WWW.VOICE-ONLINE.CO.UK
MARCH 2024 • ISSUE NO. 1952
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n e m o w r u o g n i t a r b C ele
SOUP, WINE AND FAITH
Mavis Wallace, 105, tells The Voice her secrets to a long life
105 YEAR-OLD Mavis Wallace, affectionately known as Aunty May, credits her long life to Caribbean pot soup, red wine and faith in God. Now friends and family of the centenarian, who came to Britain in the mid-1940s just before the arrival of the HMT Empire Windrush, are planning a special celebration for her in August. › p5 Mavis Wallace, affectionately known as Aunty May (inset) Mavis as a young woman in the mid-1950s
Inside THIS MONTH
Mums’ plea for family unity Bid to stop Black children going missing p4
ROUNDUP NEWSPAPER
News, views, stories & videos TOP 10 ONLINE STORIES FEBRUARY 2024
1. Vybz Kartel murder conviction appeal begins
Kartel’s lawyer told the Privy Council he hopes the conviction is “quashed”
2. Grenada at 50: Will it become a republic?
Sinai Fleary speaks to Black Britons of Grenadian heritage about calls for the country to become a republic
Diane Abbott Trailblazer, campaigner and an unwavering voice for change p6
3. Met chief shuns officers’ calls to discuss racism claims Sir Mark Rowley accused of showing “no desire” to tackle discrimination
Met chief’s call Dr Alison Heydari leads the charge for change in policing p12 & 21 Lives well lived A salute to campaigners Yvonne Witter and Audrey Adams p22
4. Bob Marley’s son makes claim over biopic auditions
KyMani Marley says legend’s children didn’t get to audition for biopic
5. Black groups shut out from Labour launch of equality plans Labour party accused of trying to evade Black voters’ criticisms of its race equality pledges
6. ‘Keir Starmer doesn’t care about Black people’
Serious questions raised about party’s commitment to its Black voter base
7. Popular market trader faces eviction by billionaire developers
Let’s spread the wealth Tynah Matembe’s top tips p36
Campaigners say redevelopment plans will lead to gentrification
8. Black boy, 14, attacked by adult spectator at football Police confirm they have launched investigation into the violent attack
9. Titi Bello secures the bag on Dragons’ Den
Titi Bello, founder of Ori Lifestyle, wins Emma Grede’s support on BBC show
Saluting our sporting heroes Football Black List 2023 p46-47
10. Nala’s Baby gets celebrity backing
Popular ‘naturally, clean baby products’ expands into major supermarkets
This issue is 48 pages EDITOR Vic Motune E. vic.motune@thevoicemedia group.co.uk
CORPORATE AFFAIRS & COMMUNICATIONS Paula Dyke E. paula@thevoicemedia group.co.uk
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Paulette Simpson E. paulette.simpson@thevoice mediagroup.co.uk
ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Joel Campbell E. joel.campbell@thevoice mediagroup.co.uk
The Voice says Why we should celebrate Black women every day ON International Women’s Day, people across the world pay respect to the strength, courage, and incredible accomplishments of women. It’s a time to celebrate their achievements and help support the continuing campaign for gender equality. Black women have played a key role in these campaigns, tirelessly campaigning for equality and rights for all. Women such as Claudia Jones, Olive Morris, Diane Abbott, Baroness Ros Howells, Baroness Doreen Lawrence, Althea Jones-Lacointe, and Dame Jocelyn Barrow have etched their names into the annals of civil rights history in Britain. Their unwavering dedication and resilience have inspired generations, laying the groundwork for progress and it’s essential that their contributions are recognised. International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month provide a great opportunity to honour the contributions of Black women and recognise their pivotal role in driving societal change and championing equality. By highlighting their stories, we demonstrate our dedication to building a world that is fair and equal for all. This special edition of The Voice will shine a spotlight on some of these incredible stories. But despite the fact they have accomplished so much, Black women still face enormous obstacles. They bear the brunt of poverty, discrimination, and violence, facing systemic barriers entrenched by racism, sexism, and classism. Their representation in positions of power remains scarce, underscoring the urgent need for concerted efforts to dismantle barriers and foster inclusivity. Acknowledging both their contributions and the barriers faced by Black women, they should not be treated as a one-time event. We must all work together to provide them a platform, defend their rights, and honour their accomplishments. All women, regardless of their ethnicity or socioeconomic status, will be able to reach their full potential in the future if we do this. Recognising Black women’s achievements and the barriers they face should not be treated as something we only do one day or month in the year. By consistently acknowledging the role Black woman have played gives them a voice, And in the long run, this helps to ensure that women of all backgrounds and socioeconomic levels are heard and acknowledged and supported in realising their potential.
Got a story? email us at yourviews@thevoicemediagroup.co.uk SPORTS EDITOR Rodney Hinds E. rodney.hinds@thevoice mediagroup.co.uk ADVERTISING AND SALES E. advertising@thevoicemedia group.co.uk
NEWS DESK E. newsdesk@thevoice mediagroup.co.uk
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MARCH 2024 THE VOICE |
3
News Feature
Celebrating Women
Unearthing untold stories Norma Gregory is on a mission to preserve the history of Nottinghamshire’s Black community. By Vic Motune
A
UTHOR AND historian Norma Gregory is the driving force behind a social enterprise with one very important mission: to unearth and preserve the history of Nottinghamshire’s Black community. Nottingham News Centre, which she founded in 2013, provides history and heritage content, and services for museums and heritage arts organisations. Through Gregory’s tireless efforts, the company has shed light on the often overlooked stories of Jamaican members of the Windrush Generation who worked as miners in the region’s coal industry. Through books, exhibitions, broadcast programme content and workshops among other projects, she has ensured that their contribution to the city and the region’s cultural, social, and economic landscape is not only remembered but celebrated for generations to come. Her work has not only provided new insights into Nottingham’s history but earned her a host of plaudits for initiating important discussions about identity, representation , and belonging in the modern world. The latest honours for the former teacher solidify her reputation as an innovator in the fields of community advocacy and historical preservation. In November, Gregory won Women’s Champion of the Year at the Social Enterprise Awards UK for the work she has done with Nottingham News Centre. “I couldn’t believe it because I was up against some seriously strong, young talent,” she says reflecting on the night she won. “It was an amazing event and it was just nice to be among innovative people. Everyone in that room was doing amazing projects that help people in some way. “I was shortlisted in the Women’s Leadership category. They read out the names on the screen one at a time and then there was a long pause. My table was right at the back. Often when you sit right
at the back, you know you’re not getting an award because you’ve got a long walk to the front. So I didn’t think I would win an award. But I was really proud and honoured when I did.” The following month she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Letters at the University of Nottingham. While impressive Gregory regards these accolades as confirmation of her view that the work she does is about much more than personal accomplishment. “Winning the Social Enterprise Award was an amazing achievement, not just for myself but for Nottingham,” she says. “I’m really passionate about that. Nottingham has brought me forward and I like to bring the city and the county where I’m based with me on my journey. “As the founder of Nottingham News Centre CIC, a social enterprise deeply rooted in community impact, seeing my city recognised alongside me was immensely gratifying. My journey rere flects the belief that it’s never too late to pursue one’s passions. There’s alal ways time to do what you want to do and I want to e n c o u ra g e women of all ages to pursue their dreams.” Indeed, Gregory’s decision to create NottingNotting ham News Centre was a leap of faith that took some courage but one that has paid off. “I started my company in 2013 after 13 years in education. I felt compelled to establish Nottingham News Centre because I was driven by a desire to address gaps in knowledge in the educational systems. So I embarked on a mission to revamp, renew, and update content for today’s world. “I redirected my focus to producing content and fostering informal learning through museums and heritage work. My passion now lies in heritage and history and recognising their power. “Also, I felt that as a woman I needed to lead my ship. I’m the captain of my ship. And we can be captains of ships, we can be leaders of business. Nottingham News Centre is a social enterprise,
HONOUR: Norma Gregory’s work has also brought recognition from the University of Nottingham who made her an Honorary Doctorate of Letters in December; above, Gregory’s book, Jamaicans in Nottingham: Narratives and Reflections published in 2015, was the first to collate the oral histories of Black miners
so money is not the driving force. Of course, we have to earn income so that we can still do the work we do. But being able to make choices about how I do things and the content such as the television and radio programmes I assist with as a consultant, or the books I produce, that’s part of creating change, creating resources that are positive, inclusive, diverse, engaging.” Academic research has only recently begun to recognise the hidden histories of Black miners in the UK, who contributed to the economic and industrial de-
velopment of Britain during their relatively short period in coal mining history dating back to Roman times. Gregory’s groundbreaking book, Jamaicans in Nottingham: Narratives and Reflections, published in 2015, was a major catalyst in that shift. The book included some oral histories of Black miners of Jamaican heritage in the region. While writing the book she discovered that her father’s cousin had been a miner. A later exhibition she curated at the National Coal Mining Museum
called Digging Deep: Coal Miners of African Caribbean Heritage, shed further light on that story. It combined unique historical artefacts with previously unseen photos. Black miners are now known to have worked in a number of other mines in England including Sutton Manor Colliery and Dawdon Colliery and also Welsh mines. The wide impact and acclaim of Gregory’s work in bringing this story to light has led to a host of other opportunities with major museums and heritage organisations, not just in the UK but HISTORICAL ARTEFACTS: Gregory with one of the exhibits from the Digging Deep exhibition; inset, a photo of a Black miner circa late 1950s. (photos: Gareth Williams Black Miners Museum Archives/ Rupert Meikle Black Miners Museum Archive)
around the world. However, the driving vision that led to the creation of Nottingham News Centre remains at the heart of her work. “My current focus involves consulting for museums across the world, particularly on looking at how they interpret the workforce in their displays and exhibitions,” she says. “What I’m doing really is just working wider and thinking more globally, taking the knowledge we have here in the UK, because we have a lot of knowledge in museums, and looking at it as a service that can be exported. “But I remain as passionate as ever about ensuring accurate and inclusive representation in museum narratives She continues: “Any museum I have been in contact with what I talk about is about inclusion, inclusive content, inclusive heritage. Diverse stories that are visually engaging because that’s the future. We’ve got to keep museums open but we need people to come. “If they are not stories that are representative of different groups then the sector is missing a whole section of a society. You’ve got to keep people interested, and the only way you do that is to have diverse stories that represent many different sections of society.”
8
| THE VOICE MARCH 2024
News Feature
Celebrating Women
Adejoké makes history
ACCOLADE: Adejoké Bakare has won plaudits for combining West African cuisine from across the region with finesse an creativity(photos: Harriet Langford)
s first lac emale ichelin starred che is reshaping diners e perience o est rican cuisine y Vic Motune
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DEJOKÉ (JOKÉ) Bakare, the founder of Chishuru restaurant in London, has been hailed as a trailblazer in the culinary world. She has won plaudits for combining West African cuisine from across the region with finesse and creativity, inspiring a new generation of chefs and reshaping diners’ experience of African food in the UK. Renowned food critics such as Jimi Famurewa of the Evening Standard and Harriet Fitch Little, food and drink editor of FT Weekend have lavished praise on Bakare’s talent and the innovative range of dishes that Chishuru. Last month, the spotlight was further thrown on the Nigerian-born Bakare’s talent when Chishuru was one of 18 restaurants awarded a Michelin star, making her the first Black female Michelin-starred chef in the UK, and only the second in the world. Bakare says she is amazed by the outpouring of positive responses her success generated. H e r Michelin s t a r sparked joyous celebrations a m o n g the Nige-rian diaspora, many of whom flocked to social media to declare “Naija no dey carry last”. Some highlighted the fact that her milestone achievement wasn’t just about the restaurant and food industry becoming a more diverse and inclusive space. Bakare’s journey from selftaught cook to Michelin-starred chef illustrates how far perseverance and resilience in the face of formidable odds can take you. Her long-held dream of opening a modern West African restaurant is now a reality. But despite being grateful for all the accolades and recognition, she says she is determined to stay humble because of what she says is the weight of responsibility. “The way they ran the awardgiving meant we thought we’d missed out completely,” she reveals. “My blood ran cold when the host got to the end of the list of new one-stars. And then he said
‘but we have one more star to give to a chef, and she...’ and I didn’t really hear any more of the words after that because I knew it was me. “There were 17 new one-star male chefs on the stage, and I came up to join them. Michel Roux gave me a big hug to calm my nerves and I had my arms in my custom-made Michelin chef jacket.” Bakare continues: “I have been blown away by the reaction to my Michelin star. My business partner Matt walked into the kitchen this week and asked ‘Joké what’s this phrase everyone is using... Naija no dey carry last?’ and Moruf (our kitchen porter) and I collapsed into laughter. I’ve lost count of Instagram story reactions and even some people talking about making history. It’s incredibly touching, but also that’s what I mean by the ‘weight of responsibility’. It’s a kind of attention I’ve never had before in my life. “We had a wonderful comment on our Insta today: ‘Being amazing privately is great, but being brave enough to impact others is destiny. Keep walking in purpose, and leave the door open for all the Black womwom en running behind.’” B a k a r e’s journey to cucu linary stardom is inspiring. Raised in Kaduna, Nigeria, with diverse food influences from her Yoruba mother and Igbo father, she developed a passion for cooking alongside her grandmother. Despite studying biological science, her love of cooking endured and she always harboured a goal to one day open her own restaurant. After relocating to the UK for university, cooking remained a hobby while she pursued other career paths. In 2017, persuaded by friends, she organised her first supper club. Two years later she won a Brixton Village cooking competition. The prize offered her an opportunity to operate a three-month pop-up restaurant. Winning the competition boosted her confidence as a chef and made her realise that she had the ability to pursue her culinary dreams. Despite lacking profes-
sional kitchen experience, she became a restaurant owner. In September 2020, Chishuru launched as a pop-up, featuring modern West African cuisine after Bakare’s Brixton Village competition win. Despite her novice restaurant experience, the response was overwhelming, drawing customers from across London. Bakare deliberately labelled her menu West African, not just Nigerian, highlighting the region’s culinary similarities and the cuisines of her upbringing. Her skills at blending these influences with modern techniques meant that the venture thrived, attracting Britons new to this food as people of West African heritage. Chishuru’s popularity meant it quickly outgrew its Brixton Village location, prompting Bakare’s decision to close it and look for
new premises. After searching across the capital, Bakare and business Matt Paice settled in Fitzrovia, central London, as Chishuru’s permanent home in August last year. “Having my own restaurant was a life-long dream,” she says. “I wanted to cook the food of my heritage, the food I grew up with. As the oldest of my siblings, I was often tasked with cooking at home. Food is spiritual for me.” Among the popular dishes are sinasir, fermented rice cake with shiitake mushrooms and crushed walnuts, moi moi made from bean cake, bone marrow, omelette, red pepper and scallop roe and yassa, a dish of charcoal-grilled guineafowl breast, caramelised onion and lemon sauce. “At Chishuru, I aim to give a London restaurant twist to my dishes.
So if you have moi moi at my restaurant, you will absolutely recognise the tastes and the ingredients, but perhaps not the presentation. A lot of the time, it’s about applying restaurant techniques to homely dishes. We add a few more steps to a few more ingredients to make the dish feel more London. We don’t have a rulebook, we’re not presenting classic restaurant dishes that have been produced for centuries. Our excellent suppliers will always enthuse about the best seasonal produce they’re getting in, and I try to use that as our starting point.” Despite the apparent lack of diversity in restaurant ownership in London, Bakare refuses to allow barriers to hinder her vision of what she hopes to achieve. “Matt and I offered on four sites before we got the one we’re in now. We HIGH PRAISE: Leading food critics have heaped praise on the innovative dishes, inset, served at Chishuru in Fitzrovia, central London, which include guinea fowl with yassa sauce, and grilled hispi cabbage with wild watermelon seed sauce
were turned down by one Fitzrovia landlord — he just wasn’t interested in having a West African restaurant in his property, and this was only six months after us winning Time Out’s restaurant of the year. She continues: “I wouldn’t say it was prejudice necessarily, just narrow-mindedness. Similarly, although we’re flying high now, Matt and I were very struck when we opened in Fitzrovia that other new restaurants serving more familiar food had every restaurant critic flocking to them, whereas we really had to hustle for our coverage. Critics definitely need to cast their nets more widely.” Bakare dismisses claims that African food lacks crossover appeal. She believes such assertions overlook the rich diversity of African culinary traditions. The Michelin star chef says she hopes that the growing interest in African cuisine will help dispel the often repeated claim that the continent’s cuisine lacks crossover appeal. She sees Chishuru as helping to lead a change in perception. “In fairness, west African food has more of a struggle because to date the region hasn’t been big for UK holidaymakers,” she says. “Think of all the gap year kids coming back from Thailand desperate to experience authentic Thai cuisine in London. One of my dear friends (and regulars) went to a hotel resort in Ghana for Christmas and raved about it. We need more of that.”
9 | THE VOICE JUNE 2022
FEBRUARY 2024
THE VOICE | 9
22 | THE VOICE MARCH 2024
News Feature
Celebrating Women
Pioneers who devoted lives to Black community
VITAL CONTRIBUTION: Yvonne Witter worked most recently with Operation Black Vote as Interim Chief Executive
The Voice celebrates the roles played by Yvonne Witter and Audrey Adams in creating opportunities for Black Britons
I
NTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S Day provides us with an opportunity to highlight the contributions Black women have made in the struggle for racial equality in the UK. Too often their contribution has been overlooked when it should be honoured. While history has often spotlighted the efforts of men, pioneering Black women have made a significant impact in helping to create a fairer and equal country. Among them are women such as Claudia Jones, Olive Morris, Diane Abbott, Baroness Ros Howells, Baroness Doreen Lawrence, Althea Jones-Lacointe, and Dame Jocelyn Barrow. Two pioneering women whose campaigning work contributed greatly to the empowerment of the Black community sadly passed away recently — Yvonne Witter and Audrey Adams. In mourning their loss, we also celebrate the role both women played in supporting and creating opportunities for Black Britons.
Yvonne Witter
Yvonne Witter, a visionary and global enterprise consultant, dedicated her life to empowering the Black community through entrepreneurship and advocacy. Through her company, Ampod Ltd, she not only provided essential business start-up and growth services but also instilled confidence and inspiration in aspiring entrepreneurs. Her belief in the limitless potential of individuals and her unwavering commitment to justice resonated in every endeavour she pursued. Whether collaborating with local governments, lecturing at Ashesi University in Ghana or supporting young people to pick up the baton and follow through on their dreams and aspirations, Yvonne left an indelible mark on all who crossed her path. Speaking to The Voice in 2017, she said that her greatest passion was encouraging aspiring business owners from the Black community to realise that the only real limit is themselves as they strive to achieve their creative potential. She was also fond of telling people that failure only existed as
an opportunity to grow and learn. “My career role models are my parents, who returned to Jamaica in 1969 with me and set-up thriving businesses” she told The Voice. “I developed independence and a mind-numbing work ethic, which was frankly wasted on employment in the UK.” Witter was lauded with a number of accolades for her selfless efforts to help others in her community including an award for Southwark Businesswoman of the Year in 2008. Among Yvonne’s many roles with charities and notfor-profit groups across the UK, she worked most recently with Operation Black Vote (OBV) as its Interim Chief Executive, making an important contribution to their work and the wider anti-racist cause in the UK. Following her untimely passing in December last year, human rights lawyer Jacqui McKenzie, who worked closely with Yvonne, described her as a “phenomenal fighter for racial justice”. “I was saddened and shocked by Yvonne’s passing” McKenzie told The Voice. “In the past few years when I got to know her, it was clear that she was a phenomenal fighter for racial justice and human rights. “As the interim CEO of Operation Black Vote, she talked of the critical need to reduce voter apathy in the Black community and was excited about developing a programme to increase representation of Black people in civic and public roles. That this work was cut short is of great loss to society. Our last meeting was June 2023 at a Voices of Windrush Festival. Yvonne led an In conversation event with educational expert, Professor Gus John.” McKenzie continued: “When I invited Yvonne to lead the conversation, she told me she’d been ill and not long released from hospital. Nevertheless, such was her eagerness to support, she made the long journey from Huddersfield to London and enriched the event by doing so. Yvonne shone a bright light on an ever-increasing dim world and her intellect, wise counsel, support, and moments of hilarity, will be missed by me and I’m sure, all those who knew her.”
Audrey Adams
Audrey, inset, was the mother of Rolan Adams, a Black British teenager who was murdered as the result of a racist hate crime in Thamesmead in February 1991. He had been walking towards a bus stop after spending the evening playing table tennis at a local youth club when he was attacked and fatally stabbed by a gang of White youths. Two years later, in April 1993, Black teenager Stephen Lawrence was murdered in nearby Eltham in similar circumstances. As a result of the poor treatment by police they experienced, Audrey and her husband Richard launched the Rolan Adams Family Campaign to ensure justice. This campaign grew over the years and extended support to other victims of racist violence and racism. Despite her own personal tragedy, Audrey went on to become a respected race equality campaigner, eventually becoming a key figure in the campaign group the
1990 Trust and a board member at Operation Black Vote as well as holding several other roles. Audrey’s work and tireless commitment in campaigning for race equality inspired a generation of activists and many have spoken about the impact she had on their own efforts. Speaking to The Voice about her work and legacy OBV founder, Lord Simon Woolley, said: “On every big campaign or struggle that involved Opera-tion Black Vote or the 1990 Trust, Audrey was there, normally behind the scenes making sure things ran smoothly.” “The love and generosity of spirit she showed to so many people, including myself, will never be forgotten.” OBV Vice-Chair, Rita Patel, also remarked on the impact of Audrey
Adams’ impact on her own career. She said: “I had the privilege of knowing Audrey Adams for decades. In that time, I have always known her as a quiet but determined force. Her own personal experience with unjust racism drove her to continually campaign opfor greater democratic op portunities and true representation comfor black com munities. “I learnt a great deal from Audrey. conShe was con sidered and compassionate and said what she meant and meant what she said. She never wavered from her principles and values and was a rock not only for her family but for the organisation too.” David Weaver, Chair of OBV, said: “Despite facing significant health challenges, particularly in recent months, Audrey’s resilience
and spirit remained unyielded. Her departure leaves a profound void within our organisation and hearts. Her legacy is not merely defined by her remarkable contributions to Operation Black Vote but equally by her tireless advocacy for racial equality, social justice, and human rights. Her dignified presence, characterised by calm authority and unwavering determination, inspired all who had the privilege to collaborate with her. Audrey’s impact transcended the confines of our organisation, touching the lives of countless individuals and communities across the globe.” He went on: “The tragic loss of her son Rolan in 1991, a victim of a heinous racist murder, spurred Audrey and her resolute husband into activism. Together, they became pillars of strength, not just within their family but across the broader movement against racism. Their fight for justice for Rolan and their ongoing work with various anti-racist organisations underscored their commitment to challenging injustice at every turn.”
JANUARY 2023
THE VOICE | 31
44 | THE VOICE MARCH 2024
Lifestyle
Books
Survival through adversity
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N THESE turbulent times, many of us are seeking answers, perspective, and hope. My own search led me to write Between Starshine and Clay: Conversations from the African Diaspora. So do come on this journey with me and spend time with 12 remarkable people I’ve come to know who have traversed adversity to forge inspiring paths worthy of celebration. Historian David Olusoga describes the book as “extraordinary conversations with many of the greatest minds and most ins irin fi res o o r a e The title Between Starshine and Clay is a line borrowed from Lucille Clifton’s poem Won’t You Celebrate with Me. Clifton’s poem speaks of survival through adversity and combines a blunt acknowledgement of how hard it is to survive, to forge one’s own path and yet to pull through and have cause to celebrate. The stories told here remind me, and I hope you too, that even when the road is rough, the human spirit can prevail. I’ve had the great privilege of
I hope my book about these 12 people will prove an inspiration. By Sarah Ladipo Manyika getting to know the 12 people in this book, and this allowed me to o e on their ic rofi es Some, like Michelle Obama and Nobel Laureates Toni Morrison and Wole Soyinka, require little introduction, but there is a lot we discover together. There is beloved Margaret s , o n est e er an first Black British woman publisher, dedicated public servant Lord Michael Hastings, and Evan Mawarire, a pastor turned electrifying activist who challenged a decades-long dictator and brought a nation to a standstill. The incomparable Prof Skip Gates, Anna Deavere Smith, Xoliswa Sithole, and Claudia Rankine. The one and only 104-year-young Willard Harris, a story and a life like no other. Two personal essays, containin reflections ro own life, bookend the collection. he first traces e erience
MUST READ: Sarah Ladipo Manyika’s book Between Starshine and Clay: Conversations from the African Diaspora is one that makes her feel so proud
of being seen as ‘oyinbo’ in Nigeria, African in England, Arab in France, coloured in Southern Africa and Black in America. The concluding essay is about an extraordinary trip I took to the South Pole, where amongst other things, I came to feel the least Black and most human among fellow travellers. Readers often comment on the intimacy of these stories – how they foster connection across borders and generations, and how they provide windows into a deeper and richer understanding of the world and the African diaspora; past, present, and future. If you get a chance to read this book, I know you will laugh, cry, stand up and cheer—not just for the 12 remarkable ones featured, but for the many more whose stories we can learn from, gain perspective and wisdom. will.i.am summed it up: st rea
e s message is all abo t helping s heal thro gh the power of wor s “HEALING THE world one stage at a time through the ower o oetr , that s how Peju Abuchi sees her role in the world of all things literacy. The author’s new book, A Poetic Odyssey of Proclamations: 31 Ways to Sow, Grow and Flow Goodness into Your Life, explores the art of expression, social impact, personal transformation and global harmony. Speaking with Lifestyle, she explained that it’s been a book she’s had inside her for most of her adult life. “It’s been a lifelong journey of writing. Twenty years it’s taken me to harness the craft of bringing this book together to fin oice t in ter s of the actual process of writing, it too a o t two ears She added: “For me poetry is healing. I feel like words really cut deep or heal deeply. There’s a phrase that I love, ‘Deep calls to deep’. And I feel like words are that thing for me, that is my contribution to the world. “Different people contribute in different ways. For me, it’s
TIME FOR A CHANGE: Peju Abuchi’s poems are inspiring
that made her put pen to paper. “I was seeing young people who I was educating, not being able to reach their potential because of the words they were using about themselves, words that you wouldn’t want any child to use to describe themselves. “And so the pain of watching young people not reach their potential, the pain of watching friends of mine not reach their potential because of the words that we use to describe themselves, or to describe their future. “The pain of seeing relationships break up because of the negativity that has been sown. And you’re not necessarily able to take back those words and undo the damage that you’ve done. “I thought we may not be able to change our situations, but surely we can change the language with which we used to describe that situation to cra t a i erent rea it
the power of the spoken word and the use of that power to bring life into people’s lives, to bring life into communities, to bring life into myself, to bring life into my family. “You could heal in different ways. You could heal as a doctor, you could heal as a h siothera ist fin se healing through the power of words, through the choice of words, through the audience that I bring life to through wor s Speaking on what inspired her to deliver the book, Abuchi said it was observing the nega- See full interview with Peju tive impact on lives around her Abuchi on our website
MARCH 2024 THE VOICE
This is Brukout!
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45
by Seani B
MOMENTS TO SAVOUR: You need to visit Trinidad’s Carnival and experience everything it has to offer to truly appreciate it
Mecca of carnivals!
They say to experience the Trinidad festivities is as good as it gets – and I see why
I
HAVE BEEN told hundreds of times how much of an experience Trinidad Carnival is, but to say you have to be there is a complete understatement. I landed in Picaro airport at 7pm on a Sunday and had planned to meet international soca artist Kes at 2am the next morning to join him on the Tribe Band to play J’ouvert. That is the start of the two days of masquerading in Carnival. This is where the freedom of this magical experience began. Even though I didn’t make the link with Kes, I was with seasoned carnival attendees who made sure I was in the thick of it all. I was immediately covered in mud and paint on arrival and given the brightest jacket, with atchin flashin asses, t politely passed on the bright pink afro! Small steps, know what I mean. Nevertheless, I was ready for the streets. With only a few hours on the streets under my belt and with my Notting Hill Carnival in the back of my mind, I knew that this would be totally different and so it should be. This is the Mecca of all carnivals, so there should be no comparison. Throughout the night, it was very obvious that the coveted title of Road March Song for 2024 was between two people. The current heavyweight champ Bunji Garlin and his Carnival Contract, which was only a few weeks old, but with massive support, was a strong contender. The next song in question was by a young man that represents the next generation of soca stars. Mical Teja’s DNA has een a fir favourite in playlists and DJ sets
for a few months, and hearing it in the eye of the storm gave me goosebumps, with the anthemic chorus of Home, Hooommmeee, Hoommmmee. With the sun rising and my s ccess first ni ht one, was informed to go back to my hotel, shower off the mud, paint and everything else and be back on the road for 1pm. I was told this at 9am. You do the maths. Back at the hotel after a 30-minute drive, quick shower, quick one-hour nap and it was out on the road again. The major difference with Monday was not being under
“A quick shower, quick one-hour nap and it was out on the road again” the safety of the night skies. This is when it ets i fic t with the relentless sun on you all day! As much as I wanted to be a rum head and really embrace the carnival spirit, I thought it best to drink as much water as possible with a few cheeky shots in between. What was massively different was that around 2pm when I met up with Bliss Band, everything had STOPPED. Complete shutdown! It was lunchtime for everyone... truck drivers, DJs, bar staff and revellers. The hospitality that
MEMORIES ARE MADE OF THIS: Yours truly captures the real spirit of the Trinidad Carnival was laid on for those that bought packages seemed second to none to me. It wasn’t just what was laid on for two days during the break, but the food, drinks, costumes and accessories seemed like a lot of consideration had gone into it. It was at this point I saw the Queen of Bacchanal, Destra, who told me: “Today is where everyone jumps for free, tomorrow you will see the costumes. Tomorrow you
will see the greatest show on earth.”. I went back to base around midnight like an excited child, wondering what tomorrow would bring. What I knew for certain was what it would bring was another early start at the crack of dawn. Up by 6am, I was in the streets of Port Of Spain by 8am, with that cheeky shot of rum to kick-start the festivities.
Carnival Tuesday looked so different, though. Feathers, sequins, vibrant colours worked into the most amazing costumes, being worn by women and men embracing the culture of carnival without a care in the world. I knew today was going to be special as I walked across the carni a sta e or the first ti e in the national stadium. I had seen this many times before, but to be part of it is quite
different. This and other judging points is where the Road March Song is decided. The gauntlet had been thrown down, and it seemed my early prediction of Mical winning was hugely wrong, as I only heard Carnival Contract from several trucks already. The early part of the day seemed at an easy pace, but as the night began to fall you could feel the intensity in the streets building. Not a negative energy, but one that tells you it’s about to go off. And boy, it did go off! The time was roughly 8pm, and I had bumped into Kes, but this was just as we were about to enter Savannah, a place Kes had sung about in previous years for his hit song Savannah Grass. This moment felt like climbing a mountain and reaching its peak. I have never experienced such a feeling while standing on the savannah grass stage with thousands of people reaching that climax at the same time. It truly is an out-of-body experience, hearing that carnival anthe at the fina e o what is more than a week of partying for some people. The sound systems loaded onto the trucks are at their loudest with the hosts whipping the crowd into a frenzy with that one song that represents yours and many other’s time spent at Trinidad Carnival. The song that took that title was Mical Teja with DNA. My last mission was to hook up with the man himself, which I did and that interview you can watch on the BrukOut YouTube channel BTW. I’m already booked for Trinidad 2025.