Star A-level students, Africa Centre update & Asquith Xavier honoured
Plus: Britain’s new ‘longest-running Black TV show’
Dear readers,
We were shocked and saddened yesterday to learn of Dr Jason Arday’s death. He was found unresponsive at an address in Battersea, south London, on Friday afternoon and pronounced dead at the scene.
His passing follows weeks of intense scrutiny of his academic credentials and life story, as well as hounding by sections of the British press.
Jason’s family said they were “in shock” and urged the press to end what they described as a prolonged “campaign of harassment”. Our thoughts are with his loved ones.
Elsewhere, we celebrate outstanding A-level pupils, honour Asquith Xavier’s legacy and share the latest from across Black Britain and beyond.
Brampton Manor pupils celebrate top A-level results and university places
Pupils at Brampton Manor Academy in East Ham, London, celebrated another outstanding A-level results day on 13 August, securing top grades and places at leading universities including Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, UCL and Leeds. Their chosen subjects span medicine, physics, history, economics, psychology and biomedical sciences. Here are a few of the many star students. Congratulations to them all!
Asquith Xavier: Blue plaque unveiled for railway worker who helped to break Euston’s ‘colour bar’
A blue plaque has been unveiled at the former Notting Hill home of Asquith Xavier, the Dominican-born railway worker whose stand against racism helped end an unofficial “colour bar” at Euston Station.
Denied a better-paid train guard role because staff representatives refused to accept “coloured staff”, Xavier challenged the discrimination.
On 15 August 1966, he became Euston’s first Black railway guard, helping to end the colour bar at Euston and St Pancras.
Black gay man wins homelessness appeal after London council failed to consider race and sexuality
A Black gay man has won a homelessness appeal after a court found Greenwich Council failed to consider how his race and sexuality could heighten his vulnerability.
Mr Clarke, 43, who has depression and suicidal thoughts, had been ruled not in “priority need” for housing assistance.
His barrister, Miranda Grell of 1MCB Chambers, said the judgment confirmed councils’ “continuing duty” to consider protected characteristics when assessing vulnerability.
The Africa Centre confirms chair and CEO departures as it launches £2.5m fundraising drive
The Africa Centre has confirmed that chair Oba Nsugbe KC and chief executive Olu Alake are stepping down, following a Black Current News investigation into its financial crisis and governance concerns.
The charity, which recorded a £542,040 annual deficit and owes creditors more than £1 million, plans to sell its Southwark headquarters to avert full closure.
It could move into a smaller railway arch next door and has launched a fundraising campaign seeking up to £2.5 million. Read more here.
Black Joy Bulletin
ITV’s ‘Sorry, I Didn’t Know’ becomes Britain’s ‘longest-running Black TV show’ after seventh-season renewal
Romell Glave claims European 100m title as Jeremiah Azu completes British one-two
Four Black business owners awarded £200,000 each in advertising airtime by Channel 4 and Lloyds Bank
Dominica to extend citizenship eligibility to grandchildren of Dominican nationals next year, strengthening diaspora ties
Barbados to launch Black Studies and reparatory justice scholarships for future generations
Michaela Mensah: Brixton graduate begins Harvard master’s after community raises nearly £80,000
She did it! Student Michaela Mensah has made it to Harvard after more than 1,300 donations raised nearly £80,000 towards her master’s degree.
Black Current News readers joined the wider community campaign by donating and sharing her story, helping it gain further momentum before attracting national coverage and support from her alma mater, the University of Cambridge.
Michaela has now paid her tuition, secured her visa and begun her studies in the US. We’re proud of our community and wish her every success. Go well, Michaela! 🇬🇧🇺🇸👏🏾
What else we’re reading
Othello starring Sharon D Clarke postponed due to her cancer treatment
280 City of London Corporation members directly trafficked Africans during chattel slavery, investigation finds
Bus drivers strike over oven-like cabs in heatwave
‘Jason Arday is now the stick the right will use to beat back racial equality. Don’t let that happen’ | Afua Hirsch
An Edinburgh doctor says he experienced “racist” treatment at a hospital before his contract was not renewed just months after he started
‘It’s rare to hear: I’m Black and middle class’ – Symeon Brown on Black Britain’s enduring ‘taboo’
Nigerian radiographers condemn rise in racist abuse against NHS healthcare workers
Almost 30 years after Tupac was killed, a jury has been seated for a trial in his murder
Got a news tip or story idea? Submit it via this form. Reader feedback and corrections are welcomed separately here.
