I did very well at school but home life was difficult. I tracked down my dad, who had returned to Jamaica. He asked me over for a holiday and I ended up going to high school there, doing my ‘O’ Levels and ‘A’ Levels. I enjoyed school there immensely, and was inspired to see other Black people doing well in education and business.
But once again, I struggled to fit in with my father’s family, so I came back to England. Trying to find a place where I could fit in and be happy has been a theme through my whole life. I have lived and worked in England and Jamaica, in voluntary sector, hospitality and the media. I have worked to support the Black family network and I have always stressed the importance of understanding who you are and those who came before you.
I have had many setbacks, including a stroke when I was just 39. There have been times when I had almost nothing and wasn’t sure how we were going to get by. But my faith in God has sustained me throughout. I have heard people say ‘you are a strong woman.’ But I don’t think I am. But quitting is not an option so I use my disappointments to lift others up.
Things happen, by the grace of God. I went to university in England as a mature student, got a Master’s degree. I am now completing my PhD, while setting up a global media network.
I have learned about the power of the media. I have a vision for a media network that tells our story. Black kids need to see themselves on the television, not as hoodies with knives and guns, not with unmarried mothers but in positions of authority, running businesses and being a success. We need to see stable families, because we replicate what we see. We didn’t all get to England on the Windrush and Africa existed long before slavery. There’s a whole world before and after that that we don’t hear about.
I don’t consider myself to be old at all. I have things to do, to make a contribution. I want to leave a legacy. People don’t care about my age. I don’t present myself as a 63-year-old. My 33-year-old business partner can’t keep up with me.