Tue. Nov 19th, 2024

Celebrating Black History month with the compelling Story of Claudia Jones

Buried beside Karl Marx in Highgate cemetery Claudia Jones was a force to be reckoned with. At Canada Water Theatre on 15th October 2022, Black Heroes Foundation will take you on a journey of her life story, through an innovative blend of drama, song, photography, and film.

Claudia Jones, Trinidadian born, US immigrant, political activist, and victim of the USA McCarthy era. She was arrested three times during the McCarthy anti-communist witch-hunts, eventually serving nine months in prison. Shortly after her release in the early 1960s, she was deported to England.

In Britain, she continued her struggles against racism and peace playing a leading role in the West Indian community, despite suffering from ill health. She founded Britain’s first major black newspaper, the West Indian Gazette, and is known as the mother of the Caribbean Carnival in London, the precursor to the world-famous Notting Hill Carnival.

Black history is all our history 

The Story of Claudia Jones seeks to inform and empower its audiences and increase public understanding and appreciation of Black history and culture. It is an explosion of storytelling, with colour, sound, emotion, and audience participation designed to appeal across the divide bringing the Story of Claudia Jones to the hearts and minds of youths and adults from culturally diverse backgrounds.

Donations:  https://localgiving.org/charity/Black-Heroes/

Canada Water Theatre box office: https://www.canadawatertheatre.org.uk/2530/The-Story-of-Claudia-Jones

Tickets also available via Albany Theatre box office: https://www.thealbany.org.uk/shows/the-story-of-claudia-jones/

Promo Video: https://youtu.be/9ooqaFQ6yS0

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By Penny McCarthy

Penny McCarthy is a seasoned entrepreneur and co-founder of Parents News UK, a pioneering publication launched in 1993 to serve the needs of busy parents in Southwest London. Alongside her husband, Fergus McCarthy, Penny played a crucial role in the rapid expansion of the printed edition, which grew from a local startup to a widely circulated monthly publication with a reach of 192,000 copies across Kent, South London, and beyond. Under Penny’s leadership, Parents News quickly became a trusted resource for families, providing valuable information on education, entertainment, sports, and family-friendly events. Her vision helped the publication extend its influence with franchises in Northern Ireland and Cornwall, catering to a growing demand for accessible, family-oriented content. In 1997, recognising the importance of digital media, Penny spearheaded the launch of Parents News UK Online. The website initially mirrored the content of the printed editions and has since evolved into a comprehensive online resource for parents, achieving significant popularity with up to 700 daily hits. In 2017, the publication transitioned fully to an online platform, continuing to inform and engage families across the UK. Today, Penny remains deeply involved in the ongoing success of Parents News UK, focusing on innovative advertising opportunities and future growth plans. Her dedication to supporting families through accessible and practical content has made Parents News a cherished name in households across the country.

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