MARCH, 2022 • ISSUE NO. 1928
Celebrating Black Women SEE PAGES: 3, 4, 14, 15, 20, 21, 27, 28, 29 WWW.VOICE-ONLINE.CO.UK
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YEAR OF THE BLACK WOMAN THE VOICE SAYS
S
O MANY black women are taking leadership roles it needs more than International Women’s Day (on 8th March) to celebrate them. This year should be declared ‘Year of the Black Woman’.
And we, at The Voice, will be honouring successful black women - in the UK and across the world. That is why this special edition is dedicated to black women, as we will all year round.
Clockwise from top left: Michaela Coel (actor), Antonette Wemyss Gorman (head of army), Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu (author/activist), Diane Abbott (politician), Holly Morgan (footballer), Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock (space scientist).
Inside THIS MONTH
Shopping while black in stores p6
Racing driver Sara driving Jamaica to F1 p8
Celebrating our Sistas - top 20 women p20-21
Butt lift surgery gone wrong p34
Dawn Butler: we must reform the police p36
Remembering Jamal Edwards MBE By Sinai Fleary LEGEND, visionary and pioneer are all fitting words to describe Jamal Edwards MBE, who has died at the age of 31, following a sudden illness. Edwards was one of the most influential figures in the entertainment industry and was an integral part of the black British music scene. His journey into music and film-making began when he was gifted a video camera by his parents for a Christmas present when he was 15. He used it to document his friends rapping and the culture that surrounded them in Acton, west London, where they lived. Frustrated he couldn’t find any local rappers on YouTube, Edwards, who was still at school, decided to do it himself – filming them on a “£20 phone” and uploading the videos online. In 2006, he launched his own online music platform SBTV – which is named after Edwards’ rap name SmokeyBarz. The platform steadily grew and he travelled around London and the UK to selflessly provide budding rappers, singers, comedians and other creatives, a platform to showcase their talents. Under the brilliant leadership of Edwards, SBTV went from a YouTube channel to a multi-million pound business empire. At just 26 years old, the entrepreneur’s company, was worth a staggering £8 million. SBTV wasn’t just successful financially,
Mandela’s granddaughter: make UK black history digital p48 Where are the black women football players?
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Paulette Simpson E. paulette.simpson@thevoice mediagroup.co.uk
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Stormzy, Dave, Krept & Konan, Wiley, Skepta, Emeli Sandé, Ed Sheeran and many others were all featured on Edwards’ platform before they signed major record deals or were noticed by the mainstream. His platform now has over one million YouTube subscribers and boasts nearly one billion total views. Edwards was the heartbeat of modern black British music and culture, who pumped new talent into the industry at any chance he got, not because he had anything to gain but simply because he wanted to. He wanted to ensure our scene grew, flourished and stayed alive and because of him, it has done that and much more. He is survived by his mother Brenda Edwards, sister Tanisha and stepfather Patrick.
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IMPACT
• Jamal Edwards MBE, media and music mogul, born August 24 1990; died February 20 2022.
p53
EDITOR Lester Holloway E. lester.holloway@thevoice mediagroup.co.uk
it was a cultural phenomenon, too. Long before the buzzwords of diversity and inclusion, Edwards was already actively creating an entire platform for us and by us. So many of today’s biggest UK artists have credited him for providing them with their big break and helping to catapult their careers to the next level.
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| THE VOICE MARCH 2022
Celebrating our Sistas
THE ONLY WOMAN IN THE We speak to Antonette Wemyss Gorman, head of Jamaica’s armed forces, about the challenges she faces in her important role
I
T IS EXTREMELY rare for a woman to command their country’s armed forces. So when Rear Admiral Antonette Wemyss Gorman was appointed head of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) late last year it was a historic moment for female representation globally. Wemyss Gorman, 49, became just the second woman in history to lead a national army, and is the only serving woman to head a military force at this present time. She rarely speaks to the media, but gave an interview with The Voice ahead of International Women’s Day, in which she talked about her plans for the army to engage with tens of thousands of young Jamaicans to encourage them to turn their back on crime. What difference does a female head of army make? Welcoming the appointment, the Jamaican Senator, commented that “women bring some emotional intelligence and a different perspective to what they do”. Did Wemyss Gorman agree? “Yes, I would say that women
I would say women do bring a different perspective to any task do bring a different perspective to any management job or any particular task that they have. And, in fact, studies have really shown that in defence in particular, the inclusion of the perspective of both genders have had better results, operationally.”
LEADERSHIP
Wemyss Gorman has been called ‘Sister Chief’ by the Jamaican Women’s Leadership Initiative, and has long been seen as a rising star in the JDF, after becoming head of the JDF’s Coast Guard in 2014. She acknowledged that she is seen as a role model, adding: “It’s motivating me to continue to do my best to ensure that I am setting a good example
and that I continue to provide opportunities for others to be able to achieve what they want to achieve in the military, and demonstrate how it can be done.” Jamaica is possibly the only army in the world which has quotas for recruitment by gender. The JDF policy is that 25 per cent of new recruits and those undergoing training must be made up of the minority gender. Wemyss Gorman explained: “That’s enabled us to ensure that in areas of the force where it was predominantly male, and also in areas that were predominantly female, we have the diversity.” Wemyss Gorman has served with the JDF for almost three decades. And even before her historic appointment to the top job, she had clocked up a number of ‘firsts’, including the only woman to achieve a Flag Rank. What challenges has she en-
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countered in her 29 years in the JDF? “There are physical challenges, there are mental challenges, which I anticipate
ample to the world where many nation’s armies are riddled with a testosterone-fuelled ‘warrior culture’ among male soldiers.
There are physical and mental challenges which everyone will have had in a military career everyone, whether male or female, has had in a career such as the military. “Personally, I can’t say that there was any specific grand challenge that I can point to. “I would suppose that I’m a relatively small person, so perhaps people would think that I’m too small to be a military woman.” While she did not want to go into details, it is likely that Wemyss Gorman will want to crack down on misogyny in the force, and by doing so will make the JDF a shining ex-
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Wemyss Gorman succeeded Lieutenant General Rocky Meade last autumn, following spells as a Brigade Commander, Maritime Air and Cyber Command, and Commanding Officer of the Coast Guard. She enlisted in the JDF in 1992 and undertook initial training at the Britannia Royal Naval College in Devon, England, before becoming the first woman officer to serve on a Jamaica naval ship. She is a graduate of the US Naval War College, holds a Master of Science degree with
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distinction in National Security and Strategic Studies from the University of the West Indies, and helped establish the Caribbean Military Maritime Training Centre which provides maritime training to the Caribbean region. Having taken command of the entire defence force, she is now on a mission to help tackle the “culture of violence” in Jamaica.
EFFECTIVE
She said: “It is my intention to see the JDF engaging up to 20,000 young Jamaicans annually so we can change their ethos and give them a different way of looking at life and approaching life, give them some skills that enable them to be more effective or more productive citizens. “Whether or not they continue to engage with the defence force, they are now better off from their interaction with
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42 | THE VOICE MARCH 2022
News feature
RISE IN OPS OVERSEAS Many people are choosing to head to Europe and elsewhere for surgery, but an expert warns that care is needed when seeking procedures Continued from p34
improve the volume and shape of the buttocks —has increased by 38.4 per cent in 2019 and by 65.9 per cent since 2015. Susan Fleary is a former secondary school teacher from north-west Birmingham. She underwent weight loss surgery in Belgium two years ago. She told The Voice that in 2013, she noticed buttoning up trousers was becoming increasingly painful and her stomach was so large
They found that I had a very large fibroid, which was the size of a full-term pregnancy people thought she was pregnant, but she wasn’t. She raised her concerns with her doctors, but says she was quickly dismissed
and told “it’s obesity”. She says she tried all the popular weight loss clubs, met with dieticians and tried all the fad diets going, but her stomach remained large and hard.
FIBROID She was eventually referred for a scan and got the shock of her life. “They found I had a very large fibroid, which was the size of full-term pregnancy,” Ms Fleary recalled. “I was struggling to breathe,
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SUCCESS STORY: Susan Fleary said she was happy after having a gastric bypass in Belgium I had pain in my back and knees.” Ms Fleary’s weight had spiralled out of control and she was a UK dress size 30 at her heaviest. She said: “After a while, I stopped checking my dress size, I got to about a size 30 and after that I just stuck to elastic clothing.” Ms Fleary was told that she would have to lose weight in order to have the fibroid removed or to be considered for weight-loss surgery on the NHS.
always hungry and said “the hole for the food to pass through is like the size of a one pence coin, and you have to chew your food like baby food”. She knew this wasn’t going to work long-term, and so she decided to do her research to find options for an alternative surgery. In August 2020, after finding a surgeon on Facebook, she travelled to Belgium to have a mini-gastric bypass — which cost her £5,800. Since her operation, Ms
Medical tourism may not be a new phenomenon in itself, but in cosmetic surgery, it’s clearly increasing at a galloping pace. Countries vary in their requirements of medical professionals She then put herself on an intense, low-calorie diet and said she managed to lose five stone. In 2014, she had a gastric band fitted, but she now insists that “it was the wrong procedure”. “The band doesn’t work, the tightening of the band around the stomach is very painful,” she said. “I could feel it when I sat down and I was frightened to eat, because I would regurgitate my food,” she added. Ms Fleary insists she was
Fleary has gradually lost weight and has gone from a UK dress size 26 to a 14. She said: “I eat what I want and I eat in moderation and the right portion sizes. “I’ve lost weight slowly, but I am so happy.” Ms Fleary told The Voice that weight-loss surgery is not “a quick fix” and “you have to work extremely hard to keep the weight off”. She also encouraged those people who may be considering surgery to get a full health check done on themselves to ensure they do not have any
undiagnosed health conditions before going ahead. According to BAAPS, those returning to the UK after having surgery abroad are often in need of urgent followup care. They also warned of serious complications from BBLs ranged from severe bacterial infections including MRSA and pseudomonas, tissue dying (necrosis), scarring, wound ruptures (dehiscence) and abscesses.
BURDENING Consultant plastic surgeon and BAAPS president-elect Paul Harris said: “Medical tourism may not be a new phenomenon in itself, but in cosmetic surgery it’s clearly increasing at a galloping pace, and botched procedures are over-burdening our health service. “Countries around the world vary in their requirements of medical professionals. “Some require insurance, some don’t, some follow a strict screening process or cooling-off period, and many don’t. “Therefore, many patients find themselves having to rely on care back in the UK.” In February 2019, motherof-one Khelisyah Ashamu, 26, died after having a gastric bypass in Turkey and in August 2020, social worker and mother-of-three Abimbola Ajoke Bamgbose, died following liposuction and a BBL in Turkey.
Lifestyle Jonzi D and Sadler’s Wells are back with Breakin’ Convention p46
NEW FACE WITH GREEN FINGERS
Tukwini Mandela and Snap connect with ‘Hidden Black Stories’ p48
Tayshan Hayden-Smith Sean Paul brings Scorcha tour to the UK p50
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HOLLY’S BIG AMBITION KEEPING IT IN THE FAMILY: Holly Morgan with her dad Rohan and, below left, in action with Leicester City Women
Holly Morgan talks to Rodney Hinds about her future after Leicester City and family success
H
OLLY MORGAN has been involved in football since a very young age. She made just under 300 appearances for Leicester City Women as a player and captain. Towards the latter stages of her time at Leicester, she became a first team coach, capping off a 17-year period with the East Midlands club. Alongside playing, Holly also became a qualified solicitor. She completed her law degree at the University of Leicester, the Legal Practice course at De Montfort University and a training contract at SHB solicitors. She talks to Voice of Sport’s Rodney Hinds about the highs and lows at Leicester, which included winning the Championship, the future and a lack of diversity within the women’s game… RH: Why the lack of black women in the top tier of English football? HM: Firstly, I think representation matters. If a club set-up is not diverse or at least provides representation across the board, I struggle to see how different perspectives and cultural understandings of
“With plenty of years in the game, I have a lot to offer elite professionals” different individuals can take place. Players will go where they feel comfortable, seen and heard. But also, player selection comes into question when it is being looked through one lens. Also, you very rarely see players coming from African and Caribbean countries to play in the FA Women’s Super League (WSL). The FA Women’s player points-based system impacts this to a degree. Is the sport accessible to all when entry to play is hindered through these points? I definitely think so. Certain countries of a particular demographic are most definitely at a disadvantage and I think this provides a reason for why few players of Caribbean and African heritage play in the WSL. RH: Your time at Leicester City has ended now,
give me an insight into that conclusion? HM: I became involved with Leicester as an 11-year-old girl, passionate and full of love for the game. After a 17-year period, playing, captaining and coaching for a place I once called home, I will now move on to new and exciting ventures. Did it end the way I thought it would? No, not at all. The decision was hard to take, but nothing will hold me back from moving forward in a positive and honest direction. I am now an FA-registered intermediary, founder of Morgan Sport Management. With plenty of years in the game, I believe I have a lot to offer elite professional athletes and I am incredibly excited for this next chapter of my life. RH: How proud are you to be part of the pioneering Morgan football family? HM: Incredibly proud! As a family we have given everything to ensure that Leicester City played in the WSL. Through the challenges and struggles, the ups and downs, we were always committed to moving forward in a positive, meaningful and sustainable way, never wanting to stagnate or plateau on that journey. A family achieving this kind of success in the footballing world is not ordinary. A successful black family, achieving what we did, while having to navigate through many barriers and challenges
due to the colour of our skin, was not an easy task and one that I don’t think will occur any time soon in the near or distant future. For the trials and tribulations we have faced, the contributions we have made to LCFC Women and women’s football, I am an incredibly proud Morgan. RH: Can you see the day when the England women’s senior team has the diversity of Gareth Southgate’s squad? HM: I want to say yes, but the lack of development and progress in producing an England women’s senior team that is representative of all leads me to be quite hesitant. Football needs to be accessible for all. Academies to some girls presents a fantastic opportunity to learn and develop their craft in a competitive environment, for others, it
is simply a barrier. Inner city kids and girls who require support with travel and costs cannot afford to be in such environments. The economic and social barriers for Asian and black households is not new information. We know the struggles of work-
“The selection process needs to embrace differences in people” ing-class ethnic minority families is much worse. However, is there enough support to ensure these girls aren’t being forgotten or just left on the side? Absolutely not. The second strand to this argument is that there are not enough coaches in place who are diverse and represent different backgrounds and cultures.
Therefore, it almost feels like players are being seen through the same lens. If there were more coaches who looked like me, who understood me, and had a better understanding around my culture, I know I would have felt less alone and better understood while navigating through youth football and beyond. The selection process and the way in which talent is identified needs to embrace and acknowledge the differences in people, which will ultimately lead to a stronger and competitive selection of players. Overall, when you look at the FA Women’s Super League, the top tier of women’s football in England, it is predominantly white. Whether that’s in its managers and coaches, or players, it remains unchanged in its development, therefore I can’t see the day as clearly as what I would have hoped for an England women’s senior team to show diversity and representation across the board.