THE BRADFORD AFRICAN FESTIVAL OF ARTS 2024 shall be taking place on Friday the 19th of July 2024 from 6pm to 10pm at The Theatre in the Mill in Bradford and on Saturday the 20th of July 2024 from 12 noon to 6pm at The Centenary Square, Bradford.
COME AND BE PART OF THIS AMAZING INITIATIVE and DO NOT FORGET TO TEL ALL YOUR FRIENDS.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT – bradfordafricanfestival@gmail.com
#bradford #cityofculture2024 #brdfordcityofculture #africanfestival #africanartsfestival
AFRICA4U AWARDS FOR AFRICANS AND CARIBBEANS LIVING IN WEST YORKSHIRE – CITY HALL IN BRADFORD – SATURDAY THE 23RD OF MARCH .
The Soul of any community lives in the heart of its people and only last month we organized THE AFRICA4U AWARDS FOR AFRICANS AND CARIBBEANS LIVING IN WEST YORKSHIRE which took place AT CITY HALL IN BRADFORD ON SATURDAY THE 23RD OF MARCH 2024
CONGRATULATIONS ONCE AGAIN TO THE AFRICA4U AWARD RECIPIENTS – THEY INCLUDE
Chuks Ukor BASED IN BRADFORD
Shamarley Fontaine BASED IN BRADFORD
Soulman Rdcsoldier BASED IN BRADFORD
Romeo Dacosta BASED IN BRADFORD
Michael Pryce BASED IN BRADFORD
THE GHANIAN STUDENTS SOCIETY – UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD
Patricia Jones BASED IN LEEDS
Unity Does Maater BASED IN LEEDS
Antonia Bisi Adebowale BASED IN HUDDERSFIELD
Melissa Mukotekwa Ngara BASED IN BRADFORD
SPECIAL THANKS ALSO TO OUR MEDIA PARTNERS -MEDIA PARTNERS ON THE DAY THEY INCLUDED
EXHIBIT 47 BASED IN LEEDS
BRADFORD 4 BETTER INSPIRED BY DR Sohail Abraham AhmedKashif Ahmed AND Shahid Islam, ALSO Jerry Red Dred Crawford AND John Smith
WITH AMAZING INSPIRATIONAL TALKS BY ANTHONY PELTIER , JUNE ABBOTT AND George Lawrence Badejo-Adegbenga
IT WAS AMAZING TO HAVE MY PARENTS AS SPECIAL GUESTS ON THE DAY – CHIEF AND MRS FERNANDEZ
WATCH THIS SPACE FOR MORE OF OUR INITIATIVES TAKING PLACE THIS YEAR .
#cityhallbradford #bradfordcouncil #cityofculture2025 #bradfordcity
Our Role model of the week is the inspirational Patricia Jones based in Leeds. Patricia Jones will also be an award recipient at THE AFRIC4U AWARDS FOR AFRICANS LIVING IN WEST YORKSHIRE taking place this Saturday the 23rd of March at 1pm at THE CITY HALL IN BRADFORD.
Patricia Jones was born at St Mary’s Hospital in Leeds in 1962. Her parents came to England from Saint Philip Parish in Barbados and Patricia considers herself a ‘Windrush Baby’. She grew up in Chapeltown and was raised in a good Christian household. Patricia’s biggest inspiration comes from God. “He’s the one who wakes me up every morning and continually guides my path and opens up doors that no one else can” she says. Family is important too and Patricia lists her parents among those that inspire her. “They moulded me to be who I am today” Patricia says. Patricia’s other inspirations include Oprah Winfrey, Maya Angelou, Usain Bolt, Linton Kwesi Johnson and “people who fought to be where they are today.” Patricia attended Roundhay High School where she began writing. She would write other people’s stories in the classroom. Her English teacher Mrs Mordey was impressed and encouraged her to continue writing after school. Patricia began writing poetry and has self-published a total of 15 books including ‘Carnival Sunshine’, ‘A Children’s Carnival’, ‘Happy Xmas Vibes’, and ‘Trust And Faith’. She also writes a lot of personalised poetry for events. Patricia has also published a number of puzzle books and family activity books. “I have lot of interest from publishers” Patricia says “however, I’m just awaiting a good deal that I’m happy with.” Patricia also enjoys cooking, especially Caribbean deserts, and was a finalist on Britain’s Best Dish in 2008. In the future she hopes to promote a new range of Caribbean deserts.
Living in Chapeltown, Patricia was very aware of the negative media attention the area received so in 1995 she began compiling positive news into a free newsletter that she named ‘Community Highlights’. The first issue was published in December 1995. As well as local news stories (Issue 1 included a story about the Frontline self-build project) Community Hightlights also included poetry and puzzles. Almost 25 years on, Community Highlights continues to promote local talent, role models, youth projects, businesses and charities as well as reporting local positive news. The magazine is a totally voluntary organisation and revenue is raised through advertising. Over its 25 year history, the magazine has been a continued success and had won ten media awards.
Besides Community Highlights, Patricia has done a number of other things and has worked alongside BMW and Jaguar cars. She has supported Buss The Spot, church groups and many other community projects including Chapeltown Word Junction. She was also the diversity consultant for ITV News for four and a half years. She is a true inspiration to many. Patricia’s poetry website is patspoems.com
OUR ROLE MODEL OF THE WEEK, BRADFORD BASED MELISSA MUKOTEKWA- NAGRA FROM ZIMBABWE. SHE WILL BE RECEIVING AN AFRICA4U AWARD AT THE CITY HALL IN BRADFORD ON SATURDAY THE 23RD OF MARCH
Melissa Mukotekwa-Ngara, born and raised in Zimbabwe. She is a mom, a wife, and a Nutritionist. Due to the rise in Type 2 Diabetes and diet related cancers within the African community, shes dedicating 4 years towards her PhD in Diabetes prevention in Africans.
Melissa is the first Black African Nutritionist to create an Eat Well Guide which is a culture-tailored resource with Zimbabwean foods. She runs her own weight loss business, SIP Health and Nutrition. Together with her team, they help their clients achieve their nutritional goals and provide expert nutritional tips and advice that has helped clients break through their obstacles that hold them back. She is also an author who has an empowering collection, featuring journals, entrepreneurship insights, children’s books for African girls, women’s health and more!
Her contributions to nutrition and wellness for the African community resonate with excellence and dedication.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY FATHER – CHIEF S.O. FERNANDEZ
This blessed Season,
Is filled with many layers ,
And the warm substance that feeds many paths ,
A new year of more celebrations.
It is great to be part of this toast ,
And the many more years of new blessings.
As this new transition unfolds .
We are proud to be part of your road .
Happy Birthday DAD
Lots of love
Tony
BRADFORD BASED YOUTH PASTOR, WORSHIP LEADER AND RECORDING ARTIST WILL BE RECEIVING AN AFRICA4U AWARD AT THE CITY HALL IN BRADFORD ON SATURDAY THE 23RD OF MARCH.
INFORMATION ABOUT MR CHUKS UKOR CAN BE FOUND BELOW
CHUKS UKOR
Youth Pastor/Worship Leader/Recording Artiste/Business Analyst
I am a dedicated music artist, songwriter, and worship leader with a fervent passion for gospel music as a medium to inspire and share the good news of Jesus. Also a strong advocate for youth empowerment, providing substantial platforms for young talents to showcase their musical gifts through annual music concerts that he organizes.
Having led Worship Teams at Church of God Mission Int. in Nigeria and the UK, I released his debut album, “MY TESTIMONY,” featuring 10 tracks in 2012. Subsequently, I launched two singles in 2013, titled “Good God” and “Onyedika gi (Who is like our God).” In September 2014, I recorded a lively Praise/Worship medley in Abuja called “Praise Uninhibited,” released in 2015. In 2019, I unveiled my last album, “SOUND OF PRAISE,” complemented by impressive live recorded videos – “VICTORY,” “WORSHIP MEDLEY,” and “HALLELUYAH.” In 2021, I released the single “GRACE” with a captivating visual accompaniment. And most recently in June 2023, I hosted a Live Music Concert in the City of Bradford, UK, where I collaborated and featured Philippa Hannah, a UK based leading Gospel Artist.
Chuks Ukor stands out for his ability to blend different music genres seamlessly, creating an excellent sound and establishing a strong connection with his audience. Beyond my musical prowess, I actively contribute to my community by organizing an annual music conference called The Evening Praise Music Concert with a primary goal to create an uplifting and spiritually enriching experience for attendees while fostering a sense of unity and community. Through the power of music and worship, we aim to promote healing, inspiration, and fellowship.
Not only is Chuks an exceptional artist, but he is also a passionate advocate for youths, especially those in less educated, rural, and remote areas who face gender-based violence and harmful practices affecting their well-being. Through his voice, music, and media campaigns, Chuks has reached thousands, raised awareness and educated them about the perils of violence and harmful practices.
With a multicultural background, Chuks Ukor possesses a unique ability to express himself in various native languages besides English, showcasing remarkable diversity in his music. As a Business Analyst and holds an MBA and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. Chuks played a pivotal role in planning and executing the TMMP (The Music & Media Platform) Awards in 2022 in the City of Bradford, UK. He also performed as one of the leading artists during the award night.
Presently, Chuks Ukor is organizing another concert, titled “The Evening Praise,” featuring top UK artists like Philippa Hana, Dr. Joel Brown, Multi-award Winner SAMSONG, and others. The event promises a combination of workshops, worship, praise, dance, and prayer.
Contact Information:
WEST AFRICAN DJEMBEDRUMMING WORKSHOP will be taking place at THE LEWISHAM ARTHOUSE, 140 LEWISHAM WAY LONDON , SE14 6PG on SATURDAY THE 30TH OF MARCH FROM 10AM TO 4PM
GET YOUR TICKETS NOW. FOR BOOKING CONTACT KATE VIA EMAIL – KATE@ZAHARAACADEMY.CO.UK
DO NOT DELAY, CONTACT TODAY. LIMITED SPACES.
#djembe #africandrumming #africanworkshop #lewisham
UNITY DOES MAATER CIC WILL BE RECEIVING AN AFRICA4U AWARD AT THE CITY HALL IN BRADFORD ON SATURDAY THE 23RD OF MARCH
INFORMATION ABOUT THIS AMAZING ORGANISATION CAN BE FOUND BELOW
The African saying ‘it takes a village to raise the child’ means that everyone has a responsibility to raise and look after everyone younger and elder. Unity Does MAATer CIC (UDM) is a community-based organisation that organises and delivers fun educational interventions (events and projects) to young people, adults and elders primarily of African/African Caribbean heritage that raises their aspirations to do more and be more.
UDM was founded by Urban Muhammad who was looking for ways to achieve unity within the black community. Minton Goodison soon joined. Lisa Wisdom was asked to join to bring a feminine energy to balance the masculine energy, both Jennifer Martin and Valsi Walsh attended a meeting and never left! UDM was constituted in March 2015, and incorporated in January 2019, with the aforementioned five directors and dedicated volunteers.
WHAT DOES UDM DO?
UDM interventions include (but are not limited to) well-being, finance and culture that builds confidence and resilience to challenging circumstances; self-development; embracing of technology; financial literacy; self-esteem and other activities that contribute to social change for living a positive life, that you want to be living. All UDM directors have many responsibilities, resulting in us donating our time, knowledge and skills to our community of LS7, Chapeltown, Leeds.
Initially UDM started with having debates to find out what the needs were in the Chapeltown Community, themes included: – Why does unity matter? and Why do our children inherit dust? We have since organised various edutainment events such as fun fact finding and public speaking; vision board; fun fitness challenge; fun finance; black heritage walks and natural product making workshops. One project (Oct 2021 – April 2022) was CV19 Conversations in Chapeltown allowing us the opportunity to learn from our Elders on how to best advise the community in dealing with the CV19 pandemic, and to build resilience. Our elders shared their struggles with their journeys to the UK; their struggles with finding work; dealing with racism; having their ideas stolen with no credit; how much faith has kept them sane and shared what they want to hand down to the next generation as their legacy.
In 2019 UDM continued the Afrikan Market Leeds, an indoor marketplace where Black Owned Businesses can build their brands, market test their products, and offer in-person experiences to the diverse community of Leeds.
UDM’s longest running service is Chat and Craft in Chapeltown (September 2021) provides a low intensity mental health intervention that does not rely on specialists. This service is a safe space for our adults and elders to come and craft (knitting, crocheting, colouring in, customise t-shirts, card making etc); have conversations; listen to music for two hours a week on Wednesdays, between 11am and 1pm at the Church of God of Prophecy Leeds.
The objective of the service is to bring people together in a safe and secure way to reduce loneliness and to build lasting connections. The attendees of the group have produced some wonderful knitted and crochet items that they have donated to UDM, to sell at the Afrikan Market Leeds allowing us to raise funds. UDM also ran a 6-week Chat and Craft in Chapeltown in the evening project.
UDM also runs 4-Day Edutainment Workshops for the young people. This consists of Natural Product Making; Arts and Crafts, Vision Board Workshops, Financial literacy and Black History.
LISA WISDOM – 9ETHERTOUCH FOUNDER?
Lisa launched 9EtherTouch in March 2022 at the Afrikan Market Leeds after running Natural Product Making workshops with the young people. During CV19 and the recommended use of alcohol-based hand santiser for our young people was a great concern! The unintended consequences such as skin irritation, dryness, cracking and peeling was acknowledged in many research journals. Lisa delivered Wellbeing and Natural Product workshops with young people, providing them with the opportunity to make natural hand sanitiser and other natural body products.
Inspiring the young people to think about creating a side hustle selling these products, sparked the launch of 9EtherTouch. With the rise in allergy diagnosis, people are educating and researching ingredients by reading labels, and are consciously choosing to use more naturally derived products over chemical-based products created in a laboratory.
The inspiration behind the 9EtherTouch brand name came from numerology, 5 love languages and the elements in nature. 9 is the number of completion. Ether is the creative force in nature. Touch and Quality Time are my top love languages. Touch is healing!
WHO IS LISA?
Lisa is a natural organiser, from organising events, trips (sitting in the audience for filming Gladiators, return journeys from nightclubs using her father’s coach company Magnet Express Limited.) Lisa has had many job roles including Bartender, Sales Assistant, Customer Services Representative, IT Helpdesk Support, IT Trainer, Team Leader, IT Project Manager Director of various companies and Treasurer. Lisa also delivers vision board workshops, as she knows the importance of our children being able to visualise and manifest what they want, where they want to be and how creating goals (breaking them into achievable tasks) can help towards preparing them for success.
Lisa is a natural mother to one however, has lots of children, nieces and nephews due to giving credence that it takes a village to raise the children and to love and support each other both adults and elders. Lisa loves to learn new things and loves travelling to the Caribbean and the Motherland to learn more about her roots, nature and culture.
Lisa’s health journey began preparing for menopause, after researching and observing the women in her village and different environments. Lisa learnt that in Asia, South America, Caribbean and Africa that menopause is seen as a new cycle in a woman’s life and is managed naturally. In Europe menopause is seen as a problem and is managed with pharmaceuticals. Not being raised to take prescribed drugs, Lisa knew HRT was not an option! Yes, what you eat has a hand in how you experience the menopause symptoms. Lisa stopped eating meat, created new habits, eating more vegetables and fruits; less processed food and eating more raw foods. As Lisa was being conscious about what she was putting into her body, then she had to be conscious about what she was putting onto her body.
9ETHERTOUCH PRODUCTS
9EtherTouch natural body products consist of • Armpit Rub (deodorant) • Beard Oil • Body Rub • Body Scrub • Face Pack • Foot Soak • Alcohol-Free Hand Gel • Lip Balm • Mood Mist • Clay Soap • Whipped Body Butter
https://www.instagram.com/9ethertouch
https://www.facebook.com/9ethertouch
Email: 9ethertouch@gmail.com
THE GHANIAN STUDENTS SOCIETY, THE UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD WILL BE RECEIVING AN AFRICA4U AWARD AT THE CITY HALL IN BRADFORD ON SATURDAY THE 23RD OF MARCH 2024
INFORMATION ABOUT THE ASSOCIATION CAN BE FOUND BELOW
ABOUT THE GHANIAN STUDENTS SOCIETY, THE UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD
In the active borders of the University of Bradford, the Ghanaian Students Society, founded in September last year, has emerged as a thriving community celebrating the cultural richness and academic excellence of Ghana. The society’s journey has now reached new heights with the coveted Africa4u Award.
Dedicated to fostering academic brilliance, the Ghanaian Society has orchestrated impactful initiatives. Notable among the initiatives are the Ghanaian Students Information sessions that connect students with successful Ghanaian professionals in Bradford which is inspiring growth and providing valuable insights to students. As education is at the centre of our goals here, the society continuously equips members with effective academic writing skills and hosts engaging games nights to contribute to the holistic and welfare development of each Ghanaian Studying at the University of Bradford.
As an international society at the University of Bradford, diversity forms the backbone of the society’s mission. This has inspired as to actively participate in international networking events, where the society proudly showcases the traditional dances and customs of Ghanaian tribes. Their recent triumph in the Ghana-Nigeria Jollof War not only celebrates culinary excellence but underscores the unity embedded in our cultural identity.
With barely a year of inception, the Ghanaian Students Society has triumphed in various competitions. With the recent being a win in a cooking competition during the university’s cultural festival on February 28, 2024, highlights culinary prowess and unwavering cultural pride.
As the Ghanaian student population at the University of Bradford continues to grow, the society plays a pivotal role as a support network and a platform for students to thrive academically and culturally. The upcoming Independence Day celebration on March 6, 2024, at the Student Central promises to be a vibrant event, celebrating Ghana’s rich heritage with unity and pride.
The Ghanaian Students Society at the University of Bradford is not just an organization; it is a testament
BRADFORD BASED SHAMARLEY FONTAINE WILL BE RECEIVING AN AFRICA4U AWARD AT THE CITY HALL IN BRADFORD ON SATURDAY THE 23RD OF MARCH 2024 – 1PM.
INFORMATION ABOUT HER CAN BE FOUND BELOW
I have always had a great love for books, which started from a fairly young age. I was four when I learnt to read quite fluently. My dad often reminds me that he’s sure I taught myself because he doesn’t remember ever teaching me. I was reading pretty well from I started nursery.
The love blossomed and bloomed from there onwards and writing is a big part of my life.
I’m quite opinionated, I’m very passionate and I don’t always feel it necessary to feel you have to shout to be heard, I’ve learnt that you can shout until you have no air, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you will be heard. So I chose to write and give people the chance to listen to me, if they want to.
I started writing at the age of seventeen, though being in the top set for English at Yorkshire Martyrs Catholic College definitely helped me set the pace when it comes to writing. Boy did those teachers work us. I remember writing a whole essay the night before it was due, 100 pages exactly… No Joke. I really do thank my teachers for encouraging me to develop, telling me I had potential, thanks to Miss Ibegbuna, Mrs Hayward, my English teachers and Mr Harwood and Mrs Ward, whom were both my History teachers, I think history help a lot and they taught me a hell of a lot.
I have always found that words can evoke so much emotion, can take you on a journey, give you a bird’s eye view into the experience of a character’s life, fictional or fact.
TONY TOKUNBO ETEKA FERNANDEZ 