Interactive-Black-History-Month 2020 today mag

Toda BLACK AUTUMN 2020 £2.00 HISTORY MONTH RG2 RADIO READING AYO SOKALE FEATURING BLACK LOCAL INVENTORS COUNCILLOR READING CARIBBEAN CENTRAL EXPRESS CLUB YOUNG MOTORSPORT MURAL TECHNICIAN GRAMMY TRAINEE AWARD WINNER DON CHANDLER BEING U The Black Child CONDITIONS THAT AFFECT ACHIEVEMENT

TTWCMRHOAIUSEMKIHERIEENSG RAYS OF SUNSHINE CHILDREN’S CHARITY GRANTS WISHES FOR SERIOUSLY ILL CHILDREN IN THE UK AGED 3-18. Every day of the year we help brave and deserving children and young people escape the reality of their illness by experiencing the magic of having their wish come true. You can help by: Making a donation. Visit: www.raysofsunshine.org.uk or text: WISH2014 £5 to 70070 Taking part in a sporting event or challenge Organising your own event Holding a Sunshine Breakfast Adopting us as your charity Spreading the word by following us on Twitter @raysofsunshine and liking us on Facebook – Rays of Sunshine Children’s Charity. Referring a child for a wish For more information about Rays of Sunshine call 020 8782 1171 or visit our website: www.raysofsunshine.org.uk Rays of Sunshine Children’s Charity, No 1 Olympic Way, Wembley, Middlesex HA9 0NP Registered charity number: 1102529

Toda Contents magazine 6 Central Club 36 Soca Queen October 2020 The Mural Ms Desire - A rising star Issue: 15 7 Reading Caribbean Express 40 Grammy Award Winner Publisher: Online Newspaper Don Chandler Keith Seville 8 Its Reuben 42 Bespoke Binny Editor: Black and Mixed Race Dolls West African Designs Shirley Anstis 10 RG2 Radio 44 Cuisine Associate Editor: Internet Station Dolphins Caribbean Catering Vicky Prince 12 Book Review 46 Travel Features Editor: 100 Great Black Britons Discovering Cuba Mehrunissa Khan 13 Vox Pop 48-51 Health Graphic Design: Young People’s Views Prostate Cancer, FGM Rana Izadpanah 14 Ayo Sokale 52 Berkshire Black Business (BBB) Administrator: RBC Councillor Connect, Inspire and Grow Alex Gittens 16 The Black Child 54 Puzzle Admin Assistant: Conditions that Affect Achievement Sudoku and Crossword Amira Seville 18 Motorsport Technician 55 Horoscope Reporter: Trainee Check out your Star Sign Hafsah Sofya 20 Trim Palace Marketing: Putting the Barbershop on Stage Survat Mahmood 24 Grenfell Illustrations: Three Years On Mark Chandler 26 Dear Home Office 2 Front Cover: Still Pending Photograph: © Raj KC 28 Black Inventors Today Magazine You probably didn’t know about The MAPP Centre 22-24 Mount Pleasant 32 Being U Reading For Women of all Skin Tones Berkshire RG1 2TD Tel: +44 (0) 870 414 5252 Email: [email protected] www.todaymag.co.uk Published by Urban UK Network Views expressed in Today Maga- zine are those of their respective authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Today Magazine. The publishers cannot accept legal responsibility for any errors or omissions, nor can they accept responsibility for the standing of advertisers or editorial contribu- tions. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited. Today Magazine cannot be held responsible for any unsolicited material. ISSN 2054-8206 © Copyright 2020 Today Magazine. All Rights Reserved. Printed by: Premier Print Group Bow, London, 020 7987 0604 Today Magazine  3

MND Association volunteering The MND Association is supported by more than 3,000 volunteers across a range of different roles. Volunteers play an important part in helping us to ensure that people with MND and their families receive the support and services they need. The MND Association Registered charity no 294354 Could you give your time to support people with MND? We have volunteering opportunities to suit a range of different skill sets and time commitments. To find out more about the different ways you can give your time to make a difference, visit our website, contact us on 0345 6044 150 or email [email protected] For support and further information: lMND Connect 0808 802 6262 www.mndassociation.org CP/09/15

Nelson Mandela Welcome to 1994 Inaugural Speech Toda Our deepest fear is not that diversity news we are inadequate. Vicky Prince, Associate Editor Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. Black History Month Edition 2020 It is our light, not our darkness, As Associate Editor of Today magazine and with that most frightens us, a virus, lockdown, furlough, home schooling, face masks and no toilet rolls or Dettol in the We ask ourselves, who am I to be? shops, it has been refreshing regrouping and Brilliant, gorgeous, catching up with some local greats. Despite all of the things mentioned, life continues as we know talented and fabulous? it. Thoughts are with those who have lost loved Actually who are you not to be? ones, at such a time, especially with so many restrictions in place. You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t It’s Black History Month and let me tell you, our history is rich! We want to keep you updated and serve the world. our culture celebrated! Here’s an idea of what There is nothing enlightened we’ve packed into these pages; Local readers may be familiar with the Central Club, about shrinking so that other people in this edition, we focus on it’s bright and meaningful mural. We had the pleasure of won’t feel insecure around you. meeting Yvonne Moulton-Watt, Editor of Reading Caribbean Express. We hear the We are born to make manifest the important outlook of our young people in Vox Pop and I learnt a thing or two about glory of God that is within us. Motorsport from my link up with Hashavyah Osei-Bonsu. Its not just in some of us; RG2 Radio is a great local listen and you can read more about what the station has it’s in everyone. going on. We have so much talent locally, many resources and a great network. It’s essential that we push ourselves and each other. Our centre page spread explores And as we let our own light shine, Black Inventors you probably didn’t know about! We also cover cuisine, fashion, We unconsciously give other people health, travel and so much more. Moving the focus outside of our vicinity, we remember the tragedy of Grenfell Tower and look at where things are 3 years on. the permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, We cannot fail to mention the Black Lives Matter movement. Movement, not moment. I imagine some of our greatest activists and leaders protested in a similar our presence automatically way. Whether or not we’ll see or feel the much-needed change, I’ll do my bit to pass liberates others! the baton on to the next person in this relay. Black lives have, still and will always matter! Follow Us: We had lots of articles to squeeze into Today Magazine! Thank you to all the http://www.facebook.com/todaymag contributors of this edition. Vicky Prince http://www.twitter.com/Today_Magazine Today Magazine  5

Community Central Club Mural The project began in 1987 when • Consultation with neighbouring Conservative leader Cllr Jeanette Skeats Central Club approached Reading residents and businesses in the supported the measure comparing it Borough Council about the possibility London Street area to a similar project by her group some of designing a mural. A steering group years ago when it was in power during was set up consisting of representatives Out of this process the theme for the the coalition goverment. She said the of the Central Club, Reading Borough mural emerged, and it was agreed that building was in a poor condition then. Council and Berkshire County Council the mural should depict the positive Cllr Rob White (Green) said there was (who then ran Central Club as part of role that Black people have played “still anger” over the closure of the the Youth and Community Service). throughout history, including in Reading building - used by the Afro-Caribbean It was agreed that the project should itself. The mural therefore includes community - after a “drug” raid in which achieve a number of objectives: famous figures such as Harriet Tubman, he said no drugs were found and no-one • A high quality visual artwork Martin Luther King , Bob Marley and was charged. • Community involvement – between Marcus Garvey as well as Reading- He said of the building: “I hope it will based people involved in founding rise again.” Central Club members and the Central Club. The final panel of the wider community mural and the various symbols look to There had been some “mischief- • Reflect African Caribbean culture, the future and depicts a number of tools making”, he said, over the fate of the since Central Club had a high – positive and negative – that people mural which he hoped would end now. proportion of African Caribbean use to shape the future. The members. Central Club was a community centre At the start of Black History Month that was closed in 2006 due to financial 2020, Reading’s Black Diaspora have In 1988 a number of artists were cost-cutting. taken their latest step to protect the interviewed, and Alan Howard was Black History Mural from destruction. offered the commission. Alan was keen Reading Borough Council’s Policy Aspire has submitted a formal to encourage the involvement of Central Committee agreed to get the building in application to Historic England for the Club members both in a consultative London Street, back into community use. mural to be Nationally Listed. capacity but also more directly in the Any organisation could bid to take the design and execution of the mural. An building - which is in a poor state of Listing will offer concrete legal apprenticeship scheme was established, repair. protection of the mural from where a limited number of people destruction. It was clear that whatever were offered the opportunity to work Whatever they want to do with the site happened to the site, it was the alongside Alan and receive training in they must retain the mural, which is council’s intention to make retaining the planning, design and technical skills. likely to add about £100,000 to the cost mural a condition of the sale. of any rebuild or refurbishment project. The process of planning the mural Councillor Jo Lovelock (Labour) involved a number of steps: described the mural which overlooks the IDR as an “important part of • Wide ranging discussions with Reading’s cultural heritage”. Central Club members and the wider African Caribbean community • Consultation with funders – Reading Borough Council and Earley Charity 6  Today Magazine

Reading Community Caribbean Express We had a chance to interview paper again in 2018/19 and now personal achievements as I feel Yvonne Moulton-Watt – Editor of Reading Caribbean Express is we are lacking in that currently. a local Newspaper and here’s starting to get out there! Since travelling around, I’ve what she had to say about it; Although about us, RCE isn’t just come across some very talented, Reading Caribbean Express is for the Caribbean community. I artistic and knowledgeable a newspaper which allows the wanted to open up it’s audience people who could use their Caribbean community here in for many reasons e.g, interracial experience to contribute to Reading, to be expressive. I want relationships. Sharing our news the lives of the up and coming to encourage people to work and information could help a generation. I would like readers together using the platform of family and the wider community to gain knowledge and support the newspaper. It started in 2013, learn more about Caribbean from each other. I began going around Reading life. Some people my age group I want RCE to remain as a and looking into Black businesses are of the Windrush generation, I hard copy Newspaper so it’s and attending different events. I want us to work with the up and accessible to everyone. would then put all of my research coming young people who want Reading Caribbean Express is out together on an A4 document a platform. monthly. It can be found online at and things grew from there. I was Readers can expect to see attending University at the time culture, national news, and wwwreadingcaribbeanexpress.com. and balancing the two was a lot health issues. It would be great of work, so after completing my to focus on good news such as To reach Yvonne and for any studies, I ended up starting the awards won by local people, and media enquiries, please email; [email protected] Today Magazine  7

Community Photos © insta@sunshinecreativesoul Its Reuben Black and Mixed Race Dolls Doreen Lawrence lives in the says. “Where I live is semi-rural, and one of her two sons. Sadly, village of Purley-on-Thames. “I so I enjoy beautiful walks and I her youngest, Dominic, passed love that within minutes you can often relax near the Mapledur- away in February 2018, aged 22, be in the countryside, then four ham Lock and watch the breath- which propelled her to turn her miles to the east you can be taking waterfall. ”Doreen lives hobby into a successful children’s enjoying shopping malls,” she here with her husband Charles business. 8  Today Magazine

‘Its Reuben’ sells mixed race and Growing up in a household with young people to gain employ- Community black dolls that showcase practi- three older brothers, Doreen says: ment and training. My last job cality, fun and style to create the “I never got to play with girlie was teaching at The Henley Col- perfect doll for children. All the things. Then in later life, setting lege, before starting my childcare dolls have custom-made clothes up the childcare business with my business.” and accessories to provide a husband sparked my passion for unique, personal look for each dolls again.” Ruby was the first doll Doreen customer. Doreen explains: “Its designed in the collection and it aim is to see beauty reflected in It is evident Doreen has always was her husband who suggested all races, be it hair, skin colour loved working with children. she create a boy. “He became or facial features. From an early “After having my first child, I sold Ruby’s twin, called Reuben: a age, young minds need to ap- my travel business, and when my cool black boy doll with cute preciate that beauty comes in second was born, I then trained dimples and realistic afro hair,” all forms. I believe most house- as a secondary school teacher at she explains. holds continue to embrace Baby Thames Valley & Oxford Brookes Born, Barbie or Elsa, which are all Universities,” she explains. Doreen is now providing various beautiful, but very rarely can you skin tones from light to dark, vari- find pretty and affordable black “I combined teaching part-time ous eye colours and textured hair, dolls.” with working at Connexions, all will be available before Christ- an organisation that motivates mas. It is not surprising Doreen has a huge clientele including celeb- rities from all over the world. She says: “The feedback has been positive and overwhelming.” Superhero Reuben & Ruby will be launched very soon but we are keen for their amazing costumes to be designed by children. No existing superhero costumes will be considered So…... Just for the Children ‘It’s Competi- tion Time!: Superhero Reuben & Ruby need a costume, the winners will WIN a doll wearing your design, and this winning costume will be market- ed and sold worldwide. We will also include a Smyths Superstore voucher just in time for Christmas. To enter, draw and colour your costume, don’t forget to include your name (just 1st name is ok) and your age, email pictures to [email protected] To be in with a chance of winning your creation, enter no later than 15th December 2020. For further information please visit: www.itsreubendoll.com Today Magazine  9

Community RG2 Radio – the story so far RG2 Radio is a community radio BAME community. Black History Month. We lined up station based in Reading on a a host of activities and workshops mission to inform, engage and A small management team was across art, dance and spoken empower. Established in 2017 by formed from this group led by MC word for children and adults alike two neighbours, MC Napthali and Napthali and Elaine Williams aka on the theme of African Kings Micky Leng, who saw the need Empress Laney, originally from & Queens. In the evening we to share information in the com- South East London, to develop hosted a stage show of local art- munity and celebrate the local plans and create a sustainable ists and performers, headlined by Caribbean and African culture. radio station for the community. Solo Banton and Deadly Hunta, Working with Kim Leng and Hec- with DJ sets throughout the day. The station was formed from a tor Selector, we developed the The event was well attended and group of local DJs, initial broad- aims and confirmed the purpose was further confirmation of the cast in May 2017 under the name for the Radio Station to Inform, need within the community to RG2 Whitley Radio. Local DJs, Engage and Empower the Read- come together and celebrate including Hector Selector, Rue- ing community through music, ourselves. ben Irie, DJ Ninja and Rudie Rich, edutainment, and debate. Lifting all submitted mixes. Solo Banton, up the voices of our residents. Throughout 2019 we hosted a Prince Livijah and others local art- number of events to raise rev- ists provided jingles. Rudie set up “We were so passionate, and enue to support the project. In the equipment and software, us- wanted the radio to work, be- January 2020 RG2 began broad- ing his experience of the industry cause the radio is about every- casting over the internet. RG2 and his local business, Berkshire body in the community, it’s about Radio is an independent radio Sound Hire. having a voice, it’s about having station, available 24/7 at www. an opinion and it’s about having RG2Radio.com. Live shows are The station was on air throughout community awareness and also hosted every evening with a full the day. Social media groups some community praising.” MC line up on Sundays, family time. were created, and the communi- Napthali ty responded. This was confirma- RG2 has DJs covering the 4 cor- tion of the need for a local radio We hosted our first community ners of Reading Town, providing a station broadcasting music of event in 2018 at the South Read- mixture of reggae, soul, RnB, ga- Black origin, providing information ing Community Centre, Northum- rage and Afrobeats. Many local and giving a voice to the local berland Ave, RG2 to celebrate residents will recognise the names 10  Today Magazine

of our DJs. On Sundays, Pastor being Leader of the Council, and We are also hosting the Reading Community Josh provides weekly inspiration the songs along his journey. All Town Meals 2020 to celebrate with thought provoking views on these podcasts can be found on the local growers in Reading sharing love and living in a Com- our website at: and encourage cooking meals munity. Farda X playing reggae from raw ingredients. This is an revival like Mummy and Daddy www.RG2Radio.com annual event but due to Covid used to play whilst cooking the and the need for social distanc- Sunday dinner, including a once The next project for MC Napth- ing, they cannot congregate in a month Ska show. Hailing from ali is documenting the history of Forbury gardens as they would Oxford, Sir Sambo, Mixed Blessings sound systems in Reading. Once normally. The Community group with King Lloyd, and Mr Elvis shar- a month Napthali hosts a local approached RG2 and we were ing humour and music for your Sound DJ or Selector and shares willing to provide the connection, Sunday afternoon. memories and songs from back keeping Reading connected. in the day. The community can DJ Gich plays Afrobeats celebrat- get involved too. Submit any Other programmes under devel- ing this music genre and links videos, pictures, or leaflets they opment include a sports pro- with the African community. Ring have of dances held back in the gramme highlighting local sports the Alarm is on the station too, day. Also, your suggestions for talent and discussion on national playing Soul and Reggae and 3 Sides To The Story, who would games; programme focused on our Sunday night ends with Echo you like to hear from? Or can you improving and maintaining your General playing tunes into the remember a dancehall story from health, a Men’s Corner – where early morning, Memories by the the days of Central Club? Please guys can discuss taboo subjects Score. send to [email protected] in a safe place; a Women’s hour where women discuss and pro- Amongst our popular shows is MC The lockdown offered an op- vide commentary on matters Naphtali’s - 3 Sides To The Story, portunity for the station to ex- that impact them. We’re seek- showcasing local people, cel- pand its listener base as more ing a lawyer and heath medical ebrating their achievement, and people were at home and their practitioner willing to host a pro- shining a light for future genera- spirits needed uplifting. We gramme and provide real-time tions; all things are possible. Local embarked on an online cam- advice to the community. residents interviewed include Don paign that culminated in the Chandler producer, Julia Titus launch of our website on 11th The station is only available online singer and performer, Clifford July 2020 to coincide with the live There’s a lot to do, but we are “Buffa” Alleyne and Marcus Rich- broadcast of the South Read- passionate and determined. The ardson, ex-football player. The ing Churches funday. Over 100 pandemic has been both a trag- leader of Reading Borough Coun- households logged on to the edy and an opportunity for RG2 cil also shared his story with RG2 station to listen to the broadcast Radio. Technology has become Radio, from his early childhood to from outside St Agnes Church on key to staying connected and Northumberland Avenue. socialising. An online station en- ables the Reading community to stay connected, share informa- tion and stay safe. It is one of our goals to keep the Black community talking and relating, sharing issues and finding solutions together. Look around and there are a number of tal- ented and gifted BAME people living in Reading. The collective strength of us is what’s needed to encourage our young people and build a stronger community. We must be our own role models. Through the Radio station this goal is being realised, sharing locals’ stories, having debates on issues and chilling with the sounds of our music. RG2 radio tuned into the vibe of Reading’s Community. Hafsah Sofya Today Magazine  11

Book Review 100 Great Black Britons With a foreword by David Olu- wing populism and the continu- paign for Windrush Day and in soga Patrick Vernon’s landmark ing inequality faced by Black 2018 kick-started the campaign 100 Great Black Britons campaign communities across the UK, the for an amnesty for the Windrush of 2003 was one of the most suc- need for this campaign is greater Generation as part of the Win- cessful movements to focus on than ever. drush Scandal which led to a the role of people of African and government U-turn in immigration Caribbean descent in British histo- A long-overdue book honouring policy. ry. Frustrated by the widespread the remarkable achievements of and continuing exclusion of the key Black British individuals over Angelina Osborne (Author) Black British community from the many centuries, in collaboration mainstream popular concep- with the 100 Great Black Britons DR ANGELINA OSBORNE is an tion of ‘Britishness’, despite Black campaign founded and run by independent researcher and people having lived in Britain for Patrick Vernon OBE. heritage consultant. She received over a thousand years, Vernon her PhD in History from the Wil- set up a public poll in which ‘Buillding on decades of scholar- berforce Institute for the Study of anyone could vote for the Black ship, this book by Patrick Vernon Slavery and Emancipation, Uni- Briton they most admired. and Dr Angelina Osborne brings versity of Hull in 2014. Her interests the biographies of Black Britons focus on Caribbean enslavement The response to this campaign together and vividly expands and proslavery discourses, and was incredible. As a result, a num- the historical backdrop against the history of community and ber of Black historical figures were which these hundred men education activism. included on the national school and women lived their lives.’ curriculum and had statues and From the Foreword, by DAVID memorials erected and blue OLUSOGA plaques put up in their honour. Mary Seacole was adopted by ‘I am delighted to see the re- the Royal College of Nursing and launch of 100 Great Black was given the same status as Flor- Britons. For too long the con- ence Nightingale. Children and tribution of Britons of African young people were finally being and Caribbean heritage have encouraged to feel pride in their been underestimated, un- history and a sense of belonging dervalued and overlooked’ in Britain. SADIQ KHAN, Mayor of London Now, with this book, Vernon and Patrick Vernon (Author) Osborne have relaunched the campaign with an updated list of PATRICK VERNON OBE is a Clore names and accompanying por- and Winston Churchill Fellow, traits - including new role models a fellow at the Imperial War and previously little-known histori- Museum, a fellow of the Royal cal figures. Each entry explores Historical Society and a former in depth the individual’s contri- associate fellow for the Depart- bution to British history - a contri- ment of the History of Medicine at bution that too often has been Warwick University. either overlooked or dismissed. Patrick was awarded an OBE in In the wake of the 2018 Windrush 2012 for his work in tackling health scandal, and against the back- inequalities for ethnic minority drop of Brexit, the rise of right- communities in Britain. Since 2010 he has been leading the cam- 12  Today Magazine

Vox Pop Brutality 1. How has Covid-19 affected your life? Starting my day off with a poem 2. What’s your view on Black Lives Matter? George Floyd didn’t get to start his I’m crying and I didn’t know him. Does he have a partner? Chiara Matia; Age:15 Sharheim Prince; Age: 16 Has he got kids? 1. It set my education back, I’m in year 11 1. Covid 19 has affected my life, both I can’t breathe were his words so I’ve missed a lot of work. positively and negatively. like Mr Garner, Eric was his first name 2. I think that the protests are good, but 2.It shows how us Black people feel I’m speaking of him riots are not needed. about today’s society. whilst talking of Floyd, both black men who died the same Saraeya Scott-Seville; Age: 18 Andre Williams; Age:16 I ran 2.23 miles for Ahmaud Arbery, 1. It’s meant I can’t see people and family. 1. It did not let me do my GCSEs where here we are again, and it feels so soon Reality is this happens every day, 2. It needs to be pushed a lot more, in the I could have performed well. round in circles, just like the moon little time there has been a lot of progress. I don’t get what you don’t get! 2. Its good because its fighting Sick to my stomach of these cold murders for change. William Chapman. Sandra Bland. . Botham Jean. Look them up if you haven’t heard! SavaAnndarheGWaiyllliea-mSsc;aArlgeett:; A16ge:16 Owais Sofya; Age: 15 I see corrections of black lives matter; 1. Covid stopped the activities I you should say all is what they say 1. Covid 19 has kind of reduced my partake in, such as going to the gym. work ethic. We can’t say all if black lives 2. It has created awareness that racism aren’t included, 2. BLM marches are good and they should still exists. continue. so we’ll say black until that day I hesitate before posting my heartache, I’ve been asked outright about the “race card” I’m done suppressing my opinions to appease peace I’m talking up, we are scarred. The brutality of these cases is sickening, unjustifiable, violent and cold Feeling protected by your uniform perhaps, and so you go killing people so bold If you’ve cried or you’re angry like I am, or you think to yourself what can I do Make a stand. One person cannot change the whole world, but the world can change with more people like you. For all who have lost their lives to brutality, we’ll continue to say your names. Vicky Prince 2020 Today Magazine  13

Community Ayo Sokale Civil Engineer and Local Councillor Ayo Sokale is a Chartered Civil nine, she was interested in Civil believes local councillors have Engineer. In May 2019, she won a Engineering. Ayo has been the opportunity to really transform local government election and involved with the Labour party their community. As part of is now a Labour and Corporative whom she represents locally the committee, we get to shift Councillor in Caversham, since she was a teenager. She policies, lobby and scrutinise, and Reading. graduated with her Masters and work to make sure the issues that when she moved to Reading, matter to people are represented Ayo has always been involved in she wanted to do more. As in the decisions we make. These the community, primarily through a member of the executive decisions can be anything from charity work and volunteering. committee, Ayo campaigned for planning, contributions to local Ayo chose her career path local issues and was successfully schools, infrastructure, sustainable with the idea of adding value elected in May 2019. She works and active travel and all of these to society. From the age of really hard for her community and things improve all of our lives 14  Today Magazine

when done correctly. Ayo says it’s Community important to have young people in the room when talking about politics because the changes affect this generation. Ayo explains that as a councillor, it is important to take personal responsibility and not be part of the problem, you must be appropriately sourced with robust research and not bring about fake news. She believes councillors should research and slow down some of their responses. Quality assurance is really important. Ayo spoke about methods of communicating. A lot can come from meeting people in person, an example would be the feeling of empathy. Communication pre and post pandemic will be very different and important. Leafleting, writing letters, notifications are all effective ways of keeping people up to date. Social media is another great tool if it is used correctly. Freedom of speech is something that Ayo believes in. She is not for censorship. It’s important to hear information and be well equipped with information to make the changes. Democracy is important. We should be changing the world through the information we are absorbing. Journalists and people who work in the media have a responsibility to all of us as citizens and to themselves to make sure what they put out there is verified and valid, suitable and there is evidence to support it. Ayo wants to see more sustainability. We can learn lessons in difficult times and that is a society she wants to see, one that has learnt it’s lessons and has also implemented them. Ayo would like to see more people look into how they can help their local community. The role of councillor isn’t for the elite, she would like to see more young people and diverse minds in those rooms. www.ayosokale.com Today Magazine  15

Education The Black Child Conditions that Affect Achievement UK schools have targeted Black children for generations – the education system is overdue for a reckoning. “We’ve had books on racial biases and punishment for cultural practices since the 1970s. Instead of repeating the same facts, we need educators and the government to tackle these prejudices head-on” The penny should have dropped because educators perceive behind, or disproportionately long before now. That it has Black children as fundamentally sent them to what was formerly taken this amount of time is a sign disruptive, hopeless, and inferior, known as “ESN” (educationally of a much bigger issue: the UK’s regardless of what they do. subnormal) schools (a whole unwillingness to accept, once There’s also the question of the other kettle of fish in terms of and for all, that Black children role of academies in all of this. the persistence of eugenics in are exposed to discrimination the According to experts, the rise the education of those with minute they enter the education of free schools and academies special educational needs and system. (both of which aren’t governed disabilities). By 2005, almost 40 In any case, thanks to efforts from by local authorities) may well be years later, while ESN schools the likes of initiatives like No More giving way to exactly the kind of had since become a thing of Exclusions, and think tanks like behavioural and uniform policies the past, Brian Richardson’s Tell it the Runnymede Trust, it’s now a that target Black students. In like it is brought up many of the fact that will spread beyond the fact, they already have. And the same issues, namely that Black confines of the communities of government’s behaviour tsar, children were still being excluded Black people in Britain who have Tom Bennett, endorsed such rules or punished at higher rates than long known this to be true. As (including two-hour detentions for their peers. Not much, if anything, The Independent has reported, kissing teeth). had changed. It seems that’s still “schools are unfairly punishing These are problems that have the case today. Black students for their hairstyles, persisted in British education for These glaring examples of wearing bandanas and kissing decades. In the 1970s, books systemic racism – anti-blackness teeth” due to racial bias and a like Bernard Coard’s How the specifically – aren’t the sort general lack of understanding. West Indian Child is made of problems that fade into But the inequality doesn’t stop Educationally Subnormal in the obscurity as the years go by. there. As revealed some years British School System served They need to be tackled on ago by the Department for almost as a how-to guide for a governmental as well as Education, Black Caribbean Black immigrant parents who interpersonal level. Vitally, Black children, in particular, are three needed to navigate a system people and the experiences and a half times more likely that had either left their children we’ve been screaming from the to be excluded than all other children at primary, secondary and special schools. These are disparities that exist not because of any underlying propensity to cause trouble, but probably 16  Today Magazine

she’s not ‘aggressive’”. Education “What could a kid with less than rooftops for far too long, should same behaviour. But once I did, it half a decade’s experience on be taken seriously. Looking at the swiftly became a fact of life. I’ve the planet do to get detention, way things are now, however, seen the look of undue alarm and or be suspended?” other Black just after Meghan Markle’s outrage on teachers’ faces when parents would question, knowing announced departure, and overhearing a child kissing their the answer, but possibly too a host of public figures doing teeth in conversation with other heartbroken to say it out loud: everything in their power to kids. I even had a presumably, they were bringing up Black negate the existence of racism but now I look back, perhaps children in a racist system, and in Britain following that, it’s not not so well-meaning teacher, there was little in place to protect exactly surprising. specifically play the song “Chain them from it. As devastating as the reality Gang” by Sam Cooke for me I’ve heard horror stories from is, I’m ashamed to admit that, every time the class sat down to Black teachers in training about at times, I’ve grown almost do work. “This is your song!” she’d the racism of their course mates desensitised to the pervasiveness exclaim, pointing at me. I lapped and colleagues. Stories of white of anti-blackness in education, it up every time, unaware of the teachers who barely had any accepting it as a fact of life when undertones of the tradition she’d contact with non-white, or fighting felt too wearisome. On created. working-class children before their other occasions, it’s been all I I grew up watching unfazed placements in diverse inner-city can think about. I’m barely at at home as my mother, then a schools, who said openly racist the stage of even thinking about governor at my primary school things on a regular basis, but saw having kids, but I know that if I do, for precisely the reasons outlined no repercussions. I’ll have to keep a watchful eye above, fought to support other What seems to be lost in all of this on the way my potential child is Black parents who faced similar is the fact that these are children treated in school as my parents issues. “They’re calling her a bad we’re dealing with. Babies, in my had to when I was a pupil. It’s the child,” her friends would say. eyes. As easy as it may be for reason I took up mentoring. Why “She’s five, she was just playing, some to say that this is a matter I’m so protective of little Black of being too sensitive, those who children who are told, yes even take that position usually have no these days, that they’ll never idea what it feels like to have your amount to anything. potential contested because of I knew full well, by the age of 10, who you are, not anything you’ve that I couldn’t always be sure done, at every single stage of that I’d receive fair treatment your life, starting with school. from all of my teachers, that We seem to have the capacity my confidence would often to recognise that childhood be interpreted as arrogance, experiences, in general, are rudeness or just plain naughtiness. formative and should be handled It took a while to accept, sensitively. If we can accept that, especially when I saw my white we should be able to take the classmates rewarded for the same approach regarding the education of Black children in Britain. Kuba Shand-Baptiste@kubared Today Magazine  17

Features Motorsport Technician Trainee Hashavyah Osei-Bonsu My parents are from Ghana, I my like for it became more a few track days. Driving and grew up there and attended technical. F1 was big for me! I full on championship racing is school for a couple of years. It am an F1 nerd! I’m into all forms something I want to get into more was then that I got to see what of Motorsport such as Le Mans when the opportunity avails itself. my Dad did for work. He did 24 hours, I stayed up all night a lot of construction and built watching the race just the other I’m currently doing some work at machinery. He had a truck and day! As a fan, it’s really exciting NUR Motorsport, the owner NUR he sometimes sold cars. That and really fun to watch. is teaching me the operational was when I got to have a real side of the company which close up view of the engine. I’ve Watching F1 made me want to includes parts acquisition, car always had a fascination with it. learn more about it, I took classes acquisition and satisfying clients. When I left secondary school, the and was taught about cars. I I’m also being taught how to fascination became more serious, went to University and did my work on the cars, build the car, strip it down, designing new Foundation Degree in components, so pretty much Motorsport Engineering. all areas of the company. I am It was eye opening, I hoping it leads to me being able got to play with some to oversee things. I’ve been serious bits of kit. Outside here for around 2 months. I was of University, I found working on my car near my home opportunities through with my best friend and a friend different people I’d met of Noel’s approached us and and places I’d been to we got talking. When BMW fan go on race days and boys meet up, the conversation look at and work on flows from there. He said they different cars. I got these had a programme coming up opportunities off my own and asked if I wanted to meet back, I had to find the Noel and see what he had going connections through on. He said he does Motorsport conversations in class and builds cars, although I didn’t etc. I drove to places know what to make of it, I was with my CV and handed really excited! I turned up one it in for work experience Friday, Noel took me around and every day. I sometimes asked me what I do and it started did it for a week straight. there. I think our introduction Eventually they get tired went well as I was able to express of you, they tell you my liking for what he did and it’s to never come back a rare conversation to have with or they give you an any kind of Motorsport manager opportunity. or boss. It was massive for me to be able to have that time and I got the chance to go talk because I’d said to myself, to Belgium Spa race even if I only get to walk around track and drive around. the showroom and see that 911 I’ve also experienced 18  Today Magazine

Features Porsche and walk back out, I didn’t always think I would be a I would love to bring about that’ll do me fine. I was coming Motorsport Technician but I did further opportunities and make from a place whereby; I almost always know that I would build it more than a luxury that most changed careers due to the lack cars, even if just as a hobby, it cannot afford. Motorpsort and of opportunities in Motorsport so happens I am doing it now cars have changed the way we and it was very disheartening. as a job. I was 7 when I came live. Cars started off as a tool for When this came up, it was huge. here from Ghana. There are transportation and now we’ve I spent about two days trying to some fantastic opportunities turned that tool into something get my head around how good there but they are far and few exciting, entertaining, a fortune our meeting was before I actually between and not for Motorsport. and investment. started working. To find this opportunity locally too! My title is Motorsport Technician at present. I do additional things such as managing the marketing and branding, I am bringing those skills to NUR. I’m still learning but I would say the hybrid of a technician with an overview understanding. As a company because we do Motorsport, NUR could become a household name to bring your cars to have different things done. We could also divert into racing. I want to be here for all of the projects they have coming up. In a few years, I may change direction and become a race engineer and work directly on the pit lane. At the moment I do things such as set up a test rig, test the equipment, take that onto a track and collect data from it, come back and then make improvements. TTooddaayy MMaaggaazziinnee   1199

Features Trim Palace Putting the barbershop on stage Written by Courttia Newland at the Apollo Theatre Piccadilly barbershop with three chairs, hair the play Trim Palace is set in a and Theatre Royal Stratford East, trimmings on the floor, a man London barber shop. Reading and sharing screen time with the sleeping on a sofa and a picture based Theatre Director and likes of Billy Connolly, Edward Fox of Muhammed Ali on the wall with Actor Steve Macaulay staged a and Michael Caine, Tummings the quote “I am the greatest.” successful performance at South has a solid performing The barber, Trim, and his friend Hill Park, Bracknell in October. The background. argue about new competitors on cast includes Chris Tummings, an Macaulay comes to this the street and wonder how they actor with 35 years’ experience production after his successful can get more customers and of stage and screen. From staging of David Mamet’s Race keep up with the times. We get appearing in soaps like Desmonds at the Reading Rep in 2015. the feeling that the barbershop and Holby City, to being on stage The stage is set up as a small has seen better days and now Photographs: © Raj KC 20  Today Magazine

struggles to keep going. Features Similarly, we find out that the area has changed too with Photographs: © Raj KC protests on the high street and the mention of slogans such as “no justice, just us”. The barbers discuss the relationship between Black people and the police concerning civil unrest and protest. Later in the play returning customers speak of protesters, rioters and speakers being outside the shop. The play also gallops over complex issues such as Black leaders, class, accent, police custody, unlawful killings, kids in care, mental breakdown and gentrification. This is true to how these issues are often discussed in barber shops or hair salons with everyone having an opinion based on personal experience. Today Magazine  21

Features We’re introduced to the man plays Life, breaks off to play behind Trim Palace as he a wooden musical instrument nervously awaits the arrival of his bamboo sax – which the actor daughter. He wants everything Tummings made himself. to be perfect for her visit as he When the visitors eventually hasn’t seen her in many years. arrive the theme of absent He’s bought her presents for fathers explains the relationship the many birthdays he’s missed over two generations. Not along the way: age 4, 12, 13 only does Trim not know his and 18. It turns out that he last daughter, he does not know saw her when she was 2 and his father. It turns out the she is now 18! remaining client and friend is his Director Steve Macaulay birth father and yet he has not takes us through different been given this information so story themes: the unfolding remains in the dark. They have father daughter story, the a friendship where the father impact of the passing years knows and wants more but on the barbershop and the does not want to risk increased wider challenges in the Black expectations and desires that community. We’re introduced come from connecting with to the obligatory door to door someone who knows he is your salesman who in this case as child. He did not set out to be well as food, DVD’s and herbs an absent father but the mother he’s also selling coffins. The left him once she realised their audience find much to laugh relationship would not last as he about including references had had a child previously. She to what women want and married another and moved the potential of herbs such as away. ginseng and arrowroot. Reunions do not fully happen The absent father story is in the play and where they interspersed with the saving your do not everyone is honest so local barbers story. The latter the true relationships are not involves random ideas from clear. Nevertheless, without everyone in the shop based on revealing facts people try to their preference. Should they be true to their character and redecorate to include a smart their feelings for the others T.V. add wooden floors, soft they speak to. In the end Trim’s lights, neutral décor and use ‘father’ stays with him to help feng shui? him secure his shop whilst the One of the customers called rioting is happening outside. It Rashad finds a way to tell us his ends with Trim cutting his hair. story. He speaks of ‘Jesus and The theme for me moved Islam’ so it is not clear what his from absent fathers to one of faith is but he mentions that secrets. They all know of each his mother is Muslim and from other but the truth of how they Jamaica. This encourages are related is not fully known. the audience to remain open Director Steve Macaulay to religious diversity and not reveals it to the audience prejudge another person’s slowly. The sparse setting is all beliefs. For Rashad his current that’s required to transport the aim is to get ‘any advice on audience to a local barbershop how to get a girl.’ His character setting. He gets a quality also reminds us that he was performance from the cast who once the cute Black boy now play their parts in a thoughtful feared by Black and White as and naturalistic way they ‘cross the street’ when they see him. Shirley Anstis A beautiful moment in the play is when the lead actor who 22  Today Magazine

Features Photographs: © Raj KC TTooddaayy MMaaggaazziinnee   2233

Features Grenfell Three Years On offered emergency hotel the government gave to Grenfell accommodation, and all will be victims after the incident: offered rehousing within three weeks” • Their rent will not increase and the same terms and conditions The then Prime Minster, Theresa of their previous home at May, evidentially did not keep Grenfell Tower or Grenfell Walk to her promise. It took three will be maintained. years and still some survivors of the fire are left in temporary • They will have lifetime security accommodation. Latest reports of tenure. showed in July 2020 seven households were left without a • They will not be forced to stay permanent home. The rehousing in temporary accommodation of 201 families made homeless on a long-term basis. through the destruction had been a slow process. • Accepting an offer of These are some commitments temporary accommodation does not mean that they lose priority for a permanent home. • No one has to accept a In the wake of the tragedy on June 14th, 2017, Kensington and Chelsea announced how permanent homes would be allocated to Grenfell residents. The Grenfell tower fire was the biggest domestic blaze since the second world war, said to have started from an overheating fridge, in a small kitchen fire. This tragedy left 72 dead and 201 families without a home. Survivors were left traumatised and are still recovering. Community activities and support workshops are available. The BAME community mainly fell victim to this devastating inferno that burnt up 20 stories. It took just 90 minutes for fire to race up 20 storeys. “All those who have lost their homes have been 24  Today Magazine

particular property and not Features accepting a property does not mean they will be made intentionally homeless. • Temporary homes will be rent and utility bill free for 12 months. • For some cases, if they like their temporary home, there is the potential for it to become their permanent home. But what exactly caused this 3 years on and not much has similar to those used in Grenfell. tragedy? changed. The powerful cross- The ministry of Housing, Aluminium Composite Material party committee of MPs said it Communities and Local (ACM) cladding is a flammable was “unacceptable” that similar Government (MHCLG) has type of cladding that the building cladding remains on residential “missed its target badly” for was covered in. This cladding buildings. Grenfell style cladding to be was the blame of Grenfell’s fire removed. spreading so rapidly. In June this The government estimates year, the government missed their that more than 2000 high-rise There is a new target now set out deadline to remove flammable buildings need to be fixed due to for works on remaining high-rise Grenfell-type cladding from all dangerous cladding. 455 of them blocks to be completed by the tower blocks. are wrapped in combustible end of 2021. Three years ago, 72 plastic-filled aluminium panels people died in Grenfell Tower, in Even now, thousands of high- the richest borough of London, rise residents have been left due to profit-over-safety seeking trapped in unsellable homes companies. Cheaper flammable as the UK Government failed cladding was used so the to deliver promises to fix them. wealthy neighbours had a more pleasant view of the tower which predominantly housed working- class Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) residents. There was a ‘stay put’ policy in place in case of fire, as originally the block was built to contain a fire in one flat. But after the cladding was put in place, no new risk assessment had been done and the stay-put policy was maintained. These deaths were totally avoidable and happened because of cuts and profiteering. Still to this day around 1,500 buildings with similar cladding house working-class people living in constant fear. Hafsah Sofya Today Magazine  25

Community Dear Home Office 2 Still Pending Can you remember being 18? These are some of the areas first being Dear Home Office. The Maybe your birthday celebra- covered by a very thought performers are mostly refugees tions came with presents and provoking and insightful theatre who moved to the UK as children opportunities. Imagine then be- piece from Phosphoros Theatre. and are now young adults. The ing a refugee and becoming an I was privileged enough to get scenarios included in the show adult without parental support. a ticket to this sold out produc- are very realistic and could have Not only that but you are respon- tion at South Street called: Dear happened to a member of the sible for organising your finances, Home Office 2, Still Pending. This is cast or someone they know. education, accommodation and the second production by Phos- Housing Manager Kate, having social life. phorus Theatre Company, the studied acting at university, is well 26  Today Magazine

Community is well placed in helping them tell uals who were forced to flee their & Dawn Harrison this play was de- their story and depict her role. home for their safety and survival. scribed as “heartwarming, edu- We follow the lives of ten young cational and humorous” by The The production appears to be a men from four different countries Stage. The Guardian said it was labour of love for all concerned. as they navigate the immigration “rough and ragged but authentic Due to limited funds many of the system whilst also moving from and heartfelt.” people involved are doing more adolescence to becoming young than they would in a normal adults. You can easily connect Find out for yourself by check- production. They collaborate to to Eli, Akram and Kareem as they ing out Phosphorous Theatre on write, act and help to bring the face different hurdles to creating Facebook and @wearephospho- show to the public. their new life. rous #dearhomeoffice on twitter to find future dates. The show gives the audience a Written by Dawn Harrison and real insight into the lives of individ- directed by Rosanna Jahangard Shirley Anstis ToToddaayyMMaaggaazizninee    2277

Features Dr. Shirley Jackson Lewis Latimer Marie Van Brittan Brown Black Inventors You Probably Didn’t Know About Many people have read the achievements, she also has an design of the telephone. story of how George Washington impressive number of inventions This genius also designed an Carver invented peanut butter. under her belt. improved railroad car bathroom Others are familiar with the Her experiments with theoretical and an early air conditioning unit. story of Sarah Breedlove, aka physics paved the way for So the next time you’re escaping Madam C. J. Walker, the inventor numerous developments in a hot day inside your cool house, of beauty products and the the telecommunication space don’t forget to thank Lewis first woman to become a self- including the touch-tone Latimer. made millionaire in America. telephone, the portable fax, And thanks to the Academy caller ID, call waiting, and the Marie Van Brittan Brown Award nominated film, Hidden fiber-optic cable. Did you know that the first home Figures, we’re now all familiar Today, Dr. Shirley Jackson is the security system was invented by with the amazing contributions 18th president of Rensselaer a Black nurse? Meet Marie Van of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New Brittan Brown. Although she was a Vaughan, and Mary Jackson. York. full-time nurse, she recognized the But, did you know that many of security threats to her home and the products we use every day Lewis Latimer devised a system that would alert were created by black people? Inventor and engineer Lewis her of strangers at her door and Here’s a list of 14 of them that, Latimer was born in Chelsea, contact relevant authorities as until now, you probably didn’t Massachusetts, on September quickly as possible. know about. 4, 1848. He collaborated with Her original invention consisted of science greats Hiram Maxim and peepholes, a camera, monitors, Dr. Shirley Jackson Thomas Edison. and a two-way microphone. Dr. Shirley Jackson is an American One of Latimer’s greatest The finishing touch was an alarm physicist who received her Ph.D. inventions was the carbon button that, when pressed, would from the Massachusetts Institute filament, a vital component immediately contact the police. of Technology in 1973. She was of the light bulb. His inventions Her patent laid the groundwork the first African-American woman didn’t stop there, working with for the modern closed-circuit to earn a doctorate in nuclear Alexander Graham Bell, Latimer television system that is widely physics at MIT. In addition to helped draft the patent for Bell’s used for surveillance, home her lengthy list of academic security systems, push-button 28  Today Magazine

Features Otis Boykin Lonnie G. Johnson Charles Drew alarm triggers, crime prevention, Charles Drew Marian R. Croak and traffic monitoring. Every two seconds someone Today Magazine  29 in the U.S. needs blood. Thanks Otis Boykin to Charles Drew, that blood is Otis Boykin’s most notable available. Drew was a physician, contribution to science was surgeon, and medical researcher likely the circuit improvements who worked with a team at he made to pacemakers after Red Cross on groundbreaking losing his mother to heart failure discoveries around blood — a contribution that has saved transfusions. In World War II, he countless lives since. But this single played a major role in developing improvement was among a long the first large-scale blood banks list of achievements. and blood plasma programs. Boykin had 26 patents in his He also invented the, and get name and is famed for the ready because this name is pretty development of IBM computers, charming - bloodmobiles. These burglar-proof cash registers, are the refrigerated trucks that, chemical air filters, and an to this day, safely transport stored electronic resistor used in blood to the location where it is controlled missiles and other needed most. devices. Drew was one of the most prominent doctors working in Lonnie G. Johnson his field, and one of the only Did you ever enjoy water gun African-Americans, during a time fights as a kid? Well, meet Lonnie when blood donation was still Johnson, the man that gave us separated along lines of race. the most famous water gun — Drew eventually resigned from the Super Soaker. Lonnie wasn’t his position with the American a toymaker, he was actually an Red Cross over their insistence Aerospace Engineer for NASA on adhering to this policy. It was with a resume boasting a stint 1950 before the Red Cross finally with the US Air Force, work on the recognized all blood as being Galileo Jupiter probe and Mars equal. Observer project, and more than 40 patents. Marian R. Croak Yes, he is also working on the In 2013, Marian Croak was Johnson Thermoelectric Energy inducted into Women in Converter (JTEC) which converts Technology International’s hall heat directly into electricity — but of fame, a move that recognizes it’s the squirt gun he created that her remarkable achievements has given us all the most joy. in tech. Croak holds over 135 patents, primarily in voice-over

Features Internet protocol (VoIP), some in bees. The construction of the Elijah McCoy other areas. She has another 100 honeycombe inspired him to Often regarded as one of the patents currently under review. rethink computer processing. In most famous Black inventors Today, Marian is an SVP at AT&T, 1989, he put this idea to work, ever, McCoy was credited for 50 serves as a mentor for women in using 65,000 processes to invent inventions over the span of his AT&T labs, and sits on the board the world’s first super computer career. for the Holocaust, Genocide and — able to perform 3.1 billion In an effort to improve efficiency Human Rights Education Center. calculations per second. and eliminate the frequent stopping necessary for lubrication Lisa Gelobter Jesse Ernest Wilkins, Jr. of trains, McCoy devised a If you ever enjoyed an animated Jesse Ernest Wilkins, Jr. is one method of automating the Gif on the web, like this one of America’s most important task. In 1872 he developed a amazing clip of a kitten being contemporary mathematicians. “lubricating cup” that could scared by an iguana, then you At 13, he became the University automatically drip oil when have Lisa Gelobter to thank. of Chicago’s youngest student. and where needed — vital in Gelobter was integrally involved Wilkins continued his studies there, avoiding sticking to the track. with the advent of Shockwave, earning bachelor, master, and The lubricating cup met with a technology that formed the eventually earning his doctorate enormous success and orders beginning of web animation. degree in mathematics at the for it came in from railroad She also played a major role age of 19. companies all over the country. in the emergency of online He’s published papers in It was so popular that when other video, later serving on the senior mathematics, optics, and nuclear inventors attempted to steal his management team at Hulu. engineering. idea and sell their own versions Previously, Lisa was the Interim As a mathematician for the of the device, companies were Head of Digital for BET Networks American Optical Company in not fooled. They insisted on the and ran Technology, Product Buffalo, N.Y., he perfected lens authentic device, calling it “the and Business Operations. Today, design for microscopes and Real McCoy.” you can catch Lisa at the White ophthalmologic uses. His greatest House, in the United States Digital contribution to scholarship Garrett Morgan Service. She is currently serving was the development of Those who survived either of as the Chief Digital Service mathematical models to explain the World Wars thanks to a gas Officer with the US Department of gamma radiation and his work on mask have Garrett Morgan to Education. developing a shielding against thank. Morgan first created the gamma radiation. “safety hood” to help firefighters Philip Emeagwali His other claim to fame came navigate smokey buildings, later Due to cost, Philip Emeagwali from working on the Manhattan modifying it to carry its own air was forced to drop out of school Project. At the Manhattan supply— making it the world’s first at age 14. But this didn’t stop Project, Wilkins worked with effective gas masks.He also had him from becoming one of the future Nobel laureate Eugene the good sense to add a third greatest computer pioneers of Wigner and made significant position to the traffic signal — yes, our time. In fact, he’s often called contributions to nuclear-reactor there was a time when traffic “The Bill Gates of Africa.” physics, now known as the Wilkins signals just said indicated “stop” As an adult, Emeagwali began effect and the Wigner-Wilkins or “go” — an addition that further studying nature, specifically spectrum. reduced automobile accidents. Lisa Gelobter Philip Emeagwali Jesse Ernest Wilkins, Jr. 30  Today Magazine

Features President Barack Obama awards the National Medal of Science to Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson during a ceremony at the White House. Mary and Mildred Davidson invented the sanitary belt. Later, Mary and her sister Mildred Mary invented the moisture- patented many practical resistant pocket for the belt. inventions. They didn’t have While disabled from multiple technical education, but they sclerosis, Mary went on to invent were both exceptional at the walker and the toilet-tissue spotting ways to make peoples’ holder. lives better. Together, they Pamela Rosario Pérez Elijah McCoy Garrett Morgan Mary and Mildred Davidson Today Magazine  31

Fashion Being U Sadia Sisay is a Sierra Leonean Sadia’s entrepreneurial story is She first attempted to launch the born British woman who believes one of tenacity, courage and brand in 2011 however personal that who people are, is more passion. She moved to the UK challenges meant she had to important than what they have from Sierra Leone at 16, trained put her dreams on hold but she is done. Her past and present has as a cancer nurse, then worked in back and more passionate than certainly proved that no matter the pharmaceutical industry until ever. what you go through, you can 2008 when she left and decided and will achieve anything if you to start her own business and At the core of her entrepreneurial commit to your dream. become the proud founder of journey has been her family Being U. and loved ones. After losing her husband to an unexpected death in 2014, she has rebuilt her life after heartbreak. She has had to balance building her business and looking after her family. Sadia attributes her daughter as the main inspiration for the Being U brand and is keen to ensure her daughter grows up in a world that celebrates women of all shapes, shades and sizes. Sadia Sisay Being U is focused on providing high quality lingerie for women of all skin tones with a particularly strong focus on Black women and other women of colour and launched online in February 2017. Sadia is driven by the idea that women should feel valued in all that they experience. An idea heavily influenced by watching her daughter grow into a young lady in an environment where her skin tone is very underrepresented. 32  Today Magazine

Being U launched with stick on Bra back sizes up to 44 and cup Fashion bras, enhancers and nipple up to H and briefs to size (UK) 18, covers, in the signature skin tones. RRP start around £60 per set (bra and pants). In August 2011, Being U is the only lingerie Being U won brand that has designed briefs two prestigious specifically to fit the fuller bottom business awards for shape and has five styles of the start up concept: bra that work from a 28 to 44 PRECIOUS Business of the back and up to an H cup. Year 2011 and PRECIOUS Being U has a unique mission: Entrepreneur of the Year to enable women to embrace 2011. The brand has also had their skin colour and body shape, huge media interest from trade and consumer press. to feel treasured and beautiful, through the wearing of The debut Being U collection beautiful underwear has three lingerie ranges: designed with their Kobicha is a high shine mesh body collection featuring a three in mind. piece structured bra and high waisted brief. Yendi Making is made from the softest women feel microfibre, a moulded “visible” is at bra with padded, the core of shaped straps and this brand. perfectly proportioned boyshorts. Rosa is a I’ve spent lightly lined bra with over 30 years a deep V neckline, searching made from mesh for gorgeous and our bespoke underwear to suit embroidery, my skin tone and worn with a high body shape and waisted thong. this is the first range that addresses these things,” says Sadia. “We know from a survey conducted for Being U that a staggering 82% of women surveyed across the USA and UK said they did not find it easy to find lingerie similar to their skin tone and 94% of respondents said they would buy skin tone lingerie if it was available.” Today Magazine  33 Today Magazine  33

Fashion 34  Today Magazine

Fashion Today Magazine  35

Social Events Soca Queen Ms Desire – A Rising Star? Tell me a little bit about yourself : and I just kept on going every year. The Do you sing full time? I go by the name of Ms Desire, I’ve Bajan community in the UK is really No, I don’t sing full time, I wish I could. been doing soca music since 2008 small and I met Jeff at a small event and Unless I get a huge hit and could be and previously I was singing RnB and he told me about his tent and I was so booked everywhere, I still have to do doing covers. It wasn’t until I went to intrigued about the live element. Before my 9-5-day job. I work for the NHS in Barbados for crop over, because that I met Jeff I hadn’t actually sung with a London, as a medical secretary. I do my is where my parents are from, that I band so I was really intrigued about that singing evenings and weekends. loved the music and everything. I love and from the first time I came to the the band Krosfyah. Alison Hinds and I tent I just loved it and came back every Previously you were into RnB, how long thought I want to sing how these people single year. have you been singing all together? sing because the vibe of soca is so nice I’ve been singing since I was 6. I joined and the way the crowd reacts to it in Where do you reside at the moment? the North London Performing Arts 2008 I thought let me try this. I sang my I live in Hertfordshire in the UK, but I’m Centre and from then I went to Sylvia first soca song, produced by Anderson always in and out of London. Young Theatre School and I done some Armstrong - Blood from Square One - stuff at The Brit School for Performing PhotPohgortaopgrhsa:ph©s:Ra©j RKajC KC 363 6  ToToddaayyMMaaggaazizninee

Arts and Technology. I guess here Social Events in England the mainstream music is more RnB and hip-hop and I easily fell into that, but that was until I went to Barbados and heard soca music then I realised I wanted to do that kind of music. It was risky at the time because there wasn’t very many soca artists here, although there were a lot of calypso artists - I’m glad I stuck with it. Can you tell our readers the difference between Calypso and Soca? Soca is more a development of Calypso I would say, to me I could be wrong but Calypso is a lot of social commentary, it tells a story, even though soca also tells a story but I find Calypso tells more of a well-informed story and you can follow it from start to finish. Soca music is more party, you feel it and it’s what people want to hear, also the tempo is different. Have you ever had any magazine coverage? Yes, I’ve done magazines in the US and the UK. I was shortlisted for the new MTV competition in 2012 and I had my music featured on all British Airways flights that year. They were doing a campaign where they wanted to play some calypso and soca because they were increasing their flights to the Caribbean that year and I was privileged to have my music featured then. Where are you in terms of recording Photographs: © Raj KC and where do you want to go? Right now I’m aiming to do more both Bajan. I look up to Rhianna she is whereas people might say my music recording, I find a lot of artists only such an inspiration, I love how she stays isn’t true soca because soca is a lot of release for carnival or just at summer true to her roots and I love how she jump and wave but I’m trying to move time but I want to try and release my continues to fuse the island music just away from that and try and bring the music throughout the year and do soca the same way I like to fuse Caribbean calypso feel where it is a lyrical content music plus island pop tune. What I mean rhymes with mainstream lyrics. My and telling the story but fusing it with by island pop is kind of like how Rhianna kind of music has a lot of content in it, some up tempo beats that people can did ‘work’ and it has that Caribbean feel but also mainstream. I want to record that type of music out of season and have real hard core soca music in season to just keep the momentum going because I think it’s always good to have a catalogue of music. You used the name Rhianna who is a massive international star, do you see any comparisons? Rhianna is amazing, I would love to be the performer she is. The only comparisons I can see is that we are Today Magazine  37

Social Events Photographs: © Raj KC Miss desire and her manager Julia dance to. Where do you see yourself in the next day to day basis in a manager’s role? Over the years we know that there 5 years? My name is Julia, Ms Desire and I have been some Calypso songs that In 5 years’ time I definately want to be were really good friends and when she have made it mainstream, what do you doing music full time. I would love to started to sing back in 2008. I used to go think is the difference between those have a full-time band; I already have a around with her to most of the places songs and the songs you do now, or do band right now. I want to travel all over when she first started to record and just you think it is about timing? the world performing on stages. from being around with her, going out I think it is more about timing, I find that and doing personal recordings, going in the UK you have to hit when it’s hot. Do you have any tips for would be to the studio, then when she started to The UK play on the niche of Caribbean Calypsonians? branch out and getting shows and doing music and they might want a Caribbean My main tip would be to keep on going stuff in Barbados. song for the summer so if you release and never give up, you never know who something for the summer and you is watching you, sometimes it feels like From then she needed someone to pitch it to the right people to make it a you are standing there and not moving help out and do bookings, paper work, summer track then you might get it or if forward but there is always people someone to speak for her and that’s it goes viral. I find its more about timing watching you and rooting for you. A lot when I stepped in and came into play. in every genre but it just takes one song of people don’t always come out and I was with her through everything so it to be in the right place at the right time. say “you’re great”, but there are a lot of worked hand in hand. Over the years, people on the side lines watching, so if we have travelled to so many places, Where did the name Ms Desire come you love it never give up, carry on doing Berlin in Germany, Barbados, New York from? what you love. and Spain. We will be doing LA this year I’ve had it since school, there is no and Hollywood carnival! We hope to be amazing story behind it. It was my tag Thank you. back in Barbados this year. It’s really fun! name from school, I didn’t want to be I get to travel with my friend and we get called Louise, I wanted a tag name so Julia tell us a bit about what it’s like to to enjoy the best of both worlds. everyone said just use Desire. So I’ve be Ms Desire’s manager, how you came www.msdesiremusic.com just stuck with it since school. to be doing this and what you do on a Today Magazine 38  Today Magazine

Reading Carnival Licence Social Events Reading Carnival’s licence has been revoked by councillors over concerns for safety It comes after police asked the council including two teenagers being stabbed The council’s principal licensing and to revoke the licence of the annual and reports of large fights. enforcement officer Clyde Masson celebration of Caribbean culture due to Ms Jung added police “did not have suggested organisers should consider two stabbings at the event last year. confidence” in the carnival’s organiser, moving out of Prospect Park, and it But the organisers at a licensing meeting Reading Caribbean Cultural Group should be more multicultural and not in September 2020 called the measure (RCCG), which the force said, was “out just about “one area of the town’s disproportionate and said they were of their depth”. history”. willing to increase security there. Bill Donne, barrister for RCCG, said Mr Donne responded: “It isn’t exclusive Licensing sub-committee members said “things have to change” and organisers to people of Caribbean ancestry, it is they felt they had “no other option”. were committed to controlling numbers open to all and enjoyed by all.” Bo-Eun Jung, barrister for Thames Valley with advance tickets, hiring more Delivering the decision chair of the sub- Police, called the event a “hotspot for security, and fencing off the event in committee councillor Deborah Edwards crime and gang activity” and said it was Prospect Park after the procession. said “there were not sufficient plans “only a matter of time before someone He added “the vast majority of people or management structure in place to is killed at the carnival”. were perfectly well behaved” and police ensure a well-run and safe event”. had put a “very forceful case” forward. She added she hoped “whole- According to the force, a number of The carnival has been running in the heartedly” the RCCG would apply for violent incidents took place during the town since 1977. another licence in time for May 2021. event in Prospect Park in May 2019 ToToddaayyMMaaggaazizninee    3939

Music Don Chandler Grammy Award Winner Don Chandler is a Grammy award keynote lecturer for the CultureMix Allah, Jimmy Riley, Leroy Sibbles, Mikey winning music producer, bass player work experience programme. Dread, Alton Ellis, Earl 16, Winston and Music Industry Specialist. He was Mcanuff, Tippa Irie, Mica Paris, Omar, awarded his Grammy for producing Don Chandler, is the Talent Lemar, Ola Onabule, Frank McCombe, the Strictly Roots album by Morgan Development Manager at CultureMix, UB40, Luciano, Bob Andy.and Sway. Heritage. and Director of World Heart Beat Reggae School and bass teacher and And the list goes on with Junior Byles, As a passionate advocate of promoting has performed with an extraordinary Eric Donaldson, Admiral Bailey, Anthony roots reggae music in the UK Don’s number of artists around the world B, Cornell Campbell, Linval Thompson, mentoring gives young people with including: Freddie McGregor, Johnny Pinchers, Charlie Chaplin, Courtney outstanding talent opportunities to Clarke, Horace Andy, The Mighty Melody, Don Carlos, Half Pint, Michael become music industry professionals. Diamonds, Frankie Paul, Michael Prophet, The Congos, Pablo Moses, Prophet, Junior Murvin, Linval Christopher Ellis, Shinehead, Mikey At CultureMix Don leads the Artist Thompson, Willie Williams, Black Uhuru, Dread, Max Romeo and many more. Development programme and is the The Congos, Pat Kelly, John Holt, Marcia producer for reggae artist Jnr Watson Griffiths, Pinchers, Courtney Melody, Don believes he is fortunate in the and the lead mentor for the Reading Charlie Chaplin, Professor Nuts, Pablo sense that he gets to travel the world as Reggae Collective. He is the industry Moses, George Nooks, Everton Blender, a musician and he has witnessed that tutor for the Music Academy, and the Anthony Johnson, Fred Locks, Prince reggae music in many of these countries 40  Today Magazine

Music that he has visited has a high visual Reading All Steel Percussion Orchestra. Talented reggae artist Jnr Watson is the presence in the form of live events and Backed by new independent record label first label signing recording an albums television coverage and young people CultureMix Records with investment worth of his original self penned songs want to play musical instruments as from Arts Council England the Reading live at the famous Willesden based a direct influence to what they see at Reggae Collective is a platform for young Theorem Music Village studios also the live events and on television. This ambitious performing artists seeking a known as Brent Black Music Collective is what Don believes is lacking from professional music career. (BBMC). reggae music in the UK. With access to top quality artist To bring Jnr’s music to life Don gathered Supported by CultureMix Arts Don’s management, recording studios, world the cream of today’s reggae musicians Reading Reggae Collective provides class musicians, marketing campaigns including keyboardist Cyrus Richards career development, management, and international touring the Reading (Rasites, Horace Andy), guitarist mentoring, production and promotion Reggae Collective represents the best Kashta Tafari (Rasites, Soul II Soul), as part of umbrella body Reading reggae music talent from around Carl Benjamin (The Wailers, Lee Perry), Black Music Collective (RBMC) which Reading for the mainstream music engineer James Zugasti (Aswad, Dub promotes Black music genres including industry market. Asanti Band, Rototom main stage) and a classic three piece horn section. BBMC is a treasure trove of reggae history where many UK and Jamaican reggae greats rehearsed for live tours and recorded music that stands the test of time. Maxi Priest, Gregory Isaacs, Aswad, The Wailers, The Mighty Diamonds, Frankie Paul and Freddie McGregor all passed through this iconic venue. With his ‘Soothe My Soul’ single and video release, and air play on Rodigan’s Reggae (BBC 1Xtra) Jnr’s success will be the blueprint for the Reading Reggae Collective talent creating a movement of fresh new roots reggae musicians for the UK. Today Magazine  41

Art Bespoke Binny British Entrepreneur Aims To Bring Vibrant West African De- signs To European Homes With Inspirational Homeware Brand As a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist based in London, Natalie Manima has recognised the importance of one’s home environment, in coping with issues such as anxiety and low mood levels for many years. Being of Ghanaian descent, Natalie grew up being surrounded by vibrant colours and prints, which she found to be uplifting, as a child. This was part of the inspiration behind launching Be- spoke Binny, an eclectic homeware brand rooted in African expression. Bespoke Binny is a British based business offering a range of hand- made homeware and gifts items made from West African fabric. The product range includes pillows, lampshades, aprons, oven gloves, table runners and card holders. When Natalie initially started Be- spoke Binny it was not supposed to be a business. Sewing was thera- peutic for her whilst she juggled the intensity of managing a busy job in the NHS. From her background as a therapist Natalie knew the impor- tance of self-care and using the craft of sewing to make cushions, lamp shades and more using wax print, African material gave Natalie a new lease on life. After receiving com- pliments about the things she was making for her home she decided to try a few craft markets in 2013 and the business grew from there. 4T2o daToydMaaygMaazignea zin4e2

But Natalie’s journey with Bespoke about their experiences. Art Binny has not been an easy one. In February of 2016, Natalie sadly By opening up about her experience, experienced a stillbirth under very Natalie became empowered and rare and serious circumstances in was encouraged to continue working which she very nearly lost her life. It on Bespoke Binny and re-launched was a difficult time for Natalie, her the business in November 2016 after husband and her entire family. After a 9 month break. this traumatic ordeal Natalie felt broken and she lost all interest in “I created Bespoke Binny because Bespoke Binny. She seriously con- I truly believe ‘home is where the sidered giving up the business for heart is’ and having a home that is a good as to her it felt so insignificant reflection of you is essential to your in comparison with her personal well-being.” - Natalie Manima. experiences. She was also uncertain about whether she should share her Natalie has really created a busi- story with others but she took the ness with a heart that will beautify courage to share one post on her homes across the world. Instagram page and was amazed by the response. She became inundat- www.bespokebinny.com ed by women who sent private DMs to thank her for sharing her story Twitter and Instagram @bespokebinny as they had been through similar situations but had felt unable to talk For press Interviews and feature contact: Ronke Lawal [email protected] Today Magazine  43

Lifestyle Dolphin’s Caribbean Catering 44  Today Magazine Photographs: Shirley Anstis Photographs: Shirley Anstis

Today Magazine catches up with now does events across Berkshire at catering for christenings, parties Lifestyle Dolphin’s Caribbean Catering - and London too. He has taken on and wakes. I was pleased to hear Randolph Bancroft staff so he can now do a couple of the he takes care to choose quality functions at the same time. products and does not just go for I had heard lots about the wonderful the cheapest. He has some desire to food prepared by Dolphin’s So, where did his love of food come educate people about the food they Caribbean Catering so I was looking from? Randolph has memories of eat and since I also have an interest forward to meeting the man behind seeing his aunt and grandmother in this we had a lively discussion the food. Dolphin’s Caribbean host family events in Barbados. Even around what we know to be good Catering was started by Randolph a a small gathering would require for us to eat. few years ago and is an example of feeding 50 people. Although he following your passion. wasn’t always allowed to help he It is true to say that Randolph is would take note of how they cooked passionate about food and serving Having moved from Barbados to the what they cooked. He and his friends customers great tasting food. He U.K. in 1998 Randolph decided to would be allowed to have a cookout is still learning and adding recipes seize all opportunities available to (cooking outside on wood or from Europe and Asia into what he him. When he moved to Reading to charcoal) and experiment. Later he offers. His reputation and bookings be with members of his extended enjoyed home economics at school have come via word of mouth as family he began to share his love for and was the best in his class. he doesn’t advertise although he cooking. It was not long before he does have a website. Even so, he began as a private cook for the late This brings us to his current role has recently catered for an event at manager of the After Dark Club and with his own company Dolphin’s the St. Vincent High Commission in his family. A role and a friendship Caribbean Catering. They have a London. I found Randolph to be a that Randolph enjoyed immensely. base at the Ibis Club on Scours Lane warm and caring person, the type of in Reading. Randolph is influenced person I’d trust to do my catering. Soon he would get a job at TGI Friday. by international cuisines as well He seemed both talented and Once they saw his competence he as that from his native Barbados. humble. Although he has a Christian was promoted and given the role of He shared with me that he is background he would now describe training the new recruits. In 2001 incorporating the best from different himself as Rastafarian. Randolph also began driving for islands into his repertoire. Alongside Reading Buses and this later became his Bajan staples such as cou cou and To end with I’d like to quote his full-time job. As many immigrants pickle (souse) he includes curried Randolph “Give thanks to the before him Randolph began working goat and macaroni pie as prepared Almighty for health. Let the food do 7-day weeks to build a secure base in Jamaica, Coleslaw as prepared the talking, don’t boast.” for his family. in Grenada and various soups as cooked in St. Vincent. You can contact Randolph at But cooking was never far from the Ibis Club: his heart. In the last few years he’s Having taken the leap to set up his http://www.riversibishealthclub.co.uk been doing various functions for the catering company Randolph also contact-details or on 07832 222 533 Caribbean community and beyond. caters for conferences and events. At recent funerals and functions, He has also given his time to put Shirley Anstis he has prepared food for 400-500 on a few charity fundraising events people! Word has spread and he at the Ibis Club. He is experienced Today Magazine  45

Lifestyle Discovering Cuba Photographs: Raji Rajasingham Old Havana Bayamo Cuba is located in the northern expected. the main foyer and the place Caribbean Sea, where the Gulf I spent three days in beautiful for tourist to see how cigars are of Mexico meets the Caribbean Havana. It felt like I was in a time made. As we ascended the stairs Sea. It is south of Florida. The warp. I could see automobiles there were seas of faces of cigar population is around 11million (in that were from the 1950’s. I was workers making the number one 2015). History says that Cuba tried caught up in the hustle and export - cigars. Rolls of tobacco to destabilise the South African bustle of the city: people going leaves rolled up by fingers that apartheid regime by deploying about their business and people worked 12 hours a day. Each 10,000 Cuban soldiers. Cuba has chatting in Spanish. All this and cigar had to fit in a unit so they had a tempestuous relationship the sunshine glimmering off the needed to be made to an exact with the US, primarily due to an ground. It was the sound of size. embargo by the US on the Cuban poetry to me. There was not much talking economy. There was an array of Cadillac but rolling of cigars. The factory I went to Cuba in June 2016 after cars, in colours like pink, lime, red workers were paid the same going through a major change and white moving along the busy salary as a practising doctor. I in my life. I had always loved roads. Some cars were sparkling learnt there were many economic the song,’Cuba’ by the Gibson in the sun and some cars that reasons why this was so. Brothers (1978) and also wanted looked old and worn out were I also went to the biggest market to learn how to dance salsa so used to transport people and in Havana. It housed so many both these things made me want goods. I hired a convertible for an things from local art to panama to visit the country. hour’s tour which included a tour hats. The art was amazing and When I told family and friends I of ‘Revolution Square’ where I I bought a lovely panama hat was going to Cuba most people saw monuments of Che Guevara with a brown trim. The Tropicana said they always wanted to visit. and Fidel Castro. Cabaret show was an experience Once there I found the music, This tour ended at the cigar which I will always remember. I the people and the beautiful factory, a building with several could not believe that you could beaches were even better than I floors. The bottom floor contained put so many people in one show. 46  Today Magazine

There were several stages and onPhotographs: Raji Rajasingham plant got natural light and water. bath full of clear water. Most of each stage dancers swayed to I thoroughly recommend a home- the beaches were covered by the salsa beat and the costumes Lifestylestay as you get a glimpse of what tourists who came from France were an of array of rainbow it feels like to live in a local place. and the United States. The hottest colours. Plus, hosts are friendly and eager temperatures were between During my stay I also went to to practice their English. midday and two o’clock. the part of the island known as I was excited to visit the memorial Reserving your hut first thing in the Trinidad and did what is known of Che Guevara and it was morning before breakfast was a as a home-stay. I was greeted impressive. The memorial is so must to guarantee having your by a warm lovely lady called precious that armed security favourite spot. Casa who had, “Jamaica”, guards were on hand 24hrs a As a Caribbean country the written across her t-shirt. She day. The memorial included early local foods do not have the obviously spoke to me in Spanish pictures of him, his resting place marinated flavours found in the and I was embarrassed because and pictures showing his life. rest of the Caribbean; most of I speak very little Spanish, He is still the iconic brave man the food was surprisingly bland. however, she was so warm that that many Cubans are proud of The hotel had a special dinner we communicated with smiles especially because of the shared for guests that included crab instead of words. history of the revolution. and lobster. I filled my plate with I also went to the square where I found Cubans were very both but unfortunately the tool music, restaurants and bars were knowledgeable about their to break the crab claws was not all situated. There was music history and eager to share forthcoming as the kitchen staff everywhere. After dinner a few their country with visitors. didn’t know of such a kitchen tool of us home stayers went to a bar Transportation was not great for getting the crab meat out. and there we watched Cubans for the local people as only the Cuba is a developing country. dancing salsa, their bodies rich could afford to have a car. The people do not have much in moving in sync to the music. Salaries are low but the people the way of access to the level of There were sounds of bongo are warm and friendly. They love technology as those of us living drums, Spanish guitars and other talking to visitors and finding out in the U.K. However, they have percussion instruments. I heard about how we live. contentment and I hardly saw music all night until I got back to For the next seven days I stayed any Cuban not smiling. I guess my home-stay. in the southern part of Cuba, you can be happy when you The morning of my home-stay Veradero, where there were rows have music all around you and I had a cooked breakfast and of hotels with beautiful beaches. that was my experience in Cuba, whilst I was eating at the table I The sand was as clean and music all day long. was amazed to see a small palm smooth as caster sugar. In the tree in the middle of my host’s sea I could see my toes glistening Melvina Dimmott-Franklin kitchen. A small opening in the underneath the warm clear ceiling was enough to ensure the waters. It was like being in a warm Santiago Bayamo Today Magazine  47

Health Photographer Dennis Morris on Prostate Cancer Campaign Why did you want to support our Why do you think that is? Why is it important that people get campaign? I think sometimes you are so busy just behind this campaign? Well, once I found out that one in four trying to survive the motions of life that Because the more people who get black men would get prostate cancer, it’s difficult to think outside of that. It’s behind it, the more people who will be I thought it was important to bring difficult when you’re trying to make a aware of the issue. awareness to other Black men. I think living and put food on the table, other most people aren’t aware of the facts, things just don’t go through your mind. strongerknowingmore.org so I really felt like it was important to be The everyday survival can take a part of. over your life. What do you hope the man on the Paul Barber, Actor street will think and feel about the portraits you’ve taken? I hope people on the street, when they see the photographs of say Linford Christie and David Haye for example, will go ‘Oh wow, I’ve never seen him like that before’. I just really hope people are drawn to the images and want to find out more about the campaign. Where do you draw your strength from? I draw my strength from everything and everyone. As a photographer, I think I’ve been very lucky throughout my career to have worked with some very influential people, from Bob Marley to the Sex Pistols and Marianne Faithfull. How have you captured strength in the portraits you’ve taken? For me to capture strength, I have to have a connection with my subject. I did a bit of research before I met the men I’d be photographing so I can build that connection. It’s a very strange thing photography, but I think I have a natural knack of making people feel at ease. I also think when people see who I’ve worked with previously, they gain confidence with me. One of the things I try to do with my photography is to take away the mask and reveal the other side. I hope each man, when they see their photographs, will see a side of themselves they’ve not seen before. Amongst the �lack community, awareness of prostate cancer is very low. 48  Today Magazine

Dr Frank Chinegwundoh MBE Health Prostate cancer in black men: Campaign information for GPs Public Health England is launching What is the key message of this campaign? a local pilot campaign in London to raise awareness of the increased • 1 in 4 black men will get prostate cancer. risk of prostate cancer amongst black men. We need your help to • Prostate cancer often has no obvious symptoms. make it a success. If you are a black man over 45 and want to discuss your personal risk of prostate cancer, visit your GP What is Be Clear on Cancer? What sort of activity will the campaign include? Be Clear on Cancer aims to tackle late diagnosis of cancer The campaign will include posters, leaflets and events in the through raising awareness of signs and symptoms of cancer and community. The activity will be highly targeted and largely encouraging people to see their GP earlier, or raising awareness delivered by street teams who will engage directly with the target in at risk groups. audience. Why run a campaign on black men and prostate Where is the pilot happening? cancer? The pilot will run in the London Boroughs of Newham, Hackney 1 in 4 black men in the UK will be diagnosed with prostate and Haringey in North London and Lambeth, Lewisham and cancer at some point in their lives compared to 1 in 8 of all men1. Southwark in South London. These boroughs have a high Although prostate cancer accounts for 12% of cancer deaths population of the target audience and a higher incidence of and 4% of all deaths in men in England, it accounts for 22% of prostate cancer compared to the average England incidence. cancer deaths in black men and 8% of all deaths in black men2. Around 37,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each Has the prostate cancer campaign been run before? year in England. Around 9,000 men die from the disease each This campaign will run for the first time in October 2014. Public year in England. Health England, the Department of Health, NHS England and NHS Improving Quality have taken a number of steps to make Who is the campaign aimed at? the pilot campaign as robust as possible, including: The campaign will target black men from all socio-economic groups, over the age of 45. It will also target their key influencers, • Working with a group of experts including a consultant such as wives/partners, friends and family. The campaign is urologist and GP who sit on the independent national Prostate using 45 as opposed to 50 as black men have been shown to get Cancer Advisory Group, Prostate Cancer UK, the Prostate prostate cancer three to five years earlier than other men3. Cancer Risk Management Programme (PCRMP) team within PHE and an expert in multicultural communications 1 Prostate Cancer UK 2014 http://prostatecanceruk.org/we-can- help/african-caribbean-communities • Testing campaign materials with the target audience and with GPs to ensure that the messages are clear 2 Source: Public Health England South West Knowledge & Intelligence Team based on Office for National Statistics and • Qualitative research amongst the target audience Health & Social Care Information Centre data • Learning from the Newham Community-Based Prostate 3 Metcalfe C, Evans S, Ibrahim F, Patel B, Anson K, Chinegwundoh Clinic (2010/11)4 F, et al Pathways to diagnosis for black men and white men found to have prostate cancer: the PROCESS cohort study. Campaign supported by Prostate Cancer UK British Journal of Cancer, 2008 Oct 7; 99(7):1040-5 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18797456 Prostate Cancer UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1005541) and in Scotland (SC039332). Registered company 2653887. 4 Ream et al, Evaluation of a Community-based Prostate Health Clinic in London (September 2012) https://www.kcl.ac.uk/nurs- ing/research/programmes/PatientCarerExperience/Evalutation-of- a-Prostate-Health-Clinic---report.pdf Today Magazine  49

Health FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION A guide for health care professionals What is Female Genital FGM in the UK Mutilation (FGM)? It is estimated that 65,000 girls aged 13 FGM comprises of all procedures involving and under are at risk of FGM in the UK. UK partial or total removal of the external female genital organs or any other injury to the female communities most at risk include Kenyan, genital organs for non-medical reasons. FGM Somalian, Sudanese, Sierra Leonean, is most often carried out on young girls aged Egyptian, Nigerian and Eritrean. between infancy and 15 years old. It is often referred to as ‘cutting’, ‘female circumcision’, Non-African countries that practise FGM ‘initiation’, ‘Sunna ‘and ‘infibulation’. include Yemen, Afghanistan, Kurdistan, Spotting the signs Indonesia, Malaysia, Turkey, Thailand (South) and Pakistani. Please note this Suspicions may arise in a number of ways that a child may be at risk list is not exhaustive. of FGM. These include:- In practice what you • Knowing that a mother or older should consider:- sibling has undergone FGM • Is it going to occur? • A girl talks about plans to have a ‘special procedure’ or to attend • Has it occurred? a special occasion / celebration to ‘become a woman’. FGM is child abuse • A girl’s parents state that they or a FGM causes significant harm and relative will take the child out of the constitutes physical and emotional country for a prolonged period, or abuse. FGM is a violation of a child’s school holidays or when attending for right to life, their bodily integrity as travel vaccinations. well as their right to health. • A girl may talk about a long holiday to her country of origin or another country The FGM Prevention Programme is where the practice is present. a programme of work led by the • The girl is a member of the community Department of Health to improve the that is less integrated into UK society NHS response to FGM; this includes and whose country of origin projects to improve awareness, practices FGM. provision of services and management of FGM, and safeguarding of girls at risk. The UK Law FGM is against the law in the UK and has been a criminal offence since 1985. It is a serious crime that carries a penalty of 14 years in prison. It is an offence to make arrangements for FGM to be undertaken within the UK or to take, or plan to take a child out of the UK for the purpose of FGM. 50  Today Magazine