Black teen honoured in House of Lords, sickle cell centre reopening and the Irish-Jamaican accent debate
Plus: Black People's Day of Action march remembered on 45th anniversary
Hi everyone,
From a reversal over a vital sickle cell service in London and warnings of “apartheid” in British TV newsrooms, to a viral debate about Jamaican accents and a man dying after a tooth infection in a US immigration detention facility, it’s been a busy week across Black news, culture and politics.
We’re also reflecting on the 45th anniversary of the Black People’s Day of Action, one of the most significant protests in modern Black British history.
Here’s what you may have missed.
Good news
Royal London sickle cell unit to reopen after no Equality Impact Assessment found
World Book Day gift to Manchester primary school pupils aims to inspire a new generation of Black heritage blood donors
Nala’s Baby, a Black-owned skincare company for infants, has announced a collaboration with PAW Patrol, the number one pre-school franchise in the UK and globally
Red vs Blue school violence fails to materialise as Croydon stands united
Idris Elba, Stormzy and Kanya King among 100 most influential British-Ghanaians honoured in UK Parliament
Coldr CEO Kamiqua Lake featured in the 2026 PRWeek UK PowerBook - an extensive list of the most influential and respected comms professionals in the UK
1) What a viral speech in Ireland reveals about colonial history and Caribbean English
A viral speech by Irish politician Thomas Gould has reignited claims that the Jamaican accent has Irish roots. Linguists say the reality is more complex: Jamaican speech was shaped mainly by regional English dialects brought to the Caribbean during the colonial era, rather than large numbers of Irish settlers. The renewed debate highlights how myths about language, empire and identity continue to circulate online. Our founder Nadine White wrote this for the Guardian.
2) Black women left unprepared for menopause, first UK-wide survey finds
Black women are often entering menopause feeling unprepared, with new UK research finding nearly 9 in 10 received no education about it at school. Many said stigma, lack of information and poor experiences with healthcare left them struggling to understand symptoms and access support. Researchers say the findings highlight the need for culturally competent menopause care and education tailored to Black women. The full report by UCL academic Prof Joyce Harper can be accessed here.
3) Lewis Hamilton calls for African unity, says leaders should “take it back” from former colonial powers including the British
Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton called for greater unity among African nations, saying the continent should have more control over its resources and future. While these comments have been praised by socially conscious members of society, sections of the right-wing press are in their feelings with one outlet calling for him to return his knighthood or "stay in his lane".
4) Hackney teenager honoured for his incredible writing talents in House of Lords
Hackney teenager Romeo Bremmer has been honoured in the House of Lords for his writing achievements and community work. The young author has written nine books and helped around 60 Windrush elders document their life stories. He received the British Citizen Youth Award medal recognising young people making a positive impact across the UK. Read Sinai Fleary’s report here.
5) Comedian Junior Simpson forced to retire aged 62 after dementia diagnosis as £25K raised for care
Renowned actor and stand-up comedian Junior Simpson has stepped away from performing after being diagnosed with vascular dementia at the age of 62. The British comic, known for roles in Death in Paradise and Love Actually, had suffered a number of strokes in recent years. Friends, fans and fellow comedians have since raised over £25,000 through a crowdfunding campaign to help support him and his family with care and day-to-day costs.
What else we’re reading
Rapper Ghetts sentenced to 12 years after causing student’s death in hit and run
Black and Asian journalists in UK TV newsrooms ‘facing backlash from white colleagues after 2020 anti-racism movement’, report finds
‘Did I just hear what I thought I heard?’: Sinners’ Delroy Lindo on Bafta N-word controversy
British woman who reported rape in Hong Kong faces 7 years in jail after conviction
A creative centre to help disadvantaged young adults secure long-term employment is being built in west London in honour of the late music entrepreneur Jamal Edwards
Spiritual abuse and immigration abuse have been included in prosecution guidance for the first time to help prosecutors tackle emerging harmful practices
Haitian man dies from tooth infection while detained in US ICE facility, family says
Most Reform members believe non-white UK citizens born abroad should be forced or encouraged to leave, poll finds
‘Muslim women are not afraid to be seen’ - the power of the printed hijab
This week marks 45 years since the Black People’s Day of Action, when around 20,000 people marched through London in 1981 following the New Cross fire that killed 13 young Black people.
The march became a defining moment in Black British history, as communities demanded justice, dignity and recognition in the face of grief and anger.
In this short documentary directed by our founder, Nadine, for HuffPost UK in 2020, June Thompson, who helped organise the march, reflects on demonstrating with thousands of others. We also hear from Wayne Haynes, a survivor of the New Cross fire, and Joshua Anthony, whose uncle Peter Campbell, aged 18, died in the blaze. Joshua grew up watching his grandmother campaign tirelessly for justice on behalf of her son.
Professor Patrick Vernon among UK figures elected to Global Jamaica Diaspora Council
Patrick Vernon OBE and Abigail Brady Rhoden have been elected to the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council and Youth Council representing the UK South.
Marcus Humphrey will serve as the UK North representative, while Reccarnei Phillipson has been elected as Youth Council representative for the Northern region.
The appointments form part of Jamaica’s global diaspora governance structure, bringing together representatives from across the UK to support engagement between Jamaica and its overseas communities. We broke down the council’s aim a few weeks ago here.
A new survey aims to document the “often under-recognised” contributions of the UK Jamaican diaspora to Jamaica’s development and disaster response.
Individuals, churches, businesses and community groups are invited to register their interest in participating. Sign up here.
Joe Appiah says sanitary bins in men’s toilets would have helped him feel more confident leaving the house after prostate cancer treatment left him incontinent.
The charity Prostate Cancer UK is calling for sanitary bins to be made mandatory in men’s toilets, saying many men rely on sanitary pads after treatment but often have nowhere discreet to dispose of them in public spaces.
The campaign also comes as campaigners continue to highlight stark racial disparities in the disease. Black men are around twice as likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer as white men.
Read more about the Boys Need Bins campaign.
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