Caribbean diaspora recognised in New Year Honours List

LONDON:

At least four persons from the Caribbean diaspora in the United Kingdom have been named to the King’s New Year Honours List.

The Honours List recognises individuals who made extraordinary achievements in public life and have committed themselves to serving the UK.

The awardees include persons from various walks of life, including an actress, fundraiser and successful businesswoman.

Desmond Brown, a campaigner who works with young people affected by knife crime in Bristol in the southwest of England, was named as a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).

Brown spoke exclusively to The Weekly Gleaner, during a visit to Kingston, Jamaica, recently. He said: “I was unaware that I had been nominated for an MBE and so it was a surprise when I was informed.

“I have received a lot of good wishes from the friends and family in Jamaica.

“It recognises the importance of the voice of the community in delivering equity and justice for everyone. That work continues.”

Brown, 55 is the founder of Growing Futures UK and vice chair of the Independent Scrutiny of Police Powers Panel.

The Growing Futures UK works with young people and school exclusion students to help them discuss their fears with parents and teachers.

Brown, whose father was born in Manchester, Jamaica, says his visit to the island recently was to build contacts and learn from its educational programmes.

Karen Blacklett was named a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).

The Barbadian businesswoman, who has over 30 years of experience in the marketing, communications industry, was awarded an OBE in 2014 for services to media and communications,.

Blacklett said: “I am thrilled to receive this honour for my time in the advertising and creative industries; an industry sector that I have thoroughly loved and enjoyed. I am pleased that I was able to make a positive difference.”

In October 2022, Blacklett was appointed UK president of WPP, a British multinational communications, advertising, public relations, technology and commerce company.

As UK president, Blackett was responsible for 12,000 staff members and a revenue stream in excess of £2bn.

Carmen Munroe, 92, a Guyanese actress with over 60 years of experience in theatre and TV, was awarded the Order of the British Empire (DBE), for services to drama.

Munroe is renowned in the UK for her role as the wife of a barber in the popular British sitcom, The Desmonds, during the 1980s and 1990s.

The actress often credits the comedy series for putting Caribbean voices on the British screen and in production.

Munroe further encouraged Caribbean and African actors to venture into theatre, during the same period, by founding the Talawa Theatre Company.

Talawa she notes aims to nurture talent in emerging and established artistes of African or Caribbean heritage, and to tell inspirational and passionate stories, reflecting black experiences through art.

Patricia Hamzahee was awarded an OBE for her contribution to philanthropy, arts and investment. After working almost 20 years in banking and finance, Hamzahee helps social enterprises attract private capital and advocates to increase funding for diverse founders of startups.

Leon Hall, who manages the day-to-day operations of the capital’s public transport network – Transport for London (TFL) – also received an award.

Hall, 52, who has spent the last decade raising tens of thousands of pounds for various causes in the capital, received the British Empire Medal (BEM) for charitable service.

He began raising funds when his close friend and TfL colleague, Steve Lloyd, was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour in 2014.

In support of Lloyd, Hall organised a fundraising event which involved cycling across London’s train route, raising £30,000.

Lloyd passed away at the end of 2015 at the age of 39, as a result of his illness.

In Lloyd’s` memory, Hall took on The One London Charity Cycle Challenge in 2016 and raised a further £30,000.

Another of Hall’s community projects has been overseeing the conversion of a train carriage into a children’s library within in a Lewisham school, southeast of London.

Over ten years on from his original fundraising event, Hall speaking to ITV News in England, said he was “overwhelmed” to hear that he had been named on the King’s New Year Honours list.

He added: “I can’t put it into words, really. I’m still getting it into my head. It was a pleasant surprise, and a bit of a shock when it actually happened.”

Describing the moment he received the letter, the fundraiser said: “I got home from work and there was a very official government letter that was on the table.

“I didn’t know whether it was a court summons or if I’d been written to by Q or James Bond or something”, he said.