1African Caribbean Community Organisation Ltd.

ISSUE 2 JULY 2007

ACCOL

TAMARIND CENTRE

Promoting Positive Mental

Health

2GET INVOLVED!!

If you feel you want to be actively involvedin the community then get in touch.

EXPRESS YOURSELF!!

We need YOU to send in your stories, articles,poems, pictures, recipes, book reviews,

thoughts on local events etc.Tell us what YOU would like to see in the next

edition.

Contact us on

Tel:02476 220851

Email:afca.org@btinternet.com

ACCOL NEEDS YOU!

3ACCOLS GREETINGS AND WELCOME

Since the last edition ofACCOL Magazine, there havebeen many exciting changesand new developments in thecommunity.

In this edition we hope to cap-ture a few of the great thingsthat have taken place in thecommunity, reflecting on theactivities surrounding the an-niversary of the abolition ofslavery, highlighting some ofthe key community basedorganisations and projectsseen to be pillars of thecommunity and taking a lookat the run up to this yearsAGM.

CONTACT US AT:African Caribbean Community

Organisation Limited,Coventry Community

Fire Station,Radford Road,

Ringway Hill Crossroads,Radford,Coventry,CV1 4EL

T: 024 7622 0851F: 024 7622 0851M: 079 0386 8802

E: afca.org@btinternet.com

Office Opening Hours:MondayFriday 10am-5pm

STAFF

ACCOLwhere weare today

Paul StevensonCoventrys first

Community Rela-tions

Officer

Abolition of Slavery

We or Wilberforce

HealthDepressionHow to

recognize andmanage it

EducationYoung Gifted And

Educated Out andabout in SheffieldBlack Boys Can

Music

Arts

Sports historyblack footballers

In the CommunityCommunity spotlight

CookingCompetition

Inside thisissue

BILL

MARVA

GEMMA

PETER WILLIAMSCHAIR OF ACCOL

4Unity is strength!stay open for learning and changes

Organise and centralise

Marcus Garvey

Here at ACCOL we believe it is our duty and privilege to raise our community with united efforts.We all learn from each other, weather good bad or indifferent.. As a community we have the skillsand the potential in our community, to build a strong force able to impact on the political world thatmakes decisions affecting our day-to-day lives. I believe there is more to be gained by workingtogether and having an understanding of what each other are attempting to achieve

MEK NO ONE FOOL YOU BY BEING DIVIDED. IT DOES NOT BENEFIT US!

THE TEAMSince September 2006 we have appointed twoemployees in charge of the day to day runningof ACCOL, Bill Hall and Marva AlAnsaari. Both have lived in Coventry most oftheir lives and between them have plenty firsthand experience, understanding andknowledge of the African CaribbeanCommunity. ACCOLs office is now fullyoperational with the added support fromGemma Osula a uni-temp business student inher final year. As well as office supportGemma is working on ACCOLs magazine. An-gela Knight has also recently been employedto head the Capacity Builders project.

The following partners were successful in a CapacityBuilders bid, allowing them to employ two workers toassess the training needs of Coventrys AfricanCaribbean organisations:

ACCOL Black Boys Can Coventry West Indian Centre Fresh Enterprise Frontline AV Osaba Women's Centre Positive Steps with Steph Tamarind CentreCONTACT ANGELA ON 07956511921 FOR INFO

TRIBUTE TO JENNIFER BURCHALLJennifer will not only be remembered for being ACCOLs first worker and for her office skills/management but will also be remembered for her tremendous support and great inspirationespecially during difficulties that the project endured in its transition to the African CaribbeanCommunity Organisation Ltd.

If you think you are beaten, you areIf you think you dare not, you don't

If you think youd like to win, but think you cant, its almost certain you wont

If you think youll lose, youve lostFor out of the world we find

Success begins with a fellows willIts all in the state of mind

If you think youre outclassed, you areYouve got to think high to rise

Youve got to be sure of yourself beforeYou can ever win a prize

Lifes battles dont always goTo the stronger or faster person

But sooner or later the people who winAre the ones that think they can

Jennifer Burchell

5conductors. This action was not challenged by the BusWorkers Union. (Transport and General Workers Union)

The campaign received national and international atten-tion and involved the then-MP for Bristol East, TonyBenn, and the international cricketer and diplomat SirLearie Constantine. Support for the boycott cut acrosscolour lines. The campaign caught the attention of Har-old Wilson, then Prime Minister, and pressure wasbrought to bear on the Bristol Omnibus Company by itsLondon managers. The Company began to hire blackdrivers and conductors in 1963.

After leaving Coventry Paul went to live and work in Lon-don. He worked for the CRE and amongst other volun-tary commitments became a Governor of Tulse HillSchool. Pauls heart was always firmly in the Black com-munity and he later setup the Mohammed Ali Sports De-velopment Awards which the great man actually at-tended to present the awards.

Paul now lives in Bristol and though supposedly retiredhas been prominent in the Bristols Abolition of SlaveryCommemorations and the Bristol Black Archives Partner-ship

In his time in Coventry Paul gave us all a great deal andmany of us feel proud to have known him. We welcomehim back to our City.

This years Annual Gen-eral Meeting will takeplace on Tuesday 1stMay 2007 at theCoventry West IndianCommunity Centre.With guest speaker,Paul Stephensonopening the event.

Paul was Coventrysfirst community rela-tions officer from 1968 1972. He will be af-fectionately remem-bered by all black peo-

ple who were living in Coventry at this time particularlybecause of his uncompromising stance on racial issues.Paul was very much ahead of his time in terms of thework that he did particularly with and for young blackpeople both of African Caribbean and Asian origin. It isinteresting to note that while Paul was regarded as amilitant and controversial character most of the things hecampaigned for are now regarded as good practice.

Prior to working in Coventry Paul will always be remem-bered for leading the first black-led civil rights campaignin Britain, in 1963. Paul led local African Caribbean peo-ple to boycott the publicly owned Bristol Omnibus Com-pany who openly refused to hire black bus drivers and

Tuesday 1st May 2007At the Coventry West Indian

Community Centre7.00 pm

Guest SpeakerPaul Stephenson

(Coventrys First CommunityRelations Officer)

6HEALTH BULLETIN

This editions health bulletin will be given by the Tamarind Centre and willfocus on depression within the African-Caribbean Community.

The Tamarind Centre was established in 1989 (formally known as Coventry Black Mental Health Associa-tion) The Primary aim of the organisation is to provide support to the African Caribbean and Asian Com-munities of Coventry who are experiencing Mental Ill Health, using the services we offer which include:

Counselling Outreach Support Floating Support Group Work

Depression, what is it? What to do about it?

Depression has been called "The Common Cold of Mental Health." We all know that everybody feels"down," "blue," "bummed," hopeless, or pessimistic from time to time. That's normal. Many people wonder"When does 'feeling down' cross the line into depression?" That's a tough question, because it's not al-ways an "Either-Or" kind of thing.

We hope that this information will help you understand your situation a little better, which then may make iteasier to get the help you need.What Causes Depression?

Some of you may feel like you know exactly why you're depressed. For example: Your partner just broke up with you, A loved one or a pet died,You lost your job

Other times, however, the reasons for our depression are not quite as clear; that is, there may not be justone "cause," but a variety of contributing factors that accumulate over time and lead us to that feeling ofbeing defeated, demoralized, hopeless, helpless, depressed. And sometimes, with factors like low self-esteem or anxiety, it may be almost impossible to say which causes which.

Common Symptoms of DepressionPhysicalThis can be changes in sleeping pattern / eating patterns, Fatigue, loss of energy, headaches, stomachaches or otherwise inexplicable aches and pains.Behavioural/AttitudeWhich can mean diminished interest in enjoyment of previously pleasurable activities, sports, hobbies, go-ing out with friends, and sex etc, difficulty concentrating or making decisions or neglecting responsibilitiesand personal appearance?EmotionalThis can be feeling down, Indifferent, Irritable, Pessimistic, Hopeless, Negative, Guilty, Anxious, Empty,

7etc, suicidal thoughts, feeling hopeless and helpless, feelings of worthlessness.Possible Contributing Factors to DepressionEnvironmental:Can be loss of a job being victimized assault, robbery, rape, living conditions, money problems, car prob-lems, holidays, pressure on you from family/friends, feeling helplessInterpersonal:Relationship problems or break-up, conflicts with family death the anniversary of a loss, feeling like peopleare taking advantage of you, unresolved anger or guilt,Physical/Medical/Biological:Food allergies, unhealthy diet, genetic, chemical imbalances, dealing with illness or infection, sleep depri-vation or chronic anxiety.Diet/Exercise:This can be getting by on fast food, sugar, caffeine, alcohol, and other relatively non-nutritious items; sub-stance abuse or lack of exercise.Cognitive:This can be negative self-talk, self criticism, pessimistic thinking, and low sense of self-worth.Spiritual/Existential/ Philosophical:This can mean having doubts about the meaning of life, questions about your own religious beliefs, or asense that you're somehow missing out on your true calling or path or that you're not being true to your-self, your dreams, your beliefs.

What Can I Do About It?There are actually a lot of things you can do about depression. The most important thing is that you dosomething positive and constructive. Depression can leave you feeling helpless and out of control of yourlife, your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. You want to regain and experience more power and control;you want to get to the point where you feel like you can do something to improve your situation and life.So for instance, you may realize that relationship problems are a key donor to your depression, and de-cide that assertiveness and communications would really help remedy that situation. Or you might noticethat for you the symptoms are largely physical and choose to get a medical check-up to rule out other pos-sible problems. Go over each area and do your own self-assessment, then write down what you think itwould take to help the situation. No two lists will be exactly alike, but several general strategies often arebeneficial to people struggling with feelings of depression

Beneficial Strategies for Coping with Depression

I need a hug. I need some support. I just need somebody to listen. I just want to vent and blow offsome steam. I don't need you to "fix" me or "make it all better." Just need help! Clearly, many ofthese changes are things you can do on your own. For many of us, it's difficult to get ourselvesgoing, and we may prefer to seek the help of a professional counsellor to help us move forward!

Thats where Tamarind Centre can help you in order to get the help you need. We provide Outreach sup-port, Floating Support, Counselling, Group work, advocacy and advice and information. We will also signpost on to the appropriate services if we are unable to provide the support you require. The TamarindCentres aim is to provide support to the BME community in particular African Caribbean and Asian people,we work with clients who have Mental Health issues which can vary from depression to schizophrenia etc,we work to promote independence and healthy lifestyles for our clients introducing a new positive thinkingabout their health and other issues.

Could we help you?

If the answer is yes, you can contact Tamarind Centre on 02476227712, visit our website at www.tamarindcentre.co.uk or emailus at tamarindcentre@btconnect.com or drop in to our office atHarp Place, 2 Sandy Lane, Radford, Coventry, CV1 4DX.

TAMARIND CENTREPromoting Positive Mental Health

8

9

10

On the 26th January 2007 Sandra Lindo and Michael Wilson took a group of 14 young people to Kings-wood residential park to get involved in some indoor and outdoor activities:

Day 1: The X-Factor, Hotspots

The X-Factor was a great activity encouraging the development of group communication skills and alsoprovided the individuals with skills transferable to the professional arena. The activity involved the use ofIT, music making and video production and gave some of the group the opportunity to produce their ownmusic.

Hotspots can be likened to twister but on a much grander scale and predictably was one of the activitiesthoroughly enjoyed by all!

After this the group retired to the sack to re-charge for day 2.

Day 2: Archery, X-Factor, Quads, Jacobs Ladder, Team Tech, Karaoke

Fully into the spirit of the weekend Day 2s activities were all agreat success, with the whole group having fun!

Photographs and video recordings of the activities were takenand each group member was given a CD with pictures andrecording detailing the outstanding work achieved over the twodays.

Despite some discrepancies with the staff at Kingswoodresidential park the weekend proved to be a great success and the hope of anotherresidential is kept for the future.

Sadly the Connexions residential programme was one of the last programmes forYoung Gifted And Educated. Funding ended at the end of March 2007 ,however the two workers Sandra Linton and

Michael Wilson now mainstream workers with Connexions.

X-FactorHotspotsArchery

Quad BikingJacobs Ladder

Team TechKaraoke; and

Fencing

11

It was the end of August 2002, t

wo

members from the Church of G

od of

Prophecy, Fernando Holder, an

d my-

self Seymour Cooper were appr

oached

by Gwendolyn Daley of the New

Testa-

ment Church ofGod, and were

asked to be a part of

an organisationcalled Black Bo

ys Can.

Not knowing what this organisa

tion was, we asked

what was it all about and it purp

ose.

Black Boys Canwas established

because, nationally,

some black boys between the a

ges of eight andsix-

teen years, do not perform as w

ell in schools astheir

counterparts.

Having receiveda lot of informa

tion regarding this

venture, we became apart of th

is organisation,volun-

teering our services to further it

s cause. To name but

a few, our Chair person for the

Coventry branch was

Gwendolyn Daley, Vice Chair/P

roject Co-ordinator

Andrew Grizzle, Teachers & As

sistants A.Grizzle, D.

Knowles, B. Jarrett, C. Wilmott

, F. Holder,

S. Cooper, A. Willis

We had 19 boysto start which w

as steadily growing.

They were takenon day trips, we

ekends away, which

they are taughtby qualified tea

chers and volunteers

about the culture and the subjec

ts which the associa-

tion view necessary the boys nee

d to study, suchas;

Maths, English,I.T, and Black H

istory.

On the sports front at

the outset,the boys w

ere being taught to

play basketball, by C

oventrys own

Dip Donaldson part

of the Coventry Crus

aders squad.

The boys now felt par

t of something. Their

aspirations had been

lifted, andfelt a sense

of belonging.

Our official launch for the Coventry Black Boys Can, eventhough it had been operating for some time was Saturday 5 thApril 2003, at the Coventry Working Men's Club, by the LordMayor ( at the time )Ken Taylor.

Tune in next time as I update you with a spread, from then tillnow.

Be Smart, Be Strong, Be Proud, Live Honourably, and withDignity

The New Testament Church of GodBell Green Life Centre

For more information about Black Boys Can contact Gwen Daley on02476459422 or 077953365855

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SLAVERY STILL HURTS

Black people may find celebrations marking the bi-centenary of the parliamentary bill to abolish slaveryin former British colonies too painful to enjoy, say race campaigners.

And they fear black Britons may feel overwhelmed by the celebratory nature of the planned avalancheof concerts, sporting events, exhibitions and theatre performances hawking back memories of their

dreadful past.

African dancing on mock slave ships in Bristol, one of Britains mostprolific slave trading ports.

In Liverpool, another major slave trading harbour, preparations tocelebrate the life of reformed slave ship captain John Newton, hasbeen met with equal dismay. Newton, who wrote the hymn,

Amazing Grace, has been condemned for profiting from slavery at thesame time as helping the abolitionists cause.

The way they are going about it in Liverpool is insulting to the descendants of the enslaved people,said Eric Lynch, anexpert on the citys slave past.When Newton died they found documents amongst his papers which showed that he was still receivingmoney from slavery so he wasnt a complete abolitionist as people give him credit for. Now they are

going to celebrate this man as a great abolitionist and he is a hypocrite. If he had noth-ing to do with slavery; why was he still getting money from the trade?

Twenty eight per cent of people who took part in an Ipsos MORI poll last year wantedto see slavery commemorated through remembrance services or memorials. Twentytwo per cent thought the anniversary should be marked by festivals or other celebra-tions while 18 per cent wanted to see no festivities at all.According to Ellis Cashmore, a professor of sociology at Staffordshire University, slav-ery is almost too painful to remember.

Gino Le-Shank, a Coventry community worker, said Britain was now the ethos of the vision of Ameri-can civil rights campaigner Dr Martin Luther King. As a result he believes the inevitable blame tag at-tached to the abolition bi-centenary could have far reaching psychological implications.You have so many mixed race and mixed culture kids and adults in Britain today, argued Le-Shank,who is part of a group organising abolition anniversary events in the city. How can you celebrate what

one side did to the other without bringing pain to the people who are descendants ofthe victims? I am the third generation from slavery - what do I want to celebrate?Somebody giving me back what was rightfully mine in the first place? Its like askingthe Jews to celebrate what the Germans did to them, he added

You have to recognise the reality that slavery has affected thepresent condition of black people. You dont have to spruce it upand give a sanitised version of events. I think you have to intro-

duce people to the fact that history is not as we want it, but just as it was. I dontthink it is a celebration, it is a commemoration, which is something different like we

13

do every year for people who lost their lives in the war, added the Professor.Among the events being held to mark the bi-centenary is the grand opening ofWilberforce House Museum in Hull.More than 16 million of lottery cash has been pumped in to the celebrations.William Wilberforce, a then MP for Hull, led the campaign through the House ofCommons for the abolition of the slave trade in the British colonies. On 25th

March 1807 a Bill was passed to outlaw the trade although itwas not until 1833 that many slaves gained their freedom.Last year Prime Minister Tony Blair expressed his deep sor-row for Britains profoundly shameful role in the slave trade, but stopped short of aformal apology.Jacqueline Roy, author and senior English lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan Uni-versity, said the legacy of the slave trade was at the heart of the racism black peo-ple experience today. She called for plaques and memorials to be erected in recog-nition of the contribution of slavery to Britain and for the history of the trade to be

taught in schools.It was an absolute affront to humanity that the slave trade ever happened, she said.I think it is absolutely appropriate that this should be marked. I would prefer it to be seen much moreas a commemoration to those slaves than a celebration of some sort of liberation, because, actually,it wasnt, she added.

Dr David Muir, a member of the governments bi-centenary advisory group, which is chaired by theDeputy Prime Minster John Prescott, said black people will be asking themselves, who are we really

celebrating in all of this?He warned that care must be taken to ensure that the bi-centenary events are notseen as a glorification of the passing of the act by Wilberforce.We have got to be humble about the real celebratory nature of this as there is still,theologically, unfinished work and that has to do with the legacy and psychology ofslavery, said Dr Muir, a director of policy at the Evangelical Alliance, an umbrellagroup representing a million Christians in the UK. The end of slavery would not have

happened unless black people became the agents of their own liberation. We can celebrate that that cant be a bad thing, he added.

14

SportsThe HistoryDespite the lengthy history of black communities in Britain, itwas not until the late 1970s that the number of black playerswithin the professional ranks of British football gradually beganto increase to significant numbers. This marked the real begin-nings of a break-through from black players which was to lead to the game in Britain becoming moreethnically diverse, although racism in football during the seventies and eighties also became a serioussocial problem. However, it would be wrong to suggest that the history of black players within the Britishgame can be traced back only to the late 1960s. There has actually been a small, and largely unacknow-ledged, black player contingent in the British game since the formative years of competitive professionalfootball in Britain back in the late nineteenth century.

Much of what we know about black players in British football before 1950 comes from the work of an his-torian, Phil Vasili. We rely largely on Vasili for much of the material on this period which is presentedhere. The rapid development of the professional game in both England and Scotland coincided with therise to sporting fame of Arthur Wharton, believed to have been England's first black professional leagueplayer (See, Vasili,1993 & 2000). Wharton was of Euro-African descent, coming from a middle class fam-ily. He entered the professional game in 1889, having joined Preston North End three years previously.Wharton was initially signed as a goalkeeper, although he could also play outfield, as a winger. Indeed,Wharton's sporting talents also extended onto the athletics track, where he gained national recognition asA.A.A.100 yards champion in 1886, becoming the first British athlete to run under ten seconds in bothheats and finals.

Wharton enjoyed popular celebrity status, and was ...

Pick up the next edition of ACCOL Speak for the 2nd instalment of the Black Football story

Music Hillz FM Who?

Hillz FM, is a community radio based in Hillfields. Unlike most commercialradio stations Hillz FM aims at giving young people a chance to testtheir radio skills and give the community a public voice.

Getting on the mic isnt the only thing that happens down at Hillz. Tak-ing control of the decks, cueing the music and taking emails and shout-

outs from the listeners is of equal importance and many of the volunteers get involved here.

Since its launch Hillz has branched out in a number of diverse musical tastes, from Hip hop,open mic nights, RnB and French rap to indie acoustic rooms and mental! There is also a

weekly slot onreligion.

The work of Hillz FM is ongoing and would be impossible without the help of all its volunteers. If you want to getinvolved the Hillz radio station or for more information on their great work please visit www.thehillz.net

15

Imlah Hall, DJ Lionheart aka Tha Hitman, aged 23 has been playing on reggaesound systems since the age of 13 when he started out on the Young Lions Sound.He then moved on to NO FEAR, the midlands no.1 under 18's clash cup winningsound, beating the likes of JUNIOR RANKS, 4x4XTC and FIRE STAR from Bir-mingham.

After this he then stopped playing sounds as it cost too much to transport the soundsystem around and to gain the exposure he wanted. Revolutions in communica-tions such as e-mails and mp3 downloads have made his life much easier.

DJ Imlah then switched music paths and got into UK Garage scene. Mcing and hosting parties becamepart of his regular work routine and he steadily built a strong following in the local and surrounding areas,performing with the likes of BBC Radio Ones DREEM TEEM'; Mikee B/Spoony/Timmi Magic, The Artfuldodger, DJ Luck & MC neat.

Unfortunately due to the bad stigma surrounding the UKG scene, Imlah parted from the UKG scene in2002.

Utilising key industry links he decided to come at the industry from a different angle and went to college todo Advanced Media Studies. After completing this course he went on to study GNVQ Business part-time,and now is successfully self employed. Some of Imlahs other outstanding achievements include:

DJ and Radio Host for, Hillz FM, Urban Shakedown Club Nights, Hillfields Gala Day 06, HillfieldsHappening Again 06

CEO for SPIT UK DVD MAGAZINE Director of LIONHEART MARKETING & MEDIA AGENCY Urban Shakedown promoter. chair of the YGB movement (Young Gifted & Blessed Movement)

EMAIL: urbanaccessory@yahoo.co.uk

ArtsCoventry based Frontline AV has continued its commit-ment to producing innovative and exciting creative workover the last 15 years with BME communities and estab-lishing non-traditional work as part of the cultural horizonof the diverse and emerging city of Coventry.

The Company continues to find and develop new talents byworking with young people, continues to facilitate youngpeople in genuine collaboration with professional inmusic, film, theatre and dance, and continues to buildstrategic partnerships with the objective of encouragingopportunities for young people, artists, new talent,especially those from underrepresented communities toproduce creative work, increase confidence and pur-sue further training and opportunities.Tel: 02476 224221

Curtis Walker atComedy Rootz

Night Practice - 3 minute

wonder for Channel 4

16

General

We began this festival as a gathering of our friends in 1991, weorganised for kids and parents alike at Coundon Park which wasattended by 200 people. It was all hands to the helm and everybody pitched in.

Within two years we were too popular for the park we had been using and held the firstfestival at the War Memorial Park. This was a much larger event with a few thousand people at-tending and we realised we would have to organize ourselves better. The Fresh Enterprise Group wascreated.

Over the next few years through our own endeavours, with the aid of Coventry City Council and the goodwill of the community, we have grown considerably to an event enjoyed by a wide cross-section of thepeople of the city.

On the turn of the millennium we won the Service to community Award which was presented to the FreshEnterprise group at the Coventry West Indian Centre. We work closely with the city council particularly Lei-sure services and the group has forged close working relationships with the business community and ser-vice providers throughout the city.

This has become major feature of the summer calendar eagerly anticipated by all. The secret of our suc-cess, we aim to be and are, an event enjoyed by young and wise together.

We are in the process of arranging the 2007 festival, which this year falls on the 28th July. We will markthe 200th anniversary of the Abolition of Slavery with a range of activities, some of our own others led byother community organisations. If you have an idea and the energy to pursue it, contact us, we will en-deavour to make resources available.

CONTACT FRESH ENTERPRISE ON 07956511921

Music Marquee at last years FestivalHackney Downs FC winners of theFootball Tournament

SoniaTenna

nt

Clyde McIntosh

Charles Kelly

Geoffrey Williams

17

MISC

April 11th 1899 Chemist Percy Julian born in Montgomery, Alabama. Julian studied atDePauwm, Fisk, Harvard and Vienna (Germany) Universities. In his lifetime he discov-ered several synthetic substances including one that made paint water-tight, corti-sone and a fire suppressing foam.

April 8th 1872 Ruth Gaines-Shelton Born

April 8, 1872. African- American Playwri

ght born at Glas-

gow, MO. Best known for prize winning c

omedy The Church Fight, which was pub

lished in

April 6th 1869 Ebenezer Don Carlos Bas

sett, Principal of

the Institute for Colored Youth, Philad

elphia, named minister to Haiti and be

-

came the first major Black diplomat an

d the first AmericanBlack to receive a

major appointmentfrom the United Sta

ted Government.

April 5th 1976 FBI documents, released in response to a freedom ofinformation

suit, revealed that the government mounted an intensive campaign against civil rights organizations

in the sixties. In a letter dated August 25, 1967, the FBI said the government operation, called

COINTELPRO, wasdesigned "to expose, disrupt, misdirect, discredit or otherwise neutralize the activities of Black

nationalists, hate-type groups, their leadership, spokesmen, membership and supporters, and to

counter their propensity for violence and civil disorders." A later telegram specifically named the

April 4th 1968 Martin Luther King Jr. assassina

ted by white sniper inMem-

phis, Tennessee. Assassination precipitated

a national crisis and rioting in

more than one hundred cities. Forty-six per

sons were killed in major rebel-

lions in Washington, Chicago and other citie

s. Twenty thousand federal

troops and thirty-fourthousand National Gu

ardsmen were mobilized to quell

disturbances. Memorial marches and rallies w

ere held throughout the coun-

try. Many public school systems closed and t

he opening of the baseball sea-

son was postponed. President Lyndon B. Joh

nson declared Sunday, April 6,

a national day of mourning and ordered all

U.S. flags on government buildings in all U.S

. territories

and possession to flyat half-mast.

April the 10th 1910 Charles W. Follis, first African American to play football profes-sionally. He played for the Shelby Blues in Shelby Ohio USA.

18

Derrick Crossdale first qualified as a chef 23 years ago at HenleyCollege

A local Coventry Kid, his love of cooking came from his earlychildhood experiences at home.

As a child I used to love to watch my mother in the kitchen (and ofcourse loved tasting the results). I was fascinated by the fact that shenever measured anything but it always came out just right. I knewwhen I left school that I would have a career involving cooking

Derrick has previously worked as Head Chef at Warwick University for13 years, as well as running his own Deli in Manchester for 4 years.

He returned to Henley College as a lecturer in Caribbean Cuisine andintroduced Caribbean Cooking to students from schools acrossCoventry at Coventry West Indian Centre, which also led to himholding a course for the African Caribbean community.

I particularly enjoyed introducing different techniques to the womenwhose usual way of cooking is following recipes passed on visually ororally through the family for generations. They had used the sametechnique for the whole of their lives. They found the different cookingtechniques strange What you dont cook chicken like that!!

They all thoroughly enjoyed the course and asked when I would berunning another

Derrick now works as a relief chef at Coventry University Hospital. Aswell as catering for parties, weddings etc. Derrick offers packages ofculinary expertise to individuals and groups. He will come to yourhome/workplace and take you through the whole process of creating ameal, including shopping, food hygiene, preparation and presentation.

For more details contact Derrick on 07768222143.

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A belated congratulations to the 2006 ACCOL Raising Awareness andRecruiting Volunteers competition winners

Elisha Samms

Shelia Hammond

This Year ACCOL are giving away a free CREATIVE ZEN STONE MP3 PLAYER along withsome exciting black fact giveaways. For a chance at winning these great prizes answerthe following question:

What significant event in Black History occurred on April 6th 1869? Was it:

A. The birth of the first major black diplomat?B. The date of ACCOLs AGM? orC. The death of Dr Martin Luther King?

To enter please send tear off slip on the back page to:

COMPETITIONAfrican Caribbean Community Organisation Limited,Coventry Community Fire Station, Radford Road,Ringway Hill Crossroads, Radford, Coventry, CV1 4EL

Or email us at: afca.org@btinternet.com

CLOSING DATE 30TH SEPTEMBER 2007

GOOD LUCK!

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Who We AreOur long term vision is to be a recognised, independent source of information and support tovoluntary and community sectors, locally and nationally.

Why? Because we believe the activities in which voluntary and community organisations engageare crucial, both to the causes they serve and the social environment in which they operate.

We believe we are able to contribute towards positive social change by supporting these organi-sations to succeed. We are a resource for these organisations.

What We Do?We aim to encourage voluntary and community organisations in accessing, participating andthriving through advice on:how to raise the money they needhow to manage their resources to maximum effecthow to influence the right peoplewhat their rights and responsibilities arehow to plan and develop for the future.

How Do We Do It?We provide information through:researching and publishing reference guides, handbooks, CD Roms ande-information; providing practical training courses; running topical conferences and briefing days;organising awareness fairs; encouraging voluntary groups to network and share information;campaigning to promote and protect the interests of the voluntary and community sector as awhole.

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FacilitiesThe Centres facilities include: A Coffee Bar/Social Area/Video games area. A Multi-media ICT Suite, dedicated to raising young peoples aspirations and achievement

in relation to ICT and its many varied applications e.g. education/training/publicity/design/enterprise etc

Rehearsal and performance space. Audio & Video recording Workshop space. Young person friendly Advice and Information. Trained youth workers and youth volunteers will help and assist young people to develop

their own information gathering skills. Access to an extensive range of information on subjects pertinent to young peoples per-

sonal/social development e.g. health, drugs, education, training, carets. law. housing,finance, leisure, travel and black issues.

Flexible room spaces to accommodate some of the following activities:

One to one meetings Development Group Work Meetings and Youth Forums Daytime work with pupils Out of hours home study

ACCYP

Description: Writing is an art, a craft; it is the sculpting of words to fitsituations, circumstances, and conditions. We all have a story to tell but can you

creatively fashion your ideas into an attractive product, news article or reviewsthat will get your readers interested to know more?

Required: Five committed young people to become the dynamic editorialteam for this NEW youth magazine & independent publishing company. You willeach have your own role, and be the people in charge of producing its whole con-tent. Report about articles & events, gain editing experience, and learn all aboutthe editorial process.

Are you: Interested in improving your communication skillsWilling to learn Excel, Word, Powerpoint software programmes

Able to respond calmly and make rational decisions when requiredAble to adapt and work well with co-workers in a team settingInterested in learning about the various aspects of book publishing

Then this might be the right position for you!PLEASE do not miss this opportunity. Speak to Chris on 02476227470

REMEMBER!The pen is

mightier thanthe sword

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WHOS WHO?African Caribbean Centre for Young People02476227470Connexions02476607900Fresh Enterprise Coventry Caribbean Festival07956511921Frontline A/V Music, film, theatre and dance02476224221The Tamarind CentreMental Ill Health 02476225512Black Boys Can Helping Black Boys Achieve02476459422Osaba Family Centre 02476221816Positive Steps with Steph- psychotherapist/councellor 07866698100Coventry West Indian Centre02476552929Area Co-ordination North 02476785940Heart Of England Community Foundation - grants02476884386Coventry Voluntary Services Council 02476220381Whitefriars HousingBME Dev. Officer02476587081Coventry City Council Neighbourhood Management02476833333Coventry Social Services Older People02476833415West Midlands Fire Service Community Fire Safety02476220356Co-operative Development Agency Ltd02476633911Cariba ProjectAfrican Caribbean Womens Project02476223830Evolveinteractive creative programmes for young people07813031611Zion Outreach Youth Project02476618762

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Do you want toreach

CoventrysAfrican

CaribbeanCommunity?

Do you wantCompetitiveadvertising

rates?

If you would like to promoteany

businesses or service throughour magazine, please contact

us for further information on:

afca.org@btinternet.comOr

02476220851

COMPETITON REPLY SLIP

NAME

CONTACT(ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE OR EMAIL)

ENTRY(PLEASE TICK ONLY ONE BOX):CLOSING DATE 30TH SEPTEMBER 2007 WINNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED BY POST

Please tear here

A. The birth of the first major black diplomat?

C. The death of Dr Martin Luther King?

B. The date of ACCOLs AGM? or

24

ISSUE 2 JULY 2007

TAMARI

NDCEN

TRE

Promotin

g Positiv

e Menta

l

Health