Latest news with #MelChevannes
BBC News
22-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Windrush Day: 'Never mind the obstacles, work around it'
A woman who made history when she was elected as Wolverhampton's first African-Caribbean councillor in 1981 has spoken about the obstacles faced by the Windrush generation and how she forged her own Chevannes was speaking as the city prepared to unveil a bronze bust of her on Windrush said she hoped the bust, created by sculptor Hannah Northam, would show others what is possible."Never mind the obstacles, never mind people picking on you because of your colouring or your skin or your gender, find other people who are supportive and work around it," she said. City council papers said the pioneer was not only Wolverhampton's first black councillor but also the first black female university MP Sureena Brackenridge said in the Commons Prof Chevannes had "not only opened doors but shattered glass ceilings". Windrush Day marks the contributions of the Windrush generation - people from the Caribbean who were invited to the UK to help rebuild post-war first ship, HMT Empire Windrush, docked in Tilbury, Essex, in 1948, with hundreds of passengers on board. Prof Chevannes said that generation had "overcome tremendous obstacles, more so than I and many others have experienced, and if it hadn't been for them, we wouldn't be here".She said: "These were the people who experienced racial discrimination at first hand, couldn't get housing accommodation – they literally shared beds."I know things have changed, but nevertheless there are still people who are treated very badly on the basis of their colour. No-one should be treated badly because of the colouring of their skin." Election victory In 1981, The Times reported how Chevannes held the Graiseley ward for Labour with 1,887 votes, beating Roger Steel, from the newly-formed Social Democratic Party – a group that had broken away from Labour – with 1, how she had Caribbean, Asian and white supporters, she said she had been the first black woman to stand in the had been seen as an "easy capture" for the new party, Prof Chevannes said, but added: "It didn't happen and in fact people were really wonderful."She described how as chair of the social services committee, she worked to help young people, families and people facing served as a councillor for 11 years and later chaired The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust. Her statue will the first in England to honour a named black woman still living, Prof Chevannes said.A statue of Jamaican-born Mary Seacole was believed to be the UK's first in honour of a named black woman in who nursed soldiers in the Crimean War, died in 1881. Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Pride of first African-Caribbean councillor
Wolverhampton's first African-Caribbean councillor has said she is "proud" to be recognised for her contributions, ahead of a bronze bust being unveiled during Windrush Day celebrations. Mel Chevannes, who was elected in Graiseley in 1981 and served as a councillor for 11 years, later chaired The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust. Friends, family and ex-colleagues welcomed her husband's idea to permanently recognise her achievements and a group was formed with the purpose of commissioning a commemorative art piece. Ms Chevannes said she was proud to be recognised for her "professional, community and educational contributions to this wonderful city". She also stated she was "humbled to be honoured" by a bronze bust in the city that has been her home for 50 years. Her husband, Frank Reeves, proposed the idea of a permanent recognition of her contributions to Wolverhampton, after a biography of her life was published. A flag-raising ceremony outside the Civic Centre at 10:30 BST on Sunday will feature speeches from representatives of the Windrush community, Wolverhampton mayor Craig Collingswood and Deputy Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands Sandra Samuels. She became the first person of African-Caribbean heritage to become mayor of the city in 2022. The bust will be unveiled at Wolverhampton Art Gallery during an event introduced by Lord-Lieutenant Derrick Anderson. HMT Empire Windrush docked in Tilbury, Essex, on 22 June 1948, bringing hundreds of passengers from the Caribbean to the UK, who were invited to rebuild post-war Britain. Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Events to be held to mark Windrush Day What is Windrush Day? Zephaniah to be celebrated at Windrush Day event City elects first black mayor in nearly 200 years City of Wolverhampton Council The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Events to be held to mark Windrush Day
Windrush Day is to be celebrated in Wolverhampton later this month. The annual event celebrates the contributions that Caribbean migrants and their descendants have made to the UK. Wolverhampton City Council will host a flag-raising ceremony outside the Civic Centre at 10:30 GMT on 22 June. A bust of Mel Chevannes, the city's first African-Caribbean councillor, will then be unveiled at Wolverhampton Art Gallery. Chevannes was elected to the Graiseley Ward in 1981 and served as a councillor for 11 years, later becoming the first African-Caribbean chairperson of The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust. "I am humbled to be honoured by a bronze bust in the city of Wolverhampton, which has been my home for the last 50 years," she said. "It is truly amazing that this is the first such public recognition in England of a black woman who is very much alive." HMT Empire Windrush docked in Tilbury, Essex, on 22 June 1948, bringing hundreds of passengers from the Caribbean to the UK, who were invited to rebuild post-war Britain. Wolverhampton mayor Councillor Craig Collingswood said the council was delighted to highlight and celebrate the impact of the Windrush generation. "Everyone is welcome to join us for the flag-raising and the unveiling, and I hope that as many residents as possible are able to come along and help us celebrate Windrush Day 2025," he added. Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. What is Windrush Day? Zephaniah to be celebrated at Windrush Day event New project aims to inspire Windrush descendants Plea for help to pay for Windrush victim's funeral Wolverhampton City Council
BBC News
12-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Wolverhampton hosts Windrush Day events
Windrush Day is to be celebrated in Wolverhampton later this annual event celebrates the contributions that Caribbean migrants and their descendants have made to the City Council will host a flag-raising ceremony outside the Civic Centre at 10:30 GMT on 22 June.A bust of Mel Chevannes, the city's first African-Caribbean councillor, will then be unveiled at Wolverhampton Art Gallery. Chevannes was elected to the Graiseley Ward in 1981 and served as a councillor for 11 years, later becoming the first African-Caribbean chairperson of The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust."I am humbled to be honoured by a bronze bust in the city of Wolverhampton, which has been my home for the last 50 years," she said."It is truly amazing that this is the first such public recognition in England of a black woman who is very much alive."HMT Empire Windrush docked in Tilbury, Essex, on 22 June 1948, bringing hundreds of passengers from the Caribbean to the UK, who were invited to rebuild post-war mayor Councillor Craig Collingswood said the council was delighted to highlight and celebrate the impact of the Windrush generation."Everyone is welcome to join us for the flag-raising and the unveiling, and I hope that as many residents as possible are able to come along and help us celebrate Windrush Day 2025," he added. Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
