The Voice Newspaper August 2025

AUGUST 2025 • ISSUE NO. 1969

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Let the celebrations begin! ›› p36

Notting Hill Carnival is back in full colour

‘I’LL SPEAK TRUTH TO POWER’

New Windrush Commissioner vows justice for victims failed by the Home Office REV CLIVE Foster (pictured left) tells The Voice in an exclusive interview, he’ll fearlessly speak truth to power to deliver justice for Windrush scandal victims—promising action, not symbolism, as he launches a national mission to hold the government to account. ›› p4

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‘TOXIC HAIR PRODUCTS? NEVER AGAIN!’

AFTER SURVIVING cancer, entrepreneur Jacqueline Shaw (above) launches the UK’s first plantbased braiding hair—offering a safer alternative to toxic extensions and a bold new vision for protecting Black women’s health. ›› p6

Inside THIS MONTH

The Voice says

ROUNDUP NEWSPAPER

News, views, stories & videos

THE 10 MOST POPULAR STORIES ON VOICE-ONLINE.CO.UK

8

Spiritual strength and cultural pride: Rastafari’s enduring impact on Black British culture

12

“Jen was the heart of our family”: relatives of mum killed in M25 crash slam the CPS

PAINFUL: Compensation for Windrush scandal victims has been slow and insultingly inadequate (photo: Getty Images)

28 Rev Clive Foster’s fight

‘Knife crime took my son — now my play Is helping others heal and forgive’

33

From grief to greatness: how King O’Holi became the movement behind the music

34

Director Micah Abna’s film puts south London’s silent struggles on the big screen

39

Kent batsman Tawanda Muyeye has England in his sights

for Windrush justice needs our support

B

Y ANY measure, the road to justice for Windrush scandal victims has been long, painful and unjust.

Compensation has been slow, inconsistent and, in many cases, insultingly inadequate. Victims have died waiting. Others have been retraumatised by a system run by the very department that caused the harm.

Enter Reverend Clive Foster, the newly appointed Windrush Commissioner, who has pledged to speak truth to power “without fear or favour” and push for systemic change.

In an exclusive interview with The Voice, he made clear this is no token role for him — he is determined to be a genuine force for justice and change. And the challenge could not be greater. The compensation scheme remains riddled with flaws: a lack of access to legal advice, complex application processes, delays, and inconsistent decisions.

The Home Office assesses its own failures and handles appeals, something that is a clear conflict of interest. Victims are forced to navigate this hostile terrain alone,

This issue is 40 pages EDITOR Vic Motune E. vic.motune@thevoicemedia group.co.uk

CORPORATE AFFAIRS & COMMUNICATIONS Paula Dyke E. paula@thevoicemedia group.co.uk

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Paulette Simpson E. paulette.simpson@thevoice mediagroup.co.uk

ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Joel Campbell E. joel.campbell@thevoice mediagroup.co.uk

often without the support or cultural sensitivity they need.

Foster’s vision is to change of all this.

He has already raised key issues like pension losses, the need for legal aid, and the painfully slow pace of compensation. He’s not naïve about the size of the task. He knows that the community’s trust of the Home Office is at rock bottom.

But he brings something no official can fake: grassroots credibility and lived understanding.

“I’ve walked with the community,” he says. “This is unfinished injustice.”

He has vowed to be visible, accountable and engaged, not hidden away in Whitehall. His listening tour has begun, and his call to action is clear: “We have to do something.”

Clive Foster cannot succeed alone.

The Black community must rally behind his efforts, not with blind optimism, but with cautious hope and firm resolve.

If this new chapter is to mean anything, it will require pressure, persistence and people power.

Justice is overdue. Rev Foster deserves our support to deliver it.

‘SPECIAL’: Denis Kaate

1

‘Denis was a truly special soul — Mandem On The Wall co-creators share sad news of the death of close friend

2 3 4 5 6

UK’s first Jamaican patty TV ad to air nationwide Diane Abbott suspended again by Labour over racism comments

Captain Ibrahim Traoré channels Africa’s great freedom fighters — that’s why the West is afraid Can Ibrahim Traoré help Africa to break away from the chains of neocolonialism?

Dion Farrell: ‘From the streets to the stage: Christian playwright inspires thousands with message of hope ‘7/7 took my mum. Twenty years later, the grief still echoes through my life’

7 8 9 10

British Museum says it can’t permanently return looted Benin Bronzes in its collection to Nigeria In Chicago, Pope Leo XIV’s Creole and African roots create a stir Brixton prepares to say goodbye to Windrush legend Clovis Salmon

Got a story? email us at yourviews@thevoicemediagroup.co.uk SPORTS EDITOR Rodney Hinds E. rodney.hinds@thevoice mediagroup.co.uk ADVERTISING AND SALES E. advertising@thevoicemedia group.co.uk

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AUGUST 2025 THE VOICE | 3

News

‘I WANT MY RIGHTS BACK’ Windrush victim George Lee returns to the UK after 27 years in exile.

By Sinai Fleary and Vic Motune

G

EORGE LEE, a Windrush scandal victim who spent 27 years trapped in bureaucratic exile in Poland, has finally returned to the UK – marking the end of a decades-long ordeal that campaigners say exposes continued failings in the Home Office’s handling of the scandal.

Lee, 72, arrived at Birmingham Airport last month, welcomed by Bishop Dr Desmond Jaddoo MBE, Director of the Windrush National Organisation who campaigned for his return with the words, “Welcome home.”

Lee’s quiet but powerful reply was: “I’m back.”

STATELESS Born in Clarendon, Jamaica, he came to the UK in 1961 at the age of eight to join his parents.

He grew up in London, where he was educated, employed, married, and raised a family. Britain was home.

But in 1997, after struggling to find work, he accepted a short-term English teaching contract in Poland. When he later tried to return, he was told by the British Embassy in Warsaw that he had no entitlement to re-enter the UK. Despite nearly four decades of lawful residence, he was denied re-entry and became effectively stateless.

“Every day for the past 25 years, I woke up with uncertainty,” Lee said.

“In Poland, I was classed as a citizen of nowhere. I felt like I had no value, as though my life didn’t matter.”

He added: “As a child growing up in Jamaica, we looked up to Britain.

I was excited when I came to the UK. I was educated here, worked, raised a family – and now, I feel utterly betrayed by Britain.”

Lee’s prolonged exile came de-

spite a series of legislative changes following the Windrush scandal in 2018, which exposed how hundreds of legal UK residents, many from the Caribbean, were wrongfully detained, denied rights, or deported due to a lack of official documentation.

In 2022, the Nationality and Borders Act granted the Home Secretary powers to waive residency requirements for people like him who have been excluded from the UK “through no fault of their own.”

But instead of granting citizenship using those discretionary powers, the Home Office told Lee he must obtain a Jamaican passport and apply for a returning resident visa – despite being eligible for support under the Windrush Scheme and having lived in the UK for nearly 40 years.

“The fact that Mr Lee was lost in the system for over two decades – and only now being allowed to return home – shows just how far we still have to go,” said Bishop Jaddoo, who led the campaign for his return.

“This is not just a historic injustice.

It’s a current, global one. We must demand not just apologies, but real, urgent reform.”

The teacher lived in increasingly desperate conditions while stuck in Poland.

He faced eviction, survived without electricity, and was forced to take on odd jobs to make ends meet – often exploited due to his uncertain legal status.

Campaigners say the UK’s diplomatic failings played a significant role in his prolonged exile.

“George wasn’t allowed access to the British consulate in Poland,” said Bishop Jaddoo. “When he went to the consulate in Krakow, he couldn’t speak to a British person.

He was fobbed off by local staff on

WELCOME BACK: George Lee (left) is greeted by Bishop Desmond Jaddoo, Director of the Windrush National Organisation, after 27 years in Poland (photo: Windrush Movement UK, WNO, Mkuu Aman) the triage desk who told him to go away – and that happened again and again.”

Jaddoo added: “This demands serious scrutiny. We’ve been telling the Home Office to stop outsourcing Commonwealth matters to local staff.

“The Foreign Office and Home Office pass responsibility between them, and vulnerable people are left in limbo. No records were kept of George’s attempts to get help. He was effectively erased.”

Lee says he felt forgotten by the country he helped rebuild. “I want justice – not just for me, but for the many others still stuck abroad, forgotten. I have a right to be here,” he said. “I came to the UK on my aunt’s British passport when Jamaica was

still a colony. Decades later, I was to Jamaica. He was abandoned in told I wasn’t a citizen and had all Poland. His is not an isolated case. my rights taken away. I want those The Windrush scandal didn’t just rights back.” destroy lives in the UK – it left people stranded around the world.”

Lee’s return is being hailed as a BARRIERS His case is a stark reminder meaningful victory. But campaignof the long tail of the Home Of- ers insist it must be a turning point.

“This return is a moment of jusfice Windrush scandal and the continued barriers faced by those tice long overdue,” said Jaddoo. seeking redress. Although the “But it’s not enough to bring people Windrush Compensation Scheme home quietly and hope the scandal and Windrush Scheme were intro- is forgotten. There must be accountduced to address the harm done, ability and systemic change.”

As he took his first steps back on both have faced persistent criticism for delays, low payouts, and com- British soil, Lee made one final plea: “I want my rights back. I want my plexity.

Bishop Jaddoo said Mr Lee’s story dignity back. And I want others like highlights a “new dimension” to the me to finally be seen and heard.”

A Home Office spokesperson scandal – those exiled to third-party countries. “George wasn’t deported told The Voice: “It is longstanding

policy not to comment on individual cases. However, when this government arrived a year ago, it pledged to do things differently.

“For 77 years, the Windrush community has made an immense contribution to our country, weaving a vital thread in the fabric of British society.

“We have made a longstanding commitment to ensure victims of the Home Office Windrush scandal are heard, justice is sped up, and that the compensation scheme is run effectively.

“The Home Secretary announced the appointment of the first Windrush Commissioner, Reverend Clive Foster, who will also recommend any further changes he believes are required.”

POWERLIST PREPARES TO CELEBRATE 20TH YEAR THE Powerlist prepares to celebrate its 20th anniversary later this year. The countdown is officially underway for the prestigious Powerlist awards 2026 which honours the most influential Black people in Britain.

Powerful Media will host the Celebration of Black Excellence Awards, at which the Powerlist will be launched, in just three months – on Friday, October 24. The landmark celebration will take place at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London.

Sir Lewis Hamilton, Edward Enninful OBE, Karen Blackett CBE, and Dame Sharon White are just some of the high-profile names to have been given the coveted title as Powerlist Number One over the years.

The Celebration of Black Excellence Awards, now a staple of the awards calendar, has also featured keynote speeches delivered by former prime ministers Gordon Brown and Theresa May. Launched by Powerful Media Ltd, the Powerlist was created to

celebrate and shine a light on the UK’s most inspirational and influential people of African, AfricanCaribbean, and African-American heritage.

Now entering its 20th year, the Powerlist has grown into a vital platform that not only recognises Black excellence across sectors but also helps to reframe narratives, influence perceptions, and empower the next generation of leaders.

Reflecting on the significance of this year’s anniversary edition,

Michael Eboda, CEO of Powerful Media, said: “The 20th anniversary of the Powerlist is a huge milestone. Two decades ago, we set out to change the narrative and to showcase Black excellence.

“This year’s Powerlist and awards ceremony will be a powerful reminder of how far we’ve come and how much more we can achieve. It will be a night of legacy, leadership, and looking ahead to a future where representation and recognition go hand in hand.”

MILESTONE: Michael Eboda, CEO of Powerful Media

4 | THE VOICE AUGUST 2025

News Feature

NEW COMMISSIONER VOWS TO CHAMPION JUSTICE

CHAMPIONING THE CAUSE: Rev Clive Foster delivers a powerful address at his first public engagement as Windrush Commissioner, pledging to fight for justice and rebuild trust

Foster determined to ensure the victims of the Windrush scandal get all of the compensation they deserve. By Vic Motune

R

EVEREND CLIVE Foster, the newly appointed Windrush Commissioner, has pledged to challenge the government “without fear or favour” and fight for meaningful justice for those affected by the Home Office Windrush scandal, in a hard-hitting interview with The Voice.

Speaking just weeks after stepping into the role, Foster made clear he will not be a symbolic figurehead but a determined advocate for victims.

His message is one of realism, resolve, and resistance to tokenism, and he dismissed fears, expressed by some in the Black community, that he may be pressured into being simply a mouthpiece for the government.

“I will carry out this role independently, without fear or favour, while creating a constructive relationship with government where challenge is welcomed and scrutiny leads to specific, transparent improvement” he told The Voice.

“Independence means that I have a responsibility to strongly speak truth to power. It’s really important that my role is seen to be – and is – independent. That’s why I took the role.”

The Windrush Commissioner post, announced by the Home Secretary on June 18, was created to oversee the government’s response to the scandal, including the widely criticised compensation scheme, and to push for systemic reform.

Foster, a senior pastor and son of Jamaican migrants, brings years of community activism and experience to the part-time role, which comes with a £130,000 salary over a three-year term.

The appointment comes amid growing scepticism among victims and campaigners, many of whom have lost faith in the Home Office’s ability to deliver justice after years of delay, bureaucracy and trauma.

But Foster says inaction is not an option.

“We are seven years in, and the Windrush scandal is far from over,” he said. “Victims are still waiting for compensation. Some of them haven’t had their status resolved.

Tragically, we know that at least 64 people have passed away without receiving any form of payment.

“What’s the alternative? We have to do something.”

Foster acknowledges the deep mistrust many in the community feel but insists he is not a government insider.

“I’m not parachuted in from outside the community, I’ve walked with it,” he said. “This is unfinished injustice. It’s going to require all people of goodwill to see this through.”

Determined to deliver outcomes During the interview, Foster outlined a clear set of priorities for his tenure: pushing for greater transparency from the Home Office, improving the compensation scheme, speeding up documentation processes, and ensuring victims and their families feel heard.

“The number one issue is documentation, the ability to prove one’s lawful status,” he said. “Without that, people are still at risk.

“The second is that the compensation scheme must be faster, fairer and more just. Justice delayed is justice denied.”

Foster has already raised specific concerns, such as the impact of pension losses, with Home Office Minister Seema Malhotra.

He is also advocating for legal aid for claimants, a long-standing demand of campaigners.

“Unless you have legal support, you’re not going to get potentially the level of outcome of a claim. The government says you don’t need legal support. How do you square that circle?”

Foster believes that the greater independence and oversight of his FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT: Rev Clive Foster stands with community leaders and officials in Hackney as he launches a national listening tour aimed at healing the wounds of the Home Office Windrush scandal

role as Windrush Commissioner will be the key to progress in compensating victims of the scandal.

He also said he is open to exploring whether his role could eventually be moved outside the Home Office altogether, a move many believe is long overdue.

some progress has been made. I’m here to speak the truth with clarity and to focus on justice, not spin.”

“Independence means that I have a responsibility to strongly speak truth to power. It’s really important that my role is seen to be – and is – independent.

That’s why I took the role”

Community engagement a priority At his first public engagement on July 16 in Hackney, Foster launched his national listening tour as Windrush Commissioner. Joined Balancing challenge with by government and community collaboration leaders, the event aimed to rebuild Foster told The Voice he undertrust with Windrush Generation stands the “tightrope” he must members through dialogue, honwalk: holding the government to account while also forging relation- our their legacy, and ensure justice ships that lead to tangible change. for those affected by the scandal.

He also plans to hold surgeries “There will be times when I will and establish a public-facing team definitely be doing this role withto ensure that victims and families out fear or favour,” he said. “The are involved in policy conversagovernment may have a position confidence, and that only happens tions and shaping reform. which is not the one I take. But I through action.”

“I will be getting across the won’t throw the dummy out the Foster’s message to those who pram. I’m determined to continue whole of the UK, as well as our feel abandoned by the system is doing the work and find solutions. major cities. There will be a webone of hope and renewal.

“I have to have some belief that site so people can get in contact, “To borrow from Reverend Jesse and I will have a base people can change will happen. I know that Jackson, keep hope alive. I know it’s may feel like naivety to some – but come to. We must build trust and difficult, and I know many people are burnt out. But there are new people with energy and ideas, and we need to capitalise on that. The Windrush scandal is a stain on the conscience of the nation, and it’s not over.”

a full public inquiry into the Windrush scandal, an idea campaigners like Jacqueline McKenzie have long demanded.

“I think it’s something that should be explored. I know there are deeper systemic issues, and this goes beyond just one community – it touches the whole Commonwealth.”

A trusted voice with grassroots credibility Foster’s appointment has been welcomed by many, including Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, who described him as the “perfect champion” to help rebuild trust.

He brings a track record of grassroots engagement as vice-chair of the Windrush National Organisation and founder of the Nottingham Windrush Support Forum.

“I’m committed to ensuring justice is delivered for the Windrush Generation, people who have given so much to this country and deserve better than the treatment they have received,” he said.

“The injustices they faced must never be repeated, and that requires more than words; it requires cultural change, accountability, and action.”

His approach, built on realism, Vision for success engagement and action, signals a When asked what success would look like, Foster laid out three key potential shift in how the governbenchmarks: a significant increase ment deals with the aftermath of one of the most shameful chapters in documentation and settled in recent British history. status across affected communiAs Foster put it: “My role is to ties; faster, more just outcomes speak up for the victims and make from the compensation scheme; sure they are not forgotten. I’m and cultural change within the here to deliver change that people Home Office.

Foster is also open to supporting can feel in their everyday lives.”

AUGUST 2025

THE VOICE | 5

6 | THE VOICE AUGUST 2025

News Feature

HAIR-RAISING BUSINESS

An entrepreneur who battled cancer is hoping to provide safer alternatives to synthetic hair – which has been linked to disease. By Sinai Fleary

A

BLACK BRITISH entrepreneur is launching plant-based hair extensions to provide a safer alternative to synthetic hair which has been linked to cancer.

Jacqueline Shaw is the founder and director of The Canerow Company, which makes biodegradable plant-based braiding hair extensions made from banana tree fibre.

Shaw was sadly diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021, which sparked the revolutionary idea to create a product that can provide a safer and healthier alternative to synthetic hair extensions – which are made of man-made fibres often plastics.

Speaking to The Voice, she said: “Cancer is too familiar, too many of us, humans, women and Black women are dealing with this, and because of the hair loss I had, it really made me consider what I’m putting in my body and what I’m putting on my body.

“When my hair grew back, I didn’t want to put anything toxic or problematic on my hair.

“I knew that the hair I was using before was plastic-based and I didn’t like that, so I was looking at alternatives.”

After recovering from the disease, she spoke to numerous suppliers, conducted research and eventually developed her plantbased braiding hair, which she is now bringing to the market – to help protect Black women’s health.

Shaw’s product line has come at a definitive time for the hair industry, following a landmark investigation published by Consumer Reports (CR) in the US in February this year.

The CR investigation tested 10 of the most popular synthetic braiding hair products on the market at a laboratory and worryingly found all samples contained carcinogens – cancer-causing chemicals.

Braids or extensions are traditionally seen as a “protective hairstyle” for Black women as a means to protect their real hair, but the damning reports shows the hairstyle might be extremely harmful.

Some of the renowned brands tested in the research include

Magic Fingers, Sassy Collection, Shake-N-Go, Sensationnel and others.

In a statement CR Advocacy said: “Carcinogens, or cancercausing chemicals, were detected in 100% of the samples we tested.

“Benzene, a known carcinogen that can cause a kind of blood cancer – acute myeloid leukemia – was detected in three products.

All the samples also contained a probable carcinogen, methylene chloride.

“Lead was detected in nine of 10 products. With prolonged exposure, lead can cause significant health issues. This includes damage to the brain and nervous system and has been linked to immune system suppression, reproductive issues, kidney damage, and hypertension. No amount of lead is safe and it is particularly harmful to children.”

Shaw is determined to use her voice and experience to help raise awareness of the dangers linked to synthetic hair.

She said: “I believe that we need education on the topic, and we need an alternative and we need a choice, for me that is the most important thing. We deserve to have a choice and to not just use what we have in the hair shops.”

She noted that her company is “about empowerment, healing, and raising awareness about the impact synthetic hair has on us all”.

She added: “The Canerow Company is for those tired of hidden toxins in their hair products.

We are redefining what it means to protect your crown and your health.”

The price of the products will be similar market price with competitors, according to the founder.

Shaw was very intentional when choosing the name for her company – which was registered in 2024 – and wanted to pay tribute to her heritage.

She explained: “I wanted something that connects with my heritage, being Jamaican, first-generation British born to Jamaican born parents.

“I wanted something that would resonate with those I’m selling to, that they would have

INNOVATIVE: Jacqueline Shaw reviews her new plant-based hair extensions in-store. Her products are designed to be kinder to the scalp and the planet; inset, Jacqueline chose the name The Canerow Company for her business to honour her African ancestry that relationship with.” In Jamaica and across the Caribbean, “canerow” is the term used for the traditional style known elsewhere as “cornrows” – a word whose origins trace back to Africa.

In choosing this name, Shaw says she is honouring her African ancestry, her Caribbean upbringing, and the tradition of braiding as a symbol of beauty, strength, and community.

them a rinse through and reuse behaves differently… it can burn them again. easily as it’s a natural product.

“You can put them in the garden “But for braiding and twists waste because they are biodegrad- it works fine, you can do bantu able – and a plant-based fibre.” knots, crochet braids as well as Shaw told The Voice she’s sourc- pony tails.” ing her banana tree fibre from a Shaw insists her plant-based “predominantly Black country,” braiding hair is “scalp-friendly” and which was important to her will not cause intense itching on because “a lot of the stuff we put in the head like man-made braiding our heads is not made in a Black hair. country.”

“Unlike synthetics, you can have She added: “It makes a differthat relief from patting, itching and ence… making sure it is owned by scratching”, she said. us, made by us, and money is going According to Shaw, the back into our community… This is products will also be suitable for going to be creating jobs for farm- children and will begin taking ers in Africa and the Caribbean.” pre-orders from the beginning of Showing a 54-inch red test August. bundle, she said the plant-based Shaw also plans to introduce braiding hair will come in various wigs and clip-ins to the market in colours. “It feels different and the near future. For now, her pri-

WISDOM The entrepreneur soft-launched the business in May and has three main pillars of her business, health and wellness, environment and community.

She wants to bring women together that have shared experiences with their hair so they can share “knowledge, wisdom and insights.”

Inspired by Madam C.J. Walker – the first female self-made millionaire in America, known for creating and marketing hair care and beauty products for Black women – Shaw aspires to make a significant impact with her own product line.

“To have something that is change-making that can change the market, that is Black owned and woman owned that can make a difference here in the UK and further is so important,” she said.

She also has a Master’s degree in Ethical Fashion Sustainability and part of her unique selling point (USP) is that not only are her products kind to customers, but they are also kind to the planet too.

VISION: The banana fibre used in the extensions is ethically She added: “You can take them sourced from a predominantly Black country, supporting local out, comb them through, give farmers and reinvesting in Black communities

mary focus is on promoting and selling her first product before expanding the line.

In America, a new petition launched by CR and its members is calling on the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to assert its jurisdiction over synthetic braiding hair as a cosmetic product, and work towards holding companies accountable for getting dangerous chemicals out of these products.

CHEMICALS CR is urging the FDA to investigate synthetic braiding hair and set strict standards for these products by limiting dangerous chemicals – especially known carcinogens such as benzene, and heavy metals such as lead.

“It’s appalling that toxic chemicals are in these products with so little scrutiny from those who are supposed to protect people, like the FDA. Consumers should never have to risk their health when choosing personal care products, and yet, harmful ingredients in products marketed to Black women continue to go unaddressed,” said Oriene Shin, manager of Safety Advocacy for Consumer Reports.

“This inaction has failed Black women for too long, and policymakers should take the steps necessary to address these gaps and hold companies accountable that put consumers at risk.” l To pre-order plant-based hair products from The Canerow Company, visit: www.thecanerowcompany.com

AUGUST 2025

THE VOICE | 9

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8 | THE VOICE AUGUST 2025

News Feature

RASTAFARI’S ENDURING IMPACT ON BLACK BRITAIN

The Rastafari movement founded in Jamaica continues to inspire and its teachings remain embedded in British Black life. By Sinai Fleary

W

HEN MOST people think of Rastafari, the colours red, gold and green, Bob Marley or dreadlocks may come to mind. But the Rastafari movement is a deeper, African-centred spiritual and cultural way of life that has shaped Black British identity for decades.

Founded in Jamaica in the 1930s, Rastafari is an Abrahamic religion that reveres His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I, the last Emperor of Ethiopia, as the Second Coming of Christ. Early Rastafari teachings drew heavily on the philosophies of Jamaican Black nationalist Marcus Garvey, focusing on African divinity and liberation.

Rastafari.”

The spiritual teachings of the faith have even influenced the Christian church. “I know people within the church – Reverends and Priests – who were inspired by the INFLUENCE life and spirituality of the Emperor.

Dr Shawn Hailemariam Sobers, They went a different way but were Professor of Cultural Practice moved by His Majesty’s example,” at the University of the West of Dr Sobers explained. “It’s a level England and a Rastafarian for 35 of impact that is never seen or years, says the movement’s influacknowledged.” ence on Black Britain is “huge and Rastafari’s emphasis on African significant.” identity and resistance to Eurocen“The influence of Rastafari goes tric norms has left a lasting cultural beyond people that know of and legacy. Words like “Babylon,” “Zion,” accept His Majesty Emperor Haile and the use of familial terms like Selassie as the Second Coming,” he “King,” “Queen,” “Brother,” and “Sistold The Voice. “There is the cultur- ter” have seeped into Black British al impact, as well as a much deeper language and consciousness. and more theological impact.”

“I think certain concepts, parAccording to the 2021 Census, ticularly things like Babylon, even around 6,000 people in the UK repatriation, Zion and thinking of identified as Rastafari. While not the Motherland in terms of Africa, as widespread as in Jamaica or those sorts of terminologies have parts of the Caribbean, Dr Sobers seeped much more into the wider argues the movement’s reach far understanding,” said Dr Sobers. exceeds formal numbers.

He also points to the wider im“Even the acceptance of the pact of Rastafari’s natural lifestyle idea of a Black Jesus is now being and Ital (plant-based) diet, long taken as the norm,” he said. “Many before veganism became mainpeople today argue that Jesus and stream. “Rastafari were called crazy the Apostles were Black. They may for eating Ital food, for talking not call themselves Rasta, but that about health benefits of marijuana, conversation was often started by or being self-sufficient,” he said.

LEGACY: Dr Shawn Hailemariam Sobers and Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie, grandson of the Emperor Haile Selassie I, and President of the Crown Council of Ethiopia, at Fairfield House “Time and time again, these things have been proven true.”

“Rastafari philosophy and way of life was ahead of its time – being close to nature, embracing our hair, loving the African aesthetic of beauty. These things are only hitting the mainstream now,” he added. “People talk about decolonising now – Rasta has been decolonising since 1930.”

Rastafari’s link to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church is also important. Dr Sobers, baptised into the Church in Ethiopia in 2023, says the faith of Emperor Haile Selassie helped bring Rastafari and the Church closer.

“Now the Ethiopian Orthodox Church has a very strong presence in the UK, within both the Ethiopian and Rastafari communities,” he said. “There’s much more communication between them, and that’s

REVERED: Central to the faith, is the belief that the last Emperor of Ethiopia, His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I, is the Second Coming of Christ (photo: Getty Images)

what His Majesty wanted.”

One key site of significance is Fairfield House in Bath, the residence of Haile Selassie during his exile from 1936 to 1940. “It’s a very significant site of pilgrimage for Rastafari worldwide,” Dr Sobers noted. “There are communities in Britain – white, aged, middle-class – who still remember the Emperor’s impact in the 1930s. That legacy continues to resonate.”

question, to query, to get to know British Voices survey by The Voice what the levity is about, and realise and Cambridge University confirm our history. That has led some to Rastafari’s continued relevance. embrace the way of life.”

After Christianity and Islam, it was The idea of repatriation – return- the third most mentioned faith ing to Africa – is another enduring among over 10,000 respondents. pillar. “There are many Rastas on And despite a past marked by the continent now,” Levi-Stewart marginalisation and discriminaexplained. “The influence has tion, Rastafari is now embraced come directly from the Caribbean by many in the Black community. to Africa, but also from people in “Rastas are more respected now,” the UK who migrated there.” said Dr Sobers. “People see they Today, Rastafari followers don’t are educated, motivated, kind and always look like the traditional imREFUGE often working in charities.”

Legal activist and heritage age. “There are people who have a researcher Sis Sheeba Levispiritual yearning but do not agree IMPACT Stewart, pictured left, based in with regular religious organisaHe believes Rastafari’s impact lies south London, says Rastafari was tions,” she said. in the example of its followers: “You a spiritual refuge for Caribbean Levi-Stewart says Rastafari families during the Windrush era. differs from formal religion in that hear people say all the time, Rastas are kind-hearted people – even if “The Rastafari way of life brought it’s more spiritual than dogmatic. a lot of comfort and strength, and “Whereas religion preaches at peo- they don’t know anything about the philosophy, they know there’s somea lot of familiarity for those of us ple and demands something, the thing beautiful about Rasta.” who were born in the Caribbean Rastafari levity gives strength.”

Now with third and fourth genand came here as youngsters,” she As a young Jamaican woman, eration Rastafari families in Britain, said. “It gave us oneness, she connected with Rastafari togetherness and personal through Black history. “Our natural the movement continues to empowerment.” heritage had been beaten out of us inspire. Its teachings – on African Over time, Levi-Stew- on the plantation,” she said. “Find- pride, spirituality, environmental consciousness and unity – remain art says, the wider ing His Majesty and the spiritual embedded in Black British life. As Black community be- importance of him gave me the Levi-Stewart put it: “The Rastafari came more familiar strength and courage to grow my with the movelocks and embrace the levity in the faith tunes you into your own spiritual strength – and in this world, ment’s principles. fullness.”

“It enabled them to Recent findings from the Black that’s something we all need.”

AUGUST 2025

THE VOICE | 9

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10 | THE VOICE AUGUST 2025

News Feature

DID YOU KNOW MY FATHER?

FILLING IN THE GAPS: Curlan Campbell wants to learn as much as he can about Paul Thomas Noel and his missing family

A man searches for answers about his Windrush dad in a bid to solve a family mystery. By Sinai Fleary

A

CARIBBEAN man is desperately searching for information about his Windrush generation father who was possibly one of the first people from the Caribbean to travel to England.

Curlan Campbell is a multimedia journalist from Grenada, who is the youngest son of his late father Paul Thomas Noel, who died in 2010.

The lack of knowledge about his father’s upbringing and life in the UK has impacted the 36-year-old Grenadian’s sense of identity and he says the gaps in his family history makes him “feel incomplete as a young man.”

Speaking exclusively to The Voice, he said: “Not having a father to consult with, even when he was alive, continues to haunt me after losing him during my vulnerable mid-teen years.”

He added: “He was born on August 13, 1924, and chose to have children in his late 60s, remaining vibrant until his death, which is quite remarkable.

“I am sure he lived well and enjoyed his youth, but not knowing about his life makes me feel incomplete as a young man trying to find my identity.”

Campbell says his father rarely spoke about his family history or his life before moving to the UK – where he had three sons.

The journalist is aware he has three brothers on his father’s side but claims he has only met them once, with two of them living in England and the other residing in Canada. “To date, I do not know of their whereabouts,” he added.

If Mr Noel was alive today, he would be 101 years old, which is making the search for any details even more complicated.

By the time Campbell was

PARENTS: Paul Thomas Noel and Lillian Carmen Campbell

MYSTERIOUS: Paul Thomas Noel as a young man

old enough to ask his father the right questions about his family history, he says he unfortunately passed away under “tragic circumstances”.

He explained: “From what I was told, he returned home to Grenada, to care for his ailing mother and ended up meeting my mother, with whom he had three children.

“My mother, Lillian Carmen Campbell, tragically died from cancer when I was seven years old, leaving my father to care for three children.

“He was not a very present father, but he was also occupied with managing the farmlands he owned. As a result, we were often forced to raise ourselves.

“I remember overhearing a conversation my father had with a friend in which he mentioned travelling throughout Europe after the war and having to work to rebuild a country still recovering from the Second World War. “However, there is a lot I don’t know about his life, including who his father was and how he grew up. As I get older, I feel a burning desire to learn more about him. He possessed

knowledge on a variety of topics, with an archive of old books on subjects such as religion, spirituality, and medicine. He had a great passion for the occult, having owned many books on occult practices.”

MEMORY Campbell told The Voice he hopes sharing his grandparents’ names, William and Rosalina Noel, will jog someone’s memory.

He believes his father had other children and wants to find them.

A decade-long property dispute led to his eviction and the loss of treasured family belongings, leaving him and his sisters struggling to preserve their father’s memory.

“I also remember him as a strong man well into his 70s, always on the move and never taking time to relax. He was a man of few words who paid attention to how he dressed, especially when company was around.

Before my mother died, I also remember him baking bread for Christmas. However, after her passing, my dad was never the same; he grew cold and reserved, neglecting us in the process.”

He added: “There are many unanswered questions, and I am searching for some kind of closure to heal the internal psychological wounds of not being able to tell my future children about their grandfather.”

The journalist has exhausted his search and believes the only person still alive with information could be an elderly aunt in Trinidad who is almost 100 years old and in “no position to answer any questions.”

Campbell hopes this article in The Voice will prompt someone in the UK or around the world to come forward with information which can provide some closure for him and his family.

He said: “I want to learn more about my father’s contributions while he was in the UK and how he helped rebuild the country’s economy. I believe I have family members who are unaware of our existence, and I want to bridge that gap that lingers in the back of my mind.

“I would like to know where he lived in the UK and where he worked. Did he have any other children that I might not be aware of? If so, how many did he father, and who are they today?

Did he own property in the UK, and if so, what has become of it?”

Despite the gaps in his family history, Campbell says he cherishes the fact that his father lived “through several significant periods of history, including the Great Depression, the Second World War, post-war economic growth, and the Cold War.” He added: “This is something children my age will never fully

understand. Although my dad is not physically present to guide me, I’ve learned valuable lessons about becoming a man by observing his work ethic, dress code, gentlemanly behaviour, and his strict intolerance for speaking “the Queen’s English” improperly.

These are just some of my fond memories.”

PENSION During his search for answers, Campbell found some paper work from his father’s belongings which indicate he may have worked at a major biscuit factory in the UK. The documents, seen by The Voice, show that until his death Mr Noel was receiving a pension from United Biscuits.

The Voice reached out to United Biscuits but had not received a response by the time of publication.

United Biscuits (UB) is a British multinational food manufacturer, and makers of McVitie’s biscuits, Jacob’s Cream Crackers and Twiglets Founded in March 1948, the company launched the same year as the arrival of the Empire Windrush.

Many members of the Windrush generation worked in factories and the production lines of biscuit factories up and down the country, and they were places

where a great many found work.

In 2024, 105-year-old Mavis Wallace, affectionately known as Aunt May, told The Voice, she worked at the Peek Freans biscuit factory in Bermondsey, southeast London, for nearly 40 years before retiring in the 1990s.

She was given a golden watch for her decades of tireless service.

In Reading, Huntley & Palmers biscuit factory was a popular place to work for the Windrush generation because the company was a household name across the Caribbean, according to a BBC report.

The company was known for importing ingredients such as sugar and coconuts and would export much-loved biscuit tins to the region.

Campbell believes his father may have worked in a biscuit factory but isn’t certain. Though absent, he says his father never abandoned his children or returned to England.

Now a Marine Biology student at St George’s University, Campbell remains determined to uncover the missing pieces of his father’s story. l Did you know Paul Thomas Noel or do have any information regarding his life in the UK? If so you can contact Curlan Campbell at: curlancampbell@yahoo.com or call +1473 537 7267

AUGUST 2025

THE VOICE |11

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12 | THE VOICE AUGUST 2025

News Feature

‘THIS CAN NEVER BE JUSTICE FOR US’

DEVASTASTING: Jennifer Smith’s death has left a huge hole in her devoted family

The distraught family of Jennifer Smith are still seeking answers and an apology four years after the tragic death of their pillar of the community. By Richard Sudan

O

N AUGUST 23, 2021, a minibus carrying 11 people, support workers, day trippers and residents of a supported housing unit – was stationary on the M25 near Waltham Abbey.

Moments later, a lorry driven

by Ethan Burdett ploughed into the back of the vehicle.

The impact killed four people.

They were Jennifer Smith, Abigael Muamba, Dexter Augustus, and Lisa Gardiner. Others were left with very serious injuries.

One of those tragically killed, Jennifer, 59, was not just a victim of a catastrophic crash. She was a mother, sister, community worker, and the bedrock of her family.

But in the wake of her death, her family say they have been failed repeatedly by a justice system that has shown them no respect, no answers, and no remorse. Jennifer’s daughter Nicola, and her sister Deborah

MOURNING: Nicola and her brother Perrie at Jen’s funeral

Douglas have spent the past four years battling for accountability.

Their pain and anger are as sharp now as they were in 2021.

What was supposed to be a search for justice has turned into an exhausting battle against the CPS, the courts, and a system they say devalued Jennifer’s life.

“We were always given the expectation not to expect a long sentence,” Deborah told The Voice, “because the maximum that [causing death by careless driving] carries is five years.

So we were always given that expectation from the CPS not to expect 10 years or 15 years.

“But it’s our sister and our mother. No sentence was ever going to bring her back. So we would never be happy with any sentence, as we lost a loved one.”

The lorry driver, Burdett, had initially been charged with causing death by dangerous driving. But at the start of the trial, everything changed. The

CPS claimed they had only just reviewed a piece of video evidence that had been in their possession for over a year, which they said weakened the case for dangerous driving.

As a result, Burdett was permitted to plead guilty to the lesser charge of causing death by careless driving.

Nicola recounted the moment they were told. She said: “We came to court expecting a trial for dangerous driving. We’d been at court for one day and we were now being told that he’s not going to be charged with dangerous driving. He’s going to be allowed to plead guilty to careless driving.

It made it even worse.”

RELEASED The family, already devastated by their loss, were then forced to watch Burdett receive a mere 18-month sentence, down from three years, following an appeal.

With time served and electronic tagging, he served just a few months and has been released following his jailing last year.

“It’s going to be four years on August 23 that my mum died,” Nicola said. “And we have only got closure sort of two months ago, which is not real closure. It took a good three and a half years, which I think for any family that’s lost a family member in this kind of tragedy is just too long. You can’t start your grieving until that last day. And then it sort of hits you again like a ton of bricks.”

Jennifer’s death, they say, has ripped their family apart. Her elderly mother is shattered.

Nicola’s brothers are still struggling. “Jen was the heart and soul of our family,” Deborah said. “And losing her has torn us

“I wanted him to look me in my eye, and me tell him who my sister was, and what his actions did to me and my family” apart. It’s affected us mentally, emotionally. She’s a huge loss. Her death has left a huge hole in our family structure.”

Nicola wants people to know her mother was more than a headline. More than a thousand people attended her funeral, she says. She was treasured in her community after a life spent helping others.

“She worked her entire life to help homeless people,” Nicola recalls. “In prisons. Care units.

She worked at a mother and baby unit for a very, very long time. So many of the mothers and babies that grew up in the area that are still in the community – they were at the funeral.

“They said she was there from when they were pregnant, when they were in labour. If they had problems, she was always there for them, she’d always go the extra mile. Even when she wasn’t at work, she’d still get phone calls, but she never thought, ‘I’m not working.’ She would always give the person a call, check in. That was the person she was.”

Nicola continued. “She’d taken over as manager and organised this beach trip for the residents in her care. On the day, her brand new car was giving her problems.

She didn’t call in sick. My mum got a cab to work. That just shows you the person she was.”

But perhaps most gutwrenching of all is the lack of remorse they saw from Burdett.

“He didn’t stand up in court and speak,” Deborah said. “Nicola and I gave victim impact statements as I wanted him to look me in my eye, so I could tell him who my sister was, and what his actions did to me and my family. He didn’t have the decency to do that.”

Nicola added: “He did look remorseful in the beginning. But as time went on … he played his part. When you saw him outside of the court, he was a different person. Stronger. He was with his children. He had a suntan. He was wearing a designer watch. He didn’t once give the impression that he was remorseful.”

APOLOGY Now, the family want more than words. They want the CPS to issue a formal written apology for failing to review critical evidence.

And they want reform.

“They were lazy and they didn’t care,” Deborah said. “The CPS were handed a bundle of evidence

by Essex Police and for a year and a half they didn’t look at it.

“The lawyer investigating the case admitted it. She said they’d made mistakes and apologised.

We asked for the apology in writing, in the presence of our lawyer and Essex Police, but after a meeting they said they wouldn’t and stood by what the lead prosecutor had said.

“If it was a murder trial, or it was maybe three Black boys who had killed someone, they would have looked at the evidence, they would have dug it out.”

Nicola agrees. She’s worked in the prison system and has seen firsthand the inequality.

“They chose to accept and let him plead to a lesser charge, they took the easy road because they just wanted to be able to say, ‘Well, at least we got a conviction.’

They knew they’d get a conviction because he was going to go guilty to that charge and they wouldn’t have had to do any work.

“The CPS chose not to fight this case, as it could have still charged him with dangerous driving, and I truly believe, if they had charged him with dangerous driving, he would have been convicted.”

Jennifer’s family have launched a petition. They want to ensure no one else suffers this kind of injustice and they want the CPS to change.

“Whether it was intentional or unintentional,” Nicola said, “if you take a life – to say that that life is only worth six months – I will never be okay with that.”

In response to these claims, a Crown Prosecution Service spokesperson told The Voice: “Our most sincere condolences remain with the families of Dexter Augustus, Lisa Gardiner, Abigael Muamba and Jennifer Smith.

“Our decision to accept a guilty plea to causing death by careless driving was made after important CCTV evidence showed the lorry driver’s view may have been obstructed for some of the time prior to the collision.

“Following this, we wrote to the families of each of the victims explaining our decision and have since met with several family members twice. We also ensured we closely scrutinised our handling of the case at a local level.”

AUGUST 2025 THE VOICE | 13

CARNIVAL PARTNERS WITH IDRIS ELBA TO FIGHT KNIFE CRIME

Event will work with foundation set up by actor to combat violence in London. By Vic Motune

O

RGANISERS OF this year’s Notting Hill Carnival have announced a partnership with actor Idris Elba’s charity to tackle knife crime and improve safety at Europe’s largest street festival, which takes place over the August Bank Holiday weekend in west London.

Matthew Phillip, pictured below, chief executive of Notting Hill Carnival Ltd, said the event will work with the Elba Hope Foundation and its campaign Don’t Stop Your Future (DSYF) to engage young people and address the root causes of violent crime.

The move follows a series of fatal incidents linked to recent carnivals, including the killings of Cher Maximen and Takayo Nembhard.

At the official launch of Carnival 2025, Phillip acknowledged the toll knife crime has taken on the event and its communities.

He referenced the devastating losses of Takayo Nembhard and Cher Maximen, saying their deaths left lasting pain for loved ones and the wider community.

“Carnival isn’t the reason this violence exists,” he said, “but it has a role to play in being part of the solution.”

The event has faced increasing scrutiny over safety in recent years. In 2024, 32-year-old Cher was stabbed with a zombie knife in front of her three-year-old daughter. She died in hospital six days later. In May this year, 20-year-old Shakeil Thibou was convicted of her murder and sentenced to a minimum of 29 years.

In 2022, 21-year-old father-tobe Takayo was fatally stabbed in Ladbroke Grove. While five people have been arrested, no charges have yet been brought.

“We urge people not to scapegoat the Carnival,” said

Phillip. “Knife crime is not a Carnival issue. Youth violence is not a Carnival issue. These are serious national issues, and while some statistics have improved, the roots remain poverty, isolation, racial inequality, disconnection and the absence of hope, especially for young people.”

He said the decision to work with Elba’s foundation is part of a broader mission to use Carnival as a platform for positive change.

“In that spirit, Carnival aligns perfectly with the principles of DSYF,” he said. “Their ongoing work to help disenfranchised young people to make better choices is a productive and sustainable action to a very complex and, ultimately, sad problem.

“They show that there is choice, and we are working with them to amplify this message that we hope will let people know there are other options.

The Elba Hope Foundation is about creating real pathways for young people, to build confidence, develop skills and find belonging.”

This year’s Carnival will feature enhanced safety measures following nearly £1m in additional funding secured from City Hall, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and Westminster City Council. The funding will go towards expanding CCTV, increasing the number of trained stewards, strengthening crowd control and improving emergency response systems.

At 3pm on both Sunday and Monday, a 72-second silence will be held to remember the 72 victims of the Grenfell Tower fire, as well as Cher, Takayo, and Kelso Cochrane – a young Antiguan man whose racially motivated murder in 1959 helped spark the beginnings of the Carnival. l For more on this story please see pages 36 and 37

News

ACTION: Carnival can be ‘part of the solution’ to knife crime

14 | THE VOICE AUGUST 2025

Special Feature

ADVERTORIAL

Inside the Premiere U.K. Black Business Entrepreneur Conference

USA to UK: (above) The Hampton University Choir STRIKE A BUSINESS POSE: (left) Dr Carlton Brown with Afua Hirsch

By Nicola Millington

L

ONDON IS ALWAYS humming, but for one midweek Wednesday , it roared to life with the energy and ambition of the premiere U.K. Black Business Entrepreneur Conference,a signal moment now cemented in the nation’s business calendar. From glistening jazz chords to million -pound business plans, the event delivered both inspiration and hard-hitting strategy, leaving attendees— and the city,changed for the better.

WHERE CULTURE MEETS COMMERCE Under velvet lights, the NatWest Conference room pulsed with possibility. Not just an event, but an ecosystem in full bloom. Picture an eclectic gathering worthy of a London Fashion Week afterparty and as impactful as a hard-hitting Sunday Times expose: high style, high stakes, and even higher hopes.

Just inside the doors, Afua Hirsch—luminary journalist and broadcaster—mingled with bakery disruptor Mike Williams, the man behind Flake Bake Patties, while double MOBO-winning jazz artist and entrepreneur YolanDa Brown, co-founder of Soul Mama, moved with grace and insight, twin worlds of music and business effortlessly in hand.

Yet there was something equally spellbinding in the demographic—no mere ‘delegation’: this was a microcosm of Britain’s Black excellence.

Think: Dr Carlton Brown, the visionary founder and author of The Race Paradox and The Black Entrepreneur Report*l, driving new thinking on wealth and inclusion; Lord Michael Hastings, with his signature gravitas, championing ethical leadership; and the effervescent Brenda Emmanus and Henry Bonsu guiding the conversations with journalistic verve.

Thomas Robson-Kanu, the ex-international footballer with an entrepreneur’s heart, drew an eager crowd, proving that reinvention is the new revolution, Tumeric & Co

A STAGE FOR GIANTS

What makes this conference more than a stellar networking opportunity? Its lived sense of urgency and purpose. As Howard Dawber, Deputy Mayor, and Andrew Lewin MP stepped up, they did so not simply with speeches, but with commitment—signaling active backing for inclusive economic growth.

Carole Copeland Thomas, the formidable global DEI leader, led a standing-room-only masterclass on navigating difference as advantage—her session on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) quickly becoming the place to be.

Music was no afterthought. The storied Hampton University Choir, with its rich history as a cultural bridge and voice of Black excellence since 1878, brought the conference to its emotional crescendo, flanked by perfor-

AUGUST 2025

ADVERTORIAL

THE VOICE | 15

Special Feature

mances from Innocent Makusi and Brit soul legend Junior Giscombe. For many, it was the moment the event transcended business and became legacy.

BEYOND THE BOARDROOM

Throughout the glittering halls, dealmaking buzzed.

From funders and tech disruptors to those just sketching out their first business plan, the message was clear: Black British entrepreneurship is not only thriving—it is leading.

Panels ranged from the practical (legal workshops for start-ups, sessions on securing venture capital) to the deeply personal (the lived experiences of female founders pushing through double-glazed glass ceilings). Standout entrepreneurs shared honestly: ‘We are not here to be a footnote—we write the headline.’

Throughout, Vogue-ready style met GQ swagger. Outfits were bold, voices bolder.

“This is our Davos,” one attendee mused, adjusting a sharp lapel—part joke, part prophecy.

THE CALENDAR’S

UNMISSABLE DATE

The afterglow remains, but for anyone who was there, the real impact is long-term. Connections forged. Barriers smashed. Deals struck and doors opened wider.

What began as a gathering is now an immovable, indispensable part of the British business landscape—an annual surge of excellence, energy, and ideas, unapologetically Black and gloriously British.

Miss it next year at your peril.

Empowered, educated and engaged •

Women running the world.

From (Left to right): Jaxx Nelson, Sharniya Ferdinand, Brenda Emmanus OBE, Chantel Thompson and Tash Pennant

The fabulous team behind the conference

A feast for the eyes and the belly

16 | THE VOICE AUGUST 2025

Dr Julie Hammond Health Matters

Join the debate online voice-online.co.uk/opinion

‘THEY ARE NOT BAD WORDS’ Are you uncomfortable talking about intimate body parts? Well, Dr Aziza Sesay is making it her mission to change attitudes to anatomical language

V

ULVA. Clitoris. Vagina. Penis.

How did reading those words make you feel? Did you hesitate? Did you look over your shoulder? Does reading those words make you feel uncomfortable? Or are there any of those words that you are unfamiliar with?

If you recognised yourself in any of those reactions, you are not the only one. However, it is that reaction, the internalised shame, unfamiliarity and stigma, that needs to change.

This is why Dr Aziza Sesay, a multiaward-winning GP, TEDx speaker and health educator, launched the bold, unapologetic campaign: They Are NOT Bad Words.

Her mission to normalise anatomical language, end the stigma, and empower people, especially women and girls, to speak confidently about their bodies, is simple, but revolutionary. Whether these words are on a T-shirt, used when speaking to your GP or in a conversation with your children, the words we use are important.

Why language matters The language we use shapes how we see our bodies, how we seek care and how we pass on knowledge to the next generation.

When we do not have the words or feel too ashamed to use them, we are less likely to speak up when something is wrong. Many of us, when growing up, were taught to call our genitals things like cookie, flower, nunny, front bottom, willy, peepee, thingy, or simply ‘down there’. Even as adults, we often struggle to say the words vagina or penis out loud, inadvertently passing ON BOARD: Dr Aziza Sesay with supporters of the ‘They Are NOT Bad Words’ campaign

that discomfort on to our children. In a medical setting, when speaking to a health professional, vagueness can delay diagnosis. It can result in symptoms being misunderstood, dismissed, or missed altogether.

As a GP, I have seen how difficult it can be for someone to get the right care when they don’t have the words or feel too embarrassed to use them.

If we cannot describe what is happening to our own bodies, it becomes harder to diagnose, to treat, and to be taken seriously.

Using the correct language for our body parts is not just helpful, it is essential for dignity, safety, and better health outcomes.

As Black men and women, we already face health inequalities, and using the correct language to talk about our bodies is an important step towards ensuring that we access the right care at the right time and can advocate for ourselves with confidence and clarity.

It is also important that we understand our own bodies. We need to become comfortable with examining our intimate areas and be able to recognise what our normal is confidently, so that we feel empowered to speak up when something does not feel right.

This includes monitoring for any changes to your discharge, unusual bleeding, feeling for lumps and looking for skin changes to your genitals.

Knowing your body and your normal can lead to earlier intervention and better health outcomes. Too many people ignore symptoms because they simply do not know what is normal or feel too ashamed to look.

For our children, using the correct terms is a key part of safeguarding. Research shows that children who are taught proper anatomical language are better able to report abuse, understand body autonomy, and recognise when something is wrong.

Challenging cultural silence In many of our households, we were not just discouraged from talking about our bodies, we were taught that our intimate anatomy is something that we should be ashamed of or consider dirty.

We are taught that we should not look or touch, and that if an

EMPOWERED: Dr Aziza Sesay stands proudly at the heart of the ‘They Are NOT Bad Words’ campaign, which is breaking taboos and changing lives through unapologetic education and bold language

issue were to arise, it was somehow our fault. Over time, these messages become internalised. They shape how we treat intimate health concerns and how we speak up. These beliefs are passed on to the next generation, which further perpetuates the cycle of silence, shame and suffering.

Dr Sesay’s campaign is about interrupting that cycle, and it often starts at home. She recalls how her own aunt once refused to share an educational video because it included a simple drawing of a vulva.

Fast-forward to July, and that same aunt attended the They Are NOT Bad Words LIVE event proudly wearing a campaign T-shirt with vulva, vagina, and clitoris printed boldly across the back.

“Sometimes the people closest to you take the longest to come around,” Dr Sesay says. “But when they do, they can become your biggest advocates.”

Join the movement Following the success of the first They Are NOT Bad Words LIVE event, which was formed in partnership with Glacie Health and featured a gynaecologythemed obstacle course, the team are back again for another event in London this August. Do you want to join the movement? Here is how to get involved: l Start using the correct words for your intimate anatomy. With your doctor. With your children. With friends and family. l Examine your body on the first of each month. Get familiar with your intimate anatomy. Know what is normal for you. l Buy the They Are NOT Bad Words T-shirt and wear it proudly. They are available from www.talkswithdrsesay. com/shop. Every T-shirt sold supports menstrual health workshops in Sierra Leone, where girls are taught about

their cycles, shown how to make reusable pads, and empowered with the knowledge that their schools, and sometimes their societies, fail to provide. l Spread the message. Follow @talkswithdrsesay and keep an eye out for the next event in August.

This campaign is not made to be controversial. It is about reclaiming our right to speak up. Our right to know. Our right to name and understand our own bodies without shame or apology.

Because vulva, vagina, clitoris, and penis are not bad words. They are necessary words. Saying them, seeing them, knowing them... could save a life. l Dr Julie Hammond is a multi awardwinning GP, health advocate and innovator.

She is the founder of the mamAR app: www.mamarhealth.com and is also writing a book on The Fourth Trimester due to be released in 2026

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THE VOICE |11

18 | THE VOICE AUGUST 2025

Dotun Adebayo

Join the debate online voice-online.co.uk/opinion

Rate him or hate him - you can’t ignore him!

IS SIR KEIR THE SLAVE MASTER OF LABOUR? The Prime Minister is cracking the whip as veteran MP Diane Abbott is suspended for her comment on race — again

I

B LAME Bob Marley — not Donald Trump — for Diane Abbott being once again suspended from the Labour Party.

A suspension (pending the results of an investigation) which could very likely end in permanent exclusion from the party, as it did for her former lover Jeremy Corbyn.

Corbyn, who went on and formed his own party, may very well be welcoming Diane back into his loving embrace (politically) by stretching out his hand with an open invitation to get on board his double decker (battle bus) come election time.

I blame Bob Marley and Haile Selassie.

You see, it would be so easy to follow the conspiracy theories rather than the reggaenomics.

Never mind the stars and stripes, let’s play the Epstein tapes and the ‘blame Trump for everything game — global warming, the epidemic, the assassination of John F. Kennedy and little green men on the moon.

Personally, I blame him for my lumbago. But whereas you might very well accuse him of shooting the sheriff, I’m not so sure we can pin the life of the deputy on him also.

It don’t make no sense. For wasn’t it the reggae king and the emperor who said that nothing BOB’S TO BLAME: Bob Marley’s message on race still rings loud in British politics

good’s going to last forever?

Correctly or incorrectly.

And wasn’t it them that said “until the colour of a man’s skin is of no more significance than the colour of his eyes....”?

And isn’t that the real reason that there’s a Black woman in the ring — tra la la la lee — looking like a sugar in a plum, waiting patiently to be (politically) whipped?

And wasn’t it Ms Abbott who said that when you’re Black you’re Black, and you’re so Black that even the colourblind can see that you’re Black. Wasn’t it her that said that?

And it’s not like the veteran Hackney North and Stoke Newington MP hadn’t said it before. Remember when she said it the last time? Couple years back.

And she got suspended then.

And just before the election, she was re-instated.

CONSPIRACY And then Sir Keir Starmer goes and wins a huge majority.

And we don’t hear from Diane Abbott again for ages. Conspiracy theories were abound all over the place about how she had been gagged obviously (or was that the other way around?) to never utter another word on the matter again (on pain of political death), regardless of whether Black Britons are feeling it or not.

KEEPING US QUIET?: Sir Keir Starmer is accused of silencing Diane Abbott and treating her commentary on race as a step too far – despite leading a party that claims to stand against all forms of racism (photos: Getty Images) And didn’t Ms Abbott remain schtum on the subject for those couple of years, before popping up somewhere the other day with a clarification of what she meant the last time?

She said Black is Black and that’s a natural fact.

And then, before she knows it, she looks like a sugar in a plum all over again and this time the plum’s got egg on its face.

So show me your motion, Diane. Cos me nuh know wha’ ah gwaning and me nuh know what to say when everywhere I go people ask me, “Is the Labour Party the Africans’ the new slave masters?”

Yeah, I know — right? How on earth am I supposed to answer that? Ask the Prime Minister, don’t ask me.

I’m just a poor country boy from Tottenham getting stopped and searched on a regular by the boi-dem we used to call ‘Babylon’.

They told my White friends to clear off and then arrested me for murder. Literally. (Read all about it in my noir-moir Effries by Radio Dotun, available on Amazon if you don’t believe me).

Joke is everyone knew it was the White guy wotdunnit. So why did they arrest me? No, it’s not what you think but that would be giving away the ending.

Yes, it really was ‘f-ries’. The way we were treated and still are. Is it because we is Black — like Ali G? Sir Keir ain’t having it. He’s not having Diane Abbott’s colour reference and relevance on the topic of racism.

He’s had it up to here with her talking about it and pointing out that Black is Black.

In fact, when England’s Jess Carter became the subject of racist abuse at the women’s Euros simply for being Black, all the Prime Minister could say was “there is no place in football or society for racism”.

Yes, Prime Minister, I guess that’s why it’s known as a colour

The Prime Minister may just have turned the veteran Black MP into the first Black British martyr — St Diane of D’Abbott — a modern day Jeanne D’Arc bar. It is precisely because we are Black. And everybody knows that.

Given Diane Abbott’s suspension, though, the real question is not whether the Labour Party are Africa’s new slave masters (perish the thought).

The real question is whether Sir Keir is the new Bob Marley.

Because in suspending Diane Abbott again for daring to suggest that the Black experience of racism is somehow different from the similar experiences of Jews and travellers, is Sir Keir not upholding the mantra of the speech by Selassie to the League of Nations back in 1930-something when Italy (yes, Italy!) invaded Ethiopia?

It’s on Bob Marley’s Rastaman Vibration album. Who knows, at

the Labour party conference in September you might very well hear the Prime Minister defend his decision to suspend Diane Abbott with words to this effect: “Comrades... until the philosophy that holds one experience of racism superior and another inferior is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned by Diane Abbott... everywhere is war... until a man’s skin is of no more significance than the colour of his eyes... until there is no longer first-class and second-class racism in our nation...”

Every Diane Abbott has a future and every Keir Starmer has a past. And in his very recent past the Prime Minister may just have turned the veteran Black MP into the first Black British martyr — St Diane of D’Abbott — a modern day Jeanne D’Arc. Yikes! l Dotun Adebayo, Britain’s

most celebrated Black broadcaster, is known as the King of the Nighttime Airwaves. All views here are his own. Listen to him overnight on BBC 5 Live from 1-5am Saturday mornings - Monday mornings & 1am 4am on BBC Radio London (Wednesday to Friday mornings). Follow him on X: @radiodotun

AUGUST 2025

THE VOICE |19

20 | THE VOICE AUGUST 2025

Midlands News

TRAILBLAZER MERLETA BRYAN MBE REFLECTS ON HER JOURNEY OF SERVICE

RESPECTED: Honorary Alderwoman Merleta Bryan at the Black Achievers Awards

From the hills of Jamaica to the heart of Nottingham, Merleta Bryan’s story is one of grit, vision and lasting community impact

M

ERLETA BRYAN MBE, the Honorary Alderwoman and proud daughter of St Thomas Jamaica, has dedicated decades of her life to service, justice and uplifting her community.

From union halls to council chambers, she has consistently broken barriers, culminating in her receiving the prestigious MBE in the King’s Honours List, which is a recognition she still finds surreal.

Merleta’s early life began in a warm, extended family home in the rural district of Buckingham, St Thomas. “There were my grandparents, mum, dad, three siblings and three grandchildren all under one roof,” she recalls.

Her childhood was rooted in strong family values, and it was there that the seeds of community spirit were sown early.

She attended Font Hill Primary and later Font Hill Secondary before joining her parents in the UK, aged 11.

A new chapter began, but her connection to justice and fairness only deepened.

“My community service started years before politics,” says Merleta.

While working at British Bakeries, she was elected shop steward representing members of the Bakers Food & Allied Workers Union (BFAWU).

Her leadership qualities were clear early on, eventually rising to serve as Notts and East Midlands District Secretary for the union.

Her political journey took flight in 2007 when she was elected as a Nottingham City Councillor, representing the Hyson and Arboretum Ward.

Over 16 years, she made history not once, but several times. Merleta was the first Black woman appointed as both Sheriff and Lord Mayor of Nottingham, roles she held across various years. She was Sheriff in 2012 and 2021, and Lord Mayor in 2013.

On stepping down from active politics in the 2023 local elections, she was honoured again, and this time with the title of Honorary Alderwoman by Nottingham City Council. The prestigious title is bestowed on elected officials who have provided outstanding services to their local authority.

Looking ahead, she is also a nomination to serve as High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire in 2026.

Then came the MBE. “When I received the letter, I was shocked. I kept reading it over and over,” she shares.

Merleta has been appointed a MBE for her services to the Black community in the city and the wider East Midlands.

“I just wished my parents were here to enjoy it with me, because it is due to them that I

am in the UK. My parents went through a lot for me and my generation. They worked hard, suffered embarrassment, poor housing, name calling, and it was all to ensure that things would be easier for their children.

“Things have changed in some respect, but what I would say to our young people is to try and be

principled. Don’t always follow the crowd and just remember that your good name will proceed you as difficult as it may seem at times. I dedicate this honour to my parents, my children, friends and my wider family.”

Despite the accolades, Merleta is no stranger to adversity.

LEFT: Assistant Chief Fire Officer at Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, Damien West, Honorary Alderman Merleta Bryan MBE and Professor Veronica Pickering MBS HAC HM, Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire RIGHT: The Black Acheivers team and host (left to right) Tejanna Collins Wright, Davia Mckoy, Shirley Levy, Diana McKenzie, Chyna-Bryan Oladipo (Merleta’s granddaughter), Honorary Alderman Merleta Bryan MBE and Rudi Lickwood

She left school at 15 and balanced raising three children while working full-time. She experienced racism and prejudice but never let it deter her.

“I can’t change the colour of my skin. I just kept going,” she says.

“Our parents went through so much to make life easier for us. We must honour that by

continuing to stay principled.”

That spirit of resilience and community action is what led to the starting of one of Nottingham’s most impactful initiatives, the Black Achievers Awards.

Originally created to spotlight and empower young Black men in the community, the event has grown into a cornerstone of Nottingham’s cultural calendar.

“I wanted young Black men to be seen as role models and not through the lens of stereotypes,” says Merleta.

“The idea was to uplift the young men in our community and give them a sense of belonging and pride in what they were achieving for themselves.

One young man’s story during our second awards ceremony 10 years ago still moves me to this day. This is why it has to continue.”

The Black Achievers Awards celebrates transformation, excellence and leadership in Nottingham’s Black community.

It’s not just an awards night, it’s a movement. This highly anticipated event has become a space where stories are told, legacies are honoured, and futures are inspired.

To follow and support the Black Achievers Awards visit their website and social media channels: l Website: blackachieversaward. co.uk Facebook: facebook.com/ blackachieversaward Instagram: instagram.com/ blackachieversaward LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/ blackachieversaward

AUGUST 2025 THE VOICE | 21

By Maxine Huie

EXODUS THE HUMBLE LION: A PILLAR OF RASTAFARI

From House of Dread to House of Wisdom – a legacy of guidance, resilience and unity lives on

T

HE RASTAFARIAN community, and indeed the wider West Midlands, is mourning the passing of a friend, mentor and community father, Eldon, also known as Exodus or Dus. He transitioned on June 1, 2025 following a brief illness, leaving behind a legacy steeped in strength, compassion and unforgettable guidance.

Born in Jamaica and moving to England during a time of racial injustice and cultural upheaval, Exodus embraced Rastafari in the early 1970s.

He chose to dedicate his life not only to his family, but to nurturing others on the same path.

His home, known affectionately as the “House of Dread”, became a sanctuary for young people, and many were descendants of the Windrush Generation and found themselves facing racism and inequality.

Exodus offered them refuge as they turned to Rastafarianism, but more importantly he offered them vision. He ensured strong ties with their families and built relationships with their parents, earning respect not only from the youths but also from their families.

House of Dread was one of many across the region, and his home became more than a roof over heads as it was also a school of life.

Here, reasoning sessions

INSPIRATIONAL: Left, Exodus embraced Rastafari in the 1970s; above, Exodus (far left) with friends started fires of consciousness, helping young people navigate the complexities of growing up Black and British in an often hostile system.

It was within these walls that life-long bonds were formed, and the seeds of community resilience were planted.

Throughout the 1970s and 80s, Exodus was at the frontline of the fight against injustice and challenged the disrespectful and unfair treatment of Rastafarians in the prison system, where

men were forced to cut their dreadlocks. His advocacy helped usher in UK prison regulations where prisoners are now widely allowed to express their religious and cultural beliefs including keeping their dreadlocks.

This was implemented many years before the Equality Act of 2006.

In the later decades, Exodus shifted his efforts toward security work at events both locally and internationally for well-known reggae artists.

His influence continued to stretch across the regions including Smethwick, Sparkbrook, Balsall Heath, Small heath, Highgate and Handsworth where he was respected for bridging divides between the Rasta houses and fostering unity where there was once division.

“Exodus bridged the gap of division between all these areas and brought peace and unity among them that brought a coming together of the people,”

said close friend Asher. His daughter Zalika recalled his quiet, but deep support.

“He wasn’t very vocal, but he was present and always there whenever I needed him,” she said.

Reflecting on those memorable moments of his undeniable wisdom, she said: “I remember when he knew the exact date that one of my children would be born and on another occasion, he even told me my career path before I could see it for myself.

I’ve walked in that same career for 26 years now.”

Exodus may have left this earth, but his footprints are etched deeply into the soil of community memory. He lived a life of action, integrity and quiet revolution, and so the name Exodus will echo not just in stories told but in lives shaped, and the community will always remember him for having a love for the people.

Exodus Sunrise 1/07/1958 – Sunset 1/06/2025

Midlands or Montego Bay? You decide...

IF YOUR staycation this summer is your own home in the Midlands, don’t be disappointed, as the Midlands has enjoyed the tropical temperatures of the Caribbean!

July saw temperatures soar into the 30s in some parts of the region, which was comparable to the islands of Barbados, Antigua and also Jamaica.

With the cost of living still biting and holidays abroad becoming a stretch, now might be the perfect time to embrace a staycation.

Grab your sun hat, sun cream, bottles of water and slip on your flip flops, and then head straight across to your back garden.

You can create your own Carib-

LIQUIDS ALLOWANCE: Birmingham Airport is now allowing passengers to travel with unlimited containers of liquid of up to two litres in size

Tropical heat hits home as Caribbean temperatures sweep the region bean resort without leaving home, open up the parasol, lay out a blanket, and mix up some fruity mocktails. Set up a paddling pool for the kids and fill the air with some calypso tunes to complete the holiday vibe! Local parks are ideal too, take a picnic, pack a frisbee, and soak up the sunshine with family and friends.

That said, if you are heading abroad, good news if you’re flying from Birmingham Airport.

The terminal has had major upgrades, making your travel smoother than ever.

A Birmingham Airport spokesperson said: “Birmingham Airport now allows passengers to travel with up to two litres of liquids, following a change in rules made by the government. Passengers

can now carry liquid, paste and gel bottles up to two litres each in their hand luggage without the need to take them out of their bags. This change will enable a faster and more efficient processing of hand luggage, following the £60m investment in equipment and infrastructure made last year.”

Birmingham Airport was among the first in the UK to roll out the new allowance, so whether you are home or jetting off abroad this summer it’s all good, so enjoy!

If you are making a back garden summer resort and are happy to share photos, please email them into me at maxine.editorial@ thevoicemediagroup.co.uk

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AUGUST 2025 THE VOICE | 23

Cynthia V Davis

Join the debate online voice-online.co.uk/opinion

WHAT EXACTLY IS PROFESSIONALISM IN THE WORKPLACE?

How you act in the office can have repercussions, but beware of being unfairly criticised by colleagues

P

ROFESSIONALISM is one of those words that sounds neutral.

Sensible, even. But dig a little deeper, and it often means something else entirely.

For Black professionals, especially those from workingclass backgrounds, the word is often used to signal something coded – like the way you speak, dress, or interact. It’s rarely defined, yet routinely enforced.

And when it’s weaponised, it becomes a moving target.

I recently worked with a client and spoke to one of their employees who had been labelled as ‘unprofessional’.

When he asked what that meant, no one could give a clear answer. What he heard was discomfort with the slang he used, his accent and his body language. He said he felt like he’d never be seen as professional.

That’s the issue – professionalism, when left vague, often means conformity, not competence. It asks: l Can you code-switch? l Will you flatten your identity to make others comfortable? l Can you hide your dialect, your background, your edge? l Will you lower your volume, avoid emotion, and smile more, just to be heard?

This isn’t just a workplace preference; it’s a form of social control and it punishes difference.

Assertiveness is another one.

When Black employees speak directly, give feedback, or take up space, it can be labelled ‘aggressive’. But the same behaviour in White colleagues is often seen as strong leadership or confidence. The bias lies in the reaction, not the behaviour.

As a Black woman, I have experienced how my assertiveness or passionate expression can often be misinterpreted. I have been called “the angry Black woman”.

One incident that stands out vividly was during a meeting with mostly male peers. They were speaking disrespectfully about a female peer who wasn’t present. When I called out their

behaviour and asked them to consider their language, I was told I was being “too sensitive” and advised to “lighten up”.

It’s a double bind when we speak out against misogyny, we are told to not overreact.

When we assert ourselves, we’re called aggressive or angry.

It’s like we are only palatable when we conform to what’s deemed ‘acceptable’, filtered through the lens of bias and stereotype.

I believe true professionalism should make space for authenticity, respect, and equity and not demand we shrink ourselves to fit a narrow mould.

Here’s what I tell people. If someone calls you aggressive, ask them to explain what you did or said. Stay calm and ask them to describe it, not just label it. Then explain your side.

Say: “I speak with passion, not aggression. I care about getting this right.” Don’t accept their definition of you and challenge it with facts and confidence.

When you limit what professionalism can look or sound like, you limit who gets to lead. You miss out on talent that doesn’t fit the mould, but might be what your company needs.

There’s also the issue of tone. Many Black professionals feel they have to manage how enthusiastic (or serious) they appear, to avoid being misread.

Too much passion? You’re emotional. Too calm? You’re cold or distant. Too honest? You’re disruptive. And the burden to adjust is always placed on the person being judged, not those doing the judging.

We can’t talk about equity in the workplace without challenging the bias wired into how we define ‘professionalism’.

Is your company clear about what ‘professional’ means? Or is it used as a way to keep certain people out? l Cynthia V Davis CBE is a Black

British entrepreneur, employment expert and diversity advocate.

She is CEO and founder of Diversifying Group, a DEI services organisation, and co-founder of Diversifying.io, a diversity-focused careers platform

THE VOICE | 29

UNFAIR BIAS: For many Black professionals, being authentic at work can still come at a cost (photo: Getty Images)

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24 | THE VOICE AUGUST 2025

Lyndon Mukasa Eye on the Diaspora

Join the debate online voice-online.co.uk/opinion

WHY BLACK BRITONS MUST REFUSE TO FIGHT IN THE NEXT WORLD WAR

DON’T DO IT: They served a country that never served them. But despite fighting for Britain, Black people faced racism then and now says Lyndon Mukasa

The Black community should never fight in a potential world conflict for Britain

(photo: Getty Images)

I

N RECENT years, the threat of a major military conflict has re-entered public discourse. For the first time since the end of the Cold War, discussions about a Third World War have reemerged as major global powers seek to protect their geopolitical and economic interests while they compete with each other for control of the world.

As the drumbeats of war get ever louder, it is becoming increasingly harder to ignore.

The mainstream media have largely gotten behind the idea that a largescale military conflict is inevitable and that the UK and other Western powers should start preparing for that day.

In the coming years, we should expect this drumbeat to get even louder and for the media and politicians to utilise propaganda in order to manufacture consent for war and further attacks on the welfare system, embedding austerity as the norm rather than the exception.

As publications such as the Financial Times argue, to shift the welfare state to a warfare state, there will be an inevitable expectation that our young Black people should take up arms for this country.

This I believe would be a mistake since history has shown that our participation in British wars has not benefited our communities.

Fundamentally, our interests are not aligned with those who are calling for war and our participation only helps to maintain a power structure that perpetuates Western hegemony and the exploitation of the Global South.

A history of ingratitude We are often told by the establishment that we should be grateful to be part of Britain. But this racist idea assumes that Black people have not contributed enough to this country.

Slavery and colonialism forced Black people to contribute to Britain in incalculable ways that Britain has never adequately acknowledged.

Since the First World War, Britain has called upon Black and Brown people from the colonies of the British Empire to help it to fight other global powers.

Moreover, many Caribbean colonies at the time faced food shortages due to food production being diverted to Britain to support soldiers and civilians during the war. The Caribbean paid a heavy price at home for being under

Fundamentally our interests are not aligned with those who are calling for war and our participation only helps to maintain a power structure that perpetuates Western hegemony and the exploitation of the Global South colonial. Disgracefully, Black people who volunteered to fight for Britain, particularly in the British West Indies Regiments, faced routine discrimination which culminated in incidents like the Taranto Mutiny that was violently suppressed in 1918.

For West Africans, they were recruited through quotas imposed on local chiefs that often blurred the lines between voluntary and coercive practices.

In the Second World War, despite the significant contributions of African and Caribbean soldiers, much of this

until fairly recently went with little acknowledgement.

Even worse was that many Black Caribbean soldiers who served and fought for Britain would later be caught up in the Home Office Windrush scandal throughout the 2010s where they would be denied access to public services and many were unjustly deported.

This was part of the Hostile Environment policy that was led by former prime minister and home secretary Theresa May, who sought to create an environment in Britain that was difficult for immigrants to live in.

Despite all the contributions made to the war effort, none of it mattered and none of it superseded race, ethnic origins and nationality.

What are we actually fighting for?

The time will eventually come when the government and media propaganda will go into overdrive to convince young members within our communities that they have a duty and are “in this together” to join a future military campaign.

They will tell you that this is a “fight for democracy” and “Britain’s way of life”.

Don’t fall for this.

At the end of the day, what any Third World War scenario will be about is the right of which global powers get to have control. Democratic institutions are increasingly being undermined by the

wealthy. If we don’t get conquered

by Russia we will eventually become Russia anyway. Similarly the previous world wars were not fought with Black liberation in mind. The battle against Nazism in the Second World War was not for the benefit of Black people, but for the preservation of the British Empire.

It was imperialism versus imperialism.

It doesn’t matter which form of imperialism wins whether Western, Chinese or Russian. Black people and their communities will still be subordinate to the interests of such powers. Our value to these powers lies only in our labour, land or resources and absent of these we are completely disposable.

What is the alternative?

There are those who would argue what is the alternative? If you don’t fight for Britain then you could contribute to the rise of even worse imperialists.

I am not arguing for supporting the next emerging imperial power. Instead what I advocate for is pushing back against all types of imperialism, while building parallel forms of anti-war resistance across many countries.

This idea will be explored further in a future article, but regardless of race or nationality, most ordinary people don’t want war because it is directly against their interests. Anti-war resistance across

borders should be advanced so that all people oppose their government’s efforts at pushing for war.

The soldiers who die for the flag and country don’t benefit from any victory or loss in war. They are pawns who are used to fight for the interests of the elites of their country who are themselves protected from fighting for their country.

At the same time we must understand that the West wants this war to happen.

Wars are good for revitalising stagnant advanced economies in capitalist systems especially when large arms corporations can make huge profits from the suffering of millions.

Moreover, they are not prepared to concede a world that they believe belongs to them, to China, or any other multipolar world order.

This opposition to other countries attempting to chart their own path outside of the Western way should serve as a warning to those of us of African and Caribbean heritage, that fundamentally the countries that we originate from are not allowed to have true self determination and by extension this applies to diaspora communities here in Britain and across the Western world as well. We are not free.

As a community we should oppose all attempts to drag us into their imperialist adventures as our role should not be to support imperialism, but to destroy it.

32 | THE VOICE JUNE 2025

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26 | THE VOICE AUGUST 2025

Jacqueline McKenzie

Join the debate online voice-online.co.uk/opinion

WE ARE NOT TO BE IGNORED NEED TO BE HEARD: Protests erupted across the country in 2018 over the Home Office Windrush scandal – a crisis that continues to haunt those affected (photo:

Why do those in authority find it so easy to write off our community?

L

AST MONTH saw a flurry of activities to mark Windrush Day, a celebration of the contributions of those who arrived in the UK between 1948 and 1972, mainly from the Caribbean.

The day is not without controversy. Some believe it undermines the more important story of the much longer presence of Black people in the UK, in the arts, entertainment, sport, military, scholarship, seafaring, trades, professions, politics, royalty, theology and of course, as people who were enslaved. Some say there’s nothing to celebrate until Windrush victims receive full justice, as many remain uncompensated or harmed.

Others stress the importance of honouring the Windrush

generation’s cultural legacy. Both views hold truth. As a lawyer for hundreds of victims, the scandal’s cause and impact are what motivate me each Windrush Day. The Windrush scandal is not just manifested in the case studies of our elders and their families, it is evidence of something far bigger and more serious, that of the condition of African and Caribbean people in the UK today.

We have made some progress, but on an individual level. We are represented in all the professions and have wealth – much accumulated and inherited due to house price inflation. But overall, we are a community that those in authority feel comfortable ignoring.

This is in part because of the absence of strong and effective leadership and representative

organisations, much in evidence when the Windrush scandal first hit the headlines. But also because racism continues to permeate much of life in the UK. Of any given index that measures the quality of life, you’ll find that Black Britons are likely to fare worst. Despite some gains, report after report continues to show underwhelming

outcomes and disturbing realisations.

It is shocking to read headlines in 2025 that say Black women in the UK are four times more likely to die in childbirth, that Black pupils are disproportionately excluded from school, and that Black businesses fail to attract start-up finance and venture capital.

the Windrush Scandal, published after the threat of legal action, confirmed racism underpinned the Windrush scandal and past immigration laws.

And after celebrating the Windrush generation, politicians included, and the appointment of a new Windrush commissioner, the Rev Clive Foster, one of its most illustrious daughters, Diane Abbott MP, Getty Images) the mother of the house and longest serving MP, was suspended for a second time for daring to say that skin colour causes a pernicious racism by virtue of its visibility.

As Black people become In 2025, it’s alarming to hear the pawns in the political battle for Met’s Sir Mark Rowley call racial disparities in crime “difficult,” while the hearts and minds of those they deem indigenous to these data shows Black people are 8.3 lands, how will African and times more likely to be searched despite lower drug find rates than Caribbean people fare in the new White people. Black people are 5.7 Britannia, if we’ve fared so badly so far? times more likely to face police l Jacqueline McKenzie, is a Partner force and nearly four times more at Leigh Day and a social justice likely to be homeless. A government report, The Historical Roots of campaigner

JUNE 2025

THE VOICE |43

28 | THE VOICE AUGUST 2025

Darell J. Philip

Join the debate online: voice-online. co.uk/opinion

A GRIEVING DAD’S POIGNANT MESSAGE OF FORGIVENESS T HIS MONTH an important stage play which tackles fatherhood, absence and reconciliation will be performed.

Our Son: The Battlefield of Forgiveness, written and directed by Jermaine Wong, is more than just a theatre event, the award-winning playwright and teacher tells us. The aim of the play is to provide a space where stories, poetry, research and real-life testimony come together to confront the roots of serious youth violence.

Born in south London, Wong is a spoken word artist, playwright and schoolteacher.

He has dedicated his life to helping young people navigate emotional pain, find purpose and break destructive cycles through storytelling and the arts.

He is the founder of Learn2Live Legacy – a movement that uses spoken word, theatre, and storytelling to build emotional resilience in young people.

“Much of what I do is birthed from deep faith in the Creator and personal tragedy… and the choice to respond with forgiveness instead of retaliation,” says Wong.

“We work with schools, communities, and organisations to help young people unpack trauma, rediscover identity, and find legacy in their pain. Although it was birthed from my own loss, it’s become a platform where youth don’t just survive – they transform.”

CULTURE Wong’s new play, Our Son: The Battlefield of Forgiveness, written in September 2023, tackles fatherhood, absence, and the difficult road toward reconciliation.

The evening will also feature spoken word performances from young people, academic talks, and a panel on the power of forgiveness in healing lives and shifting culture.

The play was completed two weeks before the tragic murder of his son, Keelen Morris Wong, who was fatally stabbed on October 3, 2023 on Coldharbour Lane in Brixton. Many of the play’s themes sadly resembled some of those which would later be played out in real life.

“Many assume it is a play that I wrote after Keelen’s death.

That’s not true. I actually put the full stop on Our Son two weeks

Written in September 2023 two weeks before the murder of his son, awardwinning playwright Jermaine Wong’s latest stage play tackles fatherhood, absence and reconciliation before Keelen was killed. It’s just a powerful and providential irony that the play’s themes align with my response to the tragedy.”

Wong clearly remembers the joy he experienced in fatherhood at the birth of his son who would later be taken away from him in such tragic circumstances.

“Keelen took his first breath on Tuesday March 27, 2001” he recalls.

“His birth was a grounding moment in my life. I remember holding him for the first time and I knew that from that moment I was no longer just living for myself.

I became a better man because he made me a father.”

Wong also remembers and holds on to the memory of the conversation he had with Keelen the day before the tragedy.

“We spoke about his future.

He was building a life for himself and his fiancée. He had made the decision to begin his walk of faith and he wanted to share his story to inspire others. His life the day before his death was full of hope.

I didn’t know that the ‘I luh you’ would be the last time we would say that to each other. Those words stayed with me. I carried them with me every day.”

In a cruel twist of irony, Wong was to learn that among the

What do you do when you discover that the recipient of your hate is akin to someone you love? What do you do when a person you love is killed by people you love?

young men involved in the crime which led to the death of his son, were two students whom he had taught.

“When I got the call, time stopped. It was a call that I had dreaded when Keelen was a teenager, but now that he was a man (22 years old), I convinced myself that I didn’t need to be worried about receiving calls like that anymore. Not for Keelen anyway.

“Two days later, I discovered that two of the young men involved were students of mine.

Students that I love. Students that loved and held me as their favourite teacher. I had poured into them, tried to guide them.

“What do you do when you discover that the recipient of your hate is akin to someone you love? What do you do with your emotions when a person you love is killed by people you love?

“It causes you to question everything – your role, your impact, your faith. It is one of the deepest crossroads a person will ever have to face. It reveals whether you truly believe the story you have been telling about yourself.”

CHANGE Wong is working in partnership with The Kiyan Prince Foundation (KPF) to stage the play. Its founder Dr Mark Prince OBE also lost a loved one in tragic circumstances.

His son, Kiyan, a promising footballer for Queens Park Rangers, was tragically taken by knife violence.

“Like Learn2Live Legacy, KPF turns grief into fuel for change” says Wong. “When we shared the vision for this event, their team recognised the shared mission immediately. Their partnership has brought incredible depth, credibility and reach to the project – especially with Dr. Prince sharing his own testimony during the event. It’s a powerful alignment of purpose.”

In terms of his own battle with forgiveness, Wong had this to say: “The battlefield of forgiveness

PROUD: Jermaine Wong with son Keelen whose life and legacy continue to inspire a message of forgiveness and transformation; Learn2Live uses the power of creative expression to build emotional resilience

is not poetic – it’s brutal, daily, spiritual warfare. But it’s also freedom. Forgiveness hasn’t erased the pain of losing Keelen, but it’s allowed us to live forward. It’s restored my faith, my purpose, and my ability to breathe without being choked by bitterness. As a family, we’ve made peace with the past – not by pretending it didn’t hurt, but by refusing to let it define our future. Forgiveness is how we honour Keelen’s name. Forgiveness is how we break the cycle.”

For those who watch the stage play over the summer, Wong told us what he would like audiences to take away from it.

“We cannot change what we don’t confront” he says. “Our Son: The Battlefield of Forgiveness isn’t entertainment – it’s a mirror, a memorial, and a movement. It’s a sacred space where we honour the

lives lost, the pain carried, and the hope still rising.

“To every mother, father, brother, teacher, and young man who’s ever felt broken – this event is for you. And to every church or leader unsure of how to respond to the youth violence crisis this is a place to start.

“We don’t need more blame.

We need more boldness. More forgiveness. Let this be the spark.”

l Our Son – The Battlefield for

Forgiveness by Jermaine Wong will be performed at Saint Gabriel’s College, Langton Road, London SW9 6UL on Friday August 1 and Saturday August 2, 2025 l Darell J. Philip is a teaching

assistant, academic mentor and award-winning journalist

Lifestyle

30

Author Asli Jensen explains why it’s ‘Love On Sight’

33

36 NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL WANTS YOU

He’s the man behind many stage performances.

Meet King O’Holi

34 Micah Abna is making an impact with his first ever short film

30 | THE VOICE AUGUST 2025

Lifestyle

Books

A modern-day twist on a timeless love tale Asli Jensen discusses how her childhood influenced her debut novel and how she values ‘community’. By Joel Campbell

I

“

REALLY wanted to tell a romance story, that’s set in the endz,” Asli Jensen says when asked what motivated her to put pen to paper for her on her award-winning debut novel, Love on Sight.

The story of Sabrina and Jalaal, an English Jamaican girl and a Somali Muslim boy, who live on the same estate in west London, Sabrina is studying for her A-levels with her sights set on university, while Jalaal has been excluded from school and doesn’t see a way out.

Both have complicated home lives, but a deep love for family and each other.

An interfaith, intercultural love story, Jensen says: “I like to think of it as a modern-day Romeo and Juliet.”

She explained to Lifestyle: “I wanted to show how the two main characters live in the same council estate, but their life trajectories are quite different, I think that’s quite a common theme.

“They basically meet up at a barbecue birthday party and they go on a journey, a summer romance.”

Having grown exhausted and disillusioned by the mainstream ‘doom and gloom’ branding of London council estates, and the one-dimensional depiction of young people living in them, Jensen said there were a couple of reasons why she pushed to bring

the book to market. The original idea developed when she started writing early chapters of what would become Love on Sight for her younger sister, as a way of rebalancing the situations she saw every day.

“I wanted to write a book I think my sister would enjoy, so I had to create characters that were real, relevant and authentic,” she said.

“I hadn’t really seen the characters I’d written about previously, which I know everyone says but I’ve seen nothing similar to what I have written.

“I spent a lot of time in the youth justice system and got to know a lot of young people and it really inspired me to tell a story that is beyond what we typically see in the mainstream. A really contextual story about real things and real life.

“I kinda just wanted to do it for myself, to be like, I can do this, I can write a book that feels real to me.”

The daughter of a Somali mother and Danish father who separated when she was young, having lived in Copenhagen until she was five-years-old before moving back to the UK, Jensen grew up on an estate in west London, dreaming of writing stories.

She says ‘community and culture’ have kept her grounded throughout her life and have heavily influenced who she

AWARD-WINNER: Asli Jensen looks to have a bright future after winning the Lime Pictures New Storyteller Award

is today, an element she hopes comes through in her prose.

“I think with the community, growing up on a council estate, I felt like there were a lot of people beyond my family home that had a big influence on me

growing up. Whether its the community centre, the activities that go on there, but also school and what was available there and just different people that you meet in your life.

“I actually see them as a community and

I keep in contact with them. People say it takes a village to raise a child, but I think that continues on in adulthood as well, you are continually growing.

“So for me it’s like keeping my community and my network throughout my life to keep me grounded and that’s where I have met so many inspiring people within work and life.

“When it comes to culture, I’m of mixed heritage, Somali and Danish, which are very different cultures, but that’s kept me quite grounded as well as obviously being British.

“I also grew up in an extremely multicultural area, a lot of Africans, Caribbeans, a lot of South Asians, it just gave me an appreciation for other people’s cultures.

“That kept me grounded because it made me respect others and understand different ways of living, too. And how we can all get along, I guess this is why there is this intercultural relationship in the book.”

Avid readers might want to get their hands on a copy quickly. Having failed to find an agent when she wanted to get the manuscript published, Jensen enrolled on the Breakthrough Mentoring Programme, receiving support from the critically acclaimed novelist, Yvvette Edwards.

Edwards’ feedback helped her hone her manuscript further, and in 2023 Jensen entered, and won, the Lime Pictures New Storyteller Award, a bespoke prize sponsored by TV production company Lime Pictures and Chicken House, awarded to a submission that shows the greatest TV development potential. l Watch the full interview on our website

A BOLD CONCOCTION OF SPIRITUALITY, POWER AND RESISTANCE

KELECHI OKAFOR believes that her latest book, Awakened is one with which ‘Black people as a whole, regardless of gender can resonate’.

Awakened tells the story of Black journalist, Pels Badmus, who comes into her power during the course of some otherworldly events taking the reader from London to Benin in a bold narrative that explores the boundaries of the physical world and the spiritual self.

Pels is desperate to solve the spate of disappearances of young Black kids – including her friend’s brother – but her boss doesn’t want to hear it.

Sitting with Lifestyle at the Voice

newspaper’s head office in south London, Okafor delved into some of the topics of discussion she hopes the book triggers.

“Artificial intelligence and spirituality, especially Yoruba spirituality,” she says.

“They’re so intertwined, especially if you were to go for a divination with a Babalawo. It’s interesting how our indigenous

practices have been villainised and demonized as a result of colonialism and we have lost our power collectively in certain regards.

“I look at the successful rebellions that we’ve seen of those who were enslaved and what they believed in, because it wasn’t Christianity, and that’s not to take anything away from Christianity, but rather to say that they had a specific way of operating.

“I think that even the colonial powers saw what was possible in those spiritual systems and wouldn’t want people to tap into that sort of cosmology because they are harder to govern.

“I want to explore that more because essentially we will see that also play out in one way, shape or form, with artificial intelligence.

“Once people realise what they are capable of doing, what they are able to do, it will be harder to govern them, even if you can play with the algorithmic sort of rhythm of artificial intelligence.” l Watch Kelechi’s full interview on our website

NEW RELEASE: Kelechi Okafor

AUGUST 2025 THE VOICE | 31

Lifestyle

A TASTE OF THE CARIBBEAN IN THE HEART OF LONDON

Dining Out EXCITED: Nikkai Whyte says ‘Patois’ is a proud moment for her

Peckham-based chef Nikkai Whyte is bringing her Jamaican fusion kitchen to Boxhall City. By Joel Campbell

I

F, AS a keen foodie and one who dines out on a regular basis, you’d like to experience a slice of Jamaica reimagined through the lens of a new generation, maybe check out ‘Patois’ by Nikkai Whyte at Boxhall City.

Located in the heart of the city, Boxhall City is fast becoming one of London’s most dynamic dining destinations – combining cuttingedge street food with chef-led innovation in a vibrant, social setting.

Jamaican fusion kitchen ‘Patois’ will now be taking over Boxhall’s Kitchen No. 8 space, a threemonth rotating kitchen brought to you by the Boxpark team and based in Liverpool Street.

From cooking from her home in Peckham, Whyte has an amazing story about the growth of her food offering, which she originally started as a side project that quickly gained attention.

Her menu includes some of her signature dishes such as Dutty Curry Patties, Jerk Chicken Spring Rolls and Jerk Mushroom Hummus – each one crafted with care, warmth, and unmistakable character.

With a name that pays homage

to the Caribbean dialect of her heritage, ‘Patois’ tells a personal story through every plate — blending flavour, identity and pride into a unique dining experience.

Speaking on her upcoming residence, Whyte enthused: “Bringing Patois to Boxhall is a proud moment for me.

“I’ve been sharing my take on Caribbean food with Londoners for a while now, but this residency at Boxhall gives me the chance to reach even more people and bring my dishes to a whole new audience.

“I’m excited to be part of a space that champions independent chefs and gives us the platform to grow and tell our stories through flavour.”

Matthew McMillan, Development Director at Boxhall City, said: “Patois perfectly embodies the spirit that Kitchen No. 8 represents – bold ideas, personal stories, and exceptional talent.

“We’re proud to be offering a platform for chefs like Nikkai to share their vision with a wider audience and introduce something truly fresh to the capital’s food scene.”

IDENTITY: ‘Patois’ tells a different story behind every plate

www.katoenterprises.co.uk

AUGUST 2

32 | THE VOICE AUGUST 2025

Special Feature

ADVERTORIAL

Caribbean food revolution Nicole’s just getting started

the next step: creating a brand of her own.

Two years. 70 food markets. Endless batches of sauce and brand iterations. Serious teamwork. That’s what it took to get Nimi Nosh just right. “Our sauces could have launched sooner,” she says, “but I wouldn’t settle for ‘good enough’. This is my life’s work.” I called the Tesco buyer one year to the day since we first met and said ‘we’re ready’ – they remembered our products, our passion and perseverance, and said ‘let’s do this.’”

“Nicole’s journey is one of relentless perseverance and positivity” So what sets Nimi Nosh apart from other sauce brands? “I’m proud to stand tall as a Caribbean woman bringing real, modern Caribbean flavours to UK kitchens.” Says Nicole: “We’ve made it here through hard work, sacrifice and a product that can be used however, wherever and with whatever you like. I have stopped at nothing to realise the dream of building Nimi Nosh and big tings are coming!’

This isn’t just a product launch. It’s the beginning of a Caribbean food revolution, and Nicole’s just getting started.

Nicole Michael: Founder of Nimi Nosh

N

icole Michael is the force behind Nimi Nosh, a new Caribbean food brand spicing up the supermarket sauce scene with serious heat and heart. Blazing a trail with a contemporary Caribbean sauce in mainstream retail, Nimi Nosh’s debut range of vibrant sauces and marinades will be lighting up shelves in Tesco stores and online this month.

Nicole’s journey is one of relentless perseverance and positivity.

Raised in Portland, Jamaica, her roots are steeped in the rhythms of Caribbean cooking and the strength of family.

SPECIFIC SPICES As the second eldest of seven, she spent her childhood helping her mother sell spices in the Kingston markets, an experience that planted the seed of her lifelong obsession with flavour.

“I was mesmerised by her artistry in combining specific spices to create sauces that brought sunshine to the hustle and bustle

of my town and its people.” Nicole says of her Mum, “There was always a big pot of food boiling on the stove - every meal was an opportunity for full flavour and true food love.”

AGRICULTURE Her mother passed down her recipes along with an undeniable work ethic and entrepreneurial spark, “As long as you have a dream, you can do it”, Nicole stands by. During secondary school, she started her first sauce brand – a Scotch bonnet sauce – and her Dad drove her round local shops to sell it, on a mission to introduce her Mum’s ‘sunshine sauces’ to more homes.

At 20 years-old, after completing a degree in agriculture, Nicole moved to the UK. Here she completed a degree and postgraduate in education, raised her son and built a career as a lecturer - but food was always her true calling. In 2020, she followed in her mum’s female founder footsteps and started an import business supplying Caribbean ingredients to over 300 shops. Then came

“I’m proud to stand tall as a Caribbean woman bringing real, modern Caribbean flavours to UK kitchens”

AUGUST 2025 THE VOICE | 33

Lifestyle

Dance

‘I JUST PRIDE MYSELF ON CONNECTING WITH STARS’

CREATIVE: King O’Holi has made a name for himself in the world of choreography

After a difficult start, King O’Holi is now curating the stage presence of music’s artists. By Joel Campbell

W

E’VE ALL come away from a concert or festival at one time in our lives and marvelled at the stage presence of an artist, their delivery, poise, confidence, but not all performers have this quality inherently, it takes nurturing, guidance.

That’s where King O’Holi comes in. The multifaceted choreographer, movement director, and founder of the award-winning Space To Create (STC), has been curating the look and feel of some of your favourite artists for a while now.

He’s worked with some of the biggest names in music, from Davido, RAYE, Clean Bandit, Leigh-Anne, and Little Mix. He’s also the visionary behind J Hus’ Movement Direction, choreographing and stage directing for the live event which took place at the Royal Albert Hall earlier this year.

PASSION Rooted in lived experience, O’Holi’s work is a tribute to resilience, expression and the power of community.

Having moved 17 times by the age of 16 and raised by his 21-year-old brother when his mother passed away when he was just 11, speaking with Lifestyle at The Voice’s head office in south London, O’Holi explained how he came to find himself in this space.

“I always loved dancing but dancing, growing up, was more of a hobby than anything else.

“I lost my mum when I was 11.

So by the time I got to 16 when I realised, ‘okay I’m not going to be a professional footballer’, my mum always used to tell me you have to do something that you love, something that is a passion

and money will always come.

Don’t chase money.”

He added: “So I went to university and I did Performing Arts and English which was actually 70 per cent theory. After university I moved to Sweden and I did a one-year hip-hop dance course.”

Having done his due diligence, O’Holi understood that the founder of the Hip Drop Dance Complex in Sweden would regularly fly over all the biggest choreographers from LA which meant that he would be exposed to the greats from America.

Not an easy environment to get into, O’Holi says it was the opportunity that set him up for the future success stories he’s been a part of.

Highlighting the magnitude of the achievement he said: “I think about 200 dancers from around the world auditioned

for a place and they only took 13.” He added: “At the time I was 21 and I still hadn’t trained anywhere professionally. So even to get in, I bawled my eyes out. I was crying. It just felt like a huge accomplishment.

“But I also knew that I had to work harder than every single other person in that school.

One, because I’m Black and two, because everyone else had been training since they were five, six, seven-years-old.

“So I entered with a sole mission of wanting to become a professional.

“I guess that’s why it happened so quickly for me. I did a year of training and then went straight into the industry.”

His endeavours to date have seen him build a transformative home for emerging creatives – an ecosystem offering choreography, artist development, talent

TEAMWORK: King O’Holi has collaborated with many stars from Little Mix to Clean Bandit

management and creative direction. His artist-first approach has turned him into one of the UK’s most trusted mentors and movement architects, bridging underground energy with mainstream impact.

But how does he describe himself?

“I would say I am an entrepreneur, performance director and creative.”

He added: “I work a lot in the music and entertainment industry with artists specifically helping them with their performance.

“It’s a lot of performance coaching and directing, a lot of work with live music, music videos, etc. And at the same time, I own a creative agency called Space To Create, which is a twopart company.

“One side is an agency that provides creative services to the industry, so dancers and content creators, etc. And then we’ve got another site called STC training club which provides a service of high-level training for over 250 dancers every Saturday.”

Fully immersed in the space and covering a plethora of angles, O’Holi explained that the STC training club isn’t just about becoming a better dancer, but about becoming a more powerful artist, and a more grounded human.

“The aim is just to provide incredible training and knowledge and also holistic training for the mind,” he enthused.

Speaking on his involvement in the recent J Hus Albert Hall performance, which was praised far and wide for its execution, O’Holi added: “I first got asked to work with J Hus last year.

“I think he did a Wireless show and then his team called me in to help with some performance coaching, stamina work, breath control, moving from side to side of the stage, when to move, how to move, crowd interaction and participation, how to talk to the audience, and most importantly just how to portray your most authentic self on stage because ultimately, that’s what’s going to resonate for the audience.

“So we did a few shows last year and then I got called in to do his headline show at the Royal Albert Hall.”

CONNECTION Explaining why he nearly didn’t take up the offer, O’Holi said: “To be honest, at first I wasn’t sure.

J Hus is incredible. But the first time around I worked with him, it was good, but the connection wasn’t there. And I just pride myself on being able to connect with artists, especially of culture.

“But this time around it was the most incredible experience. I think from day one of rehearsals we fully connected.

“The first time around there was only two or three rehearsals, so we didn’t actually have that time to connect whereas this time round we were in rehearsals for about three weeks.

“So a lot of rehearsals, a lot of pushing him and helping him to come out of his comfort zone because it had been maybe six or seven years since he did a headline show.

“It was amazing to work with him. He’s a man full of intention and that’s my number one thing when it comes to my work anyway, intention.

“It was definitely one for the culture.”

Watch the full interview on our website where O’Holi speaks about the impact of losing his mother at such a young age, but why he believes himself to be ‘blessed to have a mother in the afterlife that is actually guiding and protecting me 24/7’.

Despite that significant loss, he says the road to becoming who he is today has been relatively smooth.

Following his time in Sweden, he worked for six months in Copenhagen and then moved back to London where things began to gather ahead of steam.

He danced with different artists, Stormzy, Little Mix and Jess Glynne, to name a few.

“Obviously there’s ebbs and flows, ups and downs to everything, but I’d say it’s definitely been an organic transition.”

This might be the first time you have heard his name, but be sure, as long as artists out there need their performances sharpening, it won’t be the last. l www.voice-online.co.uk for the full interview

34 | THE VOICE AUGUST 2025

Lifestyle

‘If you want to become a filmmaker, just do it’

Micah Abna is urging storytellers to take the plunge after his film One Brother won at Cannes Short Film Festival. By Joel Campbell

O

FFERING ADVICE to any filmmaker who wants to make “deeply personal stories”, Micah Abna said it’s best to “just do it, start now”.

Working with limited resources, Abna‘s short film, One Brother, a project linking themes of mental health, knife crime and poverty, told through a family dynamic, which he created six years ago, landed the ‘Best Short film’ award at the Cannes Short Film Festival 2025.

Seeking to raise more awareness around the project and generate funds in order to pursue a feature length version of the film, later this month he will be hosting an exclusive fundraising premiere at the Genesis cinema, in Mile End. Abna tells Lifestyle that One Brother is based on elements from his personal life. His hope

is to spark more conversations around the themes it covers. It was his first project as a writer and lead actor.

Speaking on what inspired him to take on both of these roles, and how he balanced them during production, he said: “I don’t usually write with myself envisioned as the main character. But as this is my first project, I wanted to do something close to my heart and deep rooted in themes I care about.

“After this project I can write about anything. But with One Brother, I wanted to raise awareness about serious issues that affect my community and I thought, ‘Who better to bring this character to life than the person this film is based on?’.

“I wanted to take charge of how people like me were represented and bring what I have to the table as an actor, not just a writer.

Especially as it’s a world I’m familiar with. I wanted to represent those like me with authenticity.

It was difficult to balance the two roles, because we were still doing re-writes probably about two weeks before we filmed [last] August. So, I still had my writers hat on, and it was difficult for me to switch my writing brain off and the acting brain on. Because I was also involved in the production of One Brother.

“But as I worked with a more than capable team. Shout out to the team, they made my job easy

— I found time to do my character work so I could bring Jadon to life authentically.”

Explaining in more detail how One Brother is based on elements from his personal life and experiences, Abna added: “My dad has schizophrenia so that’s where the element of mental health comes from.

“I am also a carer for my mum.

Struggles with finances aren’t new to me either. And being from South London I’ve known people that have been taken by knife crime also.”

Abna says that initially the production was meant to be “more light hearted, with serious tones”.

But having decided the topics it covers aren’t light hearted, a pivot to a grittier route started to take shape. Outlining what message he wanted to convey, he said: “These were issues I wanted to highlight because it’s reflective of the world I come from and I wanted to show it in a way not commonly explored.

“Without highlighting the gang violence itself, because we’ve already seen that before. But what about your sibling suffering with

STRUGGLES: Micah Abna is a carer for his mother in the real world

mental health issues that aren’t addressed because their family isn’t properly equipped?

“What about the eldest sibling who makes bad decisions for the sake of protecting his family?

What about those forgotten by society because they’re having it hard? What would you do if you had to provide for a family facing eviction?

“My message with this story is to educate and raise awareness around the themes of this movie.

“And to highlight one of the root causes of crime and start conversations around that, before trying to stop the result of the knife crime, get it at the roots.”

Abna ran a funding campaign that didn’t hit the full target, yet his team still pushed through to get the film done.

“What kept me going was the drive to tell this story. To showcase a typical London story told in a way that isn’t usually,” he said.

“My drive is to create stories that are unique and hard hitting.

Other than that, the whole team kept me going also. Oskar Nilsson the director of One Brother, really pulled out the stops to make this project a reality.”

He added: “The amount of detail and hard work that goes into

AUGUST 2025 THE VOICE | 35

Films REAL THEMES: Micah Abna says his relationship with his own mother inspired themes in his short film

‘SHOCKED’: ‘One Brother’ was named Best Short Film at the Cannes Short Film Festival earlier this year. making a short film. From the set design, to the editing, sound, to the set locations and finding the crew. I’ve gained a new found respect for all creators, because it’s not easy to do this.”

Abna says he was “shocked, of course” to land the ‘Best Short film’ award at the Cannes Short Film Festival 2025.

“I couldn’t be happier with how it’s resonating with people,” he enthused.

“Thank you to all of those who supported, funded and financially backed us,” he added.

Speaking on the varied reactions to the work, he said: “So far all of the feedback has been positive.

Many have described it as a heavy watch, thought-provoking, nuanced, layered, poignant and moving.

“A member of the audience

Whilst I want to inspire, I also want this film to act as the mirror to a pocket of our society approached me and said it was clear that the themes of One Brother are coming from a real place. As a carer of his late mother, he could relate. The reaction he had to the film really stayed with me. A friend of mine said he

found it hard to watch due to the passing of his late brother. RIP C. Ultimately, I’m grateful my project resonates with so many people in the way it does.”

He added: “I want One Brother to spark conversations among viewers around the themes the film covers. I want those that see it, that aren’t from that world to be able to empathise. I want those that see it who can relate, to see

One Brother does all of these things!”

He added: “The plans for a feature film of one brother is currently in the works. I’m currently working on the script as we speak! I really want to flesh out the themes and characters a lot more in a longer version of this film.”

Having endured a difficult road up until this point, Abna said other aspiring filmmakers should

someone from that world has created something like this.

“Whilst I want to inspire, I also want this film to act as the mirror to a pocket of our society that are often overlooked.

“I want to shine a light on the effect knife crime has on families to start the conversations around that. The difficulties of family carers. The struggles of finding work after incarceration. I hope

use his testimony as a guiding light.

“Make your script as air tight as possible,” he enthused. “Contain your stories as much as possible.

Try to make a short powerful script. Send to friends, get feedback. Budget well. Use what’s/ who’s around you. Pull on all of your experiences related to your idea if it’s a personal story. And just do it. Start now.”

Bring all the family for a fun day out at Music, Jerk ‘n Tings on Saturday 16 August

P

opular family festival Music, Jerk ‘n’ Tings returns to south east London at the Horniman Museum and Gardens on 16 August, 1-6pm. Dance along to a packed line-up of musical talent on the Bandstand, and savour island flavours with a delicious selection of jerk, vegan and vegetarian dishes cooked up by top chefs. Bring all the family, young and elders, to enjoy a fantastic music line-up featuring Alex Charles, singer, saxophonist and former member of Heatwave, Brixton’s Lara Lee aka FLOetic, harmony queens The Divettes and Reggae Reminisce Band.

DJ Teachers Crew will get you dancing with calypso, reggae and dancehall sounds and you can enjoy a performance from the acclaimed The Delphina James Steel Ensemble. You can also enjoy traditional games and check out the arts and crafts market of independent and local producers.

During the festival, explore the beautiful Horniman Gardens, take a stroll in the free Animal Walk which includes resident alpacas, rabbits and goats, be immersed amongst free-flying butterflies at the Butterfly House and have fun at a themed mini golf course.

•

Tickets to Music, Jerk ‘n Tings are: child £10, adult £17, over-60s £12, under 2s and access companions are free.

Book tickets at: https://www.horniman.ac.uk/event/music-jerk-n-tings/ Some activities carry an additional charge including the Butterfly House and mini golf course.

Please check horniman.ac.uk for more information.

The Horniman Museum and Gardens is at: 100 London Road, Forest Hill SE23 3PQ. There is no on-site parking except for Blue Badge holders on a first come basis. Public transport is recommended. The nearest Overground station is Forest Hill.

Buses 176, 185, 197, 356, P4 stop outside the Horniman, buses 122, 363 and P13 stop nearby.

This event is in partnership with Fairweather Productions.

36 | THE VOICE AUGUST 2025

Notting Hill Carnival

N

OTTING HILL Carnival, Europe’s largest cultural event and the second biggest Carnival in the world, will be bringing its vibrant sights and sounds to the streets of west London on August Bank Holiday weekend.

Following the announcement that extra funding has been secured to enhance safety and infrastructure, the Carnival community can now look forward to a weekend of powerful cultural celebration.

From the debut of the Junior Panorama on the Carnival weekend to the return of the beloved J’ouvert, 2025 brings new energy while staying true to time-honoured traditions.

As was widely reported, Notting Hill Carnival has faced financial challenges ahead of this year’s event.

CEO of Notting Hill Carnival Ltd, Matthew Phillip, said: “We would finally like to thank our partners at City Hall, Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, and Westminster City Council for helping find the investment required for Carnival 2025 to take place. It goes without saying that it is a cultural powerhouse, an economic driver, and a unifying force in one of the world’s greatest cities and their support is vital and appreciated. The Mayor of London has noted that Carnival contributes £400million annually to the economy. But its true value lies in the joy, inclusion, and identity it brings to communities. We thank everyone who helps make this celebration not only possible but powerful.”

A weekend of culture, colour, and community Saturday August 23 – Panorama & Junior Panorama The festivities kick off in Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance Park with the Panorama Steelpan competition — a jewel in the crown of Carnival.

This year will incorporate for the first time Junior Panorama, which will be shining a spotlight on the next generation of pan talent.

Tickets for the whole evening are on sale now, gates open at 4pm with Junior Panorama starting at 5pm and the main Panorama competition at 8pm.

Sunday August 24 – J’ouvert, Children’s Day Parade, Sound Systems & Stages J’ouvert returns with an array of bands confirmed to participate in the early morning traditional procession which begins at 6am on Canal Way Roundabout.

The Opening Ceremony will take place from 10am to 10.30am on Great Western Road by the Judging Zone. This launches the flamboyant Children’s Day Parade, a joyous celebration of young masqueraders in dazzling costumes.

Sound Systems and Stages are in action from 12pm to 7pm.

Monday August 25 – Main Parade, Sound Systems & Stages The parade begins at 10.30am, the streets come alive with a full display of the artistry, heritage, and creativity of Carnival culture.

Many of the costumes, some measuring metres in height, are handmade over the course of an entire year and have to be seen to be believed! Sound Systems and Stages are once again in action from 12pm to 7pm.

Moment of Reflection – 3pm, Sunday and Monday At 3pm on both days of Notting Hill Carnival, everyone is invited to join in a 72-second silence to

remember the 72 lives tragically lost in the Grenfell Tower fire.

This moment of reflection will also honour the memories of Takayo Nembhard and Cher Maximen — individuals whose lives were cut short and whose absence continues to be deeply felt by our community.

The opportunity to honour Kelso Cochrane will also be taken, a young Antiguan man murdered in a racially motivated attack in Notting Hill in 1959.

His death became a powerful symbol of racial injustice in Britain and galvanised local communities to stand together against hate.

As well as being one of the reasons that Carnival was started, Kelso’s memory is an enduring reminder of why spaces like Carnival — born from resistance, resilience, and unity — are so vital.

The pioneers who laid the foundations for Notting Hill Carnival will also be saluted.

Their vision, courage, and cultural pride paved the way for this extraordinary celebration to become what it is today — a vibrant tribute to heritage, freedom, and togetherness.

Introducing the R.E.S.P.E.C.T. Campaign The R.E.S.P.E.C.T. Campaign is a new initiative that celebrates creativity, community, and cultural pride.

Through the NHC social platforms and outreach, the aim is to foster greater understanding and appreciation for Carnival and the neighbourhoods that host it.

Keep an eye on the social media channels, support and share the message to

SAY CHEESE!: Revellers are all smiles during last year’s J’ouvert celebrations

IT’S TIME FOR CARNIVAL!

The streets of Notting Hill will once again be captivated by colour this Bank Holiday weekend.

By Joel Campbell

PLENTY ON OFFER: Left, the steel drums are played during the parade; above, having fun with a paint gun for J’ouvert

help educate and bring understanding to as many people as possible.

R.E.S.P.E.C.T. – Our Carnival Pledge R – Remember the Roots E – Embrace Everyone S – Safeguard the Streets P – Protect the Pulse E – Environment Matters

C – Care for Each Other T – Treasure the Tradition Aligning with the Elba Hope Foundation This year, Notting Hill Carnival has aligned with the Elba Hope Foundation and their campaign Don’t Stop Your Future (DSYF) — an initiative committed to

ending knife and violent crime in our communities. DSYF works with grassroots organisations and major brands to amplify the voices of young people and support alternatives to violence and we want Notting Hill Carnival to help them amplify their message further.

“We can’t ignore the impact of knife crime on our event,” says Phillip, CEO of Notting Hill Carnival Ltd. “The tragic deaths of Takayo Nembhard and Cher Maximen broke the hearts of their friends and families as well as our communities and three years on, the family and friends of Takayo still don’t have justice.

“These young people didn’t

lose their lives because of Carnival — Carnival is not the cause of this crisis, but it can be part of the solution.”

The Metropolitan Police recorded some 16,789 offences involving a knife in 2024, over 45 a day in London alone.

This startling and tragic statistic is evidence of a pandemic of knife crime in the UK that is deeply affecting communities 365 days a year.

Carnival is often portrayed as the cause of knife crime which is simply not true, but organisers want to use the media spotlight Carnival gets for positive action.

Phillip said: “Our community provides spaces for young people to learn skills, express

AUGUST 2025 THE VOICE | 37

All photos: Getty Images

Notting Hill Carnival

PRETTY IN PINK: A bird’s eye view of last year’s colourful parade A SIGHT TO BEHOLD: Above, a Carnival-goer takes a break during last year’s festivities; right, the streets will be full once again for this year’s Carnival celebrations

63 63 63 Years Years Years

Independence Independence Independence

themselves, make friends, and be around their peers and different generations to make a positive impact.

“This is often overlooked, unseen and unfunded.

“It is the alternative and one of the only outlets left for our young people.

“In that spirit, Carnival aligns perfectly with the principles of DSYF. Their ongoing work to help disenfranchised young people to make better choices is a productive and sustainable action to a very complex and, ultimately, sad problem. They show that there is choice, and we are working with them to amplify this message.

“The Elba Hope Foundation

is about creating real pathways for young people — to build confidence, develop skills, and find belonging.

“Carnival provides one of the few creative and cultural outlets left for our youth. That’s why we must protect it, invest in it, and use its platform to uplift others.”

Trippin return with the official Notting Hill Carnival Map To make sure you get to where you need to go, Trippin will once again be providing The Official Notting Hill Carnival Map, pinpointing where to find sound systems, stages, food stalls, toilets, safe “cool down” areas, and sights of historical significance. They’ve designed

the map to be an in pocket guide that maximises your Carnival experience, highlighting the best sound system spots, alongside a guide to cultural pins that provide context on why this event holds so much significance for London’s Caribbean community.

Now in its fourth year, NHC x Trippin’s map has become an essential tool to navigate Carnival, with new information and pins added each year.

Using Google Maps data, there’s no need to install any extra apps — just remember to download the map for offline use to access easily while you’re in the crowd. It will be available to download from NHCarnival.org.

38 | THE VOICE AUGUST 2025

TOP SPORTS COVERAGE 24/7 VOICE-ONLINE.CO.UK/SPORT

OF SPORT NEWSPAPER

AUGUST 2025 | THE VOICE

A FAMILY’S SACRIFICE

Documentary No Athlete Is An Island features Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu, and explores the support behind her journey. By Milton Boyce

D

OCUMENTARIES about sports stars are not uncommon. During the summer, Hackney Picturehouse premiered a short film about legendary GB athlete Christine Ohuruogu which broke the mould.

Directed by Michael Facey and featuring exclusive insights from Christine, brother Obi, and her wider personal support network, No Athlete Is An Island is an intimate portrayal of Christine’s journey to greatness, told from the perspective of how family life shaped her.

The narration highlights how we often speak about the role of schools, clubs and coaches in helping young people navigate the world of elite sport; but rarely do we consider parents, siblings, friends, peers – even though they may be the ones who sacrifice and support unconditionally through good and bad times.

PASSION Interviewed alongside her brother, Christine talks about being given room by the family to grow, play and express herself as she balanced her passion for education with sporting prowess, progressing steadily from the playing fields of Newham in the heart of east London to global 400m domination.

It was clearly understood that the children were expected to go to university; otherwise, Christine had the freedom to make her own choices. It is moving to hear Obi talk about his famous sibling with such a relatable mix of pride and brotherly nonchalance and to learn how Christine shared both her room and

her setbacks with sister Victoria, later to become an Olympic medallist in her own right. Viewers also discovered how Christine’s late, much-loved coach Lloyd Cowan saw her potential as she dabbled in track while excelling at netball.

Eventually, Lloyd convinced Christine to make the definitive move.

No Athlete Is An Island was commissioned by the University of East London as part of a new kind of talent development programme. Originally the East London Sport Talent Pathway, now rebranded – in a process led by the athletes themselves – as Flete East London, the programme provides free, individualised support to local 11- to 18-year-olds as they pursue their sporting ambitions. It prioritises young people who face intersectional barriers to achieving their full potential.

“It is no surprise that, together with other metrics of advantage, paid-for education has a disproportionate influence on elite sporting performance,” says UEL’s head of sport, Hilary Lissenden.

“Our programme is giving more young people from underrepresented backgrounds the opportunity to progress to the highest levels.”

Created as a prototype in 2021, the development of Flete East London has been funded by Sport England to the tune of £1.2m. This unusual level of direct investment testifies to Sport England’s commitment to tackling deeply rooted inequalities in the national elite sport ecosystem.

“There is talent everywhere, but all

JOURNEY TO GREATNESS: Christine Ohuruogu won gold in 2008; inset, Ohuruogu and director Michael Facey too often it is missed,” says Executive Director of Partnerships, Phil Smith.

“The deck is stacked against individuals, and communities, who lack the same level of access and opportunity as the more circumstantially privileged and advantaged. Programmes like this are essential if we are to continue to shift that dial.”

More than 100 athletes are currently engaged in the programme, 40 per cent of whom are female, 68 per cent non-white, and 53 per cent from low-moderate income homes.

The Flete delivery team recruits from an extensive local network of local schools and partner organisations, and has established a diverse, multi-disciplinary

coaching workforce that provides holistic support services including strength & conditioning, lifestyle support and sport psychology. The programme also runs a range of experience days, exposing the young athletes to disciplines they may not previously have considered or even known might be part of their journey.

INSIGHTS As Flete has grown, the team has responded in real-time to insights and learnings from all the programme’s stakeholders. They have introduced a dedicated women and girls workstream alongside a series of themed Parent Playbook forums to educate athletes’ families and give them a powerful voice

in decision-making. Amongst a large group of parents and athletes present at the June 4 film screening, one mum spoke up eloquently about the importance of trust and authenticity in building these relationships. “The team is supporting me, and my child. Like everyone here we have our own story and our own challenges. None of this would work if this wasn’t the team’s calling.”

Those who experience No Athlete Is An Island will think twice in future about making assumptions – or not really thinking at all – about what really lies behind the great triumphs and the justfallings-short of elite sporting performance. l No Athlete Is An Island can be seen at https://youtu.be/aVAIB0UxTIc

MISIR WINS MONACO GRAND PRIX IN MAIDEN E1 SERIES

By Rodney Hinds

JAMAICAN racecar sensation Sara Misir delivered a standout performance alongside teammate John Peeters to secure Team Blue Rising’s first-ever win in the UIM E1 World Championship at the Monaco Grand Prix held on July 20.

This historic victory follows two strong performances earlier in the season: as the team secured a P3 Finish in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in round 1 on January 25, and a third place finish at the Lago Maggiore Grand Prix, Italy

in Round 4 on June 28. The three podium triumphs confirm Team Blue Rising as a championship contender as they sit fourth overall in the championship standings with 114 points.

STRATEGY Piloting their all-electric RaceBird vessel with remarkable precision, Misir and Peeters overcame a stacked field that included teams owned

by Tom Brady, Rafael Nadal, and LeBron James. A bold early overtake and clean joker lap strategy helped seal the win in

front of a packed Monte Carlo harbour crowd.

“It’s an absolute honour to stand atop the podium representing Jamaica and Team Blue Rising,” said Misir. “This is a milestone not just for us as a team, but for women in motorsports across the world because this is my debut season and I just hope to keep improving as I go along.”

The podium celebration was led by E1 Chairman Alejandro Agag and attended by sports and entertainment royalty, including team owners.

The win marks a high point in what has been a breakthrough season for Misir, the Caribbean’s first female professional race-car driver and a four-time Jamaican Motorsports Athlete of the Year.

Team Blue Rising’s next stops on the E1 Series calendar include Lagos in October and Miami in November.

Team Blue Rising, co-owned by cricket icon Virat Kohli, competes in the world’s first all-electric powerboat championship, the E1 Series, championing sustainability and gender-balanced competition at the highest level.

PODIUM: Sara Misir

AUGUST 2025 THE VOICE | 39

Sport

MUYEYE’S ENGLAND AIM

Batsman seeking an international call-up and credits Kent with giving him a chance. By Matthew Chadder

I

N EARLY 2021, months before signing his professional contract with Kent Cricket, Tawanda Muyeye had his right to remain in the United Kingdom approved by the Home Office.

Born and bred in Zimbabwe, Muyeye moved to England at the age of 17 and attended Eastbourne College on a cricket scholarship, while spending time with the Sussex Academy.

Now a batter for Kent and the Oval Invincibles, Muyeye is set to compete in The Hundred, where he will be one of the few Black players at the tournament.

“For me to be a Black player, playing cricket in England, it just shows that there are no boundaries,” Muyeye told the Voice of Sport. “If you have dreams, you can achieve them. The colour of your skin doesn’t matter.

“Of course, there’ll be hurdles along the way, but I think being a player of colour and being a representative is quite a big thing because it just shows that anything is possible.”

While his professional career began in England, Muyeye’s love for cricket was born in Zimbabwe when he was just a child.

“My brother was the person who got me into cricket. On the weekends, when he’d come back home from boarding school, I would play cricket with him.

That’s how it all started.

“In the high school that I attended, they’d just built a high-performance cricket centre, which is unheard of in Zimbabwe, unless you’re playing for the national team.

“There weren’t many high-performance centres, especially not

TALENT: Tawanda Muyeye has repaid Kent’s faith by agreeing a new two-year contract

in schools, so that was a massive thing, and I spent a lot of my time in there.

“When I moved to England, I think the biggest change was the weather! Goodness, I found that change difficult, even in April, May, it was still quite chilly for a Zimbabwean kid.”

Muyeye made a big impression during his time at Eastbourne College. His runs led him to be named Wisden’s Schools Cricketer of the Year for 2020, and Kent took notice.

“Kent are a big reason I’m where I am today. They had to jump through some hurdles to get me to this point because I’m a refugee, and my family are refugees.

“There was a man named Paul Downton, he was the director of cricket at Kent, and he went out of his way to help me. Kent gave me the opportunity to grow and develop as a player, and they’ve given me the platform to showcase what I can do.

“Looking back four years later, I’m just very grateful for Kent and everything they’ve done for me. I’ve just signed a new contract with them, and I want to give them a shoutout because it wasn’t easy for them initially, but they made my life easier

“If you have dreams, you can achieve them. Skin colour doesn’t matter”

ROLE MODEL: Tawanda Muyeye hopes to ‘inspire people to have fun with what they are doing’ (photos: ECB/ Getty Images

and treated me like a normal person and welcomed me with open arms.”

Muyeye has achieved so much already, and it is the 24-year-old’s mindset which keeps him moving forward. “For me, it’s about striving to be the best that I can be, not comparing myself to others, comparison is the thief of all joy.

“When you get into the professional game, it becomes a bit more complex, and the transition isn’t easy. However, because I have that desire to be the best that I can be, it keeps me going and keeps me motivated to achieve my goals.

“My main aspiration is to play cricket for England, to play as many Test matches as I can for England. However, I don’t just want to play for England once, I want to play for a long time and be good enough to achieve that goal.”

While his focus is on cricket, Muyeye hopes he is remembered for so much more than just the sport.

“When I do finish playing cricket, I hope people remember me as a person first and foremost, because I’m a human being.

“I go through everything that every other human being goes through.

“I don’t want people to put me on a pedestal, because no one is bigger than anyone or bigger than the sport. If people are to think about me when I finish playing, I just want them to think that I was entertaining, and a fun person to watch.

“I just want to be myself, go out there, be free and play with a smile on my face and inspire people to have fun with what they’re doing.”

40 | THE VOICE AUGUST 2025

Sport

ENGLAND SAVIOUR WITH THE WORLD AT HER FEET

MAJOR IMPACT: Michelle Agyemang was named Uefa Young Player of the Tournament

Michelle Agyemang the future for Lionesses.

By Sam French

A

T JUST 19 years old, Michelle Agyemang emerged as England’s defining impact player at UEFA Women’s Euro 2025, scoring two crucial goals in the run to the final.

It was a 3-1 victory on penalties against Spain in the final.

Keeper Hannah Hampton made important saves in the shootout, and it was Chloe Kelly who converted the winning spot kick.

Kelly has now scored winning goals in back-to-back Euro finals.

The impact of Agyemang throughout the tournament will not be forgotten though.

Speaking after the trophy lift, she said: “It was so hard after a loss in the first game but look where we are now”.

She was named UEFA Young Player of the tournament and thanked “the support from all of her teammates and coaches”.

Agyemang only made her senior Lionesses debut in April. Coming on against Belgium in a Nations League match, she scored within

“It was so hard after a loss in the first game (against France) but look where we are now” 41 seconds, making history as the fastest substitute ever to score for England. In pre-tournament training, captain Leah Williamson highlighted the potential of the young striker saying that “she’s got something about her”.

Dubbed as a wildcard selection in the Euro squad, her tournament began with limited minutes in the group stage. It was in the knockout games she became England’s saviour and symbolised the never say die attitude that carried England to the title.

Facing elimination in the

quarter-final, 2-0 down against Sweden and with just over ten minutes remaining, Agyemang completed the incredible comeback to level it at 2-2.

England were victorious in the resulting penalty shootout, with Lucy Bronze smashing home the winning penalty but the impact of Agyemang off the bench was clear. Manager, Sarina Wiegman said: “Michelle brings something different. She is so strong and scores goals. She has shown she can do that.”

In the semi-final against Italy and England once again found themselves facing an exit. It was 1-0 to Italy and whilst England had created chances, they couldn’t find that all important goal. With one minute remaining in the tie, super sub Agyemang came to the rescue. Italian keeper, Giuliani, spilled the ball and Agyemang kept her composure to find the back of the net and send the game to extra time. Agyemang nearly scored an emphatic winner when her chipped effort from a tight

ALL SMILES: Michelle Agyemang with teammates Lauren James, Jess Carter and Khiara Keating

angle hit the crossbar. Fellow sub Kelly scored to send England to the final.

Post-match, Kelly praised her teammate, calling her a “saviour”, saying she has “the world at her feet”.

Agyemang’s second crucial goal in a matter of days sparked wild celebrations. At full time, there was a warm moment when Sarina Wiegman was seen hugging Agyemang. Prior to the

final, the teenager had played only 90 minutes in internationals (across four matches, the same number of games she has played for her club Arsenal) yet scored three goals.

England fans greeted Agyemang’s arrival onto the pitch in the final with emphatic cheers. She may not have scored against Spain, but she fulfilled her defensive duties, particularly deep into extra time.

Agyemang demonstrated the value of impact players, and it was her that the rest of the squad chose to lead them up onto the podium to receive their medals.