Credit: Lilly Croucher Camberwell Black History Walk opened by (left to right) Tony Coleman, Tayo Fatunla, Stephen Bourne, Mayor of Southwark Cllr Michael Situ and Suzann McLean
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Camberwell’s most notable black residents have been recognised as part of the area’s first black history walk which was unveiled over the weekend.
On Saturday, February 3, community leaders and residents joined on Camberwell Green to unveil a new lectern in a ribbon cutting ceremony by the Mayor of Southwark to officially open the route.
Southwark Mayor, Cllr Michael Situ said he hopes the walk will inspire residents to connect with their community.
He told CityNews: “I think the real benefit of the walk is that it actually taps into people’s aspirations and dreams, people can look at it and think I can do more, I can be this, I can be the best version of myself.
“Working with the local community group, the council is stepping up to the plate to ensure that we empower and support our residents to be the best version, thereby creating a more prosperous and thriving Camberwell, Southwark, London and UK as a whole.”
Last year The Camberwell Society’s initiative was awarded funding as part of Southwark council’s Neighbourhood fund which gives £630,000 to community projects across the borough every year.
Starting in Camberwell Green at the lectern, designed by local artist, Tayo Fatunla, the 2.5 mile route has eight dedicated plaques which honour some of the area’s most famous and accomplished black residents.
Plaque dedicated to Una Marson, the BBC’s first black female programmer
Some of those who feature on the walk are medical practitioner and civil rights campaigner, Dr Howard Moody, the BBC’s first black female programmer, Una Marson and the first black actress to be nominated for an Oscar, Marianne Jean-Baptiste are recognised outside their former homes.
A plaque at Theatre Peckham celebrates Hollywood actor John Boyega who began his career on its local stage and where he is now a patron.
John Boyega’s plaque at Theatre Peckham
Young actors from Theatre Peckham provided voice recordings of each of the plaques which can be listened to via a scannable QR code.
On the impact of being part of this initiative, young actress, Princess Nwafor, who read out the Star Wars actor’s plaque said: “I think, coming from theatre Peckham and having our start there as actors, is really important for us.
“Being able to read for John Boyega […] and living his journey, not necessarily the same one but a similar one, and knowing that it’s something that we can achieve too is super inspiring.”
Talking about the importance of walks like this for young people, youth actor David Mensah said: “There are parts of black history that we don’t hear about a lot, there were some people today that I was hearing about for the first time, which is really weird, because i’m from south London and I should be knowing about people from my community.
“I think it’s really important to be learning and educating yourself about the people who came before you so you can progress and give more to the world and people from south London.”
Walker hold a leaflet of the Black history walk
Local historian and author of the walk, Stephen Bourne has written about black British history for over 30 years and says it is important to remember the positive stories in black history as well as the experiences of black people.
He told CityNews: “I’m shocked at the number of people, black and white, that are still not aware of this history, its still in many ways a secret history I call it, a secret history that shouldn’t be a secret anymore.
“I’ve come to the conclusion that in order to give a balance to the story we have to in addition to the racism narrative that we tell the positives as well so that young people are given a balanced overview of black British history or the experiences of black people in Britain.”
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HeadlineJohn Boyega, Una Marson and others celebrated in Camberwell’s first Black History Walk
Short HeadlineFamous black residents recognised in new Camberwell history walk
StandfirstEight notable black London residents have been recognised in a new community walk.
Camberwell’s most notable black residents have been recognised as part of the area’s first black history walk which was unveiled over the weekend.
On Saturday, February 3, community leaders and residents joined on Camberwell Green to unveil a new lectern in a ribbon cutting ceremony by the Mayor of Southwark to officially open the route.
Southwark Mayor, Cllr Michael Situ said he hopes the walk will inspire residents to connect with their community.
He told CityNews: “I think the real benefit of the walk is that it actually taps into people’s aspirations and dreams, people can look at it and think I can do more, I can be this, I can be the best version of myself.
“Working with the local community group, the council is stepping up to the plate to ensure that we empower and support our residents to be the best version, thereby creating a more prosperous and thriving Camberwell, Southwark, London and UK as a whole.”
Last year The Camberwell Society’s initiative was awarded funding as part of Southwark council’s Neighbourhood fund which gives £630,000 to community projects across the borough every year.
Starting in Camberwell Green at the lectern, designed by local artist, Tayo Fatunla, the 2.5 mile route has eight dedicated plaques which honour some of the area’s most famous and accomplished black residents.
Plaque dedicated to Una Marson, the BBC’s first black female programmer
Some of those who feature on the walk are medical practitioner and civil rights campaigner, Dr Howard Moody, the BBC’s first black female programmer, Una Marson and the first black actress to be nominated for an Oscar, Marianne Jean-Baptiste are recognised outside their former homes.
A plaque at Theatre Peckham celebrates Hollywood actor John Boyega who began his career on its local stage and where he is now a patron.
John Boyega’s plaque at Theatre Peckham
Young actors from Theatre Peckham provided voice recordings of each of the plaques which can be listened to via a scannable QR code.
On the impact of being part of this initiative, young actress, Princess Nwafor, who read out the Star Wars actor’s plaque said: “I think, coming from theatre Peckham and having our start there as actors, is really important for us.
“Being able to read for John Boyega […] and living his journey, not necessarily the same one but a similar one, and knowing that it’s something that we can achieve too is super inspiring.”
Talking about the importance of walks like this for young people, youth actor David Mensah said: “There are parts of black history that we don’t hear about a lot, there were some people today that I was hearing about for the first time, which is really weird, because i’m from south London and I should be knowing about people from my community.
“I think it’s really important to be learning and educating yourself about the people who came before you so you can progress and give more to the world and people from south London.”
Walker hold a leaflet of the Black history walk
Local historian and author of the walk, Stephen Bourne has written about black British history for over 30 years and says it is important to remember the positive stories in black history as well as the experiences of black people.
He told CityNews: “I’m shocked at the number of people, black and white, that are still not aware of this history, its still in many ways a secret history I call it, a secret history that shouldn’t be a secret anymore.
“I’ve come to the conclusion that in order to give a balance to the story we have to in addition to the racism narrative that we tell the positives as well so that young people are given a balanced overview of black British history or the experiences of black people in Britain.”
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