XCELLENCE
![](https://assets.isu.pub/document-structure/230329154506-93d7779511ddac9268b4336c9c49fa46/v1/a36798c0b500170cd73aaa3b37ae9280.jpeg)
What's inside:
4-6:PeopleinPower RawindaWallace-Lahar
8-25:Education ArtsCouncilWales andmore
26-27:HistoryVisaVersa MuslimsinCardiff
28-32: BOMB BlackOwnedMinorityBusiness
35-39:IAM
InterviewwithYousraElsadig
40-51:HowGreatThouArt NationalTheatreofWales,WalesMillennium Centre...andmore
53-55:StarsareBorninWales
InterviewwithMoniqueBux
56-64:YouthMatters
SoundProgression andmore
68-73:HealthandWellbeing KeepWalesTidy,SoulTrails
OtherFeatures: PoeticJustice
BackPage-Artprovided,byLucentDreaming
Foradvertising,sponsorshiporevent spotlightenquiriescontact: info@bexcellencecouk
Toviewpreviousissues,visit wwwbexcellencecouk
WeareFBSwinnersfor DiversityandInclusion
2023
LegalDisclaimer
XcellenceMagazineallinformationinterviewsandeventswereaccurate atthetimeofprint Wedonotacceptliabilityforanydistortedcontentin relationtothepeopleandplacesoutsideofthispublication
Howareyou?NoImeanhowareyoureally?Weoftenaskthisquestionandtheusualreply is Imfine soweleaveitthere Wetendnottoinvestanyfurtherandjustgoaboutour business Itisaquestionoftenaskedmoreoutofcommoncurtesythanoutofgenuine concernorenquiry
ButIwonderwhatwouldhappenifpeoplestoppedandsaidno howareyoureally?
IdidaradiointerviewwithYainaSamuelsbacklastyear,duringmentalhealthawareness week, she shared with me all about her extensive work experience with people suffering frommentalhealthissues thiswashowYaina suggestedweaskthequestion Sheclaims thatifyouhadgenuineconcern,youwouldsayittwice
I loved that and I have tried to adopt that approach in my life now In February, the BOMB squad at Radio Cardiff used their platforms to raise awareness around stigma and discriminationinmentalhealth callingforallemployerstosignapledgetosupportstaffto talkabouttheirissuesandpromisetoprovidesupportandsignposting ItisOKtotalk,infact weneedbeasafespaceforsomeonewhomaybestruggling
So,mychallengetoyouistoaskhowareyoutwice,youneverknowwhatcanhappen, thereishealingintalking!Astheysay aproblemsharedisaproblemhalved
Onanothernoteweareonissue3,yayyy!Thisissueisspecialtomeaswearegivingthe majorityofthespacetoourbeautifulMuslimbrothersandsisters Withinthesepages you willlearnsomuchabouttheIslamicculture anditsrelationshipwiththeWest Wealso caughtupwithsomephenomenalhumanbeingsdoingawesomethings-forWales!
IfyoumissedIssue1&2youcanfindthemonlineat:wwwbexcellencecouk
Youcannowsubscribe,sowhereeveryouare intheworld,youcankeepuptodateonall thingsregardingBlackandEthnicExcellenceinWales
Ihopeyouenjoy!
Founder&Editor-in-Chief
MediaResearchAssistant
Hi I'mTia IamamediaresearchassistantatBExcellenceCIC runningthefeature'Youth Matters Duringthepastfewmonths,IhavebeenworkingonaprojectwithFilo,ayoutharts organisation and got to exhibit at the WMC, showcasing a spoken word and visual exhibition called 'Clean Slate which is an exposé of the links between Welsh slate and slavery Readallaboutit,inYouthMatters LookinsideandseealltheXcellence,wehavein issue3 WehopeyouwillbeasinspiredaswehavebeenwhilstputtingtheSpringissue together
IamfortunatetobeinvolvedinXcellenceMagazineandmentoredbytheeditor-in-chief, whobelievesinsuccessionplanning bymakingspaceforyoungpeopletogainexperience in media for their voice to be heard and provide positive representation for future generations
Myhopeisthatyouenjoyissue3,andtelleveryoneaboutXcellenceMagazine
We would like to say a huge, thank you to Ping it News & Books Council Wales, for supporting our vision of bringing something a little different to the FREE community news public space.
Allcontent,unlessotherwisestatedisacopyrightof BEXcellenceCIC Allrightsreserved Nopartsofthisindependentlypublishedmagazinemaybe reproducedwithoutpermission
BEXcellenceCICisacommunityinterestcompanyregisteredinWales13277970 Anyenquiries,commentsor complaints,getintouchvia:info@bexcellencecouk
Ahugethankyoutoour contributingwriters:
TiaZukuraCamilleri
MariyahZaman
JessicaGrace
LuchiaEllul-Alimakhena
MohammedHersi
AzimAhmed
MolaraAwen
RicardoErasmus
SaddiaAbubaker
NicolaGoodall
DrMustafaMegrahi
Poetry: TiaZakuraCamilleri
DukeAlDurham
Art
ChrisEbunTaylor-BackCover
Sponsor/Advertising
Withthanksto:
KeepWalesTidy
WalesMillenniumCentre
UrbanCircle
RaceCouncilCymru
SoulTrails
AfroHairAcademy
FrontCover
Design-DonnaAli
Model-YousraElsadig
Photography-DarrenTyson
MUA-Anisa YusufBeautyMUA
Essay
SophieGilliat-Ray
JodyMellor
ProofReader
SianHopkins
“Surviving is important, thriving is elegant ”
--Maya Angelou
RamadanisanimportantmonthforMuslimsaroundtheworld Itisatimeofspiritual reflection,increaseddevotion,andself-discipline Fornon-Muslims,itisagreatopportunity tolearnmoreabouttheIslamicfaithandthesignificanceofRamadan Herearesome questionsyoucouldaskMuslimsduringRamadantogainadeeperunderstandingoftheir beliefsandpractices
Infographic - gifted by: Yusuf Ibrahim of Cardiff and Vale College.
AskQuestion suchas:
HowdoyouprepareforRamadan?
MuslimsusuallyprepareforRamadanbyincreasingtheirspiritualpracticesandbymakingeffortstobemore charitableandkind Theyalsomakesuretostockuponfoodandothersuppliestheywillneedforthemonthlongfast
HowdoyoubreakyourfastduringRamadan?
MuslimsusuallybreaktheirfastatsunsetwithamealcalledIftar Thisisoftendoneinthecompanyoffamily andfriends,andisseenasanopportunitytostrengthensocialbondsandshowgratitudeforblessings
WhatisthesignificanceofTaraweehprayersduringRamadan?
TaraweehprayersareadditionalprayersthatareperformedduringRamadanaftertheIshaprayer Theyare notobligatory,butmanyMuslimschoosetoparticipateasawayofstrengtheningtheirspiritualconnection withAllah
WhatisthesignificanceofEidal-Fitr?
Eidal-FitristhecelebrationthatmarkstheendofRamadan Itisatimeofjoyandgratitude,andisusually celebratedwithfamilyandfriends Muslimsoftendressintheirfinestclothes,sharefoodwithlovedones,and givetocharityduringthistime
RamadanisamonthofgreatsignificanceforMuslimsaroundtheworld Askingquestionsandlearningmore aboutthesignificanceofRamadancanhelppromotegreaterunderstandingandrespectfortheIslamicfaith
In conversation with: Donna Ali
HowdidyourappointmentasthefirstMuslimwomantobecome aCEOofaninternationalcharity,comeabout?
IwasgiventheopportunitytobecomethefirstfemaleCEOofan InternationalcharityafterworkingwithinthePennyAppealforeight years Duringthattime,Ihadundertakenmanydifferentroles The internationalcharityspaceisverymaledominated,soIwasreally proudtogettheroleasCEOofacharityturningover30millionpounds, todate However,itallstartedinmypreviousroleasasecondary schoolteacher Ireallyenjoyedteachingandwasasubjectleaderand headofyear Iusedtoencouragemystudentstoengagewithcharity workandthat’showmypassionforsupportingcharitiesbegan
Initially,Istartedoffsupportingcharities,bydoingcakessalesand shakingmybucketonthestreet,aswellasorganisingmanyother eventstoraiseawarenessandfunds Iwasapproachedbythefounder ofPennyAppeal,AdeemYounis,andaskedifIwouldliketotakeonan officialrole butrefusedatfirstasIthoughttherolewasnotforme I hadworkedhardtogainmyteachingqualificationsandwashappy Butaftersomeencouragementtojoinduringthestart-upphaseofthe PennyAppeal Ithought Iamgoingtogiveitago Itwasanexciting time asitwasallverynew andIreallybelievedinthevisonAdeem had Initially Istartedasavolunteerco-ordinator Ithenworkedinthe fundraisingdepartmentand eventually hadtheroleofworking alongsideourhigh-net-worthmajordonorsand thenasadirectorof fundraising AfterCovidIwasmadethedirectorofdonorcare working alongsidemarketing,eventsandcallcentrestaff,anythingtodowith incomegenerationandgrowth Iwasveryeffectiveinthoseareas,so wasquicklypromotedtoseniordirector LatertheroleofCEOcameup andIwasencouragedbyAdeemtogoforit!Afterathoroughinterview process,andover100applicants,IwastoldIgotthejob So,Iwentfrom bucketshakertoCEOineightyears
Isthereaparticulartimeofyearthatpeopleseemtosupport thecharitymore,ordoyouwitnessthatpeoplerespondmorein acrisis?
Abitofbothreally,forinstance,duringRamadanitisoneofourbusiest times BecauseoneofthefivepillarsofIslamisgivinganditisbelieved thatgivingduringtheholymonth,multipliesyourrewards Idofeelitis importanttoshowpeopletheimpactoftheirdonations,soIam travellingtoTurkeytolookattheimpactofourworkwiththeSyrian refugees,Iwillbetakingsomefootageandimages Icanusethat feedbacktoinformourdonorsofwheretheirdonationshavehelped withthingssuchas foodpacksandtemporaryhousing Asawoman I amkeenonmakingsuretherefugeewomenhavedignitypacks,so theyhaveasafespacetobreastfeedandundertakepersonalcare I willalsobemeetingwithsomeofourpartners,todiscussthenext phaseofoursupport
Ifyouwouldliketosupport,visit:
Unfortunately,whattendstohappenwhencharitiesrespondtocrises,is theymakeanimpactandthenmoveontotheirnextproject,butwhat weliketodoismaintainandbuildrelationships toensurethatpeople aregettingbackontheirfeettothefullest Afewyearsago,weworked withRohingyarefugees,whoweresubjectedtoviolenceandattack backin2017 Althoughthatissueisnotreportedinthemainstream media,currentlytheyarestillacommunityofthelargestrefugee campsintheworld Wehavetobeawarethataidisnotjustneededin themidstofacrisis asittakesalongtime forpeopletorebuild notjust economically,butmentallyandphysically So,atPennyAppeal,wewant tobethereforthewholejourney whereverwecan
No,partofouraimistohelpanyonethatneedshelp,regardless oftheirreligiousaffiliationornot OurvaluesaresetbyIslamic principles,oflovethyneighbour,sowhoeverneedshelpwewill help MostofourworkintheUK,consistsofsupportinghomeless peopleandwealsorunfoodprogrammes Backin2020 there wasahugeexplosioninLebanonandtherewerethousandsof displacedChristians weprovidedaidtofamiliesandensuredwe supportedeveryone
Howhasyourfaithinfluencedtheworkyoudo?
Iwouldsaythatmyfaithinfluencesmyworkbyprovidingafirm foundation WedonotpromotePennyAppealasaMuslim Charity,becauseourteamismadeupofallkindsofgreat peoplefromallwalksoflife Wewanttobeseenashelping everyone regardless Asawoman IhopetopromotePenny Appealasacharitythatelevatesthestatusofwomen InUK societythereisalotofmisunderstandingaroundculture deemingMuslimwomenasbeingsupressed,butthereare powerfulandinfluentialMuslimwomencontributingtomajor companies However inunderdevelopedcountries Muslim womenareoftenleftbehind
Ihopethatmyimpactcanbeseeninhelpingwomeninthese countriestobecomeeducatedandraisetheelementofwomen beingattheforefront,whetheritisintheUKorInternationally Itis importanttoincludewomenindecisionmaking,becausethey canoftenbringadifferentperspectiveandwillbeabletoidentify theneedsofwomenthatmenmaynotconsider
MyvisionisforPennyAppealtobecomeahouseholdname Weareboldandnotafraidtofacesomeofthehardest issuesorlookoutsideofthebox,weareveryforward thinking Forinstance,wewerethefirstcharitytoruna pantomime whichwasalotoffun
Wethinkitisimportanttomergecultures,becauseour childrenlivehereanddoingsimilarthingstotheirnonMuslimpeers thingslikethat helptointegrateand introduceothersintodifferentculturesandexperiences Fundamentally aslongaswearedoingeverythingwithin Islamicprinciples,thenwefeelthatitisOKtopromotethe charityindifferentspaces Wewerealsothefirstcharityto runadomesticviolencehelpline whichcanoftenbeseen asataboosubjectwithintheMuslimcommunities Wewant tofacetheseissuesheadon,aswellasothers,suchas fosteringandadoption
PennyAppealisaMuslimledcharity,launchedin2013by founderAdeemYounis Adeemwasanorphanchild, originallyofPakistaniorigin Hedecidedtostartacharity aftervisitingPakistanandwitnessingtheextremepoverty andfeltpressedtohelpout,originallyusingdonations fromtheUKtohelpprovideeducationforchildren Adeemisasuccessfulentrepreneur,pioneeringvarious businesses suchasSinglemuslimscom
Aftermanyyearsofsupportingcharitablecauses, Adeemrealisedheneededtocreateacleardivide betweenhisbusinessesandcharitywork sobeinga manofprinciple,hedecidedtostartthePennyAppeal, initiallyusingalotofhisownmoneytohelpduringthe startupstage Adeemhasamassiveheartfororphaned childrenandstruggleswithlivingbetweenasociety wheresmallchangehere,canmakeabigdifferencein othercountries ThestraplineforPennyAppealis: ‘smallchangebigdifference’ www.pennyappeal.org
MayaAngeloucoinedthephrase ifyoudontlike somethingchangeit Thiswasaquoteusedinissue2of XcellenceinrelationtoVaughanGethinandhispassion forwantingtoseepeoplelivingfairly However heisnot theonlyonewhohasusedapersonalpassionasa purpose inprofessionallife HereinWales wehaveseen tangibleandprogressivechanges Manypioneershave comebeforeVaughaninvarioussectors,andIhaveno doubtwillcomeafter
WhilstVaughanwasinkneehighsocks,aformidable youngwomanwithapassionforlearning,beganher journeyasateacher Somethingthatshewasdetermined tobedespiteherteacher,statingthatsuchaprofession foraworkingclass,Blackfemalewasanaspirationthat was‘insurmountable
Teachersaremeanttoinspireyoungpeople notdampen theirdreamsandlimittheirexpectations,youngpeople canseepossibilities,theyseenolimitationswithintheir imagination andschoolmustbeaplacethatfostersand harveststhedreamsandaspirationsofallyoungpeople, regardlessofraceandclass Theymustgrowwithinan environmentthatfostersdreamsalongwithhardwork anddiscipline Asweknow,duringthetimeMrsCampbell wasundertakingherteachertrainingatCardiffTeacher TrainingCollege,careersofinfluencewerenotawarded topeoplefromminoritycommunities,soitwasquitea revelationthatMrsBettyCampbellwastoovercomeand followherdreams DuringMrsCampbell’scareer,shenot onlyqualifiedsuccessfullyasateacher,butshewentalot further nothingwasinsurmountableforher Shenotonly becameateachertochildren,buttootherteachersand herlegacyisstillinspiringteacherstokeeplearning,to thisveryday
Written by: Donna Ali'TheartworkofBetty,Wales’first Blackheadteacher.Thisbeautiful muralisasymbolofpositive representationatMountStuart primarySchoolcommissionedby CardiffCouncilbyacclaimedWelsh streetartistBradleyRmer.
MrsCampbellisbestknownasWales’sfirstBlackheadteacher workingwithinhercommunityatMountStuartSchoolin Butetown TheuniqueteachingsofMrsCampbellwereher unwaveringpassionforherpupilstoexperienceandlearn aboutthelivesofpowerfulpeoplefromdiversecommunities, shewantedeverychildinherschooltobeseenandheard withinthelessonsthatherstaffprepared
MrsCampbellwasanagentforchangeandreceivedanMBE forherservicestoeducationandcommunitylifeandfounded BlackHistoryMonth Sheunderstoodthatforherpupilstobe excellenttheymustseeandhearaboutexcellencefrom peoplewholookedlikethem,sheunderstoodtheimportance ofrepresentationandencouragedherpupilstosetno limitations Theyweretaughttoreachforthemoonandthrow inthestarsforgoodmeasure
"We were a good example to the rest of the world, on how you can live together regardless of where you come from or the colour of your skin.
-Mrs Betty Campbell
MrsBettyCampbellMBE
Today,wehearMrsCampbellsmessageloudandclear,andher influenceinensuringherpioneeringworkwasnotjustadropin theocean,butonethathasripples,creatingpondsofinfluence aroundWalesandtheworld
SoonwewillseeyetanotherunveilinginhonourofMrsCampbell tomatchwiththebeautifullyillustratedstatuethatsitsinCentral Squareinthecity,butthistimeforeverpresentatMountStuart School CardiffCouncilhascommissionedamural whichis currentlybeinginstalledattheveryschoolthatwashomeforher TheworkisbeingcreatedbyWelshgraffitiartist,BradleyRmer, whoisresponsibleforMymuna mycity myshirt’whichison JamesStreetinButetown
ThenewheadteacheratMountStuartSchoolisMrsHelenBorley, whohasbeenachampionoftheworkandlegacyofMrs Campbell,respondedtoourquestions:
Howdidtheideaforthemuralcomeabout?
We asaschoolcommunity wantedtohaveamemorial toMrsCampbell’smemoryassuchanimportantfigure locally,nationallyandinternationally Theideahascome fromthepupilsattheschoolandbeendrivenbythe schoolcouncilandthegovernors
Whochosetheimage?
WetalkedtothefamilyandaskedforphotosofMrs Campbellthattheywouldliketobeconsidered wethen workedwiththeartisttochooseanimagethatwe consideredwouldworkinthespace
WhyisitimportanttokeepMrsCampbell'smemory alive?
ShewasWales’sfirstBlackheadteacher,someone whobattledracismandprejudicethroughoutherlife inordertoachieve Shedidntletanythingstandin herwayandwantedthebestforthechildrenof Butetownandthewiderworld,thatisworthyofboth recognitionandmemory
Interviewwith: HeadteacherofMountStuartSchoolMrsHelenBorley
ThelegacyofMrsCampbell’sworkcanbeseeninthenewDARPLproject,whichstandsforDiversity andAnti-racismProfessionalLearning,whichisfundedbytheWelshGovernment DAPRLis managedbyChantelleHaughtonanex-pupilofMrsCampbell Seehowtheripplesofinfluence havecreatedwavesandWaleis,thankfully,ridingthem
ThroughtheDARPLwebsite,schoolscanfindblogs,lessonplans, liveworkshops,andhaveaccesstokeystakeholders,whoare championingthiswork bycreatingcontent Theyarealso availableasconsultants,offeringadviceforschoolstosupport theirjourneyinAnti-RacistProfessionalLearning Thefeedback, sofar hasbeenthatsomeschoolswerenervousabout approachingthesesubjects,owingtoalackofcultural competencyand,possibly,fearfulof gettingitwrong DARPL,was createdtocombatthesefearstohelpschoolsgoboldlywhere veryfewwerewillingtogobefore
JeremyMilessaid ‘WalesisthefirstpartoftheUKtomakethe teachingandcontributionofBlack,Asianandminorityethnic curriculummandatory HesaidthemostimportantpartofDARPL istosupportoureducationworkforcetogainconfidence, knowledge,skillsandexperiencesandtobeabletodothat properly andtoalsohelpusmeetourobjectiveofbeinganAntiracistnationby2030’ So,whatwearelaunchingtodayisan excitingsetoffreehigh-qualityresources'
Imagineyouareamulti-disciplinaryartistwholovestopaint; draw;collage;write;sew;sing;dance;drumandtherest!You areemployedtobepartofaprojectinwhichyouhavethree daystraining,whichbasicallytellyouthatyourjobremitisto gointoaschoolwithchildrenofanyageandcreate somethingwhichcelebratesethnicallydiverseWales The Cynefinprojecthasbeenaninspirationalprivilegetobepart of,particularlyassomeonewhoisnotphasedbythelackofa plan!
BornoutoftheWelshGovernmentsAnti-racistActionPlan andnewcurriculum theCynefinprojectcreatedbyTheArts CouncilofWaleshasnowworkedwith145schoolsacross Wales,lookingatdiversity,inclusivityandbelonging Eachof mythreeroundsofCynefinhasbegunwithaconversation withtheyoungpeopleonwhobelongsinWales?Whatarethe criteria?Andmoreimportantly,whogetstodecidewho belongs?Intwooutofmyfourinitialsessions studentsfelt empoweredtocomeouttotheirpeersastransgenderandor non-binary andinasessionlastweekayear6studenttold hispeersforthefirsttimethathewasMuslim
Atsecondaryschoolage pupilshavefeltconfidentenoughto sharesomeoftheshockingabusetheyhavesuffered–often undertheguiseof“banter”,andwherethereisracismthereis oftenalsohomophobia transphobia Ifeelproudthatin sharingsomeofmyexperiencesgrowingupjewelheritage (myself-definitionhavingbeendefinedas halfcaste or “mixedrace”) thatotheryoungpeoplefeelempoweredto sharetheirtruth Itsinterestingtonotethatstudentvoicescan beexpansive,diverse,andrichwiththoughtfulideas,whether thepupilsintheschoolsarediverseornot
Andthereliesthedefaultpositionofmanyschools
headteachersandteachers “ourschoolisn’tdiversesowedon’tneedtodo thiswork”or“wedon’thaveaproblemwithracismaswedon’thaveanybrownchildren” NOTHINGcouldbefurtherfromthetruth, andinmanycasestheresaprofoundlackofawarenessastowhatracismoractuallyis,orthedifferentwaysinwhichit manifestsitself SadlytheonlythreebrownskinnedmembersofstaffworkingintheWelsheducationsystemIknowinperson are eitherbattlingsocalled“unconsciousbias”,micro-aggressionsandfeelingundervalued,andintwocaseshaveresignedasa resultofit Iamfrequentlythefirstbrownskinnedpersoninateachingpositionthatstudentshaveeverencountered,andbrown skinnedchildrenfrequentlyseekoutthoseofusworkingonCynefin tosharesomeoftheirlivedexperiencesforthefirsttime
InmyfirstprojectMakingWaves,WavesofChange,muchtotheshockoftheiramazingEnglishteacher,thecohortofyear8 studentsaMorristonComprehensivedecidedtowriteabookaimedatfellowteenagerswhomaybesuffering Each contributordesignedtheirwaves,andcontributedapieceofwriting,historicaltocreative,factualtopoetic,dependingontheir areaofinterest,alongsideupliftingmessagestopeersacrossthecountry:
Inmysecondprojectwith7and8yearsoldswelookedatinternationalstoriesofmigration,includingthenativity,aswe celebratedthepeoplewhopassedthroughthetownofRhayader
throughouttheages WecreatedacollageoftheriversElanandClaerwen,thefloodinganddams,andtookatripinsidePeny Garreg courtesyoftheElanValleytrust Wearesousedtowhitecentricstoriesitwasgreattolearnthatpeoplefromasfaras AustraliaandSouthAfricahadworkedonthedams,thattheworkersvillageforemanwasGreekandenforcedshavedheads, vaccinationsandquarantinebeforeworkerswereallowedintothevillage!
Imcurrentlyworkingwithagroupofyear7studentsatYsgolBroPreseli onayouthcentricversionoftheWelshgovernments Anti-RacistActionPlan(T),astheoriginaldocumentis128pagesofpredominantlylegalesewriting withnopictures Wehave writtentoJeremyMilesandarehopingtodeliverittotheSenedd
Molara, is also Chair of Black History Wales 365.
All of the best projects I would describe as ripples in a pool, creating changes in attitude not just in the pupils and teachers working on Cynefin, but in schools and communities. Viva Cynefin!
Cantonian High School
Member of the Arts Council Wales, Cynefin Project
Theme: Exploring Diversity in Wales:
Teacher: Ella Farrell
Creative Practitioner: Donna Ali
WhydidyouwanttoruntheCynefinprojectat CantonianHigh?
Asahumanitiesteacher Ihavefoundthatpupilstendtolearn aboutpeoplefromdiversebackgroundswithinahistorical context Withinthis,pupilstendtolearnmoreaboutdiverse communitiesoverseas Thistendstobemoreinrelationtotheir strugglethantheirachievements
Aswellaslearningmoreaboutthehistoryofdiverse communitiesinWales Iwantedtoprovidepupilswith opportunitiestolearnmoreabouttheexperiencesofdiverse peopleinWalestoday Ialsowantedtoprovidepupilswitha safespacetodiscusstheirownexperiences
Ialsofeltitwasreallyimportanttoinvolvemypupilsinthis projectbecauseitwouldallowpupilstoaccessavarietyof experiencesoutsideaschoolenvironment
MostpupilsIteachwouldneverhavebeenabletoaccessthese experiencesotherwise
Whathaveyoubeendoingsofar?
Webegantheprojectbydiscussingtheideaofbelongingand whatitmeanstobelong Inthis,wewereabletoestablishpupils individualexperiencesofbelongingandtheircurrent understandingofdiversityinWales Weencouragedthemto writedownanyquestionstheyhad,whichweusedasabaseline forourenquiry Thepupilswereinitiallyverydrawntotheideaof usingmediatodeveloptheproject,soitwasdecidedveryearly onthatthepupilswouldcreateawebsitetoshowcaseallthey hadlearnt Thiswouldincludevariousarticleswrittenbythe pupilsandwouldbeaplatformtoshowcaseapodcastcreated bythepupils Asweneededtoprovidepupilswithahistorical understandingofdiversityinWales,weinvitedthehistorianAbu BakrintoschoolforadiscussionandQandA
Thishelpedthepupilstounderstandthelonghistoryofdiverse communitiesinWales,challengingtheircurrentperceptions Manyofthepupilswereinterestedinlearningmoreaboutthe lackofinclusivitywithinthebeautyindustry
Thepupilshavebeenresearchingdifferentmakeupbrandsto writeanarticleforthewebsite WealsoinvitedJoyfromAfro HairAcademyintotalktothepupilsaboutherroleandthe importanceofinclusivityintheBeautyindustry aswellasan interviewwithRachelClarke,thegranddaughterofBetty Campbell
Howhavethepupilsdescribedtheirsenseof belonging?
Myfavouritetopictoteachcurrentlyisgovernance,whichwe choseaspartofthenewWelshCurriculum Thisallows pupilstolearnaboutpolitics,whilstexploringdifferentforms ofgovernancethroughouthistory Iloveteachingthis becauseitexposespupilstochallengingideasandprovides themwithopportunitiestodebateamongstthemselves
Whatdoyouhopetoachievebytakingpartinthe project?
Ihopethatpupilswillleavetheprojectwithabroader understandingofwhatitmeanstobeadiversepersonliving inWales andtheconfidencetodiscussideasrelatedto diversity Ialsohopetoprovidepupilswithadifferentkindof learningexperience wheretheywereencouragedtobe creativeandthinkforthemselves
'As an NTQ I was excited about our application being approved by the ACW
Somepeoplearepassionateaboutsocialjustice,art, sports,environmentalprotection,animals,politics, travelandmanymore
Passionisaverystrongintenseemotion,acompelling enthusiasmordesireforsomething Passionisan emotionalstatethatcandriveanindividualtopursue theirgoalswithenergyandenthusiasm Passionate peoplearemotivatedbytheirdesiretolearn,explore andcreate
Iampersonallypassionateaboutmentorship You mayaskwhatismentorship?I’mgladyouask Mentorshipisarelationshipjourneybetweentwo peopleinwhichamoreexperiencedor knowledgeableperson(mentor)helps,guides, supportsoradvisesalessexperiencedor knowledgeableperson(mentee)
Inthisarticle,I’dliketoencourageandinspireteachers tobemorementorship-minded,andhowtheycan teachthroughtheirvalues Mentorship-minded peopleareinvestedinthegrowthanddevelopmentof thosearoundthem,andarecommittedtoproviding guidanceandsupport sothattheycanunleashtheir potential Mentorship-mindedindividualsare committedtocreatingpositivechangeandmakinga differenceinthelivesofothers
Ricardo Erasmus Life Coach & Mentor
Just a quick background about myself I am originally from Mitchell’s Plain, Cape Town, South Africa.
I have over 10 years experience as a youth mentor and life coach, working with young people in South Africa, USA and now in the UK.
I am passionate about helping people shift their mindset, so that they can unleash their potential.
WhenIwasinhighschool,Ihadateacherwhooneday toldmethatIwon’tamounttoanything Andshe concludedbysaying,“atleastyouareaniceperson” I rememberthosewordspiercingmyheart,andIdreaded goingtoherclass Thosewordskeptplayinginmyhead Atthesametime,Imetanotherteacher,henevergave meanysubjects Everytimehewouldpassmeinthe corridors,hewouldsay“goodmorning,sir”!OnedayI askedhimwhyhecalledmesir,herepliedbysaying“sir, isatermofrespectandIrespectyou” Thatdaythings shiftedinmymindset Hedidntwaitformetorespect himfirst,hemodelledtomewhatrespectlookslike It’s becauseofthisamazingteacherthatmyloveforhelping othersstarted Hesponsoredmetolivemydream togo toAmericatoworkatasummercampinBoston The differencebetweenthetwoteachers,onespokewordsof discouragementandtheotherspokewordsof
encouragement
Anencouragingstory,IsawAdele’slaunchforher30 albumliveonITVspecial ‘AnAudiencewithAdele’ She gavetheaudiencetheopportunitytoaskhera questioninbetweensongs DameEmmaThompson askedAdele,“isthereanyoneinyourchildhoodwho hadbeenaninspirationtoyou?”Sheanswered,Miss McDonaldherEnglishliteratureteacher sheleftwhen Adelewasinyear8
Adeledidn’tknowshewasintheaudienceandthetwo ofthemreunited AdelesaidMissMcDonaldwasa goodteacher,relatableandlikeable Becauseofthat teacher Adelestartedwritingsongsandtodayshe’s oneofthebestsinger/songwriters
’I’mnottellingteachershowtoteach,Imnotateacher ButIwantyoutobecomeamentorship-minded teacher,thatteachesfromyourvaluesandcharacter I’veexperiencedtoomanyteachersshoutingat studentsandspeakingwordsofdiscouragement Theseyoungpeoplewillrememberyourwordsfora lifetime Areminderyoushouldaskyourself,whatis thereasonyougotintoteachingasaprofession?At thesametime studentsneedtoshowteachersthat theyarewillingtolearnandtopersonallydevelopinto abetterversionofthemselves
1 Patience Beunderstanding,compassionate, andbeanactivelistener.
2 Showrespecttothestudents Givetheman exampleofwhatrespectlookslike.
3 Empathyandopen-minded
4 Creatingasafenon-judgemental environmentforthemtobetransparent
5 Watchyourwords Thereispowerinwhatwe say.Itcanencourageordiscouragesomeone.
BeMentorship-minded,sothatyoucaninvestintothe livesofyourstudentsforthenextfive ten twentyyears fromnow That’swhyIstartedmymentoringandlife coachingbusiness,tohelpyoungpeoplebecomea greatversionofthemselves Checkoutmywebsite paradigmshiftukcomforencouragingtestimonials
I’dliketoendthisarticlewithastatement As mentorsandteachers,letusstrivetobuildabetter worldthroughourwordsandactions Indoingso, wecanhelpourstudentsunleashtheirpotential andimpacttheworldinapositiveway
Forfurtherdetails,school visitsandquotes,visit
paradigmshiftukcom
As a teacher, what is it you’d like to be remembered for by your students?
Here are some qualities of a mentorship-minded teacher.
Ricardo created a safe, confidential, and nonjudgemental space for me, and that has worked wonders for me.
Beintentionalaboutseeingthe humanityineverypupil,and youWILLseetheresults
Speakpositivelifeaffirmingwordsinto yourpupils,notdoubtanddiscouragement
‘Muslim’,‘Islam’,‘Islamist’,‘Islamic’,‘Shariah’,‘Jihad’, ‘Burka’, Hijab’ whatcomestomindasyouread thesewords?Whatscenesandemotionsare evokedandwhatdothesewordsconnotatefor you?Itmaybethatyouhavenevercomeacross someofthemeaningsofsuchvocabulary,butif youhave–questionthesourcesandcontextsyou havecometoknowthem
Ifscenesofviolenceandoppressioncometo mindasyoureadtheopeninglineofphrases,I wouldn’tblameyou Astudyconductedby CambridgeUniversityfoundthatforeveryone, ‘moderate’MuslimmentionedintheBritishpress,21 examplesofextremistMuslimsarementioned
AsaMuslimwoman,IamcarefultowhomItalk aboutmyjihad,whenexpressingmyinner strugglesofresistingthetemptationofbecoming complacentandlazywithmytime bynotbusying myselfwithgooddeedsanddailyworship Iworry thatthemedia’sversionofjihad,mayoverwhelm thepersonIamconfidingin–aversionthathas beensensationalisedtostripthenuancedArabic wordthatbeautifullyencapsulatesadailystruggle foreveryMuslim,tobattlethepartofthemselves thatpreventsthemfrompartakinginactionsof peaceinsteadofsin
Wordsholdgreatmeaningandifamediacircusis occupiedwithsingularnarrativesthatarevoidof authenticMuslimvoices,wheredoesthatleavethe storiesofaglobalpopulationof19billionfollowersof Islam;diverseinculture,race,politicsandclass?
AccordingtothelatestCensus,Muslimsmakeup65% ofthepopulationinEnglandandWales Youmaylookat thisnumberandbesurprisedathowsmallthis percentageis,consideringhowoftenwedominate politicalnarrativesandtabloidheadlines Astudy conductedbytheUniversityofBirminghamlastyear foundthat259%ofBritishpeoplefeltnegativelytowards Muslimsand181%wouldsupportthebanningofMuslim immigration,leadingtooneinfourBritishpeople surveyed,holdingnegativeviewsofMuslimandIslamas awhole
ForsuchasmallpercentageoftheUKpopulation it makesonewonderhowsomanyhavecometodislike everythingandanything‘Muslim’andleadstothe questionofhowmanypeoplehavesatdownand spokentoaMuslimface-to-facetoengageina dialogueortovisitaMosque
TheexistenceofMuslimsintheUKdatesback centuries includingduringtimesofthe countrysaidduringtheFirstWorldWar,when atleast400,000Muslimsoldierstookarmsto serveBritainaspartoftheBritishIndianArmy AccordingtoresearchbytheBritishFuture, almostnobody(2%)isawareofthescaleof MuslimcontributionsinthehistoryofBritishwar –asubjectthatiswidelytaughtinschools acrosstheUK
ThelackofawarenessaroundtheMuslim identity,contribution,andexistenceinallits formsseemstobearecurringthemewithinthe press ACityUniversityreportfoundthatthe lackofdiversityoftheBritishpresswasa damningissue,withjust04%ofBritish journalistsbeingMuslim,only10%beingfrom working-classbackgroundsandastaggering 94%ofBritishjournalistsbeingwhite Asa teenagerchoosingherA-levelsanddeciding whattoproceedwithatuniversity,Idecidedto tryandfillthisgapbyprovidinganauthentic femaleMuslimvoiceintheindustry Ifound myselfquicklystumblinguponbiggerissues andoftenfindingmyselftobetheonlynonwhitepersoninthespacesIinternedatasa studentjournalist,letalonetheonlyMuslim
Asthepressureloomedto‘getitright’and‘tellourstories’onmyyoungerandambitiousself,theIslamophobia aroundBrexitandexodusoffar-rightnarrativesgrewaroundme,asthepolicereportsofhatecrimeincreased by57%inthefourdaysafterthereferendumin2019
Itbecamemoreapparentthatthereportingaroundimmigration,race,andpolarisinguseoflanguageby politiciansinWestminsterwasbeingsensationalisedandsoldattheexpenseofmycommunity Lastyear,a HouseofCommonsreportconfirmedthatIslamophobiaisnowthemostcommonformofreligioushatecrime intheUK astheHomeOfficesharedthat42%ofallreligioushatecrimesreportedtothepolicein2021/22were againstMuslims
DuringmyfinalyearasaCreativeWriting&Mediastudent,IwasapproachedbysomeMuslimsinmylocal communitywhowereconcernedbytheissueofMuslimrepresentationinthemedia Theyproposedasolution totackletheinaccuratestoriesbypropellingpositiveandauthenticrepresentationofMuslimsinstead Bythis time,Ihadalmostthreeyearsofindustryexperiencetocometotheconclusionthattherootoftheissuewas notsolelythelackofMuslimjournalists,butratheralackofuptakeamongstMuslimsincreativeindustriesasa whole
WherecouldIfindbelongingandrelatabilityasa young,WelshPakistaniMuslimwoman?If,asahighly creativeperson,Istruggledtofeelempoweredto seethecareerofjournalismtilltheendoreversee anyofmyguestlecturers,creativerolemodelslook likeme–howcouldIexpectmainstreammediato understandortakecaretohearourvoices?
Irealisedthattherewasnotasingleplaceonline,or inthemedia,whereourmodestyettalented communityofWelshMuslimcreativescame together Thus,throughcountlessmeetings, strategisingatourlocalMosque–NowInAMinute Mediawasborn Anindependentmediasocial enterprisetoplatform,inspireandencourage Muslimsinthecommunitytotakeupcareersinthe creativeindustriesandseeaworldbeyondthe simplisticandstereotypicalnarrativesportrayedof ourcommunity
Almostthreeyearsonandapandemiclater,NowIn AMinuteMediaisnowanonlinehuboflivelyWelsh Muslimtalent–withourfirsteventjustafterthe pandemicbeingattendedbyover100people inthe heartofCardiff’sWalesMillenniumCentre Wehave platformedandprovidedopportunitiesforover70 Muslimcreativesandthemorewegrowasa platform,themorevoicesechothesamerecurring issuesoftherebeingalackofspaceforMuslimsto growaswriters,storytellers,contentcreators, crafters,entrepreneursetc
FromcoveringtheactionoftherecentWorldCupin Qatar,toourannualRamadanshortproduction-asa smallteamofvolunteersrunningtheplatform,wehave cometorealisethatthroughartandauthentic storytelling–thepowerofMuslimindependentmedia transcendsmainstreamagenda-drivennarratives The feedbackandresponsefromthecommunity,forthe needformorestoriestobetoldandmoreupskillingof creativepractices showsthedireneedtonurture Muslimcommunitiestoreclaimtheirownnarratives Inanonlineandofflinesocietythatincreasinglydivides –wehopethatthroughthepowerofcreativityand faith-consciousmedia wecanignitethecreatorin everyonetotacklesomeoftheissuesourcommunity faceandunitebeyondperception
Where could I find belonging and relatability as a young, Welsh Pakistani Muslim woman?
Authors Bio
“Abdul-AzimAhmedisanacademicby occupation,andanorganiserbyvocation His scholarlypursuitsasDeputyDirectorofthe Islam-UKCentreatCardiffUniversityfocuson contemporaryreligion,civilsocietyand institutions,andasSecretaryGeneralMuslim CouncilofWales,heleadsabodyofmosques, Muslimcharities,andcollectives Azimlivesin Cardiff,wherehewasbornandraised,andis fathertoayoungson
Heenjoysanythingthattakeshimawayfrom hislaptopscreen,whetherthatiscycling, running,orcompletingpoorqualityDIY projects.”
Dr Abdul-Azim Ahmed is Deputy Director for the Centre for the Study of Islam in the UK at Cardiff University, and Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Wales. If you would like to participate in the research project, please email ahmedma1@cardiff.ac.uk
IfyoudrivesouthdownCrwysRoadinCardiff you’lllikelyhitthelightsjustbeforeDeathJunction Asyouwaitforthe lightstoturngreen youreyesmightwanttothebuildingonyourright Itwas atonepointtheWelshCalvinistic MethodistChapel,andheadquartersofthemovementinWales Today,itistheShahJalalMosque,namedafterShah Jalalad-DinMujarrad,athirteenthcenturysaintwhobroughtIslamtoSylhet,Bangladesh Themosquewasopenedby Cardiff’sgrowingBangladeshiSylheticommunityinthelate1980s Thechapelisamongstmyfavouritemosquesin Wales,itisbeautifulinsideandout,andhastheauraofpeaceandcomfortyou’ddesirefromaplaceofworship Sylhet andWaleshavealonghistory,withanEisteddfodheldbymissionariesinSylhetin1901 Thebuildingservestorepresent muchofthestoryofMuslimsandWales Thesharedcentralityofreligionandcommunity,butalsotheBritishEmpire andcolonizationthatisthedarkbackdroptowhyMuslimscametotheseisles
EverywhereyoulookinWales,you’llseesignsoftheMuslimcommunity ItcouldbeonCrwysRoadinSouthWales,but youcouldalsotraveltoremoteAnglesey tothenorthernmosttipoftheisland Thereyouwouldfindtheancient churchLlanbadrig supposedlyfoundedbyStPatrickhimselfwhenhewaswashedashore Thechurch asimpleand beautifulbuildingofstone,hidesasecretforthosewholookclosely Thestainglasswindows,ratherthandepicting BiblicalscenesortheChurchFathers,isabluemosaicinthegeometricpatternmoreoftenseeninIslamicart The inclusionofitwasduetoLordStanley,aVictorianaristocratwhofundeditsrestorationbutwhowasalsoacommitted Muslimconvert
Exodus,astoryofleavinghome,andfindinganewone,isafittingthemetoconsiderthestoriesofMuslimsinWales Overthelastfewmonths,I’vebeenresearchingthehistoryofMuslimsinWalesaspartofanewprojectattheCentre fortheStudyofIslamintheUK Sofar,ithasinvolvedtripstothearchives,scouringthroughnewspapers,andspeaking toMuslimsandcollectingtheir“oralhistories”
WeknowagooddealaboutthehistoryofMuslimsinCardiffalreadythroughtheworkofTigerBayandtheWorld as wellasacademicssuchasSophieGilliat-Ray JodyMellor FredHalliday RichardLawless MohammedSeddon and theeminentStClairDrake TheseworksgiveusapictureofanascentMuslimcommunityintheDocks Ledbythe enigmaticandenergeticSheikhAbdullahAlial-Hakimi ThelargelyYemeniandSomaliMuslimsintheDockswas describedinonenewspaperinthe1940sas“theheartoftheIslamiccommunityinBritain”
Al-HakimiwasaMuslimleaderaheadofhistime HefoundedtheNooral-IslamMosqueinCardiffin1938,aswellas securingMuslimburiallandinWesternCemeterythatisstillusedtoday Hedevelopedarelationshipwithofficialsand politicians,hostedthematdinnersinCityHallorluncheonsathisoffices,hepublishedEnglishlanguageworksandan Arabicnewsletterfromhismosque,heorganizedconferencestobuildunityamongstthediverseMuslimpopulationof Cardiff,andhesoughttoreinvigoratetheteachingandpracticeofIslam Britain,letaloneWales,wouldnotseea Muslimleaderofhiscalibreagainuntilmuchlater Therearemorestoriestobediscoveredhowever andespeciallythroughoralhistoryinterviews I’vebeenseekingto capturethembeforetheyarelost InWales,thebulkofMuslimmigrationwaspostSecondWorldWar,and chronologically,adjacenttotheWindrushGeneration TheseMuslimeldersarethelastlinktoahistorythatwillnotbe preservedinnewsreportsorarchives ItwasthisgenerationwhoestablishedthebulkofWales54mosques Totruly appreciatethescopeofthisachievementthegeneralpictureofBritainneedstobeunderstood Wales,muchlikethe UK,hasseenalossofcommunityandcommunityspaces Chapelsandchurches,workmen’sinstitutes,libraries,and communitycentreshaveallbeensteadilydeclining Thepost-WarmigrationofMuslims,wholargelydidn’tspeak Englishfluently,whodidnthavehighereducationordegrees,whowereonthelowestendofthesocio-economic ladder buckedthistrendfortheirownfamilies Theybuilt throughsignificantsacrifice acommunityresourceof incrediblevaluethatcontinuetoservetheMusimandwidercommunitytoday troughfoodbanksandcharitydrives aswellasofferingaplaceofgatheringandcomingtogether
IfthefirstMuslimchapterofWaleswasal-HakimiandtheMuslimsoftheDocks andthesecondchapterispost-War migration Thethirdchapterwouldbesettlementfromasylumseekersandrefugees,whetherfollowingtheSomalicivil warinthenineties,theinvasionofAfghanistanandsubsequentwithdrawalbyWesterntroops,thepersecutionofthe Syrianregime,orevenmostrecentlytheconflictinUkraine Thesenewcommunitiesbringwiththemanewdimension totheMuslimcommunitiesofWales
ThestoryofMuslimsinWalesis,inmyview,isbestencapsulatedbyBereaMasjid Achapelconvertedintoamosque inthemid-noughties,itservesadisparateMuslimcommunityintheValleys It’snestledamongstthehillssofamiliar toanyonedrivingthroughtheA470 Apicturefromthe1940sshowsavibrantcongregationatthechapel Itfellinto disrepairinbythenewmillennium untilthelocalMuslimcommunitypurchasedandre-openedit Anewphotowas takenin2022,andonceagainthisbuildingwasfulloflife,avibrantcongregation,astrongsenseofcommunity,anda feelingoffamilyamongsttheworshippers IhopeaswelearnmoreaboutthehistoryofMuslimsinWales,itisnot seenasaninterestingfootnote,butinsteadpartofsharedcollectivestory IslamisnowaWelshreligion,andshould berecognizedassuch
Exodus, a story of leaving home, and finding a new one.
You shout words, you cause hurt you are so unkind
When you say the n word what goes on in your mind?
You’re not a black rapper so that word’s not for you
If all lives matter why does mine not to you?
Does your attitude uplift this place on this earth?
Making others feel that they have no self-worth
If you can’t be civilised it’s time to start
It’s the things that you say that keep us apart.
MolaraAwen
MakingWavescanbefoundbysearching“WavesofChange”onThePeople’sCollectionWales:
https://wwwpeoplescollectionwales/items/1865606
Theblackkidscallhim‘blackish’, Thewhitekidscallhimliquorice, Insports,theycallhimallsorts, Likemonkey,actallticklish, Withtheirhandsunderarmpits, Cheekspuffedlookingbloated, Throwingbananaskins‘Ooooahah’withtheirvoices! Inthewinterthekidscallhimpale, Inthesummerthekidscallhimdirty, Whenthelightsgooffwithoutfail, Somebodyshouts‘openyoureyesDukey, Ormaybejustgiveusasmile’, Theyalllaughherollshiseyes, Sameoldjokegetsboringafterawhile, Sameuncomfortablefeelinghehastodisguise.
Whenwalkingthestreetswiththeblackkids, He’slabelledasagangmember Pulledoverbypolice,he’sonablack-list, Asapotentialyoungoffender Whenhe’swiththewhitekidshe’stoken, Oldpeoplecallhimcoloured, Politicalcorrectnessbroken, Yetifhetellsthemto‘doone’,he’ssmothered, Inagenerationalechospoken, Bythesameframeofmindsastheothers, Whoareclosedmindedneveropen, Tofightingthestigmacovered, Inblackliestowardsblacklives; Theysayhe’sgotanattitude, ‘Withthewayhedresses,thewalktherhymes, AlthoughIcan’ttellifhe’sblack,canyou?’
Acoupleofyearswentby, Hedevelopedasenseofself, Proudofhisreflectionhedecides, Tofaceignorancewheneverit’sdealt, Butnotallpeopleareignorant, Notallpeopleignoredhim, Notallpeoplequestionedhispigment, Somepeoplesupporthim, Eveniftheynicknamedhimliquorice; Hemaynotbeeveryhuman’staste, Hestandsuptothedistastefulracists, Challenges,theirhate Whentheysay‘he’swhitewithrubberlips’, Hesays,‘noI’mmixedrace, Andbetweenmeandyouthere’sonedifference, Yournarrowmindmayneverescape, Yourfearofsomethingthat’sdifferent, Blindedbythelast3letters,escape, Miseducated,yetyoukeeplistening, Togenerationsofopinions,younevermade, WhileIshineinthelight,glistening, Ensuringnohatewillstopmefrombeinggreat, Allofyou;others,keeponwhispering, Istillcan’tseemtoworkouthisskinshade’
DukeAlDurham
Duringthepandemic,theinternetwasfilledwithconversationsaboutrace IwasdrawnintoaFacebookpostthathad over13,000commentsaboutthecomplexionofmyskin MyfatherisAfricanAmerican,andhepostedapictureofme andmybrotherswiththecaption"SoproudofmyBlackchildren"Theinternetwentwild,withonepersonresponding bysayingIwasnotBlackbecauseIamsolight-skinned However,thousandsofdarker-skinnedpeoplerespondedto thisindividualbyuploadingpicturesoftheirchildrenwhowereofalightercomplexionbutstillclaimedthattheir childrenwereBlack
IunderstandthatintheUSA,thingsareverydifferent The"onedroprule,"aprincipleinwhichracialcategorizationwas coinedduringtheearly20thcentury meantthatifapersonhadaparentofBlackancestry theywouldbeclassified asBlack Iguessthiswasaformofrejection,seenaspollutingWhiteness
Asayouth,Istruggledwithmyidentity,beingcalledtheN-wordandtheP-wordquiteoften Nowadays,Iamconfident inclaimingmymixedheritageandallitsbeautifulparts Iidentifyasahumanbeingwitharichtapestryofmigration andadaptation ButifIwereforcedtochoose,ifwetotallysplitintotwogroups,IwouldsayIamBlackbecausemy DNAresultsidentifiedthatIhavefromthe1700stodate,sevendifferentAfricancountriesinmyblood,soIguessI havemorethanonedrop!ButIdoagreewithDuke,inthatthequickerweseeeachotherforourqualities,thebetter Butwecannotdiscountthepainandsufferingofpeoplewithdarkerskins,wemustchangethenarrativeandgetbusy fillingspacesandcreatingequity,displayingexcellenceanddispellingmyths
XcellencemagazinecaughtupwithDuke,apoet,writer,andspokenwordartist,tofindoutwhathis poem"Liquorish"isallabout Thetopicaroundcolourismisdefinitelyupforconversation
ThepoemLiquoriceisbasedonmypersonal experiencebeingmixedrace,WhiteWelsh/Jamaican I wantedtocreateapiecethattriedtoexplainthelived experiencethatsomemixed-racepeoplegothrough I amapoetandspokenwordartist,soformethisisthe bestwaytoexpressmyself,throughwords Iwantedto createapiecethatwasthoughtprovokingand relatable Liquoriceisaboutacceptance,sometimes, notbeingacceptedaseitherBlackorWhite,asthough youaresomehowinthemiddle,buthavingnegative experiencesthatoftenleantowardstheBlacksideof myheritage Sincewelivewithinamatrixmadeupof socialconstructs whereeverythingisveryBlackorvery White,itisasthoughwemustchooseonesideorthe other,butbothsidesdonotclaimus Inmyexperience Ihavebeenavictimofmainlyblindracismand colourism Althoughblindracismwithinthepoemisnot maliciousinintent,itisusedintheformofbanterto exploreignorance,whichIfeelisoverlooked,sowanted toshinealightontheissue Ihopethroughmywords peoplecangaugeanunderstandingthatthereare internalstrugglesthatgowithtryingtoidentify asone ortheotherandmyexperiencesbeingrejectedby bothisunacceptable
Ifeelthatthisisatopicthatisworthexploring
Whatdoyouthinkpeoplecandotounderstandthe experiencesofpeopleofmixed-raceheritage?
Peopleneedtoconsiderbothheritageswhen understandingtheexperiencesofmixed-racepeople Theseexperiencescanbebothpositiveandnegative withinsociety Tonotacceptapersonsheritagebecause youthinktheyareofalightercomplexioniswrong Inmy opinion,itgoesdeeperthanskinshade,whatabouthair textureandfeaturesthatdisplayBlackness?Howdowe navigateourwaythroughsociety,withphysicalattributes thatwouldcategoriseusasBlack,butdeniedbecausewe arelightskinned?Thejuxtapositionbeingourfeatures definedasBlackbyWhitepeople?
'My Vision for the future is for us to not see skin tone but character!Whatisyourpoemliquoricebasedon?
BeingofdualheritageformelivinginWales,justmeans beingWelsh AsmuchasIexperiencetheworldasa mixed-raceperson,Istronglybelievethatpeopleshould seenocolour,justourhumanity Consideringfirst,whata personstandsforintheirmorals ethics andvalues Racismisanideologythatistaughtandusedtocontrol thedistributionofwealthanddistortequality However, mythoughtis,ifwestoptalkingaboutraceandmore aboutwhatconnectsus,wecouldgoalongwayto eradicateracism Furthermore,Ireallydisliketheterm, ‘peopleofcolour’IbelieveitonlydividesWhitepeople fromeverybodyelse,itstillfuelsthedivideofthatracism hascreated,alsowhiteisstillacolour!However,Idoalso feelthatitisimportantnottoignoretheinequalitiesthat persist todiscountapersonslivedexperienceisexactly whatLiquoriceisabout ButIhopewegettoapointin time,whereweareallseenandheard,forourhuman essenceandtreatedaccordingly
AsIsaid,Iexpressmyselfthroughwords,whicharealso interchangeable,forinstancethetermcoloured,whichin theUKisatermthatissociallyunacceptable,butitisa termusedfrequentlytocategorisedpeopleinSouth Africa Seehowwordschange dependingonlocation andtime,itisfunnyhowsocietyevolves,searchingfor morepalatableandacceptabletermsofethnic categorisation,buttheonethingthatdoesnotchangeis thefactthatweallwanttobeseenforwhoweare,we allneedtoearnaliving,andhaveourbasicneedsmet, aswellasplayapositiveroleinsociety
Racismwascreatedtodividepeople toscarepeople to enslavepeople toincreasethepowerandwealthof slaveowners,andotherruthless,selfishindividuals Racismstilldividesustothisday,butthecounter argumentagainstracism,isequity,itisfairdistribution,it isunderstandingthattheminoritygroup,whoputits rootsdowninsomanypartsoftheworld,acceptthat theirgreedhascreated,thisBlackandWhitenarrative Ihavethoughtdeeplyabouttherootofallevilwhich wouldhaveledtoracismbeingcreated Ipersonally believeitnottobemoneyandpower,butselfishness andnarcissism Thebrutaldecisiontointentlyhurt anotherpersonforpersonalgain,showsaterrifyinglack ofempathy,andahorrifyingselfishattitude Itis importanttoseethehumanraceasone,yetrecognise ouruniquenessinculture,passions,valuesandgoals, maybethen,wecanworktogetherandseethebeautyin ourculturaldifferencesandlearnfromoneanotherto protectthisplanetweshare
Inmyopinion,racismandcolourismarebranches ofthesametree,whichiswhyweneedtostop talkingaboutcolour Weinsteadneedtocelebrate cultureandloveourindividualheritage which sometimes,maybedualormultiple,butwemust recognisethemaspartofouridentity Culturecan offermoredepthtoaperson,asadescriptionto theirdifferentexperiencesbutweshouldnotbe definedbyskintone Thematrixwehavecreated caninfluenceus,butIhopebyhavingthese conversations,webegintoseethatridiculousidea thathavingthesameskincolourassumesweall believethesame actthesameandthinkthesame Weareindividuals,drawingfromourown uniqueness Itissocietythatpigeonholesusand holdsusbackfromlivingourfullestpersonal expression Ihopewestopconformingtothese absurdideologiesandexperiencelifeaswewere meantto,withoneasone
I have thought deeply about the root of all evil which would have led to racism being created, I personally believe it not to be money and power, but selfishness and narcissism.
Saadiaspeaksisfoundedbychangemakerandmulti awardwinningyoungleaderSaadiaAbubaker Her journeyofyouthleadershipandsocialactionledherto setupasocialenterprisetoempower,upliftandinspire genztocreatebetteropportunitiesforherselfandto achievehergoals MostimportantlySaadiaspeaksstrives tobeanexampleofhowyouhavethepowertocreate yourownnarrativeregardlessofyourbackgroundand previousexperiences
SaadiamovedtoSwanseawithherfamilyfromSudanat theageof2 Shedescribeshowgrowingupinanondiverseenvironmentpresentedafewchallenges From lackofrepresentationtoexperiencingdirectandnondirectracismandislamophobia However sheargues thatthoseexperiencesallowedhertodevelopthe resiliencesheneededtosucceed Whilestudyingat collegeshefacilitatedsportssessionsforBAMEand Muslimgirlsandreceivedtrainingandsupportfromthe YouthSportTrusttocontinuetodevelopherleadership skills
Covid-19wasapivotalmomentthathighlightedthe impactofinequalityanditinspiredSaadiatosetupher platformSaadiaspeaks Itinitiallybeganasapodcast, andSaadiadeliveredonlinemasterclassesand workshopsfororganisationssuchasdigilearningand womenaftergreatness Afterseeingtheimpactandthe positiveresponse/feedbackfromyoungpeople,Saadia improvedtheworkshopstobehostedbothonlineand offlineandorganisedanddeliveredherownworkshop eventsattheUniversityandincitiesacrosstheUK
WithcontinuedsupportfromheruniversitysenterpriseteamandfromcharitiessuchasUnltd Saadiaspeaksisgrowingand expandingtodeliverworkshopsinmoreschools,collegesanduniversities Sheisalsocurrentlyworkingonaguidebookthat willteachyoungpeoplehowtheycancreatetheirownuniqueopportunitiesandusethetoolsandresourcesavailableto themtoachievetheirgoals
SteveKhairehMBEborninBarry,isthesonofaSomalimerchantseamanwhowaslostatsea,whenStevewas just10yearsold RaisedasaMusliminaboardinghouseinButetown,whichhismotherransurroundedbymany differentcultures TheyevenhadamosqueinthebackgardentoaccommodatethefaithoftheSomaliseamen whowouldfrequenttheboardinghouse,whilstdwellingduringtravellingtoCardifftoworkontheships Stevehas foundmemoriesofgrowingupinButetownbutrememberssomehostilitytowardsinter-racialrelationships Steverecalls,hismotherawhitewoman,wasdisownedbyherfamilybecauseofhermarriagetoaSomali immigrant
WhatisfascinatingaboutSteve’sstory isthathismothersfirsthusbandwasAbbyFarrah knownasthefatherof SomaliLand Hewasalsothefoundersofoneoftheveryfirstracerelationorganisationsknownbackthenasthe ‘colouredsocietyinBarry,whichwasveryprogressiveforthetime Abbydidgreatthingsforhumanityand receivedanMBEfromKingGeorgeVI
AbbyFarrah'seldestson,AbdulrahimAbby Farrah,isoneofthemostfamousWelshSomali menofalltime.HetooborninBarry,becamethe deputyundersecretaryseniorforUnitedNations, leadingthe1990UNmissionthatoversawthe dismantlingofSouthAfrica.Heworkedalongside KofiAnnan,whowasunabletonegotiatepeace talksinthemiddleeast,soAbdulrahim,wouldbe sentintoconductaffairsashisdeputy.
Abdulrahim,isanunsungheroofWalesand regardedasthesecondmostpowerfulmanin theworld,duringhistime Healsoreceivedan MBEfromtheQueen.
AbbyFarrah's,middlesonAbdulrahmanwasalso givenaMBEbytheQueen.
Youcanfindoutmoreaboutthisextraordinary familybyvisiting: www.nation.cymru.com
ThelegacyofMBE’scanbeseenthroughout thefamilyasStevealsoreceivedanMBEfrom theQueen,inhonourofhisworkasa communityeducationyouthworkeraswellas hiscontributioninsportandmusicprojects Stevehelpstorun,HornDevelopment AssociationHDA,whichworkstosupportthe integrationofSomalimigrantsinthecapital
Steve Khaireh MBEInthemid-19thcentury amajortechnicaltransformation tookplaceintheworld’smerchantshippingindustry Most freightshipswerenolongerpoweredbysails,butby steamfromcoal-firedengines Atthistime theDurham andSouthWalescoalfieldswereamongthemost productiveinBritain,andtheirproximitytomajorportslike CardiffandSouthShieldsgavetheseplacesaparticular strategicadvantageintheworldofcommercialshipping Butthetransitionfromsailtosteamvesselscreatedwork thatwashot dirtyandtiring andthisformofoccupation wasincreasinglyrejectedbyBritishlabourers New recruitsonthesetradingshipswerethereforedrawnfrom colonialterritorieswithstrongmerchantshipping traditions,suchascoastalIndia,Yemen,andSomalia Theywereemployedprimarilyasfiremenandstokerson vesselsmovingbetweenBritainandthefarEast(Aithie 2005;El-Solh1993;Lawless1995) IncitiessuchasCardiff, boardinghouseswereestablishedtoaccommodatethis transientcommunityofseafarersdrawnfrommany differentreligiousandethnicorigins
Havingcompletedtheirpassageononeship theywould resideinboardinghousesindocklandareasuntilnew employmentcouldbefoundonanout-boundvessel By 1881therewereenoughtransitoryseafarersinCardiffto warranttheestablishmentofaso-called“Homefor ColouredSeamen”intheButetowndistrictofthecity (Ansari2004) Anincreasingnumberofboardinghouses ownedandmanagedbyMuslims,mostlyYemenisfrom theShamiritribe,providedaphysical,social,religiousand economicbasefortheseseafarers andprovidedthe foundationsforthelateremergenceofmoreestablished religiousfacilitiesandassociations Thediversityofthe BritishEmpirewasreflectedinmicrocosminmostmajor Britishmaritimeports,includingCardiff Besidesthe YemeniandSomaliseafarers,therewerePathans, PunjabisandMirpuriswhohadbeenrecruitedinBombay, whileBengalisfromtheSylhetregionwererecruitedin Calcutta Theavailabilityofworkersfortheshipsvaried accordingtothevibrancyoftheagriculturalindustryat thetime,sincemostrecruitswerepeasantfarmers
IncreasingnumberofMuslimstoBritain,asthevolumeof tradingbetweenBritainandAsiancountriesexpanded This haddirectconsequencesforcitiessuchasCardiff,withthe resultthatbytheendofthe19thcenturyWelshOffice recordssuggestapopulationof5,000Arabseameninthe city(Aithie2005) Despitethesizeandhistorical significanceofearly(iftransient)Muslimsettlementin Cardiff relativelylittleresearchhasbeenconductedabout thereligiouslivesofMuslimsinthecity
Thepaucityofevidenceisalsocompoundedbyan emphasisonrace,employment,andlabourrelationsinthe researchthatdoesexist MuslimsinCardiffarediscussed throughtheseparticularanalyticalframes andtheir religiousactivitiesareoftenonlymentionedincidentallyin accountswhichotherwisetendtofocusupontheir migrationorsocio-economicconditions especiallyinthe 20thcentury Inmanywaysthisisnotsurprising Afterall, Muslimsettlementinthecityhasbeendirectlyrelatedto economicsintermsofmaritimetrade andthedemandfor additionallabourduringtimeofwar Thecombinationofa lackofin-depthresearchaboutMuslimsinthecity (Chambers2006)createdtherationaleforan18-month researchprojecttodocumentaspectsoftheearlyhistory andsettlementofMuslimsinCardiff,givingparticular prominencetotheirdevelopmentofreligiousassociations andthemaintenanceofritesandrituals Althoughthefirst authorofthispaper(Gilliat-Ray)hadbeencollectingdata onthisforsomeyearspreviously thestudybeganproperly whenDrJodyMellortookupthepostofresearchassistant inJuly20081Overaneighteen-monthperiod,interviews havebeentakingplacewithMuslimelderswhohavebeen livingandworkinginthecityforatleasttwogenerations Someofthesehavebeenvideo-recorded
Welsh): Muslims in Cardiff, South Wales: past, present and future.
In cities such as Cardiff, boarding houses were established to accommodate this transient community of seafarers drawn from many different religious and ethnic origins.
TheresourcesoftheButetownHistoryandArtsCentrehave beenexamined,alongsidephotographicandother documentaryevidence Collaborationwiththe“Four GenerationsProject”(2009–2010)ledbytheSomali IntegrationSociety(SIS)inCardiffhasalsoaddedtothe researchbase WhilsttherehavebeenstudiesofYemenis andArabssettlinginCardiff,thestoryofSomalisettlementis virtuallyunrecorded,andtheSISprojectwillrepresentan importantadditiontotheliterature Ourcurrentresearch buildsuponanumberofwell-knownstudiesofraceand ethnicityinCardiff(andotherportcities)
TheseincludeKennethLittle’ssurveyofLoudonSquare (Cardiff)inhisbookaboutracerelationsinBritaininthe 1940s(Little1948) ThisissupplementedbyFredHalliday’s workonYemenisinBritainwhichincludessubstantial documentationonportcities(Halliday1992),andRichard LawlesssstudyofYemenisinSouthShields,whowere connectedtoYemenisinCardiffviakinshipandotherties (Lawless1994;Lawless1995)
LocalhistoricalstudiesoflaborrelationsinWales,and especiallyworkbyNeilEvans(Evans1985)andMarika Sherwood(Sherwood1988)alsoprovideusefulinsights,and thesearesetinthewiderhistoricalcontextofMuslim settlementinBritainviaworkbyHumayunAnsari(Ansari 2004)artfordSeminary 453Thispaperwilldemonstratethat throughouttheirsettlementinthecity thefortunesofMuslims andtheirscopeforexercisingreligiousagencyandautonomy havebeenaffectedbywidersocial,politicalandeconomic factors Thishasbeenmostevidentintheirrelationswithlocal authoritiesandcivicofficials Therehavebeenhighlyvariable responsestoMuslimpresenceandsettlement,fromactive supportandengagementwithMuslims(forexample,during theFirstandSecondWorldWar),tooutrightracismand moraloutrageattheprospectofmixed-faithandmixedracemarriages Inotherwords theplacethatMuslimshave occupiedontheboundarybetweeninclusion/recognitionand exclusion/marginalizationhasbeenstronglyconditionedby local,national,andinternationalpolitics
Secondly itisclearthatthesewiderexternalpoliticshaveoftengoneontoshapeintra-Muslimrelationsand negotiations,andthishasbeenmostevidentinthe“biography”ofthefirstmosqueinWales,establishedin Cardiffin1936 Bychartingthechanginglocation,ownership,predominantethnicity,religious“schoolofthought”, andvariousarchitecturalmanifestationsofasinglemosque,itbecomesclearhowbuildingsaredirect expressionsofothersocialandpoliticalinterests(Gilliat-Ray2010b) Thirdly,thispaperexaminessomeofthe changingfortunesofwomeninCardiff especiallywhiteWelshMuslimconverts andarguesthattheyhave oftenbeenatthesharpandcontestedinterfacebetweenmaleMuslimseafarersandwiderlocalcommunities
Extractofthebookentitled:
Biladal-Welsh(LandoftheWelsh):Muslimsin
Cardiff,SouthWales:past,presentandfuturemuwo 1331452
Writtenby:
Seetheprojectwebsiteat:http://wwwcardiffacuk/relig/research/researchcentres/csi/ centre-for-the-study-of-islam-in-the-ukhtml
secondly, it is clear that these wider external politics have often gone on to shape intraMuslim relations and negotiations, and this has been most evident in the “biography” of the first mosque in Wales, established in Cardiff in 1936.
MuslimsareasignificantconsumergroupintheUK, contributingtowhatiscommonlyreferredtoasthe MuslimPound TheMuslimpopulationintheUKis estimatedtobeover3million,andthisdemographic hasbeenidentifiedasakeymarketbymany businesses In2018,theMuslimconsumermarketinthe UKwasvaluedat£21billionandisprojectedtogrowto over£26billionby2023
Oneofthekeyfactorsdrivingthisgrowthistheriseof MuslimentrepreneurshipintheUK In recentyears therehasbeenasignificantincreasein thenumberofMuslim-ownedbusinesses,whichare estimatedtocontributeover£31billiontotheUK economy Thesebusinessesarenotonlycontributing tothewidereconomybutarealsomeetingthe specificneedsofMuslimconsumers
MuslimsintheUKspendonarangeofproductsand services,fromHalalfoodandmodestfashiontotravel andfinance Halalfoodisaparticularlyimportant market,withMuslimconsumersspendingan estimated£13billiononHalalfoodanddrinkeach year TheHalalfoodmarketisnotonlycateringto Muslimconsumersbutisalsoattractingnon-Muslim consumerswhoareinterestedintheethicaland healthyaspectsofHalalfood
InWales,theMuslimpoundisalsohavinganimpact
AlthoughtheMuslimpopulationinWalesissmaller thaninotherpartsoftheUK,itisstillasignificant demographic TheWelshGovernmenthasrecognised thepotentialoftheMuslimmarketandhaslaunched initiativestosupportMuslim-ownedbusinesses For example,theWelshGovernment'sBusinessWales serviceprovidessupportforentrepreneursandsmall businesses,includingthoseownedbyMuslims
Atthebeginningof2023,NowInAMinute Media;anindependentmediaplatform centringWelshMuslimvoices,broughttogether apanelofWelshMuslimentrepreneursin Cardifftosharetheirjourneysonnavigatingthe worldofentrepreneurship Asafaith-conscious platform,theeventtitled‘#IntentionOfHustle’ focusedonthecorevalueofniyyah(intention) intheIslamicfaith.
Muslimconsumers spendingan estimated£1.3billion onHalalfoodand drinkeachyear.
Thespeakersrelatedtheirexperiencesoftheindustrynot havingasignificantsupportsystemandfunding opportunitiesfortheirstart-ups Oneofthemain challengesfacingMuslim-ownedbusinessesisaccessto finance Thereisaperceptionthatbanksarenotalways willingtolendtoMuslim-ownedbusinesses,andthiscan beabarriertogrowth Theconceptofintentionandthe renewalofintention,inensuringeverypractiseoftheir businessremainsinlinewiththeirfaith,wasalsorelated asakeyfactorinthelifeofaMuslimentrepreneur.The ultimatebalanceofthehustleforsuccessfultradeand thehustleforsuccessintheeyesofGod
Toaddressthisissue,therearenowseveralIslamic financeinstitutionsintheUKthatarespecifically designedtomeettheneedsofMuslim-owned businesses TheseinstitutionsofferShariah-compliant finance,whichmeansthatthefinanceproductsare designedtobeinlinewithIslamicprinciples,suchas opportunitiestotakeinterest-freeloans Thisisan importantdevelopmentthatishelpingtobridgethegap betweentraditionalfinanceandtheneedsofMuslim entrepreneurs
entrepreneurshipisplayinganincreasinglyimportantroleinthewidereconomy Whilethereare stillchallengestobeaddressed,thepotentialoftheMuslimmarketissignificant,anditis importantthatbusinessesandpolicymakersworktogethertosupportthisvitaldemographic By doingso,wecanensurethattheMuslimcommunityisfullyrepresentedandsupportedintheUK economy,andthatthebenefitsoftheMuslimPoundarefeltbyeveryone
ShirazMohamed,isacoffeeshopownerwithapassionforblending,not justcoffee,butpeople
Drivenbyapassionforcoffee,sincediscoveringthemultiplebenefitsof notjustcoffeebutwhatacoffeeshopspacecanoffer,enlightenedhim tovisitmanyinandaroundEnglandwherehenoticedadistinct differenceoftheindependentcoffeeshopowners NowShirazismaking hisdreamscometruebyrunninghisowncoffeeshopbusiness Backin October2021 BlendwasbrewedandreadytotaketheWelshcoffee industryinanewdirection Hisintentionwastocreateaspaceinthe heartofGrangetownthatattractedpeoplefromallwalksoflife,often separatedbyraceandclass
IaskedShiraz,whyhefelttheneedforsuchauniqueperspective?Hereplied,“withinthecoffeespecialityindustryI didntreallyseemanypeoplefromdiversebackgroundsowningthem,soIdecidedtostartmyown,beingfroma Welsh,Pakistanibackground,couldopendoorstonewcoffeeenthusiasts” Shirazfeelsveryfortunateinthathewas offeredanopportunitytolearntheropes,withmultiplecoffeeshopowner,IanBroody,whoofferedShiraz,ajobat BrodiescoffeeshopinGorseddgardens,oppositetheNationalMuseumofWales ShirazbelievesthatIan’s backgroundoflivinginLuton whichhasahighdiversecommunity mayhavebeenthereasonwhyhewantedto givehimachance,ashesaidheappliedformanyjobsinWalesandwasalwaysknockedback ShirazhasdreamsofexpandingintootherareasofCardiff, butwantstofocuson‘gentrified areas,becausehewants toprovideopportunitiesforyoungpeopleanduselocal peopletoprovideproducts suchasthelusharrayof deliciouscakeshehasonsale Hebelievesoffering opportunitiestogainexperience,willchangethelookof independentcoffeeshopownersofthefuture
SomeofthechallengesShirazhasfacedsofararenormal businessissues,suchasconcernsaroundrentincreases andhavingaregularcashflow,topre-orderstock Buthis ambitiontoownhisownwhitelabelissomethingthathe wouldliketoexplore,oncehissecondshopisopen Before that Shirazplanstointroducefilteroptionsandhasread extensivelytoexpandhisknowledge
IlovedShiraz’sanswertohowheovercomeschallenges
Hesaidthathebelieveseverythinghappensforareason, puttinghisfaithinAllahandseekshelpthroughpatience andpray
Hisphilosophy,isthatwhenobstaclesoccur,Allahistrying toteachussomething Ifeelthathavingfaith,is fundamentaltohavingasolidbedrock,notjustforthe ordinarytrailsoflife butcanalsohelpwhilstembarkingon abusinessventure
IaskedShiraz, ifyouwon£50,000whatwouldyoudowithit?
Hetooknotimeissayinghewouldhelppeople,particularlyvictimsof thecurrentearthquakesituationinTurkeyandSyria,whereover30,000 peoplehavelosttheirlives,homesandhope Healsosaidhewould helppeoplewithinhislocalcommunity Shiraz,saidiftherewas anythingleft hewouldinvestitinopeningBlendmark2
104ClareRoadGrangetown
CardiffCF116RT
ItwaslovelytospeakwithShiraz atBEXcellence welovetosupport spotlightandpromote,newstart-ups,andBlendwasonewereally wantedtoshoutabout So,ifyouareintheGrangetownarea,or passingthrough,stopbyBlendandgrabyourselfaflatwhiteanda sliceofcake,Iamsureyouwillblendin!
If you are passing, pop into BLENDShirazMohamed
CoLabWorkSpaces,isthebestenvironmentto startacharity,non-profitorganisation or commercialbusiness Webelievecollaborationis key,toproducingideasforsustainablesocial solutions
CoLabisapurpose-drivenenvironment,that offerssocialentrepreneursandcorporate businesseswithsocialvalues,thespacetopayit forward,inexpertise,networksandskills,working towardsamutualsocialmission
DAMEConsultancyandPropertyIndex, wouldliketointroduceyoutothe: CoLabWorkSpaces.
Collaborationisanessentialcomponentofacommunityinterestcompany(CIC)asitcanleadtonumerous benefitsfortheorganizationandthewidercommunity HerearesomeofthebenefitsofcollaborationinaCIC:
1 Increasedresources:CollaborationallowsCICstopooltheirresourcesandknowledge whichcanhelpthem achievetheirobjectivesmoreeffectively Thiscanincludesharingequipment staff funding andexpertise
2 Greaterimpact:CollaborationenablesCICstoworktogethertowardsacommongoal,whichcanhavea greaterimpactonthecommunity Bycombiningtheirefforts,theycanachievemoresignificantoutcomes thaniftheyworkedalone
3 Improvedinnovation:CollaborationcanleadtoincreasedinnovationasCICscanshareideasandexpertise Thiscanhelpthemdevelopnewapproachestosolvingproblems,improvingservices,andcreatingnew products
4 Enhancedreputation:CollaboratingwithotherorganizationscanenhancethereputationofaCIC Working withrespectedandwell-establishedorganizationscanincreasethecredibilityoftheCIC,anddemonstrate theircommitmenttoachievingtheirmission
5 Increasednetworkingopportunities:CollaborationcanhelpCICsbuildrelationshipswithotherorganizations andindividualsintheirfield Thiscanprovideopportunitiesfornewpartnerships,jointventures,and collaborationsinthefuture
6 Improvedsustainability:CollaborationcanleadtoincreasedsustainabilityforCICs Byworkingtogether they canshareresourcesandexpertise,whichcanreducecostsandincreaseefficiency
Overall,collaborationisessentialforthesuccessofacommunityinterestcompany Byworkingtogether,CICs canachievetheirgoalsmoreeffectively,haveagreaterimpactontheircommunity,andimprovetheir sustainabilityoverthelongterm
Where
LocatedintheheartofCardiffBay,CoLaboccupies
2,41768sqftinCambrianHouse Providingavariety ofworkstations,suitableforeverystageofyour businessjourney
Ourflexibletermsaredesignedtosupportnewstartups andtheirambitiousideas aswellasoffera permanenthomeformoreestablishedbusinesses
Situatedjusta4-minutewalkfromthenearest trainstation,andbusstopsourmodernandfully equippedpremisesareeasilyaccessibleviathe citycentre CoLab,istheperfectplace,towork, restandplay,beingjustastone'sthrowfromthe Bay'svastselectionofrestaurants,barsandof coursetheiconWalesMillenniumCentre
Competition is for dummies, Collaboration is the key to success!
WheredidtheinspirationforBossandBrewcomefrom?
BossandBrewdevelopedfrommydesiretogetintothecoffee industry Istartedobsessingovercoffeeafewyearsago Ijustwantedto learneverything,fromthetypeofbeanstotheenduser Iwasteachingmathsatahighschoolandlovedseeingthe youngpeoplethriveandgrow soIwasnotreadytoleave butstill researchedandexploredeverythingIcouldaboutcoffee Myfirst coffeecartwashandmademymyselfandmyuncle Isavedup everypennyIcouldtopurchasemyfirstcoffeemachineand beganpursuingopportunities Iplannedtodoweddingsand events,althoughmyfirsteventwasduringInternationalWomen’s Day2020 butthenwewentintolockdown So Ipivotedand begandeliveringcoffeetopeopleshomesandIreallyenjoyed that However,lockdowngavemetheopportunitytolearnmore aboutgettingintothecoffeeindustry
Howdidyoubegintoincorporateopportunitiesforyoungpeopleintoyourbusinessmodel?
Afterlockdown,Ibegantoseethattheschoolsystemfailedtoaccommodateallchildrenandfelttheurgeto offeropportunitiesforyoungpeopletolearnnewskillsandbuildconfidence,sodecidedtocombinemy passionforcoffee,youngpeopleandeducation Soarmedwithmyskillsinteaching,beingabletomakegreat coffeeandtheabilitytoengageyoungpeople,Irealisedthattherewasagapinthesocialenterprisespaceto createsomethingfromscratch
IlaunchedBossandBrew,insummer2021,OriginallyunderthenameBoleynBarista.First,Ilaunchedapilotby speakingwithsomecommunityorganisersintheGrangetownarea,theyallowedmetousetheGrange Pavilionandthefirstsessionwasverysuccessful
InitiallyIidentifiedtheyoungpeopleusingmyownnetworks,andthroughpeoplelikeAliAbdiwhohasaccess tomanyyoungpeople Afterthefirstpilot,wehadsixyoungpeoplegointoemploymentafterthefirstsession WehelpedthemcreateaCVanddidsomeinterviewingtechniqueswiththem Asabrand,weweretryingto buildourownnetworkswithpeopleinthecoffeeindustry,soIwasabletoshareemploymentvacancies The pilotgavemetheconfidencetorealisethatthebusinessmodelworks Itwassuchausefullearningcurve,as ithasallowedustodevelopfurthertraining,suchashistoryandoriginofcoffee,asIthinkitisimportantto understandthecirculareconomyofwherewegetourfoodandotherthingsfrom,inordertoacknowledge whoisinvolvedinthewholeprocess
Wehearalotaboutsustainabilityandthecirculareconomy,butwhyisthisinformationimportantin business?
Ibelieveinsupportingsmallbusinesses,whetheritissomeonelocalorthefarmersinKenya,thereisalarge networkinvolvedinwhatwegetonourshelvesandyoungpeopleneedtounderstandthechaininvolvedas wellastheimpactontheenvironment Theyarethefuturegenerationsandlearningmoreaboutthesesthings inreallife,notjustintheclassroom,willencouragethentoplayanactivepartinsupportingthecircular economygrowth Understandingmoreaboutthehistoryandoriginsofcoffee,willalsohelpyoungpeopleto haveagreaterappreciationofthelabourersthathelptogrow,harvest,processandroastthecoffee Asa Barista,itisyourresponsibilitytoensuretheendresultissuccessfulandcompletethecircletothecustomer, soIthinkitgivesthebaristaagreateracknowledgementofthehardworkthathasgoneintoproducinga greatcoffee Thecoffeeindustryhasbecomeaculture,peopleconnectovercoffees,businessdealsare createdandbrokenovercoffee Althoughcoffeeshopshaveexplodedinthelast15yearsintheUK,theyhave plateauedsince2020,sodoingnewthingslikethisisimportanttokeepthecoffeeindustrythriving.Wehave tothinkaboutwhereourcoffeecomesfrom,smallfamilyrunbusinessesrelyontheincome,soinsomesmall waywearesupportingcommunitiesinothercountries
'Young people need to understand the chain involved, as well as the impact on the environment'.
Wedosomuchresearchthatwecantellyoutheorigin,thenameofthefarm,eventhefamilynameofthe suppliers Ialwayssaycoffeeisaboutpeople inreality itisjustadrinkbut ifwelookdeeper therearefamilieswho relyontheincome Ireadthat50%ofcoffeefarmersliveinpoverty,butothersarehighgradecoffeesupplierswho havemadeafortune,mainlyduetosellinginlargequalitiesandhavingthemachineryandcapabilitiesdolarge dealswithmanufacturers ButIlovethesmallfarmers,eveniftheendpriceisalittlemoreexpensiveas,ultimately,it isaboutequity
Theotheraspectsofthetrainingweofferarethepracticalskillsandtheory,suchasbrewing,steaming,servingand espressoextraction,whichisascience,butitisalsoafunpartofthetraining,becausethat’swheretheygettotaste theirwork Weoftenhavealotoffunnyfacialexpressionsduringthispartbecauseifitisdonewrong,itcaneven turnoutverysweetorverybitter Alotofthestudentsenjoylearningthelatteart whichisaskill Therearesuch thingsaslatteartcompetitions andwehadthepleasureofhostingthefirstoneinWales backinFebruary
Howmanyyoungpeoplehaveyoutrained sofar?
AsofthebeginningofMarch wehavetrained over100youngpeople Weofferskills,that theycoulduseiftheydecidedtogoto universityasalotofstudentstendtoworkin coffeeshops Butnotonlythat,peoplejoinfor variousreasons,togainnewskills,build confidence,meetnewpeopleorbecause theyarecoffeelovers Ultimately,ifayoung persongoesintothecoffeeindustrythat’s great butthatisnotthegoal
Lefttoright:CommunityOrganiser,AliAbdiwithstudentsofBoss andBrewAcademyalongside,SianRopaigéalachWMC,Diversity andInclusionOfficer Howlongdoesthetraininglast?
Werunatwo-daytrainingworkshopandanadditionaldaywheretheycaninvitefriendsandfamilytocomealong andtastealltheirhardwork Sofar,wehaveworkedwithCardiffCouncil,IntoWorkservice,CardiffYouthService, EOTAS,andallthegroupsarealwayssomuchfun Thereissomuchtalentandengagementfromtheyoung people,thatcansometimesgetoverlooked Wealsoofferafourdaycourse,coveringfoodhygieneaswellasthe baristatraining Eventuallywewanttorolloutour8-weekcourse,whichwillallowustobuildasustainablerapport withtheyoungpeopleandbeabletomeettheirneedasindividuals,helpingthemtoup-skill Wehavealotof plansmovingforward,suchas,aco-workingspaceandtheBossandBrewhangout Welovewhatwedoandenjoyseeingtheyoungpeopleweworkwith,havingacoffeeinonehandandconfidence intheother
CoffeeFacts:
AccordingtoareportbytheBritishCoffeeAssociationin2021 thecoffeeindus r 210,000people HerearesomeadditionalstatsonthecoffeeindustryintheUK
Consumption:
Over95millioncupsofcoffeeareconsumedeverydayintheUK CoffeeisthemostpopulardrinkintheUKaftertapwater
81%ofUKadultsdrinkcoffee,with62%ofthosedrinkingiteveryday OutofHome(OOH)CoffeeMarket:
TheOOHcoffeemarketintheUKisworth£89billionandisexpectedtogro Thereareover25,000coffeeshopsandcafesintheUK,witharound1,000n TheaveragepriceofacupofcoffeeinaUKcoffeeshopis£244 CostaCoffeeandStarbucksarethetwolargestcoffeechainsintheUK,wit
RetailCoffeeMarket:
TheretailcoffeemarketintheUKisworth£12billionandisexpectedtogrowb Groundcoffeeisthemostpopulartypeofcoffeesoldintheretailmarket acco Instantcoffeeisthesecondmostpopulartype,accountingfor37%ofsales ThetopthreeretailcoffeebrandsintheUKbymarketshareareNescafe,Douw
A worlds' first, from Wales
KamalAli,fromNewportSouthWales,hasinvestedinthe firstinteractiveprayermatforchildrenoftheMuslim faith HowwonderfulthatKamalhasusedhisteaching backgroundandskillinproductdesign,tocreate somethinglife-changingandthebestparthe’sfrom Wales!Xcellencemagazinejusthadtocatchupwiththis phenomenalentrepreneurandlearnallabouthisjourney intobecomingapatentedinventorandall-around beautifulsoul.
WheredidtheinspirationforMySalahMatcomefrom?
Iwasprayingandmysonwastryingtogetintothe prostrationposition Irealisedthatheneededsomehelp, soIstartedthinkingofwaystohelpmakehisprayerlife fun,easyandinteractive Isearchedonlineandwas surprised thattherewasnothingoutthere butIknew whatIwaslookingfor,ithadtobesomethingthatwould giveclearinstructionsbutsuitableforchildren,making payerfun Ihaveadesignbackgroundsostartedtothink ofideas Thereweretwophasesinthedevelopment, initiallyIthoughtofaprintedmat,detailinginstructions,so hadasamplemade Whenitarrived,Iexploredfurther andrealisedthattheideahadscopetoadaptinteractive elementstoit,soIstartedphase2oftheprocess,and beganusingmyknowledgetolookforwaysforthemat tobecometouchsensitiveandmakesounds
HowwouldparentsteachtheirchildrentopraybeforeMy SalahMat?
Normally,childrenwouldlearntopraythroughmimicking theirparentsorgotoateacher Asdevelopmentevolved,I realisedthatchildrenneededalearningtool Asateacher, Iknowthatchildrenlearndifferentlyandtoddlerslearn throughplay soknewthatthemathadtobefun Equally thefunelementswereimportanttomebecauseIwant childrentoenjoyprayerandSalahandhaveapositive interactionwithprayerthatwouldenhancetheirspiritual lifeandconnectwiththefirstpillarofIslam,settingafirm foundationforlife
Whathasbeentheresponsesofar?
Theresponsehasbeenphenomenal,wehaveparents thankingusallthetime andaskingformoreproducts
As a product design teacher, my dream was to secure a patent... and I have done it!
www mysalahmat comKamalAli My Salah Mat
BeforeMySalahMat,Icreatedanotherbusinesscalled, Hadjasafe,whichwasabrandthatprovidedtravel productsforpeoplewhoweretravellingforpilgrimage As aresultofHadja,Ibuiltupsoundknowledgeinmarketing andmanufacturingandhavemadealotofcontacts I wasfortunateenoughtouseprivatecapitalasastartup investmentforMySalahMat,Iwasconfidentthatitwould work,soasafamilywedecidedtogoforit Forus,yesthe moneyisimportant,butitisalotmorethanthatforus Webelievewehavecreatedaproductthatishelping futuregenerations,connectwithAllah,whowebelievethe rewards,whendonewithgoodintentions,comefrom Asanewstartupintheexportindustry,wegainedsupport fromBusinessinWales WelshGovernmentarekeento increaseexportfromWales sotheywereveryhelpfulin providingadviceandinformationonhowtoscaleupand sustainanexportcompany Wereceived50%costsfrom theWelshgovernmenttoexplorepotentialcountriesto exportto Thefundscoveredcosts,suchastraveland exhibitionexpenses WecurrentlysellMySalahMatin40 differentcountries
Thebarriers,wehavefacedarebigcompanies,requiring theproductupfrontwithoutpaying Ifeelthatthatmodel killscreativityandmomentum
Whatdoyouthinkisthemaincomponenttocreatinga brand?
Iwouldsaythatyoumustbepreparedtodoeverythingin thebeginning Asanentrepreneuritisnotjustaboutme,I amfortunatetohavesupportfrommyfamily,Ihavebeen abletoutilisevariousskillsfromfamilymembers Ihave niecesandnephewsworkinginthebusiness whilst studying,mychildrenarefeaturedinourmarketingand otherfamilymembersareinvolved So,Iwouldsaythat beingpreparedtodoeverythinginthebeginningand thendelegatingwithpeopleyoutrust However,our networkisbiggerthanthat,wewouldnotbesuccessful withouteverycomponentrunninglikeclockwork,fromthe postofficestafftothedeliverycompaniesweuse,we don’tseethemaspartoftheinfrastructure butapartof ourbrand Equallyitisimportanttohavegoodnetworks, butultimatelykindnessandhonestyarethebiggestand mostimportantcharacteristicstohave,becausepeople buyintoyoubeforetheproduct
Therearesomegreatbusinessideascomingoutof Wales,howdoesitfeelbeinganinventor?
Islamhasbeenaroundfor14000yearsandnobody hascreatedanythingsimilar Indonesiahasthelargest Muslimpopulation;SaudiaArabiaistheheartofthe holiestsightsinIslam yetthefirsteverinteractive prayermatwascreatedinNewport Ifinditsohardto believethatnobodyhaseverthoughtofitbefore But,I guess itisgoodtobethefirst Weweregranteda patent,whichcomingfromaproductdesign background,wasoneofthepersonalgoalsIhad,andI amsopleasedthatIcanlookbackonmylifeand knowthatIachievedmygoal Whatissoimportantis thatpeoplearenotjustpurchasinganoriginal product buttheyareinvestinginthecompanyto enableustodevelopotherinteractiveproducts, mainlyfaithproducts,butnotexclusive,asweare alwayscreatingandmindfulthatwearelivingina multiculturalandmultifaithworld,sowearelookingat otherideas
Whatdoyouthinkisthehallmarksofatrueentrepreneur?
My saying is the best entrepreneurs are those who build bridges, money is important, but being an entrepreneur is about creating products and services, that enhance the life and wellbeing of people, so that they can live full and impactful lives.
We have some re-sellers who can make an income also, so our product builds bridges in so many ways.
My Salah Mat, was a product finalist in the 2022 Global Business Awards
Didgenocidetoclearus, Devastateandfearus, Canimpersonateandjeerus, Butforsomereasoncan’thearus
Ithink
Ourshoutislikeasqueaktothem, Maybeitscuztheyreupsohigh gottaclimbuptheretospeaktothem, butitsexpensive,howmuch? you’dhavetoselloutyourownkind, Wetrytoarticulateourproblems,speechleavesourmouthfine, Buttheydon’tlistenyetwe’retheoneswithoutsoundmind? Ifinditkindacrazy,theycansittherelikegiants, andtreatuslikewe’redevices,inaclickturnusonsilence soweformalliance,attempttotriumph,theyhatethefactwere non-compliant, sotheyusetheirpower andpaintourdefiancelikeit’sviolence tokeepeveryonesafeandsound, butwe’renotsafearoundnodoubt andyourejectoursound,without thedecencyofsendingafarewellfortheway butourcommunicationsnotabrasivesooursoundstillwaves
whatarewetrynasay?
telltheunheardstoriesandhistorythatyourerasing, tellyouourwantsandneedsinthis“diverse”nation, wewantourbrothersfreedfromtheshacklesofyour traumatisation, andaskforequity,nomarginalisation, thatmustbetoomuchtoaskthough,becauseyoustillneglect, andwe’releftwonder,whenwescreamdoesoursoundeffect, youreardrums, orareyoujustnumb, doyourearsevenwork?
despitewhatwe’vedoneforthiscountry, youdon’tseeourworth orfeelourhurt, orhearus
sonowI’mshoutingmorethanever,don’tcareifIcausea ruckus, gonhavetopayforthetimesthatyouignoredusandsaid forgetus, didn’twanttohearusthen? dontworry,i’llmakesureyouneverhearagain, cuzwegonshoutandwegonescreechandwegonmakeyour earsbleed, andthentheroleswillbereversed,nyou’llbehavingtoplead, andwe’llwriteithowithappened,nomorehistorytweaked, realisewhoyoupenalisedbynotlettingusspeak, youwonderwhyI’msoannoyed demoniseusthenplaywithour featureslikethey’retoys, howcanyouhearcriesofanguishandstayprivilegedand poised?
whentheresscreamingblackboys doesitjustsoundlikewhitenoise?
whenthere’sscreamingblackboys, allyouheariswhitenoise
I am
Tellmeabitaboutyourself?Background,whereyou live?Howlong,family?
MynameisYousraElsadig,amulti-award-winning Sudanesefashiondesigner,wife,motheroftwo,anda healthcareproviderspecialisingineyecare I’velivedin Cardiffforabout12yearsaftermovingfromCanadatodo myspecialisingseconddegreeatCardiffUniversity I comefromafamilyofhealthcareprofessionals,my brotherisadoctor,sisterisadentalsurgeonandother siblingsareinsocialcare Mymotherisaformerlawyer whosacrificedhercareertoraiseus,andmyfatherwas anentrepreneurwhospecialisedinexportandimport I wasborninSudanbutlivedinEgyptforafewyears beforemovingtoCanadawhereIdidmysecondary schooleducationandfirstDegreeattheUniversityof Toronto Nonetheless IamnowsettledinWaleswithmy HusbandAhmedwhospecialisesinbankingandtwo daughtersNajiah,12andNibraswhoisturning11inJune
Whatinspiredyoutogetintotheworldoftextile?
I’vealwayshadanoutlandishstyleandlovedmixingand matchingstyles Iwasalwaysplayingdressupwiththe remnantsfromfather’sshipmentsoftextilefromSyriaand Egypt Iwasalwayslostintheworldofcreatingsomething outofnothing InCanada Ineverfollowedthe urban clothingtrend”intheearlytwo2000’slikemyhighschool mates IwouldbelookingforoddpiecesinIndieboutiques andthriftshopsbeforethiswasathing Ihadmyown styleandwasevenbulliedforit ButIwouldsaywhenI was16Idesignedmyownhighschoolgraduationdress becauseIcouldn’tfindamodeststylethatsuitedmein thehighstreet Myauntmadeitformeanditwasa beautifuloriental-inspirednumber
Whatachievementsyoumadesofar?
Mybiggestachievementisbeing“aninspirationalmother” tothemostbeautiful well-behavedandbrightlittlegirls whoIamsurewillbeleadersintheirchosenfieldsone day God-willing Also thefactthatIamabletoinspirenot onlythem,butlittlegirlsandwomenwhoaretoldorare expectedtofollowaspecificpaththatwassetbytheir familiesandthesocietyaroundthem Moreover,I’dsay thefactthatIobtainedmytwodegreesfromrather prestigiousuniversities,theUniversityandCardiff Universityrespectively Additionally,Iwouldsaytheawards I’veaccumulatedsinceIstartedmyjourneyinfashion Design
SofarIhaveachieved:
•FashionEntrepreneuroftheYearFinalistinWales2015
•ModestFashionDesigneroftheYearbytheModest FashionAssociationofLondon2015
•BestNewBusinessNomineebytheRegionalAwards2016
•BestDesignsintheMiddleEastbyworld-renowned EmiratiDesignerMonaAl-Mansouri2016
•MostInspirationalFemaleStudentintheUKbytheTAB 2017
•WomantoWatchbyBarclays2017
•BestDesignerNomineebyBlackBritishEntertainment2017
•BestFashionDesignerNomineebyBritishMuslimTV2019
•FashionTrustArabiaReady-to-WearFinalist2022
I’ve always had an outlandish style and loved mixing and matching styles.Yousra Elsadig Fashion Designer
Arabiawasdefinitelyacareerhighlight
Whyisitimportanttohaveequityinthefashion industry?
Itratherimportantbecauserawandauthenticpeopleneedto seethosewholookjustlikethemmakeitinthefashion industry ItiscrucialforlittlegirlsinvillagessomewhereinAfrica todreambigandgofortheverydreamstheyweretoldthey couldnotpursuebasedonthe“cookie-cutter”representationin thefashionindustry Iwantpeoplewhoaredarker,withhead scarvesandwhoarentasize8-10tobeinroomswherethey haveneverbeenbefore Iwanttopavetheroadinfashion designandrepresentmyfamily,cultureandreligion
Wheredoyouwanttoseeyourbrand?
I’dlikemybrandtohaveaglobalimpactfirstandforemostby achievingoursocialgoalaswellasobviouslybeingplacedin majorretailerslikeHarrods Iseeit,I’vewrittenitdownandI believeitwillhappenonedayInshAllah Idliketocreateethical fashionwithaglobalimpact
Whathavebeenthechallenges?
Thechallengehasbeentoconvinceeveryonearoundmethat itisattainabletohavedreamsandaspirationsinmoreone thanoneareaandtoexcelineach Thosedreamsareusually instilledintheperson’sbrainandnoonearoundthemcan comprehendthereasoningbehindthem Thus,itisquitethe challengeforuswomenwithmanyvisionstoconvincepeople withour“unconventionalgoals”Butonceyouachievemajor milestonesineacharea,theywillslowlycomethrough
Whatadvicedoyougivesomeonewantingtofollow thisroute?
Self-beliefisrathercrucial,coupledwithpatience,persistence andpassion Thisismyownrecipetoencounterobstaclesand toprosperintherouteIchosetofollow
Career Highlight!
Being short-listed as a RTW finalist by Fashion Trust Arabia was definitely a career highlight I was able to take a collection to Doha before the World Cup and showcaseittodesignerslikeOlivierRousteingofBalmain and Pablo Valentino I was told that I am special by OlivierandPaulaAbdulfromAmericanIdol Isatnextto Janet Jackson and posed in Photos with Naomi CampbellandBellaHadid Gettingmynamementioned asafinalistinthatroomwithArabRoyaltyandA-listers wastheassurancethatIneededfromAllah(SWT)thatI am on the right track It was a sweet reward from Him formyhardworkandresilience
Howwouldyoudescribeyourstyleordesigns?
Idesignluxuriousmodestsustainableimpactfulfashionfor trailblazersandwomenwhowouldliketomakestatementsand defylimitingsocietalrules I’dliketoenablewomenwhodress modestlytoalwaysfeelred-carpetready Theycanalsofeel goodnotonlybecauseourdesignsaremadewithethicalideals, butwedonateapercentageofourprofitstoglobalissueswefeel stronglyabout WithBDN onecanlookgoodandfeelevenbetter
Canyouexplaintheprocessofmakingyourpieces, inspirationandhowyouchoosethematerial?
Iamaveryvisualpersonsothewholeprocesstakes placeinmymind Also,Iamusuallyinspiredbythe beautyandrichnessofculture Colours,textureand authenticitymakemeinspiredtoshowcasemydesign storytotheworld Thejourneyfrombeinginspiredbya smallbeadandforthewholecollectiontobe showcasedtothebestdesignersintheworldandto ArabroyaltyinthemiddleEastisastoryworthtelling Moreover,Itendtomergeculturesinmywork,by bridgingculturalgapsthroughtheartoffashiondesign Ialsousemydesignstobreakstereotypesandto advocateforinclusioninthefashionindustry Iusemy artisticskillstodraworportrayanystoryIneedtotellto theworld
Ifyoucoulddressanyone,whoisitandwhy?
IdreamofdressingHRHThePrincessofWales-Princess Kate Iamawarethatsheisalwayssupportinglocal, sustainablebrandsandmybrandfitshertasteand ethicalideals I’vealwaysassociatedourmodest designswithroyaltyandtrailblazers anditwouldbemy absolutepleasuretodressher
WhatisyourBIGdreamwithyourbrand?
I’dideallymakeprofitwhilstcreatingaglobalimpact ThisiswhatIenvisionforBDN
Canyouexplainthemostimportantcomponentor personalskillrequiredtobeanentrepreneur?
Themostimportantcomponentandorpersonalskill requiredisgoodintentions,coupledwithwhatIcallthe tripleP’s,whicharepassion,persistenceandpatience withoutthem,itishardforanyonetofaceobstacleand caneasilygiveup
TheNationalMuseum(Cardiff) hostedthefirstMOBOevent attheReardonlecturetheatreonJanuary27th Themusic extravaganzaentitledNewHeights,wasfreeentryand aimedtoprovideaopulentspaceforWelshartiststo performinapublicbuildingthatisusuallyusedfor educational,historicalandscientificpurposes Theevent organisedbyAaronSchoburghandteam,willbearegular feature,offeringmusic,spokenword,poetry,andshortfilms Thefirsteventfeaturedartists Ogun SZWÉ AnwarSiziba andMissFaithlee Itwasafantasticeveningfullofpure talent NewHeightsalsoscreenedtwofeaturesinresponse totheBBC100inWalesExhibition Thetitlessharewithusthe contemporaryBlackexperience HighlightingBarriersfaced, expressionsofjoy,belonging,andamuch-needednodto theenrichingimpactthatBlackcommunitiescontributeto creatingaculturallydiverseWales
LianaStewart,whodirectedBlackandWelsh,producedby CatrynRamasut ieProduction wasthefirstshowing Thisshort documentaryconsistsofinterviewswithpeople,sharingtheir experiencesofbeingBlackandWelsh Mostexplainthattheir dualidentityhasoftenbeenquestioned,metwithquestions suchas‘butwhereareyoureallyfrom?Theimpactofhaving suchexperiencesinvalidatedtheirWelshnessattimesand madethemsecondguesstheirsenseofbelonging Others expressedhownegativeremarks,madebyteachers,would suggestthataspirationsofwantingtodolawasacareerwas metwithnegativityanddiscouragement However,Sheldondid goontostudylawanddidsoatCambridge Anotherlady calledJaqui mentionedthatshewouldbelabelledbywork collegesas‘BlackJaqui’ Thesamethemeresonated,what doesitmeantobeBlackandWelsh well inconclusion it meanstobeprettydarnlucky!
Thesecondfilmwascreatedbyayoungmusicianand composerSizwéChitiyo,fromSouthWales,wholooksatMOBO inWales MOBOalsoknownasMusicofBlackOrigin,isahuge genreconsistingofhip-hop,soulandjazz,andisarichand vibrantscenewithmanyfansandfollowers Inthis documentary,Sizwéshinesalightonsomeoftheissuesand barriersWelshartistscanface Healsointroducesustothe HoneySessions amusicalinitiativeforperformersand creativesdedicatedtoupliftingthegenreandshowcasingthe talentsofyoungWelshartists ThroughtheHoneySessions we hearthestoriesofrisingWelshstarsandhowtheinitiativeis helpingtheirvoicestobeheard
Bythetimethismagazinegoestoprint,NewHeightswillhave showcasedtheirsecondeventonthe24thFebruary,andevery monththereafter So,ifyouwanttosupportupandcoming BlackandWelshartists,checkout:
https://museumwales/fordatesanddetails
So,IwenttovisittheBBCsexhibitioninthemuseumofCardiffandwasso pleasedtoseeyoungaspiringphotojournalists,fromButetowngetthe opportunitytoshowcasewhatisimportanttothem OftentheBBCandother mainstreammediaoutletsleaveoutcommunitiesintheSouthofCardiff, historicallyreportingfalsenarrativesandinadequateinformationdepictinga community riddenofcrimeandofdeprivation
BUT,ifyoudontknowpeoplefromtheareaoranythingotherthan,the1919 raceriots theCardiff5andotherstoriesthatfailtoshinethelightonthe positivecontributionsButetownhasmadetoWales,thenyouneedtoget downtoseethisfantasticexhibition
Thecuratorsare,TrinityZammitandZaidDjerdi,whobothwantedto showcasetheheartofacommunitythatraisedthemintothetalentedand creativepeopletheyaretoday
Therearesomelovelyquotes,givenbyJohnActie,whowasoneofthe5, wronglyaccusedofthetragicmurderofLynetteWhite GaynorLegall who wasWales firstBlackfemalecouncillor,MustfaMohammed,footballcoach andmanagerofTigerBayWarriorsandNoohOmarIbrahimwhorecently completedhisapprenticeshipwiththeWRU Theywantedtotakepartinthe shortvideography,aimingtotelltheREALstoryofButetown,alsolovingly knownasTigerBay
JohnActie,explainswhatButetownmeanstohim,hesaid:'Myfamilycometo mind,whenIthinkofButetownandallthehistorythatcomeswithit
Mustafa,statesthattohim,Butetownsignifieshope,aplacewithalotof talent
Noor says Iseesamulticulturalcommunity wherehisvisitingfriendsdon't wanttoleave Hecontinuestosay,Butetownishisheart!
GaynorLegall describesbeingraisedinButetownasanurturingplace where herchildhoodwasspentplayingoutinthestreet Reminiscingtimeswhenthe neighbourswouldreprimandyouforbeingnaughtyandthatnon-family memberswerereferredtoasauntyoruncle Sheclaimsitwasarespectful place,whereeveryonewasvaluedregardlessoftheirbackground Gaynor,is awellrespectedmemberofthecommunity andhaschampioned improvementsinracerelationsacrossWales formanyyears Gaynorgoes ontoexplainthelackofaccessintoindustriesforyoungpeoplesuchas media onlyeveryofferinginternshipsandworkexperience topeoplefrom thearea andneverreallygiventheopportunityoffulltimecontracts Thishas hadadamagingimpactontheperceptionandpersuasionofpeopleacross thecity
Onreflectiontomyvisit,IfeltthesameasMustfa,hopeful!Thatwithmore opportunities foryoungcreativestoaccessplaceslikethemuseum sharing contentthatisimportanttothem willhelptodispelmythsandnegative narratives,sothatthewidercommunitiesinWalescanbenefitinloving Butetowntoo
Here'shoping!
everyone was aunty or uncle!
Hosts:
BiancaAliisanaspiringassistant director,activist,andwriter Hercredits includeassistantproduceroftheNTW productionof‘CircleofFifths heldinJune 2022attheWMCDanceHouse Bianca wasalsotheleadmemberoftheBlack LivesMatterMovement,callingonthe Welshgovernmentandorganisationsto revisetheircurrentEDIpoliciestomake Walesananti-racistnation Sheisa talentedspokenwordartistandhas organisedmanyeventstogivepoets andartistsaplatform Asaresultofher creativetalentBianca,wasamemberof theLadiesofRagesevententitled HarddwchDu,co-writingand performing theStruggleisReal
RicardoErasmus,aformersemi-pro soccerplayer originallyfromCapeTown Mitchell'sPlain SouthAfrica Heisa TransformationalLifeCoach,Youth mentor,MotivationalSpeaker,andRadio Presenterwithovertwodecadesof experienceinyouthworkinCapeTown, theUSA,andtheUK Heshareshisstoryof resilienceanddeterminationgrowingup ontheCapeFlatsandinspiresothersto reachtheirfullpotentialbyshiftingtheir mindsetandstrivingforsuccessagainst allodds Heispassionateadvocatefor mentorshipandisdedicatedtohelping othersreachtheirhighestpotential
'Ideas Worth Spreading'
YusufIbrahimisaprominenteducational leaderinWales Heispassionateabout enhancingtheleadershipprospectsfor peoplefromallwalksoflife,particularly thosefromunder-represented backgrounds Oneofthemostsenior minority-ethnicleadersinthepublicsector, Yusufhasworkedatnationallevel, contributingtothedesignanddeliveryof assessmentsduringthepandemic Heis currentlyleadingaground-breakingAntiRacismCurriculumProjectacrossthe collegessectoraswellasleading significantcurriculum&digitalareaswithin oneofthelargestcollegesintheUK,Cardiff &ValeCollege Adigitaltransformer,Yusuf isdeterminedtoensurethatnew technologiesareanenablerforpositive change,allowingmorepeopletoaccess opportunitiestolearnandprogress A values-basedleader,Yusuf'sjourneyhas takenhimacrossLondon Bristol&Cardiff buildingsupportiveteamstomeetthe needsoflearners,staff,andcommunities
By: Donna AliChantelleHaughton-DARPLDirector(Welsh GovernmentNationalinitiativeforPan-WalesDiversity andAnti-RacistProfessionalLearningledbypartners withlivedandprofessionalexperience),isaNational TeachingFellow,PrincipalLecturerinEarlyYears Education,CardiffMetUniversity,SeniorFellow(SFHEA) Chantellefoundedandco-ordinatesTheCMetOutdoor LearningCentre ChantelleisChairWelshGovernment AntiRacistWalesActionPlanEarlyYears Childcareand PlaySteeringGroup,MemberMinisterialWorkingGroup forBlackAsianandMinorityEthnicHistoriesandCynefin inCurriculumforWales,former-ChairBlackHistoryWales ManagementCommittee(2020-22),ViceChairBAMEed WalesNetwork,DeputyChairRaceEqualityChartertask groupatCardiffMetandViceChairEarlyYearsNetwork Wales
RachelisthefounderofApexEducate, co-founderofPromoteEqualityand DeputyHeadtacherofainner-London school RachelisacoreDARPLTeam member havingcreatedtheSenior LeaderandGovernorseriesof ProfessionalLearningforWales Rachel workswithschools,educationalsettings andcompaniesthatareseekingto becomeanti-racistandworktowards racialjusticebeingrealised Rachels abilitytotrainalllevelsofstaffinantiracismhasdevelopedpeople's understandingofequityandhas supportedthemontheiranti-racist journey
TransformationCoach&CEOJTILeadership Academy
Organisation:JoyTransformationInternational LeadershipAcademy(JTILA)
CEOandFounderofJTILA Accomplishedhighperformanceinternationaltrainer,coach,author, andleadershipconsultantwithadynamicrecord ofsuccessdeliveringleadershipand managementdevelopment Specialistinthearea ofPurposeDrivenLeadership Mindset Visionand strategicThinking,EmotionalIntelligenceand leadingandmanagingDiversity&Inclusionat seniormanagementlevelacrossabroadrange oforganisationsintheUK,Europe,USAandAfrica
MichaelAdeniyaMichaelAdeniyaisa commerciallyfocused,award-winning B2Beventsstrategist Heiscurrentlythe ChiefOperatingOfficerofUKBlack BusinessWeek,thelargesteventintheUK andEuropeforBlackentrepreneurs careerprofessionalsandalliestothe Blackcommunity Inhispreviousroleas thePortfolioDirectorofClarionEventslife sciencedivision,hespearheadedalmost 10xrevenuegrowthoveran8yeartenure, introducingmultiplerevenuestreams andinternationalproductlaunches acrossEurope AsiaandAmerica
Syusesthepowerofstorytellingtoinform, persuadeandchallengeorganisationstowards ananti-racistfuture SouthWalesbornandbased,Syhasworked extensivelyinmultiplesettingsleadingWelsh Governmentawardwinningnationaland internationalprojectsthattackleexclusionand improveaccessforyoungpeopleandadultsin areasofemployment,educationandhealth FormerlyHeadofOperationsattheUKbased charityRaceEqualityFirst,Syworkedclosely withpeoplewhoexperiencedracediscrimination andusedtheirpersonalexperiencesinthe workplace Synowleadsonthedeliveryofantiracistinterventionsinfluencingpositive changeattheRSPB
SysitsontheCriminalJusticeBoardforWales IndependentOversightPaneladdressingthe systemicdiscriminationanddisadvantages experienced
Sometimes,artcandepictaworldthatwedon'tbelongto,but that'swhatthepowerofperformancecandoisn'tit?
Transportyouintoanotherdimension,whereitispossibleto fantasisesaboutlivinginabeautifulcastle,inadistantland,or re-visitdaysgoneby Butthisproductionismeanttounite,to evokeasenseoftogetherness,asweallgothroughwhathas beentermedasthebiggestlivingcrisisofthecentury
Whilstthecostoffood,energyandtransporthasrisen,which arecoreprinciplestoourbasicneeds Clothesandother itemsseemtoremainthesame Sowhatonearthisgoing on?
Accordingto,healthorg,thecostoflivingisdangeroustoour healthinwaysthatcanleadtodeath Beingunabletobuy foodleavespeopleatriskofbeingmalnourished,beingunable toaffordtoputtheheatingon,canleadtorespiratory diseases ThiscurrentsituationsweepingtheUK,could essentiallyleadtomoreandmorepeopleneedingtoaccess emergencyservicesandotherhealthcareprovider Thecost oflivingisanationalemergency1Butwhatcanuscommon folk,doaboutit?Wellwecouldprotest,wecouldbombardour localcouncillorsorwecouldrefusetopayforthingssuchas water Therearemanythingswecando,butonethingforsure is,tohaveimpactwehavetostandtogether
TheNationalTheatreofWales,aretakingastand,bycreating apieceofart,thatspeakstoallofus,andunitesusinour frustration Theproductionissettohelpustounderstandwhat isgoingon,andtohelpusgainconfidenceisspeakingout
'The art of the people is a true mirror into their minds'
Artisanexpressionoflife!through theeyesofthedirectors,producers andcastattheNationalTheatreof Wales,theypromisetoshowcasea performancethatdemonstrates oneofthelivingcrisisofourtimethecostofliving!Photog
17th- 25th March 2023
Creativeteam Writer EmilyWhite Director
LorneCampbell
Co-director KelMatsena
Co-director
AnthonyMatsena
Dramaturg
KaiteO’Reilly
CastingDirector
HannahMarieWilliams
AssistantDirector
BiancaAli
SetandCostumeDesign
CaiDyfan
LightingDesigner
JaneLalljee
SoundDesigner AlexComana
AllticketsforTheCostofLivingarePayWhatYouCan,startingfrom£8 Youcanchoosetopayapricethatworksforyou
Weknowpriceisabarrier,sothosewhocanaffordtopayalittlemorefor theirticketwillhelpustosupportthosewhocan’t
Seatsareunallocated Nomatterwhichpriceyougofor,youcansitwhere youchoose
Drama,gig,sgwrsio(gydaphethbwyd!)
Tocynnauyw’rrhainigydllebyddidi’ntalubethrwytti’ndewiseidalu,dechrau o£8 Fegeididaluprissy’naddasiti
Rydynni’ngwybodbodyprisynrhwystriraipobl,fellybyddyrheinisy’ngallu fforddiotalumymrynmwyameutocynnau’ngadaelinihelpu’rboblnadydyn nhw’ngallugwneudhynny
Dydy’rseddiddimyncaeleuneilltuo,fellyhydynoedoswytti’nprynu’rtocyn rhataf,fegeididdewisbleieisteddohyd
Stars are Born in Wales
'Looking after your body is extremely important as your body is your temple so you must get the nutrition part done correctly'
MoniqueBuxisauniquecharacterwhojugglesacareerofbeingaDJandrecently becomingaprofessionalboxer.XcellenceMagazinecaughtupwithhertodiscuss howshenavigatesjoiningtheprofessionalgame, Makingweight,mentalhealth,injuries,criticsandhowtodealwithsocialmedia Everythingisdiscussed,asMonquieBuxtellsithowitisinhercareersofar
So,tellusaboutyourself,whoisMonique Buxtotheaudiencethathavenotheard aboutyou?
I’mMoniqueBuxarecentlyturnedprofessional boxerfromCardiff Wales BeforeIwasaboxer mostpeoplewillknowmeasaDJ,butsporthas alwaysbeenattheforefrontofsomethingthatI wantedtodofrommyearlyteenageryears Life doesnotalwaysgothewayyouplan,butIgot backintoboxingaroundfouryearsago Then,in 2021,Iturnedprofessionalandhavehadtwo professionalfightsinthattime
Talksusthroughthefirsttimeyou steppedintoaboxinggymandhowdid thatfeel?
ThefirsttimeIputonapairofboxingglovesand wenttoaboxinggym,wastheYMCAboxing gyminCardiff Iwasaroundtenorelevenyears ofage ThenIwentbacktoboxinginmy teenageryears,butitwasadifferentexperience anddifferentfeel,asthereweren’tanywomen boxersaroundatthetimeandmostboxing gymsweremaleoriented Thisdidputmeoffas Ididn’tfeelwelcomeintheboxinggymback then Sportforwomenhasprogressedsincethat time Talkingaboutmyrecentexperience comingbackintoboxing,ithasbeennothingbut extremelywelcoming EverycoachIworkedwith, indifferentgymsacrossthecountry,hastreated mewithnothingbuttheultimaterespect,somy boxingcareerhasdefinitelybeenajourney ThesedaysIbelieveanybodythatgetsinto boxing whethertheyfightprofessionallyorinthe amateurgame,orwhodoittogetintofitness, willbewelcomedintomostgymsacrossthe country[SH2] Boxingwillteachthemthebasic rules,suchasdiscipline,trainingandrespect
Boxingisatoughsporthowdoyoufind thetrainingaspectsofthesport?
Thetrainingaspectsarementalstrengthas wellasphysicalstrength ThisissomethingI learntovertimeandalotgoesonbehindthe scenes,thatpeoplewhoarenotinvolvedin boxing,don’tsee Theweightcuts,thedieting, themoodswingsandbeingawomanis different,asyougetalotofwaterretention whenyouareclosetoyourcycle Thenyou havethreeorfourdaysoffandwhenyou comebacktothegymyouareweighting yourselfandyouareafewpoundsoveryour weight,whichmakeitextremelyfrustrating especiallywhenyouaretryingtomakeweight foranupcomingfight Therearealotof factorswhenitcomestopreparingyourselfto getfit,whichiswhyboxingisamentalgame
The1stprofessionalfightyouhadwason thebigJoeCordinaworldtitlefightin Cardiffwhatwastheexperiencelike?
Lookingbacknow,forpeoplethatdon’tknowme asaboxer,Itwasdifficultformeasitwasmy debutonabigeventandIlostthefight,owingto menothavingmanyamateurfights Boxingisa sportwithalotofcritics,morethananyother sportIbelieve Unfortunately yougoingtoget peoplewhojudgeyouonyourfirstperformance Thisshouldn’tbethecase asyourboxingdebut shouldbewhereyoushowcasetheskillsyou haveandslowlyclimbuptherankings Mydebut wasamassivecardandIwasOKuntiltheday beforethefight Beingcompletelyhonest,the occasiongottomebecausetheeventwasa hugeoccasiononabigplatformlikeDAZN The eventwasabigopportunityatthetime,whichI couldn’tturndown,butitwasagoodexperience thatyoulearnfrom,youcanttakeitbackand youhavetogoforward WhatIdidwastocorrect it asinmysecondfightIbeatthesame opponent Shewasanexperiencedfighterwho hadover200amateurfightsandbeentoworld championshipsandalotofboxershaveturned downtheopportunitytofightherassheavery awkwardopponent Ilostthefighttoherinmy debutasIwasn’tmentallywithit,whichaffected myperformance
'Every coach I have worked with in different gyms across the country has treated me with nothing but the ultimate respect, so my boxing career has definitely been a journey'
Likeyousaidyoulostyour1stfight,sohow didyoumentallypreparetobeatthesame opponentinthenextfight?
Well,ifyoulookatboxingitscompletelyunheard of,unlesstheyareworldlevelandhaverematch clauses,soformetofightsomebodyofEster Konecnaslevelonthenextfightisveryunusualin boxing Forme,thementalresiliencewashardas thereweretimeswhenIdoubtedmyselfandthere weretimesmymentalhealthwasn’tOK which mademethinkIdidntbelonginboxing Thisall mademefeelIdidnthavewhatittakesto succeedinboxing Thiswasallbecauseoflosing mydebutfight,butIknewdeepdownIwas capableofbeatingher Iwasputtingintheworkin thegymsoIknewIwouldbegettingabetter outcome Avengingthatlossfrommydebutfight gavemehugementalstrengthtocarryonwith myprofessionalcareer
Doingsomeresearch,I’vefoundoutthat youarealsoaDJ.Howdoyoufindthe challengebetweentwopolaropposite careers?
WhenIlookedatitinitially,Ididn’tseeawayI couldcombinethetwo,butwhatIrealisedwas thatboxingisahumblesport However it’sstilla businesswhichmeansyoustillhavetosell yourselftobecomeabrandandgetnoticed BeingaDJ,andtheotherstuffIdo,suchasbeing asinger,isagoodwaytopromotemyself BalancingthetwolifestylesissomethingI’m accustomedtoasIdon’tdrinkwhenI’mincamp, soIdon’tmixthetwocareerstogether Idomy bestnottomixthetwolifestylestogether,asIdo myDJworkforonlythreenightsoftheweekand therestoftheweek,I’mtraining BeingaDJisa blessingasitgivesmeplentyoffreetimetotrain, sothetwocareersworkhandinhand
Wheredoyoufindthemotivationtotrain, likegoingforaruninthemornings especiallyinthewinterwhenit’sdarkand coldoutside?
Music,Ihavethebestplaylist Honestly,it’sthe passionIhaveforthesportandifyouhavea passionforsomethingnothingisgoingtodeteryou fromdoingit I’mahumanattheendoftheday andsometimesyougetupanditsfreezingwhich putsyouofffromgoingonthatrun,butthepassion makesyougo Musicispowerfulwhichinspiresmeespecially certainsongsliketherockyplaylists NowI’ma professionalathletethisiswhatImustdoandnot cutcorners,asprofessionalboxingisnot somethingyoucanflukeyourwaythrough You mustputinthework,soanytimeIdofeeltiredor amhavingadownday,Isaynoandtellmyselfto pushthrough
Whoisyourbiggestinspirationinboxing andoutsidethering?
I’mapropernerdystudentwhenitcomesto boxing,Ilovesomanydifferentboxers You’ve obviouslygotthegreatslikeMuhammadAliwho isoneofmyfavouriteboxersofalltime And,like alotofpeople,itisforwhathedidinsideand outsidethering Theothergreatboxerwho inspiredmeisPernellWhittakerwhowasproperly slick,smoothandhisdefensiveworkwas amazing AnotherboxerwhoIlikeisRoman ‘Chocolatito Gonzalez,hemakesitsoeasyinhis fights FloydMaywetherisanotheronewhoI admirewhenwatchinghimfight I’mnoteven goingtolie IlovewatchingAnthonyJoshuafight Hesbeenthebiggestinspirationtome thereis somethingabouthispresenceandthewayhe carrieshimself
Thelasttwofightshelost,butthatcanhappenin boxing,theproblemnowadayspeopleare obsessedwithkeepingtheundefeatedrecord andnottestingthemselvesagainstothergreat boxers Thatneverusedtobethecasewithold schoolboxers JohnnyNelsonlosthisfirsteight fightsinarow,thenbecomethelongest cruiserweightworldchampion Ilostmyfirstfight andhadafeelingIwasn’tgoodenough LailaAli wasthefirstwomenboxerwhoinspiredme
Boxing is a business which means you still have to sell yourself to become a brand and get noticed. Being a DJ is a good way to promote myself.
YoutrainatthefamousStJosephgymin NewportunderTongBorgquiteafewfamous boxershavecomefromthatgymwhat’sthe atmospherelikeinthatgym?
Ivebeentoafewdifferentgymsasanamateurand asaprofessional,butthisgymhassuchafamilyunit, whereeverybodysupportseachother There’snotoneboxerinthegymthatisshallowor cocky,everybodyisonthesamewavelength IknowI cantalktoanyboysinthegymandmycoach,whowill alwaysbetheretosupportme It’sareallygoodstable withhugetalentedboxerssuchasGavinGwynne,who willpushmeintraining Theatmosphereinthegymis amazing
Womenboxingisboomingatthemoment especiallyaftertheClaressaShieldsvSavanah Marshallfightwhydoyouthinkthatis?
Women’sboxingisboomingatthemomentespecially aftertheClaressaShieldsvSavanahMarshallfight Why doyouthinkthatis?
Thewaytheworldisnow,it’sjustchangedintermsofthe waywomenarebeingperceivedinsport There’sstilla lotofworkthatneedstobedone,Ibelieveboxing,along withfootball,arenowthetwopinnaclewomen’ssports wheretheyaregettingthefruitsoftheirlabour Now peopleareseeingthatwomencanboxandhavethe technicalskillsaswell,theperceptionofwomenboxingis changing It’sfunny,asI’veseensomepromotersin boxingonYouTubesayingwomenshouldnotbeboxing and,now,theyaresigningupwomenboxersand promotingtheirshows
Theaimistochangetheperceptionsomorewomen canembracethesport,sowomen’sboxingcancontinue togrow
YouareaDJwhenyouarefighting,sodoyou playyourownmusicasanentrancesongand howdoyougetthattunnelvisiontogoanddoa jobinthering?
No,Idon’tplaymyownmusicastheentrancesong The lastfight,IhadaKanyeWestsongthroughthewireas thelyricstothesongreallyconnectedwithme, especiallywiththepart,turntragedytotriumph
Themusicdoeshelpsodoesthefamilyandfriends supportinthecrowd,asyoudoabsorbitallin Everythinghappensreallyquick Themusic thering walksandthenboomyouareinthelion’sdeninthering, readytofight
Whenisyournextfightandwheredowegettickets?
Tobeannounced,asatthemomentImsufferingfroman backinjurywhichIvehavehadsincemylastfightbutIjust poweredthroughasIhatebeingoutinjuredandoutofthe gym I’mactuallyrestingatthemomentasIneedtoputmy healthfirst
WhenIdorecoverfromtheinjurymyselfandmyteamwill worktogethertofindanewdate Updatewillbeonmysocials especiallyInstagramwhereanewdatewillannounced
Finally,whatareyourgoalsintheboxing game?
BoxingisafunnygameasI’vealreadyhadpromotersfrom AmericaandMexicotryingtoputmeinwithbigprospects Boxingisaboutbuildingyouupsmartlyinsteadofrushing intobigfights,thiswhybeingwithgoodmanagementis key Itrustmymanagementastheywontdosillythings Ive justgottobepatientandmaketherightdecisions Boxingisallabouttakingtherightfightsattheright times Thiswhyhavingtherightconversationwith yourmanagerisimportantwhenacertainopponent ispickedattherighttime InmylastfightIwasn’t supposedtofightEtherKonceia buttheopponentI wassupposedtofightpulledout,soIwastoldIwas goingtofightheragainandIwashappytofighther againasIknewIcouldbeather
Doyoubelievefansandcriticsaretooharsh onsportsathletestoday,especiallyinthis socialmediaera?
Peopleneedtorealisethattheperformancethey arewatchingtakesalotofhardwork,dedication andplentyofmentalresilience,Attheendofthe dayweallhuman,sopeoplebleedthesameasyou eventhoughtheyareprofessionalathletes Mental healthisabigthingsoyouhavetorespectathletes forbeinginsports,asit’salifetimeofhardworkto getwhereweare Especiallyinboxing ittakesalot ofhearttogetintoaboxingringevenwhenitisa charityfight
There’snothingwrongwithconstructivecriticismas allsportsathletesexpectthatafterabad performancebutdoingitinarespectivewayiswhat Iaskoffansandpundits Boxingisauniquesport untilyougetinaringandfaceanopponent,people don’tknowhowitfeels
Beingaprofessionalathleteisamazing,soallwe askforistoberespectedandnottreatedwith disrespect
Thewaytheworldisnow, itsjustchangedintermsin thewaywomenarebeing perceivedinsports.
Often,youngandearlycareercreativesstruggletogettheopportunities,platformsandsupporttocreateworkof goodquality Manyyoungpeopleareraised(inschoolsandathome)withthecommonmisconceptionthata careerin‘thearts ishardlyacareeratall,whichcanfosterareluctancetopursueyourcreativecalling, professionally DatagatheredfromastudybyOnePoll from1000respondentsacrosstheUK foundthat50%of 16-25-year-oldssurveyedwantedtopursuecreativecareers,butnearlytwothirdsdonotfeeltheyreceive adequateguidancetodosobyteachersorcareeradvisers Thus,it’simportanttocreateandpromoteastable andflourishingindustryforpeopletoenter,inordertodemystifythisissue
Ineffortstosolvethisproblem,theWalesMillennium
Centrerecentlyopenedanartistresidencyspaceas partoftheirCreativeLearningprogramme Thisisa studiospacegiventoselectedartists,whoareyoung peopleand/orfromthelocalcommunity,forone monthwithexpensesformaterials/timeprovided Creativeshavecompleteartisticfreedomwithno expectationsofdevelopingafinishedproductatthe endofit Thethinkingaroundtheschemewas explainedbyoneoftheproducersatCreativeLearning; ‘Duringtheconsultationaroundournewspacesfor youngpeople,welearnedthattheabsenceofspaceto experimentandcreatehadaseriousimpacton emergingartists’chancestodeveloptheirwork Such spacesareoftencostly,andmaterialcostsontopof thatmakeitunattainableformany Asdemonstrated throughourmanycreativecoursesattheCentre we feelthatitisimportanttoallowthecreationofarttobe asaccessibleaspossible Assuch,werecognisedthe needtosupportdiverse,youngandcommunityartists todeveloptheirindividualcraft,beingvitallyimportant increatingavibrantanddiverseartssceneinWales’
Mostrecently,theartistresidencyspacehoused19yearoldCaraWalker(artist)and18yearoldTia-zakura Camilleri(writer/poet) ThetwoyoungcreativesaremembersoftheWMCYouthAdvisoryBoard,whichaimsto giveavoicetoyoungpeopletoinformaspectsoftheCentre,ensuringitisaccessible Duringtheirresidency,they decidedtocreateanRnDexhibition;theexhibitioncalled CleanSlate’launchedonFebruary3rd focussingonthe BlackandWelshidentityinamodernandhistoricalcontext
‘It’ssoeasyforpeopletooverlookyoubecauseyou’re younger,peopledon’ttakemeseriouslyorlistento whatIhavetosay;PairthatwithbeingofBlack/Asian heritageandawomanandyoufeelpracticallymuted So,tobegiventhisplatforminabuildingwithsuch kudos amplifiesourvoicetothosewhoneedtohearit CaraWalker
Often, young and early career creatives struggle to get the opportunities, platforms and support to create work of good quality.
TheWMCisthenationalartscentreinWales,so whenwewereofferedthespace,weknewwe wantedtoexploretheideaof Welshness Granted thistopichasbeenpoignantinrecentyears,but CaraandIhavehadmillionsofconversations discussingthemore‘taboo sideof‘Welshness being non-whiteandnon-Welshspeaking WMCactually informedourexhibitionquitealot;itslocalityinthe heartofabustling,diverseButetown,juxtaposingwith itsproximitytobuildingsliketheSenedd,represented thedichotomyweoftendiscussed Inoneofmany chats wewereenlightenedbythehistoryoftheslate industry Welshslateissomethingweareoften taughttobeproudofbutalotofpeopleare unawareofitsconnectiontoslavery Itwasa lightbulbmomentforus Notonlydiditfeellikea greatmechanismtoexploreidentity,buttouncover thishiddenhistoryinabuildingcoveredinslate(next totheSeneddwhichisalsocoveredinslate)wasso powerful
Oncewehadthetopic,wehadtofindwaysto mergeourtwoverydifferentartforms Weoperated inawaywherewerespondedtoeachother’swork withourownwork LotsofmypoetryaidedCaras artworkandviceversa Itwasbeautifultobeableto collaboratewithanotherlikemindedcreative,andwe quicklyrealisedwewantedtousethischanceto showcaseanexhibition Wewantedtodemonstrate thevalueofyoungBlackartistsandtellourown stories
ThoughCarahasbeenfeaturedinexhibitionsbefore thiswasthefirsteitherofushavecuratedofour own Theprocesswasn’tallsmoothsailingbutevery setbacklentitselftothefinalresult AsanRnD,we founditreallyimportanttoexposethis‘up&down’ journeytoeveryoneandnotshyawayfromthe complexitiesofcreatinganexhibition
So,wehada‘journeywall’whichexplainedthestepswetooktogethere,includinghowwesourcedtheslate,what ourinspirationwasetc Thereweretwootherintegralfeaturestoourexhibition:1 Thepublicart-forallvisitorsto contributeto respondingtothequestion‘DoyoufeelWelsh?Why?’ 2 Feedbackbox-allaspectsoftheexhibition wereincrediblyintrospective mypoemsreallyforcedmetounpickeachthreadofmyidentity sowereallywanted toevokethesameintrospectivethoughtforthoseexperiencing
Becauseofthestigmaandlackofappreciation forthearts,itbecomesaprivilegetobeableto taketimetorefineyourcraft Forme,full dedicationmeanssacrificingother‘more stable’workandworkingforfreeinthecreative industry Thisisn’talwayspossibleforthosewho comefromworkingclassbackgrounds,which canformabarriertoaccessingthesector The artistresidencyspacetrustedCaraandIand financedourtime,sowecouldfocusonour practiceanddowhatwelovetodowithout havingtoworryaboutmissingoutonwages
Theexhibitioncanbe viewedatWales MilleniumCentreStwdio ScratchuntillateMarch
Wewerereallyproudofwhatwecreatedandhopeto expanditfurther.Wearegratefultobegiventhis opportunityandbothrecognisethevitalpartithasplayed inkickstartingourcareer.
‘Incredible work. I wish I could have experienced this when I was a child - it would have had a huge impact on me growing up mixed in Wales’
‘The use of materials in the art is completely beautiful’
‘This exhibition is amazing! Arddechog! Dylech chi gyd bod yn falch o’eich gwaith!’
-Tia-zakuraCamilleriReported by: Tia -Zakura Camilleri
WelshslateisquiteprolificinitscontributiontoWales ThelargestmanufacturerinNorthWales wasthePenrhynslatequarrywhichwasownedbythePennantfamily However,inthe18th century,thePennantsalsoownedfoursugarplantationsinJamaica,whichwereupkeptby over1,000slaves Themoneygeneratedfromtheplantationswasinvestedintoexpandingthe Penrhynslatequarry.RichardPennantwasMPforPetersfieldin1761/67andwaschairmanof theWestIndiaCommitteewhichcampaignedforthecontinuationofslavery Whenslaverywas ‘abolished’in1833,thefamilyreceived£14,68317s2dincompensationwhichisroughly £2,236,068today
ThisviewofPenrhynslatequarryshows thevastscaleoftheexcavations They werebegunin1785byRichardPennant,MP forLiverpoolandowneroflargeslave plantationsinJamaica RichardPennant (c1737-1808)investedhisprofitsfrom sugarandrumtofinanceanddevelopthe PenrhynslatequarryinGwynedd
IamafreelancejournalistforXcellencemagazine andformycontributiontothisissue,Iwantedto findouthowmypeersfeelaboutthenew mandatorycurriculum,thatincludesBlack,Asian andminorityethiccommunities,contributionsand history.
ThesearethequestionsIposedtoAndrewand Sophia,bothyear7pupilsatmyschoolCorpus Christi.
Hereiswhattheyhadtosay
.Whatdoyouthinkaboutthenewcurriculumchanges,wherethecontributionsofBlack,Asianand minority ethniccommunitiesarenowmademandatory?
A:IthinkthatthechangesareveryimportanttoallpupilsinschoolsacrossWales
S:Ithinkthechangesarereallygood,becausewewillgettohearaboutotherpeopleshistory,notjustours Howdoyouthinkthechangeswillimpactyourlearningandwhatdoyouhopetolearn?
A:Ithinkthenewcurriculumwillimpactmeonapersonallevel,asIamofmixedheritageand,tobehonest, Idon’treallyknowmuchaboutBlackhistoryandwheremyheritagecomesfrom S:IhopetolearnalotofknowledgeaboutthediversityinWales
Doyouunderstandwhythesechangeshavebeenmadetothenewcurriculum?
A:Yes,Idounderstand,butIwishtheyhadbeenmadealotsooner Everyone’shistoryisimportant,sothese changesareagoodthing
S:Yes,Ithinkthenewchangeshavebeenmadesothateveryonefeelswelcomedandtoknowthattheyare acknowledged
Isthereanythingthatexcitesyouaboutthenewcurriculum?
A:IammostinterestedinlearningmoreabouttheoriginsofmycultureandhowdiversityhasgrowninWales
S:TheonethingthatexcitesmeaboutthenewcurriculumisthatIgettounderstandmoreaboutthedifferent backgroundsofthepeoplearoundme
Doyouthinkitisimportantthatthecurriculumreflects inclusivity?
A:Yes,itisveryimportantthateveryoneisincluded,becausehistory ishistoryanditshouldbetaughttruthfully
S:Yes,Ithinkitisimportanttobeinclusivebecause,evenifyou cannotrelate,youcanfindoutmorebywatchingvideosonlineand readstufftohelpsupportthenewmaterial
WhatdoyoualreadyknowaboutBlackandethnichistory?
A:Idon’treallyknowthatmuch,tobehonest,butIamexcitedto learnmore
S:Iknowquiteabit,asmyprimaryschoolusedtoteachusthings, butIamlookingforwardtohearingmoreatthisage,sothatIgain moreofanunderstanding
KeepingWales’sMusicIndustry Healthy,Flourishingand Diversein2023
Ihaven’tbeentoagiginawhile,sowhenIgotthechancetoseesomeraw, upandcoming,newtalentontheSoundProgressionstage,atImmersed FestivalinCardiff,Ijumpedatthechance Asamusicianmyself,Ilovediscoveringnewmusicandseeingwhatartists arecreatingatgrassrootslevel,butwhatIhadn’trealisedatthetime,was thatasupertalentedmentoringteamaresupportingtheseincredible youngartistsfrombehindthescenes Duringthisfantasticevent,fullof exciting,newandoriginalmusic,Iheardactafteract,thankingSound Progressionforthisopportunitytoperform.
Now,tostartwith,thestandardofeachmusicalact,was phenomenal Notonebumnoteinthehouse andallperforming theirownmaterial Arealeclecticmixofgenrestoo Theactsall havedifferentline-upsfromsolotofullband,fromrocktogrime, butonethingtheyallhaveincommonistheirtalent theirstories expressinglifefromayoungpersonsperspectivein2023 Thereis nodoubtthattheseexperiencesareinvaluableforyoungartists startingouttheirmusicalcareers andthisisallmadepossibleby SoundProgression
Afewdaysafterthefestival itwastimeformetomeettheSound Progressionteamattheircentralbuilding Itookalovelywalkinto CardiffCentraltomeetthem WhenIarrivedIwasgreetedbyPaul (TheDirector)andthenIquicklymettwofamiliarfacesIhadseen atthefestival-LeightonandKyle Theywereworkinginsmall controlroom onawickedtrack ThistrackisbyoneoftheartistsI hadseenperformonSaturday;SoulsingerLeah-Marie Theyare helpingstructurethissong Aswestarttalkingallabouttheirwork, itbecomescleartomethatthereissomethingreallyunique aboutSoundProgression
Theyarenotjustaspacetorehearseandrecord Theyarenota tickboxexercise Theseguysareatalentedpro-teamwhocare andaregivingyoungpeoplerealopportunities andtheskillsthey needtodeveloptheirartistry
Wetalkallaboutthedifferentstagesandlevelsvariousartistsare andhowtheynurturethembycreatingconfidenceindividually Theteamreallyknowhowtobringoutthebestfromtheartists, andcreatetheconditionsfororganicdevelopment It’srelaxed friendlyandcalm everyoneisfocusedonthegoal:realcareers realopportunities,realempowermentandgrowthfortheartists
Afteraround10minutesofbeingthere IamwishingIwas youngagain,andIcouldcometoSoundProgressionfor mentoring Notonlywilltheyhelptheirartiststowrite,produce andperformtheirownsongs thisteamalsomentorsthemon theentrepreneurialsideofthemusicbusiness Icannotstress howimperativethisisintodaysmusicworld It'snotenoughto justbetalented Youneedtobeabletopromoteyourwork be asocialmediaexpert,understandbusinessmodels,and createdifferentincomestreamsforyourself inordertobe remotelysustainable
SoundProgressionareonit,whenitcomestothebusiness sideofthings theyareteachingtheseyoungartistshowto managetheircareers howtocapitaliseontheirworkand makerealprogress Thenthereisanotherleveloflearning whichwediscuss andthatisthelevelofprofessionalism neededwithinthemusicindustry SoundProgression encouragetheiryoungmusicianstoapproachtheirartistryin aprofessionalway treatingtheirwork theenvironmentand others withrespect Thisinspiresthemtowardsalevelof professionalism,thatsomeyoungpeoplemaynothaveseen modelledbefore
JessieGraceisaMusicianActivistandRadioPresenter basedinCardiff
HerShowisairedonWednesdays130-300pmonRadio
Cardiff987fm
ShecoversmanyissuesaroundHealingSustainability
PositiveFuturesandworkinthelocalcommunity
Getintouchwithherhere:@jessie grace musicon Instagram
Next,Carolarrives(managerandfundraisingguru),shethen givesmeatouroftherestoftheirbuilding Theyhavealive room withdrumkit amps spaceforafullband anda separatevocalbooth Wethenwalkfurtherintoacommunal areawhichhasaccesstoindividualworkstations eachhavea variety softwarefortheartistsworkontheirmusicproduction skills,andcreatetrackswith Thenweheaddowntothe basement Caroldescribesaboutplanstheyhaveforanew mixingroomdownhere asitisjusttheperfectspaceforthis Shecontinuestoexplainshowtheyhavebeenexpandingfast overthelastfewyears andhowthereareseveraldifferent waysyoungpeoplecanaccesstheirmentoringandmusical support Theyhaveseveralweeklydrop-insallaroundCardiffcitywhere kidscancomeexploretheirmusicalskillswithindividual musicalmentors ThisenablesSoundProgression’sworktobe accessibleinthosecommunities withoutthebarrierofhaving totravelintothecitycentre especiallyafterschool
SoundProgressionisfreeforeveryone andgivesyoungpeoplea realchancetoexpressthemselvesthroughthemediumofmusic Theyarecreatingtangibleandachievablegoals,and unbelievableopportunities Oneoftheseincredibleopportunities wasaninternationalexchangeproject FundedbyWales InternationalArts,severalofSoundProgression’sartistsgotthe opportunitytotraveltoNewYork;recordinaprostudiotherewith NewJerseyCollective-ARAWProductions Itwasanopportunity madepossiblebytalentedProducer/Artist/Mentor,KyleFarrugia, whodevelopedthisconnectionovermanyyears Thiscollaborationgavethechosenartistsachancetoestablisha solidcollaborationwithamericanrapartists,experiencedifferent workingpractices musicalstyles andbecomeabsorbedwithin culturalexchange Thisprojectsaimwasto createnewmusic tracksaimedatraisingtheprofileofWelshHipHopCultureand elevatingtheartistsglobalstatus’ Havingcollaboratedand producedanEP-theseartistswillcomebacktogetherto promoteandperformtheEPthissummerinWales
Join Spring Clean Cymru 2023, 17 March to 2 April
Thisspring,environmentalcharityKeepWales Tidyislookingtoinspirethousandsoflitter heroesacrossWalestojoinforcestocollectand safelydisposeoflitterfromourstreets,green spacesandbeaches
Lastyear’sSpringCleanCymruwasthebiggest ever,withanincredible17,000volunteersgetting involvedin364eventsacrossthecountry Themessagethisyearissimple:evenonebag canmakeadifference Individuals,families, communitygroups,schoolsandbusinessesare beingurgedtogetinvolvedbetween17March and2April.
NotonlydoeslittercostWalesroughly£70milliontoremoveeachyear,butitalsohas devastatingeffectsonourmarineandlocalwildlife TheRSPCAreportsonaverage receiving14callsadayaboutanimalsaffectedbylitter,withcallsspikinginthesummer months
Litterpickingisalsoafun,freeeventthatcanbenefityourhealth,well-being,andsenseof prideinyourcommunity
Inarecentsurvey,90%ofKeepWalesTidy’sLitterChampions(volunteersthatregularly carryoutclean-ups)saidthatlitterpickingmadethemfeelgoodaboutthemselves.71% saiditmadethemfeelhealthierandmorephysicallyactive And88%saidtheyfeltthey werehavingapositiveimpactontheirlocalarea
“Our message this year is simple: even one bag can make a big difference.
Whether you choose to clean up your own neighbourhood, your favourite beach, park or beauty spot - every piece of litter removed from the natural environment matters.”
OwenDerbyshire,KeepWalesTidyChiefExecutive
JoininginwithSpringCleanCymruiseasy JustheadtotheKeepWalesTidywebsite andfilloutthesimpleonlineformwithdetailsofyourclean-up
There’sguidanceonhowtoplanasafeevent,includingstepbystepinformationon assessingrisks,howyoucangetholdoftherightkitanddisposeofthelitterand recyclingyoucollect.
Therearealsoawholerangeofpublicitymaterialstohelpyoushoutaboutyour event
Ifyou’dratherjoinaclean-upthatisalreadybeingplanned,KeepWalesTidyhave aninteractivemapontheirwebsitetoo.Thisincludesdetailsofclean-upsbeing organisedbytheirlocalprojectofficersaswellasopeneventsthatarebeing arrangedbycommunitygroupsandotherorganisations
No one is too small to make a difference
KeepWalesTidyfirmlybelievenooneistoosmalltomakeabigdifference That’swhy,aspartof SpringCleanCymru,theyareencouragingschoolstogetinvolvedintheGreatBigSchoolClean Schoolscanholdaclean-up(orseveralclean-ups)anytimebetween17Marchand2April, collectingasmuchlitterastheycan
ThereareevenspecialGreatBigSchoolCleanresources,ideasandactivitiesforschoolstaking part
GetinvolvedinSpringCleanCymru–visittheKeepWalesTidywebsite wwwkeepwalestidycymru/springclean-cymru
Whateveractionsyou’retaking,share yourpicturesandplanswithKeep WalesTidyusing#SpringCleanCymru
AswellastyingintotheUK-wideGreatBritishSpringCleancampaign,SpringCleanCymruis partofCaruCymru–KeepWalesTidy’sbiggesteverinitiativetoeradicatelitterandwaste CaruCymru(aWelshphrasemeaning‘LoveWales’)aimstoinspireeveryonetotakeaction andcarefortheenvironment
Thevisionisthatitwillbecomesecondnatureforeverybodytodotherightthing,fromtaking litterhomeandcleaningupaftertheirdog,recycling‘on-the-go’,reusingandrepairing Byeverybodyworkingtogethertocreateacleanandsafeenvironment,wecanbuildstronger, healthiercommunitiesandmakeapositivedifferencetoourplanet
CaruCymruhasreceivedfundingthroughtheWelshGovernmentRuralCommunities-Rural DevelopmentProgramme2014-2020,whichisfundedbytheEuropeanAgriculturalFundfor RuralDevelopmentandtheWelshGovernment
SoulTrailWellbeingC.I.Cisanot-for-profit organisationdeliveringfreewalksandnaturebasedinterventionstothecommunity,tohelp improvementalhealthandwellbeing.Allwalks andprogrammesarefunded,meaningpeoplecan attendtheprojectsandaccesstransportto locationswithoutcharge Directors,LeanneAnyinsahandEnricoTemple,are keentopromoteinclusivityandaimtoimprove mentalhealth-welcomingpeoplefromallages andbackgroundsprovidingasafespacetotalk, enjoynatureandconnectwithothers. Attendeesfromsoultrailwellbeingsessionshave significantlyfeltreducedstressandanxiety, increasedconfidenceandconnectedwithnature
Thequestionnairesevidencedthatattendees’ moodshaveonaverageimprovedby60%from onesinglewalk
SoulTrailhavebeenestablishedfortwoyears,delivering10differentprojects,supportingover200peopleinthe NewportandBristolcommunity,allowingmorepeopletoconnectwithnatureandimprovingmentaland physicalhealth.Atleast70%oftheattendeesarefromaminoritybackgroundand/orhavepoormentalhealth. PartnershipssofarhaveincludedtheNHS,NationalLottery,GreenSocialPrescribing/doctorsurgeries,Newport CityCouncil,SportEngland,WesportandtheNatureWellAcademy.
Ithasbeenevidencedthattherecanbehugehealthbenefitstobeingoutdoorsandconnectedwithnature. Scientificevidencehasshownthatwalkingandbeingconnectedwithnaturecan:
oImprovemood
oDecreasestress
oReduceanxietyanddepression
oBoostourimmunesystems
oIncreasefitnesslevels
oReducebloodpressure
oIncreasevitaminabsorption
Whatdotheyoffer?
WithLeanne’sskillsasapsychotherapistandgroupfacilitator,withEnrico’sMarineandfirefighteroutdoor skills/experiencewiththeoutdoors–SoulTrailwalksaddauniquetwisttowhatyouwouldusuallyencounterwith otherwalkinggroups
Throughincorporatingthe5waystowellbeingrecommendedbytheNHS,SoulTrailaimtoencouragepeopleto:
•Connect:helpingpeopleconnectwithnatureandeachotherthroughtalking,supportingandteam exercises/nature-basedactivities
•BeActive:throughmovingandwalking
•BePresent: mindfulness,reflectionandgroundingexercises
•Learnnewskills:mentalhealthawareness(psychoeducation)andoutdoorskillsincludingforaging,hikingand learningaboutwildlife
•Givetoothers:encouragingteamworkwithingroups,empoweringwalkerstobuildconfidenceleadingagroupor sharingtheirownskills.
Leanneshared,“gettingoutdoors,connectingwithnatureandtalkingwithotherpeoplehasahugeimpactonmy ownmentalhealth EnricoandIlovewhatwedo,becausenaturegivesbacktous–wehavesuchapassionto helpotherpeoplebenefitfromnature,anditsworking!Thedemandhasbeenamazing”.
Projectscurrentlyinclude:
-NHS6-weekNatureProgramme
-Womensmindfulnesswalks
-Menswalks&talk
-Hikes
-Parent/carerwellbeingwalks
-Youthoffendingteamnatureworkshops
-DiabetesImprovementprogramme
SoulTrailWellbeinghaveavisionto provideeveryone,withtheopportunity toreconnectwithnature andhopeto delivermoreprojectstotheSouth Walescommunity
Theyarecurrentlylookingforfurther fundinginWalesandarehopingto expandbydevelopinganatureagency, offeringfreeone-to-oneoutdoor therapyandgrouphikes,mindfulness walksandnatureprogrammes
- I never thought I wouldhave madeit upPenyfan, withsupport fromSoul Trail I amsoproudof myself What anachievement
tickedoff my bucket list!
FoodanddrinkbusinessesrepresentoneofthebiggestsectorsintheWelsheconomy,andtheyformseveraldifferent sub-sectors Hospitalityvenues,touristcentres,theirpresenceatuniversities,colleges,schoolsorlanguageschools, andsportsdestinations,representsomeofthesevariedbusinesses Infact,therearemorethan10,000foodanddrink outletsinWales-fromrestaurantstotakeawayvenues,fromsupermarketsandwholesalerstolocal corner shops
Theaboveoutletsplayavitalroleinthepopulation’shealthandwellbeing,sincetheyarehowalmostallfoodand drinkproductsaredistributedtoconsumersinWales Makingsurethatfoodisservedordeliveredsafelyandhealthily toallformsofdifferentclientsiscrucial,andisakeycomponentofbusinessresponsibilityandcomplianceonthe partoffoodanddrinkbusinesses
Havingeffectivefoodsafetymanagementinplaceisbeneficialinmanyways:tomeetregulatoryauthority requirements tobuildthegoodnameandreputationofabusinessand ultimately toincreaseitsrevenueandprofits too Italsohelpsbusinessesidentifythehazardsthatmightaffectthequalityoffoodbeingsoldandensurethat consumersarenotadverselyaffectedthroughoneofseveralroutes
Raisingawarenessoftheimportanceofapplyinghighhealthandwellbeingstandardsamongfoodanddrink handlers,shouldformpartofaculturalchangeforsuchworkers Inorderthattheyunderstandtheircentralrolein healthandwellbeingforallmembersofthecommunityand,soastoplaytheirpartefficiently,theyneedtobe trainedontypesofhazardsandtheircontrol andonthekindsofmeasurestobeimplementedforthespecific businessinwhichtheyareemployed
Microbiologicalhazards
Differenttypesofmicrobiologicalpathogensmightbefoundinfoodanddrinkandcausecontamination Thesecan bebacteria,viruses,parasites,mouldoryeast Theirpotentialsourcesarepeople,pests,water,raworunfitfood,soil, dustorwasteproducts Suchpathogenscangettoconsumersthroughhands,equipment,hand-surfacecontact, food-surfacecontact,orcross-contamination
Chemicalhazards
Foodcanbecontaminatedwithchemicals,suchaspesticidesorweed-killers,asaresultofinappropriatepestcontrol orpoorcleaningpractices
Physicalhazards
Physicalhazardsincludethingswhicharepotentiallyharmfulsuchaspackagingmaterials,glass,nails,oreven stones
Radioactivematerials
Naturalandartificialradioactivematerials,emanatingfromthepresenceofuraniumorthoriumserieselements,can comefromsourcessuchasnuclearaccidentsortestsandthedisposalofradioactivewastetotheenvironment, gettingtohumanbeingsthroughingestionorinhalation
Allergenichazards
Theseareusuallyproteinsubstanceswhichcausethebody’simmunesystemtoover-respondincertainindividuals Symptomsinclude suddenweakness abdominalpainorcollapse Foodsubstancescommonlycontainingallergens are:nuts milk soya eggs orglutenwithincertaincereals
Eachtypeofhazardnotedabovecanbecontrolledthroughrelativelysimplemeans,asfollows:
Microbiologicalhazards
Effectiveinstruction,supervisionandtrainingoffoodhandlers,withclearseparationofrawandready-to-eatfood, effectivecleaning,andtheuseofdisposablepaperclothesorcolour-codedclothing
Chemicalhazards
Alockableareaishighlyrecommendedforchemicalstorage,separatefromfoodstuffs Cleaningandpestcontrol mustneverexposefoodanddrinkitemstotheriskofcontamination
Physicalhazards
Throughsatisfactorydesign,constructionandmaintenance,allold,worn,damagedorunsuitableequipmentshould bereplaced Aglassbreakagepolicyandabanontheuseofsoftwoodisalsoimportantinthisregard
Allergenichazards
Clearandfullcommunicationinthedescriptionsofdishes,drinksandtheiringredientsisanecessity Listeningto customers,checkingthatlabellingiscorrect,usingapprovedsuppliersonly,andsuitablestafftrainingareallessential prerequisites
Differentprocedureswillhelptoimproveadherencetohealthandwellbeingstandardswithin foodanddrinkbusinesses Oneexampleisafoodsafetybook,whichincludesguidelineson howtocontrolcross-contamination,effectivecleaning,chillingprocedures,cookingnorms andpestcontrolimplementation.
Atlantis Academy can play a role in improving health and wellbeing standards The Academy is comprised of experts in training and education, translation, environmental protection and engineering, auditing and project managementsystems In2023andbeyond,Dr Megrahibelievesthatpost-COVID19economicstrategieswillhave todealwithongoingchallenges:“Thereisnodoubtthat,nationallyandinternationally,governmentsandotherpublic sectorbodieswillhavetoimplementpoliciesthatreflectproperethicalstandardsinthewayweutiliseresourceshuman financial and technical In this way we will be able to tackle improved health and wellbeing outcomes reduceresourcewastage,anddealwiththecomplexityofculturalandsocialissuesthatimpedehumanprogress” Astheeffectsofthepandemiccontinuetoaffectlargeswathesoftheworld’spopulation,nationalandlocalofficials will have to integrate ethical, solutions-based, and viable environmental policies, to reinvigorate all sectorsbusiness, professional, science, civic and non-governmental organisations It is in this vein, that Dr Megrahi and membersofhisAtlantisteamareworkingassiduouslytorealisetheirimportantandattainablemission
The systems needed within businesses to maintain health and wellbeing assurance levels.
IwasbornintoamisplacedSouthLondonIrishand Yorkshirefamily So,Ithought Achallengingfamilywith lotsofhiddensecretsandstories Itookmyselfonan ancestryadventure-alwaystaughtto‘knowthyself know thyLord IverecentlydiscoveredIndigenousAmerican ancestors,aMoorishWestAfricangrandfather,South Asian(nosurpriseforatravellerfamily),ahugelotof ScottishDNAandabigrevelationoftravellersinall directions Itraveltheglobeyearlongandfeelso comfortableonthemove,carryingontheseancestral traditions
Myfamilyhadrelocatedondoctor’sorderstotheseaside inKent Ipromptlyreturnedhometothebigcityat16 The UKhiphopandclubscenewasinfullblossomandfor severalyearswehadthetimeofourlivesatSoultoSoul, TheRoyalOperaHouse,illegalpartiesontheCircleLine andafulltimetableofcrimeandnaughtybehaviour Hip hopinitsoriginwasnotjustmusic Itwasafullcultureof art,dance,activism,andteaching Manyofmycircle becameMuslimonebyone,settingoffallmyradical feministnervesnoend Ibegantoread Iwasalreadyon apathtofindabetterunderstandingoflifethanIhad foundinmytraumatisedfamily Lookingforthekeysto life,Islamhadalltheanswers AsaveryyoungwomanI embracedIslamandwalkedforwardasaMuslim
Thisradicallifechangecameaboutpre-9/11and7/7, aroundthetimeoftheIran/IraqwarandIgotatasteof justhowhatefultheUKpubliccanbe,rightaway Thefirst cutcamebeforeIdeclaredIwasMuslim Ihadworna headscarftoameetingwheretheywereteachingQur’an SomeoneassaultedmeoutsideMcDonaldsinMarble Arch-completelyunprovoked Thatweekawomandied frombeingpushedinfrontofaTubefornootherreason thanbeingopenlyMuslim Thentheterribleeventsof9/11 unfolded,andallhellbrokelooseforourcommunity At thispointIlivedinEdinburghnearanotoriousestate,and itwasacaseofbeingunsafebothinandoutofmy home Despitetwosmallbabiesandanever-expanding bellythisdidnotseemtostopthebehaviourofasmall groupofhatefulfolks Thepolicewerenohelpatall We weresupervulnerable,forcedtoadjustmydressand relocate,whichtookalongtime Don’tbelievethis dialoguethatScotlandisapeacefulplaceforthoseother thanScottish Sometimesitis-oftentimesitisnot
Overthistimeofgreatvulnerability meetingmyfour babiesunbeknownsttome Iwasgatheringdata Tobe fedintomylife'sworkofsupportingwomenandtheir health Notjusttheirwombhealthbutthefamily,the environment,andthecommunitytheyliveamongst All impactingtheirwombhealthandthehealthoftheir babies Ihadzeroideaabouttheimpactoftraumaon theunbornorbreastfeedingbaby,onthewomb These dayswehavesomuchmoredata GaborMateand ResmaaMenakemcanhelpyoutodelvedeeper
Tonurtureconfidencein facilitatingdoulasupport
AtRedTentdoulas,we believethereisadoulafor everyone Webelieveone ofthemostimportant aspectsindoulaingisto createacommunityof supportaroundeach doula Thiswillnourishher drivetowalkalongside others,givingher confidenceandstrength fromawealthofwisdom
Myoldersisterlookedaftermeduringmyyoungeryears WhenI hadmybabies shegavemethegreatlearningofmakingsure therewassomethingIstilldidformyselfafterthebabyarrived Whenmydaughterreachedtwomonths Iwentacrossthestreet toAdultEducationmassageclassesonceaweek,fortwohours Thebabycriedwithherdaddythewholetime,butIknewthis madememorepeacefulandstrongerforhertherestoftheweek andcontinued
Thispathtookmethroughsomanylearningpaths-directand indirect Slowlyitbecameclearthatitwasatraditionalmidwifery path andIhadthegoodfortuneofbeingadoptedbya phenomenalmotherfigureandtraditionalMuslimmidwife,called RifatPeggyNafisaBrown IndebttothelineageoftheGrand MidwivesofAmericaandthelocalindigenoussisters tothe radicalmovementbacktoself-ledwomenshealthcareinthe6s, 70sand80s,tothetraditionalwaysofIslamicmedicine,andjust herGod-ledbeautifulself Ibegantolearnmoreandmore We nowhadthesciencecomingthroughthe90sonwards-the impactofourobstetricpracticesandthetraumaandbadhealth, andconverselytheflourishingandgoodhealthoftheoldways
Alongsidethehealtheducationcamethespirituallearning AfterI welcomedmyfirstdaughterandbeforethearrivalofmysecond, Ispentmanyyearsinareligiousseminary,developingmy relationshipwiththeDivine Notjusttheesotericbutthepractical also Youcanbesuperholyandaterriblecommunitymember ClosetoGodbutpollutingtheearth Iwantedthisthreadto weaveallthroughmylife
https://redtentdoulas.co.uk
https://tellmamaukorg
OnoccasionswetrainMuslimdoulasinanexclusivesafe spaceofsolelyMuslimwomen,todiscussourchallengesand ourjoysinapeacefulenvironment Ourcommunityremains underattack TheInvisibleReportwasreleasedlastyear lookingattheexperienceofMuslimparentsinmaternity services Nosurprisetofindtheexpectedresultsofpoorcare, badfeeling moreillhealthandrisk Wearebeingdemonised receivingdailyill-feelingandracialisedhealthcare,suffering theMuslimcriticalmainstreammedia Wealsojoinedforces withMarsLordofAbuelaDoulastoformourjointventure AbuelasRedTent,offeringCulturalSafetyandAnti-Racism workshopstonon-profitorganisationsandNHStrusts
Wearecreatingmorecompetencyandsafety Wearecocreatingaspacewherefolkarefreetousetraditionalways alongsideclinicalways tosafelybringababyintothisworld andthisfamily Notjustwithbodilyintegrity,butwiththeir nervoussystemintact,withparentswhowereabletoenjoythe wholeexperience withnolife-changinginjuriestobodyor spirit,withcelebrationandnourishment Wearecallingoutbad practiceclearlyandmakingsureitsstampedout
On occasions we train Muslim doulas in an exclusive safe space of solely Muslim women, to discuss our challenges and our joys in a peaceful environment.
BE Xcellece CIC is committed to working within and adhering strictly to the Editors Code of Practice
However, if any person feels we have breached the code in anyway, and wishes to make a complaint, please submit your complaint, in writing to the editor info@bexcellence.co.uk in accordance with the following steps.
• All complaints must include the name and date of the publication, with reference to the specific article in question
• Please include the URL of the article if possible, and/or link to any image or video.
• A detailed description of the complaint, with reference to specific words, phrases, images, instances, dates and records that are relevant, and which clauses of the Editors Code of Practice you believe the publication has breached
Who can complain?
•
Complaints must be made on behalf of a named individual only. This includes complaints where businesses and organisations are involved
In submitting a complaint, you must provide your full name, address, phone number and email.
What can I complain about?
You can complain about any article, in print or online, including words, images and audio / video content.
You can also complain about the conduct of an individual journalist or employee of the publication in question, with reference to specific (if any) clauses of the Editors Code which are in breach
Time Limit
Complaints must be contemporaneous and must be made within four months of publication
The publication will endeavor to respond to the complainant within 21 working days.
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
• The editor will confirm receipt of the complaint within three working days by contacting the complainant via email.
• All complaints will be dealt with by the editor of the publication that published the article, and/or the employer of the named individual.
• The editor will investigate the complaint to the best of his/her ability, in respect of the Editors Code of Practice, and respond accordingly
• If we uphold your complaint, we will inform you of the remedial actions taken or to be taken
• If the complainant is not satisfied with the suggested resolution, the complaint will be referred to independent arbitration.
All information provided to [ ] will be handled sensitively and within the boundaries of the Data Protection Act 1998.
Thismagazine,has3primaryintentions
TofillthegapintheFREEcommunitymagazinespace ToprovidecontexttowidergroupsofpeopleinWales TocelebratethecontributionsofBlack,AsianandMinorityEthniccommunitiestoWales.
Wehopeyouhaveenjoyedreadingit,asmuchasweenjoyedputtingittogether!
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