The Last Decade
2014 - 2025
Recognising the past, shaping the future
THACMHO’S contribution to BHM 2005 saw the launch of the 2nd edition of the Power Writers book, a Black History exhibition and a Power Writers walking tour.
As the website reaches completion, I wish to convey my gratitude for the invaluable support provided by my family and friends, whose encouragement kept me motivated.
The theme of this decade “Recognising the past, shaping the future” was inspired by my 2019 Newham Black History Month project, where I digitally archived material from my archives including a cross section of Black community magazines.
I continue to emphasise the importance of African Caribbean/West Indian pioneers of my generation documenting their experiences, as these accounts serve as significant primary sources highlighting our contributions to British society, even when such histories are subject to reinterpretation. (Without documentation, our stories risk being overlooked, disregarded or even reinterpeted).
The decade covers:
- NOngoing work with the Tony Cheeseman Foundation, including an African and Caribbean family history day which was supported by the the Barbados Historical Society.
- NParticipation in anniversaries and Black History Month events.
- NCelebrating the life of Philip Morgan SPIRIT a member of THACMHO, who passed in 2017.
- NSurviving in a hostile environment.
- NContinuing my heritage work during the Covid 19 pandemic.
- NTHACMHO 25th anniversary celebration.
- NDeveloping the Newham African and Caribbean Heritage Reference Group.
- NA Steering Group member of the Tower Hamlets Community of Liberation project and the University College of LondonL's Culture Lab exhibition.
- NOral history interviews for Exeter University and the Tower Hamlets Libraries and Archives.
- NMember of the Mayor of London’s Sadiq Khan memorial roundtable for victims of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade.
- NConsidering which one to use - Outro / conclusion/ farewell message/ closing remarks ?
2014
A Snap Shot of Black Women in Newham
My community contribution in 2014 began with working on the Tony Cheseman Foundation annual lecture, “Women in Society,”. I had the privilige of presenting Dona Keizer with our Community Award and saying a few words about her life. It was an honour to be asked by her family to deiver her euloguy when she passed .
Donna Keizer
Donna Keizer with her son, granddaughter, and myself, holding her community award with pride.
Donna Keizer with her son, granddaughter, and myself, holding her community award with pride.
Enjoying refreshments and socialising.
.A snapshot of Black Women in Newham.
.A snapshot of Black Women in Newham
2015
From Canning Town to Bridgetown
Eastlea International Youth Year 30th anniversary celebration
In 2015, Eastlea School commemorated the 30th anniversary of International Youth Year by inviting the members of the joint Eastlea School / Youth centre Barbados project back to the school for a day of activities to mark their achivement. Eight of the original members attended.
The day began with a welcome reception featuring a performance by the school steelband. This was followed by a school assembly where the Principal Chinye Jibunoh extended a warm welcome and recounted the history of the project followed by the showing of a video of the project and a Q and A. We were presented with a souvenir cup in honour of the 30th anniversary, after which we enjoyed an exquisite four course lunch prepared by Kitchen staff and students studying hospitaliy. A team of journalist’s from the school newsletter interviewed the project members. I was given the privilige of laying a time capsule in the school memorial garden that is not to be opened until 2045.
The school marked the anniversary by commisioning this souvenier cup.
Kitchen staff and students studying hospitaliy. A team of journalist’s from the school newsletter interviewed the project members. I was given the privilige of laying a time capsule in the school memorial garden that is not to be opened until 2045.
The school assembly
The school assembly
Getting ready for a sumptious four course meal preperaed by students and the school kitchen staff.
Laying the time capsule.
2015
A Black History Month contribution.
Although I had stepped down as Co-ordinator of Thacmho I still held deep ties with the group and supported them with their 2015 Black History Month event through a collaboration with the Tony Cheeseman Foundation. Our exhibition ‘From Discovery to Independence: Highlighting the journey of sugar’. And our workshop supported the principles of ‘Health through History’ that knowing your past/history can be a source of wellbeing.
Visitors viewing the exhibition.
The Chair of The Tony Cheeseman Foundation Mark Vaughn, leading the Workshop.
Contributing to the The Tony Cheeseman Foundation 5th annual lecture
Being both a member of the Forum and the Foundation, I participated in organising the African Heritage Forum’s presentation of “WW1 Caribbean Soldiers on the Western Front” for the Tony Cheeseman Foundation’s 5th Annual Lecture. The late Alan Wilmot shared insights from his recently published autobiography, “Now You Know”. He was also honoured as the recipient of the Foundation 2016 Community Award.
The lecture was delivered by Vasco Stevenson a community activist and historian.
Alan Wilmont with Management Committee members.
Also in 2015 add the Caribbean contribution to the Panama canal lecture by Vasco Stephenson.
Video
Here I am talking with the author Matthew Parker who attended the event wrote the book Panama Fever and contributed further information to the subject.
This event had an emotional connection since my maternal grandfather was one of the workers who survived and returned safely. His story is for another time but here is Barbados commemorating the 100th year of the Panama canal taken from my stamp collection.
2016
Working on the Tony Cheeseman Foundation 5th annual lecture
Being both a member of the Forum and the Foundation, I participated in organising the African Heritage Forum’s presentation of “WW1 Caribbean Soldiers on the Western Front” for the Tony Cheeseman Foundation’s 5th Annual Lecture. The late Alan Wilmot shared insights from his recently published autobiography, “Now You Know.” Alan also received the Foundation 2016 Community Award.
The lecture was delivered by Vasco Stevenson a community activist and historian.
Alan Wilmont with Management Committee members
Here I am talking with author Matthew Parker who wrote the book Panama Fever and contributed further information on the subject
Reperations Now
Taking part in the community call for Reparations from the British Government on Emancipation Day 1st August 2016. Walking from Windrush Square Brixton to the Houses of Parliament and a delegation delivering a letter to the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street.
Photo by Luke Daniels.
Recognised for my community work
The Barbados Democratic Party UK Branch Golden Jubilee Independence Awards 2016.
Members of the Barbados DLP UK executive committee and recipients of the award.
I was honored to receive this award from the Democratic Labour Party UK for my community work and being an ambassador for Barbados.
Celebrating Barbados
Photos by Nailah Cumberbatch
2017
African and Caribbean Family History Day in Tower Hamlets
Curator Malcom Barr and I
The 2017 African and Caribbean Family History in Tower Hamlets conference came about following my attendance at a family history day in 2016 organised by Tower Hamlets Archives.
Having noticed the absence of Black families from the event, I raised this concern with the Tower Hamlets Archivist Malcolm Barr and he shared a concern that there were no Black family contributions held in the Archives. This conversation led to this 2017 event.
Here I am talking with Priscilla and two of her sons who were children in the above publicity.
I was honored to receive this award from the Democratic Labour Party UK for my community work and being an ambassador for Barbados.
A well-attended event with a full programme, excellent presentations and a lovely lunch and exhibition.
The Family History chart used on the day to encourage participants to make start.
As part of the programme, I reached out to the Barbados Museum & Historical Society (Barbados Genealogy Group) to support the day.
Here is a Power Point of some the Family History events which I attended while on the Island that year.
Download size 41mb. Unzip and open in PowerPoint.
The Tony Cheeseman Foundation 7th Annual Lecture Self Help and
Self-Reliance in our community
A truly intergenerational event on How can we support our Young People
Marie Gabriel DBE delivered the keynote speech on ‘How can we support our young people.’ She also received the 2017 Tony Cheeseman Foundation Community Award trophy. In the 2025 New Year Honours list, Marie was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in recognition of her career in health and equity and voluntary work in the community .
The Philip Morgan Legacy Group
Sadly, our beloved member Philip Morgan SPiRiT suddenly passed in 2017. He was a pillar of strength to our organisation and also a presenter on Galaxy community radio station. Here is the first 17 minutes of his July 4th American Independence Day 2013 broadcast.
SPiRiT
I was invited to join a committee led by THACMHO members in December 2017 to remember Philips legacy. I worked on the committee until July 2023, when the organisation began another phase of being a User led Mental Health Organisation.
2018
Need a heading for this year
Recognised as a Newham Community Builder
The committee’ first event remembering Philip Morgan
Members of the Barbados DLP UK executive committee and recipients of the award.
This symbol, created by Sam Shakes a member of the legacy committee, represents a candle flame burning eternally as we remember our beloved member of THACMHO. Philip SPiRiT Morgan.