Xcellence Magazine Nov Issue 2 - The Eve Gene

XCELLENCE

M A G A Z I N E

Editor's Note

is both inspirational

human beings featured in this edition, willnodoubt,makeyouburstwithpridetoo,knowingtheyarelivinghere, inourbeautifulhomeofWales Howblessedarewe?

Iamso,pleasedthatthroughoutthisissue,wehavebeenabletoshare thelovewithsomanycreativesthathavecontributed beitthroughtheir art,poetryorwriting Wehavehadtheabsolutepleasureofprovidinga space for young people to take ownership of the artistry on the front cover whichisabeautifulillustrationdesignedtoevokea'conversation around our collective humanity Issue 2, explores, all that is new in education,thearts,businessandsomuchmore

My hope is that you will see the beauty of diversity through the pages andwanttokeep thislittlebitofhistoryinthemakingasakeep sake, tosharewithothersandmaybeadornyourcoffeetablewith Eitherway,wehaveenjoyedeveryminuteofputtingIssue2,together If youmissedIssue1,youcanfinditonlineat:wwwbexcellencecouk

Ihopeyouenjoy!

LoveDonnaAlix

Hi, I'm Tia I am a media research assistant at BExcellence CIC, running the feature YouthMatters' Ihavebeenattendinglotsofeventscelebratingtheyoung peopleofWalestobringyousomegreatcontent Asa18yearoldmyself Ifeel that is important that we give young people full and positive representation, becauseoftenyoungpeoplegetabadpress However,YouthMatters,ishereto changethat byhighlighting someofthepositivecontributionsyoungpeopleare makingtoWales,afterallwearethefuturegeneration

IamfortunatetobeinvolvedinXcellenceMagazineandmentoredbytheeditor in chief, who believes in succession planning and making space for young people for their voice to be heard I had full artistic licence to bring to life the visionofourfirstprintedfrontcover Isn'titbeautiful?

Myhopeisthatyouenjoyissue2,andtelleveryoneaboutit!

People in Power

Vaughan Gething

Thesearethefamouswordsofthepoet,authorandactivist, MayaAngelou,takenfromherbookWouldn'tTakeNothing forMyJourneyNow ThesewordsresonatewhenIhear peoplecomplainaboutpolitics Iknowitsoundsabitharsh, becausetherearesomethingswecanchangeandothers wecan’t However,manyofusasWelshcitizens,failtotake fullresponsibilityforourcivicrights,whenitcomestohow wewouldliketoseesocietychange,insteadwespendfar toomuchtimecomplainingratherthanparticipating Iknow thatformanywhoattend‘normal’schools,wearenot taughtpolitics,howitworks,whyitworksandwhobestto alignourvaluesandallegiancewith

Manyofus,ifwedovote,followourparents’partyofchoice, withoutthefullunderstandingofwhy Ihearmanypeople say,wellthepeopleingovernmentdon’trepresentme!

Youcouldarguethatmaybetheelitistsofthisworld the1% wantus,the99%,toremainignorant ButIdobelievethat whenpeoplespeakup,thingsdoandcanchange!We haveseenevidenceofthisduringthepasttwoyears with momentsliketheBLMmovementandotherprotests,inthe fightagainstsomeoftheconditionsconcerningthe dreadedCword#covid Inresponsetotheseevents the WelshgovernmentatleasthasnowintroducedtheAnti RacismActionPlan

Power to the People!

you're supposed to do when you don't like a thing is change it. If you can't change it, change the way you think about it. Don't complain.’

Maya Angelou.

I believethatwhenonebecomesinterestedinWelshcivic duty,thencivicdutybecomesapartof‘being’Welsh An exampleofthiscanbeseeninthejourneyofEconomy MinisterforWales VaughanGethingwho asachild realisedthatlifewasjustnotfair Vaughansjourneyintopoliticsisevidentinthatwecanall takeaccountabilityandownershipofourcitizenship,yes therearesystematicbarriers,oftendeterminedbyrace andclass butIbelievetimesarechangingandmore diversevoicesarebeingheard Iwanttoecho,BlackHistory Wales’smessage Youngpeople,thetimeisnow!

Whicheverpartyyoualignyourvalueswith,youmustshow upandbeproactivetotakepartindemocracy Onething thatislookedatisnothowyouvote,butifyouvote

Whichever party you align your values with, you must show up and be proactive to take part in democracy. One thing that is looked at is not how you vote, but if you vote.

‘What

Economy Minister for Wales Vaughan Gething

‘You Can’t Be What You Can’t See’

Iaskedmembersofthepublictoposequestionsthatthey wouldlikemetoaskVaughanduringourtimetogether

SarahBowenasked;

How does political tribalism influence the decision making process?

Justtoclarify,politicaltribalism,hasbeendefinedaswhere loyaltytothepoliticaltribebecomesmoreimportantthan loyaltytoanythingelse,itisaboutidentityandbelonging, ratherthansupportingwhatisright wwwwhiteeaglesvisioncom Vaughanstatesitisimportanttofirstbeclearaboutwho weareandwhatwebelievein Yes,insomeparties,we sharethesamevalues,butrecognisingthatwedonot alwaysagreewitheveryone isOK Butwhenitcomestothe environment,suchasbeingattheSenedd,wedohave cross partyconsensus,andwemanagethatbyvotingon whatwethinkistherightthingtodo Therearetimeswhen weallmustdebateaboutwhattherightthingtodoisbut ultimately,asapolitician,itdoescomedowntolisteningto thepeople weighingupthefactsandhopefullymakingthe rightdecision

AliAhmedasked;

Is getting more Black and ethnic minority people in the Senedd a priority to him?

Justabitofbackgroundhere In1999 2001,Vaughan workedasaresearcherforformerAMsValFeldand LorraineBarrettandwasthechairoftheRighttoVote, whichwasacross partyprojecttoencouragemore participationfromBlackandminorityethniccommunities, inWelshpubliclife wwwgovwales

IexpandedonAli’squestionandasked;

What did that research find and has anything changed as a result?

Vaughanreplies,thatwhenworkingaschairontheRightto Voteproject wefirstthoughtthatbecauseofthelow populationofpeopleofcolour,thiswasthereasonforfew participatingbut,actually,wefoundthatthatwasnotthe reasonatall Wefoundthattherehasbeenaconsistent lackofrepresentationinallthecitiesacrossWales So,in responsetoAlisquestion,wehavetolookatthenumberof thingsrequiredtobecomeacouncillor suchasbeing involvedingainingtheparties'structuresandsupporting thosestructures areyouaschoolgovernor,oractiveinany wayinyourcommunity?Allofthosethingsareapartof publiclife,peoplehavetoparticipate,andthisisnotjusta Labourissue,thisisacrossallparties

This is not just a Labour issue, it is an issue across all parties.

The Senedd Home of Democracy

Theimportantthingtorememberisthattheareaswhere peoplearelesslikelytovote,thelesspoliticalattention theyreceive,becausewhenitcomestoelectiontimeyou aremorelikelygoingtospendmoretimeintheareasthat vote TheengagementinCardiffSouthvaries,itisnota secretthatmoreaffluentareasvote,whichbecomesa problemfromasocialjusticepointofviewbecausethe peoplewhoaremostlikelytoneedtheirgovernment,do notvote Furthermore,democraticengagementisnota one offevent therearealotofthingspeoplecando

Xcellencemagazine isaboutrepresentation sowe supportthephrase,‘youcantbewhatyoucan’tsee’,inthe contextofempowering,encouraging,redefining,and highlightingthesystematicracismthataffectsthesocial mobilityofpeopleofcolour Butwhatisimportantisnot justthatVaughanisthefirst,buthewontbethelast

So,IwasinterestedtofindoutwhatVaughansexperience asaBlackpoliticianhasbeenlike,andIwasnotsurprised tohearthathisvisibilitycomeswithpressuresthatother politiciansdontunderstand DespiteVaughanhaving manyresponsibilitiesforthewholecountry,duringtimes suchasBlackHistoryMonth theexpectationsthathe wouldleadit,becauseofthecolourofhisskin,limitshim toaBlackpolitician,ratherthanapoliticianwhoisBlack

Inmyexperience,Ihavewitnessedthisinmany organisations,Isuggestthatitisdowntofearofothersnot wantingtogetthingswrong,ornotknowingenough Vaughanclaimsthatitcangetfrustrating butdoesagree thathisvisibilityisverypositive,anexamplehegiveswas whenaWhiteladyapproachedhimandsaidthather stepsongotveryexcitedtoseesomeonewholookedlike himinapowerfulposition,makingdecisionsonTV However, Vaughansaysthatalthoughhisvisibilityisagoodthing,it cantjustbetheonlything

Vaughanstatesthat,althoughtherearestillmany disproportionateareas,oneareawherethereisan overrepresentationofBlack Asianethnicminoritiesis entrepreneurship Hestatesthatthisissomethingtoshout aboutandasEconomyMinister,hehopestosupporttheUK BlackBusinessShowtobringaneventtoWales

IfyoulookupVaughan'sbioonwwwgovwales youwillbe blownawaybytheendlesslistofresponsibilitieshehasas EconomyMinister,butwhatstrikesmeishisunwavering commitmenttobeachangemaker Hedidntlikewhathe sawinsocietyanddecidedtobetheonemakingthe decisions Wemaynotalwaysagreewiththosedecisions, butinsteadofsittingoutofthegame,engage,participate andbecomeachangemakertoo,ifyoudon’t,inthewords ofMayaAngelou,don’tcomplain

We may not always agree with those decisions, but instead of sitting out of the game, engage, participate and become a change maker too, if you don't, in the words of Maya Angelou, don't complain!

Itsnevertooearlytounderstandyourcitizenship.Here

aretwogreatresourcesavailableforschools,youth organisationsorhomeschooling.Eachcanbealtered tostudentslevelofteachingandlearning. X 6

TheSuperCitizensisalifeskillsschool resourcefor8 11 year olds Designed tohelpthemtounderstandwhat citizenshipmeans,sothattheybecome ethicalinformedglobalcitizens.

EducationandWelshLanguage MinisterJeremeyMiles,withstudents andstaffatLLanwernHighSchool Newport

Launch of DARPL

Onthe13thOctober2022,EducationandWelshlanguage minister,JeremyMiles,launchedtheDARPLprojectat LlanwernHighSchoolinNewport Llanwern,wasthefirst schooltoreceiveaBettyCampbellMBEAwardfortheir progressiveworkincreatingdiversityandanti racistlesson plansandadoptingbothwithintheirpracticethroughout theschool

TheDARPLprojectisthebrainchildofChantelleHaughton, whowastaughtbyMrsCampbellMBE,whose impressionable boldandtenaciousteachingstyle broke barriersbyraisingawarenessaroundBlackandEthnic minorityculturesandcontributions MrsCampbellwasa pioneerofhertime beingthefirstBlackheadteacherin Wales Sadly,MrsCampbell,passedawayonthe13thof October2017,exactly5yearsbeforethelaunchofDARPL, whichfallsontheanniversaryofherdeath However Mrs Campbell’slegacystilllivesoninspiritthroughDARPLand herpresencecanbeseeninCentralSquare,Cardiffcity centre wheresheisstillbreakingdownbarriersbybeingthe firstfemalestatuetoeveradorntheWelshcapital

AtthelaunchwasMrsCampbellsgranddaughter Rachel Clarke,whoisDeputyHeadteacherofMitchellBrooke PrimarySchoolinLondon Rachelsaid,“mygrandmother wouldhavebeensoproudofDARPL,butalsofrustratedtha wearestillhavingtheseconversationsandnotenoughhas block,forginga gherconsultancy PLandherprivate

Amanda Gorman

Chantelle’sheartforeducationisdemonstrated notonlyin herillustriouscareerasanearlyyear’slectureratCardiff Met,butalsoinfollowingMrsCampbell’sfootstepsinbeing bold bypioneeringDARPL whichisfundedbyWelsh

DARPLProjectDirector: ChantelleHaughton

‘For there is always light if only we’re brave enough to see it, if only we’re brave enough to be it’

Education

Launch of DARPL

Jeremy Miles

Xcellenceaskedtheminister SincetheAnti Racismaction planisaimedateradicatedracisminWalesby,2030 What willhappentotheplanifwehaveanewgovernment electedin2026whomaynotprioritiesthisimportantwork? Hereplied,Ithinkitisunlikelythatanewgovernmentwould notsupporttheplan,butitwillbeuptothemtodecidethat Notallgovernments,believeinthesamething,butIwould beextremelydisappointingifwedidhaveanewpartyin placethatdidnotcontinuetosupporttheobjectiveofthe Anti Racismactionplan

What'sonoffer?

ThroughtheDARPLwebsite,schoolscanfindblogs,lesson plans,liveworkshops,andhaveaccesstokeystakeholders, whoarechampioningthiswork,bycreatingcontent They arealsoavailableasconsultants,offeringadviceforschools tosupporttheirjourneyinAnti RacistProfessionalLearning Thefeedback,sofar,hasbeenthatsomeschoolswere nervousaboutapproachingthesesubjects,owingtoalack ofculturalcompetencyand possibly fearfulof‘gettingit wrong ’ DARPL,wascreatedtocombatthesefearstohelp schoolsgoboldlywhereveryfewwerewillingtogobefore JeremyMilessaid ‘WalesisthefirstpartoftheUKtomake theteachingandcontributionofBlack,Asianandminority ethniccurriculummandatory Hesaidthemostimportant partofDARPListosupportoureducationworkforcetogain confidence,knowledge,skillsandexperiencesandtobe abletodothatproperly,andtoalsohelpusmeetour objectiveofbeinganAnti racistnationby2030’ So what wearelaunchingtodayisanexcitingsetoffreehigh qualityresources

Wealsoasked,howisthecurrentgovernmentgoingto measurethepositiveimpactthisworkisgoingtodoto impactoursociety?JeremyMiles,saidthatitallcomes downtoseeingmoreeducatorsconfidentinteachingthis materialand,mostimportantly,howouryoungpeopleare impactedbyit Hewentontoexplainthathehadbeen struckbyhowyoungpeopleatthelaunchwerekeentotalk abouttheirstories Teachers atLlanwern havebeenona journey,andopentolisteningtowhattheyoungpeopleare tellingthem,andthenteachersadjustingtheirpracticetofit thepupilsandIwouldliketoseethesameworkbeingdone alloverWales

'It all comes down to seeing more educators confident in teaching this material and, most importantly, how our young people are impacted by it'.

StatueofMrsBetty CampbellMBEand RachelClark being interviewedbyITVforthe launchofDARPL

Launch of DARPL

Lefttoright:EducationandWelsh LanguageMinister JeremyMiles LeonAndrewsHeadofYr10,Sian Smith,DeputyHeadteacher, TraceyJarvisHeadteacher Beth

HostsofthelaunchwereDeputyHeadteacher Sian andLeonAndrews,CurriculumEngagementOfficer HeadofYear10 Theytalkedabouttheirdelightinre theBettyCampbell MBE AwardattheCoalExchang duringtheProfessionalTeachingAwardsCymruba July Theschoolhavebeenleadingtheway,bycrea diversityclub wherestudentsareabletodiscussth experiencesofdiscrimination,theyhavealsoputon festivalday,wherestudentscouldexploretheirtast palates byresearchingandpreparingdiversefood aroundtheWorld

Intheclassroom,thefocushasbeenonre visiting bylearningaboutinspirationalpeoplefromthepas Andrewssaidthatitisequallyimportanttolearnab peopleinthepresent Thestudentshavealsoexplo globalhistoryofmathematics,toillustratethecontributions theglobalminorityhasmadetothedevelopmentofthe world

CollaborationiskeyandanotherthingthatLLanwernHigh havedoneistoworkcloselywithanotherschool Atthe eventwerestudentsfromYsgolGlantaf,aWelshmedium schoolinCardiff DeputyHeadteacher,DyfrigRees,brought alongsomeofthestudentwhohaveworkedalongside studentsfromLlanwern,tosharecontentandideas DARPLProjectDirector Chantelle said “weadvocatethat childrenandallcitizensofWalesneedtoaccess opportunitiestolearnaboutanti racism Throughpolicy development action for change playandlearning resources,opportunities,conversationspaceandstories educationpractitionerscancreatively,support,challenge anddebunkmyths”

The students have also explored the global history of mathematics, to illustrate the contributions the global minority has made to the development of the world.

Newport to Nigeria

The British Council Connecting Classrooms

Newport to Nigeria

Forthepastyear,LlanwernHighSchoolhasbeenapartof anexcitingcollaborationorganisedbytheBritishCouncil ConnectingClassroomsProgramme Thislearning programmeconnectsschoolsfromtheUKtootherpartsof theworld,inthisinstance,NewporttoNigeria

AfterattendingthelaunchofDARPLatLlanwernHigh,we gottoseefirsthandtheconnectionbetweenthe classroomatgovernmentsecondaryschool,JiwainAbuja, Nigeriaandthepupilsoftheaward winningschoolin actionandgottosayhi Thiswasrightupourstreet,sowe wantedtolearnmoreandaskedifwecouldmeetwith ObajeChogoEkele,whoisasenioreducationofficer,to findouthowtheexchangehasenrichedtheschool’s teachingandlearning

Theschoolisagovernmentfundedschoolwithover2300 students,locatedneartheZumaRock,afamouslandmark, outsideofthecapitalofAbuja Duringourzoom conversation Obajewasabletovirtuallyshowmearound theschool,aswellastheviewofthefamousrockinthe distance JustlikesomeschoolsinWaleshavebreath takingviewsoftheWelshhillsandcountryside theview fromthegovernmentschoolwasequallybeautiful

Obajeexplainsthatthepartnershiphasaffordedthe studentsabetterunderstandingofWales andtheUK They,likemanyothercountries,didnotrealiseWaleswasa separatenationwithitsownlanguage Theywerealso surprisedtolearnthatWaleswasaverydiversecountry andenjoyedconnectingonlinetoseethemanydifferent skinshadesofthepupils

Theinteractionbetweentheschoolshaveallowedthemto co existandreplicatethesameprojects,Llanwernshared theirhydrophonicsscienceprojectandthegovernment schoolsharestheirprojectonbiogas Obajesaidthatthe exchangehasaffordedthemnotjustthetechnicalaspects ofteachingandlearningmaterial,suchaslessonplans, schemeofworksandcurriculum,buttheteachersand pupilshavebeenenergisedtoanewwayofcritical thinkingandproblemsolving Hesaidthat,often,the graduatesoftheschool,whoseagesrangefrom12to18, sometimeslackcriticalthinkingskillsandarelostasto knowwhattodowhentheyleave But,hesaidthatthis opportunityhashelpedwithpersonal,socialandemotional developmentofthestudents

Global Citizens Developing

"The pupils have been energised to a new way of critical thinking"

ZumaRock MonolithinNigeria

Education

Newport to Nigeria

Furthermore,Obajedescribesthebenefitsasateacher, statingthatthepartnershipwithLlanwernschoolhas exposedhimtotheculturaldiversitythatexistsaroundthe world,therebyaffordinghimamorebalancedandwell adjustedperspectivetoothercultures whichhasalso taughthimtogiveagoodaccountofhisambassadorial loyaltytohiscountry,Nigeria Hehasalsobeenexposedto someaspectsofdigitalliteracyskillswherehesawhow Padletwasusedforthefirsttime Theknowledgealonethat hisschoolisontheinternationalgloballearningmaphas ignitedanewfire,amongstthestudents,teachersandthe parents,intermsofbehaviouralchangesintheirattitude andcommitmenttolearningandtheirperformancethis term Thesupporttheparentsdeployinmeetingtheir educationalneeds,liketextbooks,whichhastakenanew turnpositively Theschooladministratorissoproudofthis partnershipandhaslenthissupportinsomanyways,to makesureitaddstohiscreditadministratively Myfellow colleagueshaveshowntheirsolidarityaswell insomany ways,andhavelenttheirsupport,wherenecessary

Deputy Headteacher, Sian Smith

Explained;

Ourengagementwithprogrammenotonly allowedourpupilstoresearchthecountry it allowedustoengagewiththeNigerianpupils throughliveonlinemeetingstotalkabout similaritiesanddifferencesintermsoftheir journeystoschool,wheretheylearnbestandwhat makesthemhappy

Thepupilsthenworkedtogetheronajoint hydroponicsproject,towardsoneofthe sustainabledevelopmentgoals(globalgoals) andoneofourpupilsinsistedthattherebea PresidentofourSTEAMclubbecausetherewas oneinNigeria!

Ourteachershavemetonlinetodiscussandshare resourcesonnumerousoccasionsandwehave sentvideostoeachotherofassemblies lessons andtheschoolbuilding Sometimesthe technologyisachallenge(inbothcountries!)but becausewebothvaluetheconnectionand opportunity,wemakeitwork

The British Council Connecting Classrooms

Written by: Donna Ali

Why We Need to Decolonise the Curriculum

Waleshasanewcurriculum Itpromisestodeliverasense ‘Cynefin’andrealbelongingforourchildren Itpromisesto nurture healthy’ ‘confident’children Itpromisestodevelop ‘ethicalinformedcitizens’,whoasadultswillbe readytobe citizensofWalesandtheworld’ Thequestionis,howcanthis beachievedwhengenerationaftergenerationofteachersin WaleshavebeenimmersedintheBritishEmpirenarrative? HowcanitbeachievedwhenmostteachersinWalesdon’t evenrealisethattheyteachfromacolonialperspective?

WelshGovernmenthascommissionedstudieswhichhave informed,notonlytheneweducationcurriculumbutalso TheAnti RacistWalesPlan Thesummaryoffindings?

"ThefactsofracialinequalityintheWelsheducation systemarenowwellevidencedanddocumented The attainmentofchildrenandyoungpeoplefromsome Minoritycommunitiesisbeinghamperedbyacurriculum thathasfailedtorepresenttheirhistories,andthe contributionsoftheircommunities pastandpresent They arehamperedbythelackofpositiverolemodelsinan educationworkforcethatdoesnotadequatelyreflectthe ethnicallydiverseprofileofWales;andtheyarehampered byexperiencesofracismintheireverydayschoollife" ProfessorCharlotteWilliams

"The facts of racial inequality in the Welsh education system are now well evidenced and documented. The attainment of children and young people from some Minority communities is being hampered by a curriculum that has failed to represent their histories, and the contributions of their communities, past and present They are hampered by the lack of positive role models in an education workforce that does not adequately reflect the ethnically diverse profile of Wales; and they are hampered by experiences of racism in their everyday school life."

Prof Charlotte Williams

XInawell intendedefforttoinclude BlackHistory’inlessons,it hasbecomecommonplacetotalkaboutandshowimages ofblackmenbeinglynched detailthetorturepracticesof slavery,andpraisethesportsprowessofsuccessfulBlack athletes HerearetheproblemsforthisforBlackandBrown children:

Blackchildrenarebeingconfrontedwithtraumaticimaging thatportraysthemasde humanisedvictims Whitechildren arenotasdeeplyaffectedbyitandcanmakematter of factstatementsastheybecomede sensitisedtothe sufferingofotherhumanbeingsthatdon’tlooklikethem Wouldthesameteacherspresentimagesofwhitechildren whohavebeenbeatenupandmurderedontheclassroom screen?

Slavery is not ‘Black’ History. Black people have a rich and positive history before and after the Transatlantic Slave Trade period.

Slaveryisnot‘Black’History Blackpeoplehavearichand positivehistorybeforeandaftertheTransatlanticSlave Tradeperiod Also thissubjectistaughtwithoutanymention oftherebellionsthatoccurred,andhowitwasdeemed illegalonlywhenitwasnolongerfinanciallyviableforthe BritishGovernment

BlackpeoplearecapableandhaveexcelledinScience, Literature,BusinessandFinance,InformationTechnology,and theArts,butoftenthesesuccessesarerarely,ifever, mentionedinWelsheducation Thismeansthatweare actuallyteachinganinaccurateaccount,inmanycases

StudentsaretoldinsideandoutsideofschoolthatRobert Peel,SirWinstonChurchillandNapoleonBonaparte,toname afew,aremenwithattributestoadmire Allofthemhave beenovertlyracistandevenresponsibleforthedeathsof millionsofBlackandBrownpeople Factsomittedfromthe narrativeinWelsheducation

Ofcourse,thesethingsshouldnotbeomittedfrom educationeither,theproblemishowtheyarebeingdelivered andthatbalanceismissing Ifwehopetodevelopchildren whowillleaveschoolwithahealthymindandconfident attitude,howcanwedothiswhensomearebeing bombardedwithbothsubliminalandovertmessagesthat theyareweakandinferior Howwecanwenurturechildren tobecomecitizensoftheworldwhentheyhavebeentold theirwholelives thatBlackandBrownpeopleareother and thattheyarethe‘majority’race?

Itisclearweneedtochangeourmindset BlackHistoryand WelshHistoryareoneandthesame AsWelshpeopleitis timetorecognisethediverseandculturallyrichnationthat weareandthatstartsineducation Ifwedon’t,theobjectives ofthenewcurriculumwillnotbemet,andourchildrenwillbe disadvantaged

Black History and Welsh History are one and the same.

‘Wales is the first part of the UK to make the teaching and contribution of Black, Asian and minority ethnic curriculum mandatory He said the most important part of DARPL is to support our education workforce to gain confidence, knowledge, skills and experiences and to be able to do that properly, and to also help us meet our objective of being an Anti racist nation by 2030'

Written by: Natalie Jones

Education and Welsh Language Minister, Jeremy Miles

Pam Wae Nngen i ni

Ddadelfennu'r Cwricwlwm

MaeganGymrugwricwlwmnewydd Maenaddorhoi ymdeimlado‘Cynefin apherthyngoiawnieinplant Mae’n addomaguplant‘iach’,‘hyderus’ Mae’naddodatblygu dinasyddionmoesegolgwybodus pwyfydd,feloedolion,yn ‘barodifodynddinasyddionCymrua’rbyd Ycwestiwnyw, sutygellircyflawnihynpanfocenhedlaetharôl cenhedlaethoathrawonyngNghymruwedicaeleutrwytho ynnaratifyrYmerodraethBrydeinig?Sutygellireigyflawni pannadyw’rrhanfwyafoathrawonyngNghymruhydyn oedynsylweddolieubodynaddysguosafbwynt gwladychwyr?

MaeLlywodraethCymruwedicomisiynuastudiaethausydd wedillywio,nidynunigycwricwlwmaddysgnewyddond hefydGynllunGwrth hiliolCymru Ycrynodebo'r canfyddiadau?

Mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi comisiynu astudiaethau sydd wedi llywio, nid yn unig y cwricwlwm addysg newydd ond hefyd Gynllun Gwrth hiliol Cymru. Y crynodeb o'r canfyddiadau?

"Mae ffeithiau anghydraddoldeb hiliol yn system addysg Cymru bellach wedi'u tystiolaethu a'u dogfennu'n dda Mae cyrhaeddiad plant a phobl ifanc o rai cymunedau Lleiafrifol yn cael ei rwystro gan gwricwlwm sydd wedi methu â chynrychioli eu hanes, a chyfraniadau eu cymunedau, gorffennol a phresennol Cânt eu rhwystro gan ddiffyg modelau rôl gadarnhaol mewn gweithlu addysg nad yw'n adlewyrchu'n ddigonol broffil ethnig amrywiol Cymru; ac maent yn cael eu rhwystro gan brofiadau o hiliaeth yn eu bywyd ysgol bob dydd."

Yr Athro Charlotte Williams.

"Maeffeithiauanghydraddoldebhiliolynsystemaddysg Cymrubellachwedi'utystiolaethua'udogfennundda Mae cyrhaeddiadplantaphoblifancoraicymunedauLleiafrifol yncaeleirwystrogangwricwlwmsyddwedimethuâ chynrychiolieuhanes achyfraniadaueucymunedau gorffennolaphresennol Cânteurhwystroganddiffyg modelaurôlgadarnhaolmewngweithluaddysgnadywn adlewyrchu'nddigonolbroffilethnigamrywiolCymru;ac maentyncaeleurhwystroganbrofiadauohiliaethyneu bywydysgolbobdydd"YrAthroCharlotteWilliams

Mewnymdrechafwriadwyddaigynnwys‘HanesDu’mewn gwersi,maewedidodynbethcyffredinisiaradama dangosdelweddauoddynionduyncaeleulynsio,manylu ararferionartaithcaethwasiaethachanmoldawn chwaraeonathletwyrDullwyddiannus Dyma’rproblemauar gyferhyniblantDuaBrown:

Maeplantduynwynebudelweddautrawmatigsyneu portreadufeldioddefwyrsyddwedi'udad ddynoli Nidyw plantgwynyncaeleuheffeithiomorddwfnganddoa gallantwneuddatganiadauoeraiddwrthiddyntcaeleu ddadsensiteiddioiddioddefaintbodaudynoleraillnadydynt ynedrychfelnhw Afyddairunathrawonyncyflwyno delweddauoblantgwynsyddwedicaeleucuroa’u llofruddioarsgrinydosbarth?

Nid Hanes 'Du' yw caethwasiaeth. Mae gan bobl ddu hanes cyfoethog a chadarnhaol cyn ac ar ôl cyfnod y Fasnach Gaethweision Trawsiwerydd.

NidHanes‘Du ywcaethwasiaeth Maeganbobldduhanes cyfoethogachadarnhaolcynacarôlcyfnodyFasnach GaethwasiaethDrawsatlantig Hefyd,mae'rpwnchwnyn tuedducaeleidysguhebunrhywsônamygwrthryfeloedda ddigwyddodd asutybarnwydeifodynanghyfreithlondim ondpannadoeddbellachynhyfywynariannoliLywodraeth Prydain

Maepobldduonynalluogacwedirhagorimewn Gwyddoniaeth,Llenyddiaeth,BusnesaChyllid,Technoleg GwybodaetharCelfyddydau ond nisonnirllawer osogwbl amyllwyddiannauhynynaddysgCymru Maehynyn golygueinbodmewngwirioneddynaddysgucyfrifanghywir mewnllaweroachosion

Maemyfyrwyrytumewnartuallanirysgolyncaelyneges fodRobertPeel,SyrWinstonChurchillaNapoleonBonaparte, ienwiondychydig ynddynionânodweddioni'whedmygu Maepobunohonyntwedibodynagoredhiliolahydynoed yngyfrifolamfarwolaethaumiliynauoboblDduaBrown FfeithiauaadawydallanornaratifmewnaddysgGymraeg Wrthgwrs,niddylidgadaelypethauhynallanoaddysg ychwaith,ybroblemywsutymaentyncaeleudarparuac mae ’rcydbwyseddhwnnwargoll Osydymyngobeithio datblyguplantafyddyngadaelyrysgolgydameddwliach acagweddhyderus,sutygallwnwneudhynpanfyddrhai yncaeleupeleduânegeseuonisganfyddolacamlwgeu bodynwanacynisraddol Sutgallwnnimaguplantiddod ynddinasyddionybydpandaniwedidweudwrthyntdros hydeubywydaucyfan,bodpoblDduaBrownynbobleraill, acmainhwywrhily‘mwyafrif’?

Maenamlwgbodangeninninewideinmeddylfryd Yrun pethywHanesPoblDduonaHanesCymru FelCymrymae’n brydcydnabodygenedlamrywioladiwylliannolgyfoethog syddgennymacmaehynynddechrauymmydaddysg Os nawnawnni,nifyddamcanionycwricwlwmnewyddyncael eucyflawniabyddeinplantdananfantais

Mae hanes du a hanes Cymru yn

n gyntaf o'r DU i wneud ad cwricwlwm pobl dduon, oedd ethnig yn orfodol rhan bwysicaf o DARPL yw thlu addysg i fagu hyder, liau a phrofiadau a gallu iawn, a hefyd i'n helpu ni i mcan o fod yn genedl wrth 0'

Gymraeg, Jeremy Miles

Ysgrifenwyd gan: Natlie Jones

Eve olution of HumaniTree

Abu Bakr Madden Al Shabbaz

Abu Bakr is a historian who specialises in the black and African past He is also an educational consultant on the New Welsh Curriculum and provides professional learning in Anti Racist sentiments around the world Abu Bakr was trained at Cardiff University’s School of Social Sciences as an anthropologist, sociologist, researcher, educationalist and psychologist, and has taught at the same university for about 30 years, for various departments, societies and faculties. He ran the first ever university accredited course in Wales in black and African history and was the first person in Wales to develop and deliver a course on Race and Genetics Science, from 2011 to 2013 During the academic year from 2020 to 2021, Abu Bakr was asked to teach PhD students at Cardiff University at their annual doctoral conference on the methodical art of ‘interdisciplinarity’ an approach he regularly uses in all his presentations or public lectures, to enhance the listeners or learners understanding of the topic or theme. Today, Abu Bakr is the managing director of ACAP Academy UK CIC, which is based in Cardiff, where he writes training materials and educational packages for schools and universities in multidisciplinary topics in both humanities and social studies. He also provides childhood development studies and 21st century parenting for parents and youth/social workers He also practices psychotherapy for the African Community Centre (ACC) in Swansea and provides training in health and wellbeing for those from ethnic minority groups who lack a cultural centred approach by other practitioners

Abu Bakr has three degrees and has obtained sixteen professional or advanced diplomas from the Civil Rights Movement to Psychotherapy and Additional Learning Needs or (SEND) over the years he has provided his services. He is now writing his first book and hopes to get it published next year

Abu Bakr is a qualified professional chef in French Cuisine; and has been a high school psychologist, deputy head teacher, assistant head teacher, head of high school department, head of Key Stage 3&4, university teacher trainer and is a Welsh Assembly Government consultant in education and has appeared on ITV News and BBC’s documentary Wales, England’s Colony, as well as Wales Untold

The Eve olution of HumaniTree

Inrecentyears,wehavefoundtoouramazementhowpeopleintheWesternworldhavesigned upandspentlarge amountofmoney,tobeinvolvedinthescientificapproachingeneticsandDNA,inordertofindoutmoreabouttheir‘true’ orpastethnicandracialorigins.DNAisafascinatingsubjectandalthoughthevastmajorityofparticipantswhosend awaytheirsamplestogeneticcompanies theirDNA,tofindoutmoreabouttheirpastmigrationsandwhatgenetic markerstheypossess,itseemstobeawayofsatisfyingtheirowncuriosityinwhoorwhattheyareorthinktheyare The unfortunaterealityiswhenthefindingsarereturned,thereisalotofmisinformationandmisunderstandingin comprehendingwhatexactlydothefindingsmean,andhowtheyshouldbeunderstoodandinterpretedfroma layperson’sposition

Inthispaper,Iwillattempttolayoutsomeofthebasicresearchtechniques,alongwiththefindings,thathaveledusto thispointintime,inuswantingtoknowmoreaboutourancestralpastandwhichgrouporregionontheglobethey camefrom Iwillalsolookatsomeofthescientificconclusionsthataresometimeshardforformercolonialcountriesto accept,suchastherewereonlydarkorblackpopulationsthatlivedandinhabitedtheplanetforhundredsand thousandsofyears,beforethemodernEuropeanscameintoexistenceasweknowthemtoday whichhasbecomea hardanduncomfortablepillforthesenationstoswallow Iwillalsosharewithyousomeoftherelationshipsour prehistoricancestorshadwiththeirenvironmentandclimate,whichbroughtaboutpsychologicalandphysicalchanges towherewearetoday

ScienceandRace

InthejournalNatureinJanuary1987,threeextraordinaryscientistscollaboratedattheUniversityofBerkeley,Californiain theUnitedStates,toinvestigatetheoriginsofhumankindandtheirlinkstooneanother TheirnameswereRebeccaCann, AllanWilsonandMarkStonekingwhosefindingswereeventuallypublishedinNewsweekin1988,tothegeneralpublic. Inthisstudy,theydecidedtheyweregoingtoexaminewhatwenowknowasmitochondrialDNAwhichispassedfrom mothertodaughterineachgeneration Inthisstudy,theytookspecimensfromtheplacentasof147womenfromvarious ethnicgroupsandanalysedeach’smitochondrialDNA.Bycomparingtheseinorderofaffinity,theyassembledagiant tree,avastfamilynetwork,asortofchronologicalchartformankind,whichlinkedupallthevarioussamplesand, therefore,theworld’sraces,inagrand,globalgenealogy[1]

Thereasonwhywomens’placentaswereusedforthisstudyisbecausethisusuallydiscardedorganis‘arichsourceof mtDNA’[2]thatcanbeexaminedeasilyowingtothelargequantitiesthatcanbeextractedandexaminedmeticulously byscientists Thestudywentontoproducethreeconclusionswhichwearemorefamiliarwithinthe21stcentury Firstly,it revealedthatveryfewmutationaldifferencesexistbetweenthemitochondrialDNAofhumanbeings,bethey Vietnamese,NewGuineans,ScandinaviansorTongans Secondly,whentheresearchersputtheirdatainacomputerand askedittoproducethemostlikelysetoflinkagesbetweenthedifferentpeople,gradedaccordingtothesimilarityoftheir mitochondrialDNA,itcreatedatreewithtwomainbranches OneconsistingsolelyofAfricans Theothercontainedthe remainingpeopleofAfricanoriginandeveryoneelseintheworld Thelimbthatconnectedthesetwomainbranches must,therefore,havebeenrootedinAfrica,theresearchersconcluded Lastly,thestudyshowedthatAfricanpeoplehad slightlymoremitochondrialDNAmutationscomparedtonon Africans,implyingtheirrootsarealittleolder Intotalthese resultsseemtoprovideoverwhelmingsupportfortheideathatmankindaroseinAfricaand,accordingtothe researchers’data,veryrecently Theirarithmeticplacedthecommonancestoraslivingbetween142,500and285,000 yearsago,probablyabout200,000yearsago[3]Basedonthevariousgeneticmaterialsextractedfromallthe specimenscollectedandexamined,itwasconcludedthateveryoneontheplanetwasrelatedtoonewomanwhothey dubbed‘MitochondrialEve’,whoisthemotherofhumankindwhosefacialreconstructionwascreatedtoshowshewas certainlyAfricanphenotypically,withdarkskintomatch

PrehistoricPhenotypesDuringandAfterMigration

Inthescienceofhumanbiology,wearetaughtthatourskinisthelargestofallourorgans,sonaturallythisphenotype hastobeconsideredacrucialstudyfromaprehistoricperspective,ifwearetounderstandthetypeofrelationshipour skincolourshavetodowiththeenvironmentandthevariousclimaticchanges,whichoccurredduringtheprehistoricera. Duringthelastonehundredyearsorso;anthropologistsandpaleoanthropologists,justtonameafew,havebeen researchingskincolourandfoundoutitsimportancetothesun,especiallythemoleculewenowknowhas‘melanin’or thedarkpigmentsourskinproduces,whichisadefencemechanismthatshieldsusfromtheultravioletraysofthesun. WhenMitochondrialEve’schildrenleftAfricatopopulatetherestoftheworld,itisimportantforustoknowhowdidthey lookandwhattypeofcolourcomplexion(s)theywouldhavepossessedbackinthoseprehistoricenvironments?The reasonwhythisquestionisimportantisbecausethereisanotionthatEuropeanslivingduringtheprehistoricageslooked likehowEuropeanslooktoday butfurtherexaminationsshowtheylookverymuchAfricanandstillmaintainlarge quantitiesofmelanin,evenifwearetotakeintoconsiderationthelasticeage

[1]AfricanExodus:TheoriginsofModernHumanity,ChrisStringer&RobinMckie,Page118

[2]DNA:TheSecretOfLife,JamesWatson,page241

Fromthe1500sonwards skincolourwasbeingconstructedundertheparadigmofinferiorandsuperior notfromascientific perspectivebut,rather,fromapoliticalhegemoniccolonialviewpoint,whichwentontodominatealldisciplinesandsciences intheWesternworldwelivein Nowknownaspseudo science,skincolourandso calledraceshasnothingtodowithinferior orsuperiorcognitionofanindividual skincolourorthelackofmelaninisrelatedtoaninheritedtrait whichisconnectedto theshadesofcolourwegainfromourparents Today,withDNAwearenowbeingtaughtthereisnosuchthingsasraces thereisonlyoneraceandthatisthehumanrace,whichmakeshumankindmorecloselyrelatedthanbeingdistant,whichwe cannowcategoriseasthemonogeneticgroup wherebythepolygenetictheoriesofthecolonialpastdoesnotholdup owingtoscientificstudiesofgenesandrelatednessofvariousgroupsofpeople

WhenMitochondrialEve’schildrenleftAfricatopopulatetherestoftheworld,theywouldhavehadtohaveleftthecontinent ofAfricawiththeirdarkskin TheAboriginalpeoplesofAustraliaarebelievedtohaveinhabitedthatcontinentfromabout 60,000yearsago,sobetweenothercontinents,skintonesandshadesofcomplexionwouldhavebeennodifferenttothose livinginAfrica,forhundredsandthousandsofyears ThefirstmodernhumanswhomigratedoutofAfricaalmostcertainly haddarkskin asdotheirdescendantsinAustraliaandtherelictpopulationswhostillsurviveatpointsinbetween it’s possiblethatformanythousandsofyearsallmodernhumansoutsideAfrica,aswellasthoseinside,hadblackskin[1]So, whatresearchistellingus,whenMitochondrialEve’schildrenleftAfricaandwentintoArabiaandAsia,theystillretainedtheir darkcomplexion EvenwhentheyenteredEuropesome45,000yearsagotheywouldalsohaveretainedblackskinandother Africanfeatures[2]

Skincolourforourprehistoricancestorshadabiologicalsignificance,whichhasnothingtodowithbeingsuperiorifyouare white,fair,orlightcomplexion unlessitwastodowithitsrelationshiptothesunanditsprotection,whichisrelatedtothe productionofmelanin Darkskinisrichinthepigment,melanin,protectingdeeperlayersofskinfromsunburnandskin cancer Insunnyplaces,itseemsreasonabletoassumethatnaturalselectionwouldacttoconservegenesthatmakeskin dark,asmanymutationsproducingpaleskinwouldbeadisadvantage,[3]whichshowstheimportanceofclimateandskin tonesalongwiththeproductionofvitaminD whichisnecessaryforbonedevelopmentaprotectionfromthesunrays

[1]BeforeTheDawn:RecoveringtheLostHistoryOfOurAncestors,NicholasWade,page121

[2]Ibid page95

[3]TheIncredibleHumanjourney,AliceRoberts,page98

Conclusion

WhatwecanascertainfromtheresearchintomitochondrialDNA,isthatweareonehumanfamilywhohavemigrated aroundtheworldoverthethousandsofyearswehavelivedontheplanetSomeofyoumayaskthequestion,Ihavefocused alotonAfricans,darkskin,andtheirdescendants;butwhatmustbeconcludedisthatalluniversalethnicgroupsarejoined biologicallyandgenetically,asonehumanfamily,andthisisthemostimportantpartofthispaperSomeofyoumay questionifBlack,dark,orbrownpeoplearethemothersandfathersofhumanity,thenwheredoeswhite,fairorEuropeanskin tonecomefrom?Duringthemakingofthefilm,Humanitree,inwhichIwasoneoftheleadresearchconsultantsonthis documentaryproject,wespoketovariousdoctors,professorsandscientistfromaroundtheworldinmanydifferent academicfields,whoproclaimedthroughtheirownresearchtechniquesthatEuropeansandCaucasians,asaclustergroup, withtheirpresentphenotypesarenoolderthan8,000yearsontheplanet,whichshowsusthatthehistoryoftheworldand prehistoryintheupperpalaeolithicperiodhadonlyonetypeofpeople,whichmanyEuropeansaregrudginglyaccepting undertheNewWorldreligionofscienceandtechnologyThisdoesnotmean,byanymeans,thatdarkskinpeoplearemore superiorthanwhites whatitshowsisthatthedarkerracesareolderandcreatedtheoldestandearliestculturesand civilisationsinworldhistory,andthisiswhytimelinesanddatesareimportant,toputthingsintoahistoricalperspectiveowing tothedeliberatefalsificationthecolonistsengagedinduringtheperiodsofenslavementcolonisationandimperialismThisis thebeginningofdecolonisationfortheNewWelshCurriculuminalltheAreasofLearningandExperienceswhichwillnowbe mandatory

Whenwe,intheUrbanCircleteam,interviewedprospectivescholarsfortheHumanitreedocumentarywhichwentonforover oneyear,wementionedthephenotypeofCheddarMan theoldestBrittobediscovered,whichshowedhimlookingvery muchlikeanAustralianAborigineorBlackIndianwithblueeyesWefound,tooursurprise,whentheyspokeabouttheir prehistoricresearchinEurope,theirdatagavethemthefollowing: CheddarMan’sdescendantsdidn’tevolvetohavelighterskinRather,thegeneticlineofCheddarMan,andofasimilarly darkskinnedcontinentalEuropeanhuntergatherer,fizzledoutandwasreplacedbythatoflightskinneddescendantsofthe peopleoftheRussiansteppe,around4,500yearsagoLessthan10percentoftheDNAofmodernEuropeanscomesfrom huntergatherersofthattime peoplefromtheRussiansteppehadlightskinandbrowneyes,whileWesternEuropean huntergatherershaddarkskinandblueeyesWhenitcomestoskincolour,fullgenomeDNAanalysissuggeststherewereat leastthreevariantsintheEuropeof5,000plusmyearsago:thedarkskins,darkcurlyhairandblueeyesoftheWestern Europeanhuntergatherers,suchasCheddarman,thelightskins,browneyesanddarkhairofthefirstfarmerswhomigrated fromAnatolia,andthepaleskins,browneyesandmainlydark(butalsoblond)hairofthepastoralistsfromtheRussian steppeThelattertwogroupslargelyreplacedthedarkskinnedhuntergatherers,althoughblueeyesmightbeonehunter gatherergenetictraitthathassurvived[1]

Written by: Abu Bakr Madden Al Shabbaz

'Evolution is not about progression, it is about adaptation'

ReviewoftheHumaniTREEdocumenary

Onthe28thOctober,UrbanCircleanindependentyoutharts organisationbasedinNewportpreviewedit’sground breakingdocumentaryHumaniTREE UrbanCircleisa renownedcharitywhichengage,support,andempower youngpeopleandcommunities TheHumaniTREE documentaryisjustoneofthemanyprojectsthatisyouth lead,butthisprojectfocusesonyoungpeoplegaining insight skills andownershipinmedia Undertheleadership ofNuakaiAru,whoisafilmmaker,ledtheyoungcreative teamthroughtheprocessofresearching,filmingandall otheraspectsofdigitalandtechnicalskillsrequiredto creatingaproduction

TheprojectconsistedofaworkshopwithNineBlackFilms HostedattheUniversityofSouthWales,wherethecreative team,tookpartinaRnDweek,learningresearchskills,the poweroffilm,theimpactofthemediaandstereotypesas wellastheartofdocumentarymakingandhowtheycanbe usedaspowerfulwaystoshareamessage

ThedocumentarypreviewedatCineworldCinema,at NewportRetailPark,withafullaudience,consistingofVIPs invitedtoshareintheunveilingofayearlongprojectinthe making

Asanintroductionsomeoftheyoungpeople whowerea partofthecreativeteam,firstdescribedthebenefitsofthe experience Theyexplainedthattakingpartintheproject helpedthemsociallyaswellasprofessionally tobuildon skillstheyalreadyhad,whilstdevelopingnewknowledge andunderstandinginareasofscience,anthropology,and history

Theyalsotouchedontheimportanceofeducationand variablenarratives whenexploringtopicsonraceand historywhich,forthemwasmissingduringtheirexperience ofschool

Thecreativeteam,workedcloselywithacademic researchers,whoareinthefieldofgenetics,humanrace andAfricanmigration SuchasAnthropologists,DrSarah AbelandJohnHawks(USA),TuriKingaGeneticist, Robin WalkeraHistorianakaTheBlackHistorymanandAbuBakr, supportedthecreativeteamthroughout,toensurethere wasbalanceandenoughinformationforthemtodoa criticalanalysisoftheexistingmigrationtheories

Thedocumentarybegins,byhighlightingthecatastrophic effectsofclimatechangeandtherelationshipwiththe planetandhumanity aswellasrecentworldaffairs likethe pandemicandtheBlackLivesMatterMovement Narrated byNuakai,whoisalsoanactor,posesthequestion

‘Howdidwegettowherewearenow?Weliveonaplanet withsomanysocialandenvironmentalproblems,whatis ourtruehistoryandwhatisourcollectivestory’?

YoucanviewHumaniTREEonlineFREEfor48hrs,airingon the3rd 5thDecember

Visitwwwhumanitreedocumentarycom

Changing the FACE of Fashion

TherearetalentedpeoplehereinWaleswhoare changingthefaceoffashion,quiteliterally

FACE,FashionAcademyCreatingEquality,waslaunchedin 2020,andisaimedatchallenginghighereducation,further education,andthefashionindustrytobemoreequal The collectivememberswhomakeupFACEarefashion academics,creatingequality Theyarepassionateabout seeinganindustrythatisworthanestimated$19trillionby theendof2022,whichemploysroughly,430millionpeople worldwide,becomeamoreequitablecommodity XcellenceMagazinecaughtupwithNadaKoreish,whoisa fashionscommunicationslectureratUWEalsoaPHD scholarandcasuallectureratCardiffMet todiscussthe newapproachtocreatingequitywithinthefashionworld andhowWales,isapartofthatconversation,butalso puttingintheactiontocreatechange

Tellusalittleaboutyourbackgroundintheworldoffashion, andwhatyoufeelyourlivedexperiencescanbringto createchange?

MyfashionjourneystartedinNewYork,undertakinga degreewithacompanycalledCatherineGibbs,Ilater studiedatFIT

WhilststudyingIworkedaplethoraofjobstogetthrough university,asmoststudentsdo Oneofthosejobswasas anintern designingmenswear whichturnedintoafull time job IhaveworkedforbrandssuchasNationalGeographic, designingclothesforthecrew,wewereoneofthefirst teamstousebambooasasubstituteforcotton,somy ethicsaroundsustainabilityandequitybeganthere We foundthatalthoughbamboohasantibacterialelements, welaterdiscoveredthatbambooisnotthatsustainable WhilstIhaveawealthofexperienceworkingforbrands suchas,Billabong,BetsyJohnson,QuickSilver,and alternativebrands,Ilaterembarkedoncreatingmyown brandcalled,NeonPinkRevolution Ihaveworkedhardto developmyskillsinillustration,teachingqualificationsand gainedaMasters,andIamcurrentundertakingaPhd DuringallofmyacademicaccomplishmentsIhave continuedtofreelanceforwell knownbrandsinMorocco EgyptandthenintheUS,aswellashighstreetbrands,such asPrimarkandAsda

Afterhavingmychildren,Idecidedtogodowntheacademia route andnoticedthattherewerenotalotofBlackand Brownfashionacademics Asamother,Ireallywantedmy careertohaveanimpactinraisingrepresentation,asIfeltit wasaboutlegacybuilding Iwantmychildrentonotwalkinto aspaceandfeellikethe other’sothatiswhyIbecamea memberofFACE,whichisacollectiveofpeopleaimingto changehowwedofashionandwhodoesfashion Partof howwedofashionisbyhonouringwherewegetsomeofour creativeideas Therearemanyindigenouspatternsand materialsthatIfeeltheWesternworldhastakenownershipof and,oftenwhentheydo,thereareelementsmissing,which lacksdepthandauthenticity Weaimtoeradicatebad elementsofculturalappropriation MyheritageasamixedEgyptian,Turkishperson,hasbeen usedinmycareerinwaysthathaslimitedmyopportunities,I havebeenpigeonholedbyonlybeengivencertainaccounts, suchasEgyptianorIndianfactoryowners WhenIwas younger Ireallydidntunderstandthelimitationsand discriminationthatmindsethadonmycareer Itwasonly whenIstartedstudyingfurtherthatIrealisedthiswasnot appropriateandwasastereotype

Ibecameverypassionateaboutexploringequityand decolonialisminfashionandIamveryluckythatIgettoteach amoduleatCardiffMet asanassociatelecturer thatcovers alloftheseaspectssuchasappropriationandappreciationto avarietyofstudentfromdifferentbackgrounds Becausethey aretheonesmovingtheworldoffashionforwardandIthink themostimportantaspectsshouldalwaysbearoundethics andminimising,ifnoteradicating,stereotyping

'My Vision for the future is for people to get the credit where credit is due'

XcellenceattendedtheVictoriaandAlbertmuseumtovisitthe AfricaFashionsexhibition. Herearesomeofthebeautifuldesignsandtextilesondisplay Thisisanexampleofequalityinthefashionindustry,giving spaceandequitytoallartistsanddesigners,fromtheGlobal Majority

Spanning iconic mid 20th century to contemporary creatives through photographs, textiles, music and the visual arts, Africa Fashion explores the vitality and global impact of a fashion scene as dynamic and varied as the continent itself.

VisitAfricaFashionsatV&A, ExhibitinguntilSunday16thApril2023

FACE Summit

TheFACESummitwasinOctober,anditwasagreat success Wehadover1,000registeredonlineattendees,with 450peopleattendingatthelocation,inLondon Ihadthe opportunitytospeakontwolivepanels,weanticipateda bigturnout,becausetheseareconversationsthatare currentwithinthefashiondesignindustrythathaveraised professionalandpublicconsciousness Thesummititself wasawayofdecolonisingfashion,byopeninganimportant dialoguewhichwillbeusedtochangemindsandchange thewaywedothings

Decolonisation,inthefashionworldmeanstocreateequity, raisingpeopleuptoalevelwheretheycancompeteina westernfashionsystem,withoutitbeinglabelledas traditional,oriental,exotic,orjustdifferent Itisabout bringingavarietyofculturestogetherandthemhavingan equalspaceatfashionshowsandotherspaces,without beingseenasforeign Ifeelthatmostoftheworld,is sufferingfromanidentitycrisis aswecomeoutofapost colonialsystem Forsome,wearenotBritishenoughornot Egyptianenough,insteadofexperiencingouridentitieswithin bothworlds weareoftenmadetochoose

Toreaddressthesestereotypes,IstartedtheFashion LiberationCollective,sothatwecanretraceourhistoryand explorewheretheauthenticinspirationforpatternsand originaldesignscomefrom Bigbrandshaveusedcultural appropriationforyearsanditwouldbeethicaltogive somethingback Myvisionforthefutureisforpeopletohave thecreditwherecreditisdue,tothepeopleorcountriesthat havecreatedauthenticpatternsanddesigns Ourcollective vision throughtheGlobalFashionAssembly isabout decolonisinganddecentralisingfashionaroundtheworld, whereno onedictatestoanyone,anddesignerscanbefree flowing

Anotherissuearoundethicsisthatthefashionworldisalways trivialised,asifitislessthanart,butitisthe3rdbiggest industryintheworld So,thereshouldbeagreater appreciation,particularlywhenholdingbrandstoaccount Theemphasisonethics,intermsofbuyingpower,isalways putontotheconsumer Wecanarguethatsomefactories aroundtheworld payfairerwages orhavecompromised workingconditions Butweneedtolookattheflipside,where dotheseemployeesgoforwork,ifthesupplieristhemain employerinthatcountry?Whatwemustdoisputtheagency onthebrandtoensurethatworkstandardsarebeingmet andpeoplearetreatedfairly Onesolutionisthatwecould starttoaccreditfactories bymaybehavinganagencythat police’ssuppliers

Thereisalongwaytogo,butbyteachingtheseissuestomy students itopensadiscussionaroundwhattheycando whentheygointotheindustryandhowaretheygoingto maketheirmarkforchange

Follow@fashion liberation collective/ @globalfashioningassemblyonInstagram www.wearface.uk

Authentic Diversity in Fashion

EthiopianBeauty

Fashiondesigner,DagmawitAlemayehu,ispassionate aboutbringingdiversityintoeverydayapparel Usingherexperienceofworkinginherfamilyruntextile factory,backhomeinEthiopia,Dagmawitismorethan experiencedtounderstandthecommitmentand creativityneededtocreateabrand

Onlysixyearsago,DagmawitsettledhereinWales, afterseekingpoliticalasylumandiscurrentlyworking towardscompletingadegreeinfashiondesignatthe UniversityofSouthWales

Throughoutherstudies,thisEthiopianbeauty,hasbeen workingonherownfashionlabel,calledKonjoFashions, whichmeansbeautifulinAramaic Herpassion,and loveofAfrica,isevidentinherbespokedesigns,where sheusesAfricanprintsineverydayuniquepieces

Ifyouarelookingforabespokegarmentoralterations, youcanfindDagmawitatCurios,basedintheCapitol ShoppingCentre,Cardiff

Curiosofferscreativepeoplespace

Whetheryou'relookingforstunningeveningwearor trendycasualclothing,you'llfindsomethingyoulove withintheKonjoFashionrange

Forhandmade,oneofakindbespokeitems,visitKonjo Fashions.

wwwcurioscardiffcom

Photography: Grzegorz Gladysiak

Dagmawit Alemayehu

History

Jamaica Jamaica

Jamaican Independence

JamaicahasmorethanafewsimilaritiestoWales Both countrieshaveapopulationofabout3million;bothhavea largediaspora;bothhavestunningbeaches,andbothare famousfortheirloveofmusic Thename‘Jamaica’means ‘LandofWoodandWater’

JamaicagainedIndependencein1962 Ithadbeenalong andpainfulfightforequality whichwasfinallyrealised followingtheabolitionofslavery,owingtotheunbreakable spiritofpeoplelikeNannyoftheMaroonsandthenthecivil rightsactivismofpeoplelikeMarcusGarvey Nowonder theyarestillconsiderednationalheroesinJamaica TounderstandthestoryofindependenceinJamaica,you mustgobackto1509 whentheSpanishdecidedthat Jamaicabelongedtothem Theirabuseoftheindigenous people,theArawakandTaino,leftthemdecimatedandon thevergeofextinction TheSpanishanswertothis?They begantokidnapWestAfricanpeopleandforcetheminto freelabour Neithergroupofpeopleweresubservient It tookalotofmanpowerandweaponstocolonisethem

In1655,theBritishsawthefinancialbenefitsof owning Jamaicaanddidntspendmuchtimedefeatingthemand takingcontrol Whatfollowedwasabrutalregimeof humantrafficking,torture,rapeandworkingpeopleto death ThiscrueltysawBritishpeoplebenefittingfrom statelyhomesandimpressivebuildingsresultingfrom profitsinsugar rum andexoticfoodslikepineapples Welshcopperwasusedascurrencytobuyslaves Welsh ironworksprovidedthecanonsforslaveshipswhichkilled hundredsofWestAfricansontheirshorestryingtosave lovedonesfrombeingsnatched

SomeWelshpeoplewereplantationandslaveowners FromthestartofBritishruleinJamaica,therewerethose whomanagedtoescapeawayfromplantationsandhide Astheirnumbersgrew theywouldupriseandfreeothers By1728,theseuprisingsreachedaheightthattookthe Britishbysurprise Whiteabolitionistsareoftenhighlighted asbeinginstrumentalintheendingofJamaicanslavery butthetruthis,theyfoughtbackandwhenitwasnolonger economicallyviableasaresult,theyabolishedslaveryin 1834 However whiteBritishpeopleremainedincontrolof lawmaking,propertyandeconomy

Artistdepictionofaplantation

Ittookanother100yearsandanaggressiveuprisingforthe BritishGovernmenttotakenoticeoftheinequalitiesthey hadcreated Throughthe1950s,self governmentincreased,acabinetof ministerswasformed,andaprimeministerelected Finally, independencewasgainedin1962

TheBritishpaidoutmillionsincompensation,toslave tradersandowners butnothingtothevictims Itis estimatedthatthismeansBritainstillowesJamaicaand basedonthepaymentstheymadeinthemid 1800s,this shouldbeintheregionof76billionpounds However British Governmenthasshownlittleinterestingivingbackanyof themoneytheygainedfromforcedfreelabourandtheft Today Jamaicaseconomyreliesontourism farming bauxite,toproducealuminium,andmarijuanafor pharmaceuticalcompanies

JamaicanIndependenceiscelebratedinJamaicaandthe diasporaevery6thAugust,buttherearethosewhostillfeel thatJamaicawouldhavebeenbetteroffremainingunder Britishrule

AsaWelshJamaican,IcanthelpbutwonderwhatWelsh Independencewouldlooklike Wehaveresourcesthatthe f i i l O d

Jamaica Jamaica

MaeganJamaicafwynagychydigodebygrwyddi Gymru Maeganyddwywladboblogaethotua3miliwn; maeganyddaualltudmawr;maeganyddwywlad draethausyfrdanol ac maerddauynenwogameu cariadatgerddoriaeth Mae’renw‘Jamaica yngolygu ‘GwladGoedaDŵr ’

EnilloddJamaicaAnnibyniaethyn1962 Bunfrwydrhira phoenusdrosgydraddoldeb,asylweddolwydo'rdiwedd yndilyndiddymucaethwasiaeth,oherwyddysbryddi dor poblfelNannyoftheMaroons,acyna,gweithredith hawliausifilpoblfelMarcusGarvey Doesryfeddeubodyn daligaeleuhystyriedynarwyrcenedlaetholynJamaica ErmwyndeallstoriannibyniaethJamaica,rhaidmyndyn ôli1509 panbenderfynoddySbaenwyrfodJamaicayn perthyniddynthwy Roeddeucam drino'rboblfrodorol,yr ArawakaTaino,yneugadaelynddirywiedigacarfin diflannu YratebSbaenegihyn?Dechreuonnhwherwgipio poblGorllewinAffricaaugorfodiilafurrhydd Nidoeddy boblymayneilradd Cymeroddlawerodynionacarfau iwgwladychu Ym1655,gweloddyPrydeinwyrfanteisionariannol‘bodyn berchen arJamaicaacnithreulioddlaweroamseryneu trechuachymrydrheolaeth Yrhynaddilynoddoeddtrefn greulonofasnachumewnpobl,artaith,traisrhywiola phobloeddyngweithioifarwolaeth Gweloddy creulondebhwnboblPrydainynelwaogartrefiurddasol acadeiladautrawiadolyndeilliooelwmewnsiwgr,ryma bwydyddegsotigfelpîn afal DefnyddiwydcoprCymreig felariancyfredibrynucaethweision Darparodd gweithfeyddhaearnCymreigycanonauargyfer caethweisionaladdoddgannoeddoorllewinAffricaareu glannaugangeisioachubanwyliaidrhagcaeleucipio RoeddrhaiCymryynberchnogionplanhigfeydda chaethweision

OddechraurheolaethPrydainynJamaica,roeddynaraia lwyddoddiddianco'rplanhigfeyddachuddio Wnaethon nhwfywydaucaledondrhuddi'whunain Wrthiw niferoeddgynyddu,byddentyncodiacynrhyddhaueraill Erbyn1728,cyrhaeddoddygwrthryfeloeddhynuchdera oeddynsyndodirPrydeinwyr Maediddymwyrgwynyn amlyncaeleuhamlygufelrhaisynallweddoliddodâ chaethwasiaethJamaicaiben Ond,ygwiryw,roeddyna laweroymladdynôlaphannadoeddbellachyn economaiddhyfywoganlyniad,feddiddymasant gaethwasiaethym184 Foddbynnag,roeddpoblwen Brydeinigynparhauireolirgyfraithgwneud eiddoac economi

Fegymerodd100mlyneddarallagwrthryfelymosodoli LywodraethPrydaingymrydsylworanghydraddoldebauyr oeddennhwwedi’ucreu

Trwy'r1950au,cynyddoddhunanlywodraeth,ffurfiwyd cabinetoweinidogion,acetholwydprifweinidog Ynolaf, enillwydannibyniaethyn1962

TaloddyPrydeinwyrfiliynaumewniawndal,ifasnachwyra pherchenogioncaethweision,onddimbydi'rdioddefwyr AmcangyfrifirbodhynyngolygubodPrydainyndalifod mewndylediJamaica,acynseiliedigarytaliadaua wnaedganddyntyngnghanoly1800au,dylaihynfodtua 76biliwnobunnoedd Foddbynnag ychydigiawno ddiddordebymaeLlywodraethPrydainwedi’iddangos mewnrhoipethorarianagawsantolafurrhydddanorfod alladradynôl

Heddiw,maeeconomiJamaicayndibynnuardwristiaeth, ffermio,bocsitargyfercynhyrchualwminiwmamariwana argyfercwmnïaufferyllol

DethlirAnnibyniaethJamaicaynJamaicaa'ralltudbob6 Awst ondmaeynaraisy'ndalideimloybyddaiwedibod ynwelliJamaicaarosodanreolaethPrydain

FelCymraisJamaicanaidd,niallafbeidiomeddwl,tybed sutfuasaiAnnibyniaethCymruedrych?Maegennym adnoddauymaegweddillPrydainyneugwerthfawrogi Maeeindŵranhynnigwyrddynsicrynbwysigac,fel Jamaicarydymhefydyndibynnu'nfawrardwristiaeth

Niddechrauosafbwyntailadeiladuarôlcaethwasiaeth fyddaieinmancychwyn Tybed?

Darlunartistoblanhigfa

Annibyniaeth Jamaican

Ysgrifenwyd gan: Natlie Jones

The British African Entrepreneurial Journey

Inthefirstbookofitskind,Dr ChristopherA Johnsonexaminesthe contributionsofAfricansettlerstothe Britisheconomyfrom1793tothe presentday.Thebookevidencesthe truenatureofintercultural,intra ethnic andmulti socialfeaturesofpeopleof Africandescent

Whatwastheinspirationbehindcreatingthe book?

TheinspirationfortheBritishAfrican EntrepreneurshipJourneycamefromover35years ofworkingwithinter governmentalagencies, institutions,andawidecross sectionofcivic organisations,thathadtussleswithethnicity,culture, faithorreligion,race,andothersociallyrelated identityissues Sincetimeimmemorial,peopleof Africandescenthavebeenstigmatisedbasedon ‘colour’[pigmentation]andtexture They’vebeen perceivedashomogenousorbelongingtoasingle entity/group TheevolutionofAfricans;owinginpart toslavery,indentureship,migration,citizenship and/ornaturalisation,meantthatconventional misconceptionsabouttheiroverallcompositionand type,hadtoberectified Further,Africansgrowing inter ethnic,intra culturalandcross social symmetries,meantthatsuchinevitablepluralities deservedrecognitionandacknowledgementin currentethnicentrepreneurshipliterature Moreover, thesignificantAfricancontributiontoBritish economichistoryisalmostunknowntoboth mainstreamandminorityethnicsocietiesintheUK

Whatarethesignificantpointsthatyourbook addresses?

Thisenterprise‘trilogy’editionaddresseskeythemes ineachofthesixchapters Itchallengesthenotionof ‘ethnicity’versusthe‘race conundrumwhendealing withminorities'involvementandparticipationin businesseconomicaffairs However,thebook examinescriticalareas;viz,culturalaffirmation,civic andfaithrenewal,economicresilience,financialself reliance,grouppower,identityquest,polyethnicity, socialinclusionandupwardmobility Hundredsof casestudiescomprising22or41%oftheUK’sAfrican enterprisedisparategroups,highlightedthecultural, intellectual,social,andspiritualcapitalofmembers ofthisethnicgroup Sincemuchofthefieldwork researchwasdoneduringandaftertheCOVID 19 period(s),thebookanalyseschallengestofirmsand opportunitiesforbusinessesinnationalandglobal markets.

Dr Christopher A Johnson

BOMB Black Owned Minority Business

Whydoyouthinkthebookissoimportantinthecurrent climate?

It’ssignificancemustnotbeunderestimatedespeciallyata timewhenevidencefrompost pandemicreports,highlights growinginequalitiesacrossvariousmainstreamprovisionsfor minoritycommunities Thepersistentlackofadefinitivepolicy strategyforethnicorimmigrantentrepreneurshipisanother causeforconcern Extantliteratureincludingroutinestudies onminorityethnicentrepreneurship,is/arebereftofbusiness leadersbyclearlystatedethnicaffiliationornationality more so,theirtrueheritagebackground Then,thereislimited knowledgeof,andunderstandingon,howtoutilisethe StandardIndustrialClassification(SIC)modeltocategorise ethnicfirmsbyrelevantindustrysectorandbusiness segmentation

Whatdoyouhopetoachievebywritingthebook?

Undoubtedly thisnewedificewillhaveapervasiveeffecton national,regional,andnationalsocio economicpolicy imperatives Firstly,itwillhelpchangetheethnocentric perceptionoftheAfricandiasporaparticularlyinthewestern metropolis Secondly,itwillcreateaparadigmshiftintheway peopleofAfricanandotherethnicdescent,areclassifiedin socialgroupterms Thirdly,thebookcanbeusedasapolicy tooltomeasuretheorganisationandperformanceofethnic firmsbyindustrysectorandbusinesssegmentation Fourthly, thebookwillhaveaprofoundimpactonthewayinwhich Africansandtheirethnic‘cousins’areseenintheir involvementandparticipationinbusiness,industry,the professions,sciences,andcivicaffairsatlocal,regional, national,andinternationallevels Fifthly,itwillstrengthen culturalkinship economicsolidarity andsocialcohesion amongstcommunities,intheirunderstanding, acknowledgementandappreciationoftheimportanceofthe ‘ethnicdividend’toBritishsocietyasawhole

Whenisthebookout?Wherecanitbepurchased?

ThebookwaspublishedbyGlobalEntrepreneurial DevelopmentServices(GEDS)LtdJuly2022 Itcanbe purchasedbyorderingat

email:baebook@gedssolutionsandalsodialmobile telephone:07891479255or07787702092

Whoisthebooktargetingintermsofanaudienceand why?

Apartfromethnicandotherbusinesses theBritishAfrican EntrepreneurshipJourneybookisalsoinvaluablefor analysts,businesscounsellors,consultants,educators, employmentadvisors,economists,enterprisenetworks, governmentagencies,policymakers,publicinstitutions, workresearchers,students,andworkcoaches Otherswho haveanabidinginterestinimmigrantentrepreneurshipand socialenterprise,willfindthispublicationveryedifyingand refreshing

Whatchallengesdidyoufindwhilewritingthebook?

Likemostrarepublicationsofthistype,therewere understandablechallenges Chiefamongthemwere,poor information inaccuratedata lackofacentraldatabasefor minorityfirmsandunder representationofminorityfirmsin publicsectorormainstreamdecision makingbodies Other problemsweresomeAfricans ambivalencetowardsbeing interviewed Somefelttheircontributiontosocietywas unimportant Otherswonderedwhetherthebookwould makeadifferencetotheireconomicandsociallives Except forthesolitaryPhoenixNewspaper,majormainstream,and ethnicmediaagencies,werereluctanttopublish informationonmatterspertainingtothebookspublication Duringandafterthepandemicperiod,therewaslittleifany, realassistance,andsupportforminorityethnicfirms Young Africansmaximisedopportunitiesofferedbythepandemic crisistostart upmicrofirmsinindustrysectors;thatis, home basedandtechnology drivenenterprises

They’ve been perceived as homogenous or belonging to a single entity/group.

Written by: Mo Jannah

BOMB Black Owned Minority Business

UK Black Business Show London

CEO and

Blackentrepreneurshiphasbecomeaprominent talkingpoint mostnotablyafterthelaunchofTheBlack BusinessShowin2017 Itspopularityhasshonealight ontheunderrepresentedBlackentrepreneursintheUK: withonly54%ofsmalltomediumsizeenterprisesbeing runbymajorityBlackandethnicminoritypeoplein 2018 StatisticslikethesegavefounderRaphaelSofoluke theinspirationandtookthemantlebytakingaction andcreatingTheUKBlackBusinessShow,whichaims tocreatea‘progressiveandpositive’spaceforBlack entrepreneurstobeabletonetworkamongsteach otherandcreate‘meaningfulconnections

XcellenceattendedtheUKBlackBusinessShow,heldat theBirminghamNECinJune,whichwasasell out event withover1500attendees 100exhibitorsand15 guestspeakers ThehighlightforuswashearingAkala, whogaveapassionateandeducatedpresentation aboutBlackenterpriseandcapitalism Morerecently, weattendedtheUKBlackBusinessShowinLondon,held attheBusinessDesignCentreinIslingtononthe22nd October Thiseventwasalsoasell out,withover4,500 attendees,200exhibitorsand20guestspeakers We caughtupwithsomeoftheexhibitors,toaskwhythey feelthateventslikethisareimportantandexactlyhow dothey,asentrepreneurs,benefit?

Founder of UK Black Business Show

Rahael Sofoluke

'I wanted to create a platform to inspire and connect Black business owners and professionals. I knew that to be successful, I would need to do something that had never been accomplished before'

BOMB Black Owned Minority Business

UK Black Business Show London

KidpreneurIllora LeeLouison,age8,attendedto promoteherself developmentjournal Sheisan extraordinaryyounggirl whosequieteloquence explainstheinspirationbehindhercreation,she explained

KidpreneurIllora LeeLouisone

‘So,at4yearsold,IcouldnotspeakEnglish,my firstlanguagewasFrench Learninghowtoread writeandmakefriendswashardforme,butI managed Theideaformybusinessbegan whenmymotherboughtmeaself developmentjournal,whichreallyhelpedme I askedmymotherifwecouldcreateourown journals Ittookoneyeartodevelopourbrand andsourcetheproducts Wesellourjournals throughthebusinesswebsiteandInstagram page

Myschoolteachersareveryimpressedand supportmyaspirationsasakidpreneur AttendingUKBlackBusinessgivesmethe opportunitytomeetotherBlackowned businessesandmakeconnectionsthatcanhelp thebusinessgrow Ourbiggestsuccesssofar hasbeensellingover300journalstoMicrosoft Theobjectiveistohelpchildrentofind happinessthroughgettingtoknowwhotheyare usingpositivedailyaffirmations Myfavourite affirmationis 'IamabeautifulBlackgirl'

Onthe19thNovember,Ilorha,wontheTrulittle scribeheroaward,forhercreation Amassive congratulationtoyou,youaretruelyXcellent WELLDONE!

BOMB Black Owned Minority Business

MaternalSerenityisanaturalscentbrandofproductsformotherand baby FoundedbyFatimaAli,in2021 Afterworkinginvariousrolesforthe NHS,Fatimaiswellexperiencedinworkingwithnewmothers,providing maternitycomplementarytherapy midwifery andpostnatalsupport Maternalserenityoffersanarrayofproductssuchas,balancingrestoring pulseoils,bodybutterandsoaps Allproductsarenatural,andnostoneis leftunturned whenitcomestoensuringthebrandisintegraltothe mindfulnessofrespectingmotherearth

Itwasthefirst timematernalserenityhasfeaturedasanexhibitoratthe UKBlackBusinessShow,anopportunitythat,Fatmasays,isessentialto developingthebrand Shesaid, attendingthiseventhasbeenvery encouraging aspeoplehavebeensocomplimentaryofourpackaging andscents ItisgreattohavesuchpositivefeedbackfromotherBlack ownedbusinesses andithasbeenanopportunitytonetworkandmeetlike

ainshopwasfoundedbyAyoAdedeji alsotheartisticcreator,andEmma whoistheillustrator Theideaforthe shop cameoutofthepandemicduring eofquietcontemplation Theyboth dtocreatealifestylebrandthatwas alistic withafocusonsimplicity which mpassedqualityandinclusivity Theaim uildacommunitythateveryonecanbe oftoshareinacommonethos,‘itis, tis’

llrangeconsistsoft shirts,hoodies, rs,hats,andbags Theyalsohavea ingbookandsetofplayingcards

JamaicanRumVibeswasfoundedbyTamo Carter,whoisoriginallyfromJamaica Tamo’s inspirationfortheproductstemsfromhis grandfather’sstoriesofwhenheusedtorun hisrumbusiness,usingahorsedrawnsugar canemillandrumbar backinthelate1940s

RumisastapledrinkofJamaicaandthese 250mlcansofvariousflavours pullsapunch at45%vol Theyarecurrentlystockedinover 200,Co opstores,butsadlyonlyoneinWales, whichisLampeter Thecompanyaretryingto branchintoWalesandarelookingfor wholesalers,bars,andrestaurants Jamaican RumVibesattendedtheUKBlackBusiness show,tofindmoredistributorsandtobaskin theBlackexcellencethattheeventoffers Wehadafantastictime,speakingwithmany oftheentrepreneurspresent Butthesewere justsomeofourfavourites Atruelyinspiring dayandgreatconnectionsweremade LetshopeUKBlackbusinessshowcomesto Wales

oketoAyoandaskedwhyhethought ssuchastheUKBlackBusinessshow mportantanddiditliveuptohis expectations?Hereplied,"theUKBBS absolutelyliveduptomyexpectations I aimedtoconnectwithasmanypeopleas possibleandgaininsightintomyproducts andbrandfrommycommunity Ialsoaimed tomakeasmuchprofitaspossiblesoIcan directlyredistributeittohawkers,small businessownersandanorphanageinNigeria TheUKBBSwasmyopportunitytodothatand Iwasabletodosowhichwasreallyexciting" Headded,"organisationsliketheUKBBSand BlackPoundDayarequintessentialtothe empowermentoftheblackcommunity We arealreadyincrediblyculturallyimpactfulbut bysupportingsmallbusinesses wecangrow theblackmiddleclassandhaveamore prosperousandpoliticallyinfluential communityaswell"

atimaAliandherhusband

wwwjamaiciarumvibescom

Founder:TamoCarrter

SheilaHendrickson Brown,CEOatC3SCsaid,“This year ’sAwardsevent themed‘Reconnectin Communities’,isbringingtogethervolunteers, communitygroupsandorganisations,torecognise theireffortsandachievementsinhelpingpeople andcommunitiestodealwiththepressures throughoutachallengingperiodofrecoveryforthe countyofCardiffoverthepastfewyears The ceremonywillbepresentedinahybridformat thefirstofitskindandparticularlysignificantasthe firstlarge scaleeventsincethelockdown restrictions Itisourpleasuretoreconnectin communitiesonceagain face to faceand online,toshowourappreciationforthefantastic workundertakenbythewonderfulcommunityof volunteersinCardiff Wearedelightedtowelcome backWales&WestHousingasourheadline sponsor,withsupportfromSerco,Lovell,Kier Construction VividBlockITandvolunteers’

TheCardiffVolunteerAwardsisorganisedbythe CardiffVolunteerCentre@C3SC(CardiffThird SectorCouncil)tocelebratevolunteeringinCardiff andrecognisethecontributionsandachievements ofvolunteers,voluntarygroupsandorganisations, forgoingaboveandbeyondinourcommunities

Followingthehighlysuccessfulvirtualeventlast year attendedbyover100people,thisyear’s ceremonywasahybridevent,heldinpersonat ButetownCommunityCentreandonlineviaZoom Theeventtookplaceat4pmon17November2022

Ifyouareinterestedinbeingasponsorfornewyears,VolunteerAwardsevent,please seeourSponsorshipPackageDocumentortodiscussanyofoursponsorshippackages contactuson07973725569or02920485722oremailusat:enquiries@c3scorguk

'This year’s Awards event, themed ‘Reconnect in Communities’, is bringing together volunteers, community groups and organisations'.

EleezaKhan winnerofYoungVolunteeroftheYear TheYoungVolunteerAwardisselectedbyajudgingpanelfrom nominationsreceivedfromthepublic ThisAwardrecognises thecontributionsofvolunteersagedbelow25yearsold

LionessCommunityProjects(LCP) winnerofYouthLedGrant (YLG)Projectoftheyear: TheYLGAwardwinnerisselectedbythejudgingpanelfromthe listofYLGprojectsdeliveredinthelastfinancialyear

A night of Recognition and Thanks News

LCPworkwithyoungpeoplethroughoutdoorsactivitiesand121 supportbyliaisingwithparentsandfamiliesvialocalworship centresandculturalgroupstoprovidefreesupporttoyoung peoplewiththeirschoolwork,freetutoring,adviceand guidance mentoringandcoachingthemabouttheircareer choiceandsports/physicalactivities asmeansof empoweringthemtoberesponsiblecommunitymemberswho willinturnsupportothers asambassadors LCPwereableto engagewithabout44individualsincludingfamilies They teamedwithanotherorganisationtoorganise3visitsandtours atthenationalmuseuminCathaysparkandStFagans They alsohelprunasuccessfulprogrammingcourse,increasingthe numberofparticipantsandencouragedyoungpeopletoget involveinvolunteering

Eleezaisaqualifiedgrassrootslevelfootballreferee andalsoworkscloselywiththeCardiffyouth serviceandhavecompletedvariousdifferentwork experienceopportunitieswiththemincludingyoung inspectors,younginterviewersandyoung commissioners ShehasalsocompletedherBronze andSilverDofEwiththeCardiffyouthserviceand goingontoGold SheworkscloselywiththeGrange PavilionYouthForumwherewehaveasafespace forvariousyoungpeopletohangoutandorganise invariousfunactivities AsaMuslimandsouth Asianyoungwoman,sheisoftentheonlyoneat footballeventsandmatches Theyarerepresented asaniche,buttherealityistheyarenot Theworld ischanging,andEleezaisdrivingitforward She helpssupportandofferopportunitiestomore peoplelikeherandhelpempowerourlocal community

Poetic Justice

Iamreturning

ThecityIlovedanecho, chokedonitsownsmoke Ashair,wildtraffic, glossyspinesofsky rises thatdissolveintheaftermath IknewIwouldbecalled tothefleshyfieldsofmybody Iheardtheircroaks, felttheirthirstintheheat Forweeks,I’velistened totheseatossandturn,aching Iputmyeartotheblackearth andithumsback Ipluckseedsfrommyscalp, cratershardenedbythesun

Whenmygrandmotherfirsttoldme weweredifferent,shewasbrushing backmystubborncurlsinthemirror, bobblesbetweenherteethforpigtails. Onyour16thbirthdayyouwilldream theworldisending You’llwatch aseverythingsparkstoflame, andtheskyturnsgoldwithrage YourmotherandI,mymother andhermothertoohavefought throughthissamedream Atthelastmoment,whenyou’reabout tosuccumb,you’llhearthedistant hungerofthesea Gotoit,tenditslonging, youhavesomethingitneeds

Istartedtonotice Morningrain, Ifeltthegratefulsoilquench, myarmsheavywithnewweight Iheardthetreesstrategisesurvival, thelowgroanofrootscrawlingdeeper Iwokeinthenighttothesting offreshstemspiercingmyspine, Icoughedupdragonflywings, stillbeating,bearingforflight

Whilemyfriendslearnttoshave newgrowthsofleghair withsoapandablade, myskinpuckeredunderpatches ofmossandlichen Iheardtheirwhispersinmyabsence; myslimyhair,itsgreen tingedtrail, smellofmould,jasmine,burning Thecity,motheredbythegreedysea, mystomachfelthergnawing

NowIputmyhandintothesalt froth ofthewater Itenvelopesskin likeanoldfriend Caregiver, Iletitdragandfoldme What’sleftinanabandonedcity? We’lltakeitbackquietly, afloweringrock,roots capsizingpavement

Icomefromaline oflandhealers,ourbodies anoffering,ahookbetweenworlds Ithinkofmygrandmother, lulledlikethetide toreturntothisplace Ihaveaphoto,oramemory, oradream;I’monhershoulders atthecliffedge,leaningtothewind andweare,weare,weare

Taylor Edmunds

I AM

Front Cover:

Model: Dionne Bennett

Photography: Zaid Djerdi @zxidy

Hair & Make Up: Shanice Wright

Artistic Director: Tia-Zakura Camilleri

I am Dionne

Do you feel a sense of Cynefin in Wales?

How would you describe your cultural background?

IamBlackandWelsh,myparentsareWestIndian Igrew upwithadeepsenseofprideofmyBlacknessand strongconnectiontomyJamaicanheritage Growingup inDeptford,SoutheastLondon,IneverfeltWelshwhilst livingthereanddidnottellanyoneIwasborninWales, myfriendsonlyknewofmyconnectiontoWaleswhen theyaskedwhereIhadspentmyschoolholidays WhenI wasyounger,IstruggledwithconnectingmyWelsh identityandculturalbackground,butovertimeIhave reconciledthetwo Butithasbeenajourney,becauseI feltmyWelshnesswasconfinedtocertainareas suchas Cardiff,becausebeingBlackandWelshwasnotseenas beingWelshenough

Inowfeelasenseofbelonging whichhascomethrough storiesthatmyparents,familymembersandelders,have sharedovertheyears Atfamilygatheringstheyspoke abouttheirearlyexperiencesofarrivingherefromthe WestIndiesandhowtheymadeWalestheirhome They spokeofthestruggles,butalsothroughoutalltheir challenges,theyhadastrongdeterminationtosucceed inaforeignland Myparentsandsomanyotherscame toWales,notonlytobuildalife,buttheyalsohelpedto buildthiscity Myfatherwasacarpenterandhelpedto buildCardiffprison MymotherwasanurseatStDavid's Hospital itisthesestoriesandthecontributionsthat makesmefeelasenseofbelongingandmakesmy viewpointsasaBlackWelshpersonbecamevalid In themIhaveownershipandfeeltrulyinvestedinWales Unfortunately,mysenseofbelongingwasnotcreatedor representedinthehistoryofWales,orinthemediaof whichIhavebeenexposedto

"The contributions my parents have made to Wales, makes my viewpoints valid"

Photocredit:ZaidDjerdi

Do you think representation is important?

Ofcourse,representationissoimportant,whenIlivedin London,Isawpeoplewholookedlikemeeveryday,inall typesofindustries AfterthemurderofGeorgeFloyd, duringatimewhenwewereallathome,societyhad lookedinthemirrorandwhatwasreflectingback,was racismwithinorganisationsandsomepeople’sattitudes andbehaviours However,weareseeingsomechanges withinorganisations,theyseemtonotjustbelisteningbut believingthelivedexperiencesofBlackpeopleherein Walesandacrossthecountry Westillhavealongwayto go,Iamdoingmybittocreatechangethroughmyart, whichisthebestexpressionIcanarticulateinapowerful way

IwantmodernWalestobeseenforthebeautywehave herewithinourcommunities Ithinkitisimportantto advocateandshoutaboutthecontributionsBlackpeople havemadetoWales Forme thatisadrivingforcebehind mypersonalandprofessionallife Iamalecturerin HerefordUniversityandworkwiththeyouthcommunity group,whichIlovetodoasitgivesmeaccesstoyoung people,andIhavelearntalotabouttheirperspectives I havealsosetupaBlackMusiccompany,calledTân Cerdd,withthelegendaryJaffa,withtheintentionof creatingopportunitiesforBlackartistsofallgenresto displaythecreativityandversatilityofmusicalartaswell astoforgeanewBlackmusicscenetopromotethe amazingtalentthatisnotalwaysvisible

Who has inspired you?

MysisterKarenismybiggestinspiration Sadly sheisno longer with us, but she encouraged me to explore my musicality and interest in the arts As a lighter skinned Blackwoman shewouldtellmeoftenhowmyBlackness wasbeautifulanddemonstratedthatinherdeeds Karen was a goddess to me, she had an entrepreneurial flare andwasthetypeofpersonwho’senergycouldbefeltin aroom,herbeautyandlightdemandedattentionwithout saying a word, her intelligence and finesse were other worldlytomeasadarkskinnednappychild,Iwasinawe of her sense of self and, I guess her spirit, is what keeps me progressing in my career and in my own journey of self discovery

What challenges you?

Ifeellikelifeingeneralisfullofchallengesandasadark skinnedBlackwoman whoworksinthemusicindustry it hasbroughtnotjustracismbutalsomisogyny Ihave managedtoovercomethemand,indoingso,havefound themostaboutmyself Ialwaysliketofindthelessonin thoseexperiences,oftentheyofferanopportunityto challengesuchissueslikediscrimination Musicisapartof whoIam soIusemyfieldandcreativityandpositionin musictoexplorethesethemesanddevelopmyselfasan artist,andasaBlackwoman However,thepositiveslargely outweighthenegatives

How did your singing career start?

Myinterestintheartsstartedatabout9yearsold,whenI startedtowritelyricsandpoems Attheageof13,I embarkedonamusicprojectcalledtheLucianAcademyof Music,nowknownastheMedimusic,whichisstillgoingin DeptfordinSoutheastLondon MyfirstencounterwasthatI becamefascinatedbythemixingdeskandthoughtthatI wantedtobeastudioengineer Iwassoinquisitiveand wantedtoknowwhatallthebuttonsandknobsdidandhow theyworkedtogether Mysingingreallybeganwhenoneday, wewereinthestudioandItookholdofamicrophone,I begantosingandthesessionleader,calledPhoenix suggestedIjoinedthesinginglessonsandtherestishistory, Ihaveneverlookedback Ialsowenttoaplacecalledthe Albanyandbecamethemaincharacterinatheatre productioncalled 13unluckyforsome Iwassohonoured, thatasongthatIhadwrittenattheageof13,wasalsoused intheproduction whichmademefeelsoproudandreally encouragedmetorecordacommercialtrack,whichwas calledMaria

A huge THANK YOU! to Cardiff Lights, for supporting us through Black History Month

"My sister's spirit is what keeps me progressing in my career and in my own journey of self discovery"

Photocredit:ZaidDjerdi

DOneofmymostmemorableopportunities,wasgaining oneoftheveryfewfemalepartsintheofficialBlues Brothersmusical Duringthe18 monthtour,Ilearntso muchabouttheexpectationsofaprofessionalsinger And asmyknowledgeandabilitygrew sodidmy awarenessofstagecraftandperformativeelementsthat gointoproducingagreatshow Theyouthmusicprojects werefundamentalindevelopingmycareerasavocalist alsotheexperienceofbeingapartofasuccessful musical,openedthedoorformetobecomeamentorfor youngpeople

oing her Thang...

Photcredit:JánosNagyBudapest

If you could perform on any stage in the World, where would it be and why?

Ihadtheabsolutepleasureofperforminginthe Motorpointarena,insupportofOasis,whichwas phenomenal,theaudiencewaselectric,andwehadthe besttime ButIwouldlovetoperformthereagainwithmy ownmusiconeday OutsideofWalesIwouldloveto performattheAlbertHall,becauseitisahistorical platformwithamazingacoustics Performingthereasa Blackartistshowcasingmyownmusicwouldbe immense Internationally,Iwouldlovetoperformat MaddisonSquareGardens whichisiconic ImaginetakingBlackWelshmusictothatplatform Iwould alsolovetogotoFujiRocks,inJapanandperformatthe Jamaicanjazzandbluesfestival andwhilstIamputtingit outtherefortheuniversetohear,Iwouldalsoliketodoan AfroPunkevent Asanartist,Ilovevarietyandthereareso manywaystoexpressandrepresentBlackmusic Iwant todothemall!

What advice would you give to a young person, who would like to pursue a career as a singer?

TheadviceIwouldgive,istofirstdecidewhatisityou wantfrombeinginthemusicindustry Iwouldaskthemto thinkabout whatdoyouwant?Fameorrecognition becauseitisimportanttounderstandthestrugglesand rewardsofeach Personally,Ihaveneverwantedfame, butIdowantrecognitionfortheworkIcreate Ihopethat mylegacyisthatIleftthisworldalittlebetterbecauseof myart So,Iwouldsuggesttoyoungpeoplestartingout, nottoboxthemselvesin,beopentoexploringdifferent avenues,andnottobeafraidofsayingno Ifyouareseriousaboutwhatyouwant,thentherewill alwaysbeotheropportunities MyadviceforaBlack woman,wouldbetonotbecontrolledbyothers,bebold andbravetobewhoyouareanddonotdimyourlight, beingauthentictowhoyouareisthekeytobeing different Themusicgameisdifficult,butitisalsoa beautifulexperience ultimately myadvicewouldbe dont beafraid,andtoreachouttopeoplewhohavegone beforeyou

If there is one thing you could change in society, what would it be?

IfIcouldchangeanythinginsocietyitwouldhavetobe, theconceptofraceandracism Iwouldwanttoinform peoplethatwedohavedifferences butinthevery essenceofwhoweareashumans,weallwantthesame universalthings,suchashappiness,afutureandforour familiestobesafe aswellasourbasicneedsmet Unfortunately,racismdividesanddehumanisesusand takesawayfromthebeautyofourhumancollectiveness Ifwecoulderadicateracism wecouldsolvesomany issuesinsociety,thatisthereason,whyIwanttobea positiverolemodel,Iwantpeopletoexploreandexpress theirangeraroundhowtheyaretreated Itisonlyright thatpeopleusetheirvoice,itistheonlywaywearegoing tochangethings,byspeakingup Blackpeoplehave everyrighttobeinfuriatedbythewaytheyareoften treated,butitisevenbetterwhenwehaveallies,whoalso speakup,thatiswherethepowerlies,inour collectiveness

A conversation with: Donna Ali

I have never wanted fame, but I do want recognition for the work I create, I hope that my legacy is that I left this world a little better because of my art.

Dionnepreformingat:KingsPlaceLondon

I’m Possible How Great Thou Art

Haveyoueverhadanideathatseemedsopreposterous thatyoudidn'teventakeyourselfseriously?Haveyoulooked aroundandthought nobodydoesthingslikethat? Well me too;beinga17 year oldAsian,late startingdancerfrom Waleswithatightbudget,Ifeltthatitwouldbeimpossible formetopursueacareerinprofessionalballet However, throughhardworkandthesupportofothers,Ihavebeen abletorealisewhatseemedlikeanimpossibledream

Attheageof12,IbeganattheLemonBalletSchoolin Cardiff,takinganhourofballetperweek Owingto circumstances,itwasimpossibleformetotakethequantity oflessonsrequiredtopursueacareerindance Ataround theageof17,Ihadjuststartedtofallinlovewithballetbut thoughtitimpossibleformetoreachtherequiredstandard Iwasabsolutelyheartbroken Theperiodsoflockdown however providedmewiththe opportunitytopursueballet,givingmebothtimetopractice andthechancetoaccessballetlessonsatareducedcost ThroughoutthistimeIreceivedenormoussupportfromMiss LowriandTheLemonBalletSchoolwhereItrained,who showedsignificantgenerosityandkindnesstomeandmy situation Theywereextremelyencouragingsaying “Joyisa pleasuretoteach Shepushesherselfhardtogainthe strengthandstaminaneededtodanceandshowsallthe necessarydeterminationtosucceed” Lowri’swordstruly madeaworldofdifference,asIwouldneverhavehadthe couragetopursuedancewithoutherencouragementand support

Motivation

Written by: Joy Price

Therewerelimitedoptionsformeintheballetworld However,CentralSchoolofBallethasaninclusive approachtostudenttrainingandhasbeensupportive ofmysituation Thisgavemethehopethatitwas possibletochasemydreams Iexperiencedmany challengeswhileauditioningforvocationalschool For example,Iincurredahipinjury,whichforcedmetotake overamonthoffrightbeforemyauditions Furthermore, Iwasalsoforcedtoauditiondigitallyfrommylounge, causingmanyissues,suchasnotbeingableto performbigortravelingballetmoves Therewerealso manysmallproblemsaspartofthisprocess,suchas mydogrunningintotheroomduringclasses,myballet barrefallingapartandmakingsurethatIdidntsmash alightbulb

Despitetheseissues,IamhappytosaythatI successfullyfilmedmyauditionvideosandreceiveda verypositiveoutcome IrememberthemomentthatI wasofferedaplaceatCentralSchoolofBallet,aleading professionalballetschool;Iwasabsolutelyecstatic, jumpingupanddownwithexcitement Atthatmoment I knewthattheimpossiblecouldbemadepossiblewhen webelieve Iamnowinmysecondyearoftrainingat Centralandlookingforwardtowhatevermyfuturemay hold

Inconclusion Iwouldliketosaythatnolightbulbsor dogswerehurtinthemakingofthisstory,althoughmy balletbarremaynothavesurvived Onamoreserious note Iwouldaddthatevenifanideaseems preposterous,orwedon’tdothingsinthewaythat othersmayexpect,wecanstillchaseourdreamsand makeourambitionsareality Furthermore,mystoryalso showswhatadifferenceencouragementcanmake;so, letsexpectbigthingsfromthosethatseemleastlikely tosucceedandletsdoourutmosttohavecourageand bekind

'If an idea seems preposterous, or we don’t do things in the way that others may expect, we can still chase our dreams and make our ambitions a reality'.

Ballet

Being Art

Iunderstandtwothingsinthisworld wordsand movement There’ssomethingempoweringandessential aboutself declaration Decidingwhoyouareforyourself andnotwaitingforsomeoneelsetoappointyou Foralong time Ionlythoughtofmyselfasadancer butovertheyears Ihavecometoseemyselfalsoasachoreographer,writer anddirector Declaringthesethingshasbeenanessential aspectinreleasingmyselfintothefullnessofwhatIhaveto offerthroughmyart

Icreatedancetheatreworksforstage publicspaceand film,whichexplorethemesofintersectionalidentity,mental healthandwellbeing,andempowerment Thesethemes aren’trandom theyareintimatelyconnectedtome Through myart,Iamabletoexploremyownidentityandsharethat explorationwithotherstoofferconnectionandsupport;to encouragemomentsofintrospectionandspursocial change

Myworkisneverfiction itisalwaysderived,insomewayor another,frommylifeand/orthelivesofthosearoundme I’minspiredbynature mylifeexperiencesandbythose closesttome Oncethatfirstpieceofinspirationcomes,it’s plantedandtakesrootinsidemymind Mostofmyideas,for writingormovement remaininsidemymindforyears growingandtakingshape beforetheyeverbecome somethingphysical Andthen,whenitstime,Ipourthemout ontothepageorintoastudiospace Ipourthemout unrefinedandunstructured

Mygoalistogetthemoutand,onlyaftertheyareout,doI mouldthemintoshape OneofthethingsIlovemostabout liveperformanceartisthatitisneverfinished Thereis unendingdepthtobefoundwithineach,andeverythought andidea So,IplanthemanywaysIwillexplorethiswork beforedecidingononeway,nottherightway(thereisno rightway),toshareitwithothers Andthen,thefollowing yearsarespentincontinuedexplorationofthemanyforms inwhichapieceofworkcantake Mypleasureasanartistis notfoundintheaccoladesofafinishedproduction,butin theexplorationofawork duringthecreationand performanceofthatwork ItisbecauseofthispleasurethatI amabletoenjoytheworkIproduce Becauseit’snotabout perfectionoronewayofbeing,instead,it’saboutthebeing Beinganartist and asadancer beingart

It’seasytogetweighteddownwonderingwhetherornot we ’regoodenoughasartists Forme Ineveraskmyself whetherI’mgoodenough Icreatebecauseofmylovefor creationandforpeople Beingagreatartistisnotandnever willbemygoal Authenticityismycornerstone equityismy purpose,innovationismyambition,andempowermentis myaspiration Mygoal,isart

I began these bursaries as a way to support the next generation of influential artists To offer others the opportunity to learn as I learn, to develop as I develop, and to be seen as I am seen I am committed to this work and will do everything in my power to ensure the success of Our Voice Network | Rhwydwaith Ein Llais and The Our Voice Bursary

Our Voice Bursay

In2021,IfoundedtheOurVoiceNetwork|RhwydwaithEin Llais anetworkthatexiststoempower,platformand developartistsoftheGlobalMajority,throughprofessional developmentopportunities,showcasingevents,and bursaries InMarch2022,Iproducedasharingeventatthe RiverfrontTheatre,Newport‘There’sRoomforMeToo’,to raisemoneyfortwoOurVoiceBursaries

TheOurVoiceBursary2022supportstwofemaleartistsof theGlobalMajorityforoneyear tobeginacareerinthe artsandmakeongoingconnectionsintheartssector Alongwithmymentoringandsupportoftheseartists,they willalsoreceiveoneweekofspacetoexploretheirart form,£50000,andtheopportunitytosharetheirworkina 2023showcaseproducedbyme,supportedbythe RiverfrontTheatre Newport The2022OurVoiceBursary recipientsareKaremaAhmedandStephanieStevens KaremaisaCardiff basedemergingsinger/song writer, whoispassionateaboutmusicandhowitallowspeopleto expressthemselvesandconnectwithothers Stephanieis anactor,writerandsinger Sheisdrawntotheatrethat incorporateslove spirituality historyandequality

CreditSleepyRobotPhotography

KaremaAhmed &Stephanie Stevens

Written by: Krystal S Lowe

. Being an artist –and, as a dancer – being art.

CreditSleepyRobotPhotography

Krystal S. Lowe

Poetic Justice

Poetic Justice

Tell your Children the Truth!

TellthemitallbeganinEgypt(advancedcivilization,science, math,philosophy,religion,architecture) Tellthemthefirst gyptianswereBlack,nothingtodowithHollywoodmovies

TellthemChristopherColumbusdidnotdiscovertheAmericas, thatMansaMusa,theMalian,wastherichestmanintheworld, thattheBlackEgyptianswerethefirsttotraveltheworld,thatthey discoveredEurope,theAmericas,AsiaandOceania!

Tellthemit'sinEgyptthatthemeterwasinventedfromthe measureofadropofwater,thatpi(3,14)andthenumberof goldswereinventedinEgyptaswellasmanygeometric theoremsattributedtoPythagorasandThales,yetImotep,the greatestofscholars,remainsunknowntohistorybooks!

TellthemthattheAncestorofHumanitywasdiscoveredinAfrica, thatmanyoftheinventionsofthisworldweremadewiththe participationofBlackpeoplewhowerenevermentioned!

TellthemAfricahadahandwritingbeforethefirstshipsand missionariesarrived Tellthemthatunionalonecanguarantee oursurvivalandrehireustothegreatest,thatconcretewas inventedinEgyptandnotbythemasonsnotatallinfact!

Tellthemthatafterarrangingpunitiveexpeditionstolootusfrom ourartworkforWesternmuseumswiththekeytothousandsof deaths,theyalsovandalizeourculturalheritagebybreakingthe nosesofEgyptianstatues,sowedon'trecognizethewrecked noseofaKemite,palpableproofthatancientEgyptwasblack!

Tellthemtoworknotwaitforthemannathatwillfallfromheaven, itneverfell!Tellthemtobelieveourancestorsbecausetheyare theonlyoneswhocanintercedewiththecreatorinourfavour!

Tellthemnottohatetheotherwhentheyfindoutthetruthofa falsifiedstorybuttoforgive

Wehavetotellourchildrenthetruthbecauseitistheonlywayto overturnthevaporofpsychologicaldominationofotherraces overours OurskincolourisnotaCHAM

The Wales Millennium Centre

TheWMCreallyoutdidthemselves,bydebutingAlice Walkers,epistolarynovel,TheColorPurple Theadaptation byMarshaNorman,wasunambiguousinrelationtothe onscreenversion,wherepoorCeliesabuseisdramatised andmoreexplicit Theon stageversionstilltoldthestoryof abuse,andofamothersbrokenheart,asaresultofbeing separatedfromherbabies,butitwasmorepalatableand, insomeways,althoughsecretlyhiddeninfullview,you couldsensetherawnessofherpainmaskedthroughout thesongs,sungbyMe’shaBryan,BreeSmithandAaliyah Zhane,andtherestoftheextraordinarilytalentedcast

Ifyouhaveeverseenthe1985onscreenfilm,byStephen Spielbergyouwillknowthatthestoryissetinthedeep southwhere,historically,womenwhereoftengiventoother householdsasmaids,andchildbearers,disguisedas wives ThisisthepartwhereCelie’slifetakesaleftturn as herfathersendsherofftomarryaman,withoutaname,or atleastsuchimportantinformationwasnotgiventoher Whywoulditbe? thisisnotapartnershipbasedonlove butpureself indulgenceforthemanofthehomeanda convenientchildminderofhischildren Consideringher fathersincestualactivity thismustbethelesserofthetwo evils

Ingood heartedcontextofamusical thechurchchoirtrio keepstheaudienceentertainedwiththeirimpromptu, curtainentrances,clappingandsnappingtheirelbowsto thegospelsongsadorningthesoundsofthetheatre used tonarratetheeventswithhumourastheygraceacrossthe stage,fanningthemselves,sometimesexhibitingthe southernheatandothertimes,gesturingtheheatbetween HarpoandSophiaduringtheirpassionateexpressionsof admirationforoneanother

ReviewBy: Donna Ali

Asthestoryunfolds,therearemorechuckles,fromthe audience,particularlywhenCelieshusbands,nameis revealedbytheglamorousandsultryhouseguest,Shug Avery,whoseducesCelieintolovingherself,inaweof Shug’sindependenceanddisinterestinbeingasubmissive womanofservitude However,Shughelpsherselftothe manofthehouse WhichisawelcomedgiftforCelie,who issurprisedthatanyonewouldeverenjoysuchan encounter

Asthescenesdevelop,Celie,growsinstrengththroughout herencounters,withtheformidablewomen,whohelpher findhervoiceandformheropinionsopenly,particularly abouttheentrapmentofthemarriageunionandhunger, forcommunicationfromherlong lostsister

ThiscriticallyacclaimedMadeatCurveandBirmingham HippodromeproductionwonBestRegionalProduction (whatsonstageawards),whichismostdeservingasitisa storythatisrichindepthandintegrity

Thankyou,WalesMillenniumCentre,forbringinganall BlackcasttoWales,representationandhistoricalnarrative, playedwithsuchexcellenceandhumour isdefinitelyartin itshighestform,allIhadtosaywas Encore!

TheColorPurpleisastoryabout familydisfunction sexual violence,empowerment,resilience,andHOPE!

In a triumphant scene, Spielberg concluded his finest love story with Celie and Nettie reunited: both some what older yet playing childhood patty cake.

Scene from the original film

Sounds of the Sytems

AsreportedinIssue1ofXcellence Magazine(online),wesharedabit aboutthehistoryofButetown Carnivalanditsimpact,backinthe day,ofcreatingamulti cultural eventforpeoplefromalloverWales tocometogetherasone,through thesoundsofliveReggaebands, Africandrumpercussion andall othergenresofmusicfrompeopleof theglobalmajority Thissummer,we werespoiltwithtwocarnivals,both representingsounds,foodand cultures,fromaroundtheglobe Wevisitedboth,startingatthe Senedd,organisedbywell known localcommunityorganiserand CarnivalKing,KeithMurrell Itwasa funfilledday,suitableforthefamily, withperformancesfromJukeBox Juniors,alocaldanceorganisation andDur Durband,aninternational Somaliband andmanymore

OurlittlestarofWales,11 year old LuchiaEllu Alimikhena,startedher careerasaliveperformeratButetown Carnival,firstperformingattheageof 7,afterseeingheridol,AleighiciaScott, perform Youcanfindmoreabouther storyinIssue1ofXcellenceMagazine ThiswasLuchia’ssecondtime performingattheButetownCarnivalat theSenedd,beltingoutsomeofher favouriteartiststracksoutsidethe iconicparliamentarybuilding The atmospherewasfamilyorientedwith stallssellingfood,andridesandcraft ThearomaofCaribbeanfoodwas divine,overall,itwasalovelytime spent,beforeweheadedtotheother ButetownCarnivallocatedatthe originalsiteofcarnivalsofdaysgone by,onCanalPark,Butetown

Theorganisers,HilaryBrownwhois theChairofButetownCommunity Centre alongwithSteveKhiareh a familiarcommunityorganiserand profoundyouthworker,was supportedbyateambyputtingon atwo dayeventthatwillonlybe biggerandbetternextyear Theday wasnostalgic formanybringing backvibesoftheoldschoolcarnival livesoundsystemsandartistswho travelledallthewayfromJamaica tohelprevivethishistorical communityevent Visitorsfromall overWalesweretrulyspoilt,withthe mainheadlinerEekaMouse,who wasphenomenal,butallartists madethedaytrulymemorable

It 'sAboutThatT

Butetown Carnival back in the day

Photographs supplied by: Hilary Brown

Photographs supplied by: Hilary Brown

Carnival at the Senedd

Eeka Mouse

Butetown Carnival 2022, was sponsored by act Training Provider

Photographs supplied by: Hilary Brown

Sounds of the Sytems

SSAcarnivalwouldjustnotcarnivalwithoutasound systems AtCanalPark,weweretreatedto: Crystal ClearSound,QualitexSound,Empire Sound,CountrymanSound,LoveandHarmony Sound Thereisdefinitelyarevivalintheair,with organisationssuchastheWalesMillennium Centrerecentlyhostingapaneldiscussionaround theart,emergenceandhistoryofsoundsystems Whoknewthataconversationlikethiswouldtake placeinsuchaniconicbuilding,butwhynot?Itis thehomeoftheartsforWales,andsound systemsisaformofartoriginatedfromcarnival days Thepaneldiscussionentitled,soundsystem CarnivaltoRave,wasledbyHassanMohammed Ali withguestsDarrenHenisson creatorof CompetitiveBeats,AshishJoshi,amusicarchivist, andCardiff’sveryownkingofsoundsystems, KervinJulien

Thediscussionfirstfocusedoncarnival,asHassan explainshisfatheroriginatedfromTrinidad,where Carnival meaningthefestivalofflesh always takesplacearoundLentontheTrinidadianIslands HassandescribedCarnivalasaneventaboutlife, historyandlifeaffirming celebratingculture

How Great Thou Art

Sounds of the Sytems

HassanaskspanelguestKervintofirstexplain whatcarnivalmeanstohimandhowasound systemplaysitspart Kervinexplainsthatcarnival isaboutarepresentationofdifferentCaribbean Islands,celebratingtheirindividualidentitiesand cultures

AlthoughKervinhaslivedinCardiffmostofhis adultlife,hewasborninLondon,soNottingHill washisfirstexperienceofcarnival Backin1975,he playedinasteelbandandisfamiliarwithSoca andCalypso KervinsaidthatduringtheAugust bankholidayweekendthestreetsofNottingHill werelitteredwithsoundsystemsoneverycorner representingthedifferentstylesandflavoursofthe people Hegoesontosaythatonemisconception peoplehave isthattheyassumeReggaemusic hasjustonestyle,whenreallyitismadeupof variousgenreswithinit,suchassteppers,dance hall roots andJamaicanandUKlovers

Forthosewhodonotknow,orhavenever experienced,asoundsystem,Kervinexplainsthat asoundsystemwasafamily doinglifetogether throughaloveofreggaemusic Hestated,“we wereasclosetoafamilyasyoucouldbe,there wasamutualrespect mostofushadgrownup togetherinourretrospectiveareas,which representedthetypeofsoundsystemwewere, eachareahadtheirown Therewasakindof friendlyrivalry,andtherewasneveranyviolence, wejustbattledthroughmusic”

By: Donna Ali

Thetechnicalsideofasoundsystemisstrategically thoughtout,intermsofpositioningandthebuildingofthe speakers,tocreateuniquesounds Kervindescribesthe process, webuiltoursoundssystemsbyhand,theywere notpurchasedfromashop,wewouldallchipintobuy materialstobuildboxes andthentheywouldbeusedto housethespeakers Theboxeswerepositionedstrategically, infourcorners,toamplifythesound,someoftheboxes housed100to200wattsofamplificationineach sothe soundwouldbeelectric,fillingthevenuewithsometimesup to4,000wattsofsubbase”

HethengoesontoexplainhowDJswouldgetholdofthe musicthatwouldbeamplifiedthroughthesoundsystem equipment

“Inordertopurchasenewreggaereleases,wewouldvisit recordshopsupanddownthecountry,lookingforthenew hotreleases Backthen,therewouldonlybeafewvinyls released,soyouhadtomovequicktogetyourhandson thembeforeothersoundsystemsgotholdofthem

TherewasavarietyofsuppliersofvinylsinLondon,but outside therewereveryfew Butwewouldstilltravel becausetherewasfiercecompetitionbetweenthesound systems,tomakesureyouwereplayingfreshstufftothe crowds Therecordshopownerswouldplaythelatestmusic totheDJskeentogettheirhandsonnewreleases,thevinyls wouldgotothefirsthandsup,asafirstcomefirstserve basis” Kervinstatesthat “ifyouwerelucky youcouldget newreleasesstraightfromJamaica,throughdistributors, suchasJetStar,whowerethebiggestreggaedistributorof importedvinylsintheworld”

At the WMC... A sound SYTSTEM a family. was

KervinJulien

PanelmembersattheWalesMillenniumCentre

Sounds of the Sytems

Continued

HassanmovesontoAshishandaskshimtodescribethe historicalsceneofsoundsystems,fromthe80s,in comparisontowherewearenow Ashish saidthatheis verypassionateaboutreggaesoundsystemsfromback inthelate80’s Hedescribesthesceneasslowly disappearing asthecurrentgenerationofmusiclovers preferRnB,hiphopandgrime Butheclaimsthat historianslikehimself,aretryingtoarchivesomeofthe formersoundsystems,bycollectingoldtapesandvisual recordings,butheexpressedhisdisappointmentatthe factthattheyoungergenerationaremissingoutof experiencingtheatmosphere,soundandvisceralimpact ofasoundsystem Ashishsays,“luckily,becauseofa phenomenoncalledsoundtapes,someoftherecordings arepreservedand,asanarchivist,Iamdedicatedto publishingthemonline,sothattheyoungergeneration canexperienceapowerfulmomentinthehistoryof soundsystems Thankfully,Ashishhasalsobeenableto getattentionfromfiveBBCregionalnewsprogrammes, interestedinreportingonsoundsystems thisistogive recognitiontotheartandpeoplebehindthesounds systems,someofwhomarenolongeralive

ThefinalpanelmemberisDarrenHenison,whoiscurrently runninganexhibitionattheWalesMillenniumCentre, calledCompetitiveBeats,whichisavirtualrave experience Darrenlikensthesoundreggaesystemsto thatofarave Darrenexplainsthatacidhouse,backinthe day,gaveyoungpeopleasenseofbelongingand adventure Hesaid “asAcidhousepartieswereoften illegal,theexcitementinattendinganundergroundevent wouldbefeltweeksbefore Secretmeetingpointswould beorganised someasdiversions todistractthePolice” DarrenisoriginallyfromCoventryandclaimsthatback thentherewasanactualsquadwithinthePolicecalled theAcidHouseSquad whowerededicatedtooutlawing repetitivebeatsevents,mainlybecauseofthedrugsthat wereoftendistributedamongstraversatliveevents

Repetitivebeatsat AcidHouseevents, asreportedbythe Sun,backin summer1989

Darrengoesonthesaythatthesoundsystems,werea hugepartoftheeventsandagreeswithKervin,thatoften theboomingsoundwouldreach1000sofwattage furthermore,hestatesthattheotherimportantelements tocreatingasuccessfulandsafeacidhouseeventrelied onafullteamofpeople,eachpersoncontributingusing theirownskillset Heexclaimsthatsucheventsrequired entrepreneurialskills Darrensaid,“acidhousewasagreat timeinmusicalhistory DarrensVRexperienceistotake oldraversback,butalsotogivetheyoungergenerationa visceralexperienceofmusicgenius,thoughthesoundof thesystems

Lefttoright:Panelhost HssanMohammedAli AshishJoshi KervinJulienandDarrenHennison

WMCPhotographs:DonnaAli

Stars are Born in Wales

LLoyd Germain

Sports Interview

The man with big ambitions, new Welsh welterweight boxing champion, Lloyd Germain, who is currently in camp for his next fight, but still found time to talk to Xcellence Magazine, about his career so far and future prospects.

Witten by: Mohammed Hersi Farah

This page interview is dedicated to Kyran Gooding RIEP

Who are the people who inspire you?

Ivegotlotsofinspiration mostimportantly I’vegotlotsof peopleIdothisfor Obviously,Ifightformyself,butI’vegot mychildren,agreatfamily,andmygirlfriend,buteverytime Istepintothering I’monmyown butthesepeopleareon myback Idoittobenefitthemandmakeeachoneof themproud,thatisworthmorethanwinning

Tell us more about your trainer, Tony Borg, you said you wanted to take certain fights and Tony would say ‘not now’, you must have a strong trustworthy relationship?

Ican’tthankTonyenoughforwhathedoneforme LikeI said allIcandoisgetmyselfinthebestcondition physicallyandmentally Tony,withmymanager,isthereto directmeonmycareerpath,topicktherightfightsatthe righttime Obviously theresnopointinmesayingIwantto fightworldchampionsstraightaway,althougheveninmy headIthinkIcouldbeatthemrightnow You’vegottogetin therightpositiontobeabletodothat Tonyisamassive inspirationforme Beforewalkingtotheringonmypreviousfight,winningthe Welshtitle hesaidtome “dontletmedownnow” WhenI gotthebeltaroundmeintheringafterwinningthefight,I saidtohim,“Iwasnevergoingtoletyoudown”andthats somethingasafighterhowyoupayyourtrainerback Im veryfortunatetohavehimonmyteam,I’minagreatstable atStJoseph’sinNewportwithalotofgreatboxers,where wepushourselvesdailyandtheskyisthelimit

What does it take to maintain a championship mindset?

Youhavetohavethatchampionshipmindset,as themindissuchapowerfulthing Ibelieveyoucan achieveanythingyouwantifyouputyourmindtoit AsIhavesaidbefore,mygoalwastobecome WelshchampionandItickedthatbox Nextstepis gettingintothetoptwentyinBritain,whilesteadily movinguptheranking,whichsoundsgood But,I wanttobethenumberoneinBritain,thengoonto bethenumberoneintheworld

It feel's great to represent your country, but now I want to represent the World

You have a great mindset, talk to us about what makes a champion mindset?

Well,mostimportantly,itisbelievinginyourselfas theysay,seeingisbelieving Yougottoseethese thingsmanifestintowhatyouwant Ineverputon apairofboxingglovesintheprofessionalgame justtomakeupthenumbers EverytimeIstep intotheringIwanttowin Isetmyselfbiggoals andI’montheroadtoachievingthem Most importantly yourmindisyourstrongestweapon youhavetobefocusedandstayontheright track

What are your thoughts on becoming Welsh champion and prospects on becoming world champion?

Itfeelsgreat,firstboxhasbeenticked,itsan honourtobecomechampionofmycountry but themaingoalistobecomeworldchampion,and wewon’tbesatisfieduntilweachievethatgoal

For people that don’t know you, give us a background on who you are, who is Lloyd Germain? Obviously IamCardiffbornandbred massive boxingfanwhoisaprofessionalboxerandakeen familyman,that’smylifeatthemoment

So, you are 7 0 as a professional how many amateur fights have you had?

I’veonlyhadtwoamateurfightsbuthavebeenin thegymfromayoungage,butdidntreallyknuckle downtoit,tobehonest Iwasn’tturninguptoany amateurstagesasfightswouldn’tbepulling through,anditdidntreallyhappenformeasan amateur,butwedon’treallylookatthatinthe professionalgame I’m7 0Welshchampionand willingtogrowonthefoundationwehavealready set

The most important thing, is to believe in yourself!

Reported by: Tia Zakura Camilleri

Black History Wales

‘Youngpeople thetimeisnow’ thephrasethat hasbeencentringthenationalBlackHistory Walesevents ThemonthofOctobermarksBritish BlackHistorymonthandtocelebratethat Race CouncilCymrulaunchedaseriesofevents recognisingblacksuccess,firstlytheirlaunchat SaintFagansonOctober1st Theeventbrought togetherAfro Caribbeanfoodstalls,artists, businesses,andperformers Theatmospherewas sharedbythoseofallagesbut,notably,invited theyouthtoitsdoors

Itissocooltoseeeverybodysinging,and dancing celebratingBlackculture’washow Gabriel,17,fromSwanseasummarisedthe essenceoftheevent Hesaid, itisimportantfor usyoungpeopletomakeourselvesheard,after thepast

Anya,11,sawtheeventasagreatopportunityto ‘learnmoreabout[her]ancestors’ bringingto lighttheveryintricateconnectionbetweenthe olderandyoungergenerations Kiishi,10,whose familyownedoneofthefoodstalls recognised theimportanceofallracestoattendsuch celebrationsbecausemuchofwhichexiststoday ‘wereinventedbyblackpeople’and everybody shouldlearnaboutit’ ‘It’scrucialforallracesto comeandjustlistenbecauseitmightchange yourentireperspective’

(Gabriel)stressesthecommunalsignificanceofsuch topics

However,theyouthpresenceextendedfurtherthan justattendees;11 year oldLuchiaEllul Alimikhena performed,aftersingingatButetownCarnivalthis year Luchiarecognisestheneedfor‘theWelsh GovernmenttofollowthroughwiththeirplansonBlack historybeingmademandatoryinschools’

16 year old,ZinsiSibanda,alsoperformed,reading heraward winningpoem Zinsi,afterachieving straightAsinherGCSEs laterwontheYoungCarer’s AwardattheBlackHistoryWalesCommunityAwards Sheexplainsshewas'‘shockedtohearhername called’ Iwassohonoured asitreallyshowsthateven whenyoudontbelieveit,overcomingadversitiesand showcasingexcellencereallydoesnotgounnoticed

Young People the time is NOW!

Photo credit to: Reuben Mulenga

Gabriel Anya

Kiishi

Photo credit to: Reuben Mulenga

Youth Matters

Reported by: Tia Zakura Camilleri

Pierre

Circle HumaniTree

Overthelastyear Newport basedyoutharts organisation,UrbanCircle,havebeendeveloping aninsightfuldocumentarycalledHumanitree, whichpremieredon28thOctoberatCineworld Newport UrbanCirclecuratesseveraleventsand projectscentredaroundgivingyoungpeoplefrom Newportcreativeopportunities Mostrecently, HumaniTree,adocumentarymadebyyoung peoplefocussingonancestryandgenealogyof humansthroughinterviewswithvariousscholars acrossthecountry;putbestbyPierreGashagaza (19) Humanitreeisabouthumanityandthe humanfamilytree Pierreisoneofmanyyoung peopleinvolvedinthedevelopmentofHumaniTree withtherolesofpre/post production,interviewing, editing,andcreatingfootage Pierreisafilmmaker andphotographerandexplainedthepowerof beinginvolvedinthecreationofthedocumentary

‘IfIdidn’thaveanopportunitylikethisImaystillbe inadeprivedareathinkingthereisno opportunitiesbutthisgivesmethebeliefthatit’s possible’

‘todayisabitmad itshowstheprojectionofwhat mycareerwillbeifIsticktothisrouteandbe seriousaboutmycraft’ ‘

‘Ignorance is not bliss' Patrick

Theyoungparticipantsweregiventimeattheend ofthepremieretospeakabouttheirexperience andtogetaskedquestionsfromtheaudience Onebeing JordanWilson Alexander 20 filmmaker/editor/graphicdesigner Jordansaid he enjoyedhowmuch(I)helearnt havingthe opportunitytocoversuchabroadaspectof historythatwesharetogether’

ThiswassecondedbyPatrickBilongo,19,(also involvedinallaspectsoftheproduction) ‘ThehistoryIstudiedfor5yearsinschooldoesn’t comeclosetowhatIlearntin6monthswiththis documentary’

Theseyoungpeopleweredeeplyembeddedin thebirthofthisprojectandexemplifythepowerof thiswork; Iwasnowabletoconnectwithateam whoalsowanttopushthemselves ithelpedme developwhatIwanttodo’ Jordan

At the premier of HumaniTREE: Left to right- Pierre, Primo, Nuakai, Donna and Patrick.

Be open minded when watching and sharing’

Jordan

Urban

'We are all one, let’s look towards the future and make a brighter day’

Photcredit:JessicaPerkins

Welsh Gifted and Black

September30thmarkedadatewhere BlackcreativesacrossCardiffandfurther werebroughttogethertocelebratethe BlackJoyexhibition,inpartnershipwith People’sCollection GlamorganArchives andMadeinRoath Welsh,GiftedandBlack isayouthorganisationrunby4creatives; TeFenty,OpheliaDosSantos,Taraand Juliana Tehadtheroleofdesignerinthe exhibition

IaskedTeFenty,what’sitlikebeingayoung mixedracewomanandrunningan organisationlikeWelshGiftedandBlack?

“Formepersonally,it’sbeensoempowering tostandasamixedracewomananddo somethingpositivefortheBlacksideofmy culture Itstaughtmesomuchaboutthe strengththatstandsinWalesandhowour historyrunsdeepinallpartsoftheUK To knowyouarebeingpartofthesolutionnot theproblem It’shonestlymademefeel moreconnectedwithbeingWelsh”

Te&Onismo(ImagebyZxidy)

Reported by: Tia Zakura Camilleri

WhatinspiredyoutoholdtheBlackJoy exhibition?

Shesaid, myfriendgavemeabookcalled BlackJoy,itcapturedmomentsof happinessintheBlackcommunity It remindedmethatwedon’tcelebrateour happinessasmuchaswecelebrateour trauma Iwantedittobesomethingthat wouldinspireustocreatemoreart,tosing moremusic,tofeellikeourgoalshave alwaysbeenachievable”

Thewholeexhibitionwasveryuplifting,butI askedTe whatshethoughtwasthe favouritepartoftheexhibition?

Te explained “itwassoheart warmingto seehowmanyyoungBlackcreatives appliedandhowoverlytalentedtheyare”

Oneofthesefeaturedyoungcreativeswas CaraWalker,19 ThiswasCara’sfirsttime beingfeaturedinanexhibitionanditwasa ‘greatopportunitytouseher[my]practice tocontributetoatopicshe’s[I’m] passionateabout TheBlackJoyexhibition was ‘refreshing’asthemessagewas‘about pro blacknessratherthanthecommon threadofastruggleortrauma’,

Caratellsus “Ifeellikealotofusarestill healingfromthere emergenceoftheBLM movementin2020,sonowistherighttime tocelebratewhatwe’veachieved andthis exhibitionwasjustonewayindoingso” As ayoungcreative’,Carasaw‘personal development’fromtheevent; seeinghow peopleauthenticallyrespondandreactto mywork’werehermaintakeaways Both CaraandTe hopeformoreeventslikethis inthefuture pioneeringtheBlackvoiceand, mostimportantly,rejoicinginitsgreatness

CaraWalkerImageby: Tia ZakuraCamilleri

Black History Wales

Tofollowuptheirlaunch,RaceCouncilCymruheldanawards ceremonyattheSeneddonOctober6th Theawards celebratedBlackcreatives,entrepreneurs,andacademicsfor theirhardwork

XcellencespoketoIsaacGeorge,grimeandrapartistfrom Newport,knownasTruth,whowonthePerformingArtsAward, abouthissuccess

How did it feel to win an award at the Black History Community award?

‘Beingnominatedalonefeltgreat winningtheawardmademe feelrecognisedforwhatIdo’ ‘IwasproperelatedwhenIwon’ ‘Straightaway,itgavemethemotivationIneeded’and‘makes meexcitedtoshowtheworkIhaven’treleasedyet’ Truthwent ontosaythat,itisimportanttorecogniseandcelebrateyoung people,becauseit’sawaytoshowyoungpeoplethatour eldersarewatchingandtheyacknowledgethatsomeofusare dedicated Hecontinued,'Ithinkthatyoungpeopleareoften overlooked'

Truthsaidthathehopeshisworkonthegrimeandrapscene impactsyoungpeopletothinkforthemselvesandtobeaware ofissuesaroundthem Hecontinues,'Iwanttobeapositive exampletomypeersandshowthemthatwhenyou consistentlyputyourtimeintosomethingyouhaveapassion for,itisalotmoreofaworthwhilething,asithelpstokeepyou focusedandnotdistractedbybadinfluencesaroundyou'

Isaac George aka: Truth

Award Winner

Youth Matters

Youth Matters

In Conversation with Luchia

Luchia Ellul Alimikhena

Duringhalfterm Igottohostmyveryfirstradioshowon radioCardiff'sweeklyshowcalledtheBOMB!Iamtruely followinginthefootstepsononeofmyidols,Aleighcia Scott whopresentsherownshowonBBCRadioWales Forthosewhodontknowme,mynameisLuchia,andIam 11yearsold Ilovetosingandstartedattheageof4 Ihave havehadtheopportunitytopreformateventssuchas BlackHistoryWales,andtheButetownCarnival Iamenjoyingschoolandlearningmoreaboutthearts, music,producingandinterviewingskills

HerearetwointerviewsIdidrecentlywithAleighciaScott andLucasRowe,bothamazingWelshartists!

Aleighcia Scott

at what age did you realise you would be a singer?

Idontthinktherewasarealisation,Iusedtosingallthetime asachild,myfamilycouldseeitwassomethingIwasmeant todo,andtheyhelpedtonurturemytalent Iusedtoattenda youthgroup,wherewegottosingandperformandI remembermyfirstrealperformanceat7yearsold,Ijust knewfromthatmomentitwaswhatIwantedtodo

Do you ever get nervous?

Yes,everysingletime ButIthinkitisagoodthingbecauseit showsyoucare Youhavetochannelitintotheperformance

What music did your parents play in the home and did it influence your style?

Ilistenedtoawholemixtureofgenre’swhichIthinkhas helpedmetodeveloprangeandauniquestyle However,my grandparentsarefromJamaicaso Iwouldsaythathadan influenceonthetypeofmusicIloveperforming

When did you start writing your own lyrics?

Istartedwritingataveryyoungage,Iusedtowalk aroundmycousinsfarmmakingupsongsandIalso lovedwritingpoemsatschooltoo Asachild,Iloved readingandwriting Iwasabitofabookworm soI wouldsaythattakinginallofthosewords,helpedto developaloveoflyrics

What do you think about a young person starting out in the industry using social media to promote themselves?

Ithinkthatithasitsplacebecauseitcanshow peoplewhatyoucando,itcanshowconsistency andshowcaseyourrange Iamalsoverymindful thatsocialmediacanbeadangerousplace,soI wouldsay,becarefulandjustuseitwisely

If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be?

ItwouldhavetobeBobMarley,DenisBrown,Lauren HillandAmyWinehouse sorryIcantjustgiveyou one

So what is next for you?

IhavejuststartedworkinginTV soIwillbeonthe screensoon Ihaveanewalbumcomingoutcalled, WindrushBaby,aswellaslotsmoreradio

What advise can you give a young person starting out?

Justbeyourself!donotcompromisewhoyouare, peoplewillappreciateyoumoreifyouareauthentic

By:LuchiaEllulAlimikhena

Rn B artist from Cardiff, talks to Luchia about his career so far!

LRHow did you start your career?

ItallstartedwhenIjoinedexpressionsofayoungkind,withFreejay Williams,firstIstartedsingingandthengotmoreintorap Myfirst performancewasattheageof8

What is your favourite part of being a performer?

Thebestthingiswhenthecrowdaresingingyourlyricsbacktoyou Ihad theopportunitytosupportJohnPaul,intheMotorPointarena,andhearing thousandsofpeoplesingingalongtoyoursongs,ismad,butithas encouragesmetokeeppushingon

Out of all your song, which is your favourite?

IhavesomanyIlike,buttheoneIlovetoperformis,'ToTakeaChance', becausethecrowdgetsinvolvedandtheysingitback,andseemtoenjoy it When you were in High school, how did your peers respond to you performing, was there any jealousy?

No,Ihadapositiveresponsefrommypeers,I rememberIwroteandperformedasong called'ItsaHardlife'forCorpusChristiDay anditwasreallyatthatmomentthatmade mewanttopursuemusicmore That opportunitymadememoreconfident,andI laterjoinedtheschoolchoir Mypeersand teacherswerealwayssupportive

If you could collaborate with anyone, dead or alive who would it be?

Oh,itwouldhavetobeMichealJackson,he ismyidolandanotheronewouldbeChris Brown ButtherearesomegreatUKartists likeStormzy ButMJisnoone

Being an artist, and a family man, how do you manage life?

Itisverydifficult butIguessitisabout managingandprioritising Youmusttryto maketimeforallofwhatyouwantand mustdo youmustfindbalance Ialways makesurethatIprioritisemyfamily,firstand foremost Butyeah,doingbothishard

What advice would you give to a young person, who wants to be a music artist?

Iwouldsay justliveyourlife youcanfinda storyinjustgoingoutwithyourfriends You canwritelyricsaboutthesimplestthings At thesametime stayfocusedandpursue yourdreams,makesureitmakessenseto you,andshareyourstory

What has been your biggest WOW moment?

IthastobesupportingShaunPaul,in2018 Walkingoutontothestage,toabout10,000 peoplewasexcitingbutatthesametime,it wasascarymomentandtobehonestthe onlytimeIhaveeverfeltnervous

What's next for you?

Mynewsingleiscalled,'YouShouldKnow', anditisproducedbyDontheProd Ihave anEPcomingoutinthenewyear,whichis called, KindnessforWeakness' YoucanhearallofLucasRowesmusiconall goodstreamingplatforms

By;uchiaEllulAlimikhena

Life your life, you can find a story in the smallest things.

John Actie at the BAFTA Cymru Awards BBC 1 Series Director Eric Haynes, nominated for A Killing in Tiger Bay,

Relaunch: The Packet Pub, Cardiff Bay Landlords Rachel Zammit and Ryan Bilah with staff members, ready for the match!

Miss Wales, Darcy Corria at the City Hall, Wales Care Awards

PhotosuppliedbyClaudineWhyte

Photsuppliedby:RachelZammit

Photosuppliedby:JohnActie

Photosuppliedby:DarcyCorria

Poetic Justice Brown Skin Girl

Brown skin girl

Superiority is not associated with your skin

Neither are you less than your lighter skinned companions

You were blessed with skin as deep as the ocean Representing the depth of your soul And the more that you dig into your earthy tones

You’ll come to recognise that you are laced with gold

For it’s the darkest berry that’s the sweetest And the richest chocolate that is nutritious to the body. You are neither beneath anybody

Nor are you the tail end of a conversation

You are front and centre And I’m sorry for the persecution you face. From hands that look like yours

Meant to protect, but are the ones casting you into the fire But worry not.

As out of the flames you become refined In elegance and grace.

And to all my lighter skinned women, this is not an anti you poem. This is self love.

For I know what it’s like to be in a place

Where you’re ranked by the colour of your skin. Where your beauty is pushed to the wayside And ‘pretty for black girl’ becomes a banner that you wave.

I know what it feels like.

To hear men the same shade as you uplift lighter skinned women and bash the same women who pushed them out of the womb. I know what it feels like

To see no representation of you.

To not see my hair, my nose, my lips portrayed as beautiful. I know what it feels like.

And I choose to no longer apologise for what God strategically blessed me with Brown skin girl

Your superiority is in your skin

Please come to recognise that your worth is more than any ruby. More than any gem

For you my dear, are precious beyond words.

Poetic Justice Brown Skin Girl

Written by: Amaris Powell

Poet and Spoken Word Artist Winner of Black History Wales Award

Health & Wellbeing

Cost of Living Crisis!

I Wales Says No to Austerity 2.0!

nworkpovertyisnotanewphenomenon The problemofworkingpeoplefallingbelowthe povertylinehasbeengettingworsesincethe financialcrisisof2008 Butit’sgettingworse Whatwereseeingnowisa majorsurgeinthenumberofpeoplestrugglingto makeendsmeet,astheimpactofthecost of livingcrisiskicksin

Thecurrenthighinflationisdrivenbythesurgein thecostofenergy Anditisdrivenbypandemic impacts Thecrisisdemandsapoliticalsolution Wemustask:Whyarerealwagesfallingfaster andfurtherintheUKthaninotherG7countries? Theansweristhefailureofourpoliticalresponse Whatwecurrentlyhaveisnearfullemployment, recordbreakingprofits especiallyinsectorslike energy andfallingrealwagesforworkers The ideathatwhatwetakefromthatisthatit’s ordinarypeoplewhonowneedtojustshutupand acceptasharpfallintheirlivingstandardsis totallywrongheaded

Workersarefullyentitledtoorganiseandstandup fortheirlivelihoodsandlivingstandards It’s dishonestforgovernmentministerstospin inflationasthereasonpeoplecan’thavepay rises Inflationistheveryreasontheyneedpay rises

Themuchbiggerdangeristheriskofrecession becausepayisnotkeepingupwithprices That meanspeoplebuyless,businessessellless,and theeconomyisatriskofgettingcaughtina downwardspiral

TheUKGovernmentlikestoparrotthelinethat “workisthebestrouteoutofpoverty”asa justificationfortheirattacksonthemost vulnerableandinneedofsocialsecuritybenefits Yetthetruthisfortensofthousandsofworkersin Walesitssimplynotthecase

1in3childreninWalesarebeingbroughtupin poverty andtwothirdsofthosechildrenarein workinghouseholds Theirparentsareworkingbut theycantescapepoverty

Whyisthishappening?Itstheresultofafailed economicmodel builtonthegrowthofinsecure work,attackingtradeunions,de funding enforcementbodiesthataremeanttokeepbad bossesinline,andunderinvestinginthemodern, greeninfrastructurethatWalesneeds

Walessimplycan’taffordausterity20 TheUK Governmentmuststepupandrecognisethat morethanadecadeofunderfundingand underinvestmentinWaleshasbeenadisaster Welshworkersdeservebetter

Weneedareversaloftheunderfundingofpublic servicesinWalesandasignificantuplifttoallow WelshGovernmenttoawardpublicsectorworkers adecentinflationproofpayrise Fairwork,well paidjobsaretheonlyrouteoutofpoverty That’s whytheTUCiscallingfortheminimumwagetobe raisedto£15

ResearchconductedfortheTUCfoundthatinsome areasofthecountry1in4peopleadmittohaving skippedmealsduetothecostoflivingcrisis Meanwhile,halfthepopulationsaythatthey’vecut backspendingonfood,electricityandheating We heardailystoriesoffrontlineNHSandSocialCare workerssleepingincarsinbetweenshiftsbecause theycantcopewiththerisingcostofpetrol Peopleare pawningpersonalpossessionsorturningtoproblem gamblingtotryandpayabill Moreworkersaretaking onsecondorthirdprecariousjobstotryandmake endsmeet Anunbelievablepositionforustobeinthe 21stCentury

WorkersinWalesacrossboththepublicandprivate sectorsimplyaren’tpreparedtoacceptthemassive cutstotheirrealtermsincomes That’swhywe’re seeingteachers,nurses,railworkers,barristers,civil servants,callcentre,postalworkersorganisingand ballotingforindustrialaction

Investmentinourpublicsectorworkersisan investmentinourpublicservices Lookatourteachers: thevalueoftheirpayhasdropped25%inthelast12 years Andtheyrebeingaskedtotakeanotherbigcut thisyear Atwhatpointdowesayenoughisenough?

Written by: Shav Taj General Secretary WTUC

Structural Racism

Whilstthecost of livingcrisisaffectsusall,itdoesn’taffect usequally TUCresearchidentifiedhowInsecurework tightensthegripofstructuralracismonthelabourmarket anddeepensgenderinequalities

Onemillionworkersarenowonzero hourscontracts,aftera riseof40,000inthelastyear.RecentanalysisrevealsBlack, minorityandethnic(BME)womenaretwiceaslikelytobeon zero hourscontractsaswhitemen Overall,BMEworkersare significantlyoverrepresentedonzero hourscontracts comparedtowhiteworkers(43percentcomparedto3per cent)BMEwomenarethemostdisproportionatelyaffected group,followedbyBMEmen(47percentcomparedto4per cent) “structuralracisminaction”

PeopleLikeUs,anon profitorganisation,foundthatpeople fromminorityethnicbackgroundsaredisproportionately impactedbythechallengingeconomicenvironment Their findingsshowthatthisdisparitystartsintheworkplace

Workingprofessionalsfromethnicallydiversebackgrounds arenearlytwiceaslikelytohavebeentoldtheywon’tbe gettingapromisedpayrisethisyearduetoinflation(19% comparedwith10%ofwhiteprofessionals) Tocompound matters,two thirds(67%)ofraciallydiverseworking professionalsbelievethatawhitecolleaguedoingthesame jobisonahighersalary

Factisnoworkershouldbeheldbackorpaidlessbecauseof racismatwork.Yetstructural,systemicracismstillplaysa bigroleindeterminingBlackworkers’payandcareer prospects Itshouldbemandatoryforallemployerstoreport theirethnicitypaygaps.Alongsidepublishingtherawdata, theyshouldpublishtheiractionplansettingouthowtheywill closetheirpaygaptoreallydrivemoreequalworkplaces Thegoodnewsisbusinessandunionsareunitedintheir supportforcompulsoryethnicitypaygapmonitoring We nowneedUKGovernmenttoensurethishappens Herein Wales,wehaveanopportunitytoembedsomeofthesegood practicesaspartofourcommitmenttobecomingananti racistWales,Ilikemanywilldomybitinfightingtomakethis commitmentareality,bothfornowandforfuture generationstocome

Shav Taj General Secretary WTUC

Written by: Shav Taj General Secretary WTUC

BME women are the most disproportionately affected group, followed by BME men (4.7 per cent compared to 4 per cent). “structural racism in action.”

Show your love for Wales with Keep Wales Tidy

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Led by Keep Wales Tidy, Caru Cymru (a Welsh phrase meaning ‘Love Wales’) aims to inspire everyone to take action and care for the environment The charity is calling on you to take responsibility for the litter and waste you produce, in a drive to create a cleaner, safer Wales

Why does it matter?

Litterhassignificantandfar reachingimpactsoncommunities Researchshowsthatwhenanareaisuncaredfor,itmakespeoplefeel unsafe,itaffectssocialcohesion,thesenseofprideinthecommunity, stifleseconomicgrowthandtourism,andspoilspeople’senjoymentof nature

WhileKeepWalesTidyisrenownedforworkingwithanarmyof volunteerstopickuplitter,CaruCymrudoesn’tjustfocusoncleaningup, butonstoppinglitterfromhappeninginthefirstplace Thevisionisthat itwillbecomesecondnatureforeverybodytodotherightthing,from takinglitterhomeandcleaningupaftertheirdog,recycling‘on the go ’ , reusingandrepairing

KeepWalesTidy’snewChiefExecutive,OwenDerbyshiresaid:“Everyone inWaleshasaparttoplayineradicatinglitterandwastewhichcan causesomuchdamagetoourcommunitiesandtoourbeautiful naturalenvironment”

“I’mproudtobepartofaninitiativewhichbringspeopletogether,and providesthetools,expertiseandsupportneededtomakeapositive difference PeopleareattheheartofCaruCymru;it’snotanexclusive club everyonecanjoinin”

A leading environmental charity’s biggest ever initiative to eradicate litter and waste, needs you.

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Health & Wellbeing

Breaking is your Making...

isatstaringoutatthemagicalvalleylookingsouth straightdowntheriverWye,watchingthebirds,and listeningtothelambscallingtotheirmothers Asmuch asIlovedthisview,andthefreshairIbreatheddeeply intomylungs Ihadaheartfeltlongingtobe somewhereelse

Iwantedtoflydownthevalleylikeabird,intotheworld,I longedtobebackinthehustleandbustleof inmymind ‘real lifeasthisonedidn’tfeelrealsomehow Iliterally was livingthedream andimaginingwhatitwouldbe liketobeamigratingbird flyingfree

WhatitreallywasthatIlongedforwasmy independence andtofeellike‘me WhenIwroteina songofmine“waitingforyoutohearme”,directedtomy lover Irealisedlaterthatitwas,infact,methatneeded tohearmyself

Ihadbeensofocusedontheoutsideworld,andothers needs Iforgotmyself

And,inthatmoment,whenIsatlongingforanewlife,I hadnoideathatinjustafewshortyears,thislonging andyearningIhad wouldbefulfilled butnotinanywayI couldhaveeverimagined

We are watching illusions fall. We are seeing new, exciting solutions across Wales and the whole World. We are learning at an incredible rate about our world, the universe and what it means to be human.

Formyfreedomtoberestoredtome,Ihadtogo throughajourney,ajourneywhichledmetoquestion everythingIknew andunderstoodaboutmyself itwas likenothingIhadeverexperiencedbefore Howdidthe universeteachmethis?ByshowingmethatthelifeIhad builtmyselfoverthelast10yearswasanillusion

Mydreamlifeinthecountrycametoaverytraumatic endingwhenitbecameobvioustomethatIwas,infact, inahighlyemotionallyabusiverelationship NeverhadI feltsolowandseveredfrommyself Thediscardand ejectionfromthistraumabondweredevastating

The River Wye

So,whatwassoincredibleaboutthis?youmayask Even thoughthiswasoneofthemosttraumaticeventsIhave beenthrough,anditsbeenadifficultroadtogetwhereI amtoday,Iwouldn’tchangeitforanything

Andthisisbecause Ilearntwhatwasreal Ilearntwhat wasimportant reallyimportanttome Ilearntwhotrue friendswere Ihadtoquestionwhatwastrulyvaluable I sawtheincrediblemanmysonhadbecome,whenhe andallhisfriendssteppeduptosupportmewitha maturityandstrengthwhichwasbeyondtheiryears

Iwas andstillam forevergratefulthatIescapedthat dream,whichhadbecomeapersonalnightmare Living inthebeautifulWelshopencountrysideIhadneverfeltso trapped MywholelifewastheoppositeofwhatIwanted orthoughtitwas

ThenewtrajectoryIhadlongedforcametrue andIam stilllearningmoretothisverydayaboutmyselfandhowI canbemybestself Iamaworkinprogress Iam learningaboutwhatshapedmeinthepast leadingto thissituation Imlearningtorecognisemyown insecurities,andIamhealingmyself Iamlearningtofeel safeinmybody trustmyself respondratherthanreact I seenow,withclarityandlessconfusion

Afewyears,twohousemovesandaseveralcovid lockdowns,later,InowliveinCardiff rightintheHustle andBustle!AndIloveit!IhavemylifebackandwhatI wanted Mysonhasgrownmore,isblossomingevery day,passionateabouthisownlearning,andIwatchwith eternalgratitudetowitnessthisandhavehiminmylife MycareerhastakenmeintomediaandnowIhavemy ownslotonRadioCardiff andIamwritingthisnowin BeXellence!!

SincemovingtotheDiff,Ihavemetthemostincredible people andIgettotalkaboutthisonmyshow Igetto haveincredibleconversations Iamsoexcitedtodothis, andtobepartofthepositivechangesandsolutionswe allneedrightnow

Thisbreakingwasmymaking

ThisiswhyIamsopositivethatwhatweareseeingright nowonawiderscaleacrosstheworld,isanotherbreaking whichwillbeourmaking Weareseeingold tiredsystems breakingandcrumblingbeforeoureyes

Wearewatchingillusionsfall Weareseeingnew,exciting solutionsalloverthiscity,andacrossWalesandthewhole World Wearelearningatanincrediblerateaboutourworld, theuniverseandwhatitmeanstobehuman

Wearehearingnewvoices,seeingnewfaces,andlistening todifferentperspectives Wearewitnessingacrossall sectors,conversationsaboutthefuture,sustainability how wecanallbepartofbuildingtheworldwewanttosee This toughtime,bothpoliticallyandeconomicallyisthe beginning Wearelivingrightnowthrough;anend!!!

So,whatarewegoingtolearnonthisjourney?Isuspectwe aregoingtoseeandlearnboththebestandtheworstof humanbehaviour JustasIhaveduringmyownpersonal journey

Rightnow Iseeandmeetsomanybeautifulpeople working sohardtomakethingsbetter Rightnow,weseenew movementsacrosstheworldtorestorebalance,justice, fairersocieties andrestoreourconnections Whenweall connectwithourtrueselves,wecanfeelmoreconnection withothersandthenaturalworldaroundus Whenwehear ourtrueselves understandourselvesbetter wecanlisten andunderstandothersbetter Webegintounderstandthere isnoseparationandweareallconnected

Health & Wellbeing

1)Download free resources

SinceCaruCymrulaunchedinspring2021,KeepWaleshas beenworkingwitheverycouncilinWalestodeliver campaignstargetingsomeofthecountrysmostcommon litterissues,includingdogpoo,roadsidelitter,single use cupsandcigaretteends

Helpspreadthewordinyourlocalarea VisitKeepWales Tidys‘campaigntoolkit toeditanddownloadfreeposters, signs andsocialmediagraphics

2)Visit a Litter Picking Hub

Fancylookingafteryourlocalareabutdon’thavetheright kit?YoucanborrowfreekitfromaLitterPickingHub Therearenearly200Hubsacrossthecountrywhichoffer alltheequipmentyouneedtocarryoutasafeclean up Thisincludeslitterpickers,hi visvests,rubbishbagsand hoops(essentialforkeepingyourbagsopeninbreezy conditions!)

3)Set up a new community group

Ifyourelookingtocarryoutregularclean upsorcarefora greenspacewithyourfriendsorneighbours,thenKeep WalesTidyrecommendssettingupaformalcommunity group Youllbejoininganetworkofotherpassionateand inspiringgroupsdoingamazingworkintheirlocalareas KeepWalesTidyhasprojectofficersbasedalloverWales whocanprovideadvicetoanyonelookingtosetupa groupandworkindependently There’sevenacommunity groupinsuranceschemewhichiscompletelyfreeforupto twelvemonths

4)Sign up to be a Litter Free Zone

KeepWalesTidyisreachingouttobusinessesacrossthe country,encouragingthemtoadoptareastocleanupon aregularbasis Businessesofallshapesandsizeshave alreadysignedup,includinghairdressers,restaurants, supermarketsandprivateoffices

AdoptingaLitterFreeZonesignalstoyourcustomersthat youarearesponsiblebusinessthattakestheissueof litteringseriously Gettingoutandaboutasateamcan alsobenefitstaffwell being

5) Commit to cutting your waste

Evensmallchangesinbehaviourcanmakeabigdifferencetoour environment YoucanbepartofCaruCymrubysimplyreducing youruseofdisposableplastics,switchingtoreusables,recyclingas muchaspossible,andvisiting‘repaircafes’

Businessesandorganisationslookingtomakepositivechangescan accessadviceandresourcesontheKeepWalesTidywebsite Pledgeyourcommitmenttowastereductionusingthesimpleonline formandKeepWalesTidywillhelpyoucelebrateyoursuccesswith staff,clientsandcustomers

Imagessuppliedby:KeepWalesTidy

Tel: +44 (0)29 2087 0101

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The Independent Community News Network (ICNN) is run and administrated by the Centre for Community Journalism which is part of Cardiff University’s Transforming Communities flagship engagement project Cardiff School of Journalism, Media and Culture Studies, Cardiff University, Bute Building, King Edward VII Avenue , Cardiff , CF10 3NB, 02920688750

Pip

If you would like to contact the artist, please email the editor subject, ART info@bexcellence co uk

Artist: Chris Ebun Taylor