This week, I’d like to feature an interview with fellow AfroSpear member and author of the book Black Success Stories, Zhana.
1. Tell us a little about your book: Black Success Stories and what inspired you to write it.
I have lived in Britain and taught adult education courses here in London for many years. I lead personal development workshops. Before that, I used to teach creative writing.
I am struck by the way many people I teach will say “I can’t” do whatever it is they want to do. They give up without even trying. These are people who have been through the British education system.
After my previous book, Success Strategies for Black People, I wanted to show examples of Black people who have achieved success across a range of fields. Volume 1 of Black Success Stories deals entirely with people based in Britain. But there are strong parallels with what is happening in the U.S.A.
Britain is a society in meltdown. The family is disintegrating here. This is affecting Black families now as well. We have young teenagers killing each others. A 15-year-old boy was murdered in his bed in inner London, and I have heard that the families are often intimidated in these incidents. Similar things are happening in urban areas in the States, from what I understand.
When they enter school at the age of five, our children are getting the top test scores. But when they leave school at 16, they are at the bottom. The schools are letting our children down badly. They are excluded from school or they leave without qualifications. Many of our kids are ending up in prison or in trouble with the police.
We, the Black community, need to provide positive alternatives. The young people need positive role models, example of successful people of African heritage in a wide variety of fields.
We rarely see positive images of Black people apart from sports stars and entertainers. It’s important for people of African heritage, particularly young people and parents, to remember that Black people are achievers and we are contributing to society at every level.
2. How did you select the people you feature in the book?
Excellent question.
Some people were obvious choices. Like Diane Abbott MP, the first African Caribbean woman to be elected to the House of Commons.
A lot of the time, I would hear about a person or a project – like Cancer Black Care, for example – and think, that sounds interesting, I want to interview them.
Every person in the book is making a significant contribution to UK society. And a lot of them, as it turns out, are working with young people and parents, out of concern for the next generation.
3. Can you share a little about one of the success stories in the book?
One of my favorite stories is that of the late Len Garrison, who founded the Black Cultural Archives. He had no training in that area. He just started collecting memorabilia at a time when the museums were not collecting it. And he died very unexpectedly. So I was very privileged to interview him just before he passed away.
Thank you very much for interviewing me.
Black Success Stories is available at http://www.blacksuccess1.com/blacksuccessstories.htm.
