Dragon is what I am
I can be pretty calm
The flame in me can fester
Let’s not put it to a tester
My emotions can be intense
So I guard them with a fence
Dragon is what I am
The fence won’t hold for long
The fire is burning
I am still learning
Dragon is what I am
The fire expands; I take my stand
With strength and wisdom
I could lead a kingdom
Dragon is what I am
Yet I am a woman
About Reuben Sounds
Purpose: Founded in 1991 by Jerry Crawford, who has been very influential on Bradford’s music scene. He is probably Bradford’s longest serving event organiser. From working at Livestock Records to Organising Bradford’s first acid house all nighter along with Bradford’s first jungle/drum n bass and UK garage events. The studio was a non-profit venture designed to provide valuable recording studio access to disadvantaged local musicians. Mission: It aimed to serve marginalized groups, such as low-paid and unemployed young people, mainly for members of the Black and Asian communities, offering them a chance to record music and learn about studio techniques. Significance: The studio was created to fill a gap in local facilities, providing an essential resource for aspiring musicians who lacked access to professional equipment and training.
Reuben Sounds Recordings: A 25-Year Comeback
After a three-decade hiatus from the music recording scene, Reuben Sounds Recordings is making a triumphant return, not only to capture the sound of a new generation but also to offer a suite of music production training events.
As a community music training and events organization, our core aims are centered on enriching community life through the universal language of music and sound. Our plans are action-oriented, designed to make music accessible, educational, and unifying for everyone in our local area.
Reuben Sounds:
We will provide inclusive platforms that bring diverse community members together, breaking down social barriers and building stronger neighborhood ties through shared musical experiences.
Reuben Sounds events, making a comeback after 30 years, will be collaborating with this generation to organise events of all genres of music and will also be connecting with local grassroots artists and DJs
Our aim for 2026 is to organise as many events possible all genres. We will be collaborating with as many artists, organisations to continuing spreading racial harmony through music
ABOUT MICHAEL
Mr Michael Ekpechue- The Director of Adanian Labs
Michael Ekpechue is a prominent figure involved with the Greater Manchester Black Tech Expo, often speaking at or promoting their events, like the recent “AI For All” session in November 2025, focusing on inclusive tech and People Data Infrastructure (PDI) for the community, as seen in his LinkedIn posts. He’s actively championing tech access and innovation for creators, students, and businesses in the region, partnering with organizations like Adanian Labs and MMU.
EXCITING NEWS – Join SHALAMAR this summer as they celebrate their golden anniversary with shows across the UK, Europe, USA and Africa. With 18 top seventy five UK hits, 11 top forty, 4 top ten chart smashing singles and over 25 million records sold world-wide, the group are one of the most successful soul acts of all time.
Their live shows are a feast of nonstop anthemic tunes — from “A Night To Remember” and “Take That to the Bank” to “There It Is”, “The Second Time Around”, “Make That Move”, “Dead Giveaway”, “Dancin’ In The Sheets”, “Over and Over”, “Friends”, and more.
Audiences are being asked to join in the celebration by wearing black or white, enhanced with a golden touch. Meet & Greet packages available.
Special guest on selected UK theatre dates will be Gwen Dickey – the Voice of Rose Royce (“Car Wash”, “Is It Love You’re After”, “Wishing On A Star”, I’m Going Down”.)
Tickets available from each venue website and Ticketmaster.
O2 Pre-sale – Wed 28 Jan, 10am
TM Pre-sale – Thu 29 Jan, 10am
General Sale – Fri 30 Jan, 10am
Ticket link (unless otherwise shown): https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/shalamar…/artist/2178206
Fri June 12 | Paris – Le Nouveau CAP – https://billetterie.festik.net/nouveaucap/product/shalamar
Sat June 13 | Liverpool – Philharmonic Hall
Sun June 14 | Eastleigh – Concorde Club – http://www.theconcordeclub.com
Fri June 19 | Cambridge – Corn Exchange
Sun June 21 | Brighton – Dome
Thurs June 25 | Haarlem – Philharmonie – ticketmaster.nl/event/889876565
Fri June 26 | Eindhoven – Effenar – https://effenaar.nl/agenda/shalamar
Sun June 28 I Glasgow – Royal Concert Hall
Thurs July 2 I York – Barbican
Fri July 3 I London – Indigo at the O2
Sun July 5 | Leicester – De Montfort Hall
Fri July 10 | Colchester – Charter Hall
Sat July 11 | Boogietown Festival – https://boogietown.co.uk/
@top fansHoward HewettCarolyn Griffey Shalamar Shalamar FriendsJeffrey Daniel of ShalamarJeffrey DanielSenbla Live EventsBoogietown @haarlemphilharmonie Effenaar
Francis Nkrumah is a dynamic and creative photographer and videographer with over 15 years of experience in visual storytelling, brand growth, and audience engagement. He currently leads the Image Media team, bringing strong expertise in photo and video editing, professional camera operation, and innovative content creation.
Francis is known for delivering high-quality visuals that capture powerful moments and compelling narratives. His outstanding work has earned him opportunities to cover major international sporting events, including the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and the Africa Cup of Nations tournaments in 2010, 2013, and 2015.
Passionate about his craft, Francis is dedicated to continuous learning and staying ahead of industry trends, constantly refining his skills to produce modern, impactful visual content.
OLUMIDE HOLLOWAY will be performing his poetry AT OUR The Africa4u Awards for Africans in GREATER MANCHESTER taking place at 6 Floor, Room 620 , The Maxwell Building, The University of Salford, 43 The Crescent Salford M5 4WT on Monday the 26th of January 2026 at 5pm ON THE DOT.
INFORMATION ABOUT ANTHONY CAN BE FOUND BELOW
ABOUT OLUMIDE HOLLOWAY
Olumide Holloway (King Olulu) is a Poetprenuer, Gifted Storyteller, Screenwriter, Author, and Spoken Word Poet.
He is passionate about Spoken Word Poetry, and his gift for storytelling shines through his captivating spoken word performances, poems and short stories.
He has headlined and performed at poetry events both in the UK and Nigeria.
In his own words, “all I need is one chance, and I will kiss words and make them dance.
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UNITY RADIO STATION MANCHESTER WILL BE A MEDIA PARTNER AT OUR GMBTE AFRICA4U AWARDS FOR AFRICANS IN MANCHESTER
INFORMATION ABOUT UNITY RADIO MANCHESTER CAN BE FOUND BELOW
Unity Radio is a person of global majority led independent multi-platform influencing its target audience of 15-40 yrs underpinned with creative Hip Hop activities to improve well-being amongst young people broadcasting across the Manchester region on 92.8 FM, DAB, and around the world via http://www.unityradio.fm and smartphones.
Unity Radio has been broadcast on FM since 2010 and has a history of reaching into communities with engaging outreach work, helping young people in the community and creating a solid foundation of local support across the region. Unity Radio’s unique and innovative programming broadcasting a range of local, national and international dance and urban music artists reflects its audience’s tastes, interests and popular trends.
With the Unity Radio app you get the station you already enjoy, and so much more. You get a rich beautiful listening experience, complete with access to WIN tickets with Fatsoma Xclusives.
Listening to UNITY RADIO via the Internet couldn’t be easier. You can listen to it in your web browser by clicking on the Listen button at the top right of the page.
The UK Radioplayer will pop-up in a new window and start playing automatically. We are proud to be a working with MRA Digital to deliver both web and app platforms.
Lock in your radio dial on 92.8 FM in the Greater Manchester region.
ANTHONY LANE – A PIONEERING AUTHOR will be a KEY SPEAKER AT OUR The Africa4u Awards for Africans in GREATER MANCHESTER taking place at 6 Floor, Room 620 , The Maxwell Building, The University of Salford, 43 The Crescent Salford M5 4WT on Monday the 26th of January 2026 at 5pm ON THE DOT.
INFORMATION ABOUT ANTHONY CAN BE FOUND BELOW
Lane Anthony
Lane Anthony is a pioneering author and thought leader in the field of neurodiversity, dedicated to transforming how society perceives and supports neurological differences. Best known for his seminal works, Autism a Superpower – An Awakening and The Dynamic Development Plan, Lane challenges the traditional medical model that focuses on deficits.
Instead, he champions a strengths-based philosophy, providing educators and families with practical blueprints to identify and cultivate cognitive assets. His innovative frameworks serve as the intellectual foundation for the DECKACY charity’s ecosystem and are actively shaping the curriculum at forward-thinking institutions like Elevating Futures Education. Through his writing and advocacy, Lane empowers professionals to see neurodivergence not as a barrier, but as a dynamic force for development.
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Afyalife Foundation UK is a main sponsor of The Africa4u Awards for Africans in GREATER MANCHESTER taking place at 6 Floor, Room 620 , The Maxwell Building, The University of Salford, 43 The Crescent Salford M5 4WT on Monday the 26th of January 2026 at 5pm ON THE DOT.
The awards and related support are being sponsored through AfyaLife Foundation, covering:
• Award creation
• Photography support
• Light refreshments
• PowerPoint coordination:
This event is organized in partnership with Greater Manchester Black Tech Expo
INFORMATION ABOUT THIS AMAZING INITIATIVE CAN BE FOUND BELOW
ABOUT AFYALIFE FOUNDATION
At Afyalife Foundation, we believe in the power of community and the impact of collective action. Through our dedicated efforts, we aim to address pressing challenges, foster sustainable development, and promote well-being. Whether it’s through educational initiatives, healthcare support, environmental conservation, or socio-economic empowerment, our goal remains unwavering: to create lasting change and improve the quality of life for individuals and families.
VISIT THEIR WEBSITE TODAY AT – https://www.afyalifefoundation.co.uk/
GET YOUR FREE TICKETS TO OUR EVENT USING THE LINK BEOW
Dr Sohal Ahmed – Director of Bradford 4 BETTER organisation ( National Diversity Award Winners and Winners of The King’s Award ) will be a KEY SPEAKER AT OUR The Africa4u Awards for Africans in GREATER MANCHESTER taking place at 6 Floor, Room 620 , The Maxwell Building, The University of Salford, 43 The Crescent Salford M5 4WT on Monday the 26th of January 2026 at 5pm ON THE DOT.
This event is organized in partnership with Greater Manchester Black Tech Expo
INFORMATION ABOUT DR SOHAIL CAN BE FOUND BELOW
ABOUT DR SOHAIL
Dr Sohal Ahmed – Director of Bradford 4 BETTER organisation ( National Diversity Award Winners and Winners of The King’s Award )
Dr Sohail Abraham Ahmed is a multi-award winning medical doctor and the founder of Aelixir Media and Aelixir Healing.Dr Sohail is from Bradford, U.K. and works in a number of sectors, including the NHS, community, voluntary, arts and media.
Dr Sohail is regarded as one of the top GP’s in the U.K after being nominated as the GP of the year at the National General Practice awards in 2021.
Dr Sohail is a founding member and the current Chair of one of the largest and fastest growing community-action groups in the United Kingdom, Bradford 4 Better, who were also the recipients of the first ever King’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2024.
Dr Sohail has worked in multiple sectors over the years ranging from retail, hospitality, sports, voluntary, community and healthcare and continues to provide mentorship and opportunities for those seeking work experience.
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TONY TOKUNBO ETEKA FERNANDEZ 