The Voice Newspaper March 2021

MARCH 2021 • ISSUE NO. 1916

Lifestyle the Michelle Truselle on challenges she faces p36 being the female chef

It’s a first for The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama p40

, ‘A lot has been done needs to change’

but a lot still

SHANEQUA PARIS

was Joslyn Thompson Rule told she wouldn’t dance again, but she did p44

Celebrating International Women’s Month 2021 See inside

SOARING

WWW.VOICE-ONLINE.CO.UK

£2.50

TO NEW HEIGHTS

Capt. Amsale Gualu

Capt. Tigist Kibret

Only 3 per cent of the world’s 130,000 pilots are women. Here are two trailblazing Ethiopian pilots who have inspired many by leading the first all-female crew.

Meet them on page 3

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Inside

ROUNDUP

THIS MONTH

NEWSPAPER

Spotlight

News, views, stories & videos

Terrence Channer says we must put COVID conspiracy aside p4

THE 10 MOST POPULAR STORIES ON VOICE-ONLINE.CO.UK 1. Ethiopia awarded safe travel stamp by World Travel Tourism Council Ethiopia is among 200 other major popular holiday hot spots who are using the stamp

Why black women must be in control of their money p10

2. Candice Brathwaite and Rochelle Humes – the black maternal mortality documentary

Humes says that the documentary focuses on people who have been directly affected

Midlands church moves to debunk myths when it comes to getting the vaccine p20

3. Piers Morgan criticises Sussexes' pregnancy announcement

The outspoken presenter says their announcement shows they don't want privacy

4. UK Black Pride and others publicly support Reverend Jarel Robinson-Brown A black chaplain and theologian has made his Twitter account private after receiving abuse

5. Black firefighter hanged himself at home after feeling bullied at work

Mayi Hughes on why many of the role models she looks up to are mothers

Jaden Francois-Esprit was found dead just three weeks after his 21st birthday

6. Green Party Mayor of London candidate says she will fight to end deportation flights from London airports if elected

p26

100-year-old Pastor Norman: 'Jesus is not ready for me' p32

Sian Berry says that she will not work with immigration enforcement if she is elected in May

7. LBGT History Month: My girlfriends love taught me to love myself Jere Agbaje talks about her experience

8. Kenyan woman discovers a way to recycle plastic waste into bricks

Nzambi Matee said that the bricks she has made can be thrown against a wall and do not crack

Inaugural poet Amanda Gorman continues to climb

9. Ian Wright says 'When white people get involved things happen' Arsenal legend says that little progress is being made

p45

Jade Morgan shows she has what it takes to be the best in the business p46

Caleb Nelson – author of Open Water

10. More than 50 police officers came into contact with Mohamud Mohammed Hassan during his short-term police custody stay

52 officers came into contact with him, according to the Independent Office for Police Complaints (IOPC)

This issue is 48 pages

Caleb Azumah Nelson is a young 25-year-old British-Ghanaian writer and photographer living in south east London. He was recently shortlisted for the Palm Photo Prize and won the People's Choice prize. Open Water is his first novel.

Open Water is about two young people who meet at a pub in south east London – both are black British and won scholarships to private schools where they struggled to belong. He a photographer, she a dancer – trying to make their mark in a city that by turns celebrates and rejects them. They fall in love but two people who seem destined to be together, are torn apart by fear and violence.

Nelson spoke to The Voice about his debut novel, which began as a collection of non-fiction essays written up until the summer of 2019.

He said: "I was writing about photography, music, blackness and love and I was really writing a lot about freedom and where freedom can be found for black people."

"I don’t think there’s one correct way to tell a black narrative. But a lot of the time I feel that the media misses the mark. So, it was an opportunity for me to really say this is how black I feel."

He also recalls growing up and seeing himself in Malorie Blackman’s work, a staple of almost every black child’s reading list through the 1990s and 2000s.

Nelson explores love between family and friends throughout his book, exploring that “freedom in the space that you create for each other where you can just be yourselves”. He explores vulnerability and how that translates in the lives of black people – specifically black men.

Open Water speaks to this openness and this vulnerability that you want to be able to have in your every day, but isn’t always possible for black people.

"I think that’s really the primary thing, being able to be out in the open and free and that tug when you know there are other things in the water that might stop you from doing that.”

Open Water is available to purchase online and in all good bookstores.

Got a story? email us at yourviews@thevoicemediagroup.co.uk

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MARCH 2021

Celebrating our w♀men

THE VOICE | 3

News feature

MEET ETHIOPIA’S HIGH FLYERS

By Rodney Hinds

I

N A male-dominated field, to become a female pilot is a feat in itself. The International Society of Women Female Pilots estimates that of the world’s 130,000 pilots, just 4,000 – or three per cent – are women.

But two Ethiopian women – Capt. Amsale Gualu and Capt.

Tigist Kibret – have defied t he statistics to get their wings – and hope that more young females across the world be inspired by their success.

In December 2017, the pair made history in being part of the world’s first-ever all-female crew for a special Ethiopian Airlines flight f rom B ole I nternational Airport in Addis Ababa to Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos, Nigeria.

The 13-member crew, supervised by Capt. Amsale Gualu and then-First Officer T igist Kibret, flew 3 91 p assengers t o the Nigerian capital on Boeing B777-300 ER, in a groundbreaking journey that took four and a half hours.

As part of The Voice’s feature celebrating incredible black women, we speak to the two trailblazers and discuss their ambitions, personal lives and hopes for the future.

‘I want to change society’s perceptions’

Capt. Amsale Gualu says she is inspired by the female pioneers who came before her

1. What are your hobbies?

I have several hobbies. I love travelling and discovering new places. I enjoy staying physically active by doing yoga and occasionally swim. I also like design and decorating in my spare time.

2. What advice would you give to a young girl who is aspiring for a male-dominated career?

I would advise that being a girl/woman should not stop them from doing what they want. It’s not that things are difficult, but we don’t dare to try it in the first place. If something has not been done before, it doesn’t mean it can’t be done – it’s just a matter of perspective and practice.

3. If you were asked to name three role models in your life who would they be and why?

Firstly, my parents who were very supportive, encouraging and gave me the confidence to achieve my dream.

Secondly, Muluembet Emiru was the first Ethiopian woman who flew an aeroplane in the 1930s, in a time where such things were unthinkable.

And Dr Catherine Hamlin, an Australian obstetrician, and gynaecologist doctor, who came to Ethiopia in 1959 and settled. She dedicated her life to providing free fistula treatment for a poor woman suffering from early childbirth.

4. Why did you choose/ decide to become a pilot?

Since I was a kid, I was always curious about planes, watching them fly; I knew early on this was a profession that fascinated me.

5. Please share with our readers one of your

greatest achievements outside of aviation?

Before joining pilot training school, I graduated from Addis Ababa University with BSc in Architecture and Urban planning and still practice it as a hobby and enjoy it.

6. How do you conquer your fears?

I overcame my fears by taking the time to immerse myself in the comprehensive training and understanding of the aircraft’s operation and systems.

By doing so, I built up my confidence and conquered my fears.

7. What is your favourite song and why?

I enjoy listening to Ethiopian and international songs, especially the 90s music.

I particularly like Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, and also enjoy more modern artists like Ed Sheeran.

ON TOP OF THE WORLD: All smiles in the flight deck 8. What’s your favourite traditional Ethiopian dish?

Doro Wot is my favourite traditional Ethiopian food prepared from chicken with different homemade organic spices.

9. If you could meet a celebrity, who would it be and why?

Generally, I admire celebrities

who go forward from obstacles and difficulties, but there is no specific celebrity that I would like to meet.

10. What has been the greatest challenge?

The biggest challenge, aside from being a working mum, is changing society’s perception toward women’s leadership capability.

‘Being told I’m an inspiration is my greatest achievement’ Capt. Tigist Kibret says she is proud and honoured to be considered a role model for others – and uses each day to learn and grow further 1. Who inspires you to succeed?

My success resulted from support and love from my family and various people that I came across in my life.

Although I have had different people who have inspired me, my ultimate inspiration is my mother, who embodies strength and open-mindedness.

She never placed limitations or ideas on what I could be and who I could become.

2. What has been your greatest career challenge and how did you overcome it?

As a pilot, our day-to-day life is full of challenges, as I am responsible for passengers and crew’s lives on board and the operation of multi-milliondollar equipment.

I usually have to deal with rapidly changing situations,

which I overcome by putting my training and skills in effect.

Besides that, my most significant career challenge has been during the pandemic, especially in the first season.

It was tough for us to fly to different parts of the world under restrictions and leave our families behind.

3. How do you relax in your spare time?

I am a wife and a mother, so I spend most of my spare hours having quality time with my husband and the kids.

But when I am not with my family, my extra hours will be a selection of reading, a coffee get-together with friends, going to the spa or a movie.

4. Please share with our readers one of your greatest achievements.

Being told that I am an inspi-

DRIVEN AND DETERMINED: Capt. Tigist Kibret ration by my peers and those I encounter is my greatest achievement.

5. You are a role model for many women across the world, how do you feel about that and what would you say to them?

I feel very proud and honoured for being a role model

for others. And I would say to them; it’s never late to become the person you want to be. Stumbling should not stop you from owning what is yours.

6. How do you keep motivated?

Being a pilot is motivation as there’s always something new

to learn. The latest updates to company training and courses keep me motivated and the varied people I encounter and learn from daily – be it my senior or junior team members.

Injera. And yes, I sometimes cook it, it’s easy to cook.

7. How do you balance family life with your career?

I try to make the best of my time; as I mentioned earlier, I spend most of my spare time with my family.

But if no one is at home during my days off, I spend it reading, checking emails and being up-to-date with my work.

10. Tell us a little about the training you had to undergo to become a pilot.

I went to one of the best aviation schools in Africa (Ethiopian Aviation Academy), which gives several training types under Aviation, Cargo, Catering, Ground services, and Maintenance and Overhaul.

After the recruitment, I joined the school for thorough theoretical, computer-based, simulator, and actual flight training and several aiding courses.

It was one of the unforgettable experiences of my career.

8. What is your favourite food/ dish and do you cook it?

I love almost all Ethiopian food.

But my favourite would be Kechin Shiro with Tikus

9. Do you listen to any inspirational music before flying?

No.

4

| THE VOICE

MARCH 2021

News feature

IN SCIENCE WE TRUST Racism and religion appear to be the key reasons behind black people being hesitant to get the COVID jab, but Terrence Channer says we must look at the bigger picture

T

HE COVID-19 mortality rate for black people in the first half of 2020 was 2.5 times higher than for white people, yet 72 per cent of black people are likely or very likely to refuse the jab, according to a recent report of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE).

“Once bitten, twice shy” are apt words to sum up part of the underlying reasons for black COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy.

Of course, the picture is much more complex, but there appears to be two fundamental grounds for this black hesitancy; racism and religion. The “bite”, however, relates to racism in healthcare.

If a black person is bitten, there is a reasonable expectation that on presenting to a clinician, appropriate healthcare will be administered by way of checking whether the skin is broken and if so, following anti-infection protocols.

However, in the past, there have been infamous cases of black people being bitten and infected by the very healthcare clinicians or healthcare officials that were supposed to heal them and not make them sick.

Tuskegee remains the most infamous case.

Some may say that the Tuskegee experiment occurred 4,322 miles away in America, not in the UK. However, racism respects no borders; it’s a mental attitude that manifests in conduct. In the case of Tuskegee the conduct referred to is in the title of the experiment i.e. Tuskegee Study of Untreated Syphilis in the Negro Male.

The case of Henrietta Lacks (a black American woman who died of cervical cancer whose tissue sample was retained for experimental purposes) is the other often-cited case.

Studies have shown that white doctors believe that black people have higher pain threshold levels. I’m unsure whether this is coming

There have been cases of black people being bitten by those that were supposed to heal them from the thought that black people are animalistic or due to the amount of persecution that we have endured over the centuries (yet we remain standing).

Black people are detained under the Mental Health Act at four times the rate of white people and are 10 times more likely to be the subject of mental health community treatment orders.

RESEARCH

Stillbirths of black babies are twice the rate of white babies.

Black doctors are disciplined at the rate of 10.2 per cent compared to 8.8 per cent of white doctors.

The mortality rate for black pregnant women is relatively sky-high, with 38 pregnant black women out of every 100,000 dying while under maternity care, compared to just seven out of 100,000 white pregnant women.

Research conducted by ClearView found that “the majority – over 60 per cent – of black people in the UK do not believe their

health is as equally protected by the NHS compared to white people”.

Therefore, there is just cause for black people to distrust healthcare, particularly COVID-19 vaccination. The black men in the Tuskegee experiment were considered expendable, subhuman. Their lives did not matter.

There was simply no refuge from the scourge of racism for these men in healthcare. Emancipation did not equal equity or equality; it simply meant that the long road had started to freedom in terms of housing, healthcare, employment, education and criminal justice.

Emancipation was just the first rung on what has proved to be an extremely high ladder.

I have experienced febrile, highly emotive debate in a number of black organised online Zoom discussions on whether ‘we’ should take the vaccine. One of the understandable safety concerns is whether black people have been proportionately represented in the vaccine trials.

The figures show that in the Pfizer and Moderna trials just under 10 per cent of the participants were black (black people make up 12.3 per cent of the US population and three per cent of the UK population).

I’ve had a number of arguments with black anti-vaxxers and each time they have failed to provide any credible expert evidence to support their position that the vaccine is either unnecessary or harmful.

There is a clear fight, therefore, of the vaccine against the virus, and the truth against misinformation.

There are those that will never budge, who will remain obdurate and unshakeable in their belief that COVID-19 vaccination is a biological weapon against black people irrespective of the clear evidence that white people can’t wait to be vaccinated.

There is simply no evidence that these vaccines has been engineered to protect white people and harm black people.

The most notable distinction between this vaccination programme and racist black medical experimentation, is that this

@thevoicenewspaper

GETTING IT DONE: Prime Minister Boris Johnson watches as Silvester Biyibi receives his COVID-19 vaccination during a visit to the Health and Wellbeing Centre in Orpington, south east London last month; below left, it’s a thumbs up after Mr Biyibi receives the jab programme clearly appears to be colour-blind. No one gets to choose which of the vaccines they are given. I’m hoping that when the dust settles, those who remain committed to their

cians. I believe that the more black experts are seen to be in control of the process the less reluctant the black community will be to vaccination.

Consideration should also be

As for any credible theological reasons for refusing the jab, I do not see any; respected leading black majority church leaders are beginning to make that clear.

This is not a personal healthcare RISKS forward, post vaccinaissue, it is a public healthcare issue Moving tion, we need to look very carefully at the issue of racism in – which is why I am a supporter of healthcare generally.

COVID-19 vaccination Ultimately, notwithstanding anti-vaccination position will be in the minority.

Although the vaccine remains a personal choice, this virus is not a personal healthcare issue, it is a public healthcare issue – which is why I am a supporter of COVID-19 vaccination. Urgent research needs to be conducted on whether the black community would be less hesitant if black experts had oversight with vaccines being administered by black clini-

@thevoicenews

given to an independent black led expert task force to have oversight of the vaccination process to raise black confidence levels and for designated vaccination centres manned by black clinicians.

Vaccine hesitancy in the black community is a referendum on the UK healthcare system; it sends a very powerful message of distrust. I am hoping that early black adopters will help to build trust.

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the clear historical and ongoing racism in healthcare, I firmly believe that the risks of the virus far outweigh any potential risks of the vaccine.

Terence Channer is a

consultant solicitor at

Scott-Moncrieff & Associates LLP which specialises in police misconduct, injury and healthcare law. He is a passionate anti-

racism advocate and dedicates much of his time in this area.

www.voice-online.co.uk

FEBRUARY 2021

THE VOICE| 5

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| THE VOICE

MARCH 2021

News feature

HARRIET TUBMAN FOR US$20

SUPPORTING THE CAUSE: House Democratic Caucus Vice Chair Katherine Clark, third left, and Representative Ayanna Pressley, fifth left, with supporters in a bid to get Harriet Tubman’s image put on the $20 bill outside the US Treasury Department back in June 2019

The wheels are in motion to have Tubman’s image adorn the new US $20 bill – but the gesture to celebrate this incredible woman may not be enough, says Dotun Adebayo

T

O HAVE or not to have Harriet Tubman on a US $20 bill is the question many African Americans are asking.

Is it an honour or a diss to have one of the greatest black heroines in the hall of fame on the front of the national currency? And why are we not having the conversation here in the UK? Surely there is a black hero in the hall of fame of British history that deserves to be on a five, 10 or 20 pound note – but who?

One thing we know for sure, former president Donald Trump will never be honoured by having his face on a US dollar bill.

Not in a million years.

What must really grate with Trump, though, is that despite his efforts to prevent a black woman who helped enslaved people escape their bondage during the days of slavery from being honoured on US currency, Tubman, right, is nevertheless going to be featured on the $20 bill within a year or two.

The plan for the new bills was initially put in place by the Obama administration in 2016, just as the first black president was about to leave office. Even then there were murmurings of disquiet. The rapper Azealia Banks, for example, was one of many African Americans who felt queasy about it.

“So, they’re gonna put Tub-

man on the $20 bill as another little trinket to keep blacks satisfied. But won’t repay us for slavery,” she said.

The dollar bills with Tubman’s striking features should nevertheless have been rolled out last year, in time for the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment of the US constitution, which gave women the right to vote. It is one of the failings of Obama that he didn’t predict that all the advances of black America under his watch were going to be rolled back by his successor.

We could all see it coming. Sure enough Trump made it clear, very clear, as soon as he got elected, that we were not going to see a black face on any dollar bills under his tenancy of the White House.

“It’s important that our money reflects the history and diversity of our country, and Harriet Tubman’s image gracing the new $20 note would certainly reflect that,” said president Biden’s press secretary

within days of him taking office.

This determination of the Biden administration to succeed where Obama failed, shows a sense of purpose and has delighted many Americans. Former First Lady Hillary Clinton echoes the words of so many prominent people stateside in saying that she can think of no one more deserving of such an honour.

Equally several prominent black academics and activists argue that it is an insult to put a black woman who was treated as a commodity but fought for human rights and women’s rights to be on US legal tender while black women are still struggling to be treated equally in a country of economic disparity.

“We don’t need America to put black women on its money,” says Professor Brittney Cooper of Rutgers University. “We need America to put its money on black women.”

She is supported by many other black women who consider putting Tubman on the $20 bill is

@thevoicenewspaper

We don’t need America to put black women on money – we need America to put money on black women an uneasy fit with her legacy.

Feminista Jones, an activist, author and advocate said: “Harriet Tubman repeatedly put herself in the line of fire to free people who were treated as currency themselves.

“She risked her life to ensure that enslaved black people would know they were worth more than the blood money that exchanged hands to buy and sell them.

“I do not believe she would accept the ‘honour.’”

Of course, none of us can know for certain what Tubman would have thought about it.

Her descendants are thrilled, but all we have to go on in trying to see it from her point of view is her life story.

Tubman was enslaved from birth but escaped her bondage in her mid-20s and freed hundreds of enslaved people over the next decade at great personal risk.

@thevoicenews

There was a hefty reward on her head and, had she been captured alive, she would have almost certainly been sold back into slavery in the Deep South.

She personally guided about 70 free people on the long distances across state lines to safety from the South to freedom in the North. The network of escape routes and safe houses to support these liberated African Americans in their getaway was known as the ‘underground railroad’.

Tubman was its most celebrated enabler, nicknamed Moses for her success in leading her people to ‘the promised land’.

For that alone she is a towering figure in the history of America who deserves every accolade afforded her. But there’s more.

FOUGHT

During the American Civil War, Tubman fought for the Union Army as a scout, guerilla and nurse making her one of the first women to serve in the military.

In that capacity she became the only woman to lead military raids for the army at that time. In the most daring raid, at the Combahee River in South Carolina, she succeeded in freeing 700 enslaved people.

After the war she dedicated her time to advocating for women’ rights.

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The symbolism and historical irony of this great American heroine on the $20 bill does not end there. Tubman’s image would be replacing that of the notoriously racist seventh president of the United States, Andrew Jackson, who enslaved hundreds of people and was responsible for a brutal and genocidal policy of native American removal. Trump is a big fan of Jackson, calling him the (white?) “people’s president”, praising his “history of tremendous success” and dismissing the policy to replace him by a woman who was born enslaved, as “pure political correctness”.

Trump’s intervention in the issue will almost definitely sway African American opinion even more in favour of these new bills.

For few of those feminists and activists who consider Tubman on a dollar bill a diss, would decline to take the diss and thereby finding themselves on the side of Trump.

Here in the UK the more pertinent issue is which black woman would deserve to be on our £5 note? Is Mary Seacole the only deserving recipient?

And is there even a black man who is enough of a hero to be recognised with such an honour? You tell me.

Remember, living persons are barred from being included on currency.

www.voice-online.co.uk

FEBRUARY 2021

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THE VOICE

MARCH 2021

News feature

A key call to Khan

MAIN PLAYER: Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has received a request to give his full backing to the International Decade, which spans from 2015 to 2024

London Assembly looking to Mayor Sadiq Khan to take a leading role in the bid to ensure black history is taught and celebrated in the correct manner as part of the United Nations International Decade of African Descent

By Sophie Huskisson

M

AYOR OF London Sadiq Khan has been urged to ensure that black history is properly taught and celebrated all year round by the London Assembly.

The Assembly unanimously passed a motion to recognise the United Nations International Decade of African Descent, which set out the request on February 4.

The International Decade spans from 2015-2024 and aims to reinforce and protect the human rights of individuals of African descent, through the themes of justice, recognition and development.

The Assembly, which scrutinises the actions and policies of the Mayor of London, has called on Khan to recognise the dec-

This can make sure the human rights of black people are protected ade by working to achieve the requests from its programme of activities.

The requests include working with schools and community organisations to ensure that histories and narratives of black people are celebrated all year round, not just during Black History Month, and to review policies that have a discriminatory effect on people of African descent across London.

In addition, the Mayor is urged to not only ensure the

equal enjoyment of rights and opportunities for people of African descent, but also that the end of the decade is marked in 2024, celebrating progress made in moving towards racial justice.

The programme of activities for the International Decade was decided and agreed by the UN General Assembly.

Ife Thompson, who worked with the London Assembly on the motion, is the first UK UN fellow to get the UN’s Decade passed through a localised government body.

SUPPORTING

Thompson, who is also the founder of Black Learning Achievement and Mental Health (BLAM), a charity committed to supporting the black diaspora in the UK, said: “I am pleased that the London Assembly has passed this motion

to recognise and pledge to the aims of the UN International Decade for persons of African descent.

“It is a great framework we as the international community can use in making sure the human rights of black people are being protected and that racial justice is being achieved for the black community. I am glad the Assembly is using the framework of the International Dec-

ade to show up for black lives and black futures.”

Jennette Arnold OBE AM, a member of the Assembly and who proposed the motion, said: “City Hall has been making progress to tackle racial inequality head-on, through its new Action Plan to address disproportionality in policing, commissioning of work from The Black Curriculum organisation and its research into the

acute impacts of the pandemic upon Londoners from black, Asian and minority (BAME) backgrounds.

“But my extra call upon the mayor is all about pushing further towards securing justice for black people who have been historically oppressed, and amplifying the voices of black Londoners as we shape the future of our capital during these challenging times.”

Sistahs’ fight for a safe space continues

By Leah Mahon

NGOZI FULANI knew black women needed somewhere safe to go, after the violent murder of Valerie Forde and her young daughter in 2014.

One year later, in the heart of Hackney, she had created a safe space for black women and girls affected by domestic violence.

Sistah Space is a black woman-led grassroots charity, and it is needed now more than ever, according to Ngozi.

“We offer specialist support in an authentic setting for African heritage women affected by domestic or sexual abuse,” she tells The Voice.

“We bring first-hand knowledge of the historical backdrop to their situation, by understanding the issues they face in an inherently racist system.”

Ngozi says that without her service, black women would face more

barriers and it would be harder for them to receive relevant support.

She tells me about Valerie Forde’s untimely and brutal death. She was attacked with a hammer, screwdriver and machete.

One of her daughters heard the terrible assault over the phone. Before her murder, Valerie had reached out for help because her ex-partner had threatened to burn her house down.

The police filed the situation as a threat to property, not a threat to life.

PROPERTY

“It reminds me of how we were seen back in the day, as nothing but cattle and property,” says Ngozi.

She can still recall how she felt when Valerie’s murderer was sentenced. As she watched Valerie’s bereaved daughter and sister cry, she was reminded that black women like them had nowhere to go.

It is well-known that domestic vi-

MAKING SISTAHS AT HOME: Sistah Space is a charity helping black women seek shelter and community in a difficult time

olence has surged during lockdowns.

According to Government figures, between March and June last year there was a seven per cent increase.

Perpetrators and their victims are often confined in the same home.

As a trained independent domestic violence advisor, Ngozi has seen the consequences of lockdown first hand.

She says 500 per cent more women are turning to her services.

@thevoicenewspaper

The work Sistah Space does is complex. Women of Caribbean heritage are reluctant to report domestic violence to the police. Some fear deportation due to the Windrush scandal. Continued distrust between the black community and the police makes things even harder.

During the first lockdown, Ngozi had to argue with the council. There was an essential items policy for do-

@thevoicenews

voicenews

mestic violence victims, however, the council did not necessarily understand why certain items were essential for women of African heritage.

This is just one of the many cultural and racial barriers the organisation faces. Though the charity is small, Sistah Space operates on an almost national scale.

Continued on page 34

www.voice-online.co.uk

FEBRUARY 2021

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10 | THE VOICE

MARCH 2021

News feature

Celebrating our w♀men

Why it’s more important than ever for black women to take charge of their money

A

IN CONTROL: Having a good grasp on your finances and expenditure can put your mind at rest (photo: Ono Kosuki); below, Selina Flavius’ book, Black Girl Finance, is out now

With the odds stacked against us, it might be easy to believe that we’re meant to struggle with our finances – but that’s not the case, writes Selina Flavius

T A time when the gender pay gap reporting rules are set to be relaxed for the second year in a row, even though it has only been mandatory for the past four years, the calls for the mandatory ethnicity pay gap reporting appears to be continuously falling on deaf ears.

If you are a black woman in Britain, you need to ensure you are taking charge of your money. Here’s why.

Talking about money is not a tradition I grew up with in my black Caribbean household – I was expected, like most to get a job and instructed to save.

I was also constantly surrounded by a community of hardworking and ambitious women and men from the Caribbean, some of whom had moved to the UK in their youth, and whose parents had first made the trip to smooth their path.

I’ve listened as they recounted the discrimination that they experienced, such as lack of access to financial services, decent housing and jobs, and without a doubt there is a real feeling that the younger generation have things much easier.

This is true – there have been laws passed to stop overt prejudice and discrimination, which is the reason we no longer see signs saying no blacks, no dogs and no Irish, and sus laws no longer exist. But let’s not be complacent, racial inequality

Racial inequalities intersect with gender inequalities still exists and is manifested in a number of ways.

We see evidence of this in a lack of black people in leadership positions in industry. For the first time in six years, there are currently no black chairs, CEOs or CFOs in the FTSE 100.

FASHIONABLE

We appear to be moving backwards in terms of diversity and inclusion in work places.

In fact, the rhetoric from this current Government seems to be that anyone who champions gender and ethnicity inequality issues is attempting to be fashionable, as if it’s a phase such as acid-washed jeans from the 80s, we will soon get past and move on to leather pants.

The trouble with the anti-woke movement is that underneath the talk and rhetoric are real people, whose lives are being impacted – those who are having to apply 80 times more than white British applicants to get a positive response to job applications; those who were already facing higher unemployment levels before the

Employment and unemployment rates by ethnicity and gender Jul-Sep 2020

Jul-Sep 2019

Employment rate (%)

Unemployment rate (%)

Employment rate (%)

Unemployment rate (%)

White (all)

77.8

3.6

76.4

4.5

BAME (all)

66.6

7.0

68.2

8.5

White men

81.5

3.8

79.4

5.0

BAME men

74.9

7.1

74.4

8.2

White women

74.1

3.3

73.4

3.9

BAME women

59.1

6.9

62.5

8.8

Source: TUC Report, Jobs and Recovery Monitor BME Workers, January 2021

pandemic, and now in the midst of it. The TUC are reporting that black and minority ethnic (BAME) unemployment levels are rising at a faster rate, and even more so for BAME women. Racial inequalities intersect with gender inequalities, with BAME women having both the highest rate of unemployment (8.8 per cent) and the lowest rate of employment (62.5 per cent).

If you are fortunate to still have a job at this challenging time, it is important to manage your money well and if you have grown up in an environment where money was not spoken about, like I was, here are my top tips.

TIPS

1. Build up an emergency fund.

This will provide a physical and

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mental cushion should your job situation change. Many people have spent months furloughed and others have been made redundant. Having a financial cushion until such time as you find another job will keep the bills paid and stress at bay.

2. Speak to your lenders if you are struggling with bills.

There is still time to apply for payment holidays which have been extended until March 31.

Dealing with debts can be stressful, however it is better to have a conversation with your lenders earlier, to get a plan in place, rather than ignore the problem and allow things to get worse.

3. Seek help and advice. Doing this early does two things, firstly you will be empowered by knowing your rights, for help and support. It will also mean

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you can advocate for yourself from a position of knowledge.

You deserve to be treated fairly, legally and with respect regardless of your circumstances.

4. Create a budget. Budgeting is telling your money where to go instead of wondering where it went. A simple budget such as the 50/30/20 rule, allows you to ensure you are directing your money to the most important areas of your life. You can change the percentages around, for example, at this time of COVID-19, you may want to swap around wants and savings.

Essential bills: 50 per cent Wants: 30 per cent Savings: 20 per cent 5. Pay off high-interest debts.

Credit card, overdraft, pay day loans, store cards, and newer ‘buy now, pay later’ schemes such as Klarna are expensive.

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If you can pay off these debts, this will free up some money to do step 6.

6. Invest. Whether you decide to invest in your workplace pension scheme or a self-invested personal pension (SIPPs). Investing for the long-term with a solid plan, will allow you to beat inflation, and benefit from stock market gains. You may wish to consult a financial adviser for this last tip.

Pensions data shows that women in the UK retire on a third of the pension pot size of men due to inequality in pay and more career breaks.

In addition, research by Age UK found that women and BAME groups have higher risks of pension poverty than White British men.

The reasons for these inequalities will take some time to challenge so whilst progress is slow, taking charge of your financial wellbeing should be a priority.

Selina Flavius is the founder of

the financial coaching platform Black Girl Finance founded to financially empower black women in the UK. She is a

speaker on the issues of the

gender and ethnicity pay gaps and a published author. Her

personal finance book, Black Girl Finance: Let’s Talk Money is out now (published by Quercus).

www.voice-online.co.uk

FEBRUARY 2021

THE VOICE| 11

12 | THE VOICE MARCH 2021

Dotun Adebayo

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

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

THANK YOU, MARY

We have lost not just a Motown sensation, but a woman who helped us come to life

I

SPENT AN amazing evening with Mary Wilson of The Supremes, who died in February at the age of 76.

It was 20 years ago, but even then I feared that her true legacy would go unacknowledged – it has proved to be so, unfortunately.

The news of her passing was greeted with heartfelt tributes to the founding member of the world’s greatest and most successful girl group, as though she should be best remembered as a loyal sidekick to Diana Ross. Nothing was said about what she achieved as a civil rights icon on the level of Martin Luther King Jr. Yes, I said it. Because if I don’t, then no one else will.

And if The Voice newspaper does not tell it like it is/was, so many of our great black heroes and heroines will only be remembered as athletes and singers and players of instruments when we should be acknowledging them as ‘WAKANDA FOREVER’.

Mary arrived for our evening together in a limo (well, what did you expect?). She looked as elegant as she had ever looked and somehow more beautiful with age (yes, that’s possible).

She was as charming as she ever was and extremely humble and grateful for the blessings of life.

She hadn’t topped the charts for three decades at this point, but she hadn’t forgotten that she is and always will be a star.

As previously stated, she was humble enough, but when you’ve been through the Motown finishing school, you can’t forget you’re a star. And the Lord knows, at that time, whilst Martin Luther King Jr seemed to be on a never-ending mission of marches against racism – visceral and institutionalised – we needed stars who could shine with inspiration as protest fatigue started to set in.

Not just in America, but among black people all over the world, not least here in Britain. If you wanted your civil rights with gravitas you went for Dr King.

A FORCE OF NATURE: Mary Wilson, who died last month aged 76, performing at Sound Waves in New Jersey in 2019; inset below left, Motown Records founder Berry Gordy, left, Wilson, centre and Smokey Robinson at the Ryan Gordy Foundation 60 Years of Motown Celebration at the Waldorf Astoria in Beverly Hills in 2019 (photo: Mark Ralston/ AFP via Getty Images)

UPLIFTING

If you wanted it with love and elegance, you called on Mary Wilson and her Supremes. To say they were uplifting is an understatement.

Like Bob Marley would be a decade later, The Supremes were part of the soundtrack of a black man and woman redemption.

Oh, we still had to fight for our rights, no doubt. But trying to convince white folks to treat you right can be so demoralising.

Consider how much of your life you lose in getting up, standing up, when your white counterparts are, in the main, getting on with the good life, having a fabulous time and ruling the world.

At least that was the image of white people that we saw in the media when we were growing up in what w a s then the ghetto of Tottenham, north London.

Whereas on the news and in our newspapers black people often seemed to be suffering and bleeding, while being led away with our hands cuffed from behind and our shirts ripped to shreds. It was a sorry sight.

NARRATIVE

It was a narrative of which we had no control. The same old narrative had been going on since the enslavement days, you just need to look at Hollywood costume drama to see that us field negroes (the majority of us) dressed in sack cloths.

We spoke as if we were in a ‘who could open their mouths the widest’ competition, saying “Yes massa, no massa, three bags full of cotton, massa”. Like I say, it was a sorry sight.

From these embers rose The Supremes. From the ashes of

the lynching of Emmett Till, Rosa Parks’ bus boycott, the flogging of Fannie Lou Hamer by a policeman and all the other rhythm and especially blues reasons to not be black

mindful of not saying a word politically. Everybody had their role in the struggle. It was James Brown’s role to “say it loud – I’m black and I’m proud”.

It was The Supremes’ role

Her role was to let us know that black is beautiful – that we are black and beautiful and cheerful, they rose in the early ‘60s like a phoenix giving us permission to be black and beautiful.

They didn’t coin the phrase, but it could not have gone viral without them. They were the epitome of being black and beautiful, black and proud and, yes, black power. Without uttering a word of it.

They were groomed and

to ‘show it loud’ – could anybody doubt that they were what being black and proud looked like? When I saw my step-mother step out of the house every weekday morning in her oversized wig and fake fur coat, looking like a Supreme on her way to her job as a secretary at the Ministry of the Environment in Victoria, I was immensely proud. The

Irish navvies next door were bewitched and bewildered. How can a black woman be looking like a million dollars and living in the ghetto?

On my evening with Mary Wilson, I told her this story.

There was a glint of recognition in her eyes, like she had heard this same story a million times over. She knew her role in the struggle.

FIGHTING

Her role was not to be the lead singer of the greatest girl group in the world. Her role was to let us know that black is beautiful, that we are black and beautiful and that we refuse to be what they want us to be.

We are what we are and that is worth fighting for. I thanked her then and I thank her again: Thank you, Mary Wilson.

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

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www.voice-online.co.uk

Lambeth Children’s Homes Redress Scheme Deadline: Applications for compensation open until 1 January 2022 Lambeth Council has set up a Redress Scheme for people who, as children, were abused or feared abuse at a Lambeth Children’s Home and/or Shirley Oaks Primary School.

There are two types of compensation payment available: n Harm’s Way Payment n Individual Redress Payment To find out more about the Scheme, eligibility and to make a claim, visit lambeth.gov.uk/redress or email redress@lambeth.gov.uk

Below is a list of children’s homes that were run by Lambeth or its predecessor authority (and which subsequently transferred to Lambeth), either within or outside of their area, that provided accommodation for children in care.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

Almond House Hostel Angell Road Calais Street Chestnut Road / Robson Road Chevington House Cumberlow Lodge Garrads Road Gresham Place Highland Road Ingleton House Ivy House / Warham Road

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

Knowle Close Lancester Avenue Lancaster Road Leigham Court Road Lorn Road Monkton Street Mount Villas Nottingham Road Rathmell Drive Rectory Grove / Elaine Claire House Samuel House

23.

24.

25.

26.

27.

28.

29.

30.

31.

32.

33.

Shirley Oaks South Vale Southwood Southwood Discharge Hostel St Saviours Stephany House Stockwell Park The Elms Thornwick Nursery Tivoli Road Woodvale

101859 (1.21)

THE WEEKLY GLEANER

FEBRUARY 4-10, 2021 • 5

14 | THE VOICE

MARCH 2021

Feature

Health

‘Low uptake of the COVID jab by BAME groups is a global concern’ Positive messages from the United States should put the minds of black people at ease when it comes to getting the jab. By Samantha Henry

T

HE SCIENTIFIC lead behind Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine development was Dr Kizzmekia Corbett, a 35-yearold African American viral immunologist.

This is a proud moment in black history and a potential recipe to help eradicate fear surrounding the vaccines.

However, there has been a medical mistrust within the black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities which stems from the complicated history between medicine and race.

National surveys across the United Kingdom demonstrated that more than half of BAME groups are likely to reject the

This is a proud moment in black history COVID-19 vaccines compared to their white counterparts.

In February, a COVID-19 vaccine centre in Hackney was closed early due to “really low uptake”. Chief executive of Nursing, Dame Donna Kinnair, blamed this on the slow response of UK officials in shutting down anti-vax myths surfacing online.

This is a growing global concern and extends across the

Atlantic to other countries such as America. COVID-19 vaccine advocates from around the world are stepping forward to educate the public and debunk myths that have been circulating about the vaccines.

One such advocate is 41-year-old United Statesbased intensive care unit (ICU) nurse, Shauna Chin. Her nursing career began in the US military after migrating from her hometown in Montego Bay, Jamaica. She later branched off into acting where she made appearances in shows such as Criminal Minds, an American police procedural crime drama television series.

The COVID-19 pandemic placed a pause on Chin’s acting career and she increased her hours working in a hospital’s ICU. Chin was confident that the COVID-19 pandemic would be one to easily tackle.

STRUGGLE

DEDICATED: Above left, Shauna Chin puts at the start of an intensive care unit shift; above right, after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Chin is a military-trained nurse who works in a hospital’s ICU department. She is also the Vice-Chair for The Global Jamaica Diaspora Council and Representative of the USA West and Mid-West

“We’ve dealt with an outbreak like this before. We’ve had SARS and MERS,” she told The Voice.

It was after witnessing the struggle of the patients and the inability for them to recover that showed the severity of the virus. Chin explained that “it wasn’t the usual pneumonia that we were dealing with”.

People within the black community carry certain genetic

INSPIRATION: Dr Kizzmekia Corbett is the scientific lead behind the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and a virologist and immunologist at the Vaccine Research Centre, National Institute of Health in Maryland

We did all we could but she did not make it mutations that increase their risk of developing certain illnesses such as sickle cell, diabetes and hypertension. Some were unaware they had these conditions until they were diagnosed with COVID-19.

She explained these people were more likely to develop complications of the disease.

A 32-year-old black policewoman is the patient that stood out to Chin. The patient developed COVID-19 pneumonia but later died. “We did all we could but she did not make it after day 72,” she tearfully said.

As a key worker, it is mandatory to receive the vaccine in order to provide protection to herself and her patients. When the vaccines arrived at the hospital, any initial worries of hers immediately disappeared.

“I saw what the patients were going through and I didn’t want that for myself,” Chin earnestly told The Voice.

She did not experience any major side effects after taking the vaccine except for a slight headache on day one of the first dose. The second dose

was taken 21 days later and at day four, she experienced mild flu-like symptoms. But Chin expressed that she was happy as “this was a sign that the vaccine was working”.

Chin hosts campaigns targeted at the black community

It does not target our DNA in any form that aim to debunk myths surrounding COVID-19 vaccines and DNA manipulation.

She added: “The spike protein which is the target of most vaccines is on the surface of the virus and attacks immune cells.

It does not target our DNA in any form.”

Chin passionately voiced that “we should embrace the fact that we are no longer minorities. We are now community leaders, physicians and scientists”. She further used the platform to extend her gratitude to Dr Corbett in leading the development of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine.

She believes that science achievements such as this could help the BAME community to regain their trust in medicine.

“We have been fighting for a seat at the table for decades. We are now seated at the table. We are now developing cures. We are now at the forefront,” Chin stated in a heartfelt speech.

She ended the interview with a final message to the UK. “We as black people should give ourselves more credit. We are great and we should be proud.”

Practical lockdown advice for our readers

By Tony Kelly

WE ARE living in unprecedented times and for many the ability to cope is proving rather difficult. Some of the suggested physical activities is for those who are agile – however, for those with disability and mobility issues, this is more important.

Here are a few tips to take part in at your own pace: 1. Take deep breaths every so often as that helps to ease tension, relax muscles and pent-up feelings.

2. Climb the stairs as often as you are able. If there are no stairs, walk in your back garden or parks.

3. Stand and sit repeatedly every few hours as movement is important.

4. Raise two tins of baked beans or two plastic bottles filled with water, from your lap to your shoulders and above your head for a few minutes.

5. Only watch or listen to the news once per day as that can get you down and may lead to depression.

Laughter is known as the best medicine so find a variety of old comedy shows or whatever tickles your ‘fancy’, to get your belly-full of laughter.

6. Keep in contact with friends, relatives, and or neighbours because this can make a world of difference and shows that you care.

7. Soak in a warm bath with your favourite mineral salt.

8. A gentle body massage can be therapeutic – this stimulates the body and help one to relax.

9. Music is a universal language that can have a soothing effect on the mind and body.

10. Technology has made the world a much smaller place, so embrace it without letting it stress you out.

11. Classes for pilates, yoga, tai chi and more are all available online and on television – consider joining.

12. Keep the body hydrated by drinking as much water as possible throughout the day.

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13. Keep the consumption of alcohol to a minimum. Consider having alcohol-free days.

14. Cut down on the carbohydrates and eat more fruits and vegetables instead to build your immune system to ward off viruses and bacteria.

15. If you have neglected a hobby or pastime that can be done in the comfort of your home, restart it.

16. Sleep is important as a restful night can make all the difference to your mindset and mood. You may even take a ‘cat nap’ throughout the day.

17. The power of prayer may work wonders for some.

Finally, Type 2 diabetes can be pre-

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vented or delayed. If you’re black and over the age of 25, you may be more at risk of developing this disease which can lead to serious complications if left untreated.

Please take this message on board and visit the Diabetes UK website ‘Know Your Risk’ tool at diabetes. org.uk to assess your level of risk and register for the National Diabetes Programme in your area being offered remotely.

Remember your health, is your wealth. So take care of it!

Tony Kelly is a diabetes ambassador and advocate

www.voice-online.co.uk

MARCH 2021

Celebrating our w♀men

THE VOICE | 15

News feature

‘Success is the only way forward’ Founder of MicroMax Consulting says she wants to open the door to help others DR NNEKA ABULOKWE OBE, the CEO and founder of MicroMax Consulting, is a pioneer for every young woman looking to enter into the corporate world.

Having had remarkable successes in the business world, Abulokwe is now interested in translating this success and creating meaningful social impact.

The daughter of a Nigerian father and a Jamaican mother, Abulokwe speaks fondly of her family and upbringing, and the merging of two cultures. “My biggest inspiration has come from my parents. My siblings have always been incredible role models — I’m the last of six. We had a great emphasis on education, love, and the spirit of sharing. That has transcended my career.”

Reflecting on her career journey, Abulokwe says: “Nothing was going to stop me. I was a woman in the tech

Fear is a useful tool when mastered, so master it industry. It has been a lonely journey, and especially at the top of an organisation.

“But it’s also a platform.

A platform to open the door, to help others. You become a trailblazer, but you’re also standing on the shoulders of others who were before me.

You’re holding that mantle, and you have to continue.

Success isn’t even an option, it’s just the way forward. Progression is the only way forward.”

Abulokwe, the recipient of an OBE in 2019, talks about how important it is to touch and impact the lives of others

around you. “I’ve been called to serve,” she states. A mentor to several young people, she talks about how important it is to increase transparency within the corporate world and its complexities.

“Being a role model, you have a responsibility to shatter those glass ceilings. It’s shattered with enthusiasm, shattered with passion, with integrity, with honesty.”

DIVERSITY

With the technology workforce suffering from a significant under-representation of women, with less than 30 per cent of STEM roles belonging to women, Abulokwe stresses the importance of increasing diversity. “Tech is often misunderstood. You don’t need to be a coder to work in tech. I’ve never written a line of code while working in the management of tech.

“There’s a space for every-

one. There are so many areas women can provide value to.

Tech needs to become more inclusive.

“Women should be knocking on these doors. There’s a space for you. We need big thinkers — we need diversity of thought,” she says.

“Go forth. A challenge is you moving into a space which is uncomfortable. It’s part of growth. If you don’t have these challenges, you’re not growing. They are just growing pains. Fear is a useful tool when it is mastered. So master it. We all fail. Just learn from it.”

Having been recognised in Diligent’s 2020 Modern Governance 100 for her exceptional ability to support organisations throughout the coronavirus pandemic, quarantine has not stopped Abulokwe’s hard work. “I wake up early in the morning, around 5, I give thanks, I do my work-

TRAILBLAZER: Dr Nneka Abulokwe wants more women in tech out. It’s such a great way to start the day. And when you look good, you feel good, too,” she notes.

Abulokwe is a gem within our community. Fuelled by the

lack of representation within her fields, and the isolation this brought, she’s risen to the top, and is now actively working to make the upwards journey easier for others.

‘I want to show a woman of colour can do this job’ BREAKING GROUND: Samantha Tross became the first ever Afro-Caribbean orthopaedic surgeon in the UK in 2005; below, Tross in her scrubs ready to get to work

Interviews conducted by Mayi Hughes

SAMANTHA TROSS embodies what it means to be a glass ceiling-breaker.

Becoming the first ever female Afro-Caribbean consultant orthopaedic surgeon in the UK in 2005, her career has been nothing short of trailblazing. Listed in the powerlist of the 100 most influential black Britons, Tross’s story is one of sheer hard work and determination.

“At age seven, I made a declaration that I would be a surgeon. I have no idea where that came from.

“My mum was a nurse, so perhaps that. My grandmother died when I was three years old. My mother was so distressed, and it had an impact on me. I was an avid reader, too,” she recalls.

Tross speaks of her accomplishments with humility, but also acknowledges the barriers she had to overcome to reach this point.

“I feel immensely proud. I’m glad when I was going through the process, I wasn’t aware I would be the first, that may have been too much pressure.

“I feel proud, but it comes with a sense of responsibility.

“I want to be sure that I set a good example, and I show that a woman of colour can do this job. I’m happy to say there are now five others, and

Be fearless – there’s nothing you can’t achieve if you put your mind to it many more coming through also,” Tross says.

“The hardest part of my career was overcoming self-doubt. I thought the exam was bigger than me at one point.

“While the majority of people were supportive, there were people that tried to undermine me, with sexism but also racism. The racism is never overt, so it can be difficult to put your finger on it.

“Self-doubt doesn’t go away completely. Every now and then, that voice will come back.”

Tross works with many young people, as well as directing training for junior surgeons in her hospital.

“Mentoring is incredibly important.

The whole point of growth is being in situations which are unfamiliar, and it’s important to have people during those moments to guide you, especially as an ethnic minority or wom-

an,” she adds. “We need to increase visibility of those that have made it.

We have to change the culture within organisations and the healthcare sector, so that people can understand the benefits of diversity.

“In my position, when working with junior surgeons, it’s about raising future inclusive leaders.”

Thinking back to her younger self, who attended University College London, she says: “I would tell younger me to worry less. Be fearless, and that there’s nothing you can’t achieve if you put your mind to it.

SUPPORT

“I would have taken more time and taken the opportunity I had to do an integrated degree.

“Don’t be in a rush. You’ve got a long career ahead of you. Take research opportunities.

“A support network is key. Spend some time knowing yourself, so you can choose a career which is best suited to you.”

Tross ends the interview with a simple mantra “chase your dreams”.

After setting a goal at the age of seven, Tross has certainly chased her dream, and excelled while doing it, becoming a pioneer and inspiration to all.

16 | THE VOICE

MARCH 2021

News feature

Celebrating our w♀men

‘LET’S CLAP, CHEER AND CELEBRATE EACH OTHER’

LEADING FROM THE FRONT: Headteacher Evelyn Forde MBE has been recognised for her work in supporting and championing diversity in British schools – and encourages young girls and women to follow their dreams

After her time in school, Headteacher of The Year 2020 Evelyn Forde MBE knew she wanted to revamp the education system to improve and champion diversity – and she’s done exactly that, writes Deon P Green

E

V ELYN FORDE MBE, who won the Times Education Supplement (TES) Headteacher of the Year Award 2020 – the UK’s ‘Oscars’ of education – for her decisive leadership and transforming the once-failing Copthall School for Girls in Barnet, north London, into one of the country’s top secondary schools, is encouraging women to cheer and celebrate each other.

Ms Forde is among a handful of black female head teachers focused on encouraging more black and minority ethnic (BAME) leaders into the education system and raising the aspirations of pupils. She is also underscoring the value of female teachers within the school environment.

In challenging women and girls, Ms Forde told The Voice: “As women we need to clap, cheer and celebrate each other when we are doing well, always look for the positives and not pick up on the things that are not so great.” She added that it is important for women to find opportunities and to bring other people to the table.

“If I am asked to do something and I can’t or think there is someone better suited, I will always recommend another woman so that they get that ‘tap on the shoulder’,” she said.

I see myself as a role model who, despite the odds, has succeeded “Securing top positions in the workplace is not always easy and I am super conscious that many people (men and women) have supported me on my journey, so I always leave that ladder firmly rooted on the ground so that others can climb it, too.”

Ms Forde has an indomitable spirit and emphasises the need for us all to “be your authentic self, don’t try to be someone you are not; it takes too much time and energy and what employers want to see is the real you – someone they can work with and learn from, so let your true self shine through”.

Ms Forde is in no doubt about her role and influence as a head teacher. She said: “I think for young girls and women, who are either thinking about joining the profession or currently undecided about what they want to do; to see a black woman in a role such as mine, is pretty significant.”

Aware of the reality, she noted that the statistics for BAME head teachers are shocking.

“The percentage is low – currently it is only three per cent – and so I do see myself as a role model who, despite the odds, has succeeded and continues to be recognised for the work that I do.”

Ms Forde hopes in some small way, she can continue to inspire and motivate others to never give up.

“I think as more and more women, both nationally and internationally are recognised for the work that they do, we (women) can make the future a bit brighter and more hopeful for the next generation,” she added.

POSITIVE

It has been well-documented that female teachers increase gender awareness and the sensitivity of male teachers helps to promote positive important behavioural patterns in students.

Ms Forde also believes that female empowerment in the education sector can create a school environment where girls can feel comfortable to learn and grow.

“I think it is so important for boys and girls to see people that look like them, so that they 100 per cent know that if they want to, they can become them. It is true that teachers shape the lives of young people – everybody remembers a good teacher.”

Despite the fact that 63 per cent of head teachers in the UK are male, Ms Forde is not threatened. “I don’t let it bother me at all. I talk to my students about taking their rightful place in society and if they feel there isn’t room, then we need to make room!”

Ms Forde told The Voice that there were significant moments in her career that were very challenging.

“Once when I was a deputy head I was referred to as a ‘frizzy hair golliwog’ by another teacher and on another occasion I was mistaken for a

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waitress at a leadership conference; this is against a backdrop of applying for more than 20 deputy head positions, always getting down to the final two and then ‘not being the right fit’,” she said.

“This should give you a flavour of some of the struggles

Women can make the future brighter and more hopeful that I have had to contend with.

However, I never allowed those struggles to hold me back.

“So my message is really clear – don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t be successful or do what you want. Challenge their perceptions of you and prove them wrong.”

Ms Forde’s own educational experience saw her leave school without any qualifications – but the system which saw her falling and failing propelled her to achieve.

“When I became a young adult and had my own daughters, I didn’t want their experi-

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ences to be the same as mine.

Essentially, I was influenced by an education system that needed to do better,” she said.

For women in a more technological and modern society Ms Forde suggested: “If you are interested and excited by STEM subjects, go for it!

“For far too long we (women) have been influenced not to study subjects like engineering, technology and sciences.

EXCITING

“I encourage my girls to think outside of the box and consider apprenticeship courses and graduate training courses which will help them to learn on the job.”

She continued: “These are exciting times; there are jobs that have not yet been created which will most likely involve the use of technology and the sciences. I want our girls to be in the best possible position to apply for those jobs.

“So, definitely do your research,

voicenews

speak to your careers advisor and don’t limit your options, – the sky is the limit!”

Evelyn Forde MBE is a member of the Council of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL). Part of her role with ASCL, she is chairing a new network for BAME ASCL leaders. Evelyn returned to education in her 20s and after joining the teaching profession, worked to champion diversity and inclusion and overcome prejudice. She was awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours List on December 31, 2020.

www.voice-online.co.uk

MARCH 2021

Celebrating our w♀men

THE VOICE | 17

News feature

Black sistahood in Brighton: Walking towards healing After the UK’s first lockdown and the death of George Floyd last year, Althea Wolfe was inspired to create a safe space for black women – and shortly afterwards, Sistas by the Sea was born

A

GROUP OF 12 black women survived one of the most challenging years that the world has seen in our lifetimes by walking and talking through a global pandemic and the world’s awakening to the truth that black people experience racism.

The experience has been cathartic and now they are developing a project which will be transformative for many more women.

After messaging a handful of black and Asian friends in her contacts list, Althea Wolfe, creator of the group went for a walk in the park with four other women on June 9, 2020.

They listened to the first episode of Girl Trek’s Black History Bootcamp podcast about Audre Lorde, the black American civil rights activist, feminist, and advocate of radical selfcare for black women.

The moment was powerful and in four weeks Sistas by the Sea was born: 12 black women walking a minimum of once a week, listening to the podcast

Spaces like this are personal, but their collective importance should not be overlooked series and engaging in postwalk discussions about their personal experiences of racism in all aspects of their lives.

This walking was important to keep them healthy during a pandemic which was disproportionately affecting black people negatively.

ENERGY

However, none of them were prepared for the energy and empowerment that this space would give them both individually and collectively to face the challenges that the world throws at black women every

day and particularly at the time when there was worldwide outrage at racism in the shadow of the killing of George Floyd.

For Althea, lockdown had created a haven from the barrage of microaggressions which she had accepted as a part of her daily routine, in a city with a population of almost 300,000 people, of which there are just over 4,000 black people.

“Black women who live by the sea are lonely,” was a statement expressed in one of the podcast episodes weeks after they had started walking.

Even though they laughed and dismissed it at the time, Althea feels that it was the isolation that she felt in her city by the sea that pushed her to facilitate an intimate space for regular contact with other black women.

Microaggressions, subtle discriminatory acts experienced by black women daily, are a form of racial trauma.

Sistas by the Sea acknowledges that the effects of racial trauma are intergenerational – but so is our resilience to it.

Black female spaces like this one are personal, but their collective importance should not be overlooked.

Sistas by the Sea is a space where women of various ages are connected through a shared identity and walk together towards healing. The experience of this black female space has been overwhelmingly positive.

INSPIRE

Sistas by the Sea actively encourages and would like to inspire black women all over the country to create similar nontraditional spaces which promote collective healing.

The group has been buzzing with future projects around educational resources and black female spaces in varying formats. The dearth of resources highlighting the contribution of black British activists, especially women, to the fight against racism here in Britain is a priority.

To that end, Sistas by the Sea are simultaneously fundraising and developing a podcast

POWER IN NUMBERS: Back row, from left, members Wafa Paton, Monique Forbes, Rose, Lola Abayomi, Vivenie and Carla, with Donna Edmead, front, during a get-together series called Our Heritage, Our Heroine which will focus on the contributions of black women to Britain throughout time, from The Beachy Head Lady of Roman times through to Afua Hirsch of the 21st century.

If you are interested in setting up a support group or in supporting the development of the podcast, please contact sistasbythesea@ gmail.com. Girltrek.org has provided inspiration for the creation of this group.

How has Sistas by the Sea benefited its members?

Lola Abayomi, communications professional, 48 Initially, the attraction for me was to get out and meet other people after the drastic lockdown. The energy created in the group has made me realise how little space there was in my life to have these freeing conversations about my experiences of racism. This has been invaluable and transformative.

Vannessa Crawford, youth and community project manager, 56 Personally, walking has benefitted me physically. It gave me more energy. It’s always nice to meet up with other black women. There is a lot of af-

firmation for me that I was not going through stuff alone. I feel that all oppressed groups need to have safe spaces to share their experiences – free from harassment and judgment.

Leannah Dahn student, senior mentor at DebateMate, 22 It’s a way of getting fresh air, exercise and social connection, whilst stimulating self-reflection, learning, and providing a safe space for open discussion. My childhood experience of Brighton was of insecurity, feeling uncomfortable, alienated and an outsider. Returning to my hometown during lockdown and having a community of black females who I can relate to and spend time with has been part of a healing process.

Donna Edmead, Council grants officer, singer It was great to walk with friends, with purpose, to feed both body and mind in nature. It was the start of great conversations. It was my healthcare programme. It is great to be with the younger women I don’t usually get the chance to meet.

ating. Walking in a group, listening to the podcasts, the conversations afterwards and the support from everyone has empowered me and made me confident in challenging racism, in small ways, every day.

For example, in my role as a school governor, I had the courage to discuss with other governors about becoming an anti-racist school.

I’ve now helped develop this into a long-term action plan.

Anne-Marie Williamson, strategy delivery partner, school governor, 44 The whole experience has been transformative. The George Floyd murder and subsequent BLM demonstrations brought up lots of emotions for me. Meeting up with other black women felt so supportive and liber-

Ella Sinclair, policy officer in the voluntary sector, writer, 23 Growing up in a white area in England, I don’t have many black friends, and this is something that has been missing from my life. Becoming part of a group made up of black women was something that I had always

felt I wanted and needed. It’s an environment separate from the stressful microaggressions I experience: an environment where I am encouraged to feel empowered and proud of my blackness.

Althea Wolfe, creator of SBTS, voluntary sector consultant, 53 Sistas by the Sea is an oasis from my daily experience of microaggressions through the physical meetups and through the WhatsApp group which provides support and information 24 hours a day. Listening to the stories of women in activism has been educational and inspiring. I am overwhelmed to see the growth and transformation that we experience. It is wonderful to see this empowerment spilling over into different aspects of our lives.

18 | THE VOICE MARCH 2021

WWW.DOITLONDON.ORG @DOITLDN LONDON HIV PREVENTION PROGRAMME: PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY LONDON BOROUGHS

ADVERTORIAL

ADVERTORIAL

MARCH 2021

THE VOICE| 19

“Londoners are reminded of the sureness of HIV prevention… despite the pandemic” Even during the Coronavirus pandemic, it is important to remember how to safeguard your health from other infections, including HIV, and a fantastic campaign from London boroughs has been doing just that!

T

he INSPIRING CAMPAIGN called ‘FOUR SURE…ways to prevent HIV’ run by local authorities has recently come to an end. We’re taking a look back on the message of the campaign and the context in which it was launched.

The latest Do It London campaign launched on the 1 December 2020 (a day recognised globally as World AIDS Day) and ran through the postponed National HIV Testing Week (1 Feb – 7 Feb) until the end of February 2021.

Formed by a unique partnership of 32 London councils in 2014 and delivered on their behalf

by Lambeth Council ever since, the London HIV Prevention Programme (LHPP) is a sexual-health promotion initiative which is branded Do It London.

Do It London have been delivering HIV prevention campaigns targeted at two disproportionately affected groups in the capital - gay and bisexual men, and some Black African communities (men and women) – since the start of the programme in 2014 when new HIV diagnoses in the capital were much higher than they are today.

Since then, thanks to advances in biomedicine, increased testing, and the tireless work of clinicians, politicians, the HIV sector and activists, rates of HIV diagnoses have been falling year on year. For example, new diagnoses of HIV in London decreased by 42% between 2015 and 2019.

This is incredibly uplifting news given the uncompromising nature of HIV and its devastating impact on

for information on how to start PrEP. n Using condoms when

having sex is an incredibly effective method of preventing HIV, and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

“

Why are they talking about HIV prevention now?

In the middle of the Coronavirus pandemic?

”

our communities in recent decades. Nevertheless, there is still work to be done.

The latest figures from Public Health England (PHE) estimate that there are 2,100 people in London living with an undiagnosed HIV infection.

If London is to achieve its ambitious target of zero new HIV infections by the year 2030 (which was stated as the target when signing up to be a Fast Track City in 2018) raising the awareness of how individuals can protect themselves and prevent HIV must continue.

This is where Do It London’s ‘Four Sure’ campaign has been making an impact.

The name of the campaign, ‘Four Sure’, is a play on words and is referring to the confidence that Londoners can have in the

four scientifically proven ways to prevent HIV. The message is also a subtle contrast to 2020 which was filled with so much unpredictability, because, it’s saying that there is something that you can be sure in: that HIV prevention is effective.

for you. Regular testing also increases the chances of diagnosing an HIV infection early which allows prompt access to effective treatment. Testing is quick, easy, confidential, and given current social distancing restrictions can be done at home.

THE FOUR METHODS ARE:

n If you are HIV nega-

n Testing regularly for HIV.

Knowing your HIV status is crucial because this will inform which other methods of prevention are right

tive, you can now access Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) - PrEP is a pill which prevents HIV and is now available free from the NHS – speak with your local sexual health clinic

n For people who have been diagnosed HIV positive, achieving an ‘Undetectable’ viral load through the use of antiretroviral therapy (ART); this means they cannot pass the virus on. This is also known as Treatment as Prevention (TasP).

We all know how significant the impact of Coronavirus (Covid-19) has been on our everyday lives. It’s restricted us from going to church, seeing friends & family, and being intimate with people outside our households. You might be wondering, “why are they talking about HIV prevention now? In the middle of the Coronavirus pandemic?”.

The reason is that it’s still so important that everyone is aware that HIV is preventable, HIV diagnoses is treatable, and that treatment acts as prevention. Raising awareness of the methods of prevention and how you can access them will be key in stopping the spread of HIV. Just because our lives are currently dominated by the Coronavirus pandemic, we mustn’t forget about other infections and illnesses. Also, with the rollout of vaccines, and the hope that social distancing restrictions will be eased at some point this year, campaign’s like Do It London’s deliver a vital message on how we can protect ourselves from an entirely preventable virus.

For more information on the Do It London campaign and each method of preventing HIV, visit www.doitlondon.org

20 | THE VOICE MARCH 2021

Midlands News

CHURCH TACKLING MYTHS OVER COVID-19 VACCINE

by Veron Graham

The Church of God of Prophecy Trust UK hosts online events aimed at challenging the vast amount of misinformation and misconceptions surrounding the various vaccines available

W

HILE A number of Midlandsbased statutory, Muslim and Sikh groups have met to discuss COVID-19 and the response to the vaccine roll-out, a leading black-led church group has also been active in this space.

Recently, the Church of God of Prophecy Trust (CoGoP) UK hosted two ‘Illuminate Holistic Health’ webinars which have drawn over 8,000 views to date.

The events – held in partnership with RAFFA, West Midlands Faith in Action and Sentient Support Services, and the Near Neighbourhood Partnership – discussed the efficacy of the various COVID-19 vaccines among black African and Caribbean communities from a theological and faith perspective, and addressed the vast amount of misinformation with creditable factual information on the vaccine’s safety.

The discussions featured a distinguished panel of scientists, academic and faith professionals.

Bishop Llewellyn Graham, Area Leader for CoGoP churches in the Black Country and chief executive of the Midlandsbased Nehemiah Housing Association, said: “The two events were a great success borne out by the amount of people who tuned in and the quality of debate that took place.

“Our panel of theological, medical, scientific, and aca-

The vaccine offers a way out of this dire situation, and a way of protecting those who need it most demic experts answered many questions that people have about the vaccine.

“Many in our communities are working on the front-line caring for people; the vaccine finally provides a way out of this dire situation, and a way of protecting those who need it most.

“Both events are now on YouTube and we hope people will share them with friends and family and on social media to prompt people to do their own research from verifiable and reliable sources.”

TRAGEDIES

He added: “It is important that these health-giving discussions continue.

“In the last year we have suffered unimaginable tragedies and many of us have lost loved ones, friends and co-workers.

We understand why many are cautious, but COVID-19 is a

vicious illness, which can kill young people as well as older people.

“It can leave others with long-term COVID symptoms; the lasting impact can be experienced by many for months.

“I think it’s really important that members of all communities do their part to protect their families and themselves from the virus, by being better informed. Doctors and scientists have found a way out of this pandemic – a way that is safe and will help save lives.”

FALSE

He continued: “At Nehemiah we have been working with other BAME housing associations to produce information that will answer questions and together, with webinars like these, we are hoping it will help dispel any myths and false information that is circulating.

“We all must do what we can and come together to fight this deadly virus.”

Tedroy M. Powell, National CoGoP Presiding Bishop, added: “It is our aim to continue and develop this urgent and important public conversation, with our partners, local and central government over the coming months, through illuminate webinars, with an aim to challenge misconceptions, misinformation and provide authentic evidence for facilitating change of minds, towards taking the vaccine.”

@thevoicenewspaper

VITAL ROLE: Llewellyn Graham, top, chief executive of Nehemiah Housing Association, says the webinars were a great success and have drawn more than 8,000 views to date

@thevoicenews

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www.voice-online.co.uk

MARCH 2021 THE VOICE | 21

Midlands News

‘I UNDERSTAND THE FEAR’

Reverend Eve Pitts, vicar at the Holy Trinity Church in Birchfield, says having the COVID jab is the responsible thing to do

M

INORITY COMMUNITIES in the Midlands have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19. In Birmingham alone, the uptake of the vaccine in some of the city’s most vulnerable communities – which includes black African and Caribbean communities – has been as low as 50 per cent.

Misinformation, alongside a historic distrust in the medical profession, has contributed to a reticence to taking the vaccines, causing a dilemma for the NHS trying to increase the numbers and local communities seeking the safest option.

Statutory groups such as the West Midlands Combined Authority have been holding regular events to field questions from the public.

Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “After an incredibly tough year, with so many people across the West Midlands losing loved ones, vaccinations have given us a ray of light and shown us how we can put this awful virus

behind us and return to some form of normality.

“But this is only possible if people get vaccinated when offered.

“Currently the vaccine rollout across the region and the wider country is going extremely well, but unfortunately we know that some are hesitant or even refusing to get vaccinated, which puts theirs and other’s lives at risk.”

do, not only on behalf of my family, my friends and all the people I know, also the unknown people within the community.”

Rev Pitts repeatedly stressed the difficulty she has had in coming to this decision, remarking how much she has thought, read, prayed and “cried before God about it”.

She also encouraged the public to do more reading and promised to send out reputable information from black doctors.

TOUGH CHOICE: Rev Eve Pitts ‘cried before God’ about her decision to have the vaccine

CRITICAL

“I believe these kinds of events are critical to helping encourage people to get the vaccine, and I know the NHS is doing an incredible amount of work to reach out to those communities where uptake of the vaccine is slower than other areas,” he added.

Rev Eve Pitts, vicar at the Holy Trinity Church in Birchfield, is among those who are also stepping forward to give their valued opinions, as she did in a heartfelt 10-minute statement. Speaking from her church in Perry Barr, Birmingham, she said: “I have thought long and

SUSPICION

hard about this and it’s taken a long time to arrive at this place.

I cannot tell you what to do – it is not my place.

“However it is, because of my position, [my place] to tell you what I think and what I am going to do.”

She continued: “I have moved repeatedly from one position on it to the other. I

Campaigner Tony recognised BIRMINGHAM-BASED campaigner Tony Kelly has been recognised among a group of “exceptional people who positively impact their communities”, with a Services to Healthcare gong in the recent British Citizen Awards.

Tony was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes 17 years ago, but through a disciplined regime of diet and exercise, has not needed to take medication. For nearly nine years Tony has volunteered for Diabetes UK and is currently a Diabetes Patient Lead for NHS Birmingham & Solihull Clinical Commissioning Group.

Tony volunteered at over 160 public events in the year up to lockdown and regularly features in the media to advocate for healthier lifestyles to help manage diabetes. He told The Voice after having a COVID-19 vaccine at his local GP surgery: “I was still hesitant about having it so soon and being a guinea pig but my wife and daughter were absolutely adamant that I take it – I am in my 60s and have an underlying condition. I am feeling okay as is my wife who also took it.”

Tony, who has been taking the flu jab annually for many years, has a level of trust in the medical profession that others may not.

This may have swayed him to take the vaccine. He spoke strongly on the importance of carefully selecting where we consume information regarding the COVID vaccine.

DOING HIS BIT: Tony Kelly “We have to dispel the myths and misinformation out there about the vaccine. There are tried and trusted websites that are geared towards black, African and Asian communities that should be consulted and not go down the social media and WhatsApp route.

“I get about 50 WhatsApp messages a day – I just delete them. We need to question who is sending them and whether they are qualified to be sending medical information out.”

He has also addressed the promotional video in which well-known people from minority communities have come together to encourage people to take the vaccine: “They mustn’t just go for celebrities: they need to speak to COVID champions who have been trained up and have the correct knowledge and information.”

understand the fear, panic and distrust. We come from a culture that has no good reason to trust certain governments.

“I have read as much as I can and will continue to do more.

You must read information about the vaccines but do so carefully.

“We have been treated badly but we have suffered badly too.

It has been heartbreaking to see the number of deaths and it saddens me deeply that it has affected us so badly.

“But I don’t want anyone to die unnecessarily.

“Can I implore you as a family? I can’t tell you what to do but I am going to take the vaccine myself because I think it’s the responsible thing for me to

“I am not saying we shouldn’t think, or ask questions. I am not getting rid of my suspicion.”

Rev Eve’s words coincide with the release of reports showing the disproportionate effect COVID-19 is having on women.

The United Nations and McKinsey are among those who have found that women are more likely to have home schooling duties, suffer reduced income and increased risk of enduring controlling behaviour.

Mum reconnecting with Africa WITH MOTHER’S Day and International Women’s Day both falling in March this year, the proactivity of a Midlands-based, Britishborn ‘mompreneur’ to introduce her children to their African roots has taken on greater significance.

Ever since Sherill Fuller, pictured inset, took her two children to Ghana for a few weeks in late 2019 to experience Ghana, outside of a package holiday experience, she has stepped up her quest to reconnect with Africa and encourage others to explore the options it offers.

“It was a lightbulb moment for me. I took them just before lockdown late last year and I wanted to go back for several months to connect with locals. There are so many opportunities there – to build business, purchase land, get on the property ladder.

“There are a lot of negative stereotypes about Africa – often shared by people who’ve not been there or passed on from mainstream media.”

Sherill, who as a child always wanted to migrate and repeatedly asked her grandmother why she came to the UK, is using her background in business mentoring and has set up

‘Sherill Talks Africa’ – a social media-based platform which offers guidance on how to transition life and work to Africa. She is herself in the process of transferring her childcare service and other business ventures there.

“Black Lives Matter and COVID-19 has made a lot of people rethink living life in the UK. I’m not saying we should not consider anything in the West but we need to think about being somewhere we are loved and accepted.

ROOTS

“As a mother, it is important that I allow my children to know their roots and see that there are broader horizons out there. It is my duty to do that as a mother.”

Shifting her focus to Mother’s Day, she added: “I lost my mother at age 44, so it has mixed emotions for me. It is important to recognise that you don’t have to have given birth to a child to be a mother. There are many children that need support and can be mothered.

“Also, the pandemic means that more IWD events may have to take place online, but technology will allow us to see a lot more of what’s being done to celebrate women, which should be all year, not just on specific days.”

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

22 | THE VOICE

MARCH 2021

Column

The rotten past of Rookery Hall Despite its facade of glory and grandeur, the history of this Cheshire stately home is nothing to be celebrated, writes Dotun Adebayo

D

AVID AND Victoria Beckham were blissfully unaware of the sordid past of Rookery Hall, the magnificent country house in Cheshire they chose back in 1997 as the place to announce to the world they were engaged.

When they read this article they will wish they had known what we all should know, that many of the great mansions in Britain were built on the backs of enslaved Africans.

Rookery Hall was built in 1816 when Britain and some Britons were still being enriched by the labour of enslaved Africans in the Caribbean.

It was initially known as The Rookery, Worleston, and was the home of a wealthy local landowner William Hilton Cooke.

As well as the 500 acres he

John Hilton treated his enslaved charges the worst owned in Britain, his name can be found on the 1811 register of land ownership of Jamaica, after his uncle, John Hilton, bequeathed him the sugar plantation of Chester Castle in the parish of Hanover in the northwest of the island.

The plantation with its human chattel of 217 enslaved people had been in the hands of John Hilton since at least 1799.

The family had lived in Jamaica since 1773.

In James Robertson’s 1804 map of Jamaica, Chester Castle

is plotted as a sugar estate with a cattle mill.

John Hilton exploited his enslaved people to enrich himself in many ways. When he died in 1810, his last will and testament included a behest of £200 for his “mulatto son”, John Hilton and £20 currency to his “quadroon daughter”, Mary Hilton and £10 to his “mulatto daughter”, also called Mary Hilton.

PALTRY

These were paltry inheritances compared to the £2,000 he left his niece Hannah Hilton and further legacies of £3,000 and £1,000 he left to other relatives.

Though he treated his white relatives, who were not direct descendants, better than he treated his own son and daughters of mixed heritage, John Hilton treated his enslaved charges the worst. They were

bequeathed nothing in his will.

Not one penny for their labour in making him an extremely wealthy man.

Worse still, they were simply handed over, lock stock and barrel when the time came for the estate to be passed on to John Hilton’s nephew.

The plantations enslaved workers were now the ‘property’ of William Hilton Cooke who quickly saw their value in making him an even greater fortune. By 1810 when William Hilton Cooke inherited the plantation, there were 318 enslaved people labouring seven days a week to make him rich.

In today’s terms, even at conservative labour estimates, he would have been earning £7.5 million extra every year by not paying his workers.

William Hilton Cooke would be even wealthier on the abo-

A HIDDEN HISTORY: By 1810, there were 318 enslaved people labouring at Rookery Hall (photo: Booking.com) lition of slavery in 1833 when he and his fellow slave owners were richly compensated by parliament for each and every enslaved person on their ledger.

At that time, Cooke was able to claim for 264 people that he was forced to release from bondage.

In 1867, Rookery Hall was sold together with the park, farms and greenhouses. It was sold again in 1947.

The Hilton Cookes may not

own the Rookery any longer, but back in Jamaica their legacy is still in evidence at the Chester Castle plantation.

As recently as 2007, author Ian Thomson visited a 96-yearold white planter known locally as ‘Squire Cooke’ who lived reclusively on the estate in a West Indian merchant’s house from the 1700s.

Many generations of the family remain buried in the home’s grounds today.

FEBRUARY 2021

WWW.DOITLONDON.ORG @DOITLDN LONDON HIV PREVENTION PROGRAMME: PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY LONDON BOROUGHS

THE VOICE| 23

24 | THE VOICE

MARCH 2021

News feature

Celebrating our w♀men

THE VOICE SALUTES DAWN HILL CBE CHAMPION: Dawn Hill says she is honoured to have been recognised by The Voice for International Women’s Day; inset below left, Dawn as a young nurse

Forty years of commitment and leadership to the Black Cultural Archives during which Dawn spearheaded the opening of the first Black Heritage Centre – and there is so much more she has achieved

D

AWN HILL CBE recently resigned as chair of the Black Cultural Archives (BCA), a post that she held from 2012 – 2021, having joined the Board of Trustees in 1981 and working in the early years with Len Garrison, BCA founder.

On July 24, 2014, under Dawn’s visionary leadership, the BCA opened as the first national Black Heritage Centre in Windrush Square, Brixton. It is the only national repository of black culture and heritage in Britain.

She founded the flagship Rainbow nursery in Hackney in 1973 and for 10 years chaired Blackliners, the London-based HIV/Aids service for African, Caribbean and Asian people of which she was one of its founders in 1989.

INTEGRAL

Dawn has a background as a state-registered nurse (SRN) and is an experienced management consultant. She has a diploma in social administration and worked in industrial relations, organisation development and human resource management in the NHS, education, and NGOs. She is a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development.

Dawn chaired the BCA HLF funded Archives & Museum Black Heritage Project in partnership with Middlesex University which established a basis

‘I admire her contribution’

for the Raleigh Hall Capital Development Project.

She has been a non-executive director and governor at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, and also a governor at the Evelina Hospital School and trustee of the Mary Seacole Memorial Statue Appeal.

Dawn was an integral member of the team that campaigned for the statue of Mary Seacole and its unveiling in the gardens of St Thomas’ Hospital in June 2016.

Over the years, Dawn has championed raising the awareness and study of black history and to make it accessible to all.

Former prime minister Theresa May presented Dawn with a Points of Light award at Downing Street on October 18, 2017 in recognition of outstanding volunteer service with the BCA. Dawn was awarded a CBE in the 2018 New Year’s Honours list in recognition of her resolute commitment and dedication to culture, along with other significant achievements.

Dawn is also the recipient of many other awards for her many achievements in academic work and public service.

Dawn Hill CBE’s response

“I am be honoured to be saluted by The Voice for International Women’s Day. “I came to England in 1956 aged 16, 65 years ago. I have had a great life and for over 40 years I have championed many causes that affect the black community both in my professional and voluntary ca-

‘Her dynamism drove the change agenda’

pacities. It has been hard work with numerous challenges, however my family, friends and other amazing people such as, historians, educationalists, creative artists and activists have supported me.

“I am immensely proud of BCA and its standing in the promotion of the history of

‘She has led from the front’ JEWEL IN THE CROWN: Councillors Sonia Winifred and Donatus Anyanwu with Dawn Hill at the BCA, 2018

Ansel Wong CBE, chair, BCA

CONNECTIONS: Dawn Hill, Marie Garrison (Len Garrison’s widow) and Baroness Floella Benjamin at the Inaugural Len Garrison Memorial Lecture at the BCA in 2014 Baroness Floella Benjamin, DBE DL “I met Dawn over 30 years ago when our sons, who look like brothers, were at the same school. She has always been someone who believes in ‘working together to create success’ and is passionate about making a difference to the world. When she was chair of the BCA, she asked

me to give the inaugural Len Garrison Memorial Lecture, to talk about my contribution to society through my work in the media and literature for children, which was what Len promoted.

“It was my honour to nominate Dawn to receive a CBE in 2017, because I have great respect and admiration for the contribution she has made to our social history.”

“Dawn Hill has stepped down as chair of the Black Cultural Archives after four decades of steering the organisation to become the home of black British history and the nation’s leading incubator, archive, museum, and communal hub for the black presence in the UK.

STRATEGY

“Dawn is one on a long list of black women whose robust leadership, dynamism and intellect drove the change agenda in the community, entrepreneurial, political, and cultural sectors.

“Under her stewardship, the BCA now has a sound financial platform, several

@thevoicenewspaper

Cllr Sonia Winifred, cabinet member for equalities and culture CONFIDENT: Ansel Wong key programmes to collect, preserve and celebrate the histories of people of African and Caribbean descent in the UK, an innovative workforce development plan targeting the heritage and cultural industries and a detailed strategy to take the BCA confidently into the next 10 years.”

@thevoicenews

Caribbean and African people in UK and my involvement with the Mary Seacole Statue.

“But there is much more to do. So to my younger international women, my mantra to you is ‘keep on keeping on’ be confident and competent. Be professional in all that you so and be nice to everyone.”

“Dawn has been pivotal in the fight for race equality in the UK for many years.

“In her role as chair of the BCA, she successfully steered the organisation to secure investment of £7 million for the organisation and to make it a true jewel in Lambeth’s crown.

“Dawn has always led from the front and over the years she has been an inspi-

voicenews

ration to me and I have been proud to call her a friend.

“Dawn’s tireless commitment and campaigning for the Windrush Generation has been a catalyst for real change: our task is to ensure that her legacy continues.

“As Dawn moves into retirement, I am sure she will ‘hold our feet to the fire’ and inspire further positive change.

“All the very best on your retirement, Dawn — and thank you for your invaluable contribution to our community and society at large.”

www.voice-online.co.uk

MARCH 2020

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26 | THE VOICE

MARCH 2021

News feature

Celebrating our w♀men

‘Why many of my greatest role models are mothers’ Some of the world’s most successful women have shown that starting a family doesn’t mean you have to forget your dreams, says Mayi Hughes

I

HAVE MANY goals: to graduate university, to study law, to become a journalist.

These are aspirations I’ve decided upon throughout the years growing up: I didn’t dream of law school as a young girl.

But something I’ve always wanted to be is a mother. Why? Partly because society says so.

Motherhood is pushed upon young girls from their earliest years. But as I’ve grown up, my dreams of motherhood have been affirmed to me. I know I want to build a family one day.

But as I take steps towards fulfilling my career goals, the more intimidated I become of the thought of motherhood.

How do you birth entire children while maintaining a career? Do children derail careers?

How do you retain an identity outside of your motherhood?

Over the years there have been countless women who have quelled these worries. This International Women’s Day, I’m going to tell you about some of my greatest role models, and why many of them are mothers.

How do you retain an identity outside of your motherhood?

First off, we have Jessica Ennis-Hill. I remember watching her gold-winning Olympic heptathlon performance in 2012 and realising I had a new hero.

She was unbeatable, leagues above any other athlete. And then she became pregnant and gave birth in 2014.

When I heard she was pregnant, I was devastated. I thought my new hero had retired.

But after giving birth in 2014, she announced

she wanted to defend her title at the 2016 Rio Olympics. In Rio, she battled it out to come second by just 35 points. There was an air of disappointment among British fans. However for me, her silver was almost more impressive than her gold at the London 2012 Olympics.

CHAMPION

Next up we have Serena Williams. A seven time Wimbledon champion, Williams, pictured below, won her 23rd Grand Slam title in 2017 while eight weeks pregnant. Williams came back to the tennis scene just eight months after delivering her daughter, and became a Wimbledon finalist a few months later.

Williams’ story is particularly inspiring to me because of how difficult her pregnancy was due to medical racism.

Williams’ sharing of her

traumatic labour story added a whole new layer to her Wimbledon comeback. It showcased a type of strength that makes her the greatest athlete of all time in my eyes.

After reading Michelle Obama’s Becoming, I was left in awe of her. Some of the themes I found most interesting in her book were the more intimate ones, about how motherhood reshaped her identity: “For me, being a mother made me a better professional, because coming home every night to my girls reminded me what I was working for.

DREAMS

“And being a professional made me a better mother, because by pursuing my dreams, I was modelling for my girls how to pursue their dreams.”

I often think about the family members, teachers and mentors that have shaped who I am today, and how most of them are women, many of them mothers.

I’m eternally amazed that people can birth entire human beings, raise them, and remain

INSPIRED: Mayi Hughes is in awe of successful mothers among the best in their respective fields. I yearn for the day that we can celebrate and recognise just how multifaceted and inspiring mothers can be, outside of their motherhood.

Because many of them are the greatest role models.

Mayi Hughes is a British-Nigerian student journalist studying at Harvard University, who was born and raised in east London. She is an international track athlete passionate about education, women and uplifting black stories.

‘Yes, black girls do hike – and Britain had better get used to it’ I AM DISAPPOINTED but not surprised at racist complaints made by BBC Countryfile viewers after watching the Black Girls Hike episode which aired on January 10.

The issue for the racist complainants was not that they saw black female humans on television; to think that, would be to miss the point entirely.

Black humans have been seen on TV for decades in one guise or another (let’s take out of this equation the Black and White Minstrel Show which aired on the BBC between 1958 and 1978; 20 inglorious years).

Black humans have been portrayed on television since John Logie Baird, used a thalofide cell to create the first TV in the 1920s.

Black humans have had to fight for positive representation in the media and on television ever since; a work

in progress even though some progress has been made. In 1968 Barbara Blake Hannah became the first-ever black on-screen news reporter to appear on British television.

POWER

Prior to that, black people had exclusively been assigned entertainment roles. The power of television is that it not only reflects society but more importantly it influences attitudes.

There is no clearer case for this than after a coup. The very first thing that the new junta does is to take over all media, including television.

The power of TV to influence opinion cannot be underestimated and in fact, the complaints in respect of Sainsbury’s and Countryfile are very insightful. The viewers found the images that were projected from their

STANDING TALL: Rhiane Fatinikun and the Black Girls Hike group in 2019 screens to be uncomfortable and challenging.

I would go as far as saying that viewers found the images disturbing.

Why? The point of contention was that this was a white space and Black Girls Hike had invaded it.

Black humans should not be allowed to enjoy the countryside –

@thevoicenewspaper

and certainly not become farmers.

Therefore, in that context, the irony of a black entertainer – ex-JLS band member Jonathan Benjamin Gill – won’t be lost.

Forget farmer George, here comes farmer Jonathan! I look forward to the day when the BFA (Black Farmers Association) is established.

@thevoicenews

voicenews

A fundamental question remains, which is this: why would white humans wish to deny black humans the right to live a rich and fulfilling life of endless possibilities?

It is difficult to understand why any human being would wish this on a fellow human being as it’s irrational and illogical.

However, racism is irrational and illogical. For centuries we’ve tried to get to the bottom of it. Place a black human in a white space and somehow you get an explosive reaction like mixing ammonium and nitrate.

This mental apartheid has to end.

So, Rhiane Fatinikun and the members of the Black Girls Hike group, keep doing what you’re doing.

A full story on Black Girls Hike will appear in our April edition

www.voice-online.co.uk

MARCH 2021

Celebrating our w♀men

THE VOICE | 27

News feature

AT 108 YEARS, WONDER WOMAN TAKES THE JAB ‘Aunty Louise’ Smith is one of the oldest people in Britain, as well as the entire planet, to get their first dose of the Pfizer jab – and she couldn’t be happier, writes Simoney Kyriakou

L

OUISE SMITH is no stranger to the media spotlight.

When she was 100, she was feted in the local press as a paragon of fitness – even up to her 103rd birthday, she was regularly at the gym, taking kickboxing classes and keeping her petite form in great shape.

So it was not surprising that the Jamaican-born great-great (yes, that’s right), grandmother was a local reason to celebrate once again as she became Croydon’s oldest resident, at the grand age of 108, to receive the COVID-19 vaccination.

Merah Louise Smith – ‘Aunty Louise’ to people at her church in Thornton Heath – has been forced on the doctors’ orders to give up her more rigorous exercise since her knee joints started letting her down, and is almost deaf.

However, she gave a huge smile to well-wishers when, on January 19, she became one of the oldest people in Britain – and perhaps on Earth – to get her first dose of the Pfizer jab.

She said she was “very pleased” to have received the vaccine, and is “doing well” afterwards, “thank God”.

Her son Tony, who accom-

I have been vaccinated against COVID. It’s the wisest thing to do at our age panied her to get the vaccine, commented: “I have had mine, too. It is the wisest thing to do, especially at our age.”

Mrs Smith, whose faith has never wavered through all the changes in her life – has seen two world wars, the invention of television, the moon landings, the technological advancement of computers and mobile phones, the rise of fascism, the fall of the Berlin Wall and the creation of Zumba – could be called one of London’s superwomen of the pandemic, although she would be too modest to accept this accolade.

When so much misinformation, distrust and fear about the vaccines has spread among many people, fuelled by social media, Aunty Louise is setting an amazing example of trust, level-headedness and good old common sense.

Aunty Louise, who as a young woman in Jamaica trained as a

nurse herself and dedicated her working life to looking after others in need, paid tribute to the “wonderful” NHS staff who have looked after her.

But her joy at getting the vaccine has also been clouded by the fact shielding and lockdown has been hard, as it has taken her away from attending church.

GLAMOROUS

Pre-pandemic, she would attend as much as possible, always impeccably dressed in smart, heeled shoes, glamorous earrings and matching accessories.

It was also wonderful to share in celebrations with Aunty Louise and her family – notably a joint birthday party hosted at Thornton Heath Evangelical Church in November 2019 with family friend Trina Harris, before the world had even heard the words ‘COVID-19’.

Ms Harris commented: “Louise is such an inspiration.

“Whenever we see her, she always asks how we are.

“Louise always wakes up every morning thanking God for allowing her another day on earth.”

Perhaps this is why Aunty Louise has made no secret of her ambition to make it to 115 – no mean feat, considering estimates that fewer than 600 people still living have reached the age of 110 (although not all of these have been verified). Mrs Harris calls her an “inspiration” – a

SO SPECIAL: Above, Louise celebrates her amazing life; below, with members of her large family great accomplishment in itself as we celebrate International Women’s Day this month, adding: “She never complains, Louise always says ‘by God’s grace’.

up by activist and trade unionist Marcus Mosiah Garvey Jr in 1914, and just 79 years after the abolition of slavery in Jamaica in 1834.

Indeed, her own mother was a

Aunty Louise is such an example of a Godly mother. She truly is an inspiration to me “She’s such an example of a Godly mother. She truly is an inspiration to me.”

Born in St Mary, Jamaica, Mrs Smith lived in the capital of Kingston before coming to England in the 1960s, following her daughter who arrived in the 1950s.

She lived through difficult times in the emergence of Jamaica’s national identity; being born in 1913 – a year before one of the first political parties was set

“superwoman”, raising children during a difficult period in Jamaica during the early years of the 20th century.

Aunty Louise‘s young years were influenced by the Great Depression, a period of economic devastation that gave impetus to the rise of nationalism in Jamaica, which is generally dated to the 1938 Labour riots that affected Jamaica and other islands in the Eastern Caribbean.

After the Second World War, Jamaica began a relatively long transition to full political independence, which it finally gained in 1962, around the time that Aunty Louise began preparing for her cross-Atlantic journey.

Interestingly, she had not seen her birth documents for many

years so did not even know exactly how old she was, until she received a telegram from Queen Elizabeth II, which she said at the time was a “wonderful surprise”.

This news was welcomed with a special announcement in church and a large cake (of course!) to commemorate the event.

MILESTONE

Many special cakes have since been consumed by friends and family as each milestone birthday passed by.

Aunty Louise has three children, Astrid (known to us as Irene), 84, Tencle (Tony), 71, and Icha, 62, and six grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

“Having a large family is a big blessing,” her son Mr Smith said, adding with a smile: “And sometimes it is a curse.

“But no, really, we are very blessed.”

Simoney Kyriakou is a journalist and a member of the Evangelical Church in Thornton Heath that Aunty Louise attends.

28 | THE VOICE

MARCH 2021

News feature

Celebrating our w♀ men

OFFERING UP HOPE

WORKING ON BUILDING FUTURES: Rev Phyllis Thompson says she is concerned by the legacy that we as a generation are leaving for our future leaders – but says there is hope; inset below left, Rev Thompson’s book, Challenges of Pentecostal Theology in the 21st Century, focuses on her concerns in modern British churches

It’s clear Black Majority Churches have a major role to play in helping to bring a largely divided Britain together, especially during these incredibly difficult times, as Rev John Root discusses with his friend Rev Phyllis Thompson Phyllis, we have been friends for over 40 years.

What’s been happening to you?

Yes. We met through the Zebra Project, one of the pioneering ecumenical church race relations efforts way back in the ‘‘70s.

I am now retired – perhaps semi-retired! My life and work have been very much to do with development education within the secular, pentecostal/ evangelical settings and wider church in the local, national and global contexts.

Key happenings include the development of the New Testament Church of God (NTCG) theological training programme [https://ntcg.org.uk/education/], our Heritage Centre [https:// ntcg.org.uk/history/] and The Oliver Lyseight Annual Lectures [https://ntcg.org.uk/education/ events/oliver-lyseight-annual-lecture/].

These three initiatives build on the work of our pioneers and provide spaces for our members and the wider community to engage in meaningful intergenerational, interdenominational conversations, critical reflection and shared learning from our past for credible, contemporary Christian ministry.

Compilations of the first two series of the lectures are in print: Challenges of Black Pentecostal Leadership in the 21st Century (SPCK 2013) and Challenges of Pentecostal Theology in the 21st Century (SPCK 2020). The

Racism and the unwillingness on every front to abolish it presents the biggest challenge current series, which runs from 2018-2022, focuses on the role of women in the church.

Your father, Rev SU Thompson, was a leading NTCG minister. What was it like growing up in the church?

Yes. Dad was one of our NTCG pioneers. He founded churches in south-east London and the West Midlands. Looking back, my siblings (the nine of us now alive) recognise the privilege it was to have had him and our mother as parents.

Growing up in the church as a ‘Pastor’s kid’ presented much aggravation and pressure, particularly in the realms of control and liberty. Thankfully, each of us embraced the positive intentions and support our parents and the church members gave us and, as a result, we are all engaged in Christian ministry and service to the community across the various spheres of influence.

When did issues of racism and blackness first become significant for you?

Racism and negative perception of ‘blackness’ was very apparent during my school days.

I remember a school lesson on slavery. The teacher’s attempt was appalling to say the least, her lack of sensitivity and acuity simply perpetuated the mentality of the slave owners and the mutilation of the slaves which left me in a quandary beyond my intellectual and emotional aptitude.

Another significant moment that comes to mind would be the time on my final teaching practice when I was asked to contribute to the school’s effort during their ‘Multicultural Week’.

In those days, the one black teacher was presumed to be an authority on the subject!

My contribution was clearly well received, but I was very much aware that my theoretical base was weak and vowed to do some serious research on the matter. As a result, I took a post as Church and Community worker with the Zebra Project in east London and began my activism for the cause.

Looking forward, what gives you hope for the future of Black Majority Churches (BMCs) in Britain, and what do you think are the main challenges?

The so-called ‘Black Majority Churches’ and ‘White Majority Churches’ are continuing to seek ways in which to present the good news of the gospel to our racially divided society. That gives me hope.

But the hindrances remain strikingly daunting. Racism and the unwillingness on every front to abolish it presents the biggest challenge to my mind.

Martin Luther King’s observation is still too true, that 11am on Sundays is the most racially divided time of the week.

The unwillingness of the White Majority Churches or the ‘historic churches’, as they are otherwise called, to move beyond mere ‘talk’ and ‘walk the talk’ does not help.

BMCs are a growing component of the British religious landscape. In my view, much of our contribution is hidden because, firstly, we have not utilised sufficient opportunities to contribute to public Christian witness in local, national and global contexts, for example by giving servant leadership with integrity.

Secondly, we are too focused on style, size and ‘celebrities’ rather than matters such as theological training, exemplary leading with integrity, the mentoring of our young/emerging

@thevoicenewspaper

leaders in the interest of kingdom purposes.

Then there is the issue of women in leadership.

I remain struck by the observation of one of our young women: ‘I find it odd that I can aspire to be and become the Prime Minister of the UK and not a bishop in my church!’ This

Leavon Bowman, helps to address this concern. For further information, visit https://ntcg. org.uk/shop/

What particularly nourishes your faith today, and what do you pray for particularly?

What are the main things that you think BMCs have to offer to black British people,and to British society as a whole?

Discipleship and pilgrimage currently preoccupy my mind, prayer and understanding of my faith journey. I am finding Eugene Peterson’s book, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society, to be a great resource in my endeavours to make the idiom “Be the change you want to see in the world” my lifestyle.

I am very aware of the global and inter-independent realities of our humanity, which strengthens my firm belief that all lives matter: black lives notthe-least. To this end, I pray for discernment and wisdom to bring the Christian perspective to this timely global conversation whenever and wherever I sense the opportunity to do so.

We have much to offer the British society from our experience of marginalisation is a pertinent challenge for us: What legacy are we leaving for the next generation?

Another challenge is to do with how we create alternatives to the Eurocentric perspectives of the Christian story that often dominate the artwork in our homes and churches. Our painting, A Taste of Heaven by

@thevoicenews

I believe we have much to offer the British society from our experience of marginalisation and social injustice. For example, how to welcome strangers, ensure that minorities are not neglected and that the voices of the alienated are heard, how to affirm and nurture the sense of identity, belonging.

voicenews

www.voice-online.co.uk

MARCH 2021

THE VOICE | 29

Faith

CHURCHES’ CALL TO ARMS

A HEARTFELT PLEA: Dr Ezekiel Alawale, chairperson, Majority Black Led Churches Nottingham and Pastor of God’s Vineyard Church Nottingham, says it is our duty to receive the COVID-19 vaccine

The Voice publishes a joint statement here from the Nottingham Majority Black Led Church Leaders on the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme

T

HE TRAGIC and sad reality before us is that the total number of deaths due to COVID-19 in the UK has exceeded 120,000 and is climbing.

Public Health England studies show that black people have a higher rate of getting COVID-19 and are dying disproportionately from COVID-19 due to ongoing societal, racial, and healthcare disparities.

Other surveys are showing that up to 72 per cent of black people are not likely to take the vaccine. Indeed, as of February 7, figures from the Royal College of GPS showed that 91 per cent of people who had received the vaccine were white; just two per cent were black.

Yet many in our community are putting themselves at risk everyday on the front line as

There is no treatment for COVID-19, so the focus is on prevention health and social care workers, keeping our communities safe and functional.

As MBLC, our priority is the safety and wellbeing of our congregations and wider community. We believe it is essential that as MBLC leaders, we provide scientifically sound medical information; whilst being sensitive to the legitimate concerns about the health inequalities experienced by the black community.

There is genuine ‘vaccine

hesitancy’ amongst the black community.

We must, however, challenge and dispel misinformation by providing the information to guide our people to make an informed decision on taking the vaccine.

APPROVAL

It must be stated that these vaccines have undergone testing and given safety approval by the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Bodies.

The safety margins were established prior to approval of the vaccines.

There is no treatment for COVID-19, so the focus is on prevention. It is therefore recommended we all receive the vaccine.

The current vaccine pro-

gramme timetable means that our senior black citizens must decide now whether to take the vaccine or not.

Although this is a personal choice, we advise people to seriously consider taking the vaccine to protect yourself against getting seriously ill due to the COVID-19 virus.

We as MBLC will be available on request to respond to any

concerns through a panel of faith leaders and ministers, who are also health care professionals, to give clarity.

Please feel free to contact us if you would like us to give information and answer any further questions regarding COVID-19 vaccination.

Please do continue to follow the Government guidelines and we continue to pray for God’s

healing, mercy and wisdom during this unprecedented time.

Please see a helpful toolkit in the link below, which has information on the vaccines and vaccination process: https: //mailchi.mp/0ee7ee26aff7/ covid-19-vaccination-toolkitedition-4808671 — God bless you, The Majority Black Led Churches

30 | THE VOICE FEBRUARY 2021

One in three Children in Lambeth are born into poverty One in three Black Caribbean pupils are eligible for free school meals One in three 19 year olds do not have level 3 (A Level) qualifications

(Source) Equality Commission Report and Recommendations 2017

‘‘

My daughters benefit hugely from clubs in Lambeth so it’s great to help other children have this opportunity.

“

Paul (LYOF Donor)

This is a very challenging time for us all as we live through the Covid-19 pandemic.

Charities and community groups across Lambeth have risen to the challenge and are working tirelessly to make sure young people and their families receive the support they need during this critical time.

Lambeth Council is partnering with The London Community Foundation to establish the Lambeth Youth Opportunities Fund to help improve the life chances of the most vulnerable young people in our borough.

The Lambeth Youth Opportunities Fund is an opportunity to bring together Lambeth’s residents, local businesses, philanthropic investors and leading corporates with a presence in the borough. Whether it’s a family’s £20 monthly donation, or a major donor’s £100,000 gift, the Lambeth Youth Opportunities Fund offers a chance to be part of the collective change we want to see for the young people in our communities. If you would like to support the fund, you can donate in one easy click on the website.

By supporting the Lambeth Youth Opportunities fund, you are investing in Lambeth’s next generation of citizens, entrepreneurs, artists and business leaders.

Together we can empower Lambeth’s next generation to make positive change for themselves and their communities, giving the tools and support they need to create that change.

Nominate a local business and show them some love!

Do you know of a local business, group or individual that has gone the extra step to promote and support The Lambeth Youth Opportunities Fund? Why not nominate them for a Lambeth Made Charter Mark Award?

The Lambeth Made Charter Mark Awards rely on local knowledge and experience to identify the organisations in the borough that should be recognised for their community impact or for offering opportunities to young people.

This year, the awards include a special category for businesses and individuals who have shown a commitment to building a sustainable youth sector in Lambeth by supporting and promoting the Lambeth Youth Opportunities Fund.

Nominations must be received by Sunday 14 February with the Award ceremony taking place online on Tuesday 2 March at 3:30pm.

Nominations and registration for the awards can be found through this QR code.

www.lambethyouthopportunitiesfund.org.uk 101867 (2.21)

101867 LYOF voice ad.indd 1

04/02/2021 13:27

MARCH 2021 THE VOICE | 31

We help mum get the right property!

News

Tinika Jackson had been fighting for better living conditions for her family – and a challenge from The Voice has now paid off

A

MOTHER WHO contacted The Voice at her wits’ end about her cramped, unsafe living conditions in a council flat has been offered another property.

Tinika Jackson, 31, is a key worker who lives with her two children, a son aged 10 and a daughter aged seven, in a onebedroom flat. Her children share a bedroom and she sleeps in the living room.

Their circumstances had seriously affected the family’s quality of life.

Not only does Tinika have breathing difficulties, but the situation also severely affected her mental health.

As a result of her housing situation, she dealt with depres-

A recurring problem was that they had nowhere to stay and sleep while harsh chemicals were sprayed to get rid of mould sion and anxiety causing her to lose hair. In addition, the pandemic made her living situation even more difficult. She had been asking Hammersmith and

Fulham Council to solve damp and mould issues in her home for years.

The recurring problem was they had nowhere to stay and sleep while furniture was moved for repainting and harsh chemicals were sprayed to get rid of the mould.

WAITING

She had also been on the waiting list for a larger home for six years, double the expected waiting time.

The Voice repeatedly asked Hammersmith and Fulham Council what it was doing to assist Tinika and her family.

Tinika has now informed us that she has been offered a three-bedroom property near a

friend of hers, in an area that she knows is spacious and safe.

She believes our intervention helped move along a battle she had been fighting for years.

Before even receiving the news, Tinika had bought packing boxes in preparation for a move, knowing her current living circumstances were unacceptable.

Hammersmith and Fulham Council have also told The Voice that if the property is not suitable, the housing department will make sure Tinika and her family are housed somewhere while necessary home improvements are made.

They say the lack of council housing is an ongoing problem, and they had been making their best efforts to assist Tinika and HAPPY: Tinika and her son have something to smile about her family.

32 | THE VOICE MARCH 2021

News

‘Jesus is not ready for me’ After a recent two-week battle with COVID-19 and pneumonia, Pastor Norman Mitchell says it’s his upbringing, his perseverance and his faith that have kept him going after celebrating an incredible milestone – his 100th birthday

By Deon P Green

“J

ESUS IS not ready for me yet, there is work to be done….I want to obey him and do what is to be done.”

These are the words of Pastor Norman Mitchell who celebrated his 100th birthday on January 27, having survived a bout with COVID-19.

For Mitchell, his mother’s love and having to ensure she was provided for, contributed significantly to the love that embraced his family.

“My mother Rebecca (Rachel Hames), was a wonderful woman.

“She was so pretty, her love was so close for all of us, especially me, the last one of 11 children.

I was the last little boy so they all loved me,” the centurion reminisces of his late mother and other siblings.

Elaborating further Mitchell recalls: “My father died when I was young and I took over the responsibility of my mother, I made sure she had everything she needed.

“From age 14 to 27 I did my best to take care of my mother.

My last sister would go to the market to sell on weekends to sel from my father’s cultivation

People ask me how 100 feels – it doesn’t feel any different.

One great power we have on Earth is God’s love and animals that he reared, ensuring the home was comfortable.”

“All the men in those days admired how I took care of my mother and because of that they became my friends, so I grew up with big men,” he remembers.

“Honour your mother and father and your day will be long upon the land,” he adds with a laugh. But at 100, he is feeling no different. “People ask me how 100 feels – it doesn’t feel any different. One great power we have on this earth is God’s love,” he says.

In his memoirs it is documented: “My mother and father were happily married; they provided an atmosphere of love and happiness in our home

where we were nurtured in Christian principles with high moral standards.”

Pastor Mitchell is an ardent church goer – of course, coronavirus has affected his attendance and so, with Bible in hand, he reaches for his glasses and note book. As he searches for a scripture, he commented on COVID-19.

“They close the world down especially the church; that is not necessary. What are the preachers doing about it? The church is a place of comfort; to solicit God, to communicate with the heavenly Father.

“We hear all kinds of false reports. We need the presence of the Lord; we should be looking forward to God. “He is our refuge and strength. This (COVID-19) is man wanting to have power but there is one power and it is the power of God,” he preaches.

GLORY

Pastor Mitchell tells The Voice: “I had COVID and pneumonia – I was in bed for two weeks, but here I am, I am back, thanks be to God; Jesus is not ready for me yet, there is work to be done; God’s glory is great and that’s why I am here and can speak to you.”

He attributes his recovery from the virus to medication from his doctor, herbal remedy and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

KEEPING THE FAITH: Pastor Norman Mitchell consults his Bible during his interview with The Voice newspaper; bottom left, receiving his MBE from Prince Charles in 2014; bottom right, the special card he received from Queen Elizabeth congratulating him on his 100th birthday From a family of longevity, Pastor Mitchell’s grandfather lived beyond the age 90, his sister Imogene is 93 and his mother departed aged 90.

Jamaica at a cost of £75, which was a lot of money in those days. When he shows me one of his numerous birthday cards – the one from Queen Elizabeth

I had COVID and pneumonia – I was in bed for two weeks, but here I am, thanks be to God. God’s glory is great Pastor Mitchell, who is firstgeneration Windrush, arrived in Plymouth among 300 migrants in an unfamiliar dimly lit and freezing cold Sunday morning in 1955 from Clarendon, Jamaica.

He made the journey from

@thevoicenewspaper

@thevoicenews

– his face illuminates with the radiance of a child in a sweet shop.

Pastor Mitchell’s first task in Britain was loading lorries with bricks until a more secure employment was achieved in 1955 as glass quality-control inspec-

voicenews

tor in Park Royal, followed by 12 years of service with St John ambulance Brigade. He founded the West Indian Senior Citizen Organisation in 1980. His efforts were aimed at helping the Windrush Generation in Harlesden, north-west London, who had become frail and isolated.

SERVICE

He has lived in the community for 60 years and was award an MBE in 2014 for community work and service. He attended the first Windrush Generation Thanksgiving service at Westminster Abbey on June 22, 2018, which acknowledges the Generation’s immense contribution to British society over the last 70 years.

www.voice-online.co.uk

FEBRUARY 2021

THE VOICE| 33

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THE VOICE

MARCH 2021

News feature

Continued from page 8 However, Ngozi explains that they still have to fight in order to be heard.

“Any group or person can use the term ‘BAME’ to say they speak on behalf of black women, when they don’t,” she says.

“This has led to decades of issues for black women who are usually represented by those who know little or nothing about African, Caribbean or grassroots cultures. It cannot and should not be assumed that anyone who is not white middle class and may be classed as BAME, can speak for us.”

She tells me she won’t stop until the voices of British African heritage women like Valerie Forde, are finally heard.

After expressing concerns about their initial premises in Clapton, Hackney Council moved Sistah Space to a location on Mare Street.

The Clapton location underwent refurbishment.

Ngozi informs me that deliberations with the council were always about having a “temporary space, until they could find a permanent one”.

“We’ve done risk assessments and we’ve said that our previous building is not safe, they’re not trying to work out somewhere else or find another solu-

They are literally depriving hundreds of women tion, they want us to go back to where we were, it is such a dilapidated building – all of this while they shout Black Lives Matter,” she says.

When a reporter called one day and asked Ngozi how she felt about Sistah Space’s impending eviction, things came to a head.

Ngozi’s daughter, Djanomi, is also a trained independent domestic violence advisor. She points out that shelter is one of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.

He calls it a basic need, in fact.

DEPRIVING

“It’s shelter, food and human interaction,” she explains.

“We provide all those things, but our old building and its location are not suitable. When [the council] deprive Sistah Space of these basic needs, they are literally depriving hundreds or even thousands of women – black women specifically – and their children, and their families.”

The dispute between Hackney Council prompted the charity to launch a petition in November last year.

Already signed by more than 3,000 people, it calls on the council to provide them with a safe premises, including but not limited to a “minimum fiveyear lease” on a new building and a “location with easy transport links”.

ADEQUATE

The petition also says the charity have been waiting five years for an adequate space.

In a live streamed meeting between Sistah Space and Hackney Council, Ngozi told the board of councillors to “please get their collective knees off of our necks, because we can’t breathe”.

She accused them of institutional racism. Now, Sistah Space’s plight has received worldwide attention and they have the support of leading black figures in the UK such as Edward Enninful, editor in chief of British Vogue and musician and activist Akala.

The Voice reached out to Hackney Council for comment.

A council spokesperson said: “Following independent mediation in October, Sistah Space agreed to leave the temporary

SUPPORT: British Vogue editor Edward Enninful and musician Akala are backing the group premises they have occupied since December 2019 rent-free in Mare Street last month – a date they suggested – after accepting the Council could not guarantee long-term accommodation.

“As we have always made clear, like hundreds of other charities in Hackney, Sistah Space is free to apply for space in other Council build-

ings when it becomes available – as they did when granted previous premises in Clapton in 2016, before deciding it was no longer suitable.

if there was not a fair and transparent letting process open to all voluntary and charity sector organisations.”

LIMITED

To support Sistah Space in their fight for a safe premises and funding visit their funding page at gofundme.com If you or anyone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please visit Sistah Space.org

“Space is extremely limited, and it would be inappropriate and unfair to the many other charities also there to support Hackney’s diverse communities

Lifestyle Michelle Trusselle on the challenges she faces being the female chef p36

It’s a first for The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama p40

‘A lot has been done, but a lot still needs to change’

SHANEQUA PARIS

Joslyn Thompson Rule was told she wouldn’t dance again, but she did p44

36 | THE VOICE MARCH 2021

Lifestyle

Food and drink

‘Lack of BAME role models is holding us back’ Michelle Trusselle, founder of Myristica, a supper club serving Caribbean inspired cuisine, writes in her first column for Lifestyle about the issues she faces in her ascendency in the industry

BY MICHELLE TRUSSELLE

‘S

O, WHAT’S it like being a female chef?’ is one of the questions I’m asked most frequently.

I never did understand why that was one of the first things people think when they hear I’m a part of the industry.

It always seemed strange to me... like would you ask a nurse what it was like to be a female in uniform? What about a teacher?

Then, I realised that most people imagine a male, pale and stale character with a plump physique and stains on their apron when you ask them to describe a chef.

Therefore, from that initial mindset, there is an educational process to go through when it comes to perceptions and stereotypes.

Don’t get me wrong, the industry has come a long way since the days of tall hats and lots of swearing behind the closed kitchen doors. But, I feel we have a way to go yet... and it’s especially true for those in the industry from a BAME background.

These prevailing attitudes affect women like me – women in the cheffing business.

Sometimes people have good intentions. I have been offered help, even forcibly helped against my will when I’ve been spotted in the kitchen about to move a heavy pot.

I’ve found myself saying time and time again, ‘a woman in her business or area of field doesn’t need a man to jump in to move the heavy pot for them if they don’t need them to!’.

I could give you various examples of how and when this has transpired in real time for

“The industry has come a long way since the days of tall hats and lots of swearing” me and go into why the collective affects of the subtle microaggression underpinned by a smidgen of misogyny (relax, I said smidgen), are the bane of my chef existence, but I want to start my first column in Lifestyle talking about women in business.

In the hospitality industry we see many ground-breaking female chefs, which is good to see.

But where are the ones from a BAME background represented here in the UK?

BARRIERS

I recall an article that I saw in The Guardian a couple years back that really resonated with me. The headline was: ‘Only two black head chefs in UK’s Michelin-starred restaurants’.

Why? I think that one of the main barriers to the industry from those of a BAME background is a lack of role models, a lack of representation.

If we as black people cannot see ourselves represented in the industry then it doesn’t encourage us to go after that goal.

If we are one of the ones who do chase a goal in an underrepresented area of the field, it’s hard to imagine ourselves at the top when we aren’t ever shown black people – black women – doing what they do, at the top.

There’s no one there to relate to. It is no secret that we are underrepresented in the industry. We are clearly here but we

certainly aren’t represented. The exact reasons for that could be open for endless debate, but all I know is that we need to push forward even more so to be heard and seen.

Late last year I was able to work with the immensely talented Julian George and chef Mike Reid and a whole host of chefs to create the Made You Look series of photographs with Chef Signatures.

This project was designed to celebrate 30 professional chefs in some of the UK’s best places but yet remain unknown.

To be in a room altogether was nothing short of inspiring.

We all noticed it, we all felt it and we all said that just by shooting these pictures, being in each other’s presence and being able to relate to each other with words unspoken just showed us all how important this project is.

The atmosphere in the room was welcoming and collaborative, it is something that I was so pleased to be a part of!

Even more importantly, my son got to see his mum and others like her up in lights on London’s famous Oxford Street.

This project alone gave me a hope for change and hope for a new dawn of black professional chefs who push the boundaries of cuisine whilst being black and proud.

Being a black woman in a male dominated industry has certainly had its rewards.

I have worked at the well respected La Trompette in Chiswick both before and after it achieved its Michelin star.

I have cooked for UHNW individuals including members of parliament and heads of state and I have been a head chef at one of the most successful Global Management Consultancy firms in London, a position I held for over two years before starting my own venture.

@thevoicenewspaper

STRUGGLE: Michelle Trusselle wants to see more female chefs from a BAME background During this time, though, I’ve learned along the way how to handle myself.

I’ve found that within the male-dominated hospitality in-

We can do what the men can do, sometimes dare I say it even better.

That is why I believe that we really need to try our best and

“We don’t want our daughters to have their voices drowned out by the males in their business” dustry the sound of a woman can be drowned out.

It’s not uncommon for female chefs to be isolated to the pastry section rather than being on rotation and working the various restaurant sections like the guys do. I’ve stood shoulder to shoulder with male chefs on the line and have led my own for a number of years.

@thevoicenews

collectively push to be represented no matter the industry we are in.

Yes, it’s not fair! Being a black woman in most industries is hard enough already, but we as black women need to push forwards in whatever field we are in, in order to be recognised and give hope to the younger generation.

voicenews

We don’t want our young black daughters to have their voices drowned out by the males in their business.

We don’t want our young black daughters to forcibly be ‘helped’ by those with good intentions as they insist they carry our heavy pot and define our role for us.

We don’t want our young black daughters to be slowed down when they are on the way to the top.

We don’t want our young black daughters to be behind closed doors.

We want them to be seen and be heard.

We can do it ourselves, we can represent ourselves and we can push to be recognised as the women in business that we are.

www.voice-online.co.uk

MARCH 2021

THE VOICE | 37

Lifestyle

Media

Shanequa’s shining bright After years of working for free, Shanequa Paris’ hard work has finally paid off as she joins CBBC’s Newsround

BY JOEL CAMPBELL

S

HANEQUA PARIS is the newest CBBC Newsround presenter and joined the team during lockdown last year.

Getting to that point, however, has been a long and winding road of ups and downs which often left her wondering if it will ever happen.

Thrown into the deep end to report on COVID-19, Paris has found her feet in the role and is looking forward to becoming established.

When Lifestyle catch up with the children’s presenter Paris pays homage to those who have come before her, acknowledging the difficulties they must have encountered in order to achieve their dreams.

“I think for each generation there is always people that have paved the way for the new set to come through,” Paris enthused.

“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for other black women that have done the same thing that I’ve done and have done it well.”

She added: “So those women definitely have changed things for how it is now and I think there is still definitely a lot to do because the fact that we are having this conversation just shows that there is still work that needs to be done.

“I think that in five to 10 years’ time, we are going to keep on evolving and it will be easier and less of a thing. I reckon it (black women progressing) will become normal.”

Looking around at her present day peers in the media industry Paris reserved a special mention for award-winning British TV and ra-

“I used to watch telly every single day – at one point I had this fake American accent from watching so much TV” dio presenter and host Remel London, who was listed on the Lifestyle Ones To Watch list earlier this year.

Paris says seeing the progression of London’s journey was inspirational.

“Someone that inspired me a lot was Remel London, she is based in London, I think she’s around my age, black girl and she was – it seemed like she was – everywhere.”

HONEST

She added: “I used to follow her on Instagram and she was doing everything left right and centre.

“I’ve seen she got a job at Capital Xtra a few years ago and then what was interesting, she noted on the post that ‘this is the first time she’s actually had a paid radio job’.

“All the times before she’s been the tea girl working somewhere and all of that.

“I couldn’t believe it because I just assumed that she made from early you know, so it was funny actually just to see the graft that everyone has to put in.

“So seeing her saying that and being honest with it, I was like, ‘OK so it does take a long time and you do have to work from the bottom up and you have to keep trying’, and it just shows that she got there so yeah she was definitely someone that I looked up to.”

P a r i s worked predominantly in radio prior to her television breakthrough.

The experience was invaluable,

PUTTING THE WORK IN: Shanequa Paris honed her presenting skills at BBC Coventry & Warwickshire before joining Newsround hard work but par for the course.

“There are a lot of people in my career that have given me a chance, given me opportunities to showcase what I could do and I’ve done so many things for free.

“Honestly I’ve had trips up and down the motorways for free, because like growing up in, I’ve spent most of my life in Birmingham and compare to, let’s says London, there isn’t as much money that’s floating around to do stuff.

EXPERIENCE

“So, if you are doing something in Birmingham, if it’s a low level production then you are not going to get paid – all you’re going to get is maybe some of your friends can come into the event for free, as payment, not even travel.

“So yeah for a long time I’ve been applying for work experience everywhere, couldn’t get work experience for years so I just kept carrying on with my full time job and then everywhere I can, every weekend, every evening there was always something that I was doing for

free in the entertainment industry.

“It took me from when I was about 20 to 21 when I realised what I wanted to do – as in, officially what I wanted to do.”

Before joining the programme, she worked as a reporter at BBC Coventry & Warwickshire and was offered her presenting job at

diculous. So I definitely wanted to be in the box.”

She added: “I am the youngest of five in my family, so I’ve always been very creative and inventive, putting on performances and putting on shows.

I have always wanted to be on TV, wanting to do presenting as well.

“I was one of those kids that

“I’ve tried difference careers but I’ve always found myself drifting towards the presenting side” Newsround after she impressed a tough audience of children at her screen test.

They warmed to her straight away.

Paris says pushing through the arduous years of toil in order to reach a point she’d been pursuing since she was a young child, were all worth it.

“I used to watch telly every single day. I used to live for the television.

“Like, I at one point had this fake American accent from watching so much TV, it was ri-

wanted to do everything but a lot of that everything I wanted to do was model or be an actress or a singer and dancer. Even though I can’t sing very well.

“So, as I’ve grown up, I’ve tried different careers but I’ve always found myself drifting towards the presenting side because it’s something that I have always enjoyed the most and I’ve ended up being here so it has worked out in the end.”

Check out Paris’ Twitter handle (@ShanequaParis) and you will be met with the bio ‘Current-

ly eating plantain or avocado somewhere. She has a love for growing her own food and if the rest of 2021 went the way she wanted, she’d probably have her own allotment alongside a few other things.

On her hopes, she said: “On a big scale, world peace.

“Everyone just happy, comfortable, not hungry. Yes, world peace.

BETTER

“On a personal level I would have the biggest allotment and I will grow everything under the sun. In fact it will be really sunny here so I can grow mangoes and stuff.

“For me It will be to carrying on doing what I’m doing and for Newsround to get bigger and better so we can reach all kids and for the kids that were the young Joel Campbells who used to run away from the TV when Newsround came on, it will be for them to sit down where they are and watch it and enjoy it.”

Watch the full interview here: www.voice-online.co.uk

38 | THE VOICE MARCH 2021

Lifestyle

Film

Celebrating the blues

Viola Davis shines in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, focusing on the plight of 1920s artists

BY JOEL CAMPBELL

T

HE DIRECTOR of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, George C. Wolfe, wouldn’t be drawn on who delivered his favourite performance from the star-studded movie which can be seen on Netflix, but he did reserve special praise for everyone’s favourite actress right now, Viola Davis.

Playing the role of Ma Rainey, Davis delivers in her usual, excellent and quintessentially inherent manner.

Adapted from two-time Pulitzer Prize winner August Wilson’s play, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom celebrates the transformative power of the blues and the artists who refuse to let society’s prejudices dictate their worth.

Directed by Wolfe and adapted for the screen by Ruben Santiago-Hudson, the film

“Strong doesn’t come free. It’s exhausting having to fight and defend your right to do what you do as an artist” is produced by Fences Oscar nominees Denzel Washington and Todd Black.

Tensions and temperatures rise over the course of an afternoon recording session in 1920s Chicago as a band of musicians await trailblazing performer, the legendary “Mother of the Blues,” Ma Rainey (Davis).

Late to the session, the fearless, fiery Ma engages in a battle of wills with her white manager and producer over control of her music.

As the band waits in the studio’s claustrophobic rehearsal room, ambitious horn player Levee (Chadwick Boseman) – who has an eye for Ma’s girlfriend and is determined to stake his own claim on the music industry –

spurs his fellow musicians into an eruption of stories revealing truths that will forever change the course of their lives.

Speaking on Davis, Wolfe detailed some of what the awardwinning actor found compelling about the moving narrative.

Heaping praise, he said: “It was brilliant. She’s brilliant.

“Viola is an incredibly brilliant, phenomenally skilled, flawlessly trained artist as well as having this deep emotional reservoir and is very, very, very ferociously smart.

“An actor that does her homework and does all the things she needs to do to animate the material.”

GRATEFUL

He added: “She turned the role down repeatedly because she was daunted by the singing.

She finally said yes and I was so gloriously grateful that she did.

“One of the things she talked about was the film was set in 1927 and Ma never recorded again after 1928.

“So one of the things I think was really interesting to her and one of the things that is embedded in the script, is that she (Ma) is in the process of being usurped. Dussie Mae, who she taught and they were probably lovers, is selling more records than her and she knows this.

“So she is facing, in terms of vast popularity, a career that is starting to fade.

“And I think that’s one of the reasons why she is not recep-

tive to what Levee has to offer as a musician.

“She’s stuck in doing it her way because it has worked for her and the fact that he is so brash and fundamentally disrespectful of her legacy instead of being smart and usurping the best of what he has to offer, she becomes very rigid.

“So as a result of that there is a young, very gifted person, who has the possibility of informing her work but she is never going to be receptive to that and messing with her girlfriend doesn’t help.”

Wolfe says another appealing aspect of the role for Davis was conveying the responsibility Ma carried in respect of looking out for others while she was in a position to do so.

“We also talked about was the fact that as brilliant as she (Ma) is at defending herself and her music and her musicians, that she has been doing that her entire career and so that’s the wear and tear of being strong.

“Strong doesn’t come free.

It’s exhausting having to fight and defend your right to do what you do as an artist.

“And I think the exhaustion of that, the wear and tear of that, the here I go again of that, I think is physically, spiritually and emotionally draining.

“So I think when you are seeing that strength and that power and that command, you’re also seeing that ‘I’m tired but yet again I have to be defiant’.”

He summed up: “Her (Ma)

TAKING UP THE CHALLENGE: Viola Davis eventually came round to the idea of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, directed by George C. Wolfe, pictured inset below left with Davis strength is without question and the consequences of that strength are there as well.

“That speaks to how extraordinary an artist Viola is because is would be very easy to see the sass of Ma, she doesn’t do that. She shows the strength the

power and the agency but also the exhaustion of all of that.”

Read George C. Wolfe’s thoughts on Chadwick Boseman’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom performance here: www. voice-online.co.uk.

Sibon offering a helping hand with Windrush Compensation Scheme SELF-EFFACING ABOUT her commitment to helping those less able to navigate the Windrush compensation application form due to its complexity, Sibon Phiri told Lifestyle she felt compelled to get involved with United Legal Access.

The managing director was so moved by the challenges her community were facing in regards to filling out the form Phiri’s organisation has been assisting people with the scheme since August 2019 offering free legal assistance to all those applying that need it. It’s been – and continues to be – a long and hard road.

“ULA was formed to help those who were not really accessing legal help. We saw that a lot of them were from BAME backgrounds and communities; they were the ones who mainly are not accessing support,” Phiri, pictured inset, said.

“So that’s kind of where we started but the aim was to hold certain projects in order to meet the needs of those who needed the support.”

She added: “We were approached by a local minster in Nottingham whose church had previously held some surgeries for the immigration side to help them support to resolve their status.

“He reached out to us and he asked us if we could help to provide support at the church for the compensation and, as we had already been researching and planning this, we thought ‘that’s going to be a great start for us to start our project with the first kind of collaboration’.

“So that was with the Nottinghamshire Windrush Support Forum, so that’s where we started and then obviously through that we started several months later we started to hold our clinics

@thevoicenewspaper

in London, then in Birmingham and so forth in other cities.”

Phiri who has over 10 years’ experience and practices Law in England and New York, explains that when she started she already had a full time job and had to sacrifice sleep and work on the weekend in order to help as many people as possible.

DESIRE

“For most of the part, I’m still working full time, I just kind of work on projects now for firms. But when I first started I had a proper full time job so Saturdays were the days for the community clinics. I really love what I do and I really have that sincere desire to help.”

That desire extends beyond the prospect of ensuring that hundreds if not thousands of people get the assistance they need – and as if her workload wasn’t demanding enough, Phiri also

@thevoicenews

has her eye on the next generation of legal eagle.

She enthused: “Even though we work alongside law firms and other organisations, what I do like is we do have some black law students and graduates helping support the work and I think it’s nice they are able to do that for their community.

“That is a way for them to help those who helped us.

“Because for a lot of us, the reason we are here is due to the Windrush Generation, is due to our ancestors who came over here, who left their country, came over here, helped to rebuild the country and gave us opportunities to be doing what we are doing today.”

If you’re based in the Birmingham, Bristol, Sheffield and Reading area and need assistance with your Windrush Compensation Scheme application, visit www.unitedlegalaccess.com for more information.

voicenews

www.voice-online.co.uk

FEBRUARY 2021

THE VOICE| 39

40 |

THE VOICE MARCH 2021

Lifestyle

Arts

The history maker

Josette Bushell-Mingo OBE becomes first person of African descent to be named principal at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama

BY JOEL CAMPBELL

J

OSETTE BUSHELLMINGO OBE said she was “deeply honoured” to be the first person of African descent appointed as principal at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.

Currently, the head of acting at Stockholm University of the Arts in Sweden, Ms Bushell-Mingo is an award-winning actor and director whose 40-year career has included performances with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre and the Manchester Royal Exchange.

She was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her role as Rafiki in the West End production of The Lion King, a role which she originated, and she devised and

“She is a born Sweden since 2005, she is an spokesperson for incluleader and will active sive arts and politics.

She has served on the board add another of the Swedish Film Institute, as layer of talent the chairwoman for CinemAfria Swedish non-profit organito the brilliant ca, sation devoted to celebrating African and Diaspora film culpeople ture, and is patron of the Unity Theatre, Liverpool. already at Central” DIVERSITY Born in London and based in

starred in the internationally acclaimed production Nina: A Story about Nina Simone and Me. For 13 years, Ms Bushell-Mingo was also the aristic director for The National Touring Swedish Deaf Theatre ensemble Tyst Teater, where her work focused on fostering the understanding, respect and potential of sign language arts and the artistic, linguistic and cultural rights of the deaf.

As a director and teacher, Bushell-Mingo travels internationally giving lectures and workshops in the creation of sign language theatre, cultural diversity challenges and inclusion, and has taught in Stockholm, Malmö and Luleå theatre schools, LAMDA, the London College of Fashion, and New York University’s TISCH School of the Arts among others.

Of Bushell-Mingo’s appointment John Willis, chair of Cen-

tral’s Board of Governors, said: “We are thrilled that Josette is joining us as principal.

“Her creativity, dynamism and passion for the arts shine brightly. She is a born leader and will add another layer of talent to the brilliant people already at Central.

“With Josette in post, Central will be turbo-charged for the next stage of its development.

“Over a hundred years after one inspirational woman, Elsie Fogerty, started Central, it will be brilliant to finally have a second inspiring woman to lead us next.”

Bushell-Mingo said: “I am deeply honoured to have been appointed to the role of Principal and I look forward to working together with students, staff and governors and taking Central forward... celebrating Central’s talent and teaching, inspiring the future of the arts, being at the cutting edge of change –

PIONEER: Josette Bushell-Mingo OBE is currently head of acting at the Stockholm University of the Arts in Sweden even in these complicated and special times – and to lifting the arts, for all of us, as a vital human right.”

Bushell-Mingo is the first woman to be appointed prin-

cipal in more than 100 years, since founder Fogerty held the post.

She will commence in the post prior to the start of the 2021/22 academic year.

MARCH 2021

This is Brukout!

THE VOICE | 41

by Seani B

Ready for Ronnie?

Shaggy, Kabaka Pyramid and Tarrus Riley are just some of the names this talented publicist has worked with – but she says she has even bigger plans for the future

A

S THE virtual incarnation of Reggae Month fades into the distance and spring approaches, we look forward to brighter days and lighter nights.

The role of music in giving hope and a feeling of escapism in these difficult times cannot be underestimated.

Throughout this unprecedented time the cogs of the music business have continued to keep turning, and the net result is fresh music and entertainment for us as fans.

One of those core cogs is our feature for this month.

This lady is an absolute powerhouse and I have had the pleasure of working alongside her and seeing her dynamic nature at close quarters on many occasions.

Step up Ronnie Tomlinson of Destine Media – one of the leading publicists in the business who has worked with reggae royalty including Buju Banton, Damian Marley and Sean Paul to name a few.

Her style and approach is very much based around the “teamwork makes the dream work” ethos, and this is something that is very much in evidence when you checkout her phenomenal output.

“It’s something that is important to me,” she tells me on the line from New York City.

“You see the artist up front, but it takes the wider team to elevate it to maximise any potential that is there.”

The true value of any element of that team can often be measured by the longevity of the relationships that develop, and Ronnie has definitely shown her worth.

“I’ve worked with Kabaka Pyramid for

“The love and passion is what keeps me in this industry – most of us in this business have artists that we believe in” nearly eight years, Tarrus Riley for nearly five and Mavado for seven years, although he doesn’t do interviews!”

She is under no illusion as to what separates an everyday artist from a superstar. “It’s the work ethic – I worked with Shaggy on the Out Of Many album campaign and it was amazing to see an artist who rarely declined interviews.

“He never stopped! Buju is similar – when he says it’s work time, it’s all systems go.”

Her love for the music and the business goes back to watching big stage shows on VHS with her parents.

It quickly dawned on her that there were particular artists she liked, and in 2005 she decided to promote a show with artists that she rated which included Fantan Mojah, I

Octane and I Wayne complete with live band in New York. A few years after this she promoted a show in Jamaica with I-Octane, I Wayne and Fyah Kin. “At that time Octane was the biggest thing in Jamaica, but had very little presence abroad, especially in New York where I was from.

“I spoke to his management and asked why they didn’t promote him overseas, and they said they would think about it. A few weeks later they called me and said they wanted to take me up on my offer of doing PR for Octane in New York!

“I made it clear to them that I didn’t have any experience in this field but if they were willing to go on the ride then let’s do it.”

LUCRATIVE

The rest, as they say, is history.

Ronnie’s glittering accomplishments and enviable skillset means she is an obvious attraction for many of the other more financially lucrative genres around, particularly as she is based in New York. So what holds her to reggae?

“It’s the love and passion, that is what keeps me in the industry,” she says.

“Most of us who work in this business have artists that they believe in and who you want to see fulfil their potential – it is that passion and love that drives being involved in this genre and this culture.”

I 100 per cent concur. There are still areas that can be worked upon, including the mutual support for women by women in this business.

“I definitely think it is something that can improve, and even in myself, I am trying to make myself more available to help other women who want to advance what they are doing.

“I did a chat on clubhouse the other day, and it is something I am conscious of.”

It’s been a whirlwind 15-plus years and her empire and reputation have taken huge strides

TAKING IT IN HER STRIDE: Ronnie Tomlinson has a reputation as the reggae industry’s go-to girl – so what is next for Destine Media’s leading lady?

“I would love to expand and bring on board a team of other publicists and project manager.

“My dream would be for Tarrus Riley and myself to set up a label – I think he would be an awesome A&R. “For the short term goal I

want to aim to secure some corporate clients but still within the Caribbean space.”

PERSONALITY

Reggae and music from the Caribbean needs people with the skills, drive and personality of Ronnie, and she has proved her worth and level time and

time again. I for one applaud many of the ventures she has embarked on, and can only see brighter days ahead, just like the spring.

The saying goes that if you love what you do you will never work a day in your life.

I’m sure Ronnie would agree with that…

42 | THE VOICE MARCH 2021

Lifestyle

Music

‘I want to be an artist who writes about the human experience’

TIME WELL SPENT: Sadé Eboné has recorded her debut single after being able to take time to work on her music during lockdown

Labelled ‘mute’ at school for being shy, law graduate Sadé Eboné has defied the odds with the release of her debut single, Heading

BY DARELL J. PHILIP

S

ADÉ EBONÉ is no stranger when it comes to living in the background – whether that has been singing within her local church’s children’s choir or as a school child being labelled as ‘mute’, her shyness and quiet nature taken for weakness.

But the Nottingham-based singer-songwriter has emerged out of the shadows, taken centre stage and used her own voice to silence all others with the release of her debut single, Heading, and by its offering, she may well be heading to the very top.

Eboné, 25, was born to sing having been raised in a home where her parents – Stephen and Barbara Thomas – are both social workers and also co-directors of the Hope Community Gospel Choir, based in Beeston.

In a home where Eboné became attuned to an eclectic mix of sound from a who’s who of

“My musical inspiration often comes from artists who focus on spreading positivity and hope” musical icons, including Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, Prince and Sting to American R’n’B group Mint Condition and Gospel legend Kirk Franklin, from a young age, it became very clear to Eboné where her life was heading.

“Coming from a musical family – my mum is a gospel singer and my dad is a musician – my love for singing started at a really young age,” she says.

“As a child, I always looked forward to singing nursery rhymes at pre-school and growing up in church, where my favourite part of the service

would always be singing in the children’s choir every Sunday.

I’ve also been told by my family that as a child I would often sing in my sleep, too – which, to be honest, comes as no surprise to me since I am always singing in the house!”

Eboné makes it clear that her parents have had the biggest influence on her as an emerging artist within her own right.

“My dad would often call me into the studio and challenge me to write songs as he played on his keyboard,” she says.

“Also, watching my mum sing from church to church has inspired not only my own performances, but has also enabled me to truly feel every lyric that I sing.

CLOSER

“Their influence has made me more intentional with the music I hope to release as I have seen how it has helped to bring healing to my family during challenging moments, while also uniting us closer together during times of celebration.”

A self-confessed lover of poetry, music and anything with great words, Eboné, who graduated with a Master’s degree in law at Nottingham Trent University and hopes to pursue further research in the same subject, has a few musical inspirations whose style is influential in her own work.

“My musical inspiration often comes from artists who focus on spreading positivity, hope and inspiration,” she says.

“So, of course, India Arie is a big one for me. Then there is Jonathan McReynolds, Gregory Porter and British-born singer Cleo Sol. “I love how their music takes you on a journey, telling detailed and beautiful stories.”

This love of storytelling through music and song clearly permeates in her debut single

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Heading — a fusion of traditional Gospel and pop which has Matthew Burrows on guitar, with backing vocals by her father and sister Aaliyah, where you can hear elements inspired

by Laura Mvula’s song Green Garden. Produced by Andrew Mutambira, the track was written by Eboné during a pivotal moment in her life.

“Heading was written in September 2019 at a time when I was feeling anxious about turning 24 (I’ve heard it’s called ‘birthday blues’),” she says.

“At that time, I had felt a sense of underachievement and unfulfilment with how my life had panned out so far.

“I had a lot of doubts, fears, insecurities and feelings of comparison, especially when thinking about my future.

“Yet while these feelings were intense, by faith I was able to see my future from a perspective of hope, rather than be crippled by fear.”

@thevoicenews

Perhaps it was this same sense of insecurity and shyness at school which led to some labelling her as being mute.

Remembering that experience, Eboné said: “For quite a while, the labels attached to me as a child definitely had an impact on my confidence. I remember crying after some of my first-ever singing performances, because I was so petrified.

VOICE

“However, with time and encouragement from family and friends, I have learned to really value both my voice and perspective on life.”

Eboné’s view on life has not only been inspired by her own experiences, but also of others, as brought to light during some of the events which had such a powerful impact around the world.

“While there have been some difficult moments for many people, lockdown has given me

voicenews

time to work on my craft, even picking my guitar back up, too.

Many of the events which took place last year, such as the killing of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor, have inspired me to write about the injustices black people face around the world,” she says.

With her debut track gaining a positive response from BBC Music’s Introducing Dean Jackson and Premier Radio’s DJ Fireman, Eboné has a clear vision on the artist she hopes to become: “I hope to be an artist that writes songs about the human experience, whether that means songs to do with my faith as a Christian, relationships or social issues.

“I want my music to inspire in others every emotion – joy, happiness, tears and a connection to God.” Heading by Sadé Eboné is now released on Apple, Spotify, YouTube and all other platforms.

www.voice-online.co.uk

FEBRUARY 2021

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44 | THE VOICE MARCH 2021

Lifestyle

Books

How to reset your body Told she would never dance again, Joslyn Thompson Rule explains how she defied all the odds

BY DARELL J. PHILIP

W

HEN JOSLYN Thompson Rule was told at the age of seven that she would never be able to Irish dance again after a freak accident, her dreams appeared to be shattered.

A wall collapsed on to her foot which led to her requiring nine operations – including the amputation of her left big toe.

But her steely determination and refusal to give up on her ambitions saw her defy the odds stacked against her so early in life, which led to her becoming not only a personal trainer and sports therapist with 18 years’ experience, but also a Nike Global Master Trainer.

Rule, 42, who is married with two sons, was born in Dublin in Ireland to an Irish mother and a Jamaican father.

Talking to Lifestyle, she explained how she turned potential travesty in to triumph, and shares some tips on how to move and reset your body...

Lifestyle: You had a childhood incident which led to you having a broken foot and nine operations. Please share that experience with us.

Joslyn Thompson Rule: My dad, a carpenter by trade, had moved to England ahead of us to find more work.

When he returned to Dublin to bring us over with him, the night before we were due to move, he backed the lorry, which had all of our stuff, into the driveway so as to drive out easier the next morning.

INSPIRATION: Despite being told she would never Irish dance again, Joslyn Thompson Rule proved everyone wrong – and has now gone on to become a Nike Global Master Trainer

“Positive talk is important because it eliminates negative thoughts from the mind and makes it easier for movement” However, whilst reversing, part of the lorry got stuck on the gate which was attached to the wall where I was standing. When it started to wobble, I jumped off but to my misfortune the wall collapsed and landed on my left foot and I needed to have nine operations which included the amputation of my big toe.

Although I was told by the surgeon that I would never Irish dance again, my seven-year-old self refused to accept that diagnosis until I had at least tried and, to my amazement and everyone else’s, not only did I learn to walk again, but I also continued to Irish dance until I went to university.

LS: The foreword to your latest published book – How To Move it: Reset Your Body – was written by double Paralympic champion Kadeena Cox MBE who, like you, has an inspirational story of her own. How much of an inspiration is her story to you?

JTR: Her story is perhaps more impacting than mine, having experienced two strokes and been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, but then becoming a double Paralympic champion.

She refused to be defined by her illness and limitations and instead focused on what she could do, and the rest as they say is history. Her story is a reminder to all those who have been told that they can’t do something in life that in actual fact they can if they believe in themselves and refuse to give up on their dreams.

LS: In the book you point out the importance of training the mind before embarking on any movement. Why is that so important?

JTR: The battle always

begins in the mind and so a positive mindset would then lead to positive outcomes related to movement.

Positive self-talk is important because it helps to eliminate negative thoughts from the mind which thereby make it easier for movement to take place.

Another way you can look at it is to picture yourself as being in the driver’s seat where you have control of your thoughts – positive thoughts join you in the front passenger seat while negative thoughts are quickly banished to the back seat so you can keep it moving.

LS: What does a typical work day look like for you as a Nike Global Master Trainer?

JTR: There are no typical work days really – no two days are the same. It could be project work involving a team, an individual athlete or the programme I run for female coaches, because the fitness industry tends to be very male-dominated.

Then there are phone calls or message exchanges with

@thevoicenewspaper

clients and those I have the privilege to mentor as well as recordings for my podcast.

LS: What impact has COVID-19 had on your work?

JTR: My first priority has always been the health and well-being of my two sons as well as my family in general – probably more so after having lost my father to COVID last year, which proved to be a tough time for us all.

But on the plus side I benefited by having some quiet time for reflection as well as spending quality time with family which has then allowed me to be better prepared heading into 2021 in meeting the various requirements expected of me within the fitness industry.

LS: How do you motivate those who want to exercise but feel that they don’t have the experience or the time?

JTR: For those who are homeschooling or caring for others, having the time to exercise can understandably be difficult.

@thevoicenews

However, I would encourage all those that can to do some type of movement throughout the day to remove stagnation and keep the blood flowing around the body.

At Nike we say that ‘if you have a body, you’re an athlete.’

Something as simple as a daily five- to 10-minute walk around the block really does make a difference both physically and mentally, and should never be underestimated.

LS: What does it mean to you to have your book published by #Merky Books, with all that they represent?

JTR: A huge honour. This is the first book I have written and it is everything I wanted it to be because it reaches those who are often underrepresented in society.

So the impact of the How To series is far-reaching and it’s a real privilege for me to pass on some fitness tips to readers which I hope will get them on the move and make them feel happy and healthy.

voicenews

LS: What are your final fitness tips for our readers?

JTR: If you cannot increase the hours that you sleep then try and improve the quality of your sleep – no phones or gadgets before bed. Instead, do some kind of wind-down activity such as reading or journaling.

Get into the routine of having a regular movement practice. It could be a walking, running or stretching activity or even some resistance training, but just take some time during your day to do it and you’ll have no regrets. You should also keep track of what you do by keeping a written record of your daily movement activities as this will give you extra motivation to keep moving.

Finally, to banish any negative thoughts through positive self-talk which will bring you one step closer to fulfilling your fitness and lifestyle goals.

How to Move It: Reset Your Body by Joslyn Thompson Rule and published by #Merky Books is available in all bookshops now.

www.voice-online.co.uk

MARCH 2021

THE VOICE | 45

Lifestyle

Books

INSPIRATION: Amanda Gorman delivers a poetry reading at the presidential inauguration of Joe Biden in January

THE HILL SHE CLIMBS

Penguin Random House is to publish four books by Amanda Gorman, the youngest inaugural poet in US history

BY JOEL CAMPBELL

A

RDENT READERS have four books to look forward to from Amanda Gorman, the young poet who moved people around the world with her inaugural poem, The Hill We Climb.

Penguin Random House have acquired the books following Gorman’s groundbreaking reading at the Super Bowl, where she blazed yet another trail as

the first poet to read at this huge American cultural event.

On January 20, Gorman, who turns 23 on March 7, became the sixth and youngest poet to deliver a poetry reading at a presidential inauguration.

Taking the stage after the 46th president of the United States, Joe Biden, Gorman captivated America and brought hope to viewers around the globe.

VISION

Her poem, The Hill We Climb, can now be cherished in a special gift edition and includes a foreword by Oprah Winfrey.

Gorman enthused: “I am excited so to be working with Vintage and Puffin on my poetry and my children’s books.

“They have such a clear vision, it was obvious that they understood me and my values.

“I am just so thrilled that we will be collaborating together and bringing my words to the rest of the world. I can’t wait to get started.”

Gorman is a committed advocate for the environment, racial equality and gender justice.

Her activism and poetry have been featured on NBC’s Today Show, PBS Kids and CBS show

This Morning, and in the New York Times, Vogue, Essence and O, and The Oprah Magazine.

POWER

In 2017, Urban Word named her the first-ever National Youth Poet Laureate of the United States.

After graduating cum laude from Harvard University, she now lives in her hometown of Los Angeles.

Francesca Dow, managing director at Penguin Random House Children’s UK, said: “At Puffin, we believe in the power of stories to change lives.

“Through her electrifying in-

auguration performance, Amanda Gorman demonstrated how words can unite us, showing the world that every child, big or small, can make a difference.

“Now we have the chance to connect Amanda’s poetic picture-book magic with families and children across the globe.

“In publishing Change Sings we celebrate the power of words to change the world, inspiring the next generation of readers with hope for a better future.”

I can hear change humming In its loudest, proudest song.

I don’t fear change coming, And so I sing along.

“We are proud, with this book, to encourage children and families and teachers and care-givers everywhere to join in the singing.”

Vintage imprint Chatto & Windus will publish a special edition of Gorman’s poem The Hill We Climb: An Inaugural Poem on March 30 and Gorman’s breakout poetry collection, The Hill We Climb and Other Poems, in September. On September 21, Penguin Random House Children’s imprint Puffin will publish Change Sings: A Children’s Anthem. A second, untitled picture book has been acquired, too.

Check out these books by black female authors...

Sorrowland

Written by Rivers Solomon Vern, a black woman with albinism, is hunted after escaping a religious compound, then she discovers that her body is changing and that she is developing extra-sensory powers.

Alone in the woods, she gives birth to twins and raises them away from the influence of the outside world.

But something is wrong – not with them, but with her own body. It’s itching, it’s stronger, it’s... not normal.

To understand her body’s metamorphosis, Vern must investigate not just the secluded religious compound she fled but the violent history of dehumanisation, medical experimentation, and genocide that produced it.

In the course of reclaiming her own darkness, Vern learns that monsters aren’t just individuals, but entire histories, systems, and nations.

East London Up Close Photography by Mimi Mollica

At once familiar and beguilingly abstract, this playful series by local photographer Mimi Mollica thrusts you straight into the heart of London’s frenetic East End. Intense, colourful snapshots of people, fabrics, architecture, wildlife and everyday objects create a kaleidoscope of the inspiring, frustrating, wild and living streets.

Though confronting in its (sometimes extreme) closeness, Mollica’s photography is full of warmth and a love for his community – making us yearn for a time when being near to others was a normal part of day-to-day life.

She Believed She Could So She Did

Written by: A stunning collection of women of colour

She Believed She Could So She Did is a celebration of some truly awesome women of colour.

This small but mighty book is packed with empowering words from some incredible women whose self-belief has seen them achieve awesome things despite what anyone else thinks they should be doing!

From Wilma Rudolph and Lupita Nyong’o to Ida B. Wells and Malala Yousafzai, the powerful words from these inspiring icons will help you love yourself a little more and own your story.

46 | THE VOICE MARCH 2021

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

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BEST IN THE BUSINESS Jade Morgan is proving she has what it takes to elevate Leicester City Women

By Rodney Hinds

T

O SPEAK to Jade Morgan is to talk to a woman with a plan, drive and serious ambition.

Jade is the general manager of Leicester City’s women’s team who, at the time of writing, top the Women’s Championship with one eye firmly fixed on promotion to the lucrative Women’s Super League (WSL).

Women’s football has made major strides over the years and Jade – and her family – have ensured that City are among the front runners in terms of progress.

It is quite literally a family affair in the East Midlands. Jade’s father, Rohan, is the club chairman, brother Jonathan is the first team coach while sister Holly is the club captain.

Leicester City launched its first fully professional women’s football team after the Premier League side acquired Leicester City Women’s Football Club (LCWFC).

LCWFC has been supported by Leicester City since its formation in 2004, however the women’s team was an independent entity from the Premier League side.

Following King Power International’s acquisition of the women’s team, LCWFC was renamed LCFC Women while becoming a fully professional side, joining Leicester City’s men’s, under-23s and under-18s teams.

Jade told the Voice of Sport: “Holly really kick started the re-

“It’s only you stopping you – the only thing holding people back is themselves” lationship, she’s been at Leicester all of her life. It was probably my business acumen as to why I got involved. My dad had the vision of making the club fully professional.

“My dad was running the club and he just needed some help, I was the last Morgan to get involved. My mindset coming in was just to change the club positively in terms of the governance and framework as to how we operated.”

She continued: “It’s one of the reasons why over the last five years we’ve moved so quickly but we’ve always known where we wanted to get to. We’ve always had a good road map ahead of us in terms of what we wanted to do and achieve.”

While her father was almost singlehandedly keeping the club alive, his vision of top flight football was never too far away.

Now City are just one step from the big time thanks to Morgan family matters and all those that have contributed over the years. Jade has been instrumental in the club moving forward and working in football

is a million miles away from her penchant for musical theatre.

She said: “Football is now my way of life and I couldn’t think of a better place to be. Business is my passion and I do have an entrepreneurial side.”

The Morgans have Jamaican roots and Jade adds: “We are a tight-knit family and working together has its pros and cons.

You can be the closest and the most honest to each other, too.”

Jade was volunteering at City before making the move up to general manager.

“I’ve always been in and around the club and the club has just become a way of life.

“Leicester City have always been a family-orientated club and the integration has been seamless.

GIVING IT HER ALL: Jade Morgan is heading up the LCFC operation; inset below left, being interviewed by the media

PRESSURE

“There’s always the argument of nepotism. My dad has always been mindful of it and has sometimes said ‘some people won’t support this because you are a Morgan’.

“He has always put the most pressure on us to do the best and be the best.”

So just how has she gone about making City one of the most talked about clubs in women’s football?

“I like to absorb information and listen and learn before I make an opinion on something.

“Being a young black female in any work place or everyday life will always bring some challenges. It’s about understanding the environment that I am in.”

Last winter Jade was the recipient of a Football Black List award. She was humbled by the experience.

“I was initially so shocked when I received the news. It was a humbling feeling. It was fantastic and to this day I still do not know who put me forward!

It has driven me to want to do more. I accept and embrace that I am a role model to many.

“Anything that I put my hand to, I want to make positive change. I want to grow and evolve internally and keep supporting people.

She added: “It doesn’t scare

@thevoicenewspaper

me (being a role model). If I can help anybody, with a big step or a small one, I’ve done my job.”

What advice could Jade give to other women wanting to pursue a career within football?

“As long as you study, get your competences up and are prepared to do the extras, it’s only you stopping you. The only thing holding people back is themselves.”

However, it has not all been plain sailing for the 30-year-old.

Four years ago she was struck by illness. Her tenacity and support system was her ultimate team then.

“I was off work for seven months and things that have happened to me in the past have driven me on. I went through some tough times. I didn’t think that I would ever get back to football but I had a good support system around me.”

Leicester City truly landed

@thevoicenews

on the football map when the men’s team, which included the likes of Wes Morgan, N’Golo Kante, Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy, were strutting their stuff all the way to the Premier League crown five years ago.

SUCCESS

Ironically, the women’s team were having their own success at the same time with a 22 match unbeaten run.

“To be a Leicester fan – that year was mad,” she said.

“It was a great time to be part of the club.

“The success of the men and women is all about the Leicester way – togetherness and doing the unthinkable.”

So how do the Morgan family get away from the pressure cooker environment of professional football?

“We’ve learnt how to switch off from football. If we win, my

voicenews

dad and I normally get ourselves a bottle of red wine. If we lose myself and Jonathan might have a Chinese on a Sunday.

“That said, you can’t harp on about a loss for too long. You absorb and you go again.

“I’m learning to cope with the work and life balance. I spend a lot of time with the family and the kitchen is the communal room.”

No doubt those discussions in the kitchen will revolve around City progress.

“We’re on a good trajectory with the women’s team. We’ve just turned professional but we are not the finished product.

There’s so much we want to achieve “We have big goals and targets. It’s about working hard and bringing people on board.

“We want Leicester City to be a positive name within the women’s game.

www.voice-online.co.uk

MARCH 2021

THE VOICE | 47

Sport

A 2020 vision

CAROL’S A DRIVING FORCE

Carol Glenn is living proof that being a black woman can’t stall your motorsport dreams

By Rodney Hinds

W

HILST THE number of black women in sports may be on the increase, sadly the number of women in motorsport is still woefully low.

As the world marks International Woman’s Day in March, one woman who has broken through the barrier of motorsport is Carol Glenn.

Carol was the first black woman to become an official in motor racing in 1988. She’s still among only a handful of black women officials in the sector.

Following the worldwide response to the events surrounding the death of George Floyd, the Black Lives Matter movement and the speaking out on diversity within the sector by one of the most successful racing drivers, Sir Lewis Hamilton,

“Our aim is for youngsters to compete in motorsport at all levels, starting in karting” Carol decided to put all of her expertise and experience into action and set up yet another first – the first black-owned racing team, Next Racing Generation (NRG).

Through NRG, Carol plans to encourage drivers of diverse backgrounds to undertake motorsport as a career.

She told the Voice of Sport: “Our aim is to have youngsters competing in motorsport at all levels, starting in karting and also to step up into circuit racing in junior car championships.

“We will then progress them on through to the pinnacle of

F1 and get youngsters into single-seater championships as soon as possible.”

NRG will not only be home to those wishing to become racing drivers.

Any youngster with a passion for motorsport can get involved in a myriad of activities, including being a sports journalist, commentator, social media expert, engineer or event hospitality official.

Members of NRG will also enjoy additional training which will include driver tuition, fitness and nutrition, and media relations.

WORKING FOR OPPORUNITY:: Carol Glenn ‘in action’ as a motorsport official; inset, passing on her vast experience to the next generation (photo: Josh Daniels)

AMBITION

Through its academy, NRG will provide signposting to training in the relevant positions as well as providing a practical arm for hands-on learning.

Another ambition as the company develops will be the possibility of providing an apprenticeship scheme.

This year, Carol and her team at NRG intend to interrupt ‘business as usual’ in the sector.

One of the most exciting achievements is the potential collaboration which is being discussed with one of the biggest names in motorsport.

Starting within months, coronavirus restrictions permitting, NRG will collaborate with Red Bull Racing (RBR) on a Gaming Sphere takeover.

This exciting event will provide a pathway and introduction into Sim Racing. It will also help educate and give opportunity to communities that would never usually get the chance to try something in motorsport.

Young enthusiasts will have the chance to show their skills level, interest and experience

in E-sports racing. In addition, Red Bull Racing’s talent scouts will be offering a sim racing seat for anyone who’s 16-plus with the potential and enthusiasm to join or experience the RBR E-sports Racing team.

“It is exciting to have already attracted the interest of a team as big as Red Bull Racing,” Car-

ol said. “We are looking forward to working with them on two other outdoor events over the coming months/year.”

Anyone who is interested in finding out more about NRG or how they can become a member should register their interest on their website nrgmotorsport. co.uk.

We ask Chantelle Crowl: What does #RLWC21 mean to you? age, you wouldn’t expect things like that to go on, but they do. It just made me want to stand up tall and represent who I am, no matter what colour.

This World Cup will get across that whoever you are, we are equal and we want to be on the same page. It will spread that awareness.

By James Aldred CHANTELLE CROWL is one of the world’s best female rugby league players.

With nine months to go until the start of the 2021 Rugby League World Cup, the England international is excited about her nation’s chances and about what the tournament represents for women within the sport…

James Aldred: What does the Rugby League World Cup 2021 mean to you?

Chantelle Crowl: It means a lot. I’m hoping to get the first pick and to spread the word about the women’s game and what it means to us.

GIVING IT HER ALL: Chantelle Crowl

JA: What does the tournament mean for women in rugby league?

CC: It gives us the chance to

show that women have the same power and strength as men. We’re out there to give it our all. It means a lot to wear the badge.

JA: In 2017, England reached the semi-finals of the Women’s World Cup. What’s your side’s ambition this year?

CC: We want to win it. That’s our main goal. Every time we talk about the World Cup it is ‘we’re

going to win’. It was such a shame in 2017. I’m hoping our standard is a lot higher this year.

JA: You’ve spoken about your experiences of racism in rugby league. What does this World Cup represent for black players?

CC: It represents that colour is not an issue. My mum was sat in a crowd and heard racist abuse targeted towards me. In this day and

JA: For those who haven’t bought a ticket for the tournament yet, why should they?

CC: Let me tell you now – it’s going to be one of the biggest and best tournaments ever. We promise to give you a good show!

England and Chantelle kickoff their tournament with a match against Brazil at Leeds’ Emerald Headingley Stadium on November 9. To buy tickets visit: www. rlwc2021.com

MARCH 2021 | THE VOICE

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OF SPORT NEWSPAPER

KYRA’S KEEPING POSITIVE

Despite not heading to Tokyo as planned in 2020, Team GB’s only black rower is still in it to win it

SMOOTH SAILING: Kyra Edwards, pictured above with partner Ruth Siddorn, says the extra year to prepare for the Tokyo Olympics has been of benefit and allowed the team to work on their strategy

By Toby Louch and Rodney Hinds

W

HILE THE global pandemic has seen many shelve their sporting ambitions, rower Kyra Edwards, 23, has simply used the time to firm up her dreams.

Great Britain’s only black rower was due to compete at the Tokyo Olympics last year, but coronavirus put paid to that.

However, the Nottingham-born athlete has used the time to reset. She told the Voice of Sport: “So the main goal is Tokyo this summer. I’m hoping to do the Shanghai World Championships after that, I think that will be really fun.”

Edwards has raced for Great Britain at junior, U23 and senior

level, winning junior silver and U23 bronze World Championships medals – and she’s clearly hungry for more glory.

“Then it’s just a case of next Olympics in four years’ time. The World Championships are important but in GB rowing the narrative is really that world championships are just a stepping stone towards the Olympics. So, long term I’m looking towards Paris.

BENEFIT

“The Olympic postponement has definitely been of benefit. In general we have been building as a team.

“I was always planning on training this year anyway so for me it’s just another year.”

Ironically, Edwards’ rowing talent might well have been lost to football. She was a talented

“I just feel really lucky – I feel like I don’t want to waste this opportunity” player and spent some time at Nottingham Forest’s academy.

Rowing quickly showed Edwards what levels she had to aim for. GB Start is a young athlete programme for the GB rowing team, it aims to discover young athletes who have potential in the sport. Edwards will be forever grateful to the programme.

“The thing with Start, the whole idea of it is that you don’t have to have rowed before. It’s about potential.

“You do all these tests that

have nothing to do with rowing.

You go on an assault bike, and you have to push a plate with your legs which records how much power you can produce.

“It’s more about stuff like that than how good I was on the rowing machine. I think they noticed I was strong and that’s exactly what the people at Start are looking for.”

FITNESS

She added: “I played football before I started rowing so I had quite a lot of fitness from that.

“I took it all quite seriously. I took sport seriously. I think they quite liked that mentality.”

She continued: “The thing with Start was that it was so serious. We were essentially told we were training for the Olympics, from now. As a 13 year-old that

was quite daunting. I think it’s changed a lot now but that was definitely the vibe when I first started. I feel like rowing does a really good job of making sure you don’t have a big ego.

“When I first started I didn’t win much at all. When you are young all the races are won by the people with the best technique, as everyone starts to grow power and performance comes into it a bit more.

“Start did a really good job of essentially telling me, ‘You’re losing now but you will win later’” There were clearly benefits as Edwards went to the Junior World Championships in 2015, aged just 17, and came second.

A black rower is the not the norm but it is not a situation that daunts Edwards who can regularly be seen at GB’s rowing training centre in Caversham.

“I don’t want to call it an added pressure or weight because I feel really privileged to be in this position.

“I just felt really lucky more than anything, I feel like I don’t want to waste this opportunity that I have managed to get this far and I think I can do really well in the sport.

“I want to make sure that everyone else who looks like me feels like they can also do it.

“Even though I am the only one here right now I want to make sure other people can really see it’s possible for them.”