2024 Awardees - Black Achievers Wings Award

Academic Achievement

Alexandra Claxton-Ruddock

Alexandra is an accomplished young professional who completed her MA in Race and Education and PGCE at Leeds Beckett University. She secured a teaching role at a local Leeds school, where she is performing exceptionally well. Despite facing significant personal challenges during her studies, she demonstrated resilience, perseverance, and achieved academic excellence.

Josiah Gatewood

Josiah, currently in Year 12, joined Ujima to prepare for his GCSEs after missing a significant portion of school due to surgery. With additional support and lessons, he demonstrated exceptional commitment, resilience, and willingness to be challenged, achieving progress that exceeded expected targets in Maths. His dedication makes him a deserving candidate for this award.

Shirleecia Wilkinson Ward

Shirleecia began her career as a Youth Worker in 2008, delivering education and health services to young people across schools, youth justice, and community projects. She qualified as a Social Worker in 2015, providing therapeutic support to children and families, and later managed a semi-supported provision for young people transitioning from local authority care, including supervising student placements. Currently, she is a senior lecturer at Leeds Beckett University’s School of Health, undertaking doctoral studies. She is experienced in communication, lecturing, vulnerability and risk assessment, and management.

Kamiya Newman

Kamiya has shown remarkable progress since attending Ujima. Initially struggling in Maths, she now performs above her year group’s expectations. She has also gained confidence and can work independently with minimal support. Her achievements highlight the positive impact of Ujima’s approach on student outcomes.

Community Involvement

Chijoke John Ojukwu

Chijioke is a dedicated community organiser in Harehills, supporting residents in accessing services. Professionally, he works as an Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion consultant, advising organisations such as Leeds Trinity University, the London Metropolitan Police, and the Westway Trust on tackling racism and improving access. Voluntarily, he leads initiatives including community litter picks, a family fun day for over 300 residents, the opening of the Compton Library Community Café, and a youth-led project on police accountability. He also mentors young people to develop skills in business and discover their talents.

Maureen Hall

Maureen Hall is an exceptional carer for people with dementia and their families. She builds trusting, meaningful relationships quickly, providing care with calmness, respect, and flexibility. Her dedication ensures the dignity and needs of those she supports are always met. Highly respected and trusted, Maureen maintains excellent communication with both families and fellow carers, offering consistent support and guidance. Her loyalty, compassion, and expertise make her an invaluable presence in the lives of those living with dementia.

The Little London Community Food Pantry

The Little London Community Food Pantry was established in April 2022 as an extension of the Leeds African Communities Charity Trust’s Covid Response Food Hub, which was supported by Leeds City Council, charitable organisations, and individual donors. Its purpose is to provide groceries to local residents experiencing hardship due to the pandemic and the rising cost of living.

The Project aims to improve the quality of life for community members by addressing the effects of the cost-of-living crisis on health and well-being. Managed by the Leeds African Communities Charity Trust and supported by fourteen volunteers, including Ward Councillors, it has assisted thousands of people since opening.

The Pantry also offers a welcoming space at the community centre, providing free refreshments and hot soup every Friday. This community café brings together people of different ages and backgrounds, helping to reduce isolation and support mental well-being.

For further information, contact Abdul Rashid Thomas, Chair of the Leeds African Communities Charity Trust.

Maureen Jones

Maureen Jones has been nominated for the Black Achiever Community Award in recognition of over 50 years of dedicated service to her family and the communities of Chapeltown and Harehills. She has achieved historic milestones, including being the first female train guard in England, and has led numerous community initiatives, such as church youth groups, one of the first community cafés, pre- and after-school childcare, and food programs for vulnerable residents. A former social worker, Maureen has fostered, mentored, and supported countless young people and families, including through crisis periods like the COVID-19 pandemic. She continues to support cultural food access projects, celebrate community milestones, and raise funds for global causes. Even at 70, her energy, commitment, and faith drive her ongoing contributions, making her a cherished and inspirational figure in her community.

St Aidan's Food Share

St. Aidan’s Food Share is a long-established and respected community service in Harehills, operating for over 15 years. Run by one paid worker and around 20 dedicated volunteers, it provides a non–means tested, self-referral food distribution service every Saturday morning. Over recent years, weekly attendance has tripled, with more than 100 people collecting food for 300–400 individuals.

The service supports a wide range of people, including large families, refugees and asylum seekers, those affected by unemployment, the cost-of-living crisis, benefit sanctions, and individuals with limited access to financial support. Guests come from across LS7, LS8, LS9, LS14, and LS15, often travelling significant distances.

Food parcels include tinned goods, ready meals, dry staples, fresh fruit and vegetables, bread, and essential household items such as toiletries, nappies, period products, and cleaning supplies.

St. Aidan’s Food Share is funded primarily through the generosity of church members from St. Aidan’s and partner churches, alongside small grants from Leeds City Council, charitable trusts, supermarkets, and local takeaways. The service is governed by the Parochial Church Council (PCC), the statutory body overseeing church-based activities.

Mr Minton Goodison

Minton has consistently dedicated himself to community service through roles such as youth work and active involvement in Unity Does MAATer, an organisation that delivers cultural, wellbeing, financial and educational projects for people of all ages in Chapeltown. Notably, he contributed to initiatives like the CV19 Conversations, which highlighted the resilience and wisdom of local elders.

In 2014, Minton joined the West Indian Centre Committee during a period of renewal aimed at engaging younger members. When the Chairperson became unable to continue due to ill health, Minton stepped into the role during one of the most challenging periods in the Centre’s history. Despite the scale of the task, he remained committed to preserving the Centre, working with both long-standing and new members to bring positive change and build stronger structures.

For a decade, he has continued to recruit and involve younger people in revitalising the Centre—now renamed the Leeds Caribbean & African Centre CIC—demonstrating unwavering dedication, resilience, and leadership. This award recognises his sustained commitment and service to the community.

Sports Award

Scott Summers

Scott Summers is an outstanding young person who represents his community with pride. He is brave, humble, competitive, and consistently demonstrates responsibility and maturity. Scott never complains, approaches every challenge with a positive attitude, and remains a dependable presence for his team. As captain of his age group, he leads by example and embodies the core values of a Chapeltown player, always showing respect and care for his coaches and teammates.

Myla Browne

Myla is an exemplary pupil who consistently demonstrates dedication, kindness, and a genuine enthusiasm for learning. In English, she excels academically and shows strong emotional maturity and insight into language and literature. Her peers elected her as a form representative, a role in which she has shown responsibility, care, and diligence. She is highly trusted by other students, who feel comfortable sharing their concerns with her, and she continually fosters a positive, supportive environment.

Across her subjects, Myla is known for her exceptional work ethic, focus, and determination. Her notes are of an excellent standard, and she approaches challenging tasks with commitment and perseverance. She also contributes positively in RS, encouraging thoughtful discussion while supporting and uplifting those around her.

Beyond the classroom, Myla displays impressive achievement in sport. She represents Yorkshire in Acro and Great Britain in display gymnastics, plays football for Yorkshire Amateur’s U13 Junior Premier League team, and represents her school in athletics, dance, and diving. She is a positive role model whose influence, academic excellence, and compassion enrich her school community.

Business Award

Mrs Beverley McLaughlan

Beverley has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to her community throughout her personal and professional life. Born and raised in Chapeltown, while remaining mindful of her Nevis and St Kitts heritage, she has always worked to support the well-being of those around her. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Beverley and her husband kept their shop, Petals and Stitches, open to assist families who had lost loved ones by providing flowers and other essential items.

Through her church involvement and her various business ventures, Beverley is recognised as a hardworking and dedicated individual who strives for excellence and aims to be an asset to her community. This award is well deserved and reflects the pride and quality she brings to the businesses she operates locally.

Performing Arts

Khaleil Fell

Khaleil Fell, aged seventeen, began dancing at Armley Dance Studios at eight and soon mastered a range of theatre styles. A former member of the RJC Dance Youth Company, he is known for his talent, enthusiasm, and positive spirit.

His achievements include UK Dance Master Winner 2023, TDCI World Performer Winner 2023, and TDCI Champion of Champions Winner 2024, earning him a full scholarship to Laine Theatre Arts in Epsom.

Khaleil aspires to perform in Cats or in film and also volunteers at a dog rescue centre. He is honoured to be nominated for a Black Achievers Wings Award and is proud of his community.

Entertainment Awards

Bupsi Brown

Niqi “Bupsi” Brown is an acclaimed performer known for her powerful tributes to Tina Turner, featuring high-energy dance routines, striking costumes, and outstanding vocals. A former X Factor finalist mentored by Simon Cowell, she has continued to impress audiences, including a recent appearance on Channel 4’s The Last Leg New Year’s Eve Special in 2023.

Bupsi produces Queens of Rock & Soul, a celebrated show honouring legendary female artists such as Tina Turner, Whitney Houston, Diana Ross, Chaka Khan, and Aretha Franklin. She is also the founder of the Midnight Soul Sisters, who have been entertaining audiences for over twelve years.

Recognised for her vibrant stage presence, dedication, and ability to captivate audiences, Bupsi delivers performances that are memorable, dynamic, and full of heart.

Posthumous Awards

Ginalda Tavares Manuel

Ginalda Tavares Manuel was a Leeds-based poet, artist, and writer of Cape Verdean and Angolan heritage. A gifted linguist fluent in English, Portuguese, Spanish, Japanese, and Crioulo, she drew deeply on her cultural background in her creative work. A former member of RJC and Leeds Young Authors, she was an emerging poet who performed widely across the UK and was part of the winning Word Cup Poetry Slam team in 2015.

Gina worked with organisations such as Speak Woman Speak Theatre, Leeds Playhouse, the Geraldine Conner Foundation, and Leeds Young Authors, contributing as a performer, producer, facilitator, and poet coach. She was also involved in the formation of The Heritage Crew in 2023.

Known for her humility, creativity, and commitment to using the arts for positive change, Gina brought joy, generosity, and uplifting energy to every space she entered.

Leonora Stapleton

Leonora Stapleton was a highly accomplished artist whose contribution extended far beyond dance. Holding an MA in Leadership and Management and a teaching certificate specialising in dance, she worked as a teacher, choreographer, mentor, coach, director, co-producer, and dedicated volunteer. She was also a committed community activist and philanthropist, generously giving her time, skills, and resources to support individuals and local initiatives.

Her lifelong commitment to dance began at the age of twelve when she joined the Mara Ya Pili Community Dance Project. In 1985, with strong support from her community, she moved to New York to further her career. As a professional freelance dancer and choreographer, she performed in major productions such as The Lion King, Tarzan, and The Harlem Nutcracker, captivating audiences across the United States, Europe, and the United Kingdom.

Even during the challenges of the Covid period and her diagnosis of cancer, Leonora continued to work and inspire others. Her final co-production in 2021, Mariposa (“Butterfly”), reflected her ability to bring colour, light, and renewal to those around her. This posthumous award honours her remarkable dedication to dance, her community, and the many lives she touched.

Keynote Speakers

Rehana Minhas
She was the first Black educational professional to be appointed to a senior position by the Education Department of Leeds City Council.