A new blue plaque was unveiled for Newham Black Performing and Visual Arts Workshop, writes Neandra Etienne


Zimbabwe’s Ambassador Christian Katsande was an invited guest at the Newham Black Performing and Visual Arts Workshop blue plaque unveiling event on 17th June at the Newham African Caribbean Resource Centre.
The Newham Heritage blue plaque commemorated the founding members of Newham Black Performing and Visual Arts Workshop, Tony Cheeseman, Pearla Boyce, Harian Henry, Peter Mavunga and Nathalie Pierre.
The plaque was unveiled by Mr Katsande and founding members Pearla Boyce and Peter Mavunga.
I collaborated with Newham African Caribbean Heritage Reference Group on the event which included: the Cumberbatch Heritage collection, New City Road Primary School artwork, performance by IROKO Theatre Company, Dallaway Steel Band and music by DJ Junestar. Nailah Cumberbatch performed a poem and Redemption Song, by Bob Marley, with the audience.
Benjamin Zephaniah’s brother Tippa and Sandra Agard, a tutor and member of the Workshop, read poems by Benjamin. Harry Cumberbatch, founder of the Reference Group, was honoured with an ‘Inspiration Award’.
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