The Voice Newspaper: May 2024

MAY 2024 • ISSUE NO. 1954

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‘MY HERITAGE IS NOT FOR SALE’ EXCLUSIVE British man vows to defend his family’s ancestral land on Bob Marley Beach from property developers A BRISTOL man has pledged to defend his family’s land on Jamaica’s Bob Marley beach from property developers. Norman Stephenson’s (pictured right) battle mirrors similar

struggles across the Caribbean where local people are resisting luxury developments that prioritise tourists, and ignore land rights. › p4-5

London’s City Hall (aka the Crystal) in Newham

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Inside THIS MONTH

The Voice says

News, views, stories & videos

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

1

It’s time for the Met Police to be broken up.

The National Black Police chief believes lack of public trust in the organisation means its time for a change

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Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock’s mission to champion young talent

20

Beyond Hester: unveiling the trauma of misogynoir

22

Renting while Black: the harrowing experience of London’s rental market

30

Breaking barriers: how Black Britons could transform cancer research

38

Finding freedom through dance: the story of a Bruk Up pioneer

46

Walking football making great strides

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

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

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Tributes paid to former Mayor Ray Lewis.

Lewis, who helped launch the Capital Men mentoring scheme matching young boys from seven London boroughs with suitable mentors, has died aged 61 Unveiling Professor Kehinde Andrews – the UK champion of Black consciousness.

He’s been hailed as a star at the frontline of anti-racism. But the celebrated academic and writer attributes his success to his late wife Nicole

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Black women deserve better – it’s time for action to improve maternal health

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HE debate about how the NHS can deliver high-quality care to all who rely on its services has seemingly ignored a key issue: a growing maternal health crisis faced by Black women in the UK. The sobering statistics from the MBRRACE-UK report (see page 6) reveal a stark reality – Black women are 3.7 times more likely to die during or after pregnancy compared to their White counterparts.

These aren’t just numbers; they represent the tragic loss of mothers, sisters, daughters, and friends.

Recent cases, such as the devastating loss of Nicole Thea and her unborn son Reign, serve as heartbreaking reminders of the systemic failures within our healthcare system.

Cultural bias, stereotyping, and a reluctance to confront structural racism have all contributed to this dire situation.

It is unacceptable that in 2024, Black women are still dying at alarming rates due to preventable complications during pregnancy and childbirth.

Campaigners have long sounded the alarm, yet meaningful action from the government and health authorities remains elusive.

Calls for targeted interventions,

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

ROUNDUP NEWSPAPER

explicit goals, and a shift towards human-rights-centered care have fallen on deaf ears.

The absence of policies, legislation, and training aimed at addressing racial disparities in maternal health care is not just negligent; it’s a grave injustice.

The Royal College of Midwives’ acknowledgment of the deficiencies in midwifery education regarding darker skin tones underscores the urgent need for change. Black women deserve healthcare that acknowledges and respects their unique needs and experiences.

It’s time to dismantle the outdated perceptions and biases that continue to perpetuate racial inequality in healthcare.

As we approach the next general election, the issue of maternal health cannot be sidelined. We must hold our elected representatives to account on this issue and demand concrete measures to close the gap in maternal health outcomes.

This is not a matter of politics; it’s a matter of human rights and basic dignity.

Black women are right to be concerned about this issue and to demand change. We must ensure that no more lives are needlessly lost due to systemic neglect and discrimination. The time for action is now.

4

Birmingham couple open first African trade cash and carry. The cash and carry will have a wide range of products directly sourced from Africa

5

CPS ordered to compensate MP for false acid threat accusation. The Independent Assessor of Complaints has ordered the CPS to compensate independent MP Claudia Webbe for falsely reporting court findings, leading to her receiving abuse and death threats

6

Vybz Kartel hearing set for June.

The Jamaica Court of Appeal will decide whether Kartel should be released or face a retrial Black British Writers urged to enter children’s book publishing competition.

The competition is looking for Black British writers to tell authentic stories that will resonate with children

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Failed again: Windrush victims hit by pension losses. Windrush Scandal victims who lost jobs now face losing their pensions say campaigners, as the Windrush Compensation Scheme’s calculations do not include pension earnings Popular Rastafarian High Priest to be laid to rest. Ras Bandele Selassie I was the Rastafari High Priest of the South West of England

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British Museum faces investigation over looted Ethiopian tablets. Non-profit Returning Heritage files formal complaint about the museum’s possession of stolen Ethiopian Tabots with support from law firm Leigh Day

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News Feature

NELSON MANDELA DAUGHTER’S DELIGHT AT HOMERTON COLLEGE BUST OF HER LATE FATHER

Retired sculptor Jo Standeven donates work to Cambridge University.

By Vic Motune

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ELSON MANDELA’S daughter, Makaziwe “Maki” MandelaAmuah, has thanked the Homerton College alum sculptor who donated a bust of the late icon to the college.

In a video message recorded in South Africa, Maki expressed her appreciation that the bust, made by retired teacher Jo Standeven, would be displayed at Homerton which is part of the University of Cambridge.

Maki, daughter of Mandela and his first wife Evelyn Mase, said: “I’d like to send a message of appreciation that my father’s bust will be held at Cambridge.

And I am glad that 14 years after my father passed away, people around the world still remember him fondly for his fight for justice, for peace, for freedom, for a more diverse and inclusive world, for a world that is free from ignorance and arrogance of the other.

“And I think, I hope, that as people view this [bust], they are

reminded that there is good in all of us and that it is our responsibility and accountability to contribute, to make this world a truly a peaceful, harmonious and a better world.”

The tribute was made at a gathering hosted by the Homerton Principal Lord Simon Woolley, with Jo Standeven and her husband John.

The college’s newly-appointed art curator, Eddie Akinrinmade, is leading the effort to identify the best location to display the bust, which will be followed by an installation ceremony.

Lord Woolley said: “What an afternoon, hosting Jo, who has bestowed to Homerton College a bust of the great Nelson Mandela. It’s not just for me, it’s for the college and for visitors to see this iconic civil rights global icon.

“Now we’ve got our own bust of the great man that I hope will

encourage and inspire our students, Black and White, to know him, to know his values and to live up to the ideals that we can

People still remember him fondly for his fight for justice, for peace, for freedom, for a more diverse and inclusive world, for a world that is free from ignorance of the other.

have a greater world, a greater space when you, as individuals, make a difference. I’m beyond pleased.”

Standeven, who spent much of her career teaching deaf children, recalled being enthralled by his visit to the UK in 1996 following his release from prison.

The idea to sculpt a bust of Nelson Mandela arose after Standeven learned that Mandela would be visiting Essex University to support his wife who was receiving an honorary degree She said: “We tracked him [as he drove in]. He was in his 70s.

He was being taken by car up to where he was being picked up and taken to another building and we ran across the grass when he came out of that. So I got quite close to him and I did a few sketches. Later on, I saved some black and white photographs from the local papers.”

Those sketches and photographs inspired her to make the

bust, which she is now donating to the college.

Her journey to becoming the sculptor of the Mandela bust is a story of passion and perseverance, shaped by personal challenges and pivotal moments.

Her initial interest in education stemmed from her family circumstances, including a deepseated desire to support her deaf brother, which led her to pursue teaching.

She said: “I wanted to leave school to care for my sick mother and teach deaf children, inspired by my brother’s disability.”

This drive brought her to Homerton College, where she was given the freedom to explore various subjects, ultimately discovering her love for sculpture.

“Homerton was transformative; it allowed me to choose whatever subject I liked,” she recalled. “I chose to teach sculpture, which I found very therapeutic.”

Khan urges top employers to back diverse-led businesses

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BLACK BRITON VOWS TO DEFEND FAMILY HOME ON BOB MARLEY BEACH Norman Stephenson is locked in a legal battle to stop his family being driven from their home to make way for hotel developers in Jamaica. By Sinai Fleary

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BRITISH Jamaican has said no amount of money will get him to give up his family’s sacred land on Bob Marley beach in Jamaica.

Norman Stephenson from St Paul’s, Bristol, is locked in a legal battle to stop his family being driven off nearly three acres of the beach in the Bull Bay area in St Thomas where they have lived for three decades to make way for a luxury development.

Stephenson’s father was renowned Rastafari elder Gladstone Stephenson – also known as Bongo Gabby – who was a spiritual mentor and lived on the beach for over 50 years before his death in January 2007.

Stephenson is warning his heritage is not for sale and said he will continue to fight to ensure public access to the beach is not lost forever if it becomes a £160 million luxury hotel resort.

Speaking exclusively to The Voice, he said: “They are very desperate to start work on our part of the beach because they got the hotel built, they got the road built behind us, everything is in line but we seem to be blocking them.”

Stephenson, the director of Afi Dance, a company that specialises in traditional African dance and drumming, says he is not against the development of the area, but wants to ensure locals are not shut out of their own beaches because hotels only want to cater

to wealthy tourists. He is also concerned for his 71-year-old aunt who still lives on the beach and is bearing the brunt of the on-going legal dispute.

“The dilemma for me, is that I want to protect that land, I want to protect the natural corner and everything and even the Rasta culture that’s on there,” he said.

“At the same time my aunty deserves some life.”

Reggae icon Bob Marley, his family and other Jamaican stars often visited the beach, leading it to be named after the late legend.

Stephenson claims he has been paying land tax since 2008, but the developers dispute his ownership of the idyllic beach – which featured in the box-office

hit film Bob Marley: One Love. The entrepreneur was hoping that Jamaica’s Supreme Court would hear the case to preserve his family’s land after he obtained an injunction.

It was lifted in July 2023, allowing developers to proceed with construction.

Stephenson filed another appeal for his family’s case, but was told it would not have much chance of success following the lifting of the injunction.

The case is now being looked into by a new judge and Stephenson was hoping for the chance to present his family’s case.

But in February this year, he

“They are very desperate to start work on our part of the beach because they got the hotel built, they got the road built behind us.”

- Norman Stephenson

says his aunt was issued with an eviction notice. She was ordered to attend Morant Bay Court on February 6 but the hearing was adjourned until May. Stephenson said: “The day after we received a letter that said they are discontinuing with the case and that they will be writing to my lawyer to offer some sort of proposition or proposal.

“We are just waiting, all we can do is just wait.”

He said he doesn’t believe an eviction notice will be issued as his family have not had the opportunity to argue their case in court.

Stephenson also says that his aunt is being offered money by several parties to leave the beach.

News Feature

SACRED HERITAGE SITE As well as supporting his aunt who wants to remain living on the beach, Stephenson says he ultimately wants the land protected as a cultural heritage site because it was also home to one of the earliest Rastafari communities in Jamaica, after many fled major cities following persecution and harassment from colonial government authorities.

The land is believed to be a hideout for runaway slave ThreeFingered Jack, who went on to form a Maroon community on the island.

In October 2020, Stephenson, who was born in Red Hills St Catherine, went to Jamaica and hired several lawyers who were

assisting him with the case. Before his father died, he says he was given permission to apply for the “proper papers to protect everything.”

According to Stephenson, the original owner, Leslie Wright, allowed his father and the Rastafarians to live on the land “undisturbed”.

Stephenson previously told The Voice, in March 2020, that when he logged in online to make a payment, using his Taxpayer Registration number (TRN) – a unique Tax ID – he saw the name of a company he didn’t recognise at the time, the Woof Group, registered as owners of the land. The same company are now ordering his family to leave.

Stephenson said he has had the support from the Marley family in the past, but is appealing for further help from the family and other high-profile stars to back him and help save the historic beach from being destroyed.

Stephenson’s aunt Gladys Stephenson told The Voice: “I have nowhere else to go. It is here where my brother lived and it is here I do my little business.

“I do a little cooking to get money and I have a little bar that I run.”

Her popular bar, which is situated just a few feet away from the black-sand beach, is a favourite with locals and tourists and she serves hundreds of customers every week.

“Every week nuff nuff people come here that’s why they want to take it away from me,” she said.

The mother-of-five and grandmother of six said her brother lived on the beach for over 50 years and her family have contributed to keeping the beach clean and environmentally friendly and should not be pushed out.

She said she also wants her three-bedroom home on the beach

“I have nowhere else to go. It is here where my brother lived and it is here I do my little business...

Every week nuff nuff people come here that’s why they want to take it away from me.”

to provide a legacy for the next generation of her family.

Speaking about the eviction notice in February, Stephenson said: “They gave us a notice to come off a beach but I go up to the court and the judge said I must come back in two more months. I’m not leaving.”

Stephenson said she is thankful for the support the Marley family have provided, but says she is still struggling to access water and have consistent electricity.

STAR-POWER SUPPORT Following reports that some local Jamaicans were being turned away from the beaches, the issue has been spoken about widely by leading entertainers. Earlier this year, legendary Reggae artist Sizzla Kalonji demanded locals are given full access to beaches in Jamaica.

- Gladys Stephenson

The influential Rastafarian singer told the crowd during his performance at BRT Weekend that going to the beach was becoming increasingly difficult in Jamaica, especially for those who are of a “Melanin type.”

He said: “Every time we try and build up yah so, something round there sell out and gone.”

“The beaches dem gone,” he said.

He continued: “Look pon di girls dem, which part are we going to put them? They can’t turn up at the beaches again, no one is allowed.

Especially if you are the Melanin type.”

That was not the first time a Reggae artist has spoken out about the issue. Last year, three of Bob Marley’s children, Ziggy, Cedella and Stephen Marley, called for all of Jamaica’s beaches to be made accessible to local people. One

family, the Thomas Family, live at the other end of the beach and have done so for 48 years.

They say they want better protections for families who have lived on the beach for decades.

One family member, Camala Thomas, who spoke to The Voice from her home on Bob Marley Beach, said the beach “should be protected because it is Rastafari heritage down here, it’s a heritage site.

“The first Nyahbinghi centre was formed here when Rastas had to run out of Kingston city. This is where they found refuge and the Bobo Shanti found refuge on Bobo Hill which is just some meters away from here. We have a history here,” she said firmly.

Thomas said she feels like developers are only thinking of the financial income they will receive from tourists by building luxury

hotels and have no regard for communities who have lived in the area for generations.

She added: “They don’t want to integrate with the locals, they want to shove us out and take it up for themselves.”

Thomas said her family and the Stephenson family are the foundation of the beach who built the community surrounding the beach from scratch.

“We are the ones who make the people feel safe,” she said.

She added: “When tourists come to Jamaica they want to see the rustic look, they want to see what Jamaica really is. They don’t want to see New York in Jamaica, they don’t want to see New York on the seaside. They want to see bamboo, they want see red gold and green, they want to see the locals. We have to fight for this, we are fighting for this, we ain’t giving up.”

Thomas said the Marley family have offered some help, but she would like to see more reggae artists pledge their support to save the beach. She added: “We are asking the artists who keep using Rastafari name and are making a way out there, to come on board when things are serious.”

Norman Stephenson’s battle mirrors similar struggles across the Caribbean, most recently in Barbuda and St Lucia, where local people are resisting luxury developments that prioritise tourists, and ignore land rights.

Key campaign group Jamaica Beach Birthright Environmental Movement (JABBEM), has been calling for the Beach Control Act of 1956 (BCA-1956), which regulates Jamaicans rights to access all beaches, to be replaced.

The advocacy group led by Dr Devon Taylor, say the law stems from the colonial era and is “racist” and discriminatory and is “the biggest driver” of Jamaicans losing access to beaches is through private beachfront property owners.

This year, Dr Taylor revealed to The Voice he is involved in four high-profile court cases to secure beach access at popular beaches and tourist resorts in Jamaica.

The Voice has contacted the Woof Group for a comment but despite repeated efforts, has not received a response at the time of going to press.

News Feature

BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH CRISIS – ‘CHANGE NEEDED NOW TO SAVE LIVES’

Medical experts are warning more Black women will die during childbirth if changes aren’t made to healthcare. By Sinai Fleary

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EADING British health campaigners are warning more Black women will die during pregnancy and childbirth in the United Kingdom if drastic improvements are not made to maternal health care.

Findings from a recently published annual study by maternal health network MBRRACE-UK found that Black women in the UK are 3.7 times more likely to die during or in the first year after pregnancy than White women.

The report, called Mothers and Babies: Reducing Risk through Audits and Confidential Enquiries across the UK also found that overall the number of women dying during pregnancy or within six weeks after pregnancy is at its highest level for 20 years – with 13.41 deaths per 100,000 women between January 2020 and December 2022.

This is a worrying increase on the 8.79 deaths per 100,000 women between 2017 and 2019.

Campaigners say urgent action is needed to tackle and eradicate the growing Black maternal

health “crisis” in the UK. Despite increased awareness about maternal mortality rates, Black women are still among those most severely affected.

Janaki Mahadevan, who is the joint Chief Executive at Birthrights, told The Voice: “The disproportionate maternal death rate of Black women is absolutely a healthcare crisis.

“Consecutive MBRRACEUK reports have documented how many more times more likely Black women are to die in pregnancy, childbirth and six weeks post-partum, and yet meaningful action in the NHS and government to eliminate this discriminatory disparity, is hard to find.

“Maternity care, by its very definition, is supposed to keep women and birthing people safe in pregnancy and childbirth, without exception.

“If that care is failing women and birthing people disproportionately and with obviously discriminatory outcomes, then that care system isn’t achieving what it was set up

to do. It no longer works – it is therefore in crisis.”

Mahadevan believes one of the root causes of the deaths is a reluctance to call out structural racism.

She said: “Within the government, NHS leadership, and amongst political parties, there is a stark lack of acknowledgement of the primary drivers leading to this disproportionate death rate and at the very root of it all is a reluctance to call out structural racism.”

“Additionally, there have been no targets set to eliminate the disparity and there is little in the way of meaningful policy, legislation, training and guidelines to address it face-on and drive change.”

In May 2022, Birthrights published its Systemic Racism, not Broken Bodies report, a year-long inquiry into racial injustice in the maternity services.

The evidence gathered found that pregnant Black, Asian and minority ethnic women often felt ‘unsafe, were ignored and disbelieved, were subject to racism by caregivers, were not given a proper choice or the means to give true informed consent, and were subject to coercion from caregivers and were regularly dehumanised.’

Mahadevan said Britain’s maternity systems are rooted in institutional racism which is

“Within the government, NHS leadership, and amongst political parties, there is a stark lack of acknowledgement of the primary drivers leading to this disproportionate death rate and at the very root of it all is a reluctance to call out structural racism.”

– Janaki Mahadevan, Joint Chief Executive at Birthrights

failing Black and minority ethnic women when they are most vulnerable.

She believes that for culturally competent care to be effective, Black, Asian and minority ethnic women must be armed with key information to make informed decisions about their births but also, their voices and experiences must be embedded “throughout training, guidelines, policy and practice as well as legislation.”

Recent years have seen media reports of horrifying cases of Black women dying during pregnancy.

Liverpool Women’s Hospital (LWH) apologised in February for cultural bias causing delays in care for a pregnant Black African woman who later died.

LWH acknowledged that racism within the organisation led to the woman’s death.

In July 2020, the tragic death of YouTuber Nicole Thea and her unborn son deeply affected the Black British community.

Thea, 24, died from undiagnosed hypertrophic cardiomyopathy while she was eight months pregnant. She had previously expressed concerns about her health. Her family suggested that racism played a role in their deaths.

COLONIAL ERA RACISM Some experts say historical and racist perceptions about Black women are still perpetuating

racial inequality and are having a devastating impact on mothers hundreds of years later.

Davina Brown, Race Ambassador for the GMB union, told The Voice: “The perceptions and narratives about Black women are a hangover from colonial times and are literally killing us.

“Racist Ideology filters through even to the training that professionals receive, meaning that a medical practitioner could discriminate against a woman from their same background.”

This point was highlighted when, in 2022, the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) said the lack of teaching about darker skin tones in midwifery education could be exacerbating racial inequalities in maternity care.

The college called for improvements in midwifery education so that student midwives are taught how to better assess women and babies with darker skin tones.

Traditionally, teaching has been based on lighter skin colours, and the RCM acknowledged this could leave midwives without the skills needed to accurately assess women and babies with darker skin complexions.

Five X More CIC, a grassroots organisation committed to changing and highlighting Black maternal health outcomes in the Continued on page 12

MAY 2024

THE VOICE | 7

Special Feature

ADVERTORIAL

Leading Pentecostal Church Pastor retires after 49 years Brixton Community Church pastor Bishop Eric Brown set to retire

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n Sunday 3rd of December 2023, Bishop Eric Brown and Reverend Millicent Brown announced their retirement from pastoral leadership and the Brixton Community Church with effect from 31st March 2024, after 49 years of unbroken service. Ministry for them will continue in other forms but not on the frontline.

“Preaching the liberating Word of Jesus Christ, being a voice for the voiceless, standing up against injustices are what distinguish true servants.

Throughout the years I have strived to be a servant, and by God’s grace have avoided the entrapment of power and status.

I am forever grateful to Almighty God for his unfailing grace and to my adorable wife and our children for their untiring support; now by God’s grace I can give them my undivided attention.” - Bishop Brown The Brixton Community Church Bishop Brown began his pastorate at the flagship Brixton Community Church in 2015, with a strong social as well as religious purpose.

His preaching and teaching added many souls to the Kingdom resulting in the growth of the church. In addition, he has successfully prepared the young people as the next generation of trailblazers and leaders.

His leadership has seen the Church and Community united, with memorable events such as a Memorial Service for deceased loved ones, in particular those who passed away during the Covid-19 period, celebrating 75 years of the Windrush with a Street Party, and a Windrush Civic Service.

He held a number of family services during his time, but the most memorable is the blessing of Parents and their Children at a Special Family Service, for all children previously dedicated at the Brixton Community Church over the years.

During this time, significant refurbishment was carried out to the facilities which enhanced the ministry and gave greater access to Seniors in addition to recreational facilities for the young people. The Family Heritage Hall is also part of that legacy.

“Preaching the liberating Word of Jesus Christ, being a voice for the voiceless, standing up against injustices are what distinguish true servants” BBC Documentary and Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Bishop Brown, the visionary, saw the opportunity to gain positive exposure, and granted the BBC unprecedented insight into the Brixton Community Church, with a one-off documentary ‘Life and Death the Pentecostal Way’, rated the second-best documentary the BBC produced in 2017.

He also galvanized the

community in 2022, with a street party celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Legacy in Leadership In 1973, Bishop Eric Brown and Reverend Millicent Brown embarked on a 3-year training programme for ministry at the European Bible Seminary, Germany, graduating in 1976.

Bishop Brown received his first appointment to pastorate in North London, Hornsey.

Since 1976, including his work as a fellowship leader in the American Army, the veteran leaders have served in ministry for over 49 years.

Bishop and Reverend Brown have pastored 6 fellowships, with Bishop Brown serving the church as National Youth Director for 8 years and administrative Bishop for an unprecedented 12 years during which time R e v e r e n d Millicent served as National Director of W o m e n ’ s Ministries.

Bishop Brown also served on the Church of God World Missions Board for 10 years and as Church of God Superintendent for the UK, Ireland and Norway.

Over these years they have mentored many individuals who are now making their vital contributions in ministry and secular life.

Pioneer in Ministry His 49 years of leadership have seen Bishop Brown hold pioneering key roles in ministry such as the first Pentecostal President of CTE, Commissioner at The Commission for Racial Equality, Member of the Parole Board, Cofounder and Chairman of Trustees of Citizens UK and Cofounder of The Peace Alliance.

Bishop Brown has hinted a book is on the horizon, as he is set to document his life story and ministerial legacy following his retirement.

News Feature

DAME MAGGIE’S MISSION TO INSPIRE YOUNG PEOPLE TO DREAM BIG She’s been hailed as a woman who has made astronomy accessible to a wide audience through shows such as The Sky At Night. Now she’s challenging young people to make science relevant for the next generation. By Vic Motune

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ROM unravelling the mysteries of astronomy to explaining key ideas about space and the universe, Dame Dr Maggie AderinPocock has played a key role in communicating science to the public and making it accessible, especially to young people from underrepresented backgrounds.

Whether it’s her pioneering work on helping to create custom scientific tools, including optical subsystems for spaceships, or her co-hosting of the legendary BBC astronomy show The Sky at Night, Aderin-Pocock’s impact as a space scientist and educator over the course of her career has been considerable.

The numerous accolades and awards she has been showered with underscore that impact.

She made history as the first Black woman to win the Physics News Award’s gold medal. She received the Institute of Physics’ prestigious William Thomson, Lord Kelvin Medal in 2020 for her public engagement in physics.

Last year she was appointed Chancellor of the University of Leicester and was recognised by the UK Powerlist as one of the top ten most influential Black people in the country.

Aderin-Pocock has previously talked about how she fell in love with the idea of space travel and how lucky she feels to be doing her dream job of showing young people how fascinating space science can be. Now, she is lending her expertise and passion to yet another ground-breaking initiative aimed at engaging young

minds with science. Inspired

by Isaac Newton’s innovative breakthroughs during the Great Plague, the Time and Space awards are aiming to empower young people between the ages of 16 and 25.

The award will see entrants share their big ideas in one of the four following categories – science, arts & culture, society or nature & climate.

There will be four winners in total (one for each category), each of whom will receive tools and resources to support the idea they submitted including dedicated mentoring with one of the judges on the competition’s panel.

Joining Aderin-Pocock on the panel are Professor David Olusoga, Megan McCubbin and Tayshan Hayden-Smith, who are also offering mentorship as part of the £5,000 prize.

Aged just 23, Newton had his ‘year of wonders’ after being forced home from university by

the Great Plague pandemic in 1666. That year, he developed world-changing ideas on calculus, optics, motion and gravity at his family home, Woolsthorpe, now looked after by the National Trust.

New research has found that young people between the ages of 16 and 25 who lived through the recent pandemic lockdowns say they are more creative as a result.

The Time and Space awards aims to provide a platform for them to nurture their creativity and make meaningful contributions to society which was a main factor behind AderinPocock’s decision to get involved in the project.

“I spend a lot of time going out and speaking to young people about space and astronomy and they are amazing, they’re so inspirational,” says Aderin-Pocock.

“They have so many ideas, but often I find they don’t know how to help translate their ideas into something real. The Time and

“I’m often the only Black person, and the only female in a room. But the way that I look at this is that my voice will always be heard. What I say will always be remembered.

And I think that gives you an added advantage.”

- Dame Dr M Maggie AderinPocock

Space awards will give them the opportunity to pursue those ideas and make a difference to the world.

What I like to say to kids when I get to see them is reach for the stars whatever your stars are. My dream was to get out into space but different kids have different dreams. The important thing is to have this big crazy dream and see where it can take you.”

In the science category, AderinPocock says she is looking for creative thinkers who can think outside the box about ways to make science accessible, welcoming and relevant environment to people regardless of their gender, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.

“What I’m interested in is how can we make science more relevant and accessible,” she says.

“As someone who works in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) field it still seems very misogynistic, and very White, as opposed to trying to make sure that science truly is for everyone.

“I think one of the challenges you face when a science competition is mentioned is that people think that only people with a brain the size of a small planet can that’s enter because that what people expect scientists to be. there’s But I think there a scientist in everyone.”

She continues: don’t have “You You dont don’ to be a scientist to come up

with brilliant ideas. One of the challenges with science at the moment is that if everybody’s coming from the same demographic then we all move in the same direction.

“So I’m looking for those out of the box ideas from people who do things differently.”

The vision of presenting science in new and engaging ways is something that Aderin-Pocock continues to be passionate about.

Through her company Science Innovation Ltd, she’s reached over 350,000 children, mostly in the UK but across the world also.

For her, science was a tool that enabled her to break barriers to social mobility.

She developed a fascination with space and astronomy at an early age, inspired by the moon landings that dominated the news headlines in the early 1970s and the popular TV series Star Trek.

However, it appeared as if her dream career in space science was a long way off after she was diagnosed with dyslexia.

Despite attending 13 schools following her diagnosis, AderinPocock excelled at school after realising her ability for logical thinking, problem-solving and the support of her parents.

“I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t interested in space and astronomy. I think it’s because I was born in 1968 and a year later the moon landings happened.

From the get go, I was fascinated by space and wanted to know more about it.

“My first mentors were my parents. My dad was always going on about the importance of education and how it could make a real difference. He was driving me despite the fact that I have dyslexia.”

Aderin-Pocock went on to earn a physics degree from Imperial College London in 1990, followed by a PhD in mechanical engineering in 1994.

She had a successful career in aerospace before transitioning to science communication and the work she does with encouraging young people into STEM. The challenges that AderinPocock encountered on her journey to realising her dreams has given her insights that she often shares with aspiring young people from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds who struggle with gaining the confidence to pursue their goals in fields that lack diversity.

“Believe in yourself and have confidence in yourself,” she says.

“Often I find that I’m the only Black person, and the only female in a room full of White male scientists. But the way that I look at this is that my voice will always be heard. What I say will always be remembered. And I think that gives you an added advantage. I definitely see the positive in these things. I think being in a minority can be an advantage in some ways.”

For more information about the awards got to nationaltrust.org. uk/time-and-space

MAY 2024

THE VOICE | 9

Special Feature

ADVERTORIAL

Fresh perspectives on landscape painting

A

n ambitious e x h i b i t i o n explores new interpretations of landscape art, through some of the most essential voices working in contemporary art.

Dulwich Picture Gallery presents Soulscapes, a major exhibition of landscape art that expands and redefines the genre. Featuring more than 30 contemporary works, it spans painting, photography, film, tapestry and collage from leading artists including Hurvin Anderson, Phoebe Boswell, Njideka Akunyili Crosby, Kimathi Donkor, Isaac Julien, Marcia Michael, Mónica de Miranda and Alberta Whittle, as well as some of the most important emerging voices working today.

Che Lovelace, Moonlight Searchers (detail), Acrylic and dry pigment on board panels, 152.4 x 127 cm, Private Collection

Soulscapes explores our connection with the world around us through the eyes of artists from the African Diaspora. It considers the power of landscape art and reflects on

themes of belonging, memory, joy and transformation.

The exhibition opens by examining the theme of belonging to the natural world and considers the varied ways we experience the land, our sense of identity, connection and safety.

Limestone Wall (2020), a large-scale painting by Hurvin Anderson, depicts the tropical foliage of Jamaica and explores the artist’s relationship to his ancestral homeland. In the series A Pleasant Land. J. Samuel Johnson, & The Spectre of Unrecognised Black Figures (2023), photographer Jermaine Francis considers the issues that arise out of interactions with our everyday environments, positioning the Black figure in rural settings to instigate conversations around power, identity and the history of the English Landscape.

Reflecting on landscapes and memory, the exhibition considers how artists have used the natural world to express personal histories.

“Reflecting on landscapes and memory, the exhibition considers how artists have used the natural world to express personal histories” Njideka Akunyili Crosby’s lush multimedia piece, Cassava Garden (2015), layers images from fashion magazines, pictures of Nigerian pop stars, and samplings from family

photo albums to represent a hybrid cultural identity. The Gallery’s mausoleum is home to a site-specific installation of Phoebe Boswell’s I Dream of a Home I Cannot Know (2019), a meditative video work created over the course of six years that documents daily life in Zanzibar, a place of deep connection for the artist.

Soulscapes celebrates the power of landscapes to evoke joy and pleasure, whether through the representation of personal experiences or through its expression in composition, colour and style. Paintings from Kimathi Donkor’s Idyl series (2016-2020) depict Black subjects free to be themselves within nature, hopeful visions that might be approached through the idea of Black Joy. Che Lovelace’s vibrant paintings, The Climber (2022) and Moonlight Searchers (2022), depict the flora, fauna, figures, landscapes and rituals of the Caribbean.

Finally, the exhibition explores

the transformative power of nature to stimulate healing, renewal and wellbeing. Works

by Alberta Whittle manifest self-compassion and collective care as key methods in battling anti-Blackness; Whittle invites viewers to interact with her work, and to imagine different futures. In Unforeseen Journey of Self-Discovery (2020), a tapestry

by Kimathi Mafafo, a woman emerges from a cocooned veil of white muslin, finding her way into the vibrant, colourful and healing space of the natural world.

The exhibition is curated

by Lisa Anderson, Managing Director of the Black Cultural Archives and founder of Black British Art. Anderson said: “Soulscapes grew from the periods of enforced ‘lockdown’ that millions experienced during the Covid-19 pandemic. During the same period, the question of racial equality in the wake of George Floyd’s murder and the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement helped ignite conversation about inclusion

“Balm for the soul, food for the mind”

HHHH

and social justice.

These historical moments gave way to new possibilities for landscape art, which is being interrogated by artists in new and expansive ways. At a time when global consciousness has been profoundly attuned to the precariousness and power of the natural world in our lives, I hope this exhibition will challenge perceptions of our relationship with nature.”

Jennifer Scott, Director of Dulwich Picture Gallery, said: “Soulscapes marks a new approach to landscape art.

Featuring some of the greatest artists of our day, it’s an exciting opportunity to re-present the genre within Dulwich Picture Gallery, the home of the celebrated European landscape masters of the past. This visually stunning exhibition highlights the contemporary relevance of nature in art and its universal possibilities of healing, reflection and belonging.”

News Feature London Mayoral candidate Natalie Campbell is determined to upset the odds.

By Vic Motune

W

HEN elections come around, with candidates vying for attention and voters scrutinising their platforms, it’s common to see politicians derided as people who have spent their whole careers in the Westminster bubble with little experience outside politics.

Little wonder then that they are often viewed with suspicion, their every promise scrutinised through the lens of scepticism forged by years of broken pledges But the real-world experience of running successful social enterprises is something that Natalie Campbell, who is standing as an independent in the forthcoming London Mayoral elections, believes she can bring to the office of Mayor if she is elected on May 2.

Campbell, raised in northwest London by her Windrush Generation Jamaican grandparents, started her career as an entrepreneur early.

She successfully launched her first business before she was 20.

Her journey in social enterprise began when she co-founded A Very Good Company (AVGC), a global social innovation agency with the ethos of spreading good that worked with major brands such as Virgin Media and Marks and Spencer.

From 2011 to 2018, AVCG worked with businesses and stakeholders, co-creating campaigns related to health, employment rights, and the environment.

As a non-executive director, she chaired the Nominet Trust and National Council for Voluntary Youth Service and served on various boards, including UnLtd and Big Lottery Fund UK. Campbell’s social impact also extended to serving on Sadiq Khan’s London Economic Action Partnership and her work as a Civil Service Commissioner.

Now the co-CEO o-CEO of sustainable drinks company Belu Water and chancellor of the University of Westminster since 2022, believes her plan to approach the job of Mayor like a CEO who runs a major corporation will usher in an era of transparent governance, free from what she sees as the selfserving actions of career politician.

Her singular focus, as she says in her manifesto, is taking a “zero B.S. approach to rebuilding London”. This said, Campbell is quick to shut down the idea that a business-led approach to running the capital would favour monied sections of society or lack empathy for Londoners at the

‘I WANT TO DELIVER FOR THE PEOPLE THAT VOTE FOR ME’

lower end of the socio-economic scale.

“When I tell people I’m going to take a CEO’s approach to delivering for London people, often say ‘CEOs are people that work their employees to the bone,’” she says. “But I tell them to

look at what I’ve been the CEO of.

I’ve never been a corporate CEO. I’m the CEO of social enterprises.

I’ve worked in charities which have CEOs so I know there are other ways of delivering good in the world.

“For me, a CEO approach is about saying that the people who vote for me are my boss. I am free from party politics and I’m not doing this with a view to getting another job. I’m also self-funding.

I’ve taken out a loan to run in this campaign which will take me five years to pay back.

“My only vested interests are to deliver for the people that vote for me. And If I don’t deliver, you don’t vote for me again.”

During her work with the Royal Foundation in which she worked with Prince Harry, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, he saw firsthand the impact of soft power in driving social change.

Her role as a Civil Service

Commissioner deepened her understanding of government and revealed that the lack of policies aimed at helping underrepresented communities is often directly linked to a lack of political will. That added a further motivation for her to stand for office.

Campbell’s election campaign pledges focus on nurturing neighbourhoods, safer streets, and community cohesion. She emphasises holistic solutions to London’s housing shortages, innovative policing schemes and sustainable transport for the capital.

She plans to establish 320 new neighbourhood centres, each housing 1,300 police officers, a policy aimed at putting officers back into local communities.

She aims to reallocate parts of the Mayor’s policing budget to establish youth centres and mental health support for young people. And on housing, she

“For me, a CEO approach is about saying that the people who vote for me are my boss.

I am free from party politics and I’m not doing this with a view to getting another job.”

- Natalie Campbell

pledges to build 40,000 affordable homes, not just to buy but rent.

“The reason I’m focusing on build-to-rent properties is that this is how we stabilise prices

in the rental market, which at the moment are out of control.

Londoners pay something like 70 to 80 per cent of their salary on rent,” she explains.

“I’d build these through the Mayoral development corporations and they would help shift the market. If people have access to high quality, centrally managed services at lower rents, landlords can’t get away with renting substandard homes with mould and poor facilities. Those landlords either need to fix up their properties or bring the price down and that creates market shift.”

Campbell is acutely attuned to the specific concerns of the capital’s Black community which include health inequalities, discriminatory policing and racism in the workplace.

She says her firsthand experience of the Mayoral race so far has illuminated the systemic hurdles Black people face in politics and other areas of life in Britain.

“I initially aimed to stand as an independent but I didn’t have the financial capital. It’s expensive to do this without the support of a party behind you. I approached Labour who said I was never going to be successful as a Black woman.”

Campbell admits the process has not been without its challenges.

She questions the fairness of Mayoral hustings events which are often limited to the four main candidates rather than all the candidates who have put their names on the ballot.

And she points out the media’s tendency to only give airtime to these candidates meaning others in the race, especially those like her who do not have the backing of a party machine behind them, struggle to get their messages across to voters.

But she adds there are days on the campaign trail when she realises the significant impact she’s making.

“I get messages from young Black girls, women, and loads of people who have never voted before who tell me ‘I’ve got my polling card through. And for the first time, I’m excited to vote for a candidate,’” she says. “Even though they don’t know any of the trials and tribulations of what is going on behind the scenes, the fact that they are intending to vote is so important.”

Campbell exudes determination when asked about her chances of winning on May 2. Despite formidable opposition from the leading candidates she believes her approach and pledges will resonate with disaffected voters.

“It’s absolutely possible for me to win, but people cannot stay at home on May 2,” she says. “I’m not even touching existing voters. 3.9 million didn’t vote and have never voted in the mayoral elections.

There are completely new voters coming into this. And I think that moment of glory, then getting to work and delivering the change that matters changes the narrative significantly.”

MAY 2024

THE VOICE | 11

Special Feature

ADVERTORIAL

“Crohn’s Disease has changed my life, but exercise makes me feel great!”

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love exercise. It makes me feel happy and it’s a big part of the reason I’m alive today. I was about 17 or 18 when my Crohn’s symptoms started – and they went on for seven years before I finally found out what was going on.

I was a dance student, but I was in such a bad way that I couldn’t live the life I wanted to. I should have been having the time of my life doing what I loved, but instead, I felt awful. Then, one day, I

NATALIE AMBER

collapsed at my nan’s house. I was rushed to hospital where doctors told my family to prepare for the worst.

When I was told I had Crohn’s Disease, I just felt a bit numb. I had a really close call and ended up with a stoma bag and scars all over my belly. My surgeon told me I survived on that operating table because of my fitness.

I’ve always had a passion for exercise: my dad’s a Taekwon-do instructor and I was a sparring champion when I was younger, before going on to do my dance training. Having major surgery really makes you reassess everything. I suddenly had so much to get my head around. Now I work with the charity Crohn’s & Colitis UK and talk about my bowel disease all the time, but it took time to get used to everything.

When I was recovering from my operation, I got really into going to the gym and it almost became an addiction. I realised there was nobody like me training other people with chronic illnesses. I decided it was time for

me to study to become a personal trainer. I’m very determined – so I did it!

I gained my Level 3 PT qualification, and I now help other women living with chronic conditions. Crohn’s is a type of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) so I call myself the IBD PT! I understand about the fatigue and the lack of confidence after surgery, as well as training with scars and cramps.

It is so hard sometimes – when I get super tired and just have suck it up and listen to my body. I have to have infusion treatments for my Crohn’s and afterwards I can feel very fatigued for a bit.

That happened recently, and I had to instruct one of my classes from the sidelines rather than joining in with my students as I wanted to. That can be pretty frustrating – but you’ve got to pay attention to how you’re feeling.

For anyone who reckons they’re not sporty or that exercise isn’t for them, I would say this: gym is not for one type of body or one type of person. Fitness is for

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To find out more about Crohn’s and Colitis, visit : crohnsandcolitis.org.uk You can find out more about Natalie-Amber on Instagram @natalie_amber1

News Feature Continued from page 6 UK, is also concerned that the quality of maternal healthcare is lacking for Black women.

It was founded in 2019, when two Black mothers, Clo Abe and Tinuke Awe, came together with the dream of improving maternal mortality rates and health care outcomes.

Abe, who has worked on maternity wards, said the postnatal care Black women receive after giving birth from GPs and health visitors also needs to improve.

She recalls a young mother who went to the hospital three times asking for help after having her first baby and was sent back home.

“She went again and a nurse looked at her and said ‘you need surgery’. They saw she had retained placenta.

“She’s a young mum and gave birth at 17 and now she is chronically disabled and is always in pain because no one took her seriously. If they never looked at her after she persisted she would have died.”

In March this year, the Labour African Network and GMB Union organised a sold-out panel event which brought together organisations researching Black maternal deaths and politicians – who could be next in power implementing policy.

The event included a panel discussion with Brown, Mahadevan, Cllr Nicki Adeleke, a member of the Labour African Network), Anneliese Dodds MP (shadow secretary of state for Women & Equalities), and Janet Fyle MBE (Policy Advisor, Royal College of Midwives).

Speaking at the event, Dodds said pregnancy for Black women should not be a traumatic experience.

“I view this situation as an emergency, it is incredibly urgent,” she said. “The fact that these figures are rising shames this government. And the fact that Black and Asian women are more likely to die in childbirth shows how much more needs to be done to close this gap. The lack of action from the government is inexcusable. Labour would set an explicit target to close this gap and reverse these worrying trends.”

Black healthcare professionals also shared their frustrations, including an experienced health visitor.

He told the panel: “I visited a young mother. She told me that despite being in excruciating pain on one side of her face she was not listened to because she was seen as a strong Black woman.”

Cllr Ernest Ambe, Chair of the Labour African Network, told The Voice the event was a chance to “agree what needs to be done to redress this injustice as the current government has failed to seriously tackle the problem”.

Ambe described the current Black maternal death rate as a “tragedy” and said potential solutions need to be put to whoever wins the next general election.

“The government setting explicit targets to close this gap is a good

But many in Britain’s Black community say they have already lost faith in the overstretched and underfunded healthcare system.

Last year, the findings from the landmark Black British Voices (BBV) study by The Voice and Cambridge University, found a staggering 87 per cent of the 11,000 participants who took part said that Black people receive a substandard level of healthcare because of their race.

Alarmingly, only seven per cent of participants felt that Black people in Britain receive fair treatment within the health sector.

The report also found negative interactions and repeated instances cultural insensitivities fuelled their distrust of the “Black women healthcare system. in Britain face a Sandra Igwe, founder of The Motherhood Group, a leading complex array of support group for black British mothers, said that growing systemic barriers concerns about the maternal and inequalities healthcare Black women receive could no longer be ignored. that contribute to The founder of the Black Health Conference, the disproportionate Maternal first conference of its kind for maternal Black mothers in the UK, told The Voice: mortality rates.” “I vividly remember supporting a young mother who felt her andra gwe, founder of e concerns were repeatedly brushed Motherhood Group aside during her pregnancy,

starting point. Our working group of organisations with experience on this issue is preparing a white paper of potential solutions to the problem for the Labour front bench to consider.”

–

­

only to face life-threatening complications during childbirth that could have been prevented with proper attention and care.”

Igwe believes racial bias and discrimination are contributing to the problem.

She said: “Black women in Britain face a complex array of systemic barriers and inequalities that contribute to disproportionate maternal mortality rates.

“These factors include racial bias and discrimination within the healthcare system, lack of cultural competency among healthcare providers, socioeconomic disparities, and limited access to quality prenatal care.”

The campaigner said a “multi-

faceted approach that addresses the systemic barriers and inequalities” Black women face must be implemented.

She said: “This includes mandatory cultural competency training for healthcare providers to address implicit bias and improve patient-provider communication, increased representation of Black healthcare professionals in maternal care settings, and targeted outreach and education programmes to engage Black communities and provide accessible, culturallyrelevant information about maternal health.”

She also wants to see better access to quality prenatal care, postpartum support services

and issues such as poverty, housing instability and lack of transportation addressed – as these also impact the health and wellbeing of expectant mothers.

Abena Oppong-Asare, shadow minister for Women’s Health and Mental Health, said: “The rate of Black and Asian women dying in pregnancy or childbirth has been too high for too long. In fact, the number of women dying has reached its highest level in almost 20 years.

“Instead of taking immediate action to address this unacceptable reality, this government’s Maternity Disparities Taskforce only met twice in 2023 and failed to meet for nine months.

“Labour will turn the page on 14 years of Conservative mismanagement of our NHS. We will tackle these stark health inequalities and set an explicit target to close the maternal mortality gap, so fewer women lose their lives needlessly.”

But many in Britain’s Black community feel they can no longer wait for those in power to save Black women and babies.

Brown is also the Co-ordinator at Soul Purpose 360 CIC – a user-led social enterprise for Black women seeking personal development.

She also said to tackle the issue, Black women should be “empowering ourselves and creating our own support networks for the birth experience.”

Responding to the latest MBRRACE report, RCM’s Chief Executive, Gill Walton said: “The numbers in the report don’t lie – we are moving backward not forward. The Government and the whole of the health service needs to pull together to reverse this trend immediately.

“Midwife shortages are undermining the ability of maternity staff to deliver the safest possible care. This is fundamentally a failure of policy makers and the government to get investment quickly to where it is needed at the frontline of care.”

“Action is needed nationally, with a multi-agency approach, to address the wider inequalities faced by Black and Asian women.

There needs to be more joint working between clinicians so that issues are spotted earlier, better training – and the time to undertake such training – and specialist midwives to meet the increasingly complex needs of women and families.”

JAMAICA SEEKS REPARATIONS FOR SLAVERY Minister Olivia Grange says African people around the world are still enduring the legacies of slavery. By Sinai Fleary

A

SENIOR Jamaican government minister has said the country remains committed to demanding reparations for slavery.

Jamaica’s Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange, said earlier this month that the government will be seeking reparations for the Transatlantic slave trade and the long-lasting impact it has had on the Caribbean country, according to The Jamaica Star.

Grange made the comments while accepting an apology from The United Reform Church (URC) for its role in slavery at a church service at Webster Memorial Church in St Andrew.

“It is this complicity of the church that gave solace and comfort to the citizens and governments of UK and Europe as they endorsed and defended with their military project, that saw the capture, the torture, the dehumanisation, and devaluation of African people, legacies of which we experience today as racism, white supremacy, and discrimination,” Grange said “We struggle to build peaceful, stable societies because of the perpetration of violence which was the platform on which enslavement was executed yet, in spite of this, we have been good converts to these same religions.”

Over the last few years, the Caribbean has seen a growing movement supporting the call for reparations.

In July 2023, the landmark Brattle Report concluded that Britain owes a staggering £18.6 trillion in reparations – over five times the country’s annual gross domestic product. The calculation of money owed to the Caribbean and the Americas was made by academics for the prestigious University of the West Indies.

Grange’s comments follow a recent survey found that three in five people (60 per cent) in the UK agree that Caribbean nations and descendants of enslaved people should receive a formal apology over the horrors of transatlantic chattel slavery with more than half

stating it should come from the UK Government or from organisations who historically profited from slavery in the Caribbean.

The research conducted in England, Scotland and Wales in February by the Repair Campaign, showed strong understanding of the issue of reparatory justice for slavery with 64 per cent of people very or somewhat familiar with the idea of making amends for the UK’s historic involvement in slavery through reparations.

Notably, four in ten agreed that Caribbean nations should receive financial compensation to make amends for the legacy of slavery and colonialism.

The Repair Campaign has launched a petition calling for reparations.

Denis O’Brien, a leading member of the campaign said: “The UK’s extraordinary wealth was generated from free labour, free lands and the highly profitable proceeds of slavery. It was a 300year holocaust. There is clear support for action. People are fed up with being patronised by right-wing politicians and media commentators who have tried to divide communities over this issue.

“The Repair Campaign is calling on the UK to do the right thing.

Three little words. I am sorry…”

Professor Verene Shepherd, Director of the Centre for Reparation Research (CRR) at The University of the West Indies and a Vice-Chair of the CARICOM Reparations Commission, said: “It has long been recognised the trafficking of millions of Africans to the Caribbean and their chattel enslavement across the region, acts in which Britain was a leading participant, were crimes against humanity.

“The passing of the Slave Trade Abolition Act by Britain on March 25, 1807, did not end the human misery and suffering of Africans.

Indeed, Britain did not call back ships already on their way to capture more Africans when the Act was passed. This allowed 32 slavers to proceed, and an estimated 6,453 more Africans to suffer on the high seas and on plantations.”

News Feature

14 | THE VOICE MAY 2024

Special Feature

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Ebony Villas & Elixir Heights Rent Free For Life - Luxury African Homes

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Morizon international is a (Black Owned) Financial Technology Corporation which was founded

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Amanda and John are true visionaries in the Financial Corporate World and have been called geniuses by many of their peers and banking partners. It is truly a blessing to see these two dedicated individuals leading

THE VOICE | 15

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Morizon have managed to bring onboard Supporting Celebrities to help with their marketing campaign, like (UK’s Renown Actor BRIAN BOVELL), (Reggae Star TONY GAD from ASWAD) and (LEEE JOHN from the awesome and timeless group IMAGINATION), who has recently had an N01 Hit in the UK Soul Charts. More celebrities are now expressing their interest to offer their support, which will inevitably ensure their success.

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The Solution Is In Our Hands.

News

Opinion

Richard Sudan

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

The stakes are high ahead of the vote for London Mayor and especially for Black communities SOME political decisions are hard. The choice for London Mayor, however, isn’t. In fact, it’s a no brainer. No disrespect to the other candidates, but the race for London Mayor will be a two-horse race between Sadiq Khan and Susan Hall.

It’s important to be clear about this because the stakes are high for all Londoners and especially for Black communities in the capital.

In my view it’s critical that we come out strong and back Sadiq Khan for a third term, and reject the gutter politics of Conservative candidate Hall and here’s why.

Right off the bat, we need to make a distinction between the Labour Party under Keir Starmer and Sadiq Khan.

Justifiable anger and fury over the party, under Starmer, must not inform our judgment of Sadiq Khan, who was a popular MP in Tooting for good reason.

I’ll get to some of Sadiq’s policies and record in a moment.

But for me, the politics of Susan Hall is deeply alarming. It is clearly indicative of a dangerous trend of rising right-wing nationalism, and I’ve no doubt she harbours deep contempt for Black people.

This in itself is enough for Black Londoners to come out in force and relegate such gutter politics to the dustbin of history.

First up, should Hall become Mayor, Carnival is under threat.

And she is using the ‘knife crime is a Black problem’ trope as a stick to beat it with.

We all want an end to knife crime. And we all want a safe Carnival. It’s possible to want both things at the same time.

But Hall believes knife crime is a Black cultural issue.

But knife crime is no more an issue of Black genetics, than child abuse is a problem solely for White people.

Playing racial politics, when the social indicators around knife crime are clear, is an utter disgrace. It’s shameful stereotyping. But Hall doesn’t care about that because she’s playing culture wars like Downing Street.

Speaking of crime, the Conservative candidate for London Mayor blatantly lied about being pickpocketed in

WHY KHAN MUST RETURN AS MAYOR It’s not just Susan Hall the candidate who must be sent packing, in my view, it’s the divisive and dangerous politics she represents which must be defeated.

November last year, in a bid to claim crime in London under Sadiq Khan was out of control.

She even went on LBC to say so.

Guess what happened? Her wallet was returned to her by a member of the public complete with the cash and cards she’d left inside it. The wallet wasn’t stolen.

Hall has also liked social media posts in praise of Enoch Powell, the far-right politician famed for his racist Rivers of Blood speech.

It’s also been highlighted, that she has endorsed racist abuse of Khan, posted by the likes of Katie Hopkins, and is also a big fan of Donald Trump whose own track record of racism and slander of Khan and lies is a matter of record.

We should understand too, that Trump’s baseless attacks on Mayor Khan, correlated with a huge spike in racism received by the capital’s first Muslim mayor.

As a result, he now requires a security entourage on par with the

Prime Minister and King Charles.

Is Trump-loving Hall really the person we want in charge of London?

It’s not just Hall the candidate who must be sent packing, in my view, it’s the divisive and dangerous politics she represents which must be defeated. A vote for Khan sends a clear message that we reject such politics.

Khan May not be perfect. But he clearly cares about London and has been a Mayor for all Londoners.

One of his first acts was solidarity with the Jewish community. He’s also called for an immediate ceasefire from the getgo regarding the ongoing atrocities suffered by the Palestinians in Gaza living under apartheid, something Downing Street has done cartwheels to avoid.

He’s campaigned for justice for those impacted by the Windrush Scandal and has argued for the

compensation scheme to become independent and out of the hands of the Home Office.

This is important to many of us descended from the Windrush generation including myself. We need politicians to advocate for us on this issue.

And, critically, Khan understands the inherent problems with the Metropolitan Police while his criticism of former Commissioner Cressida Dick helped underscore the ongoing reality that the Metropolitan Police remains institutionally racist. This is vital.

We’ve always known of this longstanding issue, not least because the Macpherson report sparked after the murder of Stephen Lawrence confirmed it.

But remember too, that Khan has written in this very newspaper of his support for the Lawrence family and the ongoing need to keep tackling the system which

led to the failings of the first investigation into Stephen’s murder.

He’s committed to radical reform of the Met, and is arguing for policing by consent. Khan is doing what Starmer isn’t and I think this is real leadership.

This issue oof policing is critical so let’s be clear here; Hall is a Tory candidate who took to social media to claim that the Met Police is not institutionally racist.

Read that aagain. London’s next potential Mayor claimed that the Met Police is not institutionally racist, despite the findings of the Casey Review last year.

She also endorsed a comment e saying that those critical of the use of stop and search powers must ‘have something to hide’.

Need we say more?

Khan Deserves another term too, because he’s committed to the creation of more affordable housing. This is important because this is an issue which disproportionately impacts Black Londoners.

He understands the t disparities impacting the Black community. And I think he actually cares.

He’s also overseen the creation of ‘Black on the Square’, a wonderful cultural event showcasing Black art and creativity which I’ve seen for myself and is brilliant.

These sorts of events will be safeguarded under Khan and as I’ve previously mentioned, Carnival will be safe.

The same initiatives will be under threat from Hall and might well vanish.

Importantly too, Khan has pledged to keep free school meals for students in the capital. Hall said she’ll ‘review’ the policy and we all know what this likely means. And hungry children can’t achieve.

We need someone who understands the disparities in the city, has the power to tackle them, understands and wants to tackle anti-Black racism, and is a friend of the Black community.

Khan has proved this and has weathered significant racism over the years himself and is still doing the work. Now he needs some loyalty from us.

A vote for Khan means we can move forward and have an ally. Hall as Mayor will be a disaster. She will take us back decades and I’m sure the worst is yet to come from her.

Let’s give Khan the chance to continue the good work he’s started and send a clear message that we reject the rising tide of anti-Black racism and rising right-wing nationalism which I believe Hall represents and is shamelessly using for her own political gain.

FEBRUARY 2024

THE VOICE | 31

Dotun Adebayo

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

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

Britain’s royal family was once at the helm of the worst case of human trafficking ever

T

HE Prime Minister is minded to pull the UK out of the European convention on human rights over Rwanda. The nation that was once the world’s greatest human poacher has now turned human gamekeeper.

The irony won’t have been lost on the ancestors. But what’s this got to do with Meghan Markle?

Fair enough Britain has reinvented itself in the last couple hundred years from being the world’s great human trafficker.

But it’s got some cheek lecturing the world on human trafficking.

It’s a remarkable turnaround from the days of slavery though.

It’s like we’re on a mission from God now. It’s like we ain’t the Britain wot done dem things back in dem times. It’s like we’re just righteous right now. It’s like STOP THE BOATS. It’s like righteousness. It’s like STOP THE BOATS we’re righteous. It’s like saving lives. You get me? It’s like STOP THE BOATS, in the name of righteousness against human trafficking.

Now, imagine the ancestors rolling around in their graves.

What do you think they’re saying?

Any number of things come to mind.

INGLANN IS A BITCH HOW DARE YOU. RIGHTEOUSNESS. ARE YOU HAVING A LAUGH? THIS WAS THE MOST NOTORIOUS CASE OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING THE WORLD HAS EVER KNOWN. YES. NO.

The enslavement of Africans resulted in 400 years of human trafficking from Africa to the socalled ‘new world’ – the Americas and the Caribbean. Britain doesn’t refer to it as human trafficking because those who profited and still profit from ill-gotten gains would prefer to remember it as a picnic on the plantation. But let’s call it what it is – human trafficking.

A total of 25 million people were trafficked to the West during this time, only half of whom survived

Duchess of Sussex? You go to the ball and fall in love with a prince and when the clock strikes midnight you find out that his family’s wealth tells a story of their involvement in the trade that enslaved your ancestors?

Her ancestors were the victims of this human trafficking. If you go back far enough, her ancestors on her mother’s side were kidnapped from Africa, with all the abuse and sexual abuse that went with it, in the worst case of human trafficking that the world has ever known. They were deprived of their liberty and denied human rights. They were regarded as only four-fifths of a human being.

A lot of Americans don’t know this about the royal family. In marrying into the institution the Duchess couldn’t afford to ignore it any longer. Fair dos to her husband who stands by her side in so doing. All Meghan Markle has ever done is speak truth to

Her ancestors were the victims of this human tra c ing f ou go ac far enough, her ancestors were idnapped from Africa

KEEP ROCKING BOATS, MEGHAN the perilous voyage chained to the sea vessel. Given Britain’s leading role in this trafficking, it was without doubt the world’s greatest trafficker of human beings or one of two or three vying for that title and proud of it.

But the story does not end there. If we accept that the enslavement and transportation of millions of Africans was the worst case of human trafficking ever, do we not have to include the institution that is the British royal family for not only being at the helm of the worst case of human

trafficking ever? For also being complicit as one of the biggest investors and beneficiaries of this trade in human trafficking?

Its hands are soiled in this murky business.

The King has to accept the institution over which he presides was the great instigator of England and the United Kingdom’s human trafficking. If you like, the monarchy is the human trafficker-in-chief of the British Empire through the Royal African Society, the only purpose of which was to traffick human beings

from Africa to where they would be most lucratively engaged – for free.

So why is the British monarchy dragging its feet in ‘researching’ its culpability in the human trafficking of enslaved people?

The King has ordered that such a review should be carried out so that the royal family should see which of its artefacts have been illicitly obtained from the days when Britain was the world’s great human trafficker.

How hard can it be to add up the sums and follow the paper

trail to conclude that virtually all the wealth of the monarchy in this country over those four hundred years has the stench of human trafficking about it? I’m talking palaces and castles and all the rest of it. Surely it would be easier to investigate what wealth the monarchy holds that is free from the stain of human trafficking.

Now, try to put your feet in Meghan’s glass slippers and put yourself in her position. Can you imagine how offensive this must be to the much-maligned

power. An extremely brave thing to do when you’re in the midst of that power that the royals have.

But of course people don’t want to hear this. They don’t want to hear this because that would be ROCKING THE BOATS rather than stopping them.

What good would it serve to speak the truth? What good would it serve if the media, for example, stopped using the euphemism ‘slaves’ to describe our enslaved ancestors, instead of speaking plainly and truthfully that they were not born slaves but were ‘enslaved’?

Enslaved of course begs the question ‘Who enslaved them?’

And, frankly, Britain isn’t ready to get into that right now. Not whilst we’re busy trying to sort the world out.

There’s the Middle East, Ukraine and China to contend with. And can you stop describing Britain’s role in the slave trade as human trafficking. That is to completely undermine this country’s efforts to say, ‘World, shut up and remember that you were a much safer place when Britannia ruled the waves.’

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

MAY 2024

THE VOICE | 19

Special Feature

ADVERTORIAL

NETWORKING TO ACE OPPORTUNITIES

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News

Opinion

Daniella Maison

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

HESTER V ABBOTT: WE’RE ALL AFFECTED

Tory donor’s hate speech is the outcome of a social system that is riddled with the diseases of Afriphobia and misogynoir OVER the past several years, the term ‘toxic masculinity ’ has become a compound explanation for all forms of woman-hating.

Its many facets have become notorious. ‘Sexism’ (discrimination against women), ‘chauvinism’ (belief in male dominance and supremacy), ‘misogyny’ (hatred of women), ‘patriarchy’ (the system of society or government in which men hold the power).

Once intersectionality is applied, we meet ‘mysogynoir’, coined by Moya Bailey to describe “the specific hatred, dislike, distrust, and prejudice directed toward Black women.”

All are lethal as individuals.

Many of us are still unaware of the complex ways in which they all combine with Afriphobia to manifest and collectively traumatise Black women.

Let’s be very clear. Frank Hester’s recently published comments about Hackney and Stoke Newington MP Diane Abbott and hating all Black women is so vitriolic that it combines every single one of the above.

Of course, I could have penned a diatribe on Hester and the great irony that this is a man who once trained to be a priest.

But, the issue with mysogynoir and Afriphobia, is that most modern discussions exemplify what psychologists call the ‘fundamental attribution error’.

In other words, they focus blame on individuals, not on the situation. Make no mistake, Hester is part of a situation.

It has long been the case that the maltreatment of Black women has been a constant component of patriarchal power. Maltreatment that stems from a single source: hatred.

The very sight of Diane Abbott on television makes Hester hate all Black women.

Every single one of us. The stark reminder that we are looked upon by the White male gaze

with sheer hatred is traumatic, no matter how accustomed we think we have become to it.

The emotional pain connected to feeling hated digs deep within our core and psyche. It is purely irrational, and so it’s hard to digest on an intellectual level. As such, it penetrates into the core of our being. The emotional wounding caused just by being hated, is one of the most difficult traumas to heal from.

The trouble with true hatred is that it cannot exist in a vacuum. It manifests into action. It becomes violence; it wields knives and loads bullets in to guns.

Like a virus that mutates, Hester’s hatred of Abbott quickly became a violent thought.

Black women survived the barbarity of the Middle Passage, the inhumanity of slavery, poverty, and the never-ending battle for equality. We still run the gamut on domestic abuse, cancer, blood pressure, diabetes, mental health, miscarriages, unemployment and, well, just about everything.

On top of it all, a White male looks upon us and (without any provocation) hatred, like bile, rises up through his throat and makes him confess that he wants to shoot us.

When Miriam Carey performed a U-turn a mile from the White House, police officers who have never been bought to justice looked at her and decided she

e trou le with true hatred is that it cannot e ist in a vacuum t manifests into action t ecomes violence it wields nives and loads ullets in to guns

should be shot before shooting her five times in the back. For centuries, the deep racial hostility that permeates Western society has burdened Black women with a hatred that has often served to focus brute manifestations of sadism, just by looking at us.

Diane Abbott is already a modern paradigm of Black women as a target of disproportionate online abuse.

As the first woman of African descent elected to the House of Commons 37 years ago, she should be lauded. Firstly as a real political powerhouse in her own right and secondly, for adding nuance and new dimensions to the intersection of race and gender in British politics. Instead, she received almost half of all the abusive tweets sent to female MPs at the last general election.

When thousands gathered in solidarity in Hackney to protest Hester’s tirade against Abbott and all Black women, Abbott appeared moved by the support. She also looked visibly traumatised as she admitted to feeling ‘frightened’ as a ‘vulnerable’ single woman of 70.

Trauma affects us as Black

women profoundly. Each time we are victim to misogynoir, we experience varying states of ‘racial battle fatigue’. It is the inevitable consequence of continued expressions of hatred that trigger our anxiety, stress and health issues.

This is how Hester speaks in public, a poster-child of home schooled equality. So how do we ever truly know what our teachers, bosses, doctors and police are really thinking? And therein lies the rub. As we try to stand up and be seen, as we try to break barriers, shatter glass ceilings and navigate glass cliffs, we are fighting untold

battles. We simply do not have an outfall or adequate support mechanisms to be subjected to continued trauma.

No amount of changing our profile pictures to portraits of Diane Abbott is going to magically fix the myriad of systemic and historic issues at play here.

It’s time for a synergistic approach to Black female trauma as a historical issue that is still thriving.

It’s time that our trauma is viewed as real and transmittable.

It’s time to connect the dots

between misogynoir and our disproportionate syndromes, pervasive malaise, and needless deaths. We need to abandon the rose-tinted idea socialised traumas, like hate crime, rape and femicide, are anomalies in an otherwise fair society.

We need the world to face the fact that offences like Hester’s hate speech are the inevitable outcomes of a social system that is riddled with the diseases of Afriphobia and misogynoir.

We urgently need to see a personal and political willingness to accept our trauma as a social and political pandemic. Black women need tangible support to cope with the ripple effects of being hated.

We need teachable leaders and politicians who recognise, and outrightly refuse to perpetuate structural trauma any longer. For the sake of our holistic wellbeing, we need to accept nothing less.

This article first appeared in Black Wall St Media

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

COUPLE MAKE HISTORY WITH NEW STORE

News Feature

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Olusegun and Oyetola Akande open t e fir t frican tra e ca an carr in t e Sinai Fleary

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BLACK Birminghambased couple have opened the first African trade cash and carry in the United Kingdom.

Founded by Olusegun Akande and his wife, Oyetola, Pride of Africa Trade Cash and Carry will be the first one-stop African trade cash and carry in the UK, that is exclusively Black owned.

The new cash & carry will provide a wide selection of specialty items, spices, seasoning, sauces, grains, beverages, fish, meat, poultry, palm oil, cooking oil and snacks, sourced directly from Africa for retailers, distributors, restaurateurs and caterers.

Speaking to The Voice, Olusegun said: “This first of its kind facility marks not just a milestone for us, but a promise fulfilled to our community. It reflects our heart towards the potential of local commerce in Birmingham, especially within the African and Caribbean community.

“Our aim is to both serve and uplift this community. We have only just officially launched, but already provided over 70 jobs and access to a wide range of authentic goods sourced directly from Africa and other parts of the world. We urge our community to join us in this journey, as together we build a stronger, more inclusive future.”

Oyetola added: “This isn’t just about transactions, it’s about building relationships and empowering our community, giving them access to the rich and diverse culinary heritage of Africa.

We’ve created a space where African and Caribbean businesses can thrive and customers can find value for their money.”

The entrepreneurial couple, who are of Nigerian heritage, have extensive experience in the food industry, with Olusegun being the co-founder and director of Samis Online, an Afro-Caribbean retail and e-commerce food business.

Oyetola has also opened a restaurant and bar; Empress Bar and Grill, and recently an African catering business, Oyetty Ready Meals, which is available for delivery UK-wide and in notable African food stores all over the UK.

At the grand opening, the team were joined by broadcasters Marverine Cole from GMB and Nikki Tapper from BBC WM to cut the red ribbon.

Olusegun added: “We are thrilled that our family and friends could join us for the Grand Opening Day and celebration of this milestone – a result of our relentless dedication to bridging the gap and ensuring our African and Caribbean communities are fully catered to.

“We’ve gone the extra mile to make this a reality, creating over 70 jobs and counting in the process, and we hope that the community will continue support us.”

However, the entrepreneurial couple are also calling for more businesses to support Black-owned businesses.

They said that getting the new business venture off the ground was far from plain sailing.

Akande told Birmingham Live: “We were only able to secure a loan covering about 10 per cent of our budget at a throat-cutting rate, plus commission and fees, so we had to re-think our business model.

“The banks made it very difficult for us. The majority was self-funded and we asset-financed some of the equipment.”

A survey published by the British Business Bank last year found that just nine per cent of all Start Up Loans since 2012 have gone to Black business owners, highlighting how under-represented Black business owners are when it comes to getting their enterprises launched.

The survey found that more than £73 million was distributed last year but Black-owned businesses got a disproportionately small share of the pie.

Located in New John Street West, the new 25,000 square foot warehouse aims to be a hub for African and Caribbean cuisine enthusiasts.

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “It’s great to see how a combination of entrepreneurial spirit and passion for the community has resulted in this unique local business becoming a commercial reality. This venture is a valuable asset to the economic growth of our multicultural city.”

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News Feature

Landlords actively discriminate against non-White tenants

Survey reveals Black renters more likely to be refused for tenancies. By Vic Motune

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ARIS Williams, a 25-yearold from York, arrived in London following the Covid lockdown excited to start her new job.

Prior to starting work, Paris needed a place to live and quickly set about contacting estate agents and attending viewings.

However, what she wasn’t prepared for was the harsh reality of facing discrimination at every turn.

During the course of over a year searching for accommodation, Williams says she was faced with landlords who openly told her they had issues with Black tenants.

She was asked questions she feels wouldn’t have been directed at White prospective tenants, and a number of landlords she contacted cast doubt on her nationality.

“Estate agents I met would repeatedly inspect my passport, holding it up to the spotlight.

They’d ask ‘are are you sure youre you’re a British citizen?’”” she says. “When we were outside the property they would ask me if I smoked weed and what foods I cooked.”

Williams eventually ffound a room to rent in a house of multiple occupancy (HMO). However However, her problems would continue. hile trying “There’s racism while to find somewhere new to live and then there’s the daily racism

and threat of sexual violence I experience where I live currently,” she says.

“I had flatmates who were quite violent. One of them would just scream in my face if I asked him to keep the noise down. When I called him out on it he responded by calling me “a stupid Black b*****. After that, anytime I would ask him to not do something it was just an immediate resort to racial slurs.

“I remember when it was my birthday my mum sent me a package. This flatmate had taken the key from the landlord which we need to open the postbox and wouldn’t let me have it. When I insisted on him giving it to me he said ‘I’m not giving the key to people like you’. In the end I had no choice but to break into the letterbox. This kind of incident was a daily occurrence with him.”

Williams continues: “In terms of my mental health I can’t even put into words how tough it’s been. I got some free therapy sessions from a charity that works with people of colour.

Initially I thought I was feeling d o w n because of my

work. But my therapist said ‘I don’t think it’s your work, I think it’s your housing. If you don’t feel safe in your home, your body is constantly in fight or flight.’ And that is how I live day to day. My body is constantly on alert.”

Efforts to raise these issues with the landlord proved fruitless.

Despite having a well-paid job, Williams cannot afford to move out given the high cost of rent in London.

Other young people say racial discrimination while flat hunting is not unusual.

In 2023, campaign group Generation Rent conducted a survey which highlighted the discrimination faced by Black renters in housing market.

It surveyed 1,058 private renters around the UK – 16.5 per cent of those who took part in the survey were from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds.

The survey revealed that Black and minority ethnic renters were significantly more likely to face obstacles in accessing new tenancies.

Minority ethnic respondents were almost twice as likely to have been refused a tenancy when they attempted to move home – 12.5 per cent reported this experience compared to 6.3 per cent of White British or Irish private renters.

They were a almost twice as likely to have failed a

“Minority ethnic respondents were almost twice as likely to have been refused a tenancy when they attempted to move home.”

– from a 2023 survey by Campaign Group Generation Rent

reference check – 10.2 per cent of Black and minority ethnic renters compared to 5.6 per cent of White British or Irish renters.

And renters in this group were 27.4 per cent more likely than White British or Irish respondents to have been asked for multiple months of rent up front the last time they attempted to move. s The findings suggest that minority ethnic communities face additional barriers in accessing safe and secure housing and are significantly more likely to be refused for new tenancies. t issue further, To examine the Generation Rent used artificial intelligence to set up two fake profiles, one for a Black woman called Zuri, the other for a White woman called Lizzie, on the

rental website SpareRoom. The wording on both was exactly the same. Enquiries were sent out by both profiles to property adverts randomly selected across the UK, within minutes of each other, with different responses.

Analysis of the responses of more than 210 adverts the profiles were sent to, found that Lizzie’s profile was 36 per cent more likely to receive a positive response than Zuri’s.

Lizzie’s profile was also 17 per cent more likely than Zuri’s to receive any response at all.

“There are more people than there are properties available, and what this can mean unfortunately for people of colour is that people’s biases about who properties should be given to can become far worse” says Tilly Smith, Campaigns and Partnerships Officer for Generation Rent.

“Landlords are part of a wider population in which, by and large, many people are, if not racist, will have unconscious bias. In a racist society, when there’s a choice to be made between a potential White tenant, and a potential Black tenant, at some point, that bias will play a part in what decision is made.”

Smith continues: “Of course not every landlord in the UK will act in this way. But when you’re looking at the national picture it does affect the market unfortunately.

There’s work to be done on things like training, and improving the standards and regulations that govern landlords so that the professionalism of the sector can

be improved and we can root out discrimination.”

Housing campaigners say that a key reason behind a seeming rise in racial discrimination faced by renters is the lack of regulatory oversight.

They say that the Right to Rent legislation, which requires landlords to check a tenant’s immigration status, has created an environment which has given landlords and agents greater freedom to discriminate against some groups of tenants.

Furthermore, a number of organisations that were created with the aim of tackling racism in both the private and public sector such as the Equality and Human Rights Commission, and local race equality council have seen their funding slashed leaving people of colour with very little support of they want to challenge discriminatory actions by landlords. “(Right to Rent) gives power to landlords to act on racist views they may have in order to pursue the profits they want,” says Nadia Hafedh, a member of London Renters Union’s No Borders in Housing Working Group. “And the complete lack of enforcement or oversight by the government has made it difficult for people from racialised communities to find decent properties to rent.”

According to Tarun Bhakta, policy manager at housing charity Shelter, Black families are disproportionately suffering because of a broken housing system that is failing to provide safe and affordable places to live.

“There is a huge lack of regulation, particularly in the private rental market, which means that landlords and letting agents who are displaying discriminatory attitudes and practices towards people of colour are getting away with it,” he says.

“Our frontline services hear all the time from people of colour, who are facing the very real threat of homelessness.

“At times they are being refused the opportunity to rent by landlords, either because of racist policies like Right-to-Rent, or ‘No DSS’ where landlords refuse to let people who are claiming housing benefit. Added to this, we have really massively failed as a country to build genuinely affordable social rent homes.”

Bhakta says Shelter is pressing the government to pass the longpromised Renters Reform Bill to tackle these issues.

“The bill includes the promise of a National Landlords Register which can deliver wholesale reform of our private renting market,” he says.

“Under this new system, renters would have greater security in their homes and can challenge unfair rent increases.

“We’ve had promises from the government as far back as 2018 that the bill will be coming. So we’ve waited a really long time and renters have waited a really long time and they simply can’t wait any longer.”

MAY 2024

THE VOICE | 23

Special Feature

ADVERTORIAL

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

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multi-ethnic play set in a community centre is about to embark on a 25date tour of the UK starting in May. Written by and starring black actor Nicola Gardner, who has starred in ITV soap Coronation Street, The Windrush Warriors is a multi-ethnic Windrush-inspired comedy drama.

Based around the shocking events of the Windrush scandal, the story follows four older generation African-Caribbean friends as they deal with personal trauma, striking a balance between comedy and sobering drama. National Windrush Day is June 22, 2024.

The show builds on the success of Gardner’s last major touring production The Community Centre, which successfully toured between 2016 and 2021.

Gardner said: “The Windrush Warriors presents a hilarious and sometimes poignant story of four brave African-Caribbean pensioners who imagined a peaceful later life and are now dealing with an unexpected challenge – the infamous Windrush scandal.

“The fact that the script is based on true events makes for an interesting, socially-conscious show, depicting an imperfect world.

“It’s an affectionate story about people in the autumn of their lives. The show is a life-affirming view of survivors, children of the Windrush generation.

The Windrush scandal and its attendant hypocrisy is laid bare in this show. It’s an important message embracing untouchable subjects and highlighting current

events.

“The show exposes the unfair predicament of people who having lived and worked in the UK for decades, are now heartlessly being shown that they are undesirable.

“It has a diverse mix of cultures and aims to enhance cultural awareness whilst entertaining audiences with a great, true story.

These pensioners experience the joys and angst of their golden years and come together when faced with cruel and unjust treatment. And their reaction? To fight adversity with Warrior like ferocity!”

As well as appearing in ITV drama Coronation Street, Emmerdale, The Royal and Brookside, Gardner has also had roles in comedy plays for BBC Radio 4, playing the lead in Whoopi Goldberg’s Country Life

by Shelagh Delaney and as Biyot Abdulle in Number 10 with the late Sir Anthony Sher.

In 2023, she appeared at the Edinburgh Fringe in An Afternoon with the Ladies of the Cliff Richard Fan Club which was attended by Sir Lenny Henry. She has also performed as a stand-up comedienne and at the Frog & Bucket in Manchester.

Gardner added: “This successful theatre show is a potential TV series. The Windrush Warriors comedy show is far more than just wonderful entertainment.

This ethnic minority theatre group are not afraid to highlight important social injustice.

The Windrush Warriors is directed by John Klark, who also directed The Community Centre.

The Windrush Warriors is now on the prestigious University circuit with the first show commissioned by UCLAN

and performed during Black History Month 2022. Manchester University quickly followed, commissioning the show to be performed at the Contact Theatre in June and again in November 2023.

The lack of diverse roles in theatre, film and television has become a major issue in recent years, both domestically and internationally.

Gardner has first-hand experience of the problem within the British media industry, which ultimately led to her writing The Community Centre and The Windrush Warriors.

The show begins its tour in London at Theatre Peckham, followed by five-night stints at both Etcetera Theatre in Camden and Applecart Arts in Plashet Grove, East Ham. It then moves on to The Continental in Preston, Huddersfield’s Lawrence Batley Theatre and Manchester’s International Anthony Burgess Centre.

Caribbean, and English – the show represents Manchester’s rainbow population, a fact that is not effectively shown on TV. “The Pensioners share funny and sometimes heart-breaking insight into the experience of Caribbean migrants and how they helped to shape the UK. Older black people are under-represented in mainstream entertainment. My aim is that people who come to see the show will leave with a much better tolerance of people different to themselves.”

Find out more about The Windrush Warriors at http:// www.thewindrushwarriors.com The Windrush Warriors on Facebook: https:// www.facebook.com/ WindrushWarriors The Windrush Warriors on Twitter/X: @WindrushWarrior

Gardner added: “I wrote a show that would give significant roles to artists from ethnic minorities to showcase our talents on a bigger stage more significantly. I strongly believe in using performance as a theatrical tool for sharing and highlighting social dilemmas.

“After years of being the doctor or nurse with a few lines to say in TV productions, I decided to write my own show and make my own luck. The Community Centre and The Windrush Warriors has opened up opportunities for underused minority artists from the world of acting and also film production.

“We are all delighted that we get a chance to highlight social issues in a comedic way. Collectively we are Jewish, African, African-

News

Opinion

Timi Okuwa

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

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CHANGE: THE POWER WE HOLD

IN February 2023, Black E q u i t y Organisation and partners hosted an event with the Reverend Al Sharpton, who spoke eloquently about the power of Black people for creating change in society and the need for us to be involved in the political system.

His speech reignited a fire that for many in the room had simmered. Hope was reenergised.

In the complex and increasingly hateful political landscape we face, I understand the instinct to just ignore it all or walk away from it, thinking “nothing will change”.

But I don’t believe that nothing changes. Like Rev Sharpton, I believe that participating in elections is not merely a civic duty but a critical means of influencing the policies and decisions that directly affect our lives.

The challenges that many Black Britons face – ranging from systemic inequalities in education and employment to racial profiling and disparities in healthcare – are deeply entrenched issues that require not just acknowledgment but active intervention from politicians and policymakers.

To that end, for the Black British community the importance of every single vote cannot be overstated.

The Black vote at the general election will increase the pressure on all parties to address our concerns REPRESENTATION MATTERS Historically, Black Britons have been underrepresented in British politics and lagged behind in the amount of us who actually vote.

This lack of representation in voting and who is elected can lead to a gap in advocacy for the specific needs and concerns of Black communities within the halls of power.

When Black Britons vote, we increase the pressure on all political parties to address our concerns, ensuring that issues of race, equality, and justice are not

Policies that seek to address systemic racial disparities require the endorsement of those most a ected by them.

side-lined but become integral to legislative debates – and most importantly, lead to more inclusive policies that directly tackle racial inequalities.

It is because of this that we at Black Equity Organisation (BEO) are working in partnership with Operation Black Vote (OBV) as we head towards the anticipated general election in the autumn this year.

We will support OBV as they focus on mobilising African and Asian communities to ensure they are registered and ready to vote, establishing local voter registration teams in each of the targeted cities. OBV will also be hosting several key marginal constituency hustings where the combined vote can determine who wins in these closely contested seats.

often determine the availability of job opportunities, the extent of support for Black-owned businesses, and the allocation of resources to economically disadvantaged areas.

By voting, we can influence economic decisions that affect our prosperity and ability to build generational wealth.

This is just one example – the point is that voting gives us a say in shaping the policies and the opportunity to strengthen POLICYMAKING AND legislation that directly impacts INFLUENCE Voting influences policies that us, and therefore lead to fairer and affect every aspect of daily life, more equitable treatment. from education and housing to law enforcement and healthcare.

Policies that seek to address Alongside the work that OBV will systemic racial disparities require be doing on voter registration, BEO the input and endorsement of will be hosting a series of online and in-person events to engage those most affected by them.

For instance, consider the with African and Caribbean impact of economic policies communities to hear from them on racial equity. These policies and other organisations about

what needs to change, and how they want it to change.

This will lead to the production and development of a national Black Britain’s Mandate informed by your priority issues, in time for this year’s general election.

It will be used to represent your priority demands to politicians of all parties in the run-up to the election and afterwards, so that whoever forms the next government can hear directly from our communities and we can hold them accountable in their first 100 days and beyond.

We will be explaining more at our online launch on May 7 and you can register for it at blackequityorg.com.

This is a generational moment.

We know that is said regularly but this is an opportunity for both young and old to have their say

on the direction of this country.

This mandate especially wants to hear from young people and aims to unify the diverse voices within Black communities, empowering everyone to assert their political influence and shape a vision of 21st century Britain rooted in a vibrant multicultural democracy.

It is a declaration that we are an integral part of the British polity whose interests and rights must be recognised and respected. For too long, many of the challenges faced by Black communities have been met with insufficient political or public attention. It’s now our time – whether you are young or older – to get involved, tell us what you want to change.

Nothing changes until it does.

What do you have to lose?

TIMI OKUWA IS THE CEO OF BLACK EQUITY ORGANISATION, THE INDEPENDENT, NATIONAL BLACK CIVIL RIGHTS ORGANISATION

VMBS Tottenham and Birmingham Rep Offices to close, alternative service options shared VMBS Tottenham and Birmingham Rep Offices to close, alternative service options shared VM Building Society wishes to advise that, as part of strategies to create the best and most effective experience for its customers, it will be closing its Tottenham Representative Office located and 520 Tottenham High Road, andBuilding its Birmingham located 174 Dudley effective May 31,experience 2024.

VM Society Representative wishes to adviseOffice that, as part ofatstrategies toRoad, createEdgbaston, the best and most effective for its customers, it will be closing its Tottenham Representative Office located and 520 Tottenham High Road, Customers value convenience and personalized service.

As such,Road, the Tottenham office operations will be and its Birmingham Representative Office located at 174 Dudley Edgbaston, effective May 31, 2024. relocated to the VMBS Brixton Representative Office located at 380 Brixton Road, London SW9 7AW. We will also adjust operating hours at the Office to give customers greater flexibility.

Customers value convenience andBrixton personalized service.

As such, the Tottenham office operations will be relocated to the VMBS Brixton Representative Office located at 380 Brixton Road, London SW9 7AW. We will For customers in Birmingham, theBrixton team will continue tocustomers provide services at a convenient City Centre also adjust operating hours at the Office to give greatermonthly flexibility. location in Birmingham. Details about the time and locations of these visits will be shared in the coming weeks.

They are designed to ensure that service to needs are met without disruption.

For customers in Birmingham, thecustomers’ team will continue provide services monthly at a convenient City Centre location in Birmingham. Details about the time and locations of these visits will be shared in the coming weeks.

Remember also that take advantage online services, at myvmgroup.com and via the VM They are designed tocustomers ensure thatcan customers’ serviceof needs are met without disruption. mobile app.

Remember also that customers can take advantage of online services, at myvmgroup.com and via the VM For anyapp. immediate queries or assistance during this period of change, customers may contact their local mobile Representative Office or the VMBS Member Engagement team by phone at 0-800-068-VMBS (8627); email at manager@myvmgroup.com live chat during at myvmgroup.com.

For any immediate queries or or assistance this period of change, customers may contact their local Representative Office or the VMBS Member Engagement team by phone at 0-800-068-VMBS (8627); email at VMBS sincerely appreciates the continued of its customers and remains dedicated to making this manager@myvmgroup.com or live chat at support myvmgroup.com. transition as smooth as possible.

VMBS sincerely appreciates the continued support of its customers and remains dedicated to making this transition as smooth as possible.

6 • APRIL 4-10, 2024

THE WEEKLY GLEANER

Midlands News

CANCER EQUALS AIMS TO IMPROVE HEALTH OF BLACK PEOPLE Campaign launched after study reveals delay in diagnosis for those from non-white backgrounds

Coventry nurse’s NHS climate

Ghanaian-born medic’s research commended by the Royal College of Nursing

INDEPENDENT research by a Midlandsbased, Ghanaian-born medic to guide the NHS on how to address the climate change’s impact on healthcare has been commended by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN).

Since arriving in the UK in 2022, Ebenezer Akore Yeboah, 27, has combined working as an accident and emergency nurse at Coventry’s University Hospital and Warwick Hospital, and studying

for a PhD at Coventry University. His research examines how he, fellow nurses and NHS workers could reduce their carbon footprint: the health authority accounts for four per cent of England’s total carbon footprint.

It was this ongoing work that Ebenezer submitted to the RCN which has been rewarded with him gaining a place on the scientific committee at the institute’s International Research Conference, taking place in Newcastle in September.

He said: “When I found out I had won, I was like ‘oh my God!’ It’s a beautiful story and I feel privileged as the RCN has a membership of over half a million people. So I was very proud of myself. I can see climate change happening all around us and globally, and when people are displaced by situations created by climate change, health professionals are the ones to look after them and when

I want this research to help empower nurses to e a le to fight climate change and we all need to do our it e reactions have been fantastic.

we are doing that we are adding to the carbon footprint.

“I want this research to help empower nurses to be able to fight climate change and we all need to do our bit.

The reactions have been fantastic and people say this is something they haven’t thought about before.”

Ebenezer came to the UK with the NHS after studying to become a nurse in Ghana and soon after arriving saw the PhD post advertised at Coventry University. His recent work with the Research Centre for Healthcare and Communities saw him carry out a global survey of nurses to understand how their work affects climate change, which was completed by 500 people from across 56 countries.

His research highlights the importance of crucial actions, such as reducing excessive use of single use items such as personal protective equipment, proper

segregation of hospital waste, turning off electrical equipment when not in use and encouraging green procurement. His recommendations also include adding sustainability to the nursing and midwifery curriculum and mandatory training within healthcare institutions.

In reflection, Ebenezer added: “It’s been a beautiful journey – the UK is a land of opportunity when I look at how much I’ve been able to achieve in just over two years. In Ghana, I read about the RCN in textbooks and now I’m part of it.”

Lindsay Meeks, Regional Director of the RCN in the West Midlands, commented: “Research has always been one of the pillars of nursing and it always will be. Advancements in patient care rely on every new generation of nurses being curious about the evidence that underpins professional practice, and Ebenezer’s achievement is a credit to him

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EW UK-wide research has found that the year-long delay between people from non-White backgrounds first noticing cancer symptoms and receiving a diagnosis could be having a devastating impact on their chances of survival.

The average delay of 11.9 months compares to 4.9 months for white people, was uncovered in ‘1,000 voices, not 1,’ as were the additional hurdles that people from minority ethnic backgrounds face en route to a cancer diagnosis.

The report, which was commissioned by international bio-pharmaceutical company Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) and UK charity Shine Cancer Support, also found that compared to White people, those from ethnic minorities were more likely to attribute their symptoms to other conditions (51 per cent vs 31 per cent); face greater obstacles to seeing a GP, to get an appointment (25 per cent to 16 per cent) and be allowed to attend by employers (18 per cent vs four per cent).

These make for sobering reading when matched with global data which suggests that each month that passes between diagnoses and treatment could be increasing the risk of death by around 10 per cent.

The report also revealed disparities in experiences of cancer following diagnosis, including concerns paying utility bills (35 per cent vs 20 per cent), needing to use savings (36 per cent vs 16 per cent), stop work (25 per cent vs 10 per cent), reduce working hours (21 per cent vs 7 per cent) and worrying about the long-term impact of cancer (54 per cent vs 36 per cent).

The findings have inspired the launch of a new campaign

by BMS: Cancer Equals, seeking to understand and address the drivers of

I didn’t have a reference point.

All I knew was if people had cancer, they died... people do not get the help they should.” diagnostic delays identified, including low awareness of cancer and challenges accessing services.

“When I first went to the GP, I had all the symptoms, I didn’t know what they were, and I couldn’t link them because I had no idea they were related,” said Precious, who was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia at the age of 33. Cancer wasn’t on my mind. And I remember going to the GP several times. It took me collapsing at a train station to finally be diagnosed in A&E. I went from not knowing anyone who had cancer to having a cancer diagnosis myself. I didn’t have a reference point.

All I knew was if people have cancer, they died. I come from a (Nigerian) community that

doesn’t talk about cancer, and people do not get the help they should. I hope that through the Cancer Equals campaign, Black and Asian people, who have big cultural things behind them, can have cancer demystified.”

Ceinwen Giles, Co-CEO of Shine Cancer Support, said: “In a year that’s revealed that the UK’s cancer survival lags behind comparable countries, I am saddened but unsurprised that people from minority ethnic groups face additional hurdles that delay their diagnosis.

“We know that catching cancer earlier saves lives, yet with year-long waits for some people, collaborative efforts between health leadership, advocacy groups and the pharmaceutical industry are required. We are proud to lend our voice to the Cancer Equals campaign to help maximise the number of cancers identified at early stages, when they are at their most treatable.”

As part of the campaign, BMS also intends to convene the Cancer Equals Coalition of patient advocates, experts, and policymakers to co-create novel solutions to the critical societal issue of cancer inequalities. The ambition is to see an effective solution implemented in the real world. Coalition participants will be announced in due course.

Robert Braun, Haematology-Oncology Disease Area Head, BMS UK & Ireland, said: “Health inequalities are an ongoing and pressing issue, with the government, NHS and patient groups committed to increasing earlier diagnosis and improving health outcomes.

“By taking action to reduce health inequalities, we can help to improve people’s lives, reduce costs to the health system, and benefit the nation as a whole. We are proud of our continuing partnerships with the NHS, local trusts and charities to overcome barriers to cancer diagnosis and treatment in the UK, and look forward to bringing together the Cancer Equals Coalition to drive further solutions to the challenges identified by our new report, ‘1,000 voices, not 1.”

For more on this issue, please see page 30

work recognised and exemplifies just how important the voice and visibility of nurses is to research.”

“Ebenezer has worked extremely hard in the last two years to develop his knowledge of research design, methods and scholarship while retaining his strong clinical focus,” said Rosie Kneafsey, Director of the Research Centre for Healthcare & Communities. “NHS leadership and practitioner-led quality improvement activity will be crucial to reducing the environmental impact of healthcare.

Ebenezer’s research will add to the growing body of evidence and will help shape positive climate action. As Director for the Research Centre for Healthcare and Communities, I am pleased we have created a rich and developmental environment which has enabled Ebenezer to thrive.”

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PROJECT CENTRES ON VISIONS OF BLACK WOMEN

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Muyiwa Olarewaju

Nothing But Truth and Light

KEEP THE FAITH WHEN LIFE GETS A BIT TOO MUCH Whether it’s prioritising self-care r fi ing r ta e f c ing n a a t r g it t e rig t in et can c ange ever t ing

A

S WE journey through the second quarter of the year, we find ourselves amidst a myriad of challenges that test our resilience and determination.

Economic uncertainties, mounting work pressures, seasonal changes, and business hurdles can make the path ahead seem daunting. However, within these challenges lies an opportunity for renewal and revitalisation.

Economic conditions can be volatile, impacting job stability, investments, and financial planning.

The unpredictability of economic stability adds an additional layer of stress to our daily lives.

It is crucial to focus on what we can control and adapt our strategies accordingly.

Whether it’s diversifying income streams, reducing nonessential expenses, or seeking professional financial advice, proactive measures can help mitigate financial stress.

Balancing work responsibilities with personal life can be an ongoing struggle, particularly when faced with increased work pressure due to quarterly targets and

deadlines. Prioritising tasks, delegating when possible, and practising effective time management techniques can help maintain a healthy work-life balance.

The arrival of warmer weather and seasonal allergies may disrupt daily routines and energy levels. Embracing change by incorporating outdoor activities and healthy habits into your routine can help. Staying hydrated, getting plenty of rest, and nourishing your body with nutritious foods can boost your immune system and overall well-being.

Businesses encounter significant challenges during quarterly reporting, audits, and financial reviews. Proactive measures such as anticipating potential disruptions, optimising supply chain management, and leveraging technology can enhance efficiency and resilience in the business environment.

Filing tax returns can be daunting, but proper planning and organisation can alleviate much of the stress. Starting early, gathering all necessary documents, and considering professional assistance if needed are crucial steps.

Compliance with tax laws is essential, so ensure accuracy and thoroughness in your filings.

Prioritising self-care and wellbeing amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life is paramount.

Practising mindfulness, engaging in regular exercise, and seeking support from loved ones when needed are essential. Remember, your health is your most valuable asset, so make it a priority.

If you are a business owner concerned about the growth of your business, adapting marketing campaigns based on seasonal trends and consumer behaviour is vital.

Staying informed about market dynamics, leveraging data analytics to drive decision-making, and innovating your approach can help you stay ahead of the competition.

Effective planning and budgeting are critical for both individuals and organisations. Setting clear goals, developing a strategic roadmap, and monitoring progress regularly ensure alignment with objectives. Flexibility and adaptability are key as circumstances evolve.

In navigating these challenges, we can draw strength and inspiration from both practical wisdom and spiritual guidance.

Isaiah 40:31 reminds us “those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength”. Trust in divine providence and have faith that better days are ahead, even in the

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

face of adversity. Jeremiah 29:11 offers assurance that “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”. Trust in God’s divine plan for your life, knowing that He is

espite facing significant challenges, including the weight of white supremacy, Harewood’s journe re ects the transformative in uence of his supportive community, guiding him through personal growth

guiding you towards a brighter tomorrow.

Psalm 23:1-6 provides comfort and reassurance, reminding us that “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want...He restores my soul”. Find solace in the presence of the Almighty, knowing that He will lead you through the valleys and restore your spirit with His love and grace.

Romans 15:13 offers a prayer of hope and encouragement “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Let hope be your guiding light, illuminating the path towards a future filled with joy, peace, and abundance.

Drawing insights from Eric Thomas’ You Owe You and Brianna Wiest’s The Mountain Is You: Transforming Self-Sabotage into Self-Mastery, we can cultivate a mind-set of personal responsibility and self-empowerment. Embrace the power of positive thinking, self-discipline, and resilience as you navigate through life’s challenges, knowing that true transformation begins from within.

Amid the trials of the second quarter, we find ourselves presented with an opportunity for renewal and revitalisation.

By embracing proactive strategies and drawing inspiration from spiritual truths, we can emerge stronger and wiser, ready to face whatever challenges lie ahead. It

is crucial to remember that the power to refresh and re-fire resides within each of us, waiting to be harnessed. However, I know that is not always possible as the fatigue sometimes hits us and our best efforts to get back fails.

In David Harewood’s memoir, Maybe I Don’t Belong Here, the pivotal role of community in overcoming adversity is underscored. Harewood delves into the profound impact of racism on Black mental health, revealing the stark realities of racial trauma and its consequences. Despite facing significant challenges, including negative work experiences and the weight of white supremacy, Harewood’s journey reflects the transformative influence of his supportive community, guiding him through personal growth and resilience.

During his struggle, Harewood’s encounter with the voice of Martin Luther King during his first psychotic episode resonates deeply with Dr. King’s message of collective aspiration and community solidarity. This connection highlights the profound influence of community in shaping individual resilience and experiences.

Harewood’s memoir serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of community support, understanding, and empathy in addressing mental health challenges and fostering personal growth. Whether you do it alone or as part of a community, it is time to refresh yourself.

MUYIWA OLAREWAJU OBE IS STATION DIRECTOR AT PREMIER GOSPEL RADIO, A TV & RADIO BROADCASTER, AND PRINCIPAL OF GOSPEL GROUP MUYIWA & RIVERSONGZ

MOTTLEY HALTS PAYOUT TO MP FOR PLANTATION Barbados stops £3m plan to purchase Tory’s land which was once worked on by enslaved Africans. By Vic Motune

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HE Barbados government has stopped the £3m purchase of a plantation owned by British MP Richard Drax whose family profited from slavery.

Drax, MP for South Dorset, owns a 617-acre piece of land in Barbados which was once a sugar plantation worked on by enslaved Africans.

The country’s government recently announced plans to buy it with a view to building housing to help meet the country’s housing shortage. The government was also demanding reparations from Drax over his family’s instrumental role in slavery.

However, news of the move angered Caribbean reparations advocates, who demanded that the Conservative MP surrender the plantation to the people of Barbados. The backlash prompted the country’s Prime Minister Mia Mottley to announce the planned sale would be halted and announced that there would be a public consultation about the proposed move.

In a seven-minute YouTube broadcast, Mottley announced the government’s U-turn and pause the purchase until further discussion could take place.

She said: “I understand the concern of many Barbadians who may feel they have been robbed of the opportunity of having an appropriate settlement for reparations that ought to be made as a result of the blood, sweat and tears of Barbadians over centuries.

This is not a matter we take lightly.”

In October 2022, Drax met Mottley in Barbados. The prime minister reportedly asked him to hand over all or a substantial part of Drax Hall as a means of reparations. During her video address, Mottley expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace of talks and hinted at the possibility of legal action “not only against the owners of Drax plantation, but also all others who have contributed to the conditions of this country being, regrettably, one of the worst examples of modern racism in the Americas”.

According to Trevor Prescod, an MP representing St Michael East in

Barbados and who is spearheading the country’s reparations efforts, “Barbados should not pay a cent for Drax Hall.”

He welcomed Mottley’s announcement but told The Observer he hoped for no renewal of the commercial relationship with Drax.

“People see the relevance of the damage inflicted on African people” he said. “We are the people who were described as chattel slaves. Why should we pay those whose family has enslaved us? The taxpayers of Barbados have risen up to defend their money. The Draxes have had enough from us.”

Drax, who is estimated to be worth £150 million, inherited the Barbados Drax sugar plantation from his late father. It was built by ancestors in the 17th century. The plantation operated with enslaved labour, earning the family £4,200 compensation after slavery was abolished in 1834, a huge sum at the time.

Mottley had pledged to build 10,000 homes on the island to meet demand – there are currently 20,000 people who have made housing applications. However, swift criticism followed news of the plans to acquire Drax Hall, a site that has been described as a “killing field” for enslaved people.

Prescod told The Independent: “What a bad example this is.

Reparations and Drax Hall are now top of the global agenda. How do we explain this to the world?

“The government should not be entering into any [commercial] relationship with Richard Drax, especially as we are negotiating with him regarding reparations.”

Barbados poet laureate Esther Phillips called the acquisition an “atrocity”, creating a situation in which descendants of enslaved African people effectively compensated a descendant of enslavers.

Drax refused to comment about Mottley’s announcement.

However, he previously expressed regret for the role his ancestors played in slavery stating that people should not be held responsible for actions that took place hundreds of years ago.

News

JANUARY 20

News

Saran Green

Black representation in clinical trials and other health research is essential to tackling cancer inequalities MY job is to bridge the gap between medical research and people from all walks of life.

For me, ensuring everyone has a chance to participate in shaping the future of medicine is key.

As a member of the Black community I innately understand the many social, cultural, and historical dynamics that influence our engagement with medical research.

Despite having the worst experiences and outcomes, our participation in research remains significantly low. For example, Black Britons are less likely to participate in cancer research trials.

This is confirmed by Professor Frank Chinegwundoh MBE, a consultant urologist and Chairman of Cancer Black Care who has researched differences in cancer screening uptake and awareness of cancer risk among minority ethnic groups.

He notes that “there is also a lot of evidence from the UK indicating that people from Black ethnic backgrounds are statistically less likely to take up potentially life-saving NHS cancer screenings”.

ADDRESSING HEALTH DISPARITIES We simply can’t effectively tackle health inequalities unless we have robust data that reflects a variety of populations.

Tackling health disparities has been central to the work of the NHS-Galleri trial, the world’s largest trial of a blood test that can detect a signal shared by many different types of cancer, which I supported at their mobile clinic on Old Kent Road in Southwark, south London.

It’s no understatement to say that the trial could revolutionise how we tackle cancer in the UK and further afield. Finding cancer early, usually means it is easier to treat. This blood test could help to bridge the gap in cancer outcomes for Black communities and act as a model for other clinical trials.

Opinion

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

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BLACK COMMUNITY CRUCIAL IN CANCER RESEARCH TRIALS

couple of years but one result to shout about now is that the trial was able to recruit among its 140,000 volunteers, a broadly representative group of participants, and it received strong support from Black Britons across the country.

I would like to see all clinical trials prioritise approaches to getting ethnically and economically diverse communities involved, including working closely with respected community leaders and organisations. There ere are many any populations who, in the past, have not engaged with research because researchers have not accommodated them sufficiently.

Thee Translational Oncology ncology and Urology Research team’s Patient HELPING SCIENTISTS and Public Involvement UNDERSTAND OUR (PPI) Cancer Research Group for Diverse COMMUNITIES The results of the trial Backgrounds, at King’s won’t be known for another College London, supports

researchers with reaching diverse ethnic groups. We advise on culturally competent practices to employ when targeting specific groups, such as varying times and dates of trial appointments to cater for work patterns or childcare; running trials in areas with diverse populations; ensuring transportation is available or even making a contribution towards

travel expenses to ensure people are not excluded due to their financial circumstances. The NHSGalleri trial has been pioneering in this regard.

screening can help to find cancer early. If the test detects a potential cancer signal, the signal is then examined to predict the part of the body it is coming from.

I’m excited about it because A REVOLUTION IN in early research, the test has CANCER DETECTION been found to detect many of the The NHS-Galleri trial aims cancers for which there are no to establish if using a blood national screening programmes. test alongside existing cancer The trial has operated mobile clinics in places around the country with a large Black population, including south London and Birmingham where they will be returning in the next few weeks.

One trial volunteer from Brixton felt so strongly about encouraging fellow volunteers she shared her motivations with other participants.

Jean’s interest in early detection of cancer stems from her husband’s diagnosis with bowel cancer in Barbados ten years ago. She recounts her gratitude to doctors.

She recalls: “Because of the early detection, they were able to do the bowel resection and there was rofessor ran hinegwundoh no spread. So, he didn’t have to go

ere is a lot of evidence from the indicating that people from lac ethnic ac grounds are statisticall less li el to ta e up potentiall life saving cancer screenings

through the chemotherapy. He’s had no further issues at all.”

Her close friend was not so lucky, dying soon after she was diagnosed with a late-stage cancer.

“Comparing the experiences of my husband and my friend made me realise that early detection and early action made a difference to their survival.”

I know that some readers may feel that joining a clinical trial could be burdensome, or they may struggle to see the benefits to themselves or others as well as having feelings of apprehension.

That’s understandable.

However, I would argue that there are trials going on now that could revolutionise cancer treatment within the next few years and remind them of the safeguards in place to protect trial participants. Most participants that I speak to are motivated primarily by the possibility of helping future generations as well as contributing to medical advances.

Increased participation of the Black community in clinical trials or other clinical research offers a twofold benefit.

It allows for the collection of valuable data and genetic information, leading to a more

nuanced understanding of how different cancers impact various demographics.

In the long term, this knowledge will equip researchers with the tools necessary to improve patient outcomes for these communities.

It’s apt to conclude with Jean’s thoughts in the hope that you too may be empowered to join a clinical trial at some point: “Losing someone close to cancer has made a big difference to me. When I heard about the NHS-Galleri trial, I thought if I can do my part, I’ll do my part.

It hasn’t been an obligation from the perspective that nobody is forcing me to do it, but I feel obliged to give back where I can.

You never know how it might help others.”

If you would like to know more or help contribute to research you can visit www.nhs-galleri.org

SARAN GREEN SUPPORTS NUMEROUS RESEARCH PROJECTS AND CONDUCTS VARIED PATIENT AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT/ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES AT KING’S COLLEGE LONDON AND IS A PART OF THE KING’S ENGAGEMENT RESEARCH NETWORK (KERN).

JANUARY 2023

THE VOICE | 31

Lyndon Mukasa

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

Eye on the Diaspora

HOW THE WEST’S CLIMATE GOALS WILL DESTROY THE GLOBAL SOUTH

Renewable energy comes at a human cost — but will that come in the way of corporate greed?

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HILE in recent years most countries have agreed to attempt a net zero target by 2050, there has been little discussion on the scale of extraction that would be needed to provide the technology and infrastructure that would facilitate zero carbon emissions.

In a global economy that is still dependent on a growth model building the necessary carbon neutral infrastructure takes resources to extract.

This could result in huge increases in mining that are not environmentally friendly.

Thousands of new mining spots would need to be developed in order to build the green technology and infrastructure to reach net zero.

From solar panels, wind turbines, nuclear energy facilities, hydro power plants, geothermal plants, battery storage and new electricity networks which to varying degrees, all rely on the extraction of copper, cobalt, nickel, lithium, rare earth elements (Rees), chromium, zinc, platinum-group metals (PGMs) and aluminium.

The majority of these resources are found in the global south, especially Africa. This presents a particular political and economic challenge for countries in the global south that are at risk of potentially having huge portions of territory destroyed in order for the West to make the green transition.

For proponents of this method (usually representatives of large energy corporations), they argue for the creation of sacrifice zones-areas of the planet that will inevitably be destroyed in order to meet western green energy demands in the coming decades.

A sacrifice zone is a horrific term.

It is an area that rich and powerful groups, corporations and countries have designated for the extraction of natural resources at the expense of environmental destruction and human health in the name of profit.

In the context of countries seeking to attempt or reach close to net zero by 2050, it would largely require the procurement of resources that would enable rich countries to complete their transition to a greener economy in theory. It is inherently racist and anti-poor as it sets out to disregard the lives and livelihoods of the most vulnerable people in the global south.

By 2050, the demand for rare earth minerals could increase by 100 per cent just to keep up with the demand for electric vehicles. This is many times higher for solar power which could rely on over 150 per cent more steel, glass and cement

just to replace one 50 megawatt gas turbine. Building, refining and dumping waste will require more parts of the planet to be used and it is very possible that this will fall on many countries in the global south.

This is already happening and has been happening for decades, but the difference is that this could increase further as increased demand for green technology increases in the West and China.

Whether it comes in the form of aluminium extraction contaminating water supplies in Jamaica, or zinc extraction in the town of Kabwe in Zambia — which has been linked to catastrophic lead poisoning in many children that has created high levels of impaired cognitive development — this will be a pattern that could be repeated throughout the 21st century if we in the north remain silent on climate injustice, and neo-liberal governments across the global south continue to hollow out their states to serve corporate interests.

The ongoing collapse of Haiti: a revolution against foreign intervention or a state sinking into the abyss?

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LYNDON MUKASA IS A WRITER AND RESEARCHER. HE STUDIED INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AT THE LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS

Asari St Hill

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

Business and Wealth

GROWTH SECRETS FOR BLACK-OWNED FIRMS

Have a vision and long-term goals if you want to take your business to a whole new level

I

OFTEN get asked ‘Why do we have so few larger Black-owned businesses in the UK and how can we change this?’

Well, before I answer this question, we need to put things into perspective. Only four per cent of all UK businesses reach over £1 million in turnover. Often our perceptions of the business world are inflated.

Even when we compare ourselves to the Asian business community, we should note that the average Asian-owned business turns over about £40,000, according to the London Chamber of Commerce’s ‘Ethnic Diversity in Business Report.

There are Black-owned businesses in most sectors. These include manufacturing, homeware or ready meals for example.

Other sectors include personal training and life coachijng. They sell their products and services predominantly through the internet or other retailers.

If Black business owners want to move from being sole traders or micro businesses, to business owners who employ staff and don’t do it all themselves, then the important thing to learn is how to scale.

If you are a business owner reading this are you ready to scale?

Why go for 10 per cent growth when you can achieve so much more? Plan to go from £25,000 to £250,000 in revenue or £50,000 to £500,000. Or even £100,000 to £1 million plus!

The first step in scaling any business is vision and clear goals. Most successful people set demanding goals for themselves.

It takes as much energy to set 10X goals as it does to set 10 per cent

goals. Step one to achieving this is develop your vision. Make it visual and write it down. Start with longterm goals and then goals for the next 12 months. Ask yourself, what do I want my business to look like in 12 months’ time. For example, what level of revenue or profits would I like to earn? How many customers would I like to have and how staff do I need to employ to help me achieve that goal?

Step two, build a powerful marketing strategy. Start with target, offer, copy. First, be very focused on identifying your ideal client (target). Go beyond other Black people and ask, who is my ideal avatar of a client — male/ female; age; location;

If you are a business owner why go for 10% growth when you can achieve so much more?

Plan to go from £25,000 to £250,000 in revenue or £50,000 to £500,000.

Or even £100,000 to £1 million plus!

income. Once you have that clear, then ask or research an answer to the question ‘where will I find them in large numbers?’

Once you have done that then you can identify your offer.

Step three, develop repeatable marketing strategies.

There should be at least two routes.

One is direct marketing (copy) to your target market. This includes strategies like using social media offers, calling past clients, asking for referrals from clients. One of the best tools you can use is to develop landing pages, single squeeze pages with a compelling offer of a free download or event.

This builds a database of warm leads.

Another great marketing strategy is an ‘introducer strategy’. This involves building relationships with other business owners who spend a lot of time with your ideal customer. They can easily make that regular introduction if you teach them how.

This could be reciprocal or you

could offer them a commission for each lead that converts into business.

An example of this is a will writer, building a quality relationship with a number of mortgage advisors. You can teach them that every time they organise a mortgage, all they have to do is ask, do you have a will?

If they say no, you can ask them if they would like an introduction to a trusted colleague. This can provide a huge steady flow of clients.

Finally, to manage the growth of any business, you will need to start to develop systems on how you add value.

Without systems, manuals or tick lists, you will find it really difficult to replicate yourself.

The two simplest ways to scale – once you have the flow of customers – is to outsource as many administrative tasks as you can, including some of your marketing; or employ someone directly to do it.

As your business grows you

will have more cashflow to pay staff. Eventually, you will not be able to sell anymore of your time.

You will need to employ someone who can do what you do, as well or even better than you. But if you have not systemised your business, you will struggle to get anyone to do it the way you want it done.

Develop your vision and long-term goals, then add 12-month goals Identify your target market, then your offer and copy Develop marketing strategies to your target market, that produce regular warm leads; including an introducer strategy. Be willing to master them.

Finally, systemise, as you start to grow, outsourcing or directly employing someone to take over all the administration and repeatable marketing tasks. Then in the next phase of growth, duplicate yourself and take your business to a whole new level.

IF YOU WOULD OULD LIKE BUSINESS ADVICE FROM ASARI ST.HILL - ACTIONCOACH BUSINESS COACH AND FOUNDER OF THE BLACK BUSINESS CLUB, YOU CAN CONTACT HIM: VIA HTTPS://BLACKBUSINESSCLUB.ORG/

Darell J. Philip

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

HOME SCHOOLING OFFERS ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES Teaching your children at home is becoming more popular – and for many reasons

TATISTICS recently published by the Department for Education (DfE) have shown an increase in the number of children being home-schooled.

According to the latest recorded figures, 92,000 children were being home-schooled during the autumn term of 2023, compared with 80,900 during the autumn term 2022, an increase of more than 10,000 children.

English parents have cited mental health that is linked to the global pandemic which led to the closure of schools, and subsequently disrupting children’s education as the main cause to home-school.

Other concerns such as bullying, poor behaviour of other students, and a packed national curriculum which leaves little to no opportunity for repeated content to compensate for lost learning during the pandemic is prompting parents to take their children’s learning into their own hands.

A national curriculum which no longer prepares children for the modern world and workplace, or one which neither allows them to explore their interests was also highlighted.

In light of the aforementioned reasons, children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) were among those struggling the most in the classroom environment.

For many Black Caribbean parents, home schooling is nothing new, though the reasons for such are different.

Since the acceptance of the UK Government invitation of the Windrush generation from the Caribbean to the UK in 1948, which upon their arrival saw the dehumanising of the new arrivals predicated on their race, so too had been the experience of many of

adding: “As an educator, I saw the effectiveness of teaching in my child’s language, crafting lessons that resonated deeply with my child’s personality and which were familiar to them, their interests, and unique style of learning.

“Also, as a Black parent, it’s important to me that my children get a true and balanced view of the world they live in. So home schooling gives me the opportunity to be in the drivers’ seat on making sure that the materials I use in class portrays a true representation of that world where we get to explore our heritage and culture as well as celebrate our achievements in history.”

For Rachel, being homeschooled by her mother was a positive experience which has paved the way for the current career path she is now taking.

“For me, home schooling was quite a thrilling and engaging experience actually,” she said.

“It challenged me quite a bit, to always be the best version of myself and to build Christian morals, and I credit much of my business and career success to many of the principles my mother taught me through school.

“She was intentional to not only teach the bare minimum of the lesson itself, but to also interweave character lessons and values, which have stuck with me in my work today.”

S

As a Black parent, it’s important to me that my children get a true and balanced view of the world they live in.

- afi ah inet

their children whom they had felt would greatly benefit from being schooled in the British Education system.

History has painted a much darker and pained experience than the one which Black Caribbean parents had envisaged before stepping foot into the country, with many of their children failed by the British Education system, with their children being sent to the infamous school for the Educationally Sub-Normal (ESN) way back in the 1960s.

In 1967, 28.4 per cent of children from Caribbean families were enrolled in the ESN school, even though they formed only 15 per cent of the mainstream school population.

Arguably, today’s pupil referral units are a modern-day equivalent, and continuation of the British Education System’s failure of Black Caribbean children often leading to black boys, in particular, being either caught up in the mental health or penal system, or at worst losing their lives altogether.

With the introduction of Saturday supplementary schools

alongside Black Caribbean parents taking the decision to homeschool, our children have often thrived, and often gone on to do better in both their educational and professional lives.

Nicole Mathieu-Marius, along with her husband Darryll, have been home schooling their six children for seven years without any regrets.

Their eldest daughter, aged 12, has positively benefited from the experience that she has even ventured out, having now created her own vegan lip balm and embroidery clothing business.

“For us, true education is not merely the nurturing of academic ability but also the harmonious development of the body, mind and spirit which is why we homeschool our children,” Nicole, 38, from East London, told The Voice.

As often as possible, the family take trips out in nature to supplement the foundation subject learning (geography, history and science) they do at home. “We’ve been to the battle in Hastings and seen where the battle actually took place; visited Scotland’s Loch Ness;

caught baby freshwater shrimp; dissected flowers to understand the different parts, and have given time to problem-solve, only moving on once they have got it, which is often not the case in a mainstream school setting,” said Nicole.

Similarly, Safiyyah Abinet, a 44-year-old single mother based in Essex, has home-schooled for 24 years with great success: her 11-year-old son, a skilled violinist, has performed alongside the BBC Symphony Orchestra Ensemble, picking up the Tru Little Hero Musician Award along the way, while his adult sister, Rachel Wells, 24, a corporate careers coach, trainer and Forbes Contributor will this month be heading to Botswana having been nominated in the prestigious Forbes 30 Under 30 List for the award-winning work she has produced in the business and corporate world.

“Firstly, as a home-school teacher, you have the invaluable opportunity to customise lessons and teaching methodologies to suit the unique learning styles of your child,” Safiyyah told The Voice,

DARELL J. PHILIP IS A TEACHING ASSISTANT, ACADEMIC MENTOR AND AWARD-WINNING JOURNALIST

Lifestyle

41

At last, the name Jordan Pitt is starting to ring out

She’s back in the musical mix.

Shaznay Lewis

Mica Paris

Neil Fraser aka Mad Professor talks ‘System and Structures’

Lifestyle

Finance

It's the perfect time to plant your financial seeds and reap the rewards. By Tynah Matembe

PRING IS upon us! It is a season for thriving and renewal as we move towards summer. If we air out our money and prepare for sunnier pockets, it should also be an exciting time for our money.

I certainly have been airing some thriving money conversations gleaned from many exciting interviews and discussions, which have been distilled to provide clear, actionable advice for anyone looking to take control of their financial life, especially those navigating the complexities of a new financial situation in my newly released Book Thriving Beyond Borders: Managing Money In A New Country.

It’s so easy and common to be intimidated by the thought of putting your money in order or taking financial responsibility, yet we can choose what and how we want our money to be and mean to us. The first step in gaining financial well-being is

understanding your thoughts about money. Each of us has our way of thinking about money, and there is no right or wrong.

It is just important to ensure that you are comfortable with your mindset and your money thoughts are as you would like them to be.

If not, consider how you can transition your thinking to incorporate the important aspects of your money that will make you feel happier and safe. And remember not to try to make it happen in so many areas simultaneously because that can get overwhelming.

Here is an exercise that can help you determine your mindset and take steps to thrive with your money. Ask yourself the following questions:

Only you can answer this question and do not feel pressured to make your financial success look like anybody else’s or follow what you think success should look like. Stay true to your inner self and dig deep for what really matters to you.

Remember to plan for irregular expenses: Even in spring, the weather in the UK can be unpredictable, and so can some expenses. So, think about how you can start setting aside money for unexpected costs and emergencies.

With this question, just remember the proverb, ‘mighty oaks from little acorns grow’. This couldn’t be truer for your savings and investments. In the book, Thriving

Beyond Borders, I introduce you to the foundational concepts of saving money effectively and the basics of investments.

Whether it’s a regular savings account or a more complex investment in stocks or mutual funds, the key is starting where you are and with any amount you can manage.

KISS —’Keep it simple, stupid’. You will get much further quicker and are likely to do it more happily, ultimately achieving better results. If you think KISS is overrated, here is a good illustration of how doubling your penny daily can yield results. Yes, you can start with a penny and still get ahead. Money does not have to be a complex web.

As in the book, a key part of my money coaching style is making money concepts fun, relatable, and achievable.

So, I love this illustration and use it in several of our MoneyMatiX resources because it really drives home the point of starting small and simple – and from a practical money perspective, it doesn't get smaller than a penny!

Here’s a glimpse of how doubling your penny would add up in 30 days: By the end of 30 days, you’re looking at over £5 million from the single penny you put in on day 1! Isn’t this wild?

How to apply this principle practically.

While it may be physically difficult to double your penny every day, and in the current market, finding an investment that doubles daily is unlikely, the lesson we can learn here is about the potential of regular, compounded growth.

Here are some practical steps that you can take: Start investing any small amount you can afford. Whether it be a penny or the price of a coffee each day, week, or month, commit to an amount and a period and get going.

Find savings accounts, bonds, mutual funds, and other financial instruments that pay compounding interest. Ask the provider to demonstrate how their interest offer will look for your proposed commitment if in doubt. ­ The magic of this trick is continually repeating the action over time. Adding every small amount regularly is what will make a big difference. Imagine being consistent for a year, two years, or even five years, and you will see just how powerful this can be. The longer you leave your money to grow, the more dramatic the compounding effect will

be. So, keep at it and be patient as your savings grow. This example has the potential to change your perception of money management. From the exercise above, you can see it as something exciting and take manageable steps to answer your question, ‘What does financial success look like to me?’.

So, the next time you consider skipping that extra coffee, think about redirecting that small expenditure towards your future financial growth.

We tend to try to tackle multiple financial goals simultaneously, which becomes overwhelming. Simplify your goals to the smallest possible action you need to take in the situation and place you are in at this moment in time.

Whether it means doubling your penny each day starting today or picking up a copy of Thriving Beyond Borders: Managing Money in a New Country for a fun and new perspective, take that step and embrace this May as your month to start thriving and plant your financial seeds.

40 years of Black British Lives as told by Britain’s only National Black newspaper

SCAN HERE

To purchase your copy simply scan the QR code or visit: www.voice-online.co.uk

Lifestyle

Dance

BORN and based in St Ann’s, Nottingham, Jamal Sterrett is a self-taught performance artist using his Asperger’s, with freeform Bruk Up, and ballet dance, to create improvised movement in response to the felt, sensory and aesthetic state of an environment.

Sterrett's work is concerned with the relationship and state between body and space, moving to transform personal and collectively shared paradigms, through channelling the state of an environment by transmuting it into movement as a method to expose and transform how we relate and interact with these spaces. terrett redefines our e istence within these environments that hold our personal and mental states. Ahead of his performance at the upcoming Breakin’ Convention at Sadler’s Wells on Saturday May 4, Jamal Sterrett writes for The Voice.

013 WAS the year. I was a young boy growing up in St Ann’s, Nottingham. Interested in graphic design and photography, 2013 was the year Jay Z released a music video to accompany the song Picasso Baby.

The video featured Jay Z performing inside an art gallery amongst guests and world class creatives. Having an interest in art, I began to research the names of all the people involved in the video; one person stood out to me most.

A tall, slender dancer on the tips of his toes by the name of Storyboard P was invited to dance next to Jay Z. Upon researching his name, I discovered two dance crews, BSV (Bed-Stuy Veterans) and The Warriorz.

Entranced by the allure of New York’s Jamaican subculture, I found them united by a passion for Bruk Up, a dance style originating from Kingston, Jamaica, pioneered by George Adams.

Despite battling osteomyelitis as a child, Adams transformed his condition into strength on the dance floor, gaining fame. Busta Rhymes even featured him in Put Your Hands Where My Eyes

Could See. Adams’ influence spread Bruk Up throughout NYC’s Caribbean neighbourhoods like Flatbush and Bed-Stuy, cementing his legacy and the dance’s popularity.

Bruk Up is Jamaican dialect for Broken. This word would become the philosophy that furthers the dance styles traditional roots, incorporating elements of misinterpreted body popping, hip hop and dance hall. Bruk Up would be adopted by the dance crew Bed-Stuy Veterans, who furthered the techniques of the style.

It would find its way to YouTube and continue to grow as a subculture developing its own genre of music along the way called FDM “Flex dance music”.

Every night I would go to sleep with a phone glued to my hand. Waking up the next day to emulate and fail, trying to be like all my on-screen heroes.

Through the gaps in my knowledge, I placed by own meanings through research and listening to what the movements meant to me.

I am self-taught, learning through interpretation. Bruk Up is about reforming a connection to yourself. One

that is not based on the external world, labelling what you should be. It’s about inner exploration and becoming who you should be by listening to your body as you improvise.

Storyboard P, Ghost and Surfizzi are responsible for my journey into dance, as well as influencing my decision to adopt movement techniques from ballet and stop-motion. When a dancer invents outside the realm of Bruk Up, adding or changing things, it’s known as Freeform Bruk Up: a substyle of Bruk Up. Storyboard P pioneered an influential style called Mutation. While Ghost pioneered possession borrowing influence from Butoh and horror films and TV like True Blood.

They have influenced a lot of dancers internationally and within Brooklyn. My contribution to the style came from the form of my mental ailments.

I was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome at 11 years old. My brain is ten times more receptive to visual, physical, sound and mental stimuli.

As my nervous system feels on a deep level, I use these sensations to guide and inform how I should move. Often, it’s

called stimming: repetitive movements or noises that help autistic people cope with overwhelming situations.

My stimming transformed into dance movements that would shape the way I express myself, replicating the feeling of a painting or the sound of a car passing by the street. Without headphones, my mind drifts into the environment.

But Bruk Up taught me to control and redirect the energy into a technique.

Dissipating its overwhelming effects, my practice has always been like that, improvised on the spot, reacting to the environment or paradigms gathered from personal or externally gathered thoughts. For me, dance is a label that connotes; to socially agreed behaviours, thoughts, and lifestyle. The aim of Bruk Up is to redefine and become you, and in doing so, set yourself free.

So I define myself as a performance artist. To reflect ideas that serve my feeling of mental and physical freedom most. Just embodying who you’re truly meant to be, becoming the art. Which is why I’ll be performing my first ever choreographed piece at Sadler’s Wells for Breakin’ Convention.

Motown legends heading across the pond for major UK tour

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Lifestyle

Television

Sky documentary reveals the untold story of caring for Afro air n fi et

By Joel Campbell

HEN THE PR and initial marketing for Untold Stories: Hair on Set went out prior to its showing on Sky TV, it said the documentary would ‘bring a transformative shake-up to the behind-the-scenes dynamics of the film industry’. Job done.

Spotlighting challenges of Afro hair in the film industry and featuring actors Naomie Harris, Saffron Hocking, Nathalie Emmanuel and more, the documentary offers a rare and candid glimpse into honest conversations among peers as they share their on-set experiences.

Through exclusive interviews it explores the untold stories of Black British entertainers in the hands of production hairstylists.

Created and directed by actress Fola Evans-Akingbola and directed alongside Jordan Pitt, with producer Lee MJ Daley, Sky UK&I acquired the documentary to reinforce its ongoing commitment to inclusivity in all Sky Original programming, ensuring that Black talent has access to experienced makeup artists and hair stylists who specialise in Afro-textured hair and darker skin tones.

It wasn’t commissioned though, with Pitt, whose company One Umbrella Productions worked with Doc Hearts and Good Girl Productions, explaining: “In terms of the decision of how to shoot it, really, we were kind of constrained with it being an independent project.

“We really had to dig deep, use our networks, use our resources and just combined experience.

“In filmmaking, for Lee and I, this

wasn't our first rodeo at doing this sort of thing. Our experience lies within narrative and short film.

“I always knew I wanted to do a documentary one day, but I just never knew it would be this soon.

“It’s pretty much the same process, but literally you’re wearing so many different hats, which we divided amongst us (Lee, Fola, Jordan) .

“So when we’re not directing, it’s the producing chair. If it’s not the producing chair, it’s location, styling, literally, tighten up the boots and get going.”

Pitt says despite challenges experienced in bringing the product to market, his co-directors journey, as well as his own, bolstered their determination to deliver.

Evans-Akingbola shared: “This project is a very personal one, it was borne out of my own experiences

with my hair on multiple sets and being too afraid to speak up in those moments.

“Knowing that this experience was not unique to me, but was happening for many other Black and brown entertainers too, I was compelled to shed light on the issue and make a positive contribution towards change.”

The subject matter can be a tetchy one. Lifestyle has sat down with actors and actresses that have been subjected to below standard treatment behind the scenes, but felt compelled to keep mum and say nothing in order not to rock the boat.

Hailing those that have been brave enough to stick their heads above the parapet and speak out on their dissatisfaction with an industry that quite frankly should do better, Pitt explained how he was able to get people to open up.

It was always our intention to make a documentary, not to name and shame, it was literally just to tell stories, true stories, and create that awareness.

- Jordan Pitt

“As a Director, my top priority was to create a safe space for the actors to open up and talk about an industry known to blacklist those who speak out against it.

“Once we established that space, all guards were dropped.

It was truly remarkable to hear the behind-the-scenes challenges faced by actors in prominent roles on some of the biggest TV shows and films. Our hope is that our documentary is the catalyst for inclusivity on set.”

He added: “It was always our intention to make a documentary, not to necessarily point the finger and name and shame, it was literally just to tell stories, true stories, and create that awareness.

“And once that conversation’s going, that’s when change can happen, because I don’t even think a lot of a lot of these producers are aware of what’s happening.

“This is the whole problem of diversity. It’s not just good enough to put diversity in front of the camera.

“With decision makers, if they’ve never experienced anything like this before, it’s just not on their radar.

“I know ignorance may not be an excuse, but if it’s not on their radar, it may not be malicious.

“So that’s the importance of having diversity in all areas of the industry. And that’s the only way we’ll really get a substantial change.”

Pitt’s work, which he is at pains to keep reinforcing is a team effort, has seen him receive a BAFTA nomination for Emerging Talent (Factual) category.

Having spent many years in the game as an actor and awardwinning filmmaker, he admits to being chuffed at finally being ‘seen’

on such a prestigious level. He enthused: “It’s an amazing feeling.

Very humbling at the same time.

“This is the first kind of outing in the documentary space and the glimpse of TV, but I’ve got a nearly 30-year career from all angles of the industry. In front of the camera, behind camera, I've had to wear multiple hats.

“So yeah, the hard work is finally paying off. People are actually getting to see the work and the quality of work, and it’s been recognised and appreciated.

“It means a lot as well, just because of how tight everything was. So even some of the films that we’ve worked on have had bigger crews than his one.

“For this one, the best part of it, it was the three of us. It expanded on certain days, when the days needed it. But yeah, it was definitely a team effort.”

Lifestyle

Music

Shaznay Lewis is back with her second solo album. By Joel Campbell

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Writing within a group was a comfort blanket, definitel a safe space, and I got so used to that safe space that I never reall saw m self outside of it. ha na

ewis

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Lifestyle

Music

Mica Paris couldn’t refuse when legend Chaka Khan invited her to take to the stage at the Meltdown festival. By Joel Campbell

ICA PARIS takes to the Queen Elizabeth Hall stage on June 19 for a powerhouse evening filled with pop, soul and timeless gospel classics.

It was a simple phone call from the curator of this year’s festival, the legend that is Chaka Khan.

Explaining to Lifestyle how there was no way she could turn down a friend from way back when, she enthused: “Chaka is family, basically. When I first met Chaka, it was in 1988. She was living in the UK and we met at the DMC. Conference, the big awards at the Royal Albert Hall, when they used to do that.

“I had a dressing room next to her, and that was when my song Temptation was just going mad, it was all kicking off and she saw me walk out my dressing room and I had boots on. I love boots, I’m a boot person. I’ve always been into boots.

“And I just heard someone say, ‘girl, here did you get those boots?

Those boots are fine as hell!’

“And I’ve turned around. It was Chaka. She’s really little, I’m super tall. I’m 5ft 11in and she ain’t my height, put it that way.

“She’s little. Chaka’s got to be about five feet one, maybe, if that.

Her and Prince were like neck and neck in terms of height. You know they’re little people. Petit powerhouses.

“But that was it. We became best mates. I stayed at her house, she stayed at mine, she was living here at that point. I mean we even shared animals, I gave her my cats at one point. She then

became godmother to my eldest, who is now happily married, and is a therapist, but that’s how long Chaka and I go back. Over the years she’s been like a big sister to me.”

Paris’ debut 1988 hit My One Temptation, reached the top ten of the UK Singles Chart. She has gone on to release eight more albums, including Gospel, which came out to critical acclaim and shot to No. 1 in the UK R&B Album Charts.

Her album Contribution, released in 1990, was hailed as redefining the parameters of soul with its enriching blend of hip-hop and house. It included the track If I Love U 2 Nite written by Prince and recorded at his Paisley Park studios.

Recalling how she wrote with Khan at a pivotal time in her early career, Paris said: “Contribution.

I went to New York to make that album because the record company was angry, because they want you to repeat stuff all the time, and I was like, now I want some hip-hop stuff on this.

“I was living in New York, I was on the David Letterman Show, it was all blowing up. I was rotating on BET, it was all kicking off. And I just really got into this hip-hop thing at that time.

“That’s when it was about Public Enemy and all those guys. It was a great time for hip-hop, and it was conscious rap as well, which was great.

“And I wanted to be a part of that.

And I just said, I want my next album to be like that.

“Working these guys from Brooklyn that had just graduated

from Berkeley College of Music (my manager helped me get them), I said, do you guys fancy making a record?

“They were like, ‘Yeah’, and that’s how Contribution came together.

“Chaka called me up when I was in New York and said, why don’t you guys write me a song. I can’t remember what album it’s on, but if you look it’s called, Keep Giving Me Lovin’. We go way, way, way, back.”

The Southbank Centre’s awardwinning Meltdown festival has been running annually since 1993 and is the longest-running artistcurated festival in the world.

As well as Paris, Khan has invited multi-award-winning and chart topping soul singer Emeli Sandé to perform on June 15 as part of the festival. Frontman of The Range and multi-hyphenate musician and songwriter Bruce Hornsby also joins the bill on June 18.

In the Queen Elizabeth Hall foyer, there’ll be standing gigs from

Malian supergroup Les Amazones d’Afrique on June 14, while indie crossover artist Master Peace, who released the hi-NRG hit I Might Be Fake with Georgia in 2023, performs on June 15. The Black feminist punk band Big Joanie, who made their Southbank Centre debut as part of Grace Jones’ Meltdown in 2022, return on June 22.

Commenting on her curatorship, Khan said: “Get ready to experience the heart and soul of Meltdown 2024, where the magic of music meets the warmth of community.

“I’m beyond excited to be a part of this legacy, bringing everyone together, young and old, for a summer celebration like no other.

“This festival isn’t just about music, it’s a feast for all your senses, a gathering of hearts and souls.

“The Southbank Centre’s about to light up! We’re going to funk it up, rock every crowd, and touch every soul. It’s a community celebration, an all-ages bash. Join us and immerse yourself in a world that’s

Chaka Khan became Godmother to my eldest, who is now happily married, and is a therapist, but that’s how long Chaka and I go back. Over the years she’s been like a big sister to me.”

vibrant, diverse, and absolutely unforgettable.”

Paris didn’t hold back when asked what fans can expect from the performance.

Before she broke it all down, however, she gave an insight into who her standard bearers were and the unique factors that have helped to hone and shape the level of excellence her three decade career has embodied.

“I grew up going to shows like Al Green. As a teenager, my father would take us to Hammersmith Apollo. I remember my first concert when I was 13, I went to see George Benson with my father.”

She went on: “My dad is where I get my gifts from. He passed away last year, but my father is the talent. He played the flute, the trumpet, he could sing like Marvin Gaye, He was an artist, a painter, he published three books, I mean, the man was ridiculous.

“He was annoyingly talented.

“And so, he would drag me

to these concerts, and the first one was George Benson at the Hammersmith Apollo, which was the Odeon back then.

“I saw that and even though I was going to church every day, singing in church and becoming this prodigy (I was very much a prodigy.

I was singing in church in front of hundreds of people,and everyone was like this little girl’s got this voice blah blah blah), my dad now was the sole influence.

“Miles Davis, jazz, the funk, The Isley Brothers. Marvin Gaye, my dad introduced me to that stuff.

“We’d go to see all these incredible artists like Bobby Womack, who I ended up doing a duet with 20 years after, which is crazy.

“Those concerts were literally like going to church. When Bobby Womack comes off the stage and walks in the audience and sings, Across 110th Street, you’re just broken. Al Green, when he sings Let’s stay Together, he comes down, he’s standing right next to your chair, he walks through the aisle and you’re like, 12 years old, that’s what I grew up on. I grew up with that and the church. I have had the best schooling.”

She enthused: “If you’ve never been to a Mica Paris show, I don’t know what to say, really, It’s all about the spirit.

“It’s all of it. It’s funk, it’s gospel.

It’s music. I liken my concerts to a spiritual experience. You’re gonna lift off, because that’s where I go.

“I’m probably there like the first two lines of the song, and then that’s it. I’m off, gone.”

This is Brukout!

by Seani B

Neil Fraser — aka Mad Professor — says he’s happy eing self sufficient an running the gig himself as he cele rates success an Blac in epen ence

re we into the fifth month of the year already? It must be, as spring has truly sprung here in the UK right now.

Festival season is just about to kick off imminently, and my featured guest this month has already started his run of shows as he has just returned from a series of events in Australia.

Neil Fraser — aka Mad Professor, the founder of the legendary Ariwa Records — has been serving up dub, roots, reggae and Lovers Rock from his Studio Complex in South London since the late 1970s. The list of names that The Professor has worked with range from U Roy, Horace Andy and Lee Scratch Perry to the Beastie Boys.

However, for me it was the John McLean classic If I Gave My Heart To You that had a special place in my record box as a young DJ. I remember going to the Ariwa HQ for the first time and was surprised and impressed to know that an independent

I pass on a lot!

Glastonbury wanted me to do Sunday night, but I said no.

I didn’t want to do Sunday night...

I’ve got San Lou Brazil and I’d rather do that

Black reggae label was able to create and sustain a business in the manner that they did.

Why was I so impressed?

To be fair it’s not many, if any record labels or studios that I can remember that still trade for business that have this many years under their belt like Ariwa.

I was intrigued and wanted to know how, after so many years, he has been able to survive when so many like Fashion, Jetstar and Greensleeves are no longer here.

Mad Professor still seems to have in place something that I have been very critical in this column about over the years — “System and Structures”.

When you visit the Ariwa HQ you can see it’s very much a business enterprise that is very active today.

“My sons run the whole label thing and we got over 400 different albums with a very good digital deal with Orchard where we get 90 per cent of whatever as they came to me over 20 years ago,” he tells me.

“I also get two to three requests each week for remixing

that keeps me busy and the money coming in.”

“I don’t even do as much live work as I could do,” he explains to my surprise.

“I pass on a lot! Glastonbury wanted me to do Sunday night, but I said no! I didn’t want to do Sunday night. I did it a few years ago and to be honest, I’ve got San Lou Brazil and I’d rather do that.”

Not many from my community can say that they pass on certain offers with a chuckle knowing that tomorrow they are OK. Many of us have had to adapt to situations to make it work and make ends meet. Not Mad Professor.

“No, I don’t really adapt, because I believe in Black independence. The amount of people that come to me and say, ‘You could be a lot bigger if you were to take on a White guy and have him run this thing for you’. I tell dem yeah, but why should I do that? I’m not looking for money, I got one or two properties and I’m alright.”

Hearing this from an elder that has laid the foundation for

black music in the UK talk like this solidified something that I truly believed in, as I have been faced with the same topic so many times. It frustrates me to know people would want me to use the cheat code to win. I’d rather not!

Mad Professor is a story of hard work and something that kept on coming up during our conversation — independence and ownership.

“I just make sure we own the product, we own the songs, we own the masters and at least 50 per cent of the publishing and I tell my kids you don’t need to sell nothing, just sit back and collect. Being independent is so important because when they pulled the rug from under your feet, you will go scattering,” he tells me.

The roots reggae dub engineer inherited this way of thinking from Berry Gordy’s Motown story.

“He was waving the flagship that started not only Black but independent records. Motown started their own studio, label and owned their own product

and developed the whole thing.

I like what I read and thought I wanna be like that when I grow up. Then Philadelphia records came along but they didn’t own anything, so when CBS were ready they pulled the carpet from under their feet.

“That’s why Berry Gordy was a Beacon to me and everyone that came after like Jay Z and others were trying to be like him.”

Prof has shown that ain’t no mountain high enough once you have the ambition and foresight to fulfil your dreams.

Positive stories and examples of the ideology behind some of the reggae pioneers of the UK game will be shared as part of the Beyond The Bassline exhibition, which celebrates 500 years of Black music in Britain, at the British Library on June 2. Joining Prof and myself will be Daddy Ernie, Lady V from V Rocket sound and Carroll Thompson. Tickets available from the British Library website: bl.uk/whats-on/

Lifestyle

Theatre

UNNING FROM the middle of this month until June 1, Nia Akilah Robinson’s debut play The Great Privation: How to flip ten cents into a dollar, takes centre stage at Theatre503.

The production is directed

by JMK Award winner and Theare503’s Carne Associate Kalungi Ssebandeke.

Set in Pennsylvania and shifting between the early 1800s and the present day, The Great Privation: How to flip ten cents into a dollar is a profound play that explores the impact of grave robbing for medical science, and the historical disruption of Black bodies that never got their rest.

As timelines collide and secrets and lives become buried and revealed, a reckoning comes to call: the roots to our ancestors are not as long as we may think.

Speaking on why this one grabbed his attention, Ssebandeke told Lifestyle:: “I chose to direct TGP because it shines a light on an unknown phenomenon of grave robbing for medical research, a practice that disproportionately affected the poor and African Americans with a focus on the 1800s.”

He added: “Nia (the writer) has written a powerfully compelling story rich with detail and surprisingly funny moments that had me itching to stage it.

Nia Akilah Robinson’s stunning debut play at Theatre503 explores the impact of grave robbing for medical science. By Joel Campbell

“The nod to Sierra Leone was of great interest to me and whilst subtle, it’s something I wanted this production to lean into due to Britain’s historical relationship with the country that became a sort of safe haven for the enslaved.

“British audiences should come

and watch this to get a further insight into the legacy grave robbing and learn of the impact it has had on their lives today."

Akilah Robinson is a playwright and actor from Harlem. Her work has been developed through residencies, fellowships,

I wanted this production to lean into due to Britain’s historical relationship with [Sierra Leone] that became a sort of safe haven for the enslaved - Director Kalungi Ssebandeke

commissions, and development with a number of prestigious companies and festivals in America.

The venue and executive producer Zena Collins join forces again following Collins’s collaboration on the original Theatre503 production of J’Ouvert

by Yasmin Joseph.

The Great Privation: How to flip ten cents into a dollar was selected from 1,466 scripts as one of five finalists for the 2023 Theatre503 International Playwriting Award and its premiere follows the success of the recent sold-out and extended production of the Award’s winner A Woman Walks Into a Bank by Roxy Cook.

Theatre503 has confirmed that the Award will return for 2024/5, with submissions opening on June 1, 2024.

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Lifestyle

Books

She may be just 11 years old, but Sarah Kittoe has just released her fourth book — and it’s all for a good cause. By Joel Campbell

E MAY have had ambitions to write a book or two and host our own exclusive book release events when we were younger, but then we woke up, grew up and well, those dreams slowly began to dissipate.

Not so for Sarah Kittoe, an exceptional 11-year-old author, who is captivating readers once again with her latest release, Ama and the Lost Key. Released last month at Croydon Library, the new book marks her fourth foray into the world of storytelling, following the success of her first three books: The Friendship Club, Sarah Kittoe’s Colouring Book and Lindsey and the Blue Fox. In Ama and the Lost Key, Kittoe takes readers on a thrilling journey beneath the dry, orange, dusty

sands of Ghana, where a glowing key is discovered lost in the shadows.

The story follows Ama, a young and adventurous girl with love and fire in her heart, as she embarks on a quest to unlock the secrets held

by this mysterious key. Promising unimaginable wealth, the key holds the potential to change Ama’s life forever.

But as she delves deeper into the mystery, Ama learns valuable lessons about the power of unity in the land of gold.

Born with a natural talent for storytelling, Kittoe has been weaving enchanting tales from a tender age.

Supported by her amazing parents Nozipho and Albert who encourage her to fulfil her dreams and mentored by Daniella Blechner, Book Journey Mentor and founder of Conscious Dreams Publishing, as well as having her younger sister Mary cheerlead her on, Kittoe has a great team around her.

She continues to inspire with her creativity and ambition.

Alongside her literary pursuits, Kittoe is deeply committed to her community, demonstrating a heartwarming spirit of compassion and altruism.

All the money she makes from the sales of her books goes towards charities such as Centrepoint and the Wednesday

Club at West Croydon Methodist Church helping homeless people in Croydon.

Despite her young age, Kittoe has already made significant strides in both her literary career and her philanthropic endeavours.

In addition to writing captivating stories, she has embarked on a fundraising initiative to refurbish the library at St. Paul’s Basic School in Tema, Ghana.

Through her actions, Kittoe exemplifies the power of youth and the importance of giving back to one’s community.

As she continues to make her mark on the literary world, she stands as an inspiring figure for aspiring authors and young individuals everywhere.

“I am a creative and ambitious young black girl with many ideas about my future,” says Kittoe.

“I am interested in arts and crafts, design, music, gymnastics, sports, and food.”

Her dedication to her craft, coupled with her unwavering commitment to making a positive impact, serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for generations to come.

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Four titles Joel Campbell wants you to know about

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Lifestyle

Literature

London Book Fair teams up with Black British Book Festival and British Council to promote and encourage diversity. By Jerome Conway

HE LONDON Book Fair (LBF), in collaboration with the Black British Book Festival (BBBF) and the British Council, has marked another successful year of literary celebration and cultural exchange.

The LBF and BBBF joined forces to promote diversity and inclusivity in the literary world.

LBF generously provided tickets to aspiring authors and industry professionals from underrepresented backgrounds, facilitating valuable networking opportunities and learning experiences.

As part of their collaboration, BBBF sponsored the first-ever Author Lounge in partnership with the Society of Authors, the Alliance of Independent Authors and The Working-Class Writers Festival, providing a dedicated space for authors to connect, share ideas, and seek advice.

This initiative underscored LBF’s commitment to supporting emerging talent and fostering a supportive community within the literary industry.

The partnership between LBF and BBBF also led to a highly successful networking event, where authors, publishers, and literary enthusiasts had the chance to engage in meaningful discussions and forge valuable connections.

The event, which took place in March, provided a platform for diverse voices to be heard and celebrated, contributing to a more inclusive literary landscape.

Highlighting the importance of collaboration, the British Council extended invitations to their networking events and seminars to support aspiring authors and industry professionals to broaden their networks and form connections with peers from around the world who attend this prestigious event.

Selina Brown, Founder/CEO of the Black British Book Festival,

expressed her excitement about the collaboration, stating, “We are thrilled to partner with the London Book Fair to amplify diverse voices and promote inclusivity in literature.

“This collaboration underscores our shared commitment to creating a more representative and equitable literary landscape.”

Sinead Russell, Literature Director at the British Council, emphasised the organisation’s dedication to cultural exchange and diversity in literature, saying, “The British Council is proud to support initiatives that promote cultural exchange and celebrate diversity in literature. “Our collaboration

By coming together, we can create a more vibrant and representat ve literary community that re ects the richness of human experience. We look forward to developing this partnership - Sophie Gilligan, e ondon oo air

with the Black British Book Festival reflects our commitment to fostering international dialogue and understanding through the power of storytelling.”

Sophie Gilligan, marketing manager at The London Book Fair, echoed these sentiments, adding: “The London Book Fair is delighted to partner with the Black British Book Festival to champion diversity and inclusion in the literary world.

“By coming together, we can create a more vibrant and representative literary community that reflects the richness of human experience. We look forward to developing this partnership.”

Dedicated to celebrating and championing literature by Black British authors, the BBBF serves as a dynamic platform for amplifying diverse voices and narratives while fostering a supportive community and enhancing visibility and opportunities for Black British writers. With each passing year, BBBF continues to grow in impact, hosting successful events that attract thousands of attendees, featuring vibrant literature popup events, and collaborating with sponsors and media outlets to further its mission.

The LBF is the global marketplace for rights negotiation and the sale and distribution of content across print, audio, TV, film and digital channels. Offering direct access to customers, content and emerging markets, it presents a unique opportunity to explore, understand and capitalise on the innovations shaping the publishing world of the future.

Its next event will take place March 11-13, 2025 at Olympia London.

Sport

WALKING FOOTBALL MAKING BIG STEPS FORWARD IN THE UK

The popular sport is allowing thousands to recapture their love for the game. By Vlad Andrejevic

W

ALKING football, a sport primarily created for people over the age of 50, has seen accelerated growth since its creation just over a decade ago and has allowed thousands of people to recapture their love for football in a safe and healthy environment. Due to the blend of extensive mental and physical health benefits and the ability to be competitive at an older age, demand for the sport is ever-increasing.

One of London’s leading sports charities, The Jason Roberts Foundation, has fully endorsed walking football, creating the Bridgestone Steppers and supporting the walking football Carribean national team. The Foundation, based in Harlesden, have recently announced their bi-weekly sessions with the hope to get more people in the local community into walking football as part of their quest to expand the positive outreach of the sport.

For Otis Roberts, the CEO of the Jason Roberts Foundation, the project to expand walking football is something that resonates strongly with their existing work and new direction. Having acquired the lease for the Bridgestone Arena during the pandemic, they rebranded and started looking more at working with “young people, families and elderly people”. They wanted to create “an all-inclusive club. Brent being the most diverse borough in the country, we wanted to have an offer for everybody,” Otis said.

Once they started looking into walking football, they were positively surprised by how exciting the sport could be. Otis, an ex-professional footballer himself, explained that despite initial scepticism, the

sport is very enjoyable once you experience it. “A lot of us found the transition (to not running) difficult and unappealing ... until you play, and you realise; you can play it round the corner, your movement has to be good, you have to think differently – it’s a lot better than it’s given credit for and I can see why it’s a fast-growing sport.”

The sport certainly is gathering momentum, as 2023 saw the first World Nations Cup of walking football being held which had teams from 19 nations play against each other in two different age groups. Michael Adams, who runs the Bridgestone Steppers sessions, also coaches the walking football Caribbean national team, many of whom also play for club sides.

Last year, they reached the quarter finals of the World Nations Cup in their first ever tournament together, followed by winning the Winter Nations Cup a few months later.

This level of competitiveness, along with the ability to travel internationally and have new experiences, scratches the itch of many

who yearn to still feel the exhilaration only football can bring. It offers a second lease of life on a sporting front and allows players to have something to work towards.

Kenny Dyer, a former player and coach of Montserrat, first

participated in walking football last summer and has “loved every minute of it” as he went on to finish top scorer for the Carribean in the Winter World Cup. However, he was quick to acknowledge that despite being 57, the growth of

“During the games themselves, the youthful banter belies their age as they squabble and joke around as if they were in a playground ”

the sport means that it “is not just for today, it’s about what’s coming ahead”, highlighting the more significant importance of the “team spirit, camaraderie, enjoyment and mental health development” that walking football offers.

While its merit as a sport in itself should not be undermined, it’s the value off the field that is cherished most by those involved. It allows people from all walks of life to gather, share and enjoy a sport where physicality is much less of a barrier to entry. The opportunity to meet local people who share a common interest has allowed new communities to be formed, such as the one currently emerging at the Jason Roberts Foundation. Much like in any sports dressing room, the connections that are made among those who participate can be lifelong.

Spending a Sunday observing the Bridgestone Steppers gives you a true sense of how mentally fulfill-

ing these days out are. Despite the sessions being advertised as two hours long, the players arrive early in order to catch up and many stay at the community centre long after, often sharing a bite to eat, watching football and enjoying each other’s company. During the games themselves, the youthful banter belies their age as they squabble, antagonise and joke around as if they were in a playground.

There are also plenty of medical benefits, offering safe conditions for people to exercise. According to the Walking Football Association, the sport can lead to ‘positive changes in postural balance, blood pressure and resting heart rate, lowered cholesterol, improved blood sugar levels, bone density, and improving reactions’. It can also harbour a unique space for people to share health information and experiences amongst their peers.

Sport

‘Sweet’ Caroline is making waves Glittering career goes from strength to strength for boxer after recognition at Mandela Awards. By Rodney Hinds

MISSION TO INCREASE GIRLS’ ACTIVITY LEVELS

B

OXING talent Caroline Dubois has been named Athlete of the Year by Ndileka Mandela at the 2024 Mandela Awards.

After a glittering amateur boxing career which saw her crowned Youth Olympic champion, World Youth champion and four-time European Youth champion, Caroline Dubois was awarded SportsAid’s one-to-watch award in 2018 and BBC Young Sports Personality Of The Year in 2019 before she represented Team GB at the Tokyo Olympics.

As a professional, ‘Sweet’ Caroline Dubois has already become IBO world champion at just 23 years old in an unprecedented feat.

In her acceptance speech, after receiving her award from Ndileka – the granddaughter of icon Nelson Mandela – Caroline said: “Thank you to Ms Mandela for presenting me with this beautiful award. It is a testament of my achievements, but also your achievements as a woman. Being able to make a name for yourself with such a massive surname that you have is truly amazing.

“I come from a very big boxing family. My brother is a professional

“It was very hard but it was very worthwhile. Now hopefully I can make my dreams of being world champion come true. It’s been a massive journey.”

- Caroline Dubois

boxer and I’ve just been following in his footsteps.

“I’m the middle child of eleven children and as the middle child you really have to fight to make a name for yourself and be noticed, and that’s all I think I’ve ever been

doing. Being in the ring has given me that spotlight, stage, and platform to make a name for myself and for that I’ll be forever thankful to boxing.”

“When I started boxing, there weren’t many female boxers. There

were none in the gym that I went to. When I went to my first boxing club, I remember being told by the coach at the time ‘you’re amazing, you’re going to be a world champion’.

“When he found out I was a girl he didn’t want me in the club anymore and he kicked me out.

“Fast forward a couple of years I was able to make the biggest dream of my career come true when I qualified for the Olympic Games.

For me it was such an amazing moment, one I’ll never forget.

“It was very hard but it was very worthwhile. Now hopefully as a professional I can make my dreams of being world champion come true.”

“It’s been a massive journey. The biggest change for me is going from a normal girl at the gym to being seen as a role model.

“I’m not sure when that happened, it may have happened overnight. But it happened, and I’m ready to step into the shoes.”

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

OF SPORT NEWSPAPER

Regis joins Board of Directors at amateur game’s governing body and aims to make the sport more accessible for all. By Rodney Hinds

J

ULIA REGIS has joined the Board of Directors at England Golf as Senior Independent Director.

Also joining the Board is Sarah Stirk as an Independent Director.

England Golf is the governing body for amateur golf in England.

They are dedicated to growing the game of golf and their work benefits around 1,800 affiliated golf clubs and 720,000 members.

The pair began their respective roles immediately after they were announced at the England Golf AGM on April 24. Julia is an awardwinning consultant, specialising in helping organisations resolve complex people management issues. With more than 30 years of experience in the fields of human resources, leadership and organisational development, she started her career in the public sector before moving into the world of consulting.

As a significant figure and driver for change in society, Julia is often invited to speak at conferences,

“I am very passionate about this game and I am delighted to be able to bring my professional expertise to a sport that I love.”

- Julia Regis speaking about excellence in leadership, and how to remove limitations for women.

Examples include appearing as a keynote speaker at an International Women’s Day UN-sponsored event for young women and girls in Ghana, as well as presenting at

several US Women’s conferences.

Julia has a proven track record of challenging boards and organisations to enhance their equality, equity, diversity and inclusion performance in a meaningful way for employees and consumers.

As a result of her influence, she has held numerous non-executive director roles spanning three decades in the housing and youth sector, and has led on a number of women’s empowerment initiatives including Trustee for Smartworks Birmingham.

Julia also spent over 13 years as an Ambassador for Wateraid, helping to raise awareness and funds for the charity Currently, she is chair of the Cyrille Regis Legacy Trust, a charity set up following the death of her pioneering football husband Cyrille Regis, which aims to continue the impact and legacy of his work in the community. Julia is also a trustee of the ACE programme, a charity aiming to build grassroots cricket programmes and develop talent pathways to engage young people of African and Caribbean heritage with the sport.

Julia has been playing golf for 12 years now and is a keen golfer. Recognising that the representation of Black women in the sport was low, she has now introduced over 250 women to the sport though various grassroots initiatives she has led on, helping to challenge perceptions and break down barriers.

“I am very passionate about this game and I am delighted to be able to bring my professional expertise to a sport that I love and play a part in shaping the future of our game,” said Julia.

“I look forward to working with the team at England Golf to see golf become more inclusive and accessible to all.”

England Golf role for Julia

MAY 2024 | THE VOICE