Dionne Edwards based in Leeds was one of The Africa4u Award Winners at The Africa4u Awards for African and Caribbean Achievers living in West Yorkshire. The well attended event was held on Friday the 6th of May at The City Library in Bradford.

INFORMATION ABOUT DIONNE EDWARDS CAN BE FOUND BELOW

Born in Leeds, Dionne Edwards grew up within an artistic family. Her brother Donald Edwards is one of the founding member of Phoenix Dance Group, now renamed and owed by Leeds City Council as; Phoenix Dance Theatre, Britain’s leading Dance Company.

Dionne is a passionate campaigner of social and racial injustice and went on study a degree in Law, undertook a further post graduate degree, Solicitors training Practice Course then went on to complete a Master degree.

She is also the founder of Black Voices Matter and led up a national campaign in Leeds which attracted thousands of people locally and nationally giving a voice to many institutes after the brutal death of George Floyd.

Throughout her career path she has worked for numerous high profile Government departments and was
chosen out of hundreds of women applicant, locally and nationally along with a few other women to facilitate a “Women in Leadership programme” which led to a one day Women’s Day event which was showcased in Parliament in front of Baroness Prosser, event funder and a full crowd. Dionne is also an actor in residency and part of a community theatre company with Leeds West Yorkshire Playhouse,
 
Dionne has many hidden talents to her bow and has been the catalyst for many social change programmes throughout West Yorkshire and beyond. She’s passionately about working with young people which as seen her instigated, plan and delivered many youth service projects, citywide. Often working alone being the sole barer of all the organisations activities and also works collaborative with other organisations to initiate further project activities.

Dionne is Cultural producer and founder of a new initiative called, Cultural Arts Heritage Circle a not – for -profit organisation now renamed Nubian Noire which was setup in June 2019. Which aims to provide business start- up opportunities for young and emerging black entrepreneurs who for lack of financial mobility and high unemployment are looking to forge their way into self-employment.

Nubian Noire Expo supports black entrepreneurs to make active their social and economic presence by
providing them with business support and outdoor trading spaces to showcase and sell their creative
artisans inspiring them to collaborate and network with other like-minded business entrepreneurs.

Dionne says, we encourage them to push through the social and economic boundaries beyond their own
expectations to define a new sense of self and business development, reviving their entrepreneur spirit to seize business opportunities. Which will propel forward thinking progress and raise aspirations
Nubian Noire was the first outdoor black business platform, locally and national to showcase entrepreneurial excellence and has been the catalyst for other similar initiatives to follow suite after the tragic death of George Floyd.

Since setting up the initial, Business Start-up programme Nubian Noire has now partner with Leeds Beckett Park University and has received a lot of response, nationally from an array of other black business start- ups wanting to take part in showcasing their creative endeavours, some travelling as far as London, Birmingham, Sheffield, Manchester, Huddersfield, Liverpool and Nottingham. Nubian Noire has been featured on Look North TV, BBC Radio 1 and the Yorkshire Evening Post.

Dionne is a member of the APPG for black businesses. She is determined to make things happen for black businesses.

Jerry Crawford based in Bradford was one of The Africa4u Award Winners at The Africa4u Awards for African and Caribbean Achievers living in West Yorkshire. The well attended event was held on Friday the 6th of May at The City Library in Bradford.

Information about Jerry can be found below

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. 

Esther Osakwe based in Bradford was one of The Africa4u Award Winners at The Africa4u Awards for African and Caribbean Achievers living in West Yorkshire. The well attended event was held on Friday the 6th of May at The City Library in Bradford.

Information about Esther can be found below

Osakwe Nonyelum Esther, popularly known as ONE, is a 35-year-old mother of three who wants to make a difference in Bradford and beyond.

Originally from Nigeria, Esther lived in Colchester and Milton Keynes before making Bradford her home 6 years ago.

Her passions include education, empowerment, music, children, food and faith. 

She is a creative artist with a special talent for all things rest and relaxation  and currently undergoing a master programme in dance movement psychotherapy at the University of Derby.

Esther volunteers in several local and international organisations supporting change and improving quality of life globally. She’s also the founder and director at Life Improvement Consults C.I.C.  

Chief amongst her achievements and recognitions is her title as the Miss commonwealth for Africa 2021/22. 

She hopes to leave her world better than she met it.–

Osakwe Nonyelum Esther (HRH)

Educator and Consultant

Mental Health, Well-being & Fitness Coach. 

The amazing Linda Johnson based in Huddersfield was one of The Africa4u Award Winners at The Africa4u Awards for African and Caribbean Achievers living in West Yorkshire. The well attended event was held on Friday the 6th of May at The City Library in Bradford.

Information about Linda can be found below

PERSONAL BIO

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.

YAM SPICE AFRICAN RESTAURANT BRADFORD ON THE TONY TOKUNBO FERNANDEZ SHOW

Watch this space as we interview the management of YAM SPICE AFRICAN RESTAURANT BRADFORD ON THE TONY TOKUNBO FERNANDEZ SHOW

Yam Spice African Restaurant is am amazing restaurant in Bradford City Centre. The address is 10 Bowland Street BD1 3BW.

The Tony Tokunbo Fernandez Show recommends this amazing restaurant. At the moment , they have a FREE PROMOTION OF FREE MEALS AND HOT DRINKS , every Monday from 10am to 12 noon.

LET US CONTINUE TO SUPPORT BLACK BUSINESSES

The amazing Tanya Vital (CEO OF VITAL CULTURE, UK )based in Bradford was one of The Africa4u Award Winners at The Africa4u Awards for African and Caribbean Achievers living in West Yorkshire. The well attended event was held on Friday the 6th of May at The City Library in Bradford.

Information about Tanya Vital can be found below

ABOUT TANYA VITAL

Graduate of The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and National Youth Theatre alumni, Tanya has worked for 2 decades in TV, Film, Stage and Voice-over.

Featuring in many award winning shows, her work includes DC’s Pennyworth, Red Sparrow with Jennifer Lawrence, Happy Valley, Emmerdale, Rules of the Game, Casualty, Doctors, Brief Encounters and more.

Tanya trained in playwriting with Madani Younis and Ola Animashawun. She produces live artistic events and launched the 1st Leeds MonologueSlam UK in 2011. Tanya has also worked extensively, co-producing countless micro-short films which have garnered various film festival nominations. Her Hamlette collaboration with Chicken Shop Shakespeare, featured at The British Library as part their Shakespeare in Ten Acts exhibition.

SOURCE – TANYAS WEBSITE

The amazing George Badejo- Adegbenga , a qualified Barrister based in Huddersfield was one of The Africa4u Award Winners at The Africa4u Awards for African and Caribbean Achievers living in West Yorkshire. The well attended event was held on Friday the 6th of May at The City Library in Bradford.

Information about Barrister Geroge Badejo-Adegbenga can be found below

George Badejo-Adegbenga, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of MIM Finance Company and
Loans 2 Go Limited (Nigeria)

George Badejo-Adegbenga was born in Nigeria West Africa. He grew up in Lagos and Ogun State where he completed his elementary and secondary education. George went on to study accounting at an
institution in Nigeria but instead of pursuing a career in accounting, he decided to pursue his childhood
dream of becoming a lawyer. His dream was realised when he relocated to the UK and enrolled to study
law whilst working as a credit management professional.

George qualified as a Barrister of England and Wales in 2009 and is currently the Chief Legal Counsel of Loans 2 Go Limited (UK) and the founder of several firms in the UK and Nigeria (e.g., MIM Finance
Company Limited (Nigeria), Loans 2 Go Limited (Nigeria) and Ethica Resolve Limited (UK). George is
blessed with four beautiful daughters and happily married. As a lawyer and entrepreneur, George
particularly enjoys mentoring aspiring Africans wanting to start up a business or excel as an employee
within their organisation.

In George’s spare time, he provides pro bono services to many people and enjoys every moment
because he strongly believes it’s his little way of giving back to his community.

Amongst his numerous academic achievements, George holds a Master of Law degree (LLM) from BBP University College London and a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from University of Oxford.

George is undoubtedly one of the most well-rounded and versatile African lawyer and entrepreneur
within the FinTech space.

The amazing Ndidi Nkwopara, A Life Coach, Author and Entrepreneur based in Leeds was one of The Africa4u Award Winners at The Africa4u Awards for African and Caribbean Achievers living in West Yorkshire. The well attended event was held on Friday the 6th of May at The City Library in Bradford.

Information anout Ndidi can be found below

ABOUT NDIDI NKWOPARA

Ndidi Nkwopara is a Life Coach, Author and Entrepreneur. She was born in the
rustic city of Owerri but grew up in the Northern cities of Kano and Kaduna all
in Nigeria. She returned to Owerri for her secondary education at the Federal
Government Girls’ College and from there she went to the University of Jos
where she graduated with a B.A English.
A diagnosis and subsequent recovery of cancer inspired a new journey for her
into the world of Complementary Health Therapies working with oncology
patients, and eventually into the more encompassing Health and Wellbeing
Industry where her focus and passion is on promoting healthy lifestyles and
stress management techniques as a method of preventing stress-induced
diseases/health problems. She lives in West Yorkshire and has worked on the
Wise Up to Cancer project, a community health programme funded by the
Yorkshire Cancer Research.

Her first book, Retreat to Rebirth – My Story is about surviving cancer and
living by faith. She shares her life lessons to encourage women to recognise
their worth and maximise their potentials. Through the platform of Soaring with
Didi (a company founded by her, she provides life-coaching services for women
of African descent. Soaring with Didi creates an opportunity for an unmet need;
the need for African women to share their stories through talking, reading and
writing. Through action learning sessions, they will explore strategies for
overcoming and creating their own resilience/rebirth toolkits.

In her second non-fiction work- Poverty is a Woman, Her Daughters Look Like
Her- Ndidi Nkwopara, captures the travails of African women entrepreneurs as
the world progresses towards gender equality by closing the financial gap. She
also shares her journey as a female entrepreneur in African Shea Value Chain,
working with the rural women producers to process sheanuts into sheabutter.
From the farmgate, the sheabutter is transported to the cosmetic factory in the
urban city and finally to the retail shelves of shops and spas as finished
products like Ariella Sheabutter. The book critically looks at the reasons why in

spite of the local and international funds made available to financial and non-
financial organisations for the purpose of empowering women, closing the
gender gap has been very slow and insignificant. It also prefers solutions.

Ndidi was one of the commissioned artists for My World, My City, My
Neighbourhood, a Leeds2023 project. She worked in collaboration with the
Leeds African Community Trust (LACT) to tell the stories of African migrants
in Leeds.

I will be starting a radio show today, tagged “OAK Book Review” on AP Radio UK.

On this show, I will be reviewing different books that have impacted my life and the life of great men and women around the world.

I will be sharing my thoughts on the books. Also, I will be sharing some useful tips on how you can cultivate the habit of reading. Remember, “a reader lives a thousand lives.”

If you want to lead your life, you have to read books that inspire, inform, and offer insights.

Join me every Sunday. The time on AP Radio UK is 3 p.m. You can also place your advert on the show. Please send me a DM.

To join the radio show click on the link below

http://bit.ly/apradiouk3

I am Dr. OAK

On Saturday the 7th of May2022 , Chief Leo Edochie was honored with a prestigious chieftancy title in Ikwerre land, Rivers State as CHIEF EBUBE AGU OF THE RUMUROLU KINGDOM.

This historical accomplishment was profound in ever sense as the New Chief was filled with gratitude.

Chief Edochie said “This chieftancy honour means a lot to me, considering that i am not from Rivers State. Its a testament to the hospitality of Rivers state indegenes and also my contribution to the community development.   I GIVE GOD ALL THE GLORY”

We wish Chief Leo the very best as CHIEF EBUBE AGU OF THE RUMUROLU KINGDOM

INFORMATION ABOUT CHIEF LEO EDOCHIE CAN BE FOUND BELOW

Chief Leo Edochie, Ozoh Chinaemeze, CEO and Managing Director of Solotone Global Ventures Limited with over 30 years of unalloyed commitment to consistently improving engineering standards in the oil and gas industry.

Chief Leo Edochie is a social influencer, a revolutionary leader and peace maker, who has made friends become family and led to his being the immediate past President of Port Harcourt Polo Club. 

His profound interest in human capital development has led to his providing employment and humanitarian assistance to the Community People. He has provided the Community with Electrical Engineering assistance whenever the need arises.

He has operated in our community for a very long time and his company has never defaulted in paying relevant local government dues and most importantly playing a major part in community development.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, Meet and greet this great Amazon, a lover of our community and a friend of all with rising profile, Chief Leo Edochie