Changemakers exhibition

Originally from Grenada, Alex has lived in Haringey for over 50 years. He is a pioneering broadcaster, cultural strategist, playwright, singer/composer, musician and oral historian. 

Alex is well-known as a pioneer of Black Radio and British media on BBC local radio. He served as Chairman of the Notting Hill Carnival & Founding Vice President for the Foundation for European Carnival Cities (FECC), Co-founder of 'The Voice' newspaper, presenter and producer of Britain's first Black and daily magazine radio programme "Black Londoner". A radio and TV personality, he has played a pivotal role as advisor to the BBC on the West Indian Affairs, as well as being the writer and advisor for BBC'S pre-school landmark series - 'Teletubbies'. 

In 1996 Alex was awarded the OBE by Her Majesty "For services to Community Relations". He is a 'Member of Honour' of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ). 

About the inspirational item: 

Alex holds the British Local Radio Award 1980, awarded by the Manpower Services Commission. It is one of the many awards he has received for the impact of his radio programme 'Black Londoners' had on community affairs, the contributions made by Black and Caribbean doctors, nurses and health carers in the Health Service.

Herman is renowned for his endless commitment to supporting the African Caribbean community in North London. He is a co-founder of the North London West Indian Association (1962), Paul Bogle Youth Club, the African Caribbean Leadership Company (ACLC) and the West Indian Cultural Centre. 

Being a businessman before he left Jamaica, he has been a great advocate for the black community to get involved in running their own businesses and many more would cite him as having given their families hugely beneficial and sometimes life changing economic, employment and financial advice. 

His knowledge of history and politics in general and specific to the African Diaspora is astounding and fascinating to those who take time to linger and listen. He has an enduring passion for the steam, diesel and electric locomotives he learned to drive and repair when he first came to the UK in the 50s - this formed his lifelong career.

About the inspirational item: 

Herman holds a picture of Maude Lovell, his grandmother and source of inspiration. He spent most of his childhood with her.

Born in Grenada, Joyce has lived with her family in Haringey for over 50 years. Joyce is a qualified State Registered Nurse (SRN), with a BA degree in Social Anthropology. She is a painter, publisher and Curator of the Black Audio Media Archive - Alex Pascall Collection (BAMAAPC).

Common Threads, The Musical was brought together by Joyce, and performed in schools. It tells the story of two commodities - sugar and coal - and two communities. It tells the life that her husband Alex Pascall lived and his observations of these two vital communities and commodities in the Caribbean and in South Wales - areas that he was fully acquainted with. 

About the inspirational item: 

Joyce's chosen object is Common Threads, The Musical.

Vernon came to live in Tottenham in April 1962 and trained as an electrician and set up his own business, VJ Electrics, when he was in his early 20s. At the same time, his boxing career was flourishing and he turned professional in 1976, trained by Terry Lawless, the same coach who worked with Frank Bruce. He became known as Vernon "The Entertainer" Vanriel. 

"I was number two in Britain in 1983-4; number nine in Commonwealth and 14 in Europe. Looking back in hindsight, I did tremendously well. At the time, I didn't think much about it, but now I know I did well."

Vernon's most recent biggest fight was not in boxing. In September 2018, Vernon touched down on British soil, marking the end of a long and harsh battle to return to the UK from Jamaica. He was one of the Windrush generation scandal victims, wrongly stopped from coming home. Finally arriving into the arms of his family, Vernon's brother said: " I didn't think this day would come. So many people have been in Vernon's position, of the Windrush generation and unable to come back, and haven't lived to see the day that they return. This is a miracle."

About the inspirational item:

Vernon holds a treasured picture of a boxing match he took part in at the Royal Albert Hall.

Yvonne Lawson is founder and CEO of the Godwin Lawson Foundation (GLF). Born to Ghanaian family in North London, her education saw her become a primary teacher for 16 years. 

Yvonne was devastated by the tragic loss of her oldest son Godwin in March 2011. Popular, kind and ambitious, Godwin was a talented sportsman who was attending Oxford United Football Academy on a scholarship. Godwin was stabbed in the street in Stamford Hill, trying to stop two old school friends being attacked by four young men. He was just 17. 

GLF was founded in 2012 in his memory, inspired by Godwin's life. Following his death, Yvonne began researching gangs and knife crime. Shocked by its scale and impact, she was determined Godwin's legacy would help keep young people safe, and prevent other families from going through the same pain and suffering. To date, GLF has delivered early intervention programmes to over 5,000 young people at risk of knife and gun crime in London.

Memorial Peace Marches held in memory of Godwin and all victims of knife crime, built awareness of the high levels of knife crime and its consequences and appeal for peace. 

GLF aims to advance the education of young people to develop as members of a tolerant society. Yvonne uses Godwin's story to illustrate the terrible and far-reaching consequences that carrying knives have, and to educate young people on how to keep safe, reach their full potential and make a positive contribution by becoming Peace Ambassadors, where around 30 young volunteers provide peer support in their schools and communities.

Recognising that the law did little to deter the carrying of knives, Yvonne campaigned for change. New legislation was introduced in 2015, requiring a mandatory sentence of at least six months for anyone caught carrying a knife for the second time. 

In 2020, Yvonne was awarded an MBE for her services committed to tackling knife and gun crime and working with young people across London. 

About the inspirational item:

Yvonne holds a picture of her son Godwin.