Dr Moyenda Joseph, the former pupil of a long-established local Saturday School, will be keynote speaker at its 22nd memorial lecture and Black History Month event in Brixton on Saturday 7 October.
Dr Joseph, who recently graduated with a degree in medicine and surgery from Southampton University, will be joined at the Afruika Bantu Saturday School (ABSS) lecture by leading barrister Garry Green, who was appointed King’s Counsel earlier this year.
A third speaker will be Tumaini Joseph, also a former ABSS pupil, and a bio-medical science graduate. He recently received a settlement from the Metropolitan police for their unprovoked assault on him at the 2018 Notting Hill Carnival.
He has created a legal surgery to help local youths.
The winner of many education awards, the Saturday school, based in Tulse Hill, was established in 1996 and named in honour of Afruika Bantu (11/9/55 – 12/9/99), a woman of African descent remembered as an activist, scholar, Black history researcher and teacher.
The school, which is dependent on volunteers, provides supplementary education, including history, science and maths, to Black children from five to 16.
Afruika Bantu (born Annette Blair) was a contemporary of the well known Brixton activist Olive Morris and both were involved in the Organisation of Women of Asian and African Descent.
The school was originally called the Next Generation Saturday School, but when Afruika Bantu passed on, it was renamed in her honour.
She had dedicated her life to the upliftment and development of young people.
Dr Moyenda will speak of his time at the Saturday school and his journey to becoming a medical doctor.
Garry Green will describe his journey to becoming a King’s Counsel. As well as being in high demand, especially for homicide trials at the Old Bailey, because of his brilliant advocacy, he works with several charities dedicated to fair representation young people, particularly from Black and racialised communities. He is a trustee of the Kalisher Trust and a patron of Urban Synergy Mentoring.
The evening will also see cultural performances from Blessed Barak and the Sangoma Drummers.
Refreshments will be on sale.
Saturday 7 October
2 to 6pm
Loughborough Park Community Centre at Max Roach, Moorland Road, SW9 8UA (The centre is in Max Roach park)
Recommended donation: £5 (under 25s free)
More information: 07309 232239
