JULY 2021 • ISSUE NO. 1920
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25 years of campaigning for the Black vote Page 10
GROWING CONCERNS OVER CHILD ABDUCTIONS Recent attempted abductions are alarming and community groups are taking steps to keep our children safe. See page 3
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Inside
ROUNDUP
THIS MONTH
News, views, stories & videos
It's great to be online – but cyber criminals might be getting hold of your data p6
1. Check out the brand-new channel for kids' black history
'Money Maker' Eric Collins is making black businesses' dreams a reality p12-13
Kids' Black History is providing videos weekly to teach children positive black history
2. Jamaica earns spirited 1-1 draw against European heavyweights Serbia
Andre Gray's first international goal earned Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz a creditable draw against European heavyweights Serbia in Japan
3. First Welsh school signs natural hair act into declaration
Ysgol Hamadryad in Cardiff has become the first school in Wales to sign the Halo code into their declaration
4. Pardna App bringing traditional saving methods into the 21st Century The Pardna App will allow users to save, lend and borrow between close friends and family
5. Ex-England boss admits he would have picked Jamaica target Michail Antonio for three lions at Euro 2020
Fiserv is helping UK firms get Back2Business – and yours could scoop a £10,000 grant p15-16
Antonio was singled out by former England head coach Glenn Hoddle
6. Community groups and activists tackle attempted child abductions
Terence Channer on the black experience – from cradle to grave p17 Rev John Root says we need to look beyond players 'taking the knee' p32
Leading community groups and activists have pledged to tackle the growing number of attempted child abductions in London
7. Dea-John Reid Murder: 35-year-old charged
Michael Shields was charged with the attempted murder of 14-year-old Dea-John Reid
8. Black British Voices: Am I black enough for Britain?
Shavonne Harris shares her thoughts on why society feels there is only one way to be black
9. BLM One year on: Have corporations stuck to their promises? Race equality experts give their thoughts
Tina stage star on how lockdown has changed her outlook p37
10. Long road to recovery for St. Vincent and the Grenadines two months on from the volcano eruption The road to recovery will be long, according to experts
This issue is 48 pages
CORPORATE AFFAIRS & COMMUNICATIONS Paula Dyke E. paula@thevoicemedia group.co.uk
Andrez Harriott
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Williams tribunal ruling is a wake-up call for the Met Police p8
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Spotlight
MY NAME is Andrez Harriott and I began as a child performer attending Sylvia Young Theatre school in the early 1990s. This led to me securing roles in musicals, theatre and television and, at the age of 12, I met four other boys and we began a group which became known as the British R'n'B group Damage. We sold many records, touring the world and contributing significantly to the black British musical story. After touring the world, I began working with children from the borough I was raised in who were either at risk of becoming involved in criminality or currently held within the criminal justice system. I spent nearly a decade working in a London Youth Offending Service, specialised in working with high risk, high harm and high vulnerability children and developed an understanding surrounding theoretical and practice approaches required to prevent or reduce the frequency and seriousness of further offending. I completed my undergraduate degree in Criminology and Sociology receiving a First Class with Honours and then completed my Master’s degree at The Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust in Consulting and Leading in Organisations using Psychodynamic and Systemic Approaches. I am the CEO and founder of The Liminality Group, and we work across schools and youth prisons providing psychologically informed interventions, access to employment for children and young adults and CPD training for practitioners working with children who offend. The band Damage continues to tour after 20-plus years, blessed to have people attending our concerts. My journey that has been a little unorthodox, but I am exactly where I should be. I have been married for 17 years to my wife Wendi, we have a 10-year-old daughter, and I am making a difference in the lives of many children and young adults through my organisation.
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JULY 2021
THE VOICE | 3
News feature
GROUPS HELPING TO KEEP CHILDREN SAFE HEROES OF THE COMMUNITY: Serena NaltyCoombs founded Lambeth School Patrol in 2018 in response to violence in the Brixton area; inset below left, nationwide community group Forever Family has been doing community patrols in London since 2020
A rise in the number of attempted child kidnappings across the capital has seen communities join forces to help protect young people. By Sinai Fleary
L
EADING COMMUNITY groups and activists have pledged to tackle the growing number of attempted child abductions in London. This comes after several attempted child kidnappings were reported in parts of north and south London over the last few weeks. Many of the groups told The Voice they are concerned for the safety of children and young people across the capital.
Lambeth School Patrol Serena Nalty-Coombs is the Strategic Manager at Code 7 Ltd and founded Lambeth School Patrol (LSP) in 2018, in response to after-school violence in the Brixton area. Speaking to The Voice, she said: “The recent attempted child abductions are a huge concern for us and we just want our children to be safe.” Ms Nalty-Coombs, who is from Lambeth, said there is a growing need for the patrols. The group started patrolling once a week, but soon increased them to three days a week. She had hoped to be operating five days a week by September 2020, but the pandemic put a
The recent attempted abductions are a huge concern halt to her expansion plans. Ms Nalty-Coombs is determined to roll out the initiative five days a week when they return in September. To cope with the growing demand for the service, LSP also had to take on more volunteers, which initially starting out with only seven core members. It went on to train an additional 17 people. She said: “Our training is very rigorous and robust. Our volunteers have to be DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checked, risk assessed and trained in first aid. “We want to ensure we are delivering the best service we can; we adhere to strict guidelines and have prepared our risk assessment in line with the Metropolitan Police.” The mother of three said LSP was operating on Brixton High Street before lockdown, as it is
the main travel route for up to 20,000 children daily who live in Lambeth. The scheme has a busy few months ahead, with training sessions scheduled to take place during the summer. Speaking about the response LSP has had from the community and the young people they serve, Ms Nalty-Coombs said: “The project had been well received by young people, parents and businesses.” She also recalled how the LSP was able to assist and support a parent in Brixton whose autistic child had gone missing in the area. Ms Nalty-Coombs said the recent rise in attempted abductions is a huge concern for her and other parents. She said: “Most of us at Lambeth School Patrol are parents and I think if you work with young people in any borough, you become a surrogate parent to these young people.
COMMUNITY “Things like this are ongoing and we need to find something that consistently works for our community and the school patrol will do that if people get behind it. “I would like to get to the point where we can pay our volunteers for their time, because they do an amazing job. “Parents need to work and they want to know their children are safe on their journey to and from school.” LSP have launched a GoFundMe campaign and are currently raising £30,000 to recruit and train
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new volunteers for their patrol starting this September. She added she is willing to take their accredited training to other people who want to set up
dren and families to learn more about Black History throughout the year. A Forever Family spokesperson told The Voice that one
Showing a visible presence near schools, colleges and areas high in crime has proved to be a deterrent to unwanted behaviour school patrols in neighbouring boroughs in the capital. She urged people interested to sign up for the training sessions during the summer. Forever Family Nationwide community group, Forever Family, has also been doing community patrols around London since 2020. The group has distributed clothes to members of the public who are homeless and has handed out Black History sample booklets to encourage chil-
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of its core objectives is to support children, young people and families in the community and it stressed this is something it has encompassed from the very start of its formation. According to its latest newsletter, Forever Family’s mission was to deter young people from anti-social behaviour, listen to the voices of all generations and facilitate the safety of our neighbourhoods and young people. Forever Family was launched
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after discussions between So Solid Crew Founder and Entrepreneur Megaman and activist Raspect Fyabinghi. In a statement to The Voice, a Forever Family spokesperson said: “Worryingly, of late there has been an increase in reports of missing children, abductions and attempted abductions and as activists, some of whom are parents ourselves, we feel compelled to volunteer our time to step out and support the safeguarding and welfare of our young people.
CONSULT “With the relaunch of our patrols underway, we have increased our effectiveness by working with existing organisations and continuing to consult with parents, carers and young people. “Showing a visible presence near schools, colleges and areas high in crime has proved to be a deterrent to unwanted behaviour.” Continued on page 22
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34 | THE VOICE JULY 2021
News feature
From Coventry to St Vincent After the eruption of the La Soufriere Volcano in April, JN Money’s Osbourne Frank decided to give back to the island – with some help
O
SBOURNE FRANK, a UK entrepreneur demonstrated his passion and commitment for his ‘Vincy’ countrymen when he started an initiative to assist the country’s recovery efforts following the eruption of the La Soufriere Volcano, on April 9. The owner of both Caribbean Trade Limited, a food and beverage importation company, and the Kaffee & Kream hair-
dressing salon in Coventry, said he was led to assist because “it was the right thing to do”. “Once I heard the volcano was going to erupt I became concerned,” said Mr Frank. “I have family who lived in Georgetown, which is in the red zone and they needed to evacuate. When the call came to evacuate, I, and two of my cousins in the UK, opened our homes in St Vincent in the green zone to shelter family and friends. We have been able to support 55 people in the three homes. There are 26 people, including children, in my home.” He worked with his daughter, Fiona Quaynor, the SUPPLIES: Some of the goods that will be St. Vincent and making their way to St Vincent
We have been able to support 55 people in the three homes Grenadines Coventry Association Chair, and its members in the United Kingdom to garner more support. “We went on local radio stations to appeal for support in the relief efforts. We received donations from persons in Coventry, Leamington, Leicester, Rugby and Birmingham. “We also received clothes, food, toiletries, and other items that will assist persons on the island,” he stated. Mr Frank, who is an agent for JN Money UK, has also received
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support from the remittance company, which donated food and other supplies, as well as a power hose. “On behalf of the people of St Vincent & The Grenadines, we would like to express our heartfelt appreciation for all the generous donations to the SVG Volcano Donation Appeal,” Mr Frank said.
INCREASE “Ever since JN Money Ambassador and comedian, White Yardie visited, there has been an increase in donations from the public; and [it] was a testament that the Coventry community, retailers, and the wider public have been touched and deeply affected by the natural disaster, which has unfolded,” he added. All of the donations have been well-received by the Vin-
GIVING BACK: Osbourne Frank, right, with Kimona Wilson, marketing officer at JN Money UK, and Patrick Forrest, digital officer, JN Money UK and Harry Gregory, known as White Yardie centians, said Zuleika Lewis of Empressive Farms, a St Vincent-based operation, which has been handling the distribution of the items from Mr Frank. “Many persons were displaced from their homes on the island. We appreciate him for his unwavering support and keeping our businesses going through this crisis,” explained Ms Lewis.
Horace Hines, general manager of JN Money Services, the parent company of JN Money UK said: “As a money service operator, JN Money has remained committed to one of its missions of becoming a truly Caribbean entity by being the bridge that keeps families connected between the Diaspora and their homeland in several countries across the region,” Mr Hines added.
Lifestyle Isabel Adomakoh Young leads in Romeo and Juliet p36
Photos: Manuel Harlan, Jane Hobson
Inspiring Vanessa lands top award p38
AISHA JAWANDO ...plays Tina Turner
This is BrukOut: Father Philis on the rise p42
46 | THE VOICE JULY 2021
Sport TOP SPORTS COVERAGE 24/7 VOICE-ONLINE.CO.UK/SPORT
OF SPORT NEWSPAPER
DRIVING THE FAIRWAY
Ray Nyabola and Julia Regis are shifting perceptions in the hunt for black British golfing talent
By Rodney Hinds
I
T WOULD be fair to say that the development of the British Black Golfers (BBG) organisation is in full swing. The brainchild of Ray Nyabola, the organisation’s ambitions among others is to make a pastime steeped in so much tradition and negative perception, accessible to the black community. At the heart of Ray’s’ ambitions is making golf a pathway for black youngsters. An excited Ray told the Voice of Sport: “For me BBG has been in my head for the best part of a decade if not more. “I started thinking about golf and the black community while I was living in Birmingham a vibrant and mixed community. I didn’t have the nous to push it forward, so I reached out to other organisations about possibly playing in some of their regular tournaments. Nothing came of that and then life got in the way.” Father-of-three Ray was bitten again by the famed golf bug once life settled down and, as they say, the rest is history. “I then got the golf clubs out again, started playing more,” he admits. It has been a testing year for so for many with the pandemic, the killing of George Floyd and subsequent global and domestic demonstrations surrounding the American’s death. Ray was determined to use the period as positively as he could.
HOLE IN ONE: Ray Nyabola says his focus has gone from strength to strength; inset below left, Julia Regis hopes that more black women will give golf a go (photo: @NickHayes Photo)
“We’ve started formulating conversations with golfers from different communities” “Where society was, and still is, made it easier to implement BBG by setting up a platform to engage people,” he said. “I want to see more black golfers and what’s the best way for me to do that I asked myself. In February this year, I committed myself and said, ‘I’m just going to do this’, I was just going to put it out there and see what happens.
STRENGTH “From there we’ve just gone from strength to strength, unearthing new golfers more or less every day. We’ve started formulating different conversations with golfers from different communities. “The overwhelming response has been so positive. Every day I wake up, I get messages saying we needed this initiative, and we admire the work that you are doing. The wider golfing community acknowledges that we need to be part of the sport.” With the vision clear in his mind, Ray set out to seek support from other keen black golf-
ers who could help him bring the vision to life. He found that support in Julia Regis, the wife of the late football legend Cyrille Regis. Julia was encouraged to take up golf by Cyrille some time ago and is now an avid golfer who is well aware of the benefits of the sport. “I came across Black British Golfers via social media. I loved seeing so many black golfers being profiled and once Ray reached out to me I was keen to see how I could support the project,” said Julia. “I had my first lesson nearly 10 years ago. I fell in love with golf for a number of different reasons, I love being outdoors in nature for one and the fact that you can play into your 80s or 90s and still have success on the course. “Yes, there’s a competitive aspect but you are also playing against yourself and the course. “The social aspect of meeting new friends and enjoying golf whilst on my travels abroad is an added bonus, too!” She continued: “I describe the golf course as my happy place. Golf has also helped me to manage anxiety and my mental health. When I can’t play it affects me because I know what it gives me. It’s good for the soul. “At the end of 2019, I decided that I wanted to organise an event for black women in Birmingham amongst my social network to experience golf. I arranged the event for May last
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year but COVID put a stop to it. I am delighted to be a part of the working group that supports Ray in connecting and profiling Black British Golfers and will help in any way I can. I am so excited to see the young golfers coming through, and we want to support them to firstly enjoy the game but also maximise their ability and talents in the sport.” Speaking to the pair via Zoom, you get a strong sense
black players who will eventually play on the amateur and professional circuits. Ray continued: “If we are able to pursue this vision of showcasing black talent, I am confident that we can find a gem or two that can play on the Tours and build a really successful career out of it.” The modern game of golf originated in 15th-Century Scotland and has a long and glo-
“To my knowledge, I’m still the only black woman at my club, and I’ve been there nine years” that providing access to the sport for young people fills them with unbridled anticipation. “My excitement at unearthing young black golfers is a key part of the journey,” Ray confessed. “The sport is for everybody. Once you get your clubs and get on the course, everything else ceases to matter and at that point you have a chance to show your talent and skill. I feel that for young golfers, especially, this is their time. “We’ve not been able to connect the dots in the past. But it’s now a lot easier for me to discover golfers wherever they may be and bring it all together via BBG. The sport has a real community aspect and the ability to bring people together.” The vision is to help develop, via golf teaching professionals,
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EXPLOSIVE
rious history. So just how will BBG attempt to deal with the stigma surrounding the game? Julia understands the need to do so: “Eliminating some of the perceptions of the game is vital. It is the reason I wanted to bring this group of black women to my golf club in Edgbaston so they could see for themselves how much fun golf is. “To my knowledge, I’m still the only black woman at my club, and I’ve been there for about nine years now. There’s still much work to be done to challenge some of the perception and make golf more accessible especially for working women. At the same time, the benefits of playing golf far outweigh the issues that still exist.” And what about the hundreds of women that have most likely
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been victims of that perception for centuries now? “I’d say to them that golf is worth trying! If you try it and hate it, then you chalk it up as an experience, but you may well love it.” If you’re talking about black golfers, American icon Tiger Woods has to be in the conversation. And Ray is of the opinion that we can find a black British golfer who can perform on the world stage.
“There’s every chance of finding a golfer that will eventually play on the European or PGA Tour. Not all kids from the community have a wicked right foot or a right hook; a strong jump shot; or an explosive start off the blocks. Golf is a chance for kids to still be able to partake in something that is fun and competitive,” Ray said. “Although I’m the founder, the success behind BBG is attributable to a team effort. “We wouldn’t be there without the likes of Julia as well as Zane Scotland and Henni Koyack, all of whom have been instrumental to the growth of the platform.” BBG is creating an impressive platform which will bring together a large swathe of black British golfers from across the UK together for the first time. And after speaking to Ray and Julia, I am excited about some of the plans they have in the pipeline to promote golf from within the community.
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JULY 2021
Sport
A 2020 vision
Kick back with a book during the summer of sport The Fastest Men on Earth by Neil Duncanson The Fastest Men on Earth, first published in 1988, is reissued in a new, exciting format, fully revised and updated to include the incredible men’s 100m final at the Beijing 2008 Games. Each chapter discusses not only the race itself, but also the preliminary rounds, dramas and controversies and includes interviews with all the key players, not just the champion. Seeing Serena by Gerald Marzorati A riveting chronicle of trailblazing tennis champion and cultural icon Serena Williams’ turbulent 2019 tour season and a revealing portrait of who she is, both on and off the court. Seeing Serena is an in-depth chronicle of Williams’ return to tennis after giving birth to her daughter, and an insightful cultural analysis of the most consequential female athlete of her time. Why We Kneel How We Rise by Michael Holding Through the prism of sport and conversations with its legends, including Usain Bolt, Thierry Henry and Michael Johnson, former West Indies cricket star Michael Holding explains how racism dehumanises people; how it works to achieve that end; how it has been ignored by history; and what it is like to be treated differently just because of the colour of your skin. Red Card to Racism: The Fight for Equality in Football by Harry Harris Leading sportswriter Harry Harris shines a timely spotlight on the beautiful game, revealing the forces within football that have both helped expose and challenge racism – and, at times, sadly, hinder more rapid positive change.
THE VOICE | 47
WARRIOR MICHAEL LEADS BY EXAMPLE
Playing in the World Cup ‘is the pinnacle of my career’, says rugby league star DRIVING FORCE:: Michael Lawrence in action for hometown club Huddersfield Giants
By James Aldred
A
SK ANY rugby league fan and they’ll tell you – Michael Lawrence is a modern legend of the sport. With over 300 appearances for his hometown club, the Huddersfield Giants, Lawrence has established himself as one of Super League’s most consistent and capable loose forwards. This autumn, he is going to make history again, representing Jamaica at this year’s Rugby League World Cup. Despite all he has achieved, Lawrence says this is the pinnacle of his career. “All I’ve ever wanted is to represent Jamaica, my family and my family’s heritage,” he told the Voice of Sport.
ACCOLADES
“When Jamaica qualified for the World Cup in 2018, my eyes were firmly set on that. I’ve had a lot of individual accolades but when I told my parents I was going to play for Jamaica in a World Cup, the pride that came over them was something I’d never seen before and gave me one of the best feelings I’ve ever had. It’s absolutely massive.” Lawrence and his fellow Reggae Warriors met for a twoday training camp in Leeds in June. He says a confidence is brewing amongst the players as their opening clash with Ireland on Sunday, October 24 draws closer. “We’re really confident of going and competing in this tournament,” he says. “We believe that the quality of player we have recruited can make us very competitive. We’re not there to make up the n u m bers or to be a gimmick.
We’re going to give the best account of ourselves and compete.” In addition to his endeavours on the field, Lawrence is one of rugby league’s most powerful voices off it. In February 2021, he joined the RFL’s newly-formed Inclusion Board, which aims to make the sport more open and diverse. He says the World Cup is the perfect chance for rugby league to show just how united it can be. “My work with the Inclusion Board started in lockdown last year and after the terrible tragedy of George Floyd’s death,” he continues. “We decided at Super League that we wanted to say something at the restart of the competition last summer. Me and some of my teammates did a big interview for Sky Sports and whilst there was a lot of pos-
itive feedback, there was also a whole heap of backlash too. “We knew off the back of that that we couldn’t stop there and more needed to be done. Alex Simmons and a few others put together the Tackle It action plan
The RFL has faced criticism in recent weeks for how it has dealt with racism in the sport, particularly after the eight-game ban issued to Wigan Warriors’ Tony Clubb following his use of ‘unacceptable language based
“I think education is key. A lot of the times you find in these situations that there are misunderstandings” designed to make rugby league more inclusive and diverse. “When that was put together, a board was announced to oversee it and I put myself forward to be involved on the board and got one of the places. “Since I’ve been on it, we’ve had numerous meetings and there’s numerous things being put in place to make rugby league more inclusive. “I see the World Cup as a huge opportunity and platform to display how diverse rugby league can be with all these different backgrounds and cultures coming together.”
on national or ethnic origin’ in a match in late April. Lawrence is of the opinion that there are many things the sport can do to bring about change. “I think education is key,” he stresses. “A lot of the times you find in these situations that there are misunderstandings. “If you talk to somebody and educate them, they will then have a better understanding and could change their views. “I also am a strong believer that this issue can only be tackled from the top down. Leaders of organisations and teams
must push the agenda from the top and after that, everyone else will follow. That’s the key to driving change.” With less than 130 days to go until the tournament kicks off, Lawrence is keen for people, rugby league fans or not, to secure their seats, particularly to see the Jamaica thirteen in action.
PARTY “Go to every possible game you can,” he smiles. “It’s a great spectacle. Try to get to one of our games, especially the Ireland one. My family are all Jamaican and my wife’s Irish so we’re definitely going to have a party during that one!”
For tickets and further information about this year’s Rugby League World Cup, visit www. rlwc2021.com. To learn more about the work Michael and his colleagues are doing on the RFL’s Inclusion Board, visit www.rugby-league.com/governance/inclusion-&-diversity/ tackle-it.