Welcome to the July 2026 edition of The Forgotten Generations CIC Monthly Newsletter. Our mission is to highlight the stories, achievements, and events of African and Caribbean communities here in the UK and across the world. Thank you for joining us as we celebrate heritage, culture, and community progress.
Community Spotlight: Notable Achievements
Post Box to Honour Britain’s First Black School Teacher: After Royal Mail declined to include him in a 2020 tribute, locals in Hawick, Scotland, commissioned a custom black-and-gold post box to honour Tom Jenkins, Britain’s first Black school teacher.
Black Student of the Year: Salome Enoshi Uwah, a former student and staff member at the University of Greater Manchester, was named Black Student of the Year at the UK Black Healthcare Awards 2026 in London. She is currently a doctoral student at Robert Gordon University.
Justice Williams reflects on the 17th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth announcing she was receiving an MBE: Justice reflects on being a young, 28-year-old Black recipient recognised for inner-city community work in Birmingham. Now 45, she understands that honours can become a responsibility to continue opening doors for others.
News from Abroad
Good News for People on Top Medical Aid in South Africa: Medical aid provider Profmed has concluded its investigation into a data breach first reported in June 2026, confirming that no clinical, health, or additional categories of personal information were compromised.
Top African Referee Omar Artan Appointed to 2026 UEFA Super Cup final: The match is between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in Salzburg, Austria. The appointment serves as a prestigious opportunity for the 2025 CAF Men’s Referee of the Year after he was denied entry to the United States and forced to miss officiating at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This makes Artan the first African referee to oversee a major UEFA competition match.
Upcoming Events
| Date | Event and details |
|---|---|
| 18 July | Afrikan Market Leeds Afrikan and Caribbean stalls: arts, crafts, food, fabric, crystals, creams and more. Leeds West Indian Centre. |
| 18 July | A Taste of North Africa & The Middle East Authentic cuisine, music, storytelling and performances celebrating regional traditions. Carlisle. |
| 18 July | A Taste of Africa – Leap Into Hope Fundraising Event Fashion, food, music, dance and family activities. Godinton Village Hall, Ashford. |
| 18 July | Kenya Festival Oxford 2026 Live music, authentic food and entertainment showcasing Kenyan heritage. Oxford Quins RFC, Horspath. |
| 18 July | African Caribbean Rum Punch Up Rum punch battle, beats from Africa and the Caribbean, and BBQ. Heat Afro Lounge, Oxford. |
| 25 July | Skatterlings of Africa Family & Rugby Day African braai, music, children’s entertainment and Currie Cup screening. Langdale Hall, Witney. |
| 31 July | Black Film Club Monthly Black classic cinema screening and community discussion. African Caribbean Centre, Leicester. |
Youth Corner
Link Up Summer Youth Programme: From 20 July to 21 August 2026, Monday to Friday from 2:00 PM, the African Caribbean Centre in Leicester runs a comprehensive programme for ages 11-18, including creative arts, drama, performance, music production, beat making, sport, games, bowling and group trips.
Black-led charity Poetic Unity has a 10-year strategy to tackle core racial inequities affecting young people aged 10-30. Its pillars are education – increasing Black and Global Majority authors on the GCSE English curriculum from 0.7% to 10%; mental health – improving vital care and support for Black youth; and employment – creating career pathways to combat the 27% unemployment rate facing young Black Britons.
Heritage and History
This month we highlight the Pan African Festival TT, organised by the Emancipation Support Committee of Trinidad and Tobago. The multi-dimensional cultural and educational event pays homage to African ancestors and celebrates the global African diaspora. Under the 2026 theme, “Igniting African Consciousness: Dismantling Colonial Legacies,” it features panels, business symposia and concerts.
The main festivities are held at the Lidj Yasu Omowale Emancipation Village in Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain, culminating on August 1st with the massive Kambulé street procession and a sunset Flambeau march. Performers come from Trinidad and Tobago, Africa and other parts of the African Diaspora. The festival offers a soul-enriching immersion in the cultural heritage of Africans and a chance to bond around a common purpose.
Get Involved
Would you like to share your story, promote an event, or volunteer with The Forgotten Generations CIC? Email us at info@theforgottengenerations.com or follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Thank you for supporting The Forgotten Generations CIC. Together, we honour our history, empower our present, and inspire our future.
By TFG Communications Coordinator
On behalf of the Committee
Date: 12/07/2026
