'War Inna Babylon', Emancipation Day and Dennis Brown musical
Plus: 96 year old named world’s oldest female food YouTuber
Dear readers,
Today is Emancipation Day which commemorates the abolition of slavery across most British colonies in 1834. In Brixton, the annual Afrikan Reparations Day event returns to Windrush Square. Having taken place for over 10 years, the gathering aims to honour our African ancestors’ resistance and renew calls for reparatory justice. US activist Umar Johnson is scheduled to deliver a keynote address later on.
Today also marks 33 years since Joy Gardner died after being restrained by police during an attempted deportation in London. Her killing remains a stark reminder of the human cost of Britain’s immigration policies.
This history feels especially pertinent amid renewed demands for an urgent UK anti-racism strategy and action against the use of public resources for immigration enforcement.
By the way: our very-first Black Current magazine was launched yesterday and is out now! Do you have your copy? If not, feel free to buy it here.
Scroll down for the latest on Black news, culture and joy from across the UK and beyond.
World premiere of Dennis Brown musical announced ahead of the reggae legend’s 70th birthday
A new musical celebrating Dennis Brown, Jamaica’s legendary “Crown Prince of Reggae”, will receive its world premiere in the UK next year, Black Current News can reveal.
Backed by his family and estate, the musical will tour the UK in February and March 2027, marking what would have been Mr Brown’s 70th birthday.
More than 100 organisations call for urgent UK anti-racism strategy
The Runnymede Trust and more than 100 civil society organisations have written to Prime Minister Andy Burnham demanding a cross-government anti-racism strategy.
Their intervention comes on the second anniversary of the Southport pogroms, amid warnings that racist violence and far-right rhetoric are becoming normalised.
They want measurable targets, dedicated funding, better equality data and independent scrutiny across areas including policing, housing, healthcare and education.
Lewisham becomes first UK council to refuse assistance with immigration raids
Lewisham has become the first UK local authority to refuse to assist Home Office immigration raids wherever legally possible.
The Green-led council will review data-sharing agreements and has pledged not to use council resources or public money for immigration enforcement.
It now plans to work with Lambeth and other Green-led councils to establish a London “sanctuary corridor”.
Black Joy Bulletin
Reggae artist Autarchii has launched Overstand, a free app designed to educate users about the history, roots and beliefs of Rastafari. Check it out here
A grandmother who left school without any GCSEs has graduated with a degree in sports therapy at the age of 55
Jamaican-born Aileen Chin, 96, named world’s oldest female food YouTuber. Have a look at one of her viral videos!
Film and TV Charity launches new Anti-Racism Wellbeing Service
10,000 Black Interns programme confirms return for 2026/27 after helping thousands secure paid placements
From Sainsbury’s shifts to Sainsbury’s shelves: Original Flava celebrate full-circle moment
Fifteen years ago, Original Flava founders Shaun and Craig McAnuff were working early shifts at Sainsbury’s, from serving customers on the tills to pushing hundreds of trolleys in the cold.
Now, their Jamaican Spiced Pumpkin Rice, created in collaboration with Tilda, is sitting on the supermarket’s shelves. “Be faithful with the small opportunities. They’re preparing you for bigger ones,” Craig said.
The rice is available nationwide from Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and Asda, as well as Ocado.
The 50-member choir brought central Brixton to a standstill on Friday 24 July with an impromptu street performance following a nearby wedding.
The group reportedly sang classics including Louisa Mark’s Caught You in a Lie, Dawn Penn’s You Don’t Love Me (No, No, No) and Beres Hammond’s I Feel Good.
Among those who stopped to enjoy the performance was Lambeth Council leader Martin Abrams, who filmed the singers and enthusiastically joined in.
What else we’re reading
‘Heartless landlords’ switch off families’ air conditioning during heatwave as children suffer nosebleeds and sleepless nights
Tributes paid as Lorna Service, renowned gospel radio show presenter on The Beat London 103.6FM, dies
Family of father who died after NHS trust withdrew dialysis takes fight to Supreme Court
Black people’s risk factors for stroke ‘rising faster than for white people’
Black Lives Matter commitments failed to bring about “structural change” in UK TV industry, report highlights
Archbishop of Canterbury committed to £100m slavery fund
Diane Abbott readmitted into Labour following suspension
Southport killer Axel Rudakubana has been charged with three attacks while in prison and possessing a weapon
Reform UK councillor charged over alleged racist post about Nigerian people
‘Jail Time Records’: The notorious Cameroonian prison with its own music label
Anti-immigrant chanting surges as discrimination reports in English football hit record high
British YouTuber Yung Filly acquitted of raping fan in Perth but could face retrial with jury hung on three charges
Barbados bids solemn farewell to National Hero Sir Garfield Sobers
Oprah Winfrey to close her school for girls in South Africa
Child soldiers recount horrors of Sudan’s war and presence of Colombian mercenaries
Haiti starts to register voters in violent capital under gang menace
Cambridge’s youngest Black professor is under attack. Campaigners aren’t having it
Ghana mourns its tallest man - a ‘generous and popular giant’
Public agencies failed teen boy shot in playground, inquest finds
Police forces spent at least £631 million on DEI initiatives over the last six years, report finds, and right-wing press feel a way about it
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