ASKaND’s 2024: A Year of Triumphs!
As we reflect on 2024, the Association of St Kitts & Nevis Descendants (ASKaND) has once again proven itself a beacon of cultural pride and community spirit in Birmingham. Building on the solid foundation laid in previous years, ASKaND has surpassed expectations, delivering a year packed with memorable events, significant achievements, and unwavering dedication to its mission.
The year kicked off with a bang as February saw the highly successful Health and Wellbeing Fair, a testament to ASKaND's commitment to holistic community care. This event, part of the National Lottery Community Fund initiatives, drew impressive crowds and showcased the strength of newly forged partnerships.
The "Shine Like A Diamond" event in March was a fitting crown to the financial year's achievements. This celebration of young talent through music, dance, and creative arts not only showcased the community's bright future but also marked the successful conclusion of activities funded by the National Lottery Community Fund.
Summer brought the eagerly anticipated 3rd annual St Kitts-Nevis Heritage Day on August 18th. Held at The Hub in Perry Barr, this vibrant celebration of SKN culture was made possible through funding from the
MEET THE NEW ASKaND EXECS
Inclusive Communities Fund. The day was a kaleidoscope of activities, featuring spoken word sessions, dominoes tournaments, children's activities, and free health talks. The event's success was a testament to ASKaND's growing influence and its ability to bring together diverse elements of the community.
ASKaND's commitment to physical well-being and community spirit was evident in the "Brum to SKN Challenge," a sponsored walk that united members in a common goal, of engaging the wider community.
The year culminated in spectacular fashion with our second anniversary dinner gala at Villa Park’s ‘82 Champions Club’. This glittering event on September 28th was a fitting celebration of two years of incredible
growth and impact on the community.
Throughout the year, ASKaND continued its efforts to strengthen ties with St Kitts and Nevis, including supporting the "Sponsor a Netball" initiative to enhance youth sports, in schools, on the islands. The Association also showed its compassion by participating in relief efforts for Caribbean nations affected by Hurricane Beryl.
As we look towards 2025, excitement is building for what promises to be another landmark year for ASKaND. With a track record of successful events, growing partnerships, and our ever-expanding reach, the Association is poised to continue its vital work in preserving and celebrating SKN heritage while developing a strong, supportive community in Birmingham.
The coming year holds the promise of even more cultural celebrations, health initiatives, and youth-focused programs. ASKaND's unwavering commitment to its roots and its forward-thinking approach suggest that 2025 will be a year of continued growth, deeper community connections, and new horizons for the St Kitts and Nevis diaspora in Birmingham and beyond.
JacquiDaniels ASKaND Chair
ASKaND NETS AWARD FOR MEMBER
ASKaND 2024/26 Executive Team
Jacqui Daniels
- ASKaND Chair
For over 30 years I have been working with several Caribbean groups and a mixed cycling group at different levels. This includes: Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and PR. I hope to bring my experience in Birmingham to help put our Association on the main stage by doing great things, working with, supporting, and pushing our young people to be the best versions of themselves they can be.
By working with and making new connections in the UK and abroad, we can offer many more much-needed projects, training, workshops, lecturers and support mechanisms to enrich our community and further promote our wellbeing.
Lashana Charles-Queely - ASKaND Secretary
Lashana is an arts professional with experience in organising and managing events and writing content. As the new ASKaND Secretary, Lashana sees this as an opportunity to work with others to share and nurture our culture and to foster a better future for the Kittitian and Nevisian diaspora in Birmingham and beyond.
Julie Zakers - ASKaND Asst. Secretary
With my new status as Assistant Secretary, it gives me the opportunity to take on new duties, focussing on greater support for the Chair and the Chief Strategic Officer, in addition to supporting our new Secretary.
With ASKaND moving forward, it is set to bring some exciting opportunities for all of us to gain new skills and develop new networks. Roll on 2025!!!
Rhyllis Green - ASKaND Treasurer
I am excited to take on the role of Treasurer. With my keen attention to detail and the ability to manage resources effectively, I look forward to contributing my skills to the Association.
Ralph Neale - ASKaND Deputy Treasurer
It has been a pleasure carrying out the duties of Treasurer for the last two years. However, we now have someone with far more experience than myself, and I hope to learn a lot from her. Going forward, this new era will be a time of change, and I will endeavour to help and support the Treasurer in any way possible. Good luck.
Edlynn Zakers - ASKaND Chief Strategic Officer
With decades of experience of working at grassroots level in the community, delivering youth, community and regeneration projects I have experience in conceptualising, developing and delivering community projects . My working practice then transitioned into working at a strategic level where I now specialise in building organisational infrastructure and partnerships. It is an honour to be able to bring those skills to our Association and I am looking forward to taking the opportunity to mentor Members, so they too, can take on the role in the future.
Shaun MerchantASKaND Strategic Officer
As the Strategic Officer, I will carry out my role to the best of my abilities. I look forward to working with the Executive Team, Members and all those associated with our ASKaND family.
ASKaND 2024/26 Executive Team
Brenda MorganASKaND Social Secretary
I am excited about the role as Social Secretary as I get to work with other committee members, all to help develop ASKaND into making it the best it can be.
I look forward to organising fun social events, and encouraging new and existing members to attend. Building connections inside and outside of our Association; and to continue to build greater commitment to ASKaND.
Lucina NisbettASKaND Asst. Social Secretary
I am honoured to have been successfully elected to the role of Assistant Social Secretary at the last AGM. I’m looking forward to helping to arranging events for the coming year and seeing members fully immerse themselves in upcoming ASKaND events and activities.
Cherelle GardinerASKaND Health & Wellbeing Officer
I am thrilled to join the Executive Team as the Health and Wellbeing Officer, and eager to lead the Health & Wellbeing Sub-Committee and support volunteers in championing initiatives that uplift our community. My role will focus on promoting mental health, inclusivity, and resilience through communitybased interventions. Drawing from my lived experiences, I aim to be an ambassador for wellbeing, in collaboration with local organisations, to enhance education, awareness, and service access. With respect, empathy, and alignment with the organisation’s core values, I am committed to building a healthier and resilient community.
Janelle Jack – ASKaND Asst. Health & Wellbeing Officer
I am looking forward to taking up the role of Deputy Health and Wellbeing Officer and offering my support to our new Health & Wellbeing Officer –Cherelle Gardiner. It was an incredibly fulfilling role, during my two-year tenure, and I hope our new H&W Officer will have a similar experience in the role. I will certainly continue to contribute my best effort to ASKaND and Cherelle as we further our mission to support our community.
Additional Executive Officers
Everton Merchant - ASKaND Youth and Community Development Officer
Peter Nwabuokei - ASKaND Communications Officer
Desmond Gumbs - ASKaND Assistant Communications Officer
Welcome to the Team, Execs, and thank you for your service!
Reflections on the Caribbean Health Exhibition ‘24
The Caribbean Health Exhibition 2024, held at the Legacy Centre of Excellence, Potters Lane, Birmingham, addressed health inequalities and promoted health and wellbeing within the Black community. The event, running from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, featured diverse activities and presentations. It provided valuable insights and a profound sense of community engagement, though there were opportunities for improvement.
Setting
and Offerings
The exhibition offered free food and services, which everybody seemed to enjoy, creating an inviting atmosphere. Activities included fitness workouts led by Twinsane with Soca music, free mental health checks, and a cooking demonstration by Ashleigh Simpson from the Diverse Nutrition Association. The vibrant energy of the event was palpable, though vendors packed up too early, limiting opportunities for engagement and support.
Highlights and Key Learnings
From what I managed to see Mental health was a central focus of the exhibition. Dr. Ishtar, the keynote speaker and a Caribbean dementia and brain researcher, psychologist, and CEO of Amagi Health Ltd, shared her research in an engaging session, offering critical insights into neurological health and cultural considerations. Lynda McFarlene’s session, “Stop Di Bawlin’,” examined harmful behaviours in Caribbean households disguised as cultural norms, providing educational tools to improve mental health outcomes.
The discussion on “Decolonising Therapy,” led by the Black Psychotherapist, underscored the importance of culturally aware counselling practices. Role-play activities highlighted key points during presentations, helping to illustrate the need for tailored support. The event reinforced the importance of advocating for therapy that aligns with cultural and emotional needs, a lesson I have shared in other training settings related to mental health and treatment.
The keynote by Omar Junior & Co., moderated by Theo Johnson, a BBC 1XTRA Radio Presenter, writer, and actor, explored Black male mental health stories. Theo’s moderation left the audience with insights on stereotypes and the challenges faced by Black men, emphasizing the need for community support to overcome limiting beliefs and reclaim narratives.
Community Impact
The event offered free health appointments, advice surgeries by the British Caribbean Doctors and Dentists Association, and a health library with VR technology. Feedback varied: an ASKaND member praised the counselling services for their non-invasive approach, while another attendee felt the doctor service lacked new insights and was directed to see her GP. Ashleigh Simpson’s cooking demonstration provided actionable insights on diet and mood regulation, bridging the gap between theory and daily practice.
Reflection and Takeaways
Reflecting on the event, the speakers’ passion and openness demonstrated the potential for growth within the Black community. Addressing stigmatised issues such as harmful cultural behaviours and mental health barriers reminded attendees of the importance of accountability and healing. The exhibition’s culturally relevant approaches underscored the necessity of continued efforts to reduce health inequalities and foster wellbeing. While logistical improvements are needed, the event’s impact was undeniable, leaving attendees with practical tools and inspiration. Please let me know your thoughts...
Cherelle Gardiner
BA Hons, A1, PTLLS, TAP Cert, NLP. NCFE CACHE ASKaND Health & Wellbeing Officer
ASKaND Secures Prestigious Award for Member
We have always believed that volunteering in the local community can yield significant benefits in one's professional life. With this in mind, we are thrilled to announce that our former Health and Wellbeing Officer, Janelle Jack, has received the prestigious Cloutman Memorial Award. This recognition honours both her exceptional work in her career and her dedicated service to ASKaND!
The Cloutman Memorial Award
The Cloutman Memorial Award was established by the Royal Air Force Dental Branch to commemorate the life and work of Air Vice-Marshal Geoffrey Cloutman, who was the Branch Director from 1977-1980. The prize is awarded to an airman or airwoman of the Royal Air Force Dental Branch who has given the most outstanding service over the past year.
“Corporal (Cpl) Jack has provided outstanding support to the RAF Ethnic Minority Network, RAF BAME Network, RAF Recruiting and Selection Team and wider voluntary community work. As an ambassador to the RAF Ethnic Minorities Network, Cpl Jack has put forward several ideas, including the Ethnic Minorities Network Roadshow which successfully visited three RAF Stations (RAF Marham, RAF Henlow and RAF Brize Norton) during Black History Month. Cpl Jack also supported the RAF BAME conference, she contributed to the panel discussion and having undertaken significant research, she wrote and presented a narrative showcasing historical RAF BAME personnel from the past and aligning it to her own RAF Story.
“In support of the RAF Recruiting and Selection team she attended the 75th anniversary of the RMS Windrush at the Royal Air Force Museum Hendon, assisting in the organisation and coordination of the event. Her willingness to engage with the public and speak positively and articulately about her own experiences, contributed to raising the profile of the RAF careers to an ethnic minority audience and drew praise from the Museum staff and public alike. In wider community work, Cpl Jack has supported the ‘Association of St Kitts & Nevis Descendants’ as Project Officer for the delivery of a Health and Wellbeing Day. The aim of the event was to highlight the health challenges faced by ethnic minorities communities and Cpl Jack was instrumental in organising this successful event which drew in over
200 attendees.
“Cpl Jack‘s outstanding contribution to the RAF’s developing minority networks and her passion for supporting wider minority community projects is an inspiration. She has undertaken much of this work is her own time whilst balancing her busy role in the Dental HQ alongside family life.
“For the impact of her hard work in raising the profile of the RAF Dental Branch and the Royal Air Force, Corporal Janelle Jack is awarded the Cloutman Memorial Award.”
ASKaND member Cpl Janelle Jack and family.
Warrant Officer Brian Goss & Group Captain Claire Myhill
GET ON OUR SOCIALS!
Don’t forget to access the Linktree links on our website. Peter, our Communications Officer, is always keen to hear your suggestions, so please let him know your thoughts on how we can improve our contents. Also, if you have a website you would like us to add, just let Peter know. But in the meantime, please don’t forget our Socials which are having more and more people wanting to connect to us every week. So please find us at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/askandbrum
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/askandbrum/
X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/askandbrum
Email: askand2022@gmail.com
Find us at: www.askand.org
PeterNwabuokei ASKaND Communications Officer
Upcoming Members Meetings
ASKaND Members meetings will be held at the BCA, Jenkins Street, Birmingham, B10 0PQ at 1900hrs. However, please always check our location. We are always working to try and offer our members different experiences; and that might mean we change our venue! But don’t worry; we will always give you plenty of notice of any changes!
Friday 24th January 2025
Friday 7th March 2025
Friday 4th April 2025
Friday 2nd May 2025
Friday 6th June 2025
Friday 4th July 2025
Friday 1st August 2025
ASKaND Chair Leading Tuesday Dominoes Club
Are you passionate about dominoes, enjoy good conversation, and appreciate a bit of friendly banter? We have the perfect place for you!
Join us at the BCA every Tuesday from 7 PM for an enjoyable evening out. You'll be warmly welcomed and have the opportunity to enhance your domino skills. Learn how to read the tiles on the board and outmanoeuvre your opponents! To top it off, you'll be treated to a hot, nutritious, and balanced evening meal.
Thanks to funding from The Neighbourhood Network Scheme (NNS) General Fund for adults aged 50 and over, ASKaND is proud to present the 'Tuesday's Dominoes Club' project.
The club, which began on November 5, 2024, is led by ASKaND Chair Jacqui Daniels, with support from two volunteer members and two experienced domino players who serve as mentors. These mentors are available to help players refine their game strategies. The Dominoes Club will run for 16 weeks, and we encourage everyone to spread the word and join us in supporting this new initiative. After a brief pause for the holiday season, we'll resume on January 14, 2025, and continue through March 31, 2025.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Help ASKaND Benefit From Your Regular Shop!
ASKaND has received funds in excess of £400 from those members who shop online and when they eat out or order a takeaway. EasyFundraising doesn’t require you to do anything different from the norm. The more members we have involved, the greater the reward ASKaND will receive from your regular shopping activity.
With the new year approaching, this is an ideal time to consider supporting ASKaND, while you shop. EasyFundraising makes it simple! Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started:
1) Visit the EasyFundraising Website and head to their registration page.
2) Support a Cause: Fill in ASKaND’s full name – Association of St Kitts and Nevis Descendants. The search engine will find it and then you can give your details
3) Click to add the Donation Reminder – this is a really useful link because there are many shopping site that we end up visiting purely by chance. This will show you if the retailer has signed up to EasyFundraising to make a donation.
Start Fundraising: Shop online with over 7,000 brands, and a percentage of your spend will be donated to ASKaND
Signing up is free, and it’s a fantastic way to turn everyday shopping into meaningful contributions. Ready to make a difference? Please sign up and start raising funds effortlessly!
Please sign up and support ASKaND! https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/askand
ASKaND 2nd Anniversary Gala Dinner
We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our members, friends, and relatives who attended our second ASKaND Anniversary Gala Dinner. What a spectacular evening it was! The journey to this elegant event was challenging, especially coming on the heels of our third Heritage Day celebration, which was another successful but exhausting endeavour. Nonetheless, we once again set high standards for ourselves, and I'm delighted to report that we met and exceeded our expectations. This achievement is particularly noteworthy as our event dates coincided with several St. Kitts and Nevis independence celebrations. The night was made extra special with a live performance from Big Ship Alliance, a PA from Sekou and our wonderful DJs keeping the vibe alive all night.
Our members and volunteers deserve special recognition for their eagerness to assist in any way possible. Their dedication and hard work is truly commendable and much appreciated.
Happy second anniversary, dear friends! We've successfully added another year to our accomplishments, and we eagerly anticipate many more years of growth and success to come.
Salutations From Across The Sea!
“Greetings to ASKaND for the 2nd anniversary of your organization.
“The government supports all organisations and welcomes the idea of our nationals and descendants getting together to cherish and honour our homeland. We wish you the best in your endeavours and shout ‘3 cheer’s for your anniversary. God Bless and have a wonderful celebration.”
Her Excellency Dr. Christine Walwyn - Diaspora Ambassador
ASKaND Shines at ICF Celebration
In a vibrant showcase of community spirit and innovation, ASKaND took to the stage at the recent Inclusive Communities Fund Celebration held at Coventry Building Society Arena. This event, attended by hundreds, honoured the recipients of a £11.8 million Commonwealth Games legacy fund, distributed to 388 community organisations across the West Midlands and Warwickshire.
As one of the proud beneficiaries, ASKaND was invited to present our groundbreaking Heritage Day project, which embodied the fund's mission to address local challenges and create positive change. The presentation highlighted the remarkable success of the event and its
far-reaching impact on the community.
ASKaND's Heritage Day stood out as a shining example of how cultural celebrations can be seamlessly integrated with health awareness. The organisation's innovative approach involved introducing various health aspects into the event, demonstrating a holistic understanding of community well-being.
The presentation showcased the impressive turnout and engagement at the Heritage Day,
emphasising how it brought together diverse community members. Attendees were treated to a rich tapestry of cultural experiences while also gaining valuable health insights, creating a unique and impactful event.
The success of ASKaND's initiative resonated strongly with the event's theme of creating inclusive communities. By blending heritage celebration with health education, music and the arts, ASKaND demonstrated a creative approach to addressing community needs and building a sense of belonging.
The presentation at the celebration event not only highlighted ASKaND's achievements but also inspired others present. So much so, a young man introduced himself to us as a SKN descendant and it turns out that he is the cousin of one of our members! This serves as a testament to the power of community-driven initiatives and the lasting impact of the Commonwealth Games legacy fund.
As the Inclusive Communities Fund Celebration drew to a close, ASKaND's contribution stood amongst the other awardees, exemplifying how targeted funding and passionate community organisations can come together to create meaningful change and build more inclusive, healthier communities across the West Midlands.
ASKaND Chair’s Seasonal Message
"As we embrace this festive season, I extend my heartfelt wishes for happiness and peace to each of you. As we stand on the threshold of a New Year, let us welcome it together with hope and optimism.
“May the coming year be filled with joy, peace, and countless blessings. Together, we can face any challenges that arise with courage and determination. Let us strive to replace fear with understanding, continue to care for our neighbours, and hold steadfastly to hope.
“As we bid farewell to 2024, let's envision a brighter future for our children and young people one filled with new beginnings and new horizons. May God's love touch each and every one of you, and let there be peace around the world.
JacquiDaniels ASKaND Chair
Merry Christmas To Our ASKaND Family
