2024 Honours of Distinction Candidates
Ronke
Ronke Phillips
Ronke Phillips is a journalist with ITN, one of the UK’s most established and trusted television news organisations. Working within a fast-paced national newsroom, she contributes to news coverage that reaches audiences across the country, helping to inform public understanding of the stories shaping the world around them.
Her work spans a broad news agenda, from major national developments to stories that require careful handling, strong editorial judgment, and clear communication. Ronke approaches journalism with a focus on accuracy, fairness, and clarity, ensuring that complex or sensitive issues are reported in a way that is both accessible and responsible. She is committed to upholding the highest standards of broadcast journalism in every aspect of her work.
Central to Ronke’s approach is a belief in journalism as a public service. She recognises the responsibility that comes with reporting for national television and is guided by the importance of trust between journalists and audiences. Whether contributing to breaking news coverage or longer-form reporting, she prioritises factual integrity while remaining attentive to the real-world impact of the stories being told.
Ronke’s reporting reflects ITN’s long-standing editorial values of impartiality, independence, and rigorous verification. She works collaboratively within newsroom teams, contributing to coverage that demands speed, precision, and adaptability in a constantly evolving news environment. Her calm, measured delivery and thoughtful approach support ITN’s reputation for authoritative and reliable news.
Alongside the practical demands of daily news production, Ronke is continually developing her voice and perspective as a journalist. She is interested in storytelling that goes beyond headlines, providing audiences with the context needed to better understand events and their wider implications. Her work aims not only to inform, but also to engage and encourage informed public discourse.
Through her role at ITN, Ronke Phillips continues to build a body of work rooted in professionalism, curiosity, and public responsibility. She remains committed to journalism that is clear, credible, and meaningful — journalism that helps audiences navigate an increasingly complex media landscape with confidence.
Tippa
Tippa Irie
Tippa Irie is one of the most influential figures in British reggae and dancehall culture, widely recognised as a pioneer of UK-based lyrical reggae and sound system performance. Emerging from London’s vibrant reggae scene, he helped shape a distinctly British voice within a genre that has always been global, political, and rooted in community expression.
Tippa Irie is a foundational MC and vocalist for the legendary London-based Saxon Sound System, crucial to the UK reggae and dancehall scene since the 1980s. Known for his rapid-fire “fast style” chatting, he performed alongside artists like Papa Levi, Musclehead, and Daddy Colonel, contributing to the sound’s reputation in both the UK and Jamaica. Influenced by Papa Face, Ricky Ranking, and Tipper Ranking, he developed a unique fast-chatting style that became synonymous with the Saxon crew.
Born in Jamaica and raised in the UK, Tippa Irie came of age during a formative period for Black British music and identity. As reggae, dancehall, and sound system culture took hold across cities like London, Birmingham, and Bristol, he became part of a generation of artists who used music as a form of commentary, celebration, and resistance. His work reflects the lived realities of diaspora life in Britain, blending Jamaican musical traditions with British urban experience.
Tippa Irie first gained recognition through the UK sound system scene, where his lyrical skill, vocal clarity, and commanding stage presence quickly set him apart. Sound system culture has long been a training ground for reggae artists, demanding quick thinking, audience connection, and verbal dexterity. Tippa Irie excelled in this environment, developing a style that was energetic yet articulate, socially aware yet accessible. His performances resonated with audiences who saw their own experiences reflected in his lyrics.
As his profile grew, Tippa Irie became known for his ability to bridge cultures and generations. At a time when reggae and dancehall were still often marginalised within mainstream British media, he helped bring the sound into wider public consciousness. His music maintained deep respect for Jamaican roots while asserting a confident British identity, contributing to the evolution of what would become recognised as British reggae.
Throughout his career, Tippa Irie has been celebrated not only for his musical output, but also for his role as a cultural ambassador. His lyrics frequently explore themes of identity, unity, social justice, and self-awareness, reflecting reggae’s long-standing tradition as a music of message as well as rhythm. At the same time, his work retains a sense of humour, warmth, and celebration, capturing the communal spirit at the heart of reggae culture.
Tippa Irie’s influence extends beyond recordings and live performances. He is widely respected as a figure who helped open doors for subsequent generations of British reggae, jungle, grime, and hip-hop artists. By demonstrating that British voices belonged at the centre of reggae storytelling, he contributed to a broader shift in how Black British music was perceived and valued. His work laid important groundwork for artists who followed, across multiple genres.
Live performance remains a central part of Tippa Irie’s artistic identity. Known for his ability to connect with audiences, he brings energy, authenticity, and experience to the stage. Whether performing at festivals, cultural events, or intimate venues, he continues to embody the spirit of sound system culture — direct, participatory, and rooted in shared experience. His performances reflect decades of engagement with audiences across the UK and internationally.
Today, Tippa Irie’s legacy is firmly established as that of a pioneer, storyteller, and cultural figure within British music history. His contribution to reggae and sound system culture continues to be felt through the artists he has influenced and the audiences he has reached. With a career built on authenticity, lyrical skill, and cultural pride, Tippa Irie stands as a defining voice in the story of British reggae.
Estlyn
Estlyn McFarquhar
Mrs Estlyn McFarquhar is a pioneering community activist and respected elder whose work has shaped the social, cultural, and civic life of Bath for more than half a century. As a member of the Windrush generation, her contribution is deeply rooted in the history of post-war migration and the long struggle for equality, recognition, and belonging for Black communities in Britain.
Arriving in an era marked by significant racial discrimination and limited institutional support, Mrs McFarquhar became part of a generation that not only built new lives in the UK, but also laid the foundations for community infrastructure where none previously existed. In Bath, a city with a small but significant Black population, she recognised early on the need for collective organisation, advocacy, and mutual support. Her response was practical, determined, and sustained.
In the 1970s, Mrs McFarquhar played a key role in helping to establish Bath’s first Race Equality Council, creating a formal space to challenge discrimination, promote fairness, and engage with public bodies on issues affecting Black and minority ethnic residents. At a time when conversations around race equality were often marginalised or resisted, this work represented a crucial step towards visibility, accountability, and dialogue within the city.
Education and the wellbeing of young people were also central to her activism. Mrs McFarquhar helped to establish the supplementary school, later known as the Bath Black Families Support Group, recognising the importance of culturally affirming education and community-led learning. This initiative supported children and families by addressing gaps in mainstream provision and ensuring that young people could develop confidence, identity, and a sense of belonging alongside academic support.
Her commitment to community building extended across generations. Mrs McFarquhar was instrumental in the development of BEMSCA (Bath Ethnic Minority Senior Citizens Association), creating a vital space for older members of the community to connect, access support, and maintain social engagement. Through this work, she acknowledged the often-overlooked needs of elders, particularly those who had spent decades contributing to British society while facing systemic barriers.
In addition to all this, she helped establish Bath’s Senior Citizens Association, further reinforcing her belief that dignity, care, and community connection should be available at every stage of life. These organisations became lifelines for many, offering not only practical assistance but also friendship, cultural continuity, and mutual respect.
Mrs McFarquhar also played a key role in forming the Police Liaison Group, working to improve relationships between the Black community and local policing. At a time when trust was fragile and tensions were high in many parts of the country, this work required courage, diplomacy, and persistence. Her involvement reflected a belief in dialogue as a tool for change, and in the importance of ensuring that Black voices were heard in conversations about safety, justice, and accountability.
Across all of these initiatives, Mrs McFarquhar’s approach has been characterised by quiet leadership, collective action, and long-term commitment. Rather than seeking recognition, she focused on building structures that would endure, organisations rooted in service, inclusion, and community ownership. Her work has touched the lives of countless individuals and families in Bath, often in ways that are not immediately visible but profoundly felt.
Over more than 50 years of dedicated service, Mrs McFarquhar has been a constant presence within Bath’s Black community. Her legacy is not confined to any single organisation, but lives on through the networks, support systems, and sense of belonging she helped to create. She represents a generation whose contributions have too often gone unrecorded, yet whose impact is woven into the fabric of local life.
As a Windrush elder, Mrs Estlyn McFarquhar’s story is inseparable from the broader history of Black Britain. Her life’s work stands as a testament to resilience, community solidarity, and the power of sustained grassroots action. In Bath, her contribution remains foundational, a reminder that meaningful change is built over time, through care, commitment, and an unwavering belief in collective progress.
Cecil
Cecil 'Music Master' Morris
Cecil “Music Master” Morris is widely recognised as a pioneering figure in the development of community radio in the United Kingdom. His work helped to establish radio as a vital platform for representation, cultural expression, and grassroots connection at a time when Black communities and their music were largely excluded from mainstream broadcasting.
Emerging from a period when access to media was tightly controlled and highly unequal, Cecil understood early the power of radio as a democratic tool. For many communities, radio was not simply entertainment, but a means of education, communication, and visibility. Cecil’s vision was rooted in the belief that local people should be able to hear their own voices, stories, and music reflected back to them — on their own terms.
Operating within the early landscape of community and independent radio, Cecil became a central figure in creating and sustaining spaces where Black British culture could be heard and valued. His work contributed to the growth of community radio stations that prioritised inclusion, participation, and cultural relevance over commercial imperatives. These stations played a crucial role in serving audiences that were otherwise ignored by national broadcasters.
Music was at the heart of Cecil’s broadcasting practice. Known as “Music Master,” he championed genres such as reggae, soul, and other forms of Black music that carried deep social, political, and cultural meaning. Through radio, he helped connect diasporic communities to their musical heritage while also supporting the development of a distinct Black British sound. His programmes were spaces of discovery, affirmation, and shared experience.
Beyond music selection, Cecil’s contribution lay in how he understood radio as a community institution. He recognised that broadcasting could foster dialogue, provide information, and strengthen social bonds. Community radio under his influence became a place where local issues could be discussed openly, where community events could be promoted, and where listeners could feel seen and heard.
Cecil also played an important role in widening access to broadcasting itself. By supporting emerging presenters, DJs, and volunteers, he helped open doors for people who might otherwise never have had the opportunity to work in media. His approach was rooted in mentorship and collective growth, ensuring that knowledge and skills were shared rather than gatekept. In doing so, he helped nurture future generations of broadcasters and cultural practitioners.
The significance of Cecil’s work must be understood within its wider historical context. During the formative years of community radio in the UK, Black communities faced systemic exclusion from public institutions, including media. Community radio stations often operated with limited resources and under regulatory pressure, yet they became vital cultural lifelines. Cecil’s persistence and leadership helped ensure that these spaces not only survived, but flourished.
Over time, the influence of community radio expanded, shaping the broader British media landscape. Many of the sounds, formats, and voices that are now familiar across mainstream radio can trace their roots back to community broadcasting. Cecil “Music Master” Morris stands among those whose early commitment made this evolution possible, even if such contributions were not always publicly acknowledged at the time.
Cecil’s legacy is not defined by a single station or programme, but by the culture he helped to build. His work demonstrated that radio could belong to the people it served, reflecting their realities, aspirations, and creativity. It affirmed the importance of local knowledge, cultural pride, and self-representation within British media.
Today, Cecil “Music Master” Morris is remembered as a foundational figure in UK community radio — a pioneer whose influence continues to be felt in the diversity of voices now present across broadcasting. His contribution forms part of a broader story of Black British innovation, resilience, and cultural leadership, reminding us that many of the media freedoms enjoyed today were built through grassroots effort and community vision.
Through his dedication to music, community, and access, Cecil helped transform radio from a distant institution into a shared space of belonging. His work remains a testament to the power of community-led media to shape culture, strengthen identity, and connect people across generations.
Arthur
Arthur Wharton
Arthur Wharton occupies a unique and foundational place in British sporting history. Widely recognised as the world’s first Black professional footballer, his life and career speak not only to athletic achievement, but also to the broader social and cultural forces that shaped Britain at the turn of the twentieth century.
Born in 1865 in the Gold Coast (modern-day Ghana), Arthur Wharton came to Britain as a young man during a period of empire, migration, and rigid racial hierarchy. Initially arriving to train as a missionary, he soon distinguished himself as an exceptional all-round sportsman. At a time when organised sport was becoming a defining feature of British public life, Wharton’s athletic ability placed him among the most remarkable competitors of his generation.
Wharton excelled across multiple disciplines, including athletics and cycling, but it was football that would ultimately define his legacy. In 1886, he set a world record in the 100 yards sprint, a testament to his extraordinary speed and physical prowess. His reputation as an elite athlete led him into football at a time when the professional game was still in its infancy and firmly dominated by white, working-class English players.
As a goalkeeper, Wharton was known for his agility, athleticism, and confidence — qualities that challenged contemporary ideas about both race and sporting roles. His presence on the pitch was groundbreaking. In an era when Black people were rarely visible in public life beyond restrictive stereotypes, Wharton stood as a figure of undeniable talent and professionalism within one of Britain’s most popular and culturally significant sports.
Wharton played professionally for several clubs, including Preston North End, Rotherham Town, and Sheffield United, navigating a footballing world that was still defining its structures, values, and boundaries. His career unfolded against a backdrop of widespread racial prejudice, limited opportunity, and social exclusion. Despite this, he forged a place for himself through ability and determination, becoming a visible challenge to the assumptions of his time.
Yet Wharton’s life was not defined solely by sporting success. Like many pioneers, his achievements were not fully recognised during his lifetime, and his later years were marked by hardship. Following his retirement from professional sport, he experienced financial difficulty and social marginalisation — a reflection of the limited support available to athletes once their playing days ended, and the additional barriers faced by Black Britons in early twentieth-century society.
For decades after his death in 1930, Arthur Wharton’s story remained largely absent from mainstream sporting history. His contributions were overlooked, and his role as a trailblazer went unacknowledged in narratives of English football. It was only through the efforts of historians, community activists, and sporting bodies that his legacy was gradually rediscovered and restored.
In recent years, Wharton has come to be recognised not only as a sporting pioneer, but as a figure of cultural and historical significance. His story has prompted wider conversations about race, belonging, and representation in British sport. As football continues to reckon with questions of inclusion and equality, Wharton’s life offers vital historical context — a reminder that Black presence in the game is not new, but foundational.
Arthur Wharton’s legacy extends beyond records and firsts. He represents the courage required to exist visibly and confidently in spaces that were not designed to include you. His career laid early groundwork for generations of Black footballers who would follow, often facing similar challenges but building upon the path he helped to open.
Today, Wharton is remembered as a symbol of perseverance, talent, and quiet defiance. His life reflects the broader story of Black Britain — contributions made despite exclusion, excellence achieved without recognition, and legacies that endure even when history initially looks away. In reclaiming Arthur Wharton’s place in football history, Britain also reaffirms a more truthful and inclusive understanding of its past.
Carlton
Carlton Joseph
Mr Carlton Joseph was a respected member of Bath’s Windrush community and a longstanding advocate for the city’s Black population. Over decades of dedicated service, he played a pivotal role in creating and supporting institutions that have strengthened the social, cultural, and civic life of Black residents, working closely alongside other community leaders such as Mrs Estlyn McFarquhar. His contributions, while deeply influential, was largely unrecognised, reflecting a wider history of underappreciated Black community leadership in the city.
As part of the Windrush generation, Mr Joseph arrived in Britain during a period of hope, ambition, and significant challenge. Like many of his contemporaries, he faced social and institutional barriers while seeking to establish a life in a new country. Rather than retreating in the face of discrimination, he turned his energy toward collective action, recognising that the strength of the community would depend on organisation, mutual support, and visibility.
Mr Joseph was instrumental in the establishment of a range of Black-led organisations in Bath, creating structures that addressed the educational, social, and civic needs of the city’s Black population. Alongside Mrs McFarquhar, he helped build networks that included cultural and educational initiatives, community advocacy groups, and forums for dialogue with public institutions. These organisations provided vital support for families, young people, and elders alike, forming a backbone of the city’s Black community that continues to have enduring impact.
Education and youth engagement were central to his work. Mr Joseph recognised the importance of creating spaces where children and young people could access culturally affirming learning and support outside of mainstream systems that often overlooked or misunderstood their experiences. By helping to establish supplementary schools and community programmes, he ensured that the next generation could grow with confidence, knowledge, and a sense of cultural pride.
Equally important was Mr Joseph’s commitment to social cohesion and intergenerational connection. He supported initiatives for elders, ensuring that older members of the Black community had opportunities for engagement, mutual support, and recognition. Through these efforts, he reinforced the principle that community vitality relies on the active inclusion of all its members, across age and circumstance.
Mr Joseph also contributed to creating dialogue between Black communities and local institutions, including law enforcement and civic authorities. By participating in liaison groups and advocacy forums, he helped create spaces where the voices of Black residents could be heard and respected. His approach was characterised by pragmatism, patience, and a belief in collaborative solutions, ensuring that local decision-making could better reflect the needs of all residents.
Throughout his decades of service, Mr Joseph demonstrated a steadfast dedication to empowerment, representation, and social justice. He combined strategic vision with hands-on involvement, consistently prioritising the creation of durable, community-led structures over short-term recognition. While his contributions have not always received the public attention they deserve, the institutions he helped build continue to serve and uplift the people of Bath.
Mr Joseph is remembered as a quiet yet formidable force within Bath’s Black community. His work alongside Mrs McFarquhar and other community leaders has created lasting social infrastructure, strengthened intergenerational ties, and ensured that voices which might otherwise have been marginalised were amplified and respected. His story is one of dedication, vision, and an unwavering belief in the power of collective action to effect meaningful change.
In recognising Mr Joseph’s contributions, Bath acknowledges not only the history of its Black community, but also the ongoing importance of grassroots leadership, cultural advocacy, and civic engagement. His life’s work continues to inspire those who seek to build stronger, more connected, and equitable communities, ensuring that the legacy of the Windrush generation is remembered and celebrated.
Ajibola
Ajibola Lewis
Ajibola Lewis is a dedicated campaigner and community advocate whose work has been shaped by personal tragedy and a profound commitment to social justice. Following the death of her brother, Olaseni Lewis, she has devoted herself to raising awareness, supporting families, and challenging systemic failures in mental health care and policing, ensuring that the voices of those affected are heard and respected.
Olaseni Lewis, a 23-year-old British man, died on 3 September 2010 at Bethlem Royal Hospital in London after being subjected to prolonged physical restraint by police officers. He had voluntarily sought care during a mental health crisis, yet the actions of eleven officers resulted in cerebral hypoxia, leading to his death. The tragedy exposed critical shortcomings in both policing and mental health provision and became a catalyst for Ajibola’s sustained campaigning.
Ajibola transformed her grief into purposeful advocacy, focusing on systemic reform, accountability, and public awareness. She has worked tirelessly to ensure that Olaseni’s story highlights the urgent need for changes in how police, health professionals, and institutions respond to individuals in mental health crisis. Her campaigning addresses both institutional accountability and broader societal understanding, bridging personal experience with public advocacy.
Her work spans multiple areas, including engagement with policymakers, collaboration with mental health and human rights organisations, and support for other families affected by similar tragedies. By combining advocacy, public education, and strategic campaigning, Ajibola has helped shine a light on institutional practices that put vulnerable individuals at risk, ensuring that families have a voice in shaping safer, more compassionate systems.
Through her campaigning, Ajibola Lewis has contributed to raising awareness around failures in mental health care and restraint procedures, helping to influence policy reviews, professional standards, and legislative discussions. Her efforts have emphasised the importance of safe, humane treatment for people experiencing mental health crises and the accountability of institutions tasked with their care.
Ajibola also engages in public education and outreach, providing guidance and solidarity to families and communities affected by similar issues. Through media work, public speaking, and community forums, she ensures that the conversation around mental health, policing, and patient rights remains visible, informed, and rooted in lived experience.
Collaboration and coalition-building are central to her approach. Ajibola works closely with advocacy organisations, mental health professionals, legal experts, and community groups to drive change. Her work demonstrates the power of combining personal testimony, community mobilisation, and strategic advocacy to effect both systemic and societal impact.
Throughout her campaigning, Ajibola Lewis has demonstrated resilience, courage, and unwavering commitment to justice. Her work is characterised by a careful balance of personal testimony, constructive engagement, and a focus on meaningful outcomes. She approaches each initiative with integrity, ensuring that her advocacy advances both awareness and practical reform.
Today, Ajibola Lewis is recognised as a leading voice for mental health justice and institutional accountability. Her work continues to inform public discussions, influence professional practices, and support families affected by systemic failings. Through her efforts, she has honoured the memory of Olaseni Lewis while creating lasting impact for others, helping to ensure that tragedies like his are met with understanding, learning, and reform.
Ajibola’s legacy is one of resilience, advocacy, and transformative action. She demonstrates how personal experience, when combined with determination, strategic engagement, and collaboration, can produce meaningful change, protect vulnerable individuals, and inspire others to work for justice. Her life’s work underscores the importance of listening to lived experience, amplifying marginalised voices, and holding institutions accountable for the care and safety of those in crisis.
Pauline
Pauline Swaby-Wallace
Mrs Pauline Swaby Wallace is a dedicated community leader whose work over more than three decades has made a profound difference in the lives of elders and families within her local community. Through her tireless commitment, she has contributed to the wellbeing, support, and social inclusion of some of the most vulnerable members of society, helping to build structures and services that endure to this day.
Central to Mrs Swaby Wallace’s work has been her involvement with Fairfield House and the associated Community Interest Company (CIC), organisations that provide crucial social, cultural, and practical support for older adults. Through these initiatives, she has helped create safe, welcoming spaces where elders can connect, access essential services, and engage with opportunities for personal growth and social interaction. Her leadership has ensured that these organisations remain responsive, inclusive, and sensitive to the diverse needs of the community they serve.
Mrs Swaby Wallace’s approach to community work reflects a deep understanding of the challenges faced by older members of society. She has consistently prioritised initiatives that address social isolation, provide practical assistance, and create opportunities for engagement and empowerment. Her work goes beyond immediate support, fostering environments that enable older adults to participate fully in civic and cultural life, while maintaining dignity and independence.
Beyond her contributions to Fairfield House, Mrs Swaby Wallace has been involved in a range of other local organisations, demonstrating a broad and sustained commitment to the public good. She has worked collaboratively with community groups, local authorities, and service providers, ensuring that initiatives are inclusive, effective, and culturally attuned. Her efforts have strengthened the social fabric of the community, creating networks of care, mutual support, and opportunity that benefit multiple generations.
Over the course of more than 30 years, Mrs Swaby Wallace has become a respected and trusted figure within the community. Her dedication has been marked not only by longevity, but by a consistent focus on meaningful, practical impact. She combines compassion with organisation, empathy with strategic thinking, and care with advocacy, ensuring that services meet real needs while remaining sustainable and community-led.
Mrs Swaby Wallace’s work embodies a philosophy of service that emphasises listening, responsiveness, and respect. She recognises that effective community support requires not only resources and programmes, but also relationships built on trust, understanding, and shared purpose. Her contributions have helped create environments where elders feel valued, supported, and able to thrive, reinforcing the importance of intergenerational solidarity and social cohesion.
Through her ongoing commitment, Mrs Swaby Wallace has helped transform the experience of ageing within her community. She has championed initiatives that combine cultural enrichment, practical assistance, and social connection, demonstrating the role of locally led leadership in improving quality of life. Her efforts exemplify how sustained community involvement can produce long-term, tangible benefits for both individuals and the wider society.
Today, Mrs Pauline Swaby Wallace is recognised as a cornerstone of community support in her area, whose work continues to inspire volunteers, colleagues, and beneficiaries alike. Her legacy is visible in the organisations she has helped to develop, the elders whose lives have been enriched by her care, and the stronger, more connected community that has emerged from her decades of dedication.
Tony
Tony Warner
Tony Warner established Black History Walks in 2007. BHW explores the thousands of years of African/Caribbean history in London via 15 guided walks, bus tours, river cruises, talks, films and courses. Black History Walks has featured on BBC, ITV, Arise TV, The Guardian, Huffington Post, Time Out and Channel 4. Tony has written and presented documentaries for Teachers TV; Conde Nast Traveller listed BHW in their Best 15 walks in London in 2018; and in 2011 the Guardian put them in their Top Ten walks.
Tony is an author on the ground-breaking ‘Pearson GCSE (9-1) Edexcel History Migrants in Britain Student Book’. This exam textbook, for the first time, introduces Black British Civil Rights at GCSE level. The book is part based on his Notting Hill Black History Walk. It sold out its first print run and is increasingly being used in schools across the country.
Tony is the co-founder and chair of the African Odysseys programme. This grassroots initiative has been screening African diaspora films plus Q&As, on a monthly basis at the British Film Institute’s Southbank cinema for 15 years. It is the only such programme in the country and has shown thousands of films to tens of thousands of people.
Tony has been exhibiting educational and empowering films about Black history in museums, art galleries, restaurants and youth clubs since 2000. He pioneered community partnerships with and lectured at the Imperial War Museum, National Portrait Gallery and Museum of London/Docklands – which all led to huge increases in Black audiences.
In 2020 he was part of Jacaranda Books unprecedented initiative to publish 20 Black British authors in one year, Twenty in 2020.
In 2021, he was selected as the first ever Activist in Residence at University College London’s Sarah Parker Remond Centre for the Study of Racism and Racialisation. As such, he curated numerous events such as ‘Books, Violence and Resistance’, ‘Trailblazers of Black Theatre’, ‘The Superb Success of Saturday Schools’ and ‘African history at the Tower of London’ etc.
Since 2011 Tony has sponsored 10 Nubian Jak blue plaques in honour of Black historical figures such as Sarah Parker Remond, Phyllis Wheatley, Emma Clarke, Darcus Howe and Dr Harold Moody.