Dr Jak Beula, CEO of the commemorative plaque scheme Nubian Jak Community Trust, has said that only 20 out of over 900 blue plaques in London are dedicated to people of African and Asian heritage.
A shiny new blue plaque in West Kensington commemorates five black activists
The Nubian Jak Community Trust is the only other recognised plaque scheme in London, alongside Heritage Foundation.
On 1 October, the Trust unveiled a new blue plaque in West Kensington that commemorates five black civil rights activists, including the first Kenyan president Jomo Kenyatta and Jamaican activists Marcus and Amy Garvey. All were residents at 57 Castletown Road at different points between 1928 and 1929.
The plaque marks the largest diversity plaque tribute in UK history. The unveiling was done in collaboration with Hammersmith and Fulham Council.
Lina Adams spoke to Dr Beula on Saturday before his talk about Daphne Steel, the NHS’s first black matron at St Georges Hospital. Dr Beula emphasised the importance of plaques in raising awareness of significant figures in black heritage.
“We’re trying to highlight our rich cultural heritage and put up more plaques and statues, inviting the public to come to these events,” Dr Buela said. “I guess we can’t do more than memorialise these spaces”.
Since the Trust’s inception, they have raised the diversity of blue plaques across London from 1.6% to 7%.
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HeadlineCEO of charity stresses importance of blue plaques in cultural diversity
Short HeadlineCharity CEO says not enough blue plaques dedicated to African people
StandfirstOnly 20 out of 900 blue plaques in London are dedicated to people of African heritage.
Dr Jak Beula, CEO of the commemorative plaque scheme Nubian Jak Community Trust, has said that only 20 out of over 900 blue plaques in London are dedicated to people of African and Asian heritage.
A shiny new blue plaque in West Kensington commemorates five black activists
The Nubian Jak Community Trust is the only other recognised plaque scheme in London, alongside Heritage Foundation.
On 1 October, the Trust unveiled a new blue plaque in West Kensington that commemorates five black civil rights activists, including the first Kenyan president Jomo Kenyatta and Jamaican activists Marcus and Amy Garvey. All were residents at 57 Castletown Road at different points between 1928 and 1929.
The plaque marks the largest diversity plaque tribute in UK history. The unveiling was done in collaboration with Hammersmith and Fulham Council.
Lina Adams spoke to Dr Beula on Saturday before his talk about Daphne Steel, the NHS’s first black matron at St Georges Hospital. Dr Beula emphasised the importance of plaques in raising awareness of significant figures in black heritage.
“We’re trying to highlight our rich cultural heritage and put up more plaques and statues, inviting the public to come to these events,” Dr Buela said. “I guess we can’t do more than memorialise these spaces”.
Since the Trust’s inception, they have raised the diversity of blue plaques across London from 1.6% to 7%.
