To celebrate Jamaican Independence Day on 6 August, Julia Omari talks to Wayne Shahid who has lived in Newham for most of his adult life but spent his childhood years in Jamaica.

How long have you been connected to Newham? I was born in Ilford, left England when I was a year and a half, then came back to live in Newham in 1989.

What’s your favourite Jamaican Newham moment? When I arrived in Forest Gate and started playing for a football team called ‘Caribbeans’. It was good to know that the patron of that team was Tottenham Hotspur legend Chris Hughton who was born in Forest Gate.

Do you have a favourite Jamaican business to shop at in Newham or an organisation that supports Jamaicans in Newham? My hairdresser. It is symbolic of how resilient and innovative Jamaican people are. Because Black hair styles can take hours to do, people get hungry while we wait. This led to a food delivery service being established, specifically for my hairdressers. Because the business is so popular, people come through selling wigs, hair pieces, perfumes, lotions even tickets for parties or Jamaican concerts, so one business spawns and supports others. It feels like I walk into Jamaica when I go there, as some people just come to hang out and banter each other in true Jamaican style. Advice regarding the cheapest flights to Jamaica or how to ship goods to Jamaica is exchanged along with the latest news from the island.

How do you celebrate Jamaican Independence Day in Newham? If I am not actually in Jamaica at the time, I phone my mother who is there. I meet up with my family and talk about not only Jamaican Independence in 1962 but its origin in the struggle to end slavery and our national heroes who contributed to our liberation struggle.

Most inspirational Jamaican Newham person? Because I love music, Rappers/ Grime MCs Ghetts and Kano who are of Jamaican descent, are inspirational ‘goal models’ because they ‘grew up in areas forgotten by the government’ (a quote from Ghetts himself) but they are now global superstars. They exemplify the Jamaican ability to make something out of nothing.

Jamaica was recently hit by Hurricane Beryl. How can Newham support its Jamaican Newham citizens? St Elizabeth in Jamaica was hit the hardest by Hurricane Beryl, so I would suggest reaching out to the Mayor of Black River and Chairman of the St. Elizabeth Municipal Corporation, Councillor Richard Solomon. He will be able to tell anyone who wants to support the recovery there exactly what is required. That way support can be direct, appropriate and targeted. Maybe Newham Council could then set up contribution locations so its citizens (Jamaican or not) can donate exactly what is required. This ongoing rapport with Jamaica should provide videos/ pictures of the impact of the donation on the ground. This will alleviate the worry Jamaicans in Newham have regarding friends and relatives there.

How do you stay connected to Jamaica in Newham? Going into Wenty’s shop in Forest Gate E7 9LN, to pick up authentic Jamaican food. Shopping there is not just a transaction, it is teleportation back to shopping in Spanish Town. The conversations, vibes and banters are uplifting. It also serves as an impromptu meeting place because I am always guaranteed to run into an old friend there.

Finish this sentence: Jamaicans in Newham are… resilient and resourceful because they persevere despite difficulties and provide for themselves where this society does not provide for them. Jamaicans in Newham exemplify the ‘make a way when there is no way’ spirit, which typifies Jamaicans at home and abroad.

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