit. Usually beleaguering them with the baggage of the institution’s past, stifling their creative voice and most importantly minimising their critiques and blunting their challenges. Until institutions embrace new curators, methodologies and priorities that authentically centre Black work, we’ll continue witnessing recycled shows that oversimplify the multifaceted Black experience. While progress is evident, notably in artist-run spaces like Primary in Nottingham and through individuals like artist-cum-curator Jade Foster, genuine change requires institutions to actively seek approaches tailored to their unique failings. Only then will Black British representation in the arts honestly reflect the complexities of our identities. I had the privilege of attending a conversation between American artist Ellen Gallagher and the aforementioned Foster, where they discussed how Primary is facilitating discussions and learnings in relation to artists being mentors to

curators, instead of the other way around – an innovative concept cultivated by Primary and Foster. Gallagher or Foster – the excitement has merged my memory – shared a profound insight: “True critique comes from devotion.” This statement underscores where institutions and allies often falter. Surface-level gestures, such as discussions on Blackness, dedicating publications to Black artists and inviting Black organisations to take over your Lates programme (London museums often offer late night programming to help diversify their audiences and embolden cash flow) are popular and, the cynic would say, very easy and low labour ways to pretend that you are, as an institution, engaging with your ‘entanglement’ with colonialism. These initiatives often happen over a short duration, meaning that when we return they’re no longer there and the spaces seem unfamiliar, unrecognisable and sometimes hostile. These are momentary solutions and they often present no long lasting legacy or progress. That is because, I think, they are solutions borne from guilt, urgency and ill planning. They do not come from a ‘devotion’ to address the past and untangle the present and therefore are not truly self critical or progressive. They manifest as ugly presentations of

how institutions can’t change and are likely to enrage those who ask more of them. There have been a few well circulated opinion pieces on the matter from angry contemporary arts folk who have been scathing of some of the artists themselves and their involvement in these exhibitions. I’d again urge us to all look instead to the institutions themselves and their inability to be truly devoted to picking apart their legacy and instead continue ushering in an all star cast of Black artists as a distraction. The current exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum, Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys, alongside the establishment of 52 Walker, a Black-run arts space in New York, to me, exemplify crucial lessons for UK museums and galleries seeking to curate Black artworks and empower Black voices within their spaces. On a recent trip to New York, I was taken by their ability to operate how they wanted, the freedom to which the works and ideas sprung forward. The shows and spaces somehow carried an incisiveness and power that stemmed from within them. The works of Arthur Jafa, for example, at 52 Walker were allowed to be where they wanted and do what the artist designed it to do, the whole space being handed over to him to use as he desired. These American initiatives emphasise the importance of authentic

representation and ownership. ‘Giants’ not only showcases artworks from the Dean Collection but also highlights the curatorial influence of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys, prominent figures within the Black community. This approach ensures that Black voices not only contribute to, but also shape the narrative of the exhibition, providing a platform for diverse perspectives. Similarly, 52 Walker, emerging directly from the BLM movement, underscores the significance of Black-led spaces in fostering agency and empowerment within the arts community. These American examples prioritise diversity and inclusivity in both curation and audience engagement. By featuring a wide range of Black artistic expression, they challenge stereotypes and broaden the representation of Black artists. The success of these American initiatives highlights the importance of community engagement and collaboration. UK institutions could benefit from fostering similar relationships with diverse communities, communities that usually exist almost literally outside their doors, in their boroughs. Rather than stating that art is for all, they should make it for all by ensuring that their programming reflects the interests and perspectives of the communities they serve.

JUNE 2024

Chaka Khan’s

MELTDOWN 14 – 23 JUNE 2024

CHAKA KHAN • NU CIVILISATION ORCHESTRA • EMELI SANDÉ • TODRICK HALL • SPEAKERS CORNER QUARTET & GUILDHALL SESSION ORCHESTRA • BRUCE HORNSBY • INCOGNITO • LADY BLACKBIRD • WAR • MORCHEEBA LES AMAZONES D’AFRIQUE • NORMAN JAY WITH MARCIA CARR & CHARLIE DARK • MASTER PEACE • ADONIS AFTERS WITH SHAY MALT, JOSH CAFFÉ & HANNAH HOLLAND • BALIMAYA PROJECT • QUEER BRUK WITH AMORPHOUS, GIRLS CAN’T DJ, JUNGLE KITTY & TO THE LEFT • BIG JOANIE • RAHSAAN PATTERSON • MICA PARIS • JUDI JACKSON • HOUSE GOSPEL CHOIR • TREVOR NELSON • CARDINAL BLACK • ANAIIS • SIPHO. • REUBEN JAMES • PENG FEMME JAM • HARVEY PARKER TRUST HABIBTI NATION • LONDON QUEER SOUNDSYSTEM DAY WITH DEPTFORD NORTHERN SOUL CLUB, BLACK OBSIDIAN SOUND SYSTEM, PANTY SOAKER SOUND SYSTEM, BOOTYLICIOUS, CHAPTER 10, TAKA BOOM & GIDEÖN FT. RUSH DAVIS • NEW MOVEMENTZ UK • MICHAEL MWENSO • BALM SOUND • KARIM KAMAR X ADRIENNE EVERETT • SOUTHBANK CENTRE YOUTH VOICES • FUTURETENSE WITH BIM, JAJA KISSES & TYLER MAX • OUR NAKED TRUTHS • SISTERS IN DUB + KINETIKA BLOCO • QUEER C*NTRY • VIBE VILLAGE

THE VOICE | 47

This is Brukout!

by Seani B

It’s now time to pay homage to the legendary Lloyd Coxsone, who has done so much for the culture of the sound system

HE PATH to where we are now didn’t begin today, and I have always believed that it is vital for us to salute those who paved the way for us. This month we salute a man who has become synonymous with sound systems and soundsystem culture. “It was a few farm workers returning home to Jamaica with the RnB records they had fallen in love with whilst punching jukeboxes in the US that sparked sound systems in Jamaica,” Lloyd Coxsone tells me in a conversation that held my attention, because long before being a 1Xtra DJ, I was a humble likkle Soundbwoy. I was keen to learn more from a legend who was just recently crowned an icon of sound-system culture by fellow enthusiasts Irish and Chin, US Promoters and Lady V, owner of Nottinghambased sound V Rockets. Mr

Coxsone has been a pioneer for sound-system culture in the UK for a whopping 61 years, so it was only fitting that an accolade like this was bestowed upon him. Lloyd’s first sound was Queen of the west from Balham South London, but he told me: “Before I got into the UK music scene in 1963, there were some great sound systems that came to this country from Jamaica from 1952, like Duke Vin, Neville Musical Enchanter, V Rocket of Nottingham, Duke Sonny and Lord Collie of Birmingham all before me.” Lloyd reminisces how difficult it was for these innovators of this new movement. “Those days it was just house parties as there was nowhere for us to play our music. “We came through the hard times to do it. “Remember, the government said that hours after 12 are not

social hours. So what the police would do is by 12.30am they would raid the dance and take away all the liquor and charge the person who was keeping the dance for selling illegal drinks.” It would be an understatement to say how much we owe to people like Lloyd, as this was just one of the hurdles that they would have to manoeuvre in a country that was riddled with racism during that era. As he says: “We came up in the hard time of it to bring up Jamaica music in this country. “This wasn’t just about music, sound systems brought people together. “No governmental institution, churches could have done it like how sound systems did it all over the country. “A lot of White people were advocates for what we were doing. When I launched Sir Coxsone in 1969, it was always White and Black people that supported us.” When Coxsone was launched in 1969, this was when Lloyd remembers the explosion of sounds around the country. He went on to say: “Between 1970 to 1980 there were over 4,000 sound systems in England.

Before I got into the UK music scene in 1963, there were some great sound systems that came from Jamaica from 1952. In every community there were two to three sounds!” He continued: “This was the driving force for the music in the country. “People would send for the

music from Jamaica or search for the music they wanted, and this is how the music became popular as we didn’t have nothing else.” Lloydie, Festus, Blacka Dread and Gappy Crucial, just to name a few, were a formidable team that was always known for breaking new music and tastemakers within the community long before pirate radio was that medium to discover new music. Things have changed with time and technology, so the question is does sound-system culture still have its place in 2024, does it even get the recognition it deserves? To answer the question, BBC Radio 1 have a sound-system show, Red Bull have the culture clash, and many pieces of DJ equipment now boast some of the features I had to save up to purchase 30 years ago as standard! Is that recognition? Coxsone doesn’t believe the culture gets its recognition. He tells me: “One of the problems we have is that we don’t have enough Black journalists to research what we were doing.” He continues: “I and I, and the sound system is where all these

things have been created from, and people have developed on it, but we are still the founders of everything that is going on now. “The amplifiers and speakers that we use to transport around in trucks is the highlight of sound system.” Innovation is probably the biggest word that I would associate with sound system culture! “We made it cool to stack wardrobe-style speakers on top of each other. Sound systems brought dub plates and exclusives to your life. If you’re not a fan of sound effects and airhorns, just blame sound systems for that… hahahah!” The legend Coxsone fully agrees with my thoughts as he left me with this. “I was cutting dub plates in Jamaica for Coxsone with King Tubby’s, Channel One, Joe Gibbs, with all these greats. “King Tubby’s was one of the greatest inventors for dub plates and now the whole world copy what we’re doing. “We never knew how big this thing was gonna be, so certain things like registering our ideas, we never did.”

Business

Lifestyle

GIVING BLACK BUSINESSES A CHANCE TO GO GLOBAL Startup project set to offer strategic help in growing reach. By Ebrima Njie-Kalokoh

ICHAEL EKPECHUE is the director of Adanian Labs, an ecosystem of partners which ‘provide a shared economy offering to technology companies looking to scale’ across Africa, and he has a plan to help Black businesses be more prosperous. The Windrush Startup Project, of which Ekpechue is a co-founder, is a campaign designed to financially uplift and empower Afro-Caribbean

startup businesses in Greater Manchester and the north-west. Established by Ekpechue‘s company in partnership with the Windrush Millennium Centre (Moss Side & Hulme Community Development Trust), the businessman wanted to provide a roadmap and guidance for the Afro-Caribbean businesses which took a hit economically due to COVID-19 and are yet to recover. “Our priorities are to help businesses owned by people of Afro-Caribbean origin as these

businesses have lower rates of visibility and higher chances of failure within the first year of operation,” said Ekpechue. He added: “Therefore, a strategic guidance is necessary not only to bring their products and services to the UK market, but as a Pan-Africanist, to bring to the global market.” His revolutionary Africafocused tech organisation, along with the Windrush Millennium Centre, will provide three businesses a life-changing opportunity to reach clients nationally and globally. This will be achieved through offering strategic guidance to

bring products and services to the market, business structure and operational expertise, branding, and marketing support to build strong presence, mentorship for two years post-programme to facilitate continued success and investment funds to support with financial needs.

Chaka Khan brings her incredible voice and global influence to eltdown festival

HE ICONIC singer and musician curates the 29th edition of Meltdown, the UK’s longest-running artist-curated music festival, taking place at the Souhtbank Centre this June. Meltdown 2024 is set to be a festival as joyous and diverse as Khan’s catalogue, with a sensational selection of artists spanning jazz, R&B, soul and more, plus a range of club nights and free events with established and up-and-coming artists across our stages, including outside on our Riverside Terrace stage. The line-up reflects the iconic influence of Chaka Khan and the global impact of her 50-year career. The festival is packed with big names. Chaka Khan herself takes to the Royal Festival Hall stage; British songwriting powerhouse Emeli Sandé belts out her heartfelt pop hits; the original street band WAR brings us all together with a message of harmony; and Incognito celebrate their 45th Anniversary. Meltdown also features performances from Speakers Corner Quartet, Todrick Hall, Morcheeba, Balimaya Project, Judi Jackson, Mica Paris, Les Amazones d’Afrique, Rahsaan Patterson and plenty more. Plus, it’s good vibes all round with Norman Jay, Charlie Dark and Marcia Carr spinning the decks in a

late-night party, and you can soak up the soaring music and lyrics of Lady Blackbird, whose jazz-infused hits and soulful covers reflect her journey of taking flight. As if it couldn’t get better, Chaka Khan has also curated a free programme inspired by her commitment to well-being and young people, with a healthy dose of dance to bring London’s communities together. You can celebrate with us on the Riverside Terrace, featuring good vibes, dance battles and line dancing, and then relax and recharge in the Clore Ballroom with yoga, life drawing, sound baths and more. ‘It’s an honour to share with you some of the brilliant artists that will be celebrating the diversity and legacy of Meltdown! We are all family. Get ready to sing, dance, and feel the love!’ Chaka Khan

Three businesses will be selected. These businesses must have a clear business plan with the potential of reaching a global market and scalability. To aid with financial obstacles selected businesses might have faced, £100,000 is on offer. Businesses not selected will

benefit from financial literacy programmes and marketing ideas. “The Afro-Caribbean Diaspora community is brimming with talent and potential,” said Otis Thomas, a trustee at the Windrush Millennium Centre. “We are confident this programme will be a catalyst for innovation and economic growth within the community.” Organisers say the residual benefits range from applicants being able to transfer to broader economic success, while the knowledge acquired can be used in mentoring the next generation of Black business owners. The programme’s selection process includes rigorous screening, ensuring the most dedicated and promising startup founders are selected. Applications will be reviewed followed by a thorough evaluation of presentation by a panel of industry experts. “The project is also intended to honour the Windrush generation’s legacy, contributions, and for setting the blueprint of economic mobility for Black people of African and Caribbean descent,” said Ekpechue. “And it is an honour to take upon this work of materially and financially improving the lives of the community around me.” l Sign up at mshcdt.co.uk. Applications close on June 9.

ADVERTORIAL

Lifestyle

Books

Nigerian novelist Chibundu Onuzo leaps into the world of children s ction with her latest tale. By Joel Campbell

When I was 10 I would have loved to read an adventure story where the main character was called Mayowa – I didn’t know any Annes or Katies!”

HIS MONTH sees Chibundu Onuzo’s debut children’s novel Mayowa and the Sea of Words hit the shelves, including an audiobook edition narrated by acclaimed actor Adjoa Andoh. Onuzo is an established awardwinning adult author, but the latest title represents a new direction for the Nigerian-born creative. Onuzo signed her first book deal at 19 and was published in 2012 by Faber with her first novel The Spider King’s Daughter, which has won the Betty Trask Award and was shortlisted for the Dylan Thomas Prize and the Commonwealth Book Prize. Mayowa and the Sea of Words sees Onuzo move seamlessly into children’s fiction, with all the hallmarks of a timeless classic – a unique narrative voice, high-stakes adventure, brilliantly realised fantasy, a heart for social justice and ideas that will stay with readers long after the final page. As the start of a trilogy which has universal global appeal, the series is primed to become a perennial favourite – perfect for anyone who knows the true power of a good book. Onuzo enthused: “I wrote this book because I like adventures and I like girls having adventures. “Most of the adventure stories I read as

a child had White children at the centre of the narrative.” And it’s books themselves that are key to the story, as Mayowa can ‘book jump’. By jumping on a book, she can harness the emotions inside it and channel them directly into other people. And when the opportunity to use her power to save the lives of countless refugees presents itself, Mayowa wants to jump in with both feet. But Mayowa and her grandpa aren’t the only book jumpers in existence – and not everybody wants to use this power for good. Onuzo added: “I did not love Five Children and It or Anne of Green Gables or The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe any less because the children in them were White but 10-year-old Chibundu would

have loved to read an adventure story where the main character was called ‘Mayowa’. Growing up in Lagos, Nigeria, I knew many Mayowas. “I did not know many Annes, or Katies, or Heidis.” A multifaceted talent, in June 2018, Onuzo was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature as part of its ‘40 Under 40’ initiative. In the same year, she was awarded a PhD in History from King’s College London for her research on the West African Students’ Union. In 2020, Dolapo is Fine, a short film which Onuzo co-wrote, co-produced and composed the film score for, won the 2020 American Black Film Festival’s HBO Short Film Competition and was longlisted for a BAFTA in 2021.

Onuzo is also a singer and songwriter. In October 2021, she won the Drake Yolanda Music Award, a £3,000 grant for emerging artists, and in 2023, she was longlisted to perform on a main stage at Glastonbury. Publishing simultaneously in hardback, ebook and audio later this month, Mayowa and the Sea of Words will also have early copies released to celebrate Indie Bookshop Week. To coincide with this, Bloomsbury Children’s Books will be offering signed copies and a special illustrated window of the cover to Onuzo’s local bookshops. Onuzo herself is set to jump feet first into a huge schools and events programme reaching children across the country.

And look out for the official release of the single for Mayowa and the Sea of Words, Love Lives Here, which will coincide with publication on June 20. According to Onuzo: “It’s the song Mayowa would sing to her friend Hamza, who arrived in England as a refugee after a long and perilous journey. She would reassure him, ‘Love lives here, no matter if you’re far or near. You’re never alone, trust me you can always come home’.”

Three new titles Joel Campbell wants you to know about

Lifestyle

Books

Fran Clark writes about her upcoming book and ho it all ts in with the three she’s written previously… W H E N I think about the upcoming release of my latest novel, When Skies Are Grey, this month, I can’t help thinking about my mother and how I wish I could tell her the story of my heroine from the book, Rayna. Like Mum, Rayna came to London in the 1950s, young and hopeful and wanting to make a better life for herself. Though Rayna comes to London to run away from secrets of her past in Dominica, my parents came to London with hope and a young family. Mum unwittingly came with a catalogue of stories that would later inspire me to write a four-book series. Her stories about her life were the reason I wanted to become a writer. Mum painted vivid pictures of life as a child in Dominica, growing up there and coming to London to find a place in a strange and changing world. I found myself compelled to try to capture some of the colours, smells, characters, language and vibrations that her stories evoked. Creating a world for my stories was hard. I didn’t want to write a biography of my parents’ lives, or mine come to that, but there are definitely aspects that spill onto the page that I couldn’t help but leave there. I hope Mum would approve. Influenced by Mum’s stories I wrote my very first novel, Holding Paradise, which was published by a small press back in 2014. Years later, around the time that signs of Mum’s dementia were beginning to show, I remember trying to talk to her about my published book. I also wanted to share other things I’d gone on to write, even read them to her, but it was clear to me that the smile she gave me meant that she would never remember that I ever published and dedicated a book to her. And as far as I know, Mum probably forgot what the impact of her colourful stories inspired me to do. From that first book I went on to write more short stories and a novella, all being sparked by the world I’d created in Holding Paradise. The book was set between Dominica and London but once I’d typed “The End” I knew that there was more to know about the characters from the book. I wanted to explore their backstories and to develop the

histories of some of the minor players and watch their lives play out, too. I struggled to find a home for these stories. Back then, publishers were not interested in short stories unless you were a well-known author. After taking on a pen name, I took my writing in a whole other direction. One in which I became traditionally published by two of the top publishing houses and even had a literary agent for a while. It was only after we lost Mum that I looked at my first published novel and the subsequent ideas it led me to write, that I had the idea of republishing Holding Paradise and turning the shorter fiction into full books. And so the Island Secrets series was born. I regained the copyright of Holding Paradise, set up my own imprint called Island Dreams

and went about publishing a fourbook series. When Skies Are Grey is the fourth instalment. The book is set against the backdrop of both Dominica and the cultural mix of Windrush London in the 1950s. A young West Indian girl with a talent for singing, Rayna takes a job as a barmaid in a local pub,

and it’s there that she meets the charismatic leader of a West Indian jazz band, Eddie Keane. But when her affections become the subject of a tug-of-love between Eddie and Terry Collins, the pub owner, Rayna chooses Terry. But the love triangle is far from over. Rayna soon finds herself catapulted to fame only for the

secrets she’d been running away from to catch up with her and threaten to destroy the life she has built for herself. I’d read many histories about the women who came to the UK on Empire Windrush in 1948 and I wanted to celebrate their successes when I created my main character, Rayna. Of course she doesn’t have an

easy time of finding this success and I’ve tried to show the struggles she and the other members of her community would have gone through back then, especially when they find themselves in the centre of the Notting Hill race riots of 1958. Despite their struggles, I wanted a positive message to remain of a generation that leaves behind an amazingly rich tapestry of culture in all of its forms. When Skies Are Grey is an emotional story of love, music and hidden truths that I really hope you will read and enjoy. l You can find out more about the Island Secrets series if you go to www.franclarkauthor.co.uk and connect with Fran on X: @FranClarkAuthor and Instagram: @franclarkauthor

JANUARY 2023

THE VOICE | 31

Sport

Lionesses ready to roar in Europe

EMIRATES TO BE MAIN HOME FOR ARSENAL WOMEN

Keating, Carter, James and Naz among the 28 players chosen by Wiegman for looming UEFA uali ers. By Rodney Hinds

OALKEEPING talent Khiara Keating, Jess Carter, Lauren James and Jess Naz have all been called up for national service. Sarina Wiegman has named 28 players for England’s decisive UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 qualifiers this summer including a double-header with France and games against the Republic of Ireland and Sweden. The squad will be initially formed of 24 players, with four more on standby, to prepare for the first of two back-to-back international windows. Liverpool’s Missy Bo Kearns, Tottenham Hotspur’s Jess Naz and Southampton’s Kayla Rendell are among those named on the standby list and part of the collective for an important summer. The Lionesses faced France in Newcastle on May 31, before travelling to Saint-Étienne for the return fixture with Les Bleus on June 4. There is then a gap before the EURO qualifying group stage campaign concludes with fixtures

against the Republic of Ireland in Norwich on July 12 and a trip to Gothenburg to face Sweden on July 16. The squad for the final two group matches in July will also be formed from the group of 28 players. Following the conclusion of the May/June window, players will have a period of rest and recuperation before a three-day training camp at St. George’s Park on June 19-21. The players will then gather at St. George’s Park for a fiveday preparation camp between June 24-28. The preparation phase concludes with a final camp in the Netherlands from July 1-5. This will also involve a behind

closed doors training fixture against the Dutch. The players will have all weekends within this period off. The FIFA window for the final group stage fixtures begins on July 8. The 28 players will join at different stages of this preparation phase based upon their club programme. Wiegman said: “This is another important summer for us to achieve our goal of qualifying for the EURO. After an intense season, we wanted to give the players clarity and help them to prepare for the FIFA windows in the best possible way, with the balance of performance and welfare as a priority. “We have had good conversations with the clubs, and we are grateful for their cooperation and support in helping the players to be fresh, fit and ready for two international matches on the highest level.

“We’re really excited to get going again… we’ll need to be at our best” - Sarina Wiegman “Naming a player group of 28 provides us with different options across the four fixtures and is an opportunity for some new faces to impress and build new connections. “We’re really excited to get going again. The group is finely balanced and we know that every game is going to be tight and we’ll need to be at our best. France are an opposition we haven’t yet faced together so I’m looking forward to that challenge of playing one of the best teams in the world.” The Lionesses sit second in Group A3, following a 1-1 draw against Sweden and a 2-0 victory against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin. In all, 15 nations are bidding to join hosts Switzerland at UEFA Women’s EURO 2025. The top two nations in the four League A groups will all automatically qualify for the finals, with a further seven places available via the play-offs.

Sport

EUROS RETURN SPARKS RACIST ABUSE FEARS

England players meet police ahead of major tournament. By Vlad Andrejevic and Rodney Hinds

HE question for many during the European Championships will not be whether England can win the tournament, rather will their Black players be subject to racist online abuse? At the end of the last edition of the competition, Bukayo Saka, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford were all targets for the haters after missing their penalties as Italy went on to claim the title. England manager Gareth Southgate admitted that the racist abuse the three received had initially complicated his thinking in regards to the team’s future penalty takers. Southgate told the media: “When I set out for the game that day (against Italy) I couldn’t help but feel, “Have I created this situation here for

the boys? But it wouldn’t be right to not pick the players you think are best to take them because of what the possible consequences of them missing would be. I’ve got to pick them on the belief they are going to score.” Of the abuse of the trio he added: “We know that’s ludicrous. It’s outrageous to even think about. “I’m trying to balance whether the question is about the racism itself, which is abhorrent and unacceptable, and what you are identifying, that there is another layer of complexity in making that decision. “But indirectly, we have created another layer of difficulty in overcoming a penalty shootout. I have got to take all of those things into c o n si d e ra t i o n and it is incredibly complex.” One of the abusers of Saka told the BBC that he had been

supporting England during the final and was “angry” when the team lost on penalties. He also admitted he knew what he was doing was racist: “It was a big mistake,” he told the BBC programme. “I was angry and I didn’t know when Saka saw the monkey what he would feel. I saw other people were typing the same emoji and I went with them. “I really want to apologise to Saka, it was a mistake and I will not do it again to him or any Black player.” Last month England players held talks with the police about the measures that will be taken to deal with racist abuse on social media ahead of the Euros this summer. UK football policing head Mark Roberts explained that reporting abuse to the police will lead to investigations being pursued as they were given guarantees from the social media companies that they will providing more assistance in gathering evidence to prosecute offenders. “It’s really depressing when you see some of the abuse meted out to our Black players in particular — so we’ve done a lot of work with

“But equally reassuring them that we are committed to “We wanted to dealing with this and to talk through the process that if they go and speak are targets in that way, they to them, to give know what to do, what will happen, what we will expect to them advice as route their concerns for the FA security team.” to how to protect It was also announced that the themselves British police are deploying their strongest force at a tournament with their own to date, however Roberts feels that the German police force settings” is well equipped to handle any security concerns. - UK football policing head Mark Roberts “The Germans are really well organised. There is always concerns going into the tournament, ” he said. the social media companies,” said “It’s impossible to rule out every Roberts. contingency, but if you wanted a “We’re in a good position now. host that’s got a grip of it, then you Social media companies all want to work with us, and generally it’s advice on how they can protect wouldn’t look much further than a matter of days when they turn it themselves with setting up their Germany.” Southgate and his team, own accounts to try and prevent round. Whilst doubling down on it happening, and to reassure who kick off their tournament against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen the fact that “there are real them that we are there.” “We’ve got a dedicated on June 16, will be hoping that world consequences for the behaviour,” Roberts and his team investigation team. We wanted the police stay true to their also offered further technical to go and speak to them, to give word and support the players recommendations to protect them advice as to how to protect as they look to lift their first the players. themselves with their own major trophy in men’s football “We’ve given them some settings. since 1966.

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

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JUNE 2024 | THE VOICE

The super six set to dazzle Europe

Callum Wright picks the players to watch when the Euros 2024 kick off on June 14

disappointed since 2014’s World Cup win, the DFB seem to be back on track after the former Bayern coach’s appointment. Wirtz recently started in a friendly against France. How long did it take him to open the score? Seven seconds.

victorious 2023 Champions League and Nations League finals, the 27-year-old will be the one to watch as Spain try to taste glory at the Euros once again.

The Real Madrid superstar has been one of the stories of the season, having played a vital role in the club’s titlewinning campaign as their top scorer, while at the time of writing also having a Champions League final yet to play. It seems the English wonderkid can do no wrong, with a clutch of performances for Los Blancos translating over to the national team with a recent 95th-minute equaliser in a friendly against Belgium. Questions have been asked if anyone can make a difference and end England’s international heartbreak, but if anyone can, you’d put money on Bellingham. If we’re on the topic of the stories of the season, then quite possibly the most impressive is that of Bayer Leverkusen, recently crowned Bundesliga champions. The attacking midfielder has been one of the standout performers in Xabi Alonso’s side, and has now become an important part of Julian Nagelsmann’s rejuvenated Germany team. Having

France will undoubtedly be one of the standout teams, but while most of the talk will be about superstar Kylian Mbappe, perhaps Les Bleus’ most pivotal player is this Atletico Madrid legend. Griezmann has been one of the world’s best players this season with his performances in Spain and has been at the top level for France ever since his debut in 2014, being man of the match in their victorious World Cup final in 2018. Les Bleus were without the 33-yearold in their last two friendly matches as they lost to Germany and scraped past Chile, proving that he is as vital as ever. You wouldn’t be crazy if you said Rodri deserved the Ballon d’Or in 2023, and the Man City midfielder hasn’t slowed down the pace this year. The Spain international hasn’t lost a game for both club and country since March 2023 when La Roja fell 2-0 to Scotland, with his only losses coming after 90 minutes and penalties. Named man of the match in both the

The Netherlands were winless in 2012, missed out in 2016, and crashed out early in the playoffs to Czechia in 2021, so manager Ronald Koeman will be hoping for better fortunes this time. Captain Van Dijk missed out on the latter tournament through injury and had the Liverpool legend been present things may have been very different. The 2024 tournament will therefore be his first, and the Dutch defender will be gunning to help the Oranje make a mark. Undoubtedly one of the world’s best in his position, it isn’t farfetched to claim he will take the Dutch very far. Despite leaving Europe for Saudi Arabia and now aged 39, Ronaldo is still one of the best forwards on the planet. After scoring 47 goals in 44 appearances for Al-Nassr, it would be foolish to write him and Portugal off. With the tournament potentially being the last outing in international colours for CR7, and coming off an impressive qualifying run, it feels inevitable that he will make his mark on the tournament no matter what.

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