2019 Dr John Roberts CBE QC Achievement Awards; Awarding the Young-STARS of Ealing

BY DAVID MYLES

On Saturday the 13^th July 2019, Descendants (a youth arts-based charity based in Acton) and recent winners of The Queens Award for Voluntary Service, held their 15^th Dr John Roberts CBE QC Awards at the Hilton By Tree in Ealing Common. The 2019 Dr John Roberts CBE QC Achievement Awards had an attendance of 150 plus people, and was hosted by Descendants committee members Pamela Masha and co-founder Collette Noel.

The Dr John Roberts CBE QC Achievement Awards was established in 2005 to accentuate the achievements of school children of African Caribbean descent in primary school years of 5 and 6, and those in secondary school that attend schools in the London borough of Ealing. Founder of Descendants, Margaret Noel was inspired by her sister Kim Noel who died unexpectedly in 2004 at the age of 35. Despite her challenges with mental health, she always set high standards, and achieved her goal of becoming a qualified nursery nurse shortly before her death.

The Annual Awards are named after the acclaimed late and great Dr John Roberts (born May 17^th 1928 – 29^th June 2016) who 31 years ago made history by becoming the first Queen’s Counsel (QC) of African descent in England and Wales.

On the night, Community activist, singer, writer and Descendants patron Camara Fearon performed a song inspired by Martin Luther King to an astonished audience of school children, parents, and teachers who were marvelled by her voice. Special guests on the night included Mary McQueen, the mother of actor and film director Steve McQueen.

Special guest speaker, ITV’s Good Morning Britain’s weatherman Alex Beresford, gave an enrapturing speech about his upbringing in Easton South West England (Bristol), and his trajectory into television. Beresford spoke frankly about the company of friends one keeps and the power of education to transcend lives. Throughout Beresford’s speech, a banqueted audience applauded him for his sincerity and his ability to entwine humour with introspective wisdom to the young nominees and attendees. To conclued his speech, he praised the nominees for their dedication and hard work.

Winners of this year’s 15^th Annual Dr John Roberts CBE QC Achievement Awards are:

Primary:

1. Work hard and achieve against all the odds -Fabian Whittingham
2. Excel in all areas of Education – Huda Omer
3. Excel in Arts – Bishop Tutu
4. Excel in Sports – Muad Noor Ali
5. Future Leader – Jordan Johnny
6. Overall outstanding Primary – Omar Siraj

Secondary:

1. Excel in all areas of Education – Joint winners Serena EZE and Syriah Bernard Drummond
2. Work hard and achieve against all the odds – Sharnae Wilson
3. Excel in Arts – Malika Dennis Winfield
4. Excel in Sports – IIhan Ismail
5. Entrepreneurial Qualities – Justin Jones
6. Future Leader – Precious Faleyimu

Special Awards named after inspirational in the Community, past and present:

1. Kim Noel Award – Sabrina Ahmed
2. Willis Wilkie Award – Valentino Sutherland
3. Connie Mark BEM MBE Award – Renee Pottinger
4. Kwame Kwei-Armah OBE Award – Dereka Clement
5. Steve McQueen CBE Award – Lashayah Allen
6. Lord Paul Boateng Award – Fatma Ahmed
7. Dr John Roberts CBE QC Overall Outstanding Secondary Award – Joint winners Livan Cappiello and Lady Ashong (in the photo)

*Special Teacher Award* Ms Carmel Cameron from Ark Acton Academy

The Descendants Management Committee and volunteers would like to thank Ealing Council Children and Families Service who have annually sponsored the Dr John Roberts CBE QC Achievement Awards. Additionally, Afro hair company Cantu, Yacht London and the Double Tree by Hilton, donated raffle prizes.

The Descendants team also wish to express their gratitude to the main speaker, Alex Beresford for his engaging speech. They are also grateful for their esteemed attendees: The Mayor Councillor Abdullah Gulaid, Mary McQueen, MP for Ealing Central & Acton, Dr Rupa Huq the leader of Ealing Council, Julian Bell, Dr Patricia Walker, visiting Professor at the University of West London Brianna Cyrus, manager at The Black Training & Enterprise Group (BTEG), Descendants patrons’ Camara Fearon, Sister Monica Tywang and Lennox K. Thomas.

They are also grateful for the attendance of: child genius Joshua Beckford, Professional Footballer Darius Charles, Ealing Education Representatives, Ann-Marie Smith, and Marcella Phela, as well as all parents, carers, schoolteachers’ friends and supporters of Descendants for their attendance. Most importantly, Descendants wish to congratulate all the nominees and winners of this year’s Achievement Awards for all their hard work and well-deserved recognition. Descendants and the team here at Toronto Caribbean Newspaper wish them continued success in the future.

For further information about Descendants visit: www.descendants.org.uk

To purchase their new book Our Roots, Our Story, Our Legacy which acknowledges and chronicles 25 years of existence, contact the founder Margaret Noel on: 07745 889521

Co-host Collette Noel of the Dr John Roberts CBE QC 2019 Achievement Awards also runs a Dance, Drama and Music organisation – Youth Street Beats: https://www.facebook.com/ysbarts.uk/