VIE WILL BE RECEIVING AN AWARD FOR BRIDGING COMMUNITIES AT THE CITY LIBRARY ON FRIDAY THE 12TH OF MAY 2023. INFORMATION ABOUT VIE CAN BE FOUND BELOW . CONGRATULATIONS IN ADVANCE TO VIE
‘Vie Clerc, French national/ EU citizen, arrived in the UK in June 2000, she has extensive experience doing community work with asylum seekers, refugees and other migrants for over 15 years.
Founder of HEM – holmewood ethnic minorities and susbsequently became the community development coordinator, was vice chair of Bradford refugee forum for 2 years, sessional worker at city of sanctuary, and Bradford action for refugees, collaborated with Kath Canoville and Jerry red Dred for last 12 years organising black history month, Sunctuary Sunday, refugee week events.
Mother of 2 children and support worker working with people with Dementia and people with disabilities. In the last 5 years, she has focused her time campaigning for the guarantee of the rights of EU nationals as an advocate for the group The3Million both locally, regionally, nationally and in the EU. She is also a Senior Admin and Advocate of the InLimbo Project – which is a not-for-profit non-political initiative set up by a group of EU27 citizens in the UK to record testimonies from the five million victims of Brexit and allow their voices to be heard.
The first book called In Limbo: Brexit Testimonies from EU citizens in the UK was published from crowdfunding in June 2017 whilst in June 2018, In Limbo Too: Brexit Testimonies from UK citizens in the EU was also published. Facilitator of the EU27 COmmunities of support in Leeds supporting Eu citizens with the human impact of brexit.
Since September 2019 until December 2020, she was the Bradford and Leeds outreach coordinator and free immigration adviser level 1 limited to the Eu settlement scheme (self employed) to support vulnerable Eu citizens and non uk non Eu family members to make their situation secure in the uk post brexit (funded by Bradford council) And lastly instigator of Global Bradford a community group bringing together migrants and descendants of migrants regardless where from and regardless of status. Experienced in doing bids, running groups and sessions, organising events and bringing people together. Since January 2021, working as enhanced support and resettlement officer for Rotherham council with caseload being mainly non U.K. nationals and those with complex needs.
THE AMAZING 89 YEAR OLD JAMAICAN PIONEER, ARTNEL JOHNSON BASED IN HUDDERSFIELD WILL BE RECEIVING AN AFRICA4U AWARD AT THE CITY LIBRARY IN BRADFORD ON FRIDAY THE 12TH OF MAY AT 5PM,
INFORMATION ABOUT THIS AMAZING ELDER CAN BE FOUND BELOW
Background Born in Rose Hall of St Elizabeth parish Jamaica on 26 th February 1934 from a poor family of 13 children. Despite poverty he excelled in education in Jamaica reaching the equivalent of university Diploma level by UK standards.
Part of the pioneering Windrush generation Artnel moved to Huddersfield 1959 seeking like many a better life and more opportunities followed by his wife in 1961. He met racism and discrimination when seeking work in more skilled profession and work for many years as a bus driver until he started his own business in 1977 sharing a vehicle with a Nigerian friend.
Artnel a lover of education befriended and helped to bridge the relationships between continental Africans who were often students from Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone and other newly independent countries in the 60 & 70’s many of which lodge in Artnel own home. He was to make connections, friendships and alliances which set him apart as having a greater understanding and love of Africa than his Caribbean peers. Artnel ran support surgeries from his front room providing free writing letter, teaching and coaching to support other immigrants from the Caribbean helping them to navigate a racially discriminatory system.
Married with 8 children but was a father figure and uncle to countless others. He has 27 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren and 1 Great Great Grandchild which in itself is a legacy on own right. Artnel has been a central unassuming, dependable, upright, humble and pillars of the community not only in Huddersfield but also in Jamacia where you enjoyed the first 20 years of his retirement before returning to England 3 years ago to be closer to his family. Achievements
One of first business owners and treasurer of popular night club known locally as “Venn Street” which attracted the top reggae superstars from Jamaica such as John Holt, Dennis Brown, Delroy Wilson Gregory Issacs and many more placing Huddersfield on the map as a top nightlife hotspot in the North of England
First Caribbean driving instructor in Huddersfield and travel agent
Community Leader serving on many Community Voluntary boards including Police advisory boards at the height of the 80’s riots, Hudawi, Jamaica Nation Committee and Beaumont Street Studio’s of which he was the founding Director.
He is one of the black First Magistrates in Kirklees serving on the bench for over 25 years
A committed Christian he served as a deacon of his local church for many years
Interests Artnel has had many interests over the years including photography building his own dark room in the basement of his home.
Artnel is a keen debater on anything to do with global history and politics and is certainly not backward in voicing his opinions even if he had to stand alone.
He brewed homemade beer although ironically, he has never drunk alcohol himself. Artnel is a vibrant and energetic man singing in the church choir and listening and to his favourite artist Fats Domino to which he can still rock and roll to on the dance floor or living room floor when the vibe and rhythm takes hold of him.
He enjoys spending time with his wonderful and very large family In his retirement Artnel has become a keen gardener planting fruit and vegetables for the family to enjoy. Artnel believes in hard work and education is the key to success and complaining is a fruitless obstacle to progress.
Tolu’ A. Akinyemi (also known as Tolutoludo & the Lion of Newcastle) is a multiple award-winning author in the genres of poetry, short stories, children’s literature, and essays.
His works include Dead Lions Don’t Roar (poetry, 2017); Unravel Your Hidden Gems (essays, 2018); Dead Dogs Don’t Bark (poetry, 2018); Dead Cats Don’t Meow (poetry, 2019); Never Play Games With the Devil (poetry, 2019); Inferno of Silence (short stories, 2020); A Booktiful Love (poetry, 2020); Black ≠ Inferior (poetry, 2021); Never Marry a Writer (poetry, 2021); Everybody Don Kolomental (poetry, 2021); I Wear Self-Confidence Like a Second Skin (children’s literature, 2021); I Am Not a Troublemaker (children’s literature, 2021); Born in Lockdown (poetry, 2021); A god in a Human Body (poetry, 2022); If You Have To Be Anything, Be Kind (children’s literature, 2022); City of Lost Memories, (poetry, 2022); Awaken Your Inner Lion, (essays, 2022); On The Train To Hell, (poetry, 2022); You Need More Than Dreams (poetry, 2023); and The Morning Cloud is Empty (poetry, 2023).
A former headline act at Great Northern Slam, Havering Literary Festival, Crossing The Tyne Festival, and Feltonbury Arts and Music Festival, he also inspires large audiences through spoken word performances and has appeared as a keynote speaker in major forums and events. He facilitates creative writing master classes for many audiences.
His poems have appeared (or are forthcoming) in the 57th issue (Volume 15, No. 1) of the Wilderness House Literary Review; The Writers Cafe Magazine Issue 18; GN Books; Lion and Lilac; Agape Review; Continue the Voice; My Woven Poetry; Black Moon Magazine; Calla Press; African Writer Magazine; Football in Poetry 2 Anthology; and elsewhere.
We are pleased to inform you that FREE TICKETS are now available for Our AFRICA4U AWARDS FOR AFRICANS AND CARIBBEANS LIVING IN WEST YORKSHIRE taking place on FRIDAY THE 12TH OF MAY 2023 (5PM) at The City Library in Bradford West Yorkshire.
Come and be part of an amazing celebration of Inspiration talks, African & Caribbean history , performances , networking, free refreshments and award Recognitions of community heroes making a difference every day .
KEY SPEAKERS INCLUDE
Ismael Lea South – DIRECTOR OF THE SALAM PROJECT – BASED IN MANCHESTER
Linda Johnson — PAN AFRICAN COMMUNITY ADVOCATE – BASED IN HUDDERSFIELD
COMING SOON ON THE TONY TOKUNBO FERNANDEZ SHOW – INTERVIEW WITH MULTIPLE AWARD WINING AUTHOR – TOLU AKINYEMI
INFORMATION ABOUT TOLU CAN BE FOUND BELOW – THIS IS A SHOW YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO MISS
Tolu’ A. Akinyemi (also known as Tolutoludo & the Lion of Newcastle) is a multiple award-winning author in the genres of poetry, short stories, children’s literature, and essays.
His works include Dead Lions Don’t Roar (poetry, 2017); Unravel Your Hidden Gems (essays, 2018); Dead Dogs Don’t Bark (poetry, 2018); Dead Cats Don’t Meow (poetry, 2019); Never Play Games With the Devil (poetry, 2019); Inferno of Silence (short stories, 2020); A Booktiful Love (poetry, 2020); Black ≠ Inferior (poetry, 2021); Never Marry a Writer (poetry, 2021); Everybody Don Kolomental (poetry, 2021); I Wear Self-Confidence Like a Second Skin (children’s literature, 2021); I Am Not a Troublemaker (children’s literature, 2021); Born in Lockdown (poetry, 2021); A god in a Human Body (poetry, 2022); If You Have To Be Anything, Be Kind (children’s literature, 2022); City of Lost Memories, (poetry, 2022); Awaken Your Inner Lion, (essays, 2022); On The Train To Hell, (poetry, 2022); You Need More Than Dreams (poetry, 2023); and The Morning Cloud is Empty (poetry, 2023).
A former headline act at Great Northern Slam, Havering Literary Festival, Crossing The Tyne Festival, and Feltonbury Arts and Music Festival, he also inspires large audiences through spoken word performances and has appeared as a keynote speaker in major forums and events. He facilitates creative writing master classes for many audiences.
His poems have appeared (or are forthcoming) in the 57th issue (Volume 15, No. 1) of the Wilderness House Literary Review; The Writers Cafe Magazine Issue 18; GN Books; Lion and Lilac; Agape Review; Continue the Voice; My Woven Poetry; Black Moon Magazine; Calla Press; African Writer Magazine; Football in Poetry 2 Anthology; and elsewhere.
His poems have been translated into Greek.
He was appointed as a columnist for 2022 in Malimbe Magazine (Malimbe is the official in-flight magazine of several Nigerian Airlines, including Arik Air, Aero Contractors, Dana Air, and Bristow). Their monthly edition has a readership coverage of 500,000 readers on over 1,600 flights connecting 30 plus cities.
His books are based on a deep reality and often reflect relationships and life, featuring people he has met in his journey as a writer. His books have inspired many people to improve their performances and/or their circumstances. Tolu’ has taken his poetry to the stage, performing his written word at many events. Through his writing and these performances, he supports business leaders, other aspiring authors, and people of all ages who are interested in reading and writing. Sales of the books have allowed Tolu’ donate to charity, allowing him to make a difference where he feels it’s important and showing that he lives by the words he puts to page.
He is a co-founder of Lion and Lilac, a UK-based arts organisation, and sits on the board of many organisations.
Tolu’ is a financial crime compliance consultant as well as a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) with extensive experience working with leading investment banks and consultancy firms.
He is a trained economist from Ekiti State University, formerly known as University of Ado-Ekiti (UNAD).
He sat for his master’s degree in Accounting and Financial Management at the University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, United Kingdom.
Tolu’ was a student ambassador at the University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, representing the university in major forums and engaging with young people during various assignments.
Tolu’ Akinyemi was born in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria and lives in the United Kingdom. Tolu’ is an ardent supporter of Chelsea Football Club in London.
You can connect with Tolu’ on his various social media accounts:
Tee dot Tee is a Bradford Musician and poet who is currently mentored and managed by the amazing Kath Canoville. He was formerly known by other aliases “Lil T” and “Asher T” when he first started out as a Grime Artist.
Over the years, this amazing Bradford artist has evolved into a profound musician who uses both melodics and rap in a range of genres, straying from the genre conformity
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TONY TOKUNBO ETEKA FERNANDEZ 