Blue Plaque honour for Newham Black Performing Arts pioneers

LONDON:

The founding members of Newham Black Performing & Visual Arts Workshop were recently honoured with the unveiling of a blue plaque in east London.

The five pioneers are Tony Cheeseman, Pearla Boyce, Harian Henry, Peter Mavunga, and Nathalie Pierre.

The plaque was commissioned by the Newham African Caribbean Heritage Reference Group, a voluntary organisation founded by Harry Cumberbatch, MBE, in collaboration with journalist and arts producer, Neandra Etienne.

Cumberbatch said: “We are thrilled to unveil this Newham Heritage blue plaque as a symbol of recognition and gratitude for the exceptional contributions of the founding members of the Newham Black Performing & Visual Arts Workshop.

“Their tireless efforts have not only enriched our cultural heritage, but also inspired generations of artists and creators. This plaque serves as a testament to their enduring legacy and the vital role of diversity in shaping our artistic community.”

A spokesperson for the Heritage Reference Group said further that “Newham Black Performing and Visual Arts Workshop nurtured the creative talent of local young people, provided space for other local African Caribbean groups to meet, hold events, and brought the renowned play Ragamuffin to Stratford East.

“We are pleased to honour the individuals who have made indelible contributions to the development of arts within the black community.”

The plaque was unveiled by Col (Rtd) Christian Katsande – Zimbabwe’s ambassador to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, and founding members Pearla Boyce and Peter Mavunga.

Ambassador Katsande paid tribute to the Newham African Caribbean Heritage Reference Group for the gesture.

The ambassador said further that he was open to exploring links between Newham African Caribbean Heritage Reference Group and the Culture Cohort at the Zimbabwe embassy.

Mavunga, in sharing the motivation for the group’s early start, said: “We decided to form the organisation to provide young black people with a platform to develop their talents because at the time, their prospects were bleak in Newham. The opportunities were limited, especially for young black people who endured racism within society.”

Cumberbatch was also honoured at the special event with a surprise ‘Inspiration Award’ for 60 years of championing the African Caribbean community in east London.

PRESENTATIONS

The Newham Black Performing & Visual Arts Workshop was founded in 1982 and formed as a charitable company limited by guarantee. The Commission for Racial Equality was the first funding body to provide assistance with a financial grant to employ a full-time worker to organise and run workshops. In subsequent years, other organisations lent their support.

This enabled the founding members to apply for funds to run workshops led by experts in their field and conferences to inform and educate. Their creatives included Professor Hakim Adi and Benjamin Zephaniah, who was hired to lead the poetry workshops.

The Workshop collaborated with the Newham African Caribbean Centre from 1986 to 1989.

The unveiling event included presentations of the Cumberbatch Heritage collection, an artwork display by the New City Road Primary School, a libation performed by IROKO Theatre Company, Dallaway Steel Band ,and music by DJ Junestar. Nailah Cumberbatch performed a poem, and, with the audience, Redemption Song by Jamaica’s reggae superstar Bob Marley.

A panel discussion featured honourees Boyce and Mavunga, Sandra Agard, former tutor and Shaka Daanwi, a former student, reflecting on the organisation’s history.

Poetry workshop lead Zephaniah was remembered during the event with his brother, Tippa, reading Benjamin’s poem, I Love Me Mudda.

Commenting on the honour, Tippa said:”The plaque unveiling event for Newham Black Performing & Visual Arts Workshop was a wonderful tribute to their work and the past involvement of my brother. We had a wonderful time and felt warmly welcomed by all in attendance.”