MULTIPLE AWARD WINNER, AUTHOR,, CORPORATE MC, MENTOR, PROMOTER & AMBASSADOR FOR PEACE -UNIVERSAL PEACE FEDERATION. WE PROMOTE THE SUCCESS STORIES OF AFRICANS & CARIBBEANS AROUND THE WORLD. CONTACT US NOW ON +447882809005
Tony Tokunbo Eteka Fernandez is an International Award Winner, Published Author & Poet, Broadcast Journalist, MC and Youth Empowerment Consultant . He is also The CEO of AFRICA4U and The Founder of Africans in The Diaspora
People also see him as a Cultural and Social entrepreneur, which means he is skilled in working with many different communities, bringing people together in successful focused events. Tony has organised many cultural events …involving both BME and mainstream communities. He is skilled in hosting events that reinforce community cohesion and bringing different kinds of people together. He has organised events in The UK, The U.S.A, Holland, Germany, Romania, Malta and Nigeria and has visited over 22 European Countries.
Tony has also organised The Black History Month Celebrations at The UK House of Parliament for over five years in a row
He continues to promote the true life and success stories of Africans in Europe and Africans around the world and has organised several small scale literary and awards initiatives aimed at empowering young people.
He has also spent time as an International broadcaster and was The Producer and Presenter for AFRICA4U International Radio Talk Show at Reading4u Radio Station for nearly three years.
Tony has interviewed high profile Members of Parliament, Distinguished celebrities and some of Africas best musicians including Ivonne Chaka Chaka and Kanda Bongoman.
He has also been a guest on BBC Radio on numerous occasions to discuss the community cohesion events he organises at UK House of Parliament and also to recite some of his published work in memory of Nelson Mandela, 50 Years Anniversary of The race relations act and major community issues. Tony has also a Guest on popular Radio stations in Nigeria and The States
In the last few years he has been very passionate about Youth empowerment, community cohesion and cultural intelligence.
Tony was born in South London and has lived in several parts of England and Nigeria . He started writing at the tender age of nine, a habit he expressed with creative enthusiasm. Tony writes Poetry, short stories and proverbs on personal development. He is currently working on his 4th book which will also be his first novel. He is also into Public Speaking at Special events and Social functions and is a Mentor for young people in the UK Community.
He completed a Bachelor of Arts degree at The University of Lagos, Nigeria in English and World Literature. He later went on to attain a teaching qualification at The Frances King International Training Institute, South Kensington London, it was here he studied Teaching English as a Foreign Language. He also studied Web Design at The City University in London.
He published his first book in June 1999 called “The Beauty in the Dark” (A Collection of Poetry which received critical acclamation in many circles around the world). .Tony’s aim in life is to inspire the young generation and to encourage the youth to make the very best of their dreams and aspirations,. He published a 2nd book in June 2009 called ” The Sound of Running Water” – A Family gift book of proverbs and quotations on Personal Development and Positive Thinking .
In December 2009, he published his 3rd book called “One Moment of Peace”.- A collection of Poetry inspired by personal experiences and spiritual growth.
Besides the fact that the Artist has won International online awards, he is mostly inspired by Life experience, love, music and cultural awareness. He was Resident Poet at the 5th London Poetry Festival in 2009 and has been a guest on BBC Radio on very many occassions including The famous Anne Diamond Show. He has also been a guest on a few SKY TV stations and several International Radio Stations around The World
Our COMMUNITY EVENT PLANNER FOR 2021 IS JERRY CRAWFORD BASED IN BRADFORD, WEST YORKSHIRE.
Jerry Crawford is a Community Worker/Activist, Event Organiser , Audio Engineer , Community Stars Winner, Change maker & Covid 19 Community Champion. CONGRATULATIONS TO JERRY CRAWFORD
INFORMATION ABOUT JERRY CAN BE FOUND BELOW
Jerry Crawford is a Community Worker/Activist, Event Organiser , Audio Engineer , Community Stars Winner, Change maker & Covid 19 Community Champion.
He helped set up Bradford’s 1st community recording studio running music projects for the social disadvantaged.
Over the years he has been involved in many community projects and worked in partnership with numerous organisations.
In 2020 he helped to organise peaceful protest for George Floyd.
Collective Impact also helps individuals, families or whole communities to bring about social change and improve the quality of life in our local area. They act as the link between communities and a range of other local authority and voluntary sector providers, such as the police, social workers and teachers.
Jerry Crawford AKA Red Dred who has been very instrumental in many music/media based projects and events. He has over thirty years of experience of Djing and organising events.
Over the decades Jerry has provided entertainment at many functions weddings ,raves, house parties christening, birthdays, community events,festivals and carnivals
Jerry is also a radio presenter which he has been doing for over 25 years.
Jerry Crawford is one of the first pioneers to introduce house music to Bradford.
Jerry worked at Livestock Records Bradford’s 1st dance music record shop. He set up Bradford’s first acid house rave all nighter. In early 90s Jerry set up Reuben Sounds
Bradford’s 1st community recording studio at Bradford Community Arts where he started running music production and dj mixing courses. Over the decades he has worked with many organisations such as
Mapa
Xplosion
Bradford Council
The Youth Services
Bradford Festival
Bradford Trident
The Princes Trust
SportsDev
Raise The Roof
BCB Radio
Windrush Generations
and many more schools, community groups and charity organisations.
He is now working with Collective Impact a community organisation based at Mapa.
OUR CHILDRENS AUTHOR OF THE YEAR 2021 IS THE AMAZING AFRICAN AMERICAN Sandra Brown Lindstedt BASED IN SWEDEN.
We interviewed her a month ago on THE TONY TOKUNBO FERNANDEZ SHOW.
Information about her can be found below
Multiple Award winning Sandra Brown Lindstedt was born to write. “I know it’s a gift from God and He deserves all the credit,” she says. Raised with five siblings on the oftentimes dangerous south-side of Chicago, she spent her summers with her grandmother in a small town in Texas.
Later in life, she married and moved to Gothenburg Sweden, where she wrote a volume of short stories taken from her well received memoir, “I am Fireflies Ascending”.
She was asked by librarian Fleur Doornberg-Puglisi, of the International School of Gothenburg, to come and share some of her stories with classrooms of elementary and middle school children. The response by the boys and girls was overwhelming. Later, she sold out her entire stock of books at their annual Book fair. This is when she decided her true calling was to write children’s stories.
Together with poems, songs and her short stories, she has created her first children’s book, Life of a Firefly, that won the 2021 INTERNATIONAL BOOK AWARDS, Children’s Mind/Soul/Body category and Reader Views’ first GRAND PRIZE – OVERALL FICTION – for 2020-2021. She also won GOLD in their Young Readers Category, Teen Category, Regional Award – South Region and the AME Award for Best Debut Fiction.
Getrude Matshe-Kanicki is an inspirational speaker who has been described as a vibrant bundle of African energy whose zest and passion for life inspires everyone she meets. She is passionate about helping people achieve their full potential and find their individual life purpose. She is passionate about individuals’ success. This makes her an energetic, inspirational and enlightening speaker. Getrude has written several books and is launching her new book “Ubuntu Leadership” in 2020.
About Getrude Matshe-Kanicki
Her speaking career started in Norway 1989 and for 12 years she has worked in the IT industry as a Systems Analyst, Systems Support Manager and Project Manager. Getrude immigrated to New Zealand in 2001 with nothing and founded four successful companies.
Founder and Global Curator of the HerStory Circle and HerStory Women’s Global Empowerment Conference 2019
Founded Medical Recruiters of New Zealand Ltd 2002
Founded GM Global Investments Ltd 2003
Founded Simzisani, a talent agency catering for the film and advertising industry. Instrumental in supplying ethnic extras for prominent movies such as Peter Jackson’s “King Kong” and James Cameron’s Avatar
Founder and CEO of the Africa Thrive Foundation, which supports HIV orphans in Zimbabwe 2001
Founded Walk on the Wild Side Tours – a symbiotic tourism company that takes tourist to Zimbabwe to work with Aids orphans 2007
Rooney International Scholar 2012; worked at Robert Morris University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Mother of three children; a well-known African Storyteller, poet, artist and published author.
She a script writer and an Independent Film Maker
She writes for CNN iReport, Blogs for the Huffington Post
Actress in the movie “Cry Freedom” with Denzel Washington in 1987
Speaker at the UN Annual Summit on the Status of Women, 2014 and 2017
Olalekan Odedeyi is the former BME Officer of Middlesbrough, Pioneer and Political Education Officer of Tees Valley BME Forum. Olalekan is the Vice Chair of Unite Community Teesside & Durham Branch.
Olalekan Odedeyi was celebrated as one of the the talented young black Teessiders making a difference in North East region, and he was honoured as the award winner of the Community Recognition Award, Black Youth Awards 2021.
Olalekan is the brainchild behind Save the Woman, an African led organization, providing advocacy support to families of children in care. Following their intervention and early support of strategic plans through initiation of Africentric Parenting Skills Course, in the project’s first year, we have safely facilitated return of ten (10) children from the care system, directly protected sixteen (16) children from entering care, and directly empowered and impacted hundreds more families through the Africentric Parenting Skills Course.
OSAZE TEDDY DESMOND.,Popularly known by his stage name TEDDY ZIGGY, is an Edo State born Nigerian Afro-Dancehall Reggae musician,
He has won several Awards to his Career.
Teddy Ziggy’s musical talent was recognized from his Primary School in Nigeria. He later joined ORIGIN OF CULTURE DANCE TROUPE in Lagos and later Formed a GYRATION Group called DYNAMIC BROTHERS BAND where he continued with his tremendous love for music mimicking the style of LUCKY DUBE,,BOB MARLEY,,MIGHTY MAYTONES,,U ROY,,RAS KIMONO,,MAJEK FASHEK,,CHRIS I.D and many other stars..
Teddy Ziggy is currently based in Prague (CZECH REPUBLIC), He is also a well known Dj in Prague.
Ziggy is he’s popularly called has done songs with so many Established Stars in the MUSIC INDUSTRY, i.e Terry G,,African China,,Clever Jay,,Chuddy K,,Rasco,,Karamanti,,Spicevision and more
Ayan De First is a Multi Award winner and Global Cultural Icon. He is a versatile performing and visual Artist as well as the first recognised Talking drummer in Europe.
Our Role model for this week is also The CEO of Oduduwa Talking Drummers Limited,Cultural Heritage Showcase and ADF School of Arts and Culture.He was born to a family of Drummers and started his career as an apprentice by performing with his Dad and Uncles at the early age of five.
His ambition as a science student was to become a medical Doctor/Pharmacist which was distorted by his talent and love for music.
An increase and demand for cultural performances prompted him to change his career from studying Medicine and Pharmacy related disciplines to Arts, design & graphic studio skills course. He was brought to the UK as a cultural promoter in community & private schools and has so far worked with up to 600 private & community schools, the feed back has been overwhelming with so many reference letters and evaluation forms.
He also works hand in hand with different Boroughs/Councils to deliver different projects to promote community cohesion and inclusion in UK. Besides his services in schools in Britain,he started his performances in London one day in 1993 when he was financially down,forced to perform in two underground stations.and subsequently performed for the Labour Party UK in London. He later performed for Sir Richard Bramson(Virgin Atlantic),Lord Mayor of London,Former Nigeria president Retired,Abu Bakar, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo,Prince Charles and Camila Parker Bowles( Duchess Of Cornwall) at St Jame’s Palace,former Northern Ireland Secretary Mo Mowlam and lots of Dignitaries.
Ayan De First has also appeared on all British Television Channels & CNN, as well as in British and Nigeria national and local newspapers and Magazines.
He broke a record to be the first African Talking entertainer to perform for Her Majesty The Queen And The Royal Family at Buckingham Palace London during Golden Jubilee celebration.
He then later performed for HRH Prince Charles & Duchess of Cornwall Camila Parker Bowles at St James’s Palace & in Croydon London. He became the first African performer to entertain guests on Channel 4 programme called ”Come Dine With Me”. He has exhibited his Artworks and performed at different recognised venues and festivals across Europe.
He also works hand in hand with Boroughs/Councils in the UK on different projects. With his relentless passion for African Cultural Heritage he recently founded a yearly Global cultural event called ” Cultural Heritage Showcase”.And the first event was held in London in 2014.
Ayan De First has performed with different Artists globally including King Sunny Ade,Sikiru Ayinde Barrister,Adewale Ayuba,Saheed Osupa,Salawa Abeni,Yinka Ayefele, Abass Obesere and Jeff Tain Watts American Jazz musician.
He has featured on a few famous CDs in Nigeria,”Mi o mon peju ogun laye by Micho Ade,Festival of Love,Brown Sugar by Jide Chord ,Ijo Ya by Weird MC.
He has 16 Awards with loads of certificates and medals to his name.
My names are Tony Airhenbuwa, from Edo state Nigeria and i have been living in Germany for 20yrs. I am a journalist and a memeber of the Deutscher Journalisten-Verband in Germany for the past five years.I used to be a Radio presenter and Program Director with African Heritage Radio here in Hamburg Germany, before then, i was with an online Radio station for three years called TopAfric Radio in Hamburg Germany, and my programe on air is called WHATS UP NAIJA. which i produce and present to inform, enlighten, educate and entertain both Nigerians at home and those in diaspora.
We showcase the rich traditional culture of Nigeria and Africa in general.In 2011 i was given a Merit Award as presented by Ambassador Okoye of Nigeria Embassy in Germany, In 2012 i got the best Radio presenter Award from TopAfric Radio in Germany., 2013 i was honoured with the best Radio presenter Award in Europe by Nigerian Europe award in Spain (NEU),27-04- 2014 my programe WHATS UP NAIJA won the best programe on Radio Award in Rome Italy by NEU, i won the MBE AWARD in Manchester UK as the Best Promoter of Culture 2014. and i won African Diaspora Merit Award in Holland (ADMA) in the category Best Radio/TV presenter of the year 2014. 17-05-14i was honoured by Heritage magazine in Hamburg as one of the 100 most influentia Africans in Germany. April 2015 i was honoured with OUTSTANDING ACHIEVMENT Award by Africa 4 u in London uk. Fans and friends call me TONY AIR.My Happiest moment from my job was when German TV stations came to interview me as i broadcasted live to the world. and getting more invitations to interview me live in thier studio.A lot of artist, politicians and heros of out time have been interviewed in my program, these include . J. Martins, Duncan Mighty, Mc Loph, Wizboy, Papa Culvin from Jamaica, Minister of Nigeria Federal Capital Abuja Senator Bala Muhammed (CON), Memebers of Nigeria presedential delegate to Germany on developmental process Program led by B. O.Akpanyung( Director International co-operation), Prof Nick Eze and Kenneth Gbandi of President Goodluck Jonathan campaign team 2015. Castro and Nana Boro from Ghana, Stone Bwoy from Ghana,Hildegard B. Kigozi( Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Representative in Nigeria) Basket Mouth a comedian from Nigeria. Contestant of Miss Nigeria Holland were also my guest, Fuse Odg a musician from uk and many other diasporal artist that have gone through interview on my program. iam also a Compere and master of ceremony. Tony AirhenbuwaMember: Deutscher Journalisten- Tel: +49 (0)152 11760622
Linda comes from a family of community leadership in Huddersfield her father was one of the first black magistrates and business owners of Silver Sands/Cleopatra’s nightclub aka “Venn Street” in the 1970 & 80’s in Huddersfield. Business and community are her blood.
She spent 18 years working in the criminal justice system and the first woman to be chair of the National Black Police Association 2009. Linda held a portfolio around, gun & knife crime, stop and search and advocated not only for serving black police officers but also the community at ministerial level post MacPherson.
She is an experienced and qualified trainer delivering training internationally on black history, leadership, diversity, advocacy and safeguarding. She is a fellow of the School for Social Entrepreneurs SSE 2017 and has an active social enterprise Young Gifted & Black Enterprises which offers training, workshops, event management and education for the benefit of the black community.
She has worked in many public sector roles and currently holds portfolios around Housing, Employment, children & young people and health and wellbeing. She has been recognised her public roles and community activities to name a few – Outstanding contribution to vulnerable victims of crime – NBPA best community engagement programme Natural born Leaders for 3 consecutive years 2006-2009. – Awarded for outstanding contribution to effective change in housing sector – Shortlisted for European Diversity Award 2021 for best community project Iroko
Linda was the founding Director and education lead for Young Gifted & black supplementary school a montly Saturday school for children from the African & Caribbean community teaching STEAM subjects and black history based at the University of Huddersfield.
YGB does not accept any formal funding or grants and as such can remain authentic and genuine in the focus on the progression of black children. That said most importantly Linda is the mother of two gifted black children who has the battle scars from fighting the system to ensure they are the best that they can be. She describes herself as a Pan Africanist activist and self determination in the community and calls upon the wisdom of our great ancestors like John Henrik Clarke historian and educator who said, “We have been educated into believing someone else’s concept of the deity, and someone else’s standard of beauty. You have the right to practice any religion and politics in a way that best suits your freedom, your dignity, and your understanding. And once you do that, you don’t apologize”
Linda believes that education, unity, empowerment and black on black solutions are the only way we can move forward as a people.
Mr Sunny Lambe is A Community leader and a business management consultant with over 20 years experience; ranging from small and medium enterprise development, advice, mentoring, training, and management consultancy services covering public, private and voluntary.
He has worked on a significant number of social and economic development projects and policy initiatives relating to employment, enterprise, international development, community empowerment and social inclusion such as the New Deal Self Employment Option, National Neighbourhood Renewal Initiative, National Neighbourhood Nurseries Initiative, school and college mergers, Black History Month, Youth economic empowerment initiatives, etc.
He became a Labour Party member because of its ethos on fairness, tolerance, equality and social justice. These ideals are very core to his personal belief;
He strongly believes in giving something back and being part of the change He wants to see through active involvement. It is therefore not surprising that he has been actively involved in a significant number of community development initiatives for Promoting Diversity and Community Cohesion-He formed the Confederation of AfricanProfessionals UK formed in 1998, representing interests of African professionals. He was also a member of Southwark Group of Tenants and Residents Organisation for several years, representing the interests of Southampton Way Tenants and Residents Association, dealing with issues around repairs, homelessness, re-housing, property insulation, children’s play area, cleaning, lift breakdowns, antisocial behaviour issues, etc.
While He was the chairman of Southwark Black History Month and Black Heritage Organisation (SBHO) for several years, He took the Black History Month event celebration to the Peckham Square for the first time in 2005 in order to use it as a vehicle to ‘building community cohesion and a spirit of togetherness’ among our diverse communities.
Mr Lambe is also a community leader with a very active Involvement and participation in numerous community initiatives such as Southwark Alliance Enterprise/Local Economic Partnership Board (deputy chair), school governing bodies, tenants and residents associations, church council, and many other voluntary professional contributions. His leadership style transcends ethnic, tribal and racial divides!
He strongly belief that people’s life chances can be improved and economic prosperity achieved through compassionate economic policies which recognise self employment as a viable employment option. This was why he founded the Basic Business Initiative (BBI) in2001 with a mission to promoting entrepreneurship and self economic empowerment as a means to helping people climb out of poverty and social exclusion. He was the vice chair of Southwark Local Economy Group for several years, shaping employment and enterprise policies and delivery strategies across the borough. Despite the challenging economic climate, BBI continues to provide free advice, information, guidance, mentoring and support to the unemployed, most especially our young people.
In 1989, He became the first leader of the Union of Communications Workers, Associate Grade Post Persons in my local Rathbone Place delivery office London, from 1989 to 1994, fighting for the rights of part-time postal workers, representing them at disciplinary hearings, union and management decision making meetings, etc. The part time workers’ rights later became a Labour Party and government policy when Labour came to power in 1997.
In 2001, He established the Peckham Supplementary School (PSS) which was launched by the Rt. Hon. Harriet Harman MP, in response to the unfortunate death of Damilola Taylor, rising youth crime and anti-social behaviour in the area. The project provided young people with support in English, maths, Black History, drama and other youth engagement activities across the borough and beyond.
Furthermore, in 2007, He also founded the Sunny Lambe Young Entrepreneur Game Award (SLYEG) now called Young Entrepreneur Game Award (YEGA). YEGA is an annual enterprise competition that allows young adults between ages of 13 and 30 to test their business and enterprise idea out with the aim to giving them self economic empowerment.
In 2004, having been the chairman of Southwark Black History Month event for several years, He decided to launch the annual Black Business Awards as part BBI UK’s activities in order to recognise and celebrate Diversity and Achievement in Southwark and beyond. The event has now become an annual calendar event.
For more information, please visit www.bbinitiative.com
He became a Labour Party member in 1999 because of its ethos on fairness, tolerance, equality and social justice.
Mr Lambe has a strong passion for international development. He believes prosperity can be spread through the kindness of a few people and some practical self economic and social empowerment programmes that can be introduced with minimum fuzz, by our individual and collective will to make a difference.
He has worked with the Rt. Hon. Harriet Harman QC MP onthe Shadow International Development Policy Review Task Group on Business and Enterprise a couple of years ago, which is hoped to shape future Labour Government Policy on International Development Aid and local transformational Give Something Back!
As part of his ‘give something back initiatives’ both here in the UK and Africa, he started the rebuilding of my old primary school, IMG Primary School Ibadan Oyo State in 2008. A whole block of two classrooms was completed and furnished through financial donations and support of various kinds from friends, families and associates. We still need books and science equipment for the young people. And, as a former student of Methodist High School in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, his home town and where he had my secondary school education, this is another project I’m very passionate about starting in the near future.
If you are interested in supporting any of his initiatives through financial donations and or in-kind support, please feel free contact him.
Awards and Honours
He has won several awards for my positive professional and civic contributions; among which are
o Honorary Liberty of the Old Metropolitan Borough of Southwark,
Southwark Civic Award, May 2012 (BBI UK)
o Professional Excellence-Gathering of Africa’s Best Award, October 2012
o Change Makers Exemplary Business Award 2011
o Change Makers Best Practice Award 2010
o Honorary Liberty of the Old Metropolitan Borough of Camberwell,
Southwark Civic Award, May 2006 (Personal)
o Several other awards nominations
Email: sunnyalambe@gmail.com and sunny@sunnylambe.com
Ismael Lea South is the Director of The Salam Project, a BME youth and community initiative. This initiative promotes employment opportunities, accredited training, volunteer opportunities and positive UK Urban artistic expression. (Hip Hop, Reggae, Slam Poetry etc.)Born and bred in north west London of Jamaican Caribbean parentage. Married to his Nubian Queen for over 10 years with 2 children. Even though he’s a Convert/Revert Muslim, he considers himself a Garveyite. With his social social enterprise, he works between the L.Brent, L.B Lambeth, Lozzells in Birmingham and Moss Side in Manchester. As a BME Community Consultant he works passionately in the Black (African & African Caribbean) community and The Muslim community.He is the co-founder of The UK Black African & African Caribbean Awards
He mainly facilitates and advises many BME organisations on grassroots projects concerning extremism, radicalisation, BME youth unemployment and gang (gun & knife) crime. He goes into schools, prisons and youth clubs to facilitate workshops. His workshops touch on business start ups, employability skills, accessing funding for community projects, identity and Black British History. He knows that it is important to facilitate workshops on social enterprise start-ups, business start ups and Boys to Men (Black Boys rites of passage)
Through The Salam Project he works in partnership with various groups against gang crime, extremism/radicalisation (aimed towards Black African & African Caribbean Youths) and BME youth unemployment.
With The Faiths Forum For London he is the chief consultant on a pioneering project that promotes dialogue to get African/African Caribbean Pastors and Imams Working together to challenge gang crime (gun & knife) in communities
TONY TOKUNBO ETEKA FERNANDEZ 