People, Places, Events   

At the age of 14, Jay Blades vividly recalls being subjected to a vicious assault by a group of police officers. Late in the evening, while walking home near his residence in North West London, a police van suddenly pulled up beside him. Without any hesitation, the van's rear doors swung open, revealing a group of five or six uniformed policemen eagerly awaiting his presence. Shockingly, they didn't even bother to conduct a search before unleashing a brutal attack on him.

Unfortunately, Jay Blades faced the challenges of dyslexia, a condition that went undiagnosed during his school years. This learning difficulty, coupled with the colour of his skin, subjected him to racism both within the educational system and from law enforcement authorities. Despite these obstacles, Blades persevered and embarked on a career as a labourer and factory worker during his youth.

Tomorrow’s Warriors Gary Crosby, in addition to his role as a working musician and band leader, holds the esteemed position of Artistic Director at Tomorrow's Warriors. This not-for-profit organisation was established by Crosby in 1992 with the noble aim of promoting diversity in the UK music industry, particularly in terms of race, culture, and gender.

As the Chief Executive of Tomorrow's Warriors, Irons has played a pivotal role in nurturing and empowering aspiring musicians. Recognising the need for representation and recognition of Black British jazz musicians, Irons and Crosby took another bold step in 1997 by founding the Dune Records label. This label has become a platform for talented musicians from Tomorrow's Warriors and has been instrumental in promoting and showcasing the rich diversity of Black British jazz.

Gary Crosby, OBE has made history by becoming the first jazz musician to be honoured with The Queen's Medal for Music 2018. This prestigious award, previously reserved for classical composers and musicians, has now recognised the immense contribution of a jazz artist for the first time. This groundbreaking achievement not only celebrates Crosby's remarkable talent but also marks a significant milestone in the recognition of jazz as a genre.

Denys Baptiste, an accomplished English jazz musician born in 1969, is a talented saxophonist who specialises in playing the tenor and soprano saxophones. Baptiste's musical journey began after he graduated from Tomorrow's Warriors, where he honed his skills and developed a deep passion for jazz music. His unique style of playing and his ability to compose music have earned him recognition in the jazz community.

Rodney W Wilson, the Director of Elite Solicitors Ltd (ESL), boasts an impressive career in the legal profession spanning over three decades. As a trailblazer, he holds the distinction of being the first local black man to be admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court and a High Court Advocate. With his extensive knowledge and expertise, he has established himself as a highly experienced and capable Higher Court Advocate and Duty Solicitor, specialising in Criminal defence

Wolde Selassie, aka Oliver Denham, originally from Dominica, made a significant impact on the UK community after migrating there in 1960. Not only was he a renowned poet, but he also dedicated his life to being a community activist. In the late 1970s, he co-founded Raddle bookshop in Highfields, which served as a valuable resource for the community to access educational materials related to black culture and experience.

The United Kingdom is a diverse nation that is home to a multitude of cultures, which have become deeply ingrained in society over the course of several centuries and waves of immigration. While some UK individuals are first-generation immigrants, the majority of the population in the African community are second, third, and even fourth generation. In order to cater to the needs of this vibrant community, an African Arts and Community resources centre was established in the