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CHAMPIONING DIVERSITY, EQUALITY & INCLUSION ACROSS ALL COMMUNITIES www.thephoenixnewspaper.com
JULY 2024
Connecting Communities - Inspiring A New Generation
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Poet and orator Zephaniah celebrated on Windrush Day
his year marks the 76th anniversary of commemorating the Windrush Generation, as over 200 organisations across the UK raised flags to celebrate ‘Windrush Day’. In Birmingham, people also honoured the life and works of the late Dub Poet, actor and activist, Benjamin Zephaniah, with a day of celebrations, as WAWI (Ex Service personnel), BAPA (Black & Asian Police Association), the West Midlands Police, and the Birmingham Lord Mayor’s Office, to mark the internationally celebrated orator. This taking place before a vibrant and colourful Carnival Procession (costumes designed and made Professor Black), led by Windrush Carnival Queen 2024 winner, Kristina Gordon, saw
an effervescent group of dance troupes of up to 90 dancers “Bring it to Brum” and ‘Dance with Sago’ from Birmingham and beyond – and that, following the raising of the Windrush flag in Centenary Square. June 22, saw the highly celebrated Reverend Canon Eve Pitts then open the Benjamin Zephaniah Stage with a rousing message of unity, strength and hope getting the crowd into the right mood – spiritually and emotionally. Then, Windrush National Organisation chair, Bishop Dr Desmond Jaddoo MBE (pic), presented one of Zephaniah’s poems - recited by TV presenter, Sue Brown, who is, herself, an equally renowned poet and orator. A day of acknowledgment, organised by the Blackstory Part...
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