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.

Website: www.2tshirtgangcic.co.uk

Instagram: 2TSHIRTGANG CIC (@2tshirtgangcic) • Instagram photos and videos

Instagram: #2TSHIRTGANG (@2tshirtgang) • Instagram photos and videos

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.

#bradford #dominicanassociationbradford #cityofculture2025

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).

#blackhistorymonth2022 #bradford #cityofculture2025 #livestream

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

The Hosts on the night are Ibe Giantkiller Otah and Samantha Radford

THIS IS THE EVENT EVERYONE HAS BEEN WAITING FOR

Tickets are available at www.wiredtoworship.org

This is an event not to be missed!!!!! MORE UPDATES COMING SOON

#worship #gospelartists #livestream #inspirationalevent