Windrush Stories

Diane Abbott was born in London to Jamaican parents. In 1987 she made history, becoming the first Black woman to be elected to parliament in Britain. She served as Shadow Home Secretary and is the longest-serving Black MP in the history of the House of Commons.

Lloyd Bradley was born in London, England to St Kittitian academic parents. He's a journalist and writer, and one of the UK's foremost experts on Black music and culture. He authored best-sellers Bass Culture: When Reggae was King; Sounds Like London: 100 Years of Black Music in the Capital; Ian Wright: A Life in Football; Marcia Barrett's Forward and many other titles. https://www.lloydbradley.net

Sister Ina Spence was born in Trelawny, Jamaica. She moved to Manchester, England in her late teens and worked as a nurse and senior midwife for over 40 years, delivering hundreds of babies. Sister Spence was recorded by Rachel Ross, one of the mothers she took wonderful care of, during her career.

Cecil Wright was born in 1933 in St Elizabeth, Jamaica. Known as Cec, he was a fast bowling cricketer who played for the national team and also for clubs across the Lancashire leagues, starting with Crompton, after moving to the UK in 1959. Cec retired in 2019 aged 85, after 60 years of playing. His final club was Uppermill In this recording he is interviewed by his daughter, Cecile. https://www.wisden.com/stories/your-game/club-cricket/cecil-wright-jamaica

Jamz Supernova is a DJ and broadcaster from London. She's of Jamaican-Cuban-Irish heritage. Jamz is known for her popular BBC Radio 1Xtra and British Council radio shows, her Future Bounce record label and nights, and for her passion for supporting alternative Black music styles. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05tqk1x

Nadine White is a third-generation Windrush descendant from London, England. A journalist and news reporter, she currently publishes via HuffPost UK and previously at The Voice newspaper with a focus on current affairs, race and social justice. https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/author/nadine-white/2/

Brendon Batson OBE was born in St George's, Grenada. He moved to Tilbury in England in 1962. A former footballer for Arsenal, Cambridge United and West Bromwich Albion, he was part of the pioneering trio nicknamed Three Degrees alongside Cyrille Regis and Laurie Cunningham. Brendon Batson is a trustee of the Professional Footballers Association, which is first joined in 1984. https://www.thepfa.com/news/2018/9/11/life-of-brendon-batson

Professor Benjamin Zephaniah was born and raised in Birmingham, England, the son of a Jamaican nurse and Bajan postal worker. He is a poet, novelist, lecturer, activist, musician, TV and radio presenter. https://benjaminzephaniah.com

Blacker Dread was a member of the legendary Coxsone soundsystem, as well as being a music producer, record shop owner and co-founder of Splash. This exclusive interview was recorded in Brixton, South London following Blacker's release from prison, where he hosted National Prison Radio's weekly reggae show, Bob and Beyond.

Marjorie H Morgan was born in Wiltshire, England to Jamaican parents. She is a writer, playwright and journalist with a special interest in cultural and social politics. She is currently based in Liverpool, England, where she is Artist in Residence at Metal Culture Liverpool. https://www.marjoriemorgan.com