Rebuilding Haringey Law Centre with Catherine West MP

M C JI had a really good meeting with Catherine West MP, the Member of Parliament for Hornsey and Wood Green, in Parliament earlier this week. Law Centres Network director Julie Bishop (pictured right) and I met Catherine (pictured centre) to discuss Haringey Law Centre and the many positive developments afoot. It’s fantastic to have Catherine – and Tottenham MP David Lammy’s – full support as we try to help Haringey Law Centre colleagues rebuild the Centre.

Tottenham Community Press

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I am really pleased to have joined the advisory board of the new Tottenham Community Press newspaper.

Tottenham Community Press (TCP) is a free, independent, community newspaper which launched in November 2016. It’s a print newspaper and currently publishes on a bi-monthly basis.

TCP operates as a not-for-profit publication written by and for local people. It aims to reflect the vibrancy and diversity of the Tottenham area, to celebrate its rich traditions and cultural heritage.

The Tottenham Community Press marks a return to real local news, giving readers the chance to learn more about what’s going on in their area and to read (and write) news stories about what matters them. It relies on local advertising to provide this service.

The aim of TCP is to promote the work of local community organisations and voluntary sector groups, along with arts and cultural activities taking place in Tottenham. Furthermore, it wants to provide an opportunity for local people to contribute and raise important issues.

I am absolutely chuffed to be involved with this brilliant local media initiative.

In an era where “fake news” is becoming the norm, it’s time for ordinary people to take back control of the way their community and their stories are depicted online and in the mainstream media. In an area like Tottenham, which still suffers enormous stigma after the 2011 London riots, giving local people back their own voice is even more important.

I look forward to working with TCP’s Editor Ellie Ward; Publisher David Floyd; Designer Jonathan Duncan; Project Manager Anna Merryfield; and Social Media volunteer Louise Davidson to make TCP a success.

TCP is looking for contributors, photographers, local advertisers and anyone who wants to offer their support. Please email tcp@socialspider.com if you have something to offer!

2016 Black British Business Awards

bbbaA belated congratulations to all the fantastic finalists and winners at the 2016 Black British Business Awards, which took place on the 6th of October. I was especially delighted that Chichi Nwanoku MBE, founder of the brilliant Chineke Orchestra (with whom I’m pictured below) won the Business Person of the Year award.

chichiThank you again to Dennis Owusu-Sem of Success Talks for his hospitality.

Chineke! Orchestra at the Southbank Centre

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I spent a glorious afternoon and evening at London’s Royal Festival Hall (my favourite place in London) earlier this month watching two magnificent performances by the juniors and adults from the Chineke! Foundation Orchestra.

I was very excited to attend this concert as I played the piano, the cello and the steel pans throughout my childhood. My evenings and weekends were spent either practising or performing at concerts. At my secondary school, Walthamstow School for Girls, I was never out of the music corridor apart from when I had compulsory lessons or was playing netball. Music was my (childhood and young adult) life.  Continue reading “Chineke! Orchestra at the Southbank Centre”

White River Blues

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I’m very proud of my mother Jane Grell, who recently launched ‘White River Blues‘ her second collection of adult poems. I was delighted that mum received strong support from Janet Charles, Acting Dominican High Commissioner to the UK (pictured above with mum and I) who kindly hosted the launch at the (Commonwealth of) Dominica High Commission. Please watch and enjoy this wonderful short video of the launch, made by Opello Media.