Mr Phillips Alayande will be performing at this months AFRICA4U BLACK HISTORY MONTHS CELEBRATION aimed at promoting the true life and success stories of African and Caribbean achievers.
O.Phils is a Refugee Action volunteer and a member of Refugee Action Experts by Experience Group, BRAVE, who has been leading music sessions at the weekly welcome group and has written a song ; ‘FREE’. After singing it in the group, he had the vision to rehearse with other refugees and produce this amazing music video to bring hope to others and release it during Refugee Week 2022 with live performances at the Bradford Refugee Week Launch and Celebration event. The dream is now a reality. Thank you to all who made this possible.
Vincent Destouche (Mr MAPA) Volunteer Community Worker/Caretaker-/School Dinner Attendant/Youth Worker Bradford Youth Service) Vinny is an amazing versatile person when it comes to his employment/community engagement ( volunteering). Vinny has worked (paid)/volunteered for MAPA for 35 years and he is often referred to as
MR MAPA.
History Vinny was a user of our community centre and lived in the then Newby Sq. He has always come across as a quite person and continues to have that persona. He often speaks about his early childhood growing up in the Sq. and how it shaped his life and others. MAPA General (1985-present) Vinny was out of work when we met , he used to volunteer to help MAPA by cleaning, DIY, Djing etc). in 1990 we offered him a contract as a Handy Person/Caretaker which continues to carry out today. Scout Group In the late 90s Vinny helped set up a one of the first Black Scout Group in Bradford ( and according to the Scouts Association we were the first Pack in the Country to have a Rasta Scout Leader (Mickey. Roots) . Afterschool Care In 2000- 2010 He was appointed as a keyworker on the scheme and did this for 10 years Summer Playschemes ( Volunteer)- (1990-2015) This is and was Vinnies forte – he was at the top of his game when it came to entertaining young people. Hi sessions on Rounders are legend. Nothing was too much for Vinny he supported everyone. Youth Worker MAPA/Bradford Youth Service (1995 to present) Vinny has been involved with our youth session for over 25 year mainly at MAPA and also across the city at different youth clubs. Holiday/Household Food Programme ( 2018 – present) Vinny has been a vital part of this programme supporting his local community (who are suffering high poverty levels and lack of funds to meet their needs).
As you can see from the above Vinny has given 30+ years to MAPA. He has kept us going in very difficult times, we would have certainly closed if in was not for Vinny (who often took the helm every time MAPA was it a crisis be it Funding, Staffing etc) . If we could bestow an award to him it would need to be recognised by a wider audience other that local people, who love him and appreciate all he has done for MAPA. MAPA is Vinny and Vinny is MAPA . That’s the way its been. He has been the constant from the coming and goings over the years. ‘Who you gonna call VINNY’( caption from Ghost Busters).
Jabu Phiri will be receiving AN AFRICA4U AWARD in Bradford as part of The Black History Month Celebrations
Congratulations to Jabu in advance
INFORMATION ABOUT JABU CAN BE FOUND BELOW
I live in Bradford; I am a Bradford for Everyone Ambassador (resident voice and influence), I am Citizen Coin Officer with Braford Council and I am an entrepreneur.
Being a Bradford Ambassador has enabled me to explore Bradford’s beauty and connect with people and organisations in a way that I wouldn’t have otherwise, in fact, that it how I came to join People’s Powerhouse -Racial Justice Network. In my time as an ambassador and as a People’s Powerhouse Racial Justice Advocate, I have developed a growing hunger for positive transformation, I strive to make Bradford, the UK and the world a better place.
I came to England many years ago from ‘the warm heart of Africa’ and I have lived in Bradford for over 17 years.
I have immense passion for equality development in all its forms, racial justice being one. In fact, recently, I have stumbled upon two words of which I think are key in any real change ” economic development”. When these words are overlooked, manipulated for self-interest, and ignored, inequality happens, and the gap thereof widens.
As a community activist/ advocate and businesswoman, I do what I do because I want to see “economic development” applied fairly across society. These two words go on to fuel me to create jobs for people who may otherwise not have one. I also want to empower people to have a voice, to speak, to be heard to act positively on their experiences. I want people to tune into existing programmes and positive interventions, to create new ones, to gain knowledge, to get involved to connect with other people who also crave for change. I want us all, regardless of who we are and where we come from to be free, like Martin Luther Jr said, “No one if free until we are all free”.
We are pleased to inform you that 2TSHIRTGANG CIC will be receiving an Africa4u Award at a major Black History Month celebrations in Bradford for their contribution to lives of people in Bradford for several years
CONGRATULATIONS TO 2TSHIRTGANG CIC IN ADVANCE
INFORMATION ABOUT 2TSHIRTGANG CIC CAN BE FOUND BELOW
2TSHIRTGANG CIC were founded in 2019 and are a black led organisation based in Bradford, West Bowling. 2TSHIRTGANG CIC are a community organisation that aim to offer youth in the community the opportunity to positively invest in themselves.
2TSHIRTGANG CIC offer several different youth services, such as:
Educational Functional Health & Well-Being training.
Invest In Our Youth – Youth Club
Training & Apprenticeships (14-18)
Youth Sports Training
Our Educational Functional Health & Well-Being training, focuses on, physical training, how the body works, staying healthy and coping with mental health.
Our Youth Club focuses on: Self-identity, confidence building, project building, team work, careers and having fun.
Our Training & Apprenticeships (14-18) – We offer youth in the community the opportunity to work in our services to further develop their skills.
Our Youth Sports Training offers youth in the community access to professional sports coaching. Youth in our community that aspire to have a career in the sporting world, receive additional strength & conditioning training, along with the mental capacity and discipling training. This will give our youth the opportunity to compete and survive at the top level of their sporting careers.
The Dominican Association Bradford has been doing amazing work in the City of Bradford for very many years.
The members will be receiving AN AFRICA4U AWARD as part of A BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATIONS TAKING PLACE IN BRADFORD THIS MONTH
CONGRATULATIONS IN ADVANCE TO DOMINICAN ASSOCIATION BRADFORD
INFORMATION ABOUT THIS ORGANISATION CAN BE FOUND BELOW
The Dominica Association was set up in 1979 after Hurricane David in Dominica.
A few Dominicans living in Bradford got together to raise money towards relief. They continued to do so for several months and as the word spread, many more Dominicans got on board to assist.
Originally based at Hallfield Road, the move to Worthington Street became necessary as it’s membership grew, currently at 104. The Association continued to develop and provide cultural, social and educational facilities for Dominicans and the wider community.
The Association in legal terms is a constituted unincorporated association and is run by a management committee made up of 7 members and a centre manager. We have 2 Holding Trustees who are responsible for the property assets, and regular volunteers who provide assistance with various activities.
Current services Include Senior Citizens Day Care Services which runs on Wednesdays and Thursdays and has a modest attendance of approximately 25 users.
The Association also provides facilities for recreation and social activities for the membership and local community, and opens regularly on Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons.
It is the Association’s intention to maintain the current Day Care service but also work in collaboration with other agencies on a variety of projects for young people, focussing on educational, cultural awareness and artistic activities.
The Association is making slow progress with refurbishing the premises, but due to the current economic climate and limited funds, there is still much work to be done. The credibility of the Association is steadily growing and is slowly becoming recognised as a cultural community facility as well as a social gathering venue.
We have come a long way, and thanks to social media, we can make wider links with Dominicans all over the UK and worldwide.
The amazing Vincent Destouche will be an award recipient of THE AFRICA4U AWARDS due to take place this month as part of A MAJOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATIONS taking place in Bradford
CONGRATULATIONS IN ADVANCE TO VINCENT –
INFORMATION ABOUT VINCENT CAN BE FOUND BELOW
Vincent Destouche (Mr MAPA) Volunteer Community Worker/Caretaker-/School Dinner Attendant/Youth Worker Bradford Youth Service) Vinny is an amazing versatile person when it comes to his employment/community engagement ( volunteering). Vinny has worked (paid)/volunteered for MAPA for 35 years and he is often referred to as
MR MAPA.
History Vinny was a user of our community centre and lived in the then Newby Sq. He has always come across as a quite person and continues to have that persona. He often speaks about his early childhood growing up in the Sq. and how it shaped his life and others. MAPA General (1985-present) Vinny was out of work when we met , he used to volunteer to help MAPA by cleaning, DIY, Djing etc). in 1990 we offered him a contract as a Handy Person/Caretaker which continues to carry out today. Scout Group In the late 90s Vinny helped set up a one of the first Black Scout Group in Bradford ( and according to the Scouts Association we were the first Pack in the Country to have a Rasta Scout Leader (Mickey. Roots) . Afterschool Care In 2000- 2010 He was appointed as a keyworker on the scheme and did this for 10 years Summer Playschemes ( Volunteer)- (1990-2015) This is and was Vinnies forte – he was at the top of his game when it came to entertaining young people. Hi sessions on Rounders are legend. Nothing was too much for Vinny he supported everyone. Youth Worker MAPA/Bradford Youth Service (1995 to present) Vinny has been involved with our youth session for over 25 year mainly at MAPA and also across the city at different youth clubs. Holiday/Household Food Programme ( 2018 – present) Vinny has been a vital part of this programme supporting his local community (who are suffering high poverty levels and lack of funds to meet their needs).
As you can see from the above Vinny has given 30+ years to MAPA. He has kept us going in very difficult times, we would have certainly closed if in was not for Vinny (who often took the helm every time MAPA was it a crisis be it Funding, Staffing etc) . If we could bestow an award to him it would need to be recognised by a wider audience other that local people, who love him and appreciate all he has done for MAPA. MAPA is Vinny and Vinny is MAPA . That’s the way its been. He has been the constant from the coming and goings over the years. ‘Who you gonna call VINNY’( caption from Ghost Busters).
The amazing Maureen Rowe will be an award recipient of THE AFRICA4U AWARDS due to take place this month as part of A MAJOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATIONSEVENT taking place in Bradford.
COMGRATULATIONS IN ADVANCE TO MAUREEN-
INFORMATION ABOUT MAUREEN ROWE CAN BE FOUND BELOW
A highly respected Mother, Friend to the many and a Professional Youth Worker.
Born in Jamaica but made her home here in Britain.
Maureen works as a Youth Worker and has done for 30+ years . She has had a massive impact of both young people and the community all her working and personal Life.
She is an advocate for raising education Standards amongst black young people , she worked ( voluntarily) as a support teacher with young people for many years on the African Caribbean Achievement Programme ( ACAP). This programme was run in various community Centre across the city, with excellent outcomes for young people.
She in her professional life worked as Youth and Community Worker for Bradford Youth Service (seconded to Checkpoint Bradford). She developed work around arts, social involvement and equality of opportunities for Black young people.
Due to reorganisations Maureen was Seconded to MAPA ( the oldest Black led organisation in Bradford 52 years). Where took up post as the Lead Worker for the organisation. She excelled and brought much needed resources, cultural experiences and pure commitment to the local community she served. This essential work kept black and minorities support networks alive.
Live all good things and often wrong decision a further restructure meant all support 3rd sector supported organisation stopped and they were left to run on their own. This led to closures of key Black provision along side other community centres. It was the commitment of MAPA trustees and members that kept it from closing.
Maureen moved to more generic work that often did not involve the support of the under resources black community. Nevertheless Maureen being her professional self-gave 100% of her input.
The latter is why so many people from far and wide loved and continue to love her input that often helped change/influence their lives for the good.
Maureen who has now retired( with a little casual work stops her going insane I guess) in local schools has left the following legacies
• Supported and Challenged inequality in Education systems for black young people . She continues to fight and support the raising of individual achievement of all young people
• She then became a trustee of MAPA for many years, supporting the development of work with Black young people and the community.
• She is a strong advocate in promoting equality and rights to access for Black women and continues to run sessions, raise awareness and open opportunities for Black people in the Business world.
Finally If I was to sum up Maureen that reflected her existence . I would ( and I am sure it is mirrored by everyone that she was involved with) say she was Tough , straight talking , understanding, empathetic and mostly loving and caring towards ALL people.
HAVE YOU GOT YOUR TICKETS FOR ONE OF THE MOST INSPIRATIONAL EVENTS OF THE YEAR ?
Come and be part of one of the most inspirational events of the year featuring amazing artists who will be performing at Wired To Worship on Saturday 3rd December, 6PM at Dominion Centre, Wood Green, London.
They include Loveradge, Victoria Orenze, Eric Reverence Elle Limebear, Limoblaze, Philippa Hanna, Joshua Kesler and Becca Folkes
COLLECTIVE IMPACT proudly presents an Inspirational full day of Black History Month initiatives taking place on Friday the 21st of October 2022 from 3pm to 11pm at The Sorms Studios, Little Germany Bradford.
ITS TIME FOR CHANGE AND NOT WORDS
COME AND BE PART OF THIS HISTORICAL DAY IN THE UK CITY OF CULTURE
TONY TOKUNBO ETEKA FERNANDEZ 