Good morning everyone,

Welcome to your weekly news round-up from Black Current News.

Did you know that the Commonwealth Games are happening right now? Been hella quiet this year. Someone said they’re dying.

Years ago, our editor wrote that the games are rooted in slavery, should be axed and “replaced with a sporting event that isn’t bonded by racial trauma against a backdrop of Eurocentric denialism”.

Opinions about how the Commonwealth benefits member countries are divided because, Britain aside, the wealth isn’t at all common among them. Still, the event has been, and continues to be, a springboard to greater success for some athletes. Debate aside, it is noteworthy that Nigeria is currently the highest-ranking Black-majority country on the games’ league tables at #3.

Anyway: our big, bad, boasy and very first Black Current magazine is coming out in a few days! Lots of people have pre-ordered their copies and we’re grateful for everyone’s support. Secure yours here and don’t miss out!

With Mother of the House, the Rt Hon Diane Abbott MP, and trailblazing Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP featured as our cover stars, the magazine features Angie Greaves, , Charles Venn, Slim the comedian, , , Deta Hedman, plus more.

Keep scrolling for more headlines and don’t forget to share this round-up with your people!

We’re proud to be Britain’s fastest-growing Black news platform.

Three Black women appointed to ministerial roles in PM Andy Burnham’s reshuffle

After becoming Prime Minister on Monday (20 July), Andy Burnham set about appointing his government. Miatta Fahnbulleh was named Energy Secretary, becoming the only Black cabinet member. Florence Eshalomi has been appointed Minister for Housing, Communities and Local Government, though will not attend cabinet, while Baroness Brenda Dacres has become a Baroness In Waiting (Government Whip) in the House of Lords.

Calvin Bailey, who is of Black and white heritage, has also been reappointed as Minister for Veterans and People, a junior ministerial position. This comes as the chair of Operation Black Vote warns that the new PM must shift the UK’s mood on racism.

David Lammy has been sacked as Deputy Prime Minister, Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor, by the way. Interestingly, no one has been appointed as Deputy PM in Lammy’s place, though Louise Haigh MP was named First Secretary of State, a role with a similar function.

Black Panther 3: British actor David Jonsson to star in 2028 sequel, playing T’Challa’s son

Black British actor David Jonsson will star as the new Black Panther in the upcoming film, director Ryan Coogler has announced. The third instalment is set for release on December 15 2028, co-starring the UK’s own Letitia Wright and Winston Duke.

Children’s book festival accused of silencing diversity criticism

Bath Children’s Literature Festival is under fire after authors who criticised its lack of representation were asked to delete social media posts, Liv Facey reports. One writer described the emails as “threatening and bullying”. The row has fuelled ongoing concerns about inclusion and transparency within publishing.

German festival Reggae Jam has apologised after erecting a giant sexualised display of a Black woman on its stage sparked outcry. Read more here.

Black Joy Bulletin

• Meet Lyse, a mum-of-six from Burundi, who overcame language barriers and achieved a nursing degree

• Dr Tonye Sikabofori appointed as Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s new Chief Medical Officer

• Idris Elba and Delroy Lindo set to receive stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, reportedly becoming the first Black British celebs to have this honour

• Idris Elba has also reportedly collaborated with Google in a $1m initiative to empower African creators with AI tools

• Dulwich stylist wins Afro Award at L’Oréal Colour Trophy Grand Final

Happy Sunday from the multitalented actress Angela Wynter and her band Kush Abakush! 🎤🇯🇲

Many viewers know her best as Yolande Trueman in EastEnders, but Angela’s acting career spans more than four decades across stage and screen.

This recent performance is a joyful reminder of her extraordinary range from singing to acting and beyond. Find out more via our Instagram page.

What else we’re reading

• Black communities invited to have their say on the future of nursing and midwifery

• Police officers ‘accidentally record themselves discussing illegal stop-and-searches of Black women’

• Mother’s body left unburied for four years as family argued over £725,000 estate

• Paralympian Ade Adepitan tipped to make I’m a Celebrity history in 2026 line-up

• Green Party councillor cleared after calling David Lammy a coconut

• NHS surgeon wins unfair dismissal claim after taking £250,000 UAE job during sabbatical

• Former Met Police commissioner has acknowledged that undercover surveillance of Stephen Lawrence’s family was institutionally racist

• British woman jailed for blackmail after accusing banker of rape in Hong Kong

• Green London councillor cleared over David Lammy ‘coconut’ comments

• Part of Hampstead Heath was purchased using slave trade profits, report reveals

• Southport killer Axel Rudakubana moved to Broadmoor psychiatric hospital

• ‘Denied dignity’: Fundraiser launched to repatriate Yves Sakila’s body to Congo after Dublin death

• Exclusive | Jury acquits Black man of assaulting police in just eight minutes after officers’ claims crumble

• Exclusive | Diane Abbott hopes Labour suspension will be lifted as petition passes 35,000 signatures

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Diane Abbott hopes that Labour’s new leadership will reinstate her to the party as a petition supporting her return surpassed 35,000 signatures.

The MP has represented Hackney North and Stoke Newington since 1987.

Speaking exclusively to Black Current News, Ms Abbott said: “I have campaigned against racism and for racial justice all my political life.

“Furthermore, I am proud to be the first Black woman ever elected as a member of the British Parliament and to be the longest-serving Black MP.

“I have been a member of the Labour Party for over 40 years and I hope that the new Labour Party leadership will consider my reinstatement.”

Her statement follows Andy Burnham’s succession of Keir Starmer as Labour leader and appointment as prime minister.

Mr Burnham was formally appointed by King Charles III on Monday.

More than 35,000 people have now backed this campaign urging the new prime minister to reinstate Ms Abbott, who currently sits as an independent MP.

The petition, organised by Arise Festival volunteers and sponsored by Labour Assembly Against Austerity, is addressed directly to Mr Burnham.

“We stand with Diane Abbott. Reinstate her to the Labour Party now,” it states.

Ms Abbott was suspended from the party in July 2025 following a BBC interview in which she pointed out the distinction between racism rooted in visible racial difference and the prejudice experienced by Jewish, Irish and Traveller people.

It marked her second suspension over the issue.

Ms Abbott had previously apologised for similar remarks made in a letter published by The Observer in April 2023, after which the Labour whip was withdrawn, meaning she was suspended from the parliamentary Labour Party.

She was readmitted to the party shortly before the July 2024 general election and retained her Hackney North and Stoke Newington seat with a majority of more than 15,000 votes.

Ms Abbott subsequently became Mother of the House, the ceremonial title given to the female MP with the longest continuous service.

The petition reflects renewed pressure on Labour’s new leadership to restore the whip to one of the party’s longest-serving MPs.

Labour did not respond directly to Black Current News when asked whether Ms Abbott’s reinstatement would be considered under its new leadership.

Black Current News understands that the party does not comment on whipping matters, which fall under the authority of the Chief Whip.

The Government Whips' Office has been approached for comment.

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A Black man accused of assaulting two police officers has been unanimously acquitted after jurors took just eight minutes to reject the allegations against him.

NK, whose full name has not been disclosed, stood trial at the Old Bailey on two counts of assaulting an emergency worker following an incident in Hackney on 18 November 2022 involving officers from the Metropolitan Police.

Prosecutors alleged that NK deliberately punched one officer and pushed another while being detained.

But his barrister, Ife Thompson, used slow-motion body-worn video footage to show jurors that the officers’ claims were not supported by what the cameras had captured.

“This case highlights ongoing, systemic concerns regarding the excessive use of force by police against Black men,” Thompson said.

“It also shows how important it is to understand how the trauma of experiencing anti-Black racism impacts individuals on a daily and recurring basis.

“The defence firmly maintains that this matter should never have been prosecuted.”

Black people are three times more likely than white people to have force used against them by the police, according to recent Home Office data.

The five-day trial heard that, shortly before police arrived, security guards had called NK a “gangster”, pushed him, punched him in the back of the head and pinned him to the ground.

Part of the incident was captured on video, while the bouncers admitted the remaining actions, according to the defence.

NK was said to have been dazed by the blow to his head and believed he was still being attacked by the security guards when officers arrived.

The defence argued that, rather than investigating whether NK had been the victim of an assault, officers assumed he was the aggressor and used excessive force while detaining him.

Members of the public reportedly recorded the detention, with some openly criticising the officers’ use of force.

An expert psychologist told the court that the confrontation with the security guards had triggered NK’s pre-existing post-traumatic stress disorder connected to experiences of racial discrimination.

The expert concluded that the resulting trauma symptoms would have affected NK’s subsequent interaction with the police.

During the trial, Thompson successfully opposed a hearsay application concerning an officer who had withdrawn her statement.

She also raised an abuse-of-process argument and argued that there was no case to answer.

Yesterday (20 July), the jury returned the unanimous not guilty verdicts on both counts in record time.

Following the verdict, the trial judge commended Thompson in court for doing a “phenomenal job” throughout the case.

Thompson, of Nexus Chambers, was instructed by Rebecca Field of Hodge Jones & Allen Solicitors.

Black Current News has approached the Met Police for comment.

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Britain remains “both progressive and regressive” in its treatment of Black entrepreneurs, according to the founder of the UK Black Business Entrepreneurs Conference (BBEC), who has called for stronger action to tackle inequalities in finance, procurement and access to influential networks.

Dr Carlton Brown, founder and chief executive of the conference, said its fifth anniversary reflected how far conversations about Black enterprise had advanced, while exposing the work still required to turn individual success into lasting economic power.

“The fifth UK Black Business Entrepreneurs Conference is far more than an anniversary; it reflects five years of creating a space where ambition, evidence and action have reshaped the conversation around enterprise,” he told Black Current News.

“What stood out to me this year was the growing confidence, sophistication and global outlook of Global Majority entrepreneurs.

“We are seeing remarkable innovation, resilience and leadership, but we must also face a difficult truth: we still live in a society that is both progressive and regressive.”

The conference, held at NatWest’s Bishopsgate offices in London last week (8 July), brought together entrepreneurs, investors, academics and business leaders for discussions about wealth creation, innovation and the future of Black enterprise.

Hosted by broadcaster Henru Bonsu, speakers included historian and broadcaster David Olusoga, former Olympic sprinter Abi Oyepitan, financial adviser Emmanuel Asuquo, business leader Sir Sam Jonah, race official Carol Glenn, publisher Valerie Brandes, media executive Brenda Emmanus, Lord Michael Hastings and Black Current News founder Nadine White.

Dr Brown said there was now a stronger commitment to building a more equitable economy, but warned that “structural inequalities around access to capital, networks, procurement and scale remain deeply embedded”.

His assessment is supported by the newly published UK Black Business Entrepreneur Report 2026, produced by Aspire Consultancy, where Dr Brown is managing director.

Drawing on national business data, surveys and interviews with founders, the report estimates that 194,347 Black-led businesses are operating across the UK.

Just over 87% have survived beyond five years, while almost 40% have traded for more than a decade.

Black-led companies are also strongly represented in sectors considered important to Britain’s future growth.

According to the research, 36% operate in professional and business services, 19.3% in digital and technology and almost 18% in the creative industries.

More than 75% of the business owners surveyed said they expected their companies to continue growing.

But the research also found that 27.39% regarded access to finance as a significant obstacle, while 56.05% reported limited access to influential professional networks.

Speaking about the findings, Dr Brown said: “The challenge is no longer whether talent exists, it clearly does.

“The question is whether our financial systems, procurement markets and business ecosystems are enabling that talent to reach its full economic potential.

“Over the past five years, the conversation has moved from representation to economic contribution, influence and systemic change. That is real progress, but progress alone is not enough.”

The report argues that supporting Black businesses should be viewed not only as a question of equality, but as part of Britain’s wider economic growth strategy.

It calls for greater transparency in lending and investment decisions, broader access to procurement, stronger commercial networks and targeted support for businesses seeking to scale.

Dr Brown said the conference’s next phase must involve deeper co-operation between founders and the institutions with the power and resources to change the conditions in which they operate.

“The next chapter for BBEC must deepen collaboration between entrepreneurs, universities, investors, corporations and policymakers so that opportunity becomes structural, not exceptional,” he said.

“My hope is that BBEC continues to turn aspiration into sustainable economic power, helping future generations inherit an entrepreneurial ecosystem defined by equity, innovation and shared prosperity.”

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How’s it going?

This week, we lead with the promotion of Dr Faatihah Niyi-Odumosu, who is believed to be the UK’s first Black Hijabi professor in life sciences, public health and allied health professions. It’s a landmark achievement - but also a reminder of how slowly Britain’s institutions are changing.

Black professors account for just 1.13% of the UK’s professoriate (270 academics). A recent analysis suggests the sector is missing about 699 Black professors because Black academics are promoted at a lower rate than their white counterparts.

As ever, we’ve also rounded up stories that challenge, celebrate and inform, from renewed calls for Windrush justice and Notting Hill Carnival updates to community-led health initiatives and the return of one particularly tired caricature from a hard-back man who should’ve grown up by now (cough Ali G).

Keep scrolling for more and remember to pre-order your copy of our very first print magazine - coming soon.

One love!

Faatihah Niyi-Odumosu promoted to professor at University of the West of England

Dr Faatihah Niyi-Odumosu has been promoted to Professor of Physical Activity, Ageing, and Community Health at the University of the West of England. A medical doctor and expert in healthy ageing, she founded the Ageing Lifestyle in Blacks and Asians (ALIBSA) initiative.

Over 100 lawyers and campaigners demand urgent Windrush compensation overhaul as scandal nears 10-year mark

With the 10th anniversary of the Windrush scandal approaching, over 100 lawyers and campaigners have urged the government to deliver long-promised justice through sweeping reforms to the compensation scheme. Their proposals include an independent statutory inquiry, funded legal representation, citizenship reform and faster compensation payments.

MPs urge Government to confront racism in homelessness system

A cross-party committee of MPs has urged the Government to explicitly address racism and racial inequality in its strategy to end homelessness. The report calls for better ethnicity data, stronger action against discrimination and greater accountability, warning that Black people continue to face disproportionately worse outcomes across the housing system. Campaigners have raised concerns for years, but meaningful reforms have yet to follow.

Black Joy Bulletin

• Two dozen trailblazers named on HSBC UK x UK Black Business Show’s ‘Top 25 Black Entrepreneurs to Watch in 2026’

• Notting Hill Carnival announces official app and 60th anniversary merchandise

• Black-led groups can apply for £15,000 maternal health grants

• Black-owned UK hair brand Ruka lands Sephora US launch

• Meet the NHS clinician delivering hospital-level care in patients’ homes

• Poet John Agard has claimed a record-breaking third win at a renowned literary award

• ‘It’s never too late’: 64-year-old graduates as registered nurse

  after career switch

Campaign secures return of Black history billboards for Carnival

Two new Black history billboards honouring pioneers Claudia Jones and Rhaune Laslett are coming to this year's Notting Hill Carnival. This comes courtesy of a community crowdfunding campaign by award-winning cultural theorist Kayne Kawasaki, which surpassed its fundraising target.

East London pop-up puts Black women's breast health in focus

The Girls' Bathroom is an immersive pop-up health awareness event taking place at UNLOCKED Shoreditch tomorrow (Saturday 18 July). Created by Touchy Feely in partnership with the NHS, it transforms the familiar, judgement-free setting of a women's bathroom into a space for open conversations about breast health, with a particular focus on encouraging Black and Brown women to prioritise screening and early detection. Free tickets can be obtained here.

What else we’re reading

• June Sarpong, Barbara Mills KC and Alison Lowe among 26 new peers to enter the Lords

• Black women less likely to attend breast screening due to systemic and cultural barriers, study finds

• Caribbean reparations body urges UK to return British Virgin Islands

• Black doctors in England four times less likely to get training places than white counterparts

• The UK’s first fibroid summit spotlights a condition that disproportionately affects Black women

• Bob Marley statue returns to Liverpool after conservation break

• ‘If you have been listening to Suella Braverman and think Britain has gone bonkers, let me explain’ | Nels Abbey

• ‘Sacha Baron Cohen’s midlife Ali G comeback is pathetic’ and a forensic analysis of his racist caricature

• First picture of Sikh mum, 24, stabbed to death in what parents fear was ‘racist attack’

• Chef Dom Taylor dies as heartfelt tributes pour in for The Good Front Room founder

• Queen Elizabeth II replaced by Caribbean heroes on new Eastern Caribbean banknotes

• Disney’s new ‘Captain Durag’ cartoon character ignites backlash from Black folks

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When a 94-year-old woman in Kent became seriously unwell, her family expected an ambulance journey and a long wait in A&E.

Instead, the patient received hospital-level treatment in her own living room.

Advanced Clinical Practitioner Violet Chikomba was among the clinicians who responded after the woman was referred to Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust’s Hospital at Home Frailty Team.

Assessing her for acute kidney injury, dehydration and a chest infection, Chikomba began treatment with intravenous fluids and antibiotics at home. By the following day, the patient was already recovering.

“The family were really impressed,” Violet said.

“If she had gone to hospital, she might have had to wait several hours to be seen and could have deteriorated further. We were able to respond quickly and provide the care she needed in the right place.”

Her story has been highlighted by NHS England as part of its 78th anniversary celebrations, recognising staff helping to deliver care in new ways while easing pressure on hospitals.

For Violet, treating patients at home is about far more than convenience.

“It is so much better for people to be treated at home,” she said.

“Going to hospital can be stressful and cause anxiety, whereas at home people are more comfortable and recover quicker.

“We can also talk with patients and families about ongoing care and, where appropriate, discuss end of life plans and what patients would and would not want.”

She added: “Helping people stay in their own homes gives me real satisfaction. I am very proud of the work I do.”

The anniversary also shines a light on the indispensable contribution of Black NHS staff.

According to the latest NHS workforce data, around 97,106 Black employees work across the health service, accounting for approximately 7.4 per cent of its workforce.

Staff from all Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds collectively make up around 28.6 per cent of NHS employees.

For decades, Black nurses, doctors, healthcare assistants, porters, cleaners, administrators and allied health professionals have helped sustain the NHS, from the Windrush generation who answered Britain’s post-war call for workers to today’s diverse workforce serving communities across the country.

As the health service enters its 79th year, stories such as Violet’s underscore the skill, compassion and commitment that continue to define the NHS - and the vital role Black healthcare professionals play in keeping it running every day.

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Award-winning chef Dom Taylor, renowned for championing Caribbean cuisine through his acclaimed restaurant The Good Front Room, has died.

Described as “devastated”, Dom’s family are mourning his passing as heartfelt tributes continue to pour in from friends, creatives, media professionals, hospitality figures and across Black communities.

News of his death began to emerge late on Sunday evening.

Among those paying tribute are comedian Judi Love, TV personality Paul Carrick Brunson, presenter Angellica Bell, artist Yvadney Davis, Labour MP Florence Eshalomi, broadcaster Andi Oliver, journalist and filmmaker Afua Hirsch and PR consultant Ronke Lawal.

In a statement, The Good Front Room said: “We are deeply saddened to share the news of the sudden passing of our founder, Chef Dom Taylor.

“Dom was a visionary whose bold, joyful approach to celebrating the Caribbean cuisine of his childhood brought a fresh and exciting voice to London’s restaurant scene.

“His passion, talent and generosity touched so many people, and his legacy will continue to inspire those who had the privilege of knowing him and experiencing his food.

“He will be deeply missed, and our thoughts are with his family, friends and everyone whose lives he touched during this incredibly difficult time. We kindly ask that everyone respects the privacy of Dom’s loved ones at this time.”

Chef and writer Melissa Thompson described Dom as “a beautiful human and an incredible chef” who “told stories through his food with humour and warmth”.

She added: “When the first Caribbean restaurant gets a Michelin star, Dom will have played a massive part in it.

“Even the fact that’s a possibility now - unthinkable even 10 years ago - has a lot to do with Dom and what he proved could happen when island food gets the platform it deserves.”

Journalist and filmmaker Afua Hirsch wrote: “I am so heartbroken to hear this. He was such light.”

PR consultant Ronke Lawal said: “There’s something sacred about being invited to break bread at one’s table.

“Something special about a desire so compelling to feed us and nourish us. He did that with much enthusiasm and we responded with collective joy.

“May he rest in peace and may his family find comfort.”

The London-born chef, whose full name was Dominic, was of Jamaican and Saint Lucian heritage and rose to national prominence after winning Channel 4’s Five Star Kitchen: Britain’s Next Great Chef.

His prize saw him launch The Good Front Room at The Langham in London, where he introduced his distinctive take on Caribbean fine dining to one of the capital’s most prestigious hotels.

Long before his television success, many south Londoners knew Dom through his residency at Fourteen87 in Catford, where he built a loyal following and refined many of the dishes that would later become synonymous with his cooking.

Reflecting on that chapter of his career in 2023, Dom said he had gained “a lot of knowledge” during his time there and “fine-tuned a lot of my Caribbean dishes”.

Throughout his career, Dom championed Caribbean cuisine at the highest levels of British hospitality, drawing on his Jamaican and Saint Lucian heritage to tell stories through food.

His work earned widespread acclaim for showcasing Caribbean flavours while remaining rooted in heritage, family and tradition.

This story is developing.

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We’re back. As regular readers will know, there was no newsletter last week while we spent some time in Florida.

So, naturally, we’ve returned to an overflowing news agenda and a bit of a bumper edition for you.

Grab something cold, find some shade and let’s get into it. This heatwave is not playing!

Also: don’t forget to pre-order your copy of our inaugural print magazine ⬇️.

One love! x

Judi Love launches £9,000 university fund for single parents, carers and low-income students

Comedian and broadcaster Judi Love has launched a new fund offering three University of East London students £3,000 each, alongside mentoring and support.

The award will help students facing financial pressures or caring responsibilities, including single parents and carers.

UK judge rules use of term ‘coloured’ did not amount to racial harassment, even if offensive

A tribunal has ruled that a colleague’s use of the term “coloured” did not amount to racial harassment, despite accepting the language was race-related and caused upset.

Amy Reeves, who is of British and Jamaican heritage, said the ruling left her “baffled” and feeling failed by the judicial system.

MOBO Awards founder Kanya King remembered as loved ones gather for intimate funeral service

Family, friends and close colleagues gathered this week to say a final goodbye to MOBO founder Kanya King, who died on 3 June, Black Current News understands.

The intimate service remembered a trailblazer whose impact on British music and culture cannot be overstated.

Barbados PM Mia Mottley blasts former UK Home Secretary’s ‘asinine’ claim former colonies should repay Britain

Barbados PM Mia Mottley has branded Suella Braverman’s suggestion that formerly enslaved colonies should repay Britain for its historic “investment” as “asinine”.

“We are not asking for charity. We are asking to be able to ensure that justice can be done,” she added. Mottley also warned that “the Caribbean should not be used as a prop” by British parliamentarians seeking to distract from UK domestic politics.

Black Joy Bulletin

• Rapper Giggs is helping to launch a specialist school for neurodivergent children in Kent

• Mum, Natasha Adams, creates cartoon inspired by disabled daughter after lack of representation on children’s TV

• Stephen Lue, family law specialist, shortlisted for Barrister of the Year at Resolution Awards 2026

• Patrice Lawrence appointed as UK’s new Children’s Laureate

• Lady Phyll named No.1 on 2026 Pride Power List

• Maxi Priest’s ‘Close to You’ earns UK Silver certification 36 years after topping US chart

What else we’re reading

• Father-of-two, 38, died hours after hair transplant procedure in Turkey, coroner told

• Painful periods linked to depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts in women with sickle cell disease

• Doreen Lawrence loses privacy case against Daily Mail publisher

• Teenager, 19, drowned after being pulled under by ‘harsh’ waterfall current in Wales, inquest hears

• ‘My mum collapsed with a brain bleed after being sent home with paracetamol’

• Grandmother arrested over £1m cocaine hidden in plantain peels on London-bound flight

• Man arrested in South Africa over alleged murders of wife and two daughters in Bedford

• Umar Dumbuya: Tributes to ‘kind and generous’ student who died during Duke of Edinburgh trip

• Jamaican father who has lived in UK for 26 years detained and facing deportation

• Black British Theatre Awards cancelled for 2026 after company ordered to close by High Court

• Broadcaster Eddie Nestor to take break from BBC Radio London for cancer treatment

• George E. Johnson, pioneering US Black haircare entrepreneur and creator of Afro Sheen, dies

• Award-winning actress Sharon D Clarke will make history by playing the Royal Shakespeare Company’s first Black lesbian Othello

A quick note from Nadine

It's been a busy but brilliant week since returning from holiday.

On Wednesday, I pulled up to the Natwest Conference Centre and joined the Young, Gifted and Black panel at the UK Black Business Entrepreneurs Conference. There, I spoke about building Black Current News, my film Barrel Children and the journey behind creating independent, community-rooted work.

On Thursday, I was invited to sat down in Brixton, my home district, with national treasure Candice Carty-Williams for a brilliant, full-house conversation marking the release of Queenie Is Working on It.

Huge thanks to everyone who came, Candice, Fane and Brixton House. Get the book if you haven’t already!

Two very different conversations - but both left me with plenty to think about.

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The families of Naomi Hunte and Fiona Holm will join campaigners at a public meeting this weekend, as they continue their fight for justice and accountability over alleged police failures to protect both women from the same violent partner.

Naomi, 41, and Fiona, 48, were both of African-Caribbean heritage, with mental health conditions that made them particularly vulnerable.

Both were murdered by Carl Cooper, 66, a “serial domestic abuser” whose history of violence against multiple victims was known to the police.

Evidence suggests Naomi contacted the Metropolitan Police seven times to report Cooper before she was killed.

Fiona later reported Cooper for a serious assault while he was under investigation for Naomi’s murder. However, the case was closed.

She was subsequently killed while Cooper was on bail for Naomi’s murder.

Cooper was convicted of both murders in 2024 and sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 35 years. Fiona’s body has never been found.

A Met Police spokesperson told Black Current News: “We have never stopped looking for Fiona’s body.

“We continue to have regular contact with her family via their dedicated family liaison officer and will update them with any developments in our ongoing investigation to find her.”

The families say delays by the Met Police in searching for Fiona gave Cooper the opportunity to dispose of key evidence.

Savannah Holm-Aderemi, Fiona’s daughter, said: “We want to find mum’s body and lay her to rest. We need the future to be better than it has been for our girls and boys.

“I feel angry and hurt. (…) Vulnerable people like mum and Naomi should be entitled to more support.”

Ten Met Police officers are currently under investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct in connection with alleged failures before and after the women’s deaths.

The Double Injustice campaign has been launched alongside Project Resist, with the families calling for changes to how victims of domestic abuse are protected, as well as accountability for what they describe as preventable murders.

The campaign is calling on police to renew the search for Fiona’s body and keep her family regularly updated, while urging witnesses with information to come forward.

It also seeks thorough investigations into alleged police misconduct and discrimination, alongside wider reform of domestic abuse policing, stronger protections for disabled and minoritised women and meaningful disciplinary action where police failures are identified.

“The police cannot be trusted to do what they are supposed to do. It’s a big let-down. It took a year for him to go and kill another lady. If they had done their job, he would not have been in a position to kill for a second time. It’s hard to understand why,” Basil Hunte, Naomi’s father, said.

Sophie Naftalin, a solicitor at Bhatt Murphy who represents both families, said Naomi and Fiona had been failed “in both life and death”.

“The Met knew of the risk Cooper posed to them, but neither woman was protected,” she said.

“Their murders were preventable and the failures in the investigations should have never happened.

“The families have now come together in their grief to launch a campaign to ensure that Naomi and Fiona’s voices are heard, to try and change how victims of domestic abuse are protected and to build support in their pursuit of justice and accountability.”

A public meeting will take place at Livesey Memorial Hall in Lewisham, south London, on Sunday 12 July, from 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm.

Speakers will include Fiona’s daughter Savannah Holm-Aderemi, Naomi’s father Basil Hunte, Sophie Naftalin and Suresh Grover, founder of The Monitoring Group.

Responding to Black Current News, a Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “Our thoughts remain with the families of Naomi Hunte and Fiona Holm.

“We have acknowledged there were serious failings in our handling of allegations against Carl Cooper, for which we are extremely sorry.

“Detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command continue to appeal for information that could help us find Fiona. Evex32sAry piece of information received will be reviewed and acted upon, and Fiona’s family will be kept updated on any developments.”

The force said it had introduced several measures intended to strengthen its response to domestic abuse, including additional specialist officers, further training and a London-wide perpetrator programme.

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The Black British Theatre Awards will not take place in 2026, organisers have announced.

The annual ceremony, which had been due to return this October, has become a significant fixture in the cultural calendar, recognising Black performers, creatives and productions across the UK theatre industry.

In a statement addressed to its community, the Black British Theatre Awards team said it had made the “difficult decision” not to hold this year’s event due to “unforeseen circumstances”.

“We know this will be disappointing news for our supporters, partners and the wider theatre community, and it was not a decision we took lightly,” the statement said.

The Black British Theatre Awards were established in 2019 by Solange Urdang and Omar F. Okai.

Its inaugural ceremony was held at Old Finsbury Town Hall in London that October, coinciding with Black History Month.

Over the years, the awards have celebrated Black British theatre-makers on and off stage, recognising productions and performances across the industry.

Past winners include Beverley Knight for Marie and Rosetta at the Rose Theatre; The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre; Karis Anderson for TINA - The Tina Turner Musical at the Aldwych Theatre; and Elèna Gyasi for Mean Girls at the Savoy Theatre.

Organisers said the BBTAs had always been “more than a one-day event”, pointing to the community that has developed around its work over the past decade.

“For the past decade, the BBTA has celebrated and championed the outstanding talent, creativity and achievements of Black British theatre,” the team said.

“We remain incredibly proud of everything the awards have achieved and of the community that has grown around them.”

While there will be no ceremony this year, organisers said their commitment to recognising Black British theatre remained unchanged.

They added that they would use the pause to consider how best to build on the awards’ legacy in the years ahead, with further updates expected in the coming months.

The cancellation will be felt across a sector in which the awards have provided a dedicated platform for Black theatre talent, achievement and contribution.

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Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy hosted Caribbean elders, campaigners and community figures at No 10 this week, marking 78 years since HMT Empire Windrush arrived in Britain.

The reception brought together people from across the Windrush generation and its descendants, with a steel band performing during the gathering.

Guests also included Windrush Commissioner, Reverend Clive Foster alongside Levi Roots, Floella Benjamin, Mica Paris, Patrick Vernon and Rudolph Walker.

Mr Lammy reflected on his parents’ migration from Guyana to Britain after the Second World War and acknowledged what the government described as Windrush’s “complex legacy”: the immense contribution of the generation and their descendants, alongside the injustices many have endured.

“I am honoured to host this fantastic celebration of the Windrush generation here at Downing Street,” he said.

“From Tube drivers to Three Lions strikers, the contributions made to modern Britain by this brilliant community and their descendants are too numerous to count.”

Reverend Foster also addressed attendees.

Mr Lammy, who also serves as Justice Secretary and MP for Tottenham, referenced the government’s £500,000 Windrush commemorations fund, backing projects in Nottingham, Bristol, Leicester and beyond.

Ros Griffiths, founder of the Big Caribbean Lunch, attended the event and said standing “in the heart of government” to mark Windrush Day was a powerful reminder that the generation’s legacy belongs “at the very centre of our national story”.

Call for compensation

The event came as the Windrush Justice Community Collective’s petition, Honour Promises Made to Windrush Generations, surpassed 44,000 signatures.

The collective includes Action for Race Equality, Runnymede, Windrush Lives, Windrush Justice Clinic and Black Lives Matter UK.

It is calling for free independent legal support for Windrush victims and affected family members, a new independent Windrush Redress Authority established in law, and a public inquiry into the scandal and its continuing impact.

Campaigners argue that public recognition must be matched by meaningful action for those still living with the consequences of the scandal.

The petition cites a National Audit Office finding that one in three concluded claims had resulted in a payout and says more than half of claimants have been refused compensation.

By stark contrast, 81% of eligible claims to the Post Office Horizon Shortfall Scheme received a payout.

A June 2025 report by JUSTICE, an independent legal reform charity, found that claimants without legal advice received average offers of £11,400, compared with £83,200 for those with representation, an eight-fold difference.

“Survivors have got a Windrush Day, a Memorial and even a London Overground name, but they are still being denied actual justice,” the campaigners said.

Their demands will be taken to the House of Commons on 8 July at a rally, supported by Labour MPs Fleur Anderson and Imran Hussain.

The hybrid event, running from 5 pm to 8 pm, will hear from the Windrush Justice Community Collective and Action for Race Equality, among others.

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Dennis Brown, Janet Kay, General Levy and Aswad are among the music pioneers honoured with permanent plaques as Harlesden launches its own reggae answer to the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The Harlesden Walk of Music celebration took place on Wednesday 1 July, International Reggae Day, at the CAVA Centre of Excellence, formerly known as the Picture Palace, in north-west London.

Hosted by broadcaster Daddy Ernie and actor Judith Jacob, the event brought together musicians, relatives, industry figures and members of the local community for the initiative’s public launch.

Brent Mayor Amer Agha and representatives of the honourees were among those addressing attendees.

The plaques recognise 12 artists, groups, labels and music pioneers whose work helped shape reggae in Britain:

• Artists: Dennis Brown, General Levy, Janet Kay and Delroy Washington

• Bands and groups: Aswad, The Cimarons and Ruff Cutt UK

• Labels and studios: Trojan Records, Jet Star, Starlight Records and Hawkeye Records

• Music pioneer: Sonny Roberts, the Jamaican-born trailblazer behind Planetone, widely regarded as Britain’s first Black-owned recording studio, and Harlesden’s famed Orbitone Records

The honourees were selected through a two-part process combining industry recognition, achievement and community input.

Some were chosen following an assessment of their contribution to reggae and Black British music, while others were selected through a public survey hosted on Brent Council’s website between 21 July and 14 September 2025.

The ceremony was particularly poignant following the death of Starlight Records co-founder Cleveland ‘Popsy’ Deer on 27 May.

A well-respected figure in the reggae community, Mr Deer helped build Starlight Records into one of Harlesden’s most influential record shops and labels.

In a tribute shared ahead of the official launch, Cleon Roberts, director and co-founder of the Harlesden Bassline Project, which produced the Harlesden Walk of Music, said she had spoken with Mr Deer shortly before the original Starlight Records commemorative paving stone was laid.

Cleon, who’s also the daughter of Sonny Roberts, said Mr Deer had been “so thankful and very pleased” to know that his life and immense contribution to music would be recognised.

Though too unwell to attend a private unveiling of the plaques in March, he had hoped members of his family could be present in his place.

Cleon wrote that, while discussing the honour, Mr Deer sounded “bright, happy, and truly uplifted” during their conversation, adding: “Popsy left us knowing he was honoured. He left us happy, grateful and proud.”

Relatives of music legends Dennis Brown and Alton Ellis were among those in attendance at the ceremony, with Brown’s widow, Yvonne, delivering remarks.

Multi-award-winning actor and rapper Kano supported the occasion by sponsoring his Duppy White rum.

Coral J Reid, head of publicity and marketing for the Harlesden Walk of Music Project, said: “The Harlesden Walk of Music, like the Hollywood Walk of Fame, will link famous reggae musicians/producers to the previous and existing vinyl record shops and the proposed Reggae Museum in Picture Palace to be a physical footnote of public art and recognition.”

The cultural heritage project, backed by Brent Council and funded through the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, recognises Harlesden as the UK’s reggae music capital.

From the record shops that supplied generations of selectors to the artists, bands and entrepreneurs who carried Jamaican music across Britain and around the world, Harlesden’s legacy is woven into the fabric of Black British music.

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Mourners gathered today to pay tribute to three sisters who died at sea off Brighton during an emotional funeral service filled with prayers and heartfelt tributes from loved ones.

Jane Adetoro, 36, Christina Walters, 32 and Rebecca Walters, 31, who were born in Luton and were living together in west London, lost their lives after entering the sea near Brighton's Black Rock beach on 13 May.

Police have said there is currently no evidence of third-party involvement and an inquest has been adjourned while investigations continue into the cause of their deaths.

During the funeral service, watched by Black Current News, a pastor explained that the sisters' father, Joseph Jacobson, felt unable to take to the stage to read his own tribute. Instead, he said their cousin, who was introduced as Lejane, would read it on his behalf.

Another cousin, Natalie Walters-Daniel, described the difficult task of putting into words the loss of “three extraordinary women”.

“There are moments in life when words seem inadequate and this is one of them,” she said.

“How do we truly capture the love, the memories and the impact of three beautiful lives taken too soon?

“Yet we come together today not only to mourn their loss, but to honour the remarkable women they were and the legacies they have left behind.”

She remembered the eldest sister Jane as a “natural protector” whose warmth and leadership shaped the family.

“Jane had a smile that could brighten any room and a presence that brought comfort wherever she went. As the eldest sister, she naturally became a protector... offering guidance, love and support.”

Natalie said Jane’s determination led her to become a senior accountant, where she excelled through “hard work, intelligence and perseverance”, inspiring those around her, including her younger sisters.

She described Christina as fiercely determined, recalling how she followed in her older sister’s footsteps.

After graduating from university in 2024, Christina became a junior accountant, sharing Jane’s love of mathematics and numeracy, according to Natalie.

Her achievements reflected not only her intelligence but her dedication to making her family proud, Natalie explained.

Rebecca, the youngest sister, was remembered for her compassion and gentle nature.

“From the very beginning, Rebecca possessed a gentle spirit,” Natalie said.

“She had the kindest heart, a joyful nature and a warmth that drew people to her.”

Rebecca worked as a HR administrator, a role her cousin said perfectly suited her caring personality.

She also spoke of Rebecca’s especially close relationship with her late mother, Janice, saying she carried her mother’s “kindness, strength and nurturing spirit” throughout her life.

Reflecting on the sisters’ relationship, Natalie said they had spent more than three decades lifting one another up.

“They encouraged, they loved each other, they supported each other through life’s joys and challenges.

“Together they accomplished so much. They pursued their education, they built careers, they created lives that reflected the values their parents instilled in them.”

She also spoke movingly about the profound impact of losing the sisters’ mother, Janice, 16 years ago.

“The bond they shared with her was deep, nurturing and irreplaceable. Yet, despite the pain, Jane, Christina and Rebecca continued to move forward with courage and determination.”

News reports relating to the disappearance of a woman named Janice Adetoro, understood to be the sisters’ mother, were published in 2012. Her death by drowning was later confirmed.

Natalie added: “Even as they grew into accomplished women with careers, responsibilities and had their own lives, they never ceased to be their father’s beloved daughters.

“Their love, respect and admiration for him, it was constant, and the memories they created together will forever remain a treasured part of their family’s story.”

The sisters’ deaths have prompted widespread public discussion, particularly within Black communities, amid broader conversations about several cases in recent years involving Black women whose bodies have been recovered from water.

Many of those cases were not treated as suspicious by police.

The sisters’ family have previously appealed for an end to “conspiracy theories” and online speculation as they continue to mourn their loss.

At a preliminary inquest last month, Senior Coroner Penelope Schofield said she hoped the proceedings would "stop the social media speculation" surrounding the sisters' deaths.

Police have said there is no evidence of third-party involvement and that extensive enquiries, including reviews of hundreds of hours of CCTV footage and witness interviews, are ongoing.

The inquest is due to resume in October.

If this story has affected you, support is available. Those experiencing grief or emotional distress can contact Cruse Bereavement Support on 0808 808 1677 or visit cruse.org.uk. Black people seeking culturally informed mental health support can access this through the Black, African and Asian Therapy Network (BAATN) at baatn.org.uk. If you are struggling to cope or having thoughts of suicide, you can contact Samaritans free, day or night, on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org.

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Greetings from overseas!

We’re sending this week’s round-up from outside of Britain, where we’ve traded the newsroom for a few days of rest after an incredibly busy first half of 2026. There won’t be a newsletter next week while we’re away, but we’ll be back in your inbox the following week.

It’s been an extraordinary few days, hasn’t it?

Back home, Europe has been sweltering through a heatwave with highs of over 35 degrees and it’s not a good thing, to be honest. This isn’t a case of benign sunshine, nicer days and an excuse to get your legs out 😭. The world is literally burning because of the climate crisis, meaning people in hundreds of cities are experiencing their worst-ever heat stress.

That wasn’t the only thing making headlines this week, though. Monday began with a political bombshell as Sir Keir Starmer resigned as Prime Minister of the UK, prompting mixed reactions across the country.

Within Black communities, some welcomed the news, others worry about what comes next, while many remain unconvinced that any change at Westminster will materially improve their lives.

Monday also marked Windrush Day, a national celebration of the arrival of HMT Empire Windrush and the lasting contributions of Caribbean communities to Britain. Some argued there is little to celebrate while members of the Windrush Generation continue to wait for justice and fair compensation.

We understand that frustration - but we also believe commemoration and campaigning are not mutually exclusive.

For many Black Britons, particularly those of Caribbean heritage, it is entirely possible to honour the courage and sacrifice of a generation while continuing to demand accountability for the injustices they and their descendants endured.

As ever, we’ve rounded up the biggest stories shaping Black Britain this week, alongside a few moments of Black joy.

Enjoy the read and we’ll see you again in a fortnight.

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Outrage as mummified human head listed for auction in Belfast

A mummified human head has been listed for sale at a Belfast auction house, prompting calls for the Government to outlaw the trade in human remains. Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy described the listing as "macabre" and urged the auction house to remove it.

Buy Back Brixton campaign submits bid to bring historic market into community ownership

Campaigners say they have submitted a "competitive bid" to buy Brixton Village and Market Row after raising more than £550,000 and rallying widespread public support. They hope to bring the historic markets into community ownership amid interest from international investors.

Marianne Kilonzi: Boyfriend of Citibank executive extradited to UK over London killing

The boyfriend of Citibank executive Marianne Kilonzi has been extradited to the UK after a 16-month international manhunt. The 43-year-old was found beaten to death at her home in Woolwich in January 2025.

Black Joy Bulletin

• Flake Bake, a Black-owned Jamaican patty company, named one of the UK’s fastest-growing businesses

• 'Life two': Young man functionally cured of sickle cell disease after gene therapy

• ‘I write because it’s vital’: Celebrated author Yusef Bushara wins inaugural UK literary prize

• Black British Initiative launches ‘Unlock Britain’ campaign at House of Commons to boost Black-owned businesses by £20bn

• Twins marry twins in joyous Nigerian joint wedding

• West Midlands GP set to bring gynaecology-themed obstacle course to London

What else we’re reading

• Elderly Caribbean community centre trustee, aged 79, slept inside building to stop council eviction

• Steve Lewis: Black Reform UK councillor quits party weeks after election victory

• 'More than a meal': The mission behind Brixton’s Big Caribbean Lunch

• ‘Bold, truth-telling’: learning from the rich histories of pan-African journalism

• Jason Pitter KC: Meet the Black barrister behind one of Britain's most extraordinary murder prosecutions

• Leading campaigner urges minister to make Ethnicity Pay Gap reporting mandatory

• Windrush ship anchor to be raised for national Black British memorial

• Clive Davis dies aged 94: A towering but controversial figure in Black music

• Caribbean leaders unveil new reparations manifesto, led by Barbados PM Mia Mottley

• Parents jailed after preventable death of seriously ill son in Birmingham

Professor Christopher Balogun-Lynch, pioneering surgeon who developed life-saving maternity technique in the UK, dies aged 81

Professor Christopher Balogun-Lynch, the pioneering surgeon whose life-saving maternity technique went on to help women around the world, has died aged 81.

Developed at Milton Keynes Hospital in 1997, the B-Lynch Brace Suture transformed the treatment of severe postpartum haemorrhage, helping save lives while preserving fertility. He was one of the founding consultants at the hospital, where he helped build the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology for over 20 years.

Professor Balogun-Lynch later returned to Sierra Leone to teach and mentor the next generation of doctors.

Paying tribute, his son Josh said: “His legacy lives on in the doctors he mentored, the women whose lives he helped save, the family he loved, and the countless people worldwide who continue to benefit from his work.”

His is a remarkable legacy of innovation, compassion and service.

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Just days after Windrush Day celebrations were held across the country, Brixton is preparing to host the fourth annual Big Caribbean Lunch, which founder Ros Griffiths says remains as important as ever.

Created to celebrate Caribbean culture, strengthen community ties and honour the Windrush Generation, the gathering has become a fixture in Brixton’s cultural calendar, bringing together elders, families, community organisations and younger generations for a day of food, conversation and celebration.

“The Big Caribbean Lunch was created to celebrate Caribbean culture, strengthen community connections and honour the legacy of the Windrush Generation,” Ros told Black Current News.

“While the event has grown significantly over the past four years, the most important part of the day remains the same, bringing our Windrush elders together for a complimentary Caribbean meal as a gesture of gratitude, recognition and respect.

“They are the foundation upon which so much of our community has been built and it is a privilege to celebrate them.

“This year, we also pause to remember those who joined us in previous years and are no longer with us. Their lives and their legacy remain part of who we are.”

This year’s event will take place across Windrush Square and St Matthew’s Church Gardens, with a programme of live music, cultural performances, guest speakers, arts activities, community stalls, plus more.

Among those expected to attend are the Mayor of Lambeth, Councillor Paul Valentine, Helen Hayes MP, Minister for Migration and Citizenship Mike Tapp and Windrush Commissioner Reverend Clive Foster, alongside a range of performers, community organisations and cultural contributors.

At the heart of the day remains the complimentary Caribbean lunch provided to Windrush elders aged 75 and over, recognising a generation whose resilience, sacrifice and determination helped shape modern Britain.

A special remembrance segment will also honour Windrush elders and community members who attended previous Big Caribbean Lunch celebrations but have since passed away, giving attendees an opportunity to reflect on their lives and lasting contribution to the community.

Born in Lambeth and raised in Brixton, Ros has spent much of her life championing the community that helped shape her.

“Brixton is where my values were shaped and where my commitment to community began,” she said.

Growing up, Brixton Market sat at the centre of everyday life. Caribbean food shops, record shops, churches, youth clubs and Saturday schools helped create a strong sense of identity and belonging for generations of Black Britons.

Those experiences continue to influence her work today.

Now chair of Friends of Windrush Square, Ros has become one of Brixton’s most prominent advocates for preserving Windrush history and ensuring Caribbean stories remain visible within public life.

For her, the Big Caribbean Lunch is not simply about celebrating the past. It is about creating opportunities for different generations to connect in the present.

A key aim of the event is to encourage younger people to engage with the stories, experiences and legacy of the Windrush Generation.

At a time when many communities are grappling with social isolation and fragmentation, Ros believes those connections matter more than ever.

Many of the elders attending this year’s event carry extraordinary lived experience, from migration and community-building to the struggles and triumphs that helped shape modern Britain.

By bringing younger and older generations together around the same table, Ros hopes those experiences can be shared, understood and carried forward.

Safeguarding the legacy of the Windrush Generation is both a responsibility and a necessity, Ros explained.

She believes their experiences are not simply part of Caribbean history, but fundamental to understanding modern Britain.

“These stories must be passed on,” she said. “Without them, we lose identity, context and understanding of how this community was built.”

The message feels particularly resonant as Brixton continues to evolve. While much has changed since Ros’s childhood, she believes the area’s character, creativity and sense of belonging remain worth protecting.

Her comments come amid ongoing debate about the future of Brixton Village and Market Row, where traders have voiced concerns over potential private equity ownership, rising rents and the future of independent businesses that have long helped define the area.

For Ros, the challenge is ensuring that Brixton’s cultural identity is sustained rather than displaced.

Despite those concerns, she remains optimistic about the future, describing Brixton as a place that continues to nurture artists, activists and community leaders, drawing strength from its diversity, resilience and rich heritage.

And that, ultimately, is what the Big Caribbean Lunch seeks to celebrate: not simply the past, but the connections that carry communities forward.

“We want to ensure that the stories, sacrifices and achievements of those who came before continue to inspire the generations that follow,” Ros added.

The Big Caribbean Lunch takes place in Brixton on 28 June 2026 from 12 pm to 7 pm.

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The original anchor of the HMT Empire Windrush could soon be brought back to Britain as part of an ambitious project to create a permanent national memorial honouring the Windrush Generation.

The Windrush Anchor Memorial Foundation unveiled plans ahead of Windrush Day to recover the anchor from the Mediterranean seabed, where the ship sank following a fire in 1954.

Among those supporting the initiative is Black Current News founder, journalist and filmmaker Nadine White, who serves on the charity’s board.

"For many families, including my own, Windrush isn't simply history - it's written into who we are," Ms White said.

"The courage it took to make that journey, to leave everything behind in search of a better life, has shaped how we see the world.

“That's what makes this project so important. It's not just about recovering an anchor from the sea, it's about making sure those stories are never forgotten."

Organisers hope the recovered anchor will become the centrepiece of a major public memorial, alongside a programme of education, community engagement and cultural storytelling designed to preserve the legacy of Caribbean migration for future generations.

The foundation is chaired by Sir Patrick Vernon OBE and includes Reverend Michael King, son of Windrush pioneer Sam King MBE, former Board of Deputies president Marie van der Zyl OBE and marine scientist David Mearns, who is advising on the recovery operation.

Sir Patrick said the project was about preserving an important part of British history for future generations.

“The anchor represents far more than a maritime artefact. It symbolises courage, hope, resilience and the contribution of the Windrush Generation to modern Britain.

“Through this memorial and education programme, we want future generations to better understand the legacy of Windrush and the communities that helped shape contemporary British society.”

The Empire Windrush occupies a unique place in British history.

Its arrival at Tilbury Docks in June 1948, carrying more than 1,000 passengers from the Caribbean, has come to symbolise a generation whose labour, sacrifice and resilience helped rebuild post-war Britain.

But the ship also carries a more complex history.

Before becoming the Empire Windrush, it was known as the Monte Rosa and was used by the Nazi regime during the Second World War, including in the deportation of Norwegian Jews who were later sent to Auschwitz.

Marie van der Zyl OBE, vice chair of the Windrush Anchor Memorial Foundation and former president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said: “The story of Windrush is a remarkable one to understand the cultural make-up of the UK, and we also need to understand the story of the ship pre-Windrush.

“This campaign aims to remember everyone involved in the ship’s history.”

The foundation hopes to raise around £2 million to fund the recovery operation, conservation work, installation of the memorial and a nationwide programme of educational activities.

Plans also include the creation of a replica anchor for travelling exhibitions, community events and school outreach projects.

Public consultation on the memorial’s final location and design is expected to take place in partnership with the Windrush 100 Network.

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Welcome back to your weekly round-up from Black Current News!

As we approach Windrush Day on Monday, marking the 78th anniversary of the arrival of the HMT Empire Windrush, we'd like to take this opportunity to big up Caribbean communities far and wide, whose magic has enriched Britain and the wider world in countless ways.

We’re actually writing to you from Derby, where we spent time with incredible folks at The Hadhari Project - a vital local hub - for a special Windrush Day celebration last night.

Yesterday was also World Sickle Cell Day, an opportunity to recognise the millions of people worldwide living with sickle cell disease and to reflect on the barriers many still face when seeking healthcare.

A special welcome to our new subscribers. Since launching in October, Black Current News has welcomed new readers every single day without fail and is now the UK’s fastest-growing Black publication. Thank you for your continued support! It genuinely means the world.

And don’t forget: pre-orders for the inaugural Black Current News print magazine, out soon, are now open. Please secure your copy here and spread the word!

As always, we’ve rounded up some of the key stories, conversations and events shaping Black Britain right now.

Keep scrolling for more

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Black teen, 17, wrongly Tasered and detained inside a chip shop

Abdul-Lateef Ajibike was tasered twice and wrongly detained by armed police inside an east London chip shop after officers mistook him for a gunman.

Three years on, he has spoken publicly for the first time about the ordeal, which left him with lasting trauma and unanswered questions.

‘Buy Back Brixton’: Campaign launched to keep iconic market out of developers’ hands

Brixton traders have launched an emergency campaign to keep Brixton Village and Market Row in community hands amid fears the iconic markets could be sold to private equity developers.

The push comes as a separate petition opposes a proposed Gail's Bakery near Brixton station, with campaigners warning that chain expansion risks eroding the area's distinctive character.

Equality Watchdog flags Windrush Compensation Scheme failings to the United Nations

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has raised fresh concerns about the Windrush Compensation Scheme in a submission to the United Nations, warning that many claimants are receiving less compensation than they are entitled to.

The watchdog is also calling on the government to explain why applications remain significantly lower than expected and to increase access to legal support.

Black Joy Bulletin

• London entrepreneur Oludayo has opened a deaf-friendly coffee shop and arts space, creating a hub for the deaf community

• Free Books Campaign founder Sofia Akel teams up with TfL to expand access to books across London

• Dame Kelly Holmes honoured with the Freedom of the City of London

• Inside the Black haircare programme helping fathers in prison to connect with their kids

• Idris Elba has received the ASCAP Creative Voice Award, recognising artists whose work combines creative excellence with a positive impact on their communities

• ‘Make Jerk Great Again’: Black Eats launches UK Jerk Fest 2026 in bid to create Britain’s biggest celebration of jerk food

‘She Changed the Industry’: Tributes continue for Kanya King

Tributes continue to pour in for MOBO founder Kanya King, whose vision helped transform Britain's music landscape.

Black Current News founder Nadine White was among those invited to reflect on King's legacy in a special tribute published by PRS for Music, the organisation representing songwriters, composers and music publishers. Read here.

Barrel Children: The Families Windrush Left Behind opens Coventry’s inaugural Windrush festival

Barrel Children: The Families Windrush Left Behind, the award-winning film by Black Current News founder Nadine White, kicked off Coventry’s very first Windrush Festival this week with a special screening and Q&A. The five-day festival celebrates the contribution of Coventry’s Caribbean community through music, art and storytelling.

What else we’re reading

• Windrush Day: A guide to celebrations taking place across the UK

• World Sickle Cell Day: The fight for better care continues

• Home Office backs down after High Court challenge to ‘good character’ citizenship policy

• Janice Nix: Stepmum jailed for 1978 killing of 5-year-old girl

• Also: ‘My stepmum killed my sister and made me lie about it but now we have justice’

• '37 Fibroids': Nova Reid's wake-up call on work and wellbeing ahead of her Bloomsbury Theatre show

• Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP launches free Activism Academy for young people in Brixton and Clapham

• Knighthood for Patrick Vernon, Windrush Day campaigner

• ‘Jamaicans and Caribbeans did not know (they were descendants from Africa)…until Roots came out!” - Comedian Gina Yashere says on podcast, sparks mixed feedback

• British actor David Oyelowo issues apology after comments linking Black Southern accents to slavery spark criticism

• Female pastor in court after man ‘drowns during baptism’ in Birmingham

• Wilfred Wood, Britain’s first Black bishop, turns 90

• ‘When my dad died I cleared out his home – and discovered he had a secret wife’

• Black child, 16, wins landmark case against Met Police after being wrongly arrested over mum’s suicide attempt, with ‘up to £130,000 damages’ expected

• Grenfell anniversary: nine years of demanding justice and still waiting

• Naomi Campbell has said that "identity fraud and deception" by a fellow trustee of her former charity was to blame for a serious misuse of funds

• Reform UK councillor reinstated after saying Nigerians should be "melted down" and used to fill potholes

• Mean Girls actress ‘scared to leave house’ as Belfast show is cancelled

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A young Black man who was wrongly arrested after his mother jumped from a block of flats has won a race discrimination case against the Metropolitan Police.

Daryl McLune was just 16 when officers arrested him on suspicion of attempting to murder his mother, Annette McLune, following the incident in south London in July 2021.

Following a trial at Central London County Court, jurors found that Daryl had been unlawfully arrested and subjected to race discrimination by the Metropolitan Police.

The jury also concluded that the treatment he received amounted to inhuman and degrading treatment, in breach of his human rights.

Daryl said: “I am pleased and grateful to the jury for considering my case so carefully and for reaching the decision that they have.

“I have waited a long time for this vindication and whilst I will never forget these events, having the jury confirm I should never have been arrested will, I hope, help me to try to move on and recover from this incident.”

Damages are reportedly expected to total as much as £130,000, making the case one of the most significant recent findings of racial discrimination against the force.

The case centred on events that unfolded after Daryl rushed home following an urgent call from his father.

On arrival, he found his mother critically injured outside the family’s block of flats and officers handcuffed him in front of neighbours before taking him to Wandsworth Police Station, where he was detained overnight.

This was the first time that Daryl had been detained by the police, according to his lawyers.

During his detention, Daryl repeatedly sought information about his mother’s condition but was not told whether she was alive or dead.

Attempting to defend officers’ actions, the Met Police claimed that they did their “best” during an “uncertain situation” and Daryl seemed to be in an “angry and hostile” mood, while acting “aggressively” towards his father.

The jury rejected the police’s justification for arresting the child, finding that they had acted unlawfully and that race discrimination played a role in their treatment of him.

The verdict marks the end of a legal battle that has lasted almost five years.

The court heard that the experience had a profound impact on his life. Once a committed student, Daryl struggled in the aftermath of the incident and eventually dropped out of education.

His legal team argued that the trauma of witnessing his mother’s injuries was compounded by the actions of police officers who treated him as a suspect rather than a vulnerable teenager in crisis.

Megan Phillips, a partner at Bhatt Murphy Solicitors, who represented Daryl, said the case raised serious questions about racism in policing.

“This case shows the true face of two-tier policing in this country, where a young Black teenager can be unlawfully arrested for the attempted murder of his own mother, in circumstances where the court has found that the officers did not genuinely suspect him of committing any offence and where their behaviour was infected by race discrimination.

“Daryl was a child in crisis who should have been offered support as he suffered the shock and grief of seeing his mother fighting for her life with catastrophic injuries. Instead, he was wrongly treated as a suspect because of his race.”

Daryl’s mum, who the court heard had been “in a dark place” before her suicide attempt, reportedly survived but had to learn to walk and talk again.

The Met Police has faced repeated criticism in recent years over allegations of institutional racism and discriminatory policing practices.

The force was labelled institutionally racist, misogynistic and homophobic in the 2023 Casey Review, which examined its culture and standards.

The court will now determine the level of compensation to be awarded to Daryl, with a decision expected at a later date.

If you are experiencing feelings of sadness, distress or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website

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A programme teaching fathers how to braid their children’s hair has arrived at HMP Brixton, offering incarcerated men an opportunity to strengthen family bonds through an act of care deeply rooted in Black culture.

TreasureTress, the UK’s first and largest natural hair product discovery service for textured hair, has brought its acclaimed For Dads Who Can’t Braid initiative inside the South London prison as part of a special four-week series sponsored by ORS Haircare.

The workshops teach participants practical hair-care skills including braiding, parting and styling, before culminating in a family visit day where fathers can put their new skills into practice with their children.

Founded by entrepreneur Jamelia Donaldson, For Dads Who Can’t Braid began as a skills-based workshop designed to help fathers care for their children’s textured hair.

It has since evolved into a wider initiative centred on fatherhood, connection and caregiving.

Jamelia said the programme was inspired by the belief that hair care can be a powerful expression of love and connection.

“Hair is never just hair in our community. It’s love, it’s identity, it’s quality time,” she said.

“When a father learns to care for his child’s hair, he’s not just learning a skill, he’s learning a language of connection.”

Jamelia added: “Bringing this programme inside HMP Brixton felt necessary. These fathers love their children deeply and we wanted to give them something tangible to hold onto - a way to show up for their kids that goes beyond a visit; a bonding moment they can practise for and look forward to.

“What happens in that room is transformative, and we’re proud to be part of it.”

The initiative comes amid growing recognition of the role family relationships play in rehabilitation.

A recent prison inspectorate review found that family ties can influence almost every aspect of prison life, while warning that support for maintaining those connections is too often treated as an afterthought rather than a central part of rehabilitation.

Anita Tremain of HMP Brixton said the workshops offered fathers an opportunity to reconnect with an important part of their identity.

“For the fathers participating at HMP Brixton, this programme means far more than simply learning how to braid hair,” she said.

“It is an opportunity to reconnect with their identity as fathers, strengthen relationships with their children, and rebuild confidence in their role within the family.

“In prison, many men can feel defined only by their offence, losing sight of who they are beyond their sentence. For Dads Who Can’t Braid creates a unique and meaningful space where fathers can learn a practical, nurturing skill that symbolises care, love and connection.”

Participants have already spoken positively about the experience.

One described learning techniques he plans to use “immediately” when he returns home, while another said he felt proud of mastering new skills during the sessions.

“Learning how to do hair isn’t for the light-hearted, but I learnt how to cainrow today - It’s the first step on the ladder,” an additional participant said.

Perhaps the most powerful reflection came from one father’s application to take part in the programme: “The love I have for my child motivates me to learn how to care for her hair.”

After sessions on 4 and 11 June, the programme continues today (18 June) and on 25 June.

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Bestselling author Nova Reid is stepping onto the Bloomsbury Theatre stage with Worthy, a new one-woman show exploring self-worth, Black womanhood, leadership and healing.

Blending storytelling, reflection and audience participation, the show sees Nova draw on her own experiences to explore themes of self-worth, leadership, love and Black womanhood.

The production is described as a "raw, soulful journey" through life lessons learned and wisdom gathered along the way.

Known to many readers for her acclaimed book The Good Ally, Nova has become a prominent voice on racial justice and collective healing, using storytelling to spark conversations around identity, belonging and social change.

Her work spans writing, public speaking, theatre and advocacy, and she has appeared on stages ranging from the National Theatre to the House of Commons.

Speaking to Black Current News about the inspiration behind Worthy, Nova said: “I was inspired to produce Worthy to play more and get back to my creative roots in theatre.

“It was also in direct response to receiving so many of the same questions from different Black women over and over again in my WhatsApp, asking how I stay well in a mad world, how I cope as a Black woman in leadership, how I use my voice when I was raised to keep my head down and 'not to tell nobody my business'," she said.

“So, I wanted to take some of those WhatsApp conversations offline and create a living room in the theatre.”

Nova added: “There are so many messages in the press, in society and even in our homes that attempt to undermine our worth and I believe we have to practice worthiness.”

According to the author, the show is an opportunity to share some of her own untold stories while encouraging audiences to think about how they reclaim their inherent worth in a world that often measures people by what they achieve rather than who they are.

With moments for pause, celebration and interaction, Worthy aims to create a shared space for reflection, connection and conversation.

The show will be British Sign Language interpreted and is recommended for audiences aged 16 and over.

Worthy takes place at the Bloomsbury Theatre, London, on Tuesday 23 June at 7.30 pm.

Tickets are available here.

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