MULTIPLE AWARD WINNER, AUTHOR, , ONLINE BROADCASTER, MC & AMBASSADOR FOR PEACE -UNIVERSAL PEACE FEDERATION. WE PROMOTE THE SUCCESS STORIES OF AFRICANS & CARIBBEANS AROUND THE WORLD. CONTACT US NOW ON +447882809005
I am an experienced marketing brand manager and brand photographer at Ruth Agbolade Photography.
I help brands create authentic brand images that represents the core values of their business to generate more orders, drive more sales and increase profit through corporate headshots for company website or annual report, business portrait for LinkedIn profile, personal branding portraits for website and social media, reportage and environmental photography, traditional and lifestyle product photography, food and e-commerce photography.
Last Friday, we buried my father. It was like a mighty oak that stood resilient for decades against the forces of nature had finally been felled. After one almighty thud, the forest was still and we gathered to pay our respects. It was the end of a turbulent era—one that saw remarkable achievements in the face of a myriad of obstacles and witnessed complex relationships filled with highs and lows.
As I stood to deliver his eulogy, I glanced at the casket that held his prostrate body and suddenly realised that this was the first time he would be unable to respond to what I was about to say. Never one to mince his words or hide his emotions, I hope he would have been appreciative of every word.
Derrick Ernest Williams, 1936-2024
Derrick Williams left us on Wednesday 13th March 2024, after 87 years on earth. It was a great run.
A few hours before he took his last breath, Dad was surrounded by close family, just as he wanted to be. He was himself to the end—raising his voice with instructions for anyone who would listen, oblivious to the sensibilities of his fellow patients, and still very much in charge. That was the only way he knew how to be.
Anyone who knew him, understood that Derrick didn’t do anything halfheartedly—he was always all-the-way-in. Passion was infused into everything—his love for sports, music, wine, women (of course) and his family; as well as his hatred for hypocrisy, racism and all forms of oppression.
In recent years, he assumed the role of patriarch, even as he mourned the loss of the relatives and friends who predeceased him, especially his dear wife Jan, his favourite cousins Aston and Barry Spence, and his friend affectionately known as “Longas”. He became more interested in having his children and grandchildren around him, even though we are scattered around the world. For that reason, most of my trips abroad were routed through London, just so that he could see me for a day or two.
He was quite remorseful about his absence in the lives of his older children—Patrick, Marcia (who’s no longer with us), Paul, Ethel and I—and he sought to make up for it with a zeal and determination that was overwhelming at times. That’s why he tried to groom Miles and Robert into world-class musicians or professional cricketers, or both—he just wanted the best for them. At times it was painful, but that was the only way he knew how to express his love and his desire for them to make a mark in this world. Sometimes, it was funny. Once, they played cricket for Hackney schools at Lords and won the London Schools Under-11 Cup. He told everyone he knew that his sons had played at Lord’s, even though it was at the Nursery Ground, not the main field. He was so proud.
Sports was a big thing in his life: Arsenal matches on the weekend, Jamaica at the Olympics, the West Indies against England, Lewis Hamilton in F1. As a proud Jamaican, he was thrilled to be at the stadium to watch Usain Bolt live in London in 2016 and he was delighted to be at The Oval in the heyday of West Indies test cricket. Thanks to dad, Robert and Miles collected the autographs of many top players. He liked the fact that Black excellence always had a chance in sports where the playing field, unlike much of life, is usually level.
If you were at dad’s house on a weekend, you would know he liked to cook. Whether it was summer barbecues or winter roasts, he really thought he could cook—albeit with a mixture of ketchup and hot pepper sauce—and no one dared tell him any different. We knew it made him happy, if we were enjoying anything he prepared, and he could enjoy a glass or three of fine Italian wine, guzzled from his beloved, battered silver goblet. Later, he would switch to Bacardi and his voice would become louder and more intense, and so would the music.
Dad was a huge music fan with an extensive collection of LPs and CDs, and the house was rarely quiet. From Miles to Marley, Coltrane to Clapton, Stevie to Sinatra, Dennis Brown to Diana Ross, his tastes were eclectic but mostly rooted in reggae, jazz, blues and soul. He could play the congas and other African drums, and was friends with many musicians.
One of my last outings with him was to the famous jazz club Ronnie Scott’s, where we enjoyed dinner, a great show, and countless bottles of Chianti. Or was it Montepulciano? He loved to speak Italian at any opportunity. Once we had lunch at an Italian restaurant in Islington and it was hilarious. He ordered everything in fluent Italian and the waiter didn’t understand a word.
Dad had stories like no one you ever met. Did you hear the one about his stint in the German version of the musical Hair, in Munich in 1968? How he got to scrub the back of a young Donna Summer in the communal shower? Yes, her song “Love to Love You Baby” had a special meaning for him. How about when Sophia Loren told him how handsome he was –“Bello”. Sophia wasn’t the only Italian woman to find him attractive, but those are stories for another day. Of course, his tales from the set of James Bond: Octopussy were always fun.
But the real story is about how fearless he was, daring to believe he could be a model, a stuntman and an actor in 1960s Britain, when men of his background were only supposed to be bus conductors and factory workers. He had no role models in Jamaica or the UK to follow, so he made it up as he went along. Exercising in a London park, he was discovered as a potential stunt double for the American actor Jim Brown, and he took his chance. Between gigs, he would drive, do welding jobs, or be a bouncer or even a bodyguard for the likes of Prince (now King) Charles when he visited a Black community project. Stage work in Germany, Spaghetti westerns in Italy, and small parts in British TV series and movies—the struggle was real, but he was equal to it.
As a professional driver, he took great pride in his knowledge of London’s streets and would insist on giving you directions even if you knew the way. As a veteran of street battles with Teddy Boys in Notting Hill and various encounters with racist police officers, he would always caution us on where not to go, for fear we would be victimised. In fact, he would advise everyone on everything. Why should you learn from your mistakes, when you could learn from his?
Dad had a volcanic temper and could be rude to anyone, anywhere, and at any time. He would let you know if he didn’t approve of something you said or did, which often led to him falling out with friends and family members. His passion was like a double-edged sword, fighting for love, destroying his enemies but also scattering his loved ones into exile. Some of us stayed away for many years. But we were never far away, and we all found different ways to return and reconcile, giving him a chance to make amends.
Derrick Williams was full of life. He was kind and he was funny. He was also incredibly charming, with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. He was a blessing to many. He was a legend. He was loved by all of us and he will be missed by his family: his niece Ruth, grandchildren Ricky, Christopher, Tricia, Lauren, Kensie, Samuel, Kaelin, Jayden, Azara, Ziah; great grandchildren Anthony, Elijah, Cheyenne, Rixten, Giovanni and Rylan; grandnieces and nephews Leon, Jermaine, Fabian, Mya, Daniel and Adina; great grandnieces and nephews Tia, Nala and Kobe.
He was one of a kind and will never be forgotten, as long as we keep retelling his amazing stories.
When the oak is felled the whole forest echoes with its fall, but a hundred acorns are sown in silence by an unnoticed breeze. ~ Thomas Carlyle
When great trees fall, rocks on distant hills shudder, lions hunker down in tall grasses, and even elephants lumber after safety. ~ Maya Angelou
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
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
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.
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
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.
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
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
TONY TOKUNBO ETEKA FERNANDEZ 