People, Places, Events   

Kano, the talented British MC, discovered his gift for words and song at a young age. Originally named Kane Brett Robinson (born 21 May 1985) and hailing from East Ham, he grew up in London during the emergence of grime music. As a founding member of the N.A.S.T.Y Crew in east London, Kano quickly made a name for himself in the underground music scene. His solo album, Home Sweet Home, released in 2005, showcased his exceptional talent with tracks like ‘P’s And Q’s’, propellin

Part II: Jason ‘Jay’ Blades- Police Racism 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 be

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

Established in 1991, Tomorrow’s Warriors is a prominent organisation dedicated to talent development, creative production, education, consultancy, and charitable work within the realm of jazz. Their mission is to assist up-and-coming artists in uncovering their unique talents, fostering their potential, realising their creative aspirations, and cultivating a diverse and engaged audience base.

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.

Denys Baptiste, born to St Lucian parents in Hounslow, west London, in 1969, began his musical journey at the young age of 13 when he started studying music at school. His passion for music led him to pursue higher education in the field, first at the West London Institute of Higher Education in 1990, which is now a part of Brunel University.

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.

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.