Chair of Mandela8, Sonia Bassey MBE is to receive an Honorary Fellowship from Liverpool John Moores University.
The announcement was made this morning with fellows to be conferred during a ceremony in October.
In 1987 Sir John Moores became the first Honorary Fellow of the then Polytechnic and it established a tradition which continues to the day at the university named in his honour.
Since that inaugural conferment LJMU have recognised the outstanding achievements of over 300 distinguished individuals, who have become part of their extended university community and who align themselves with their activities and advocate on the university’s behalf.
An Honorary Fellowship is the highest award LJMU confer as a university; a public recognition of outstanding professional achievements and individuals, celebrated as role models for students and staff.
(Photo: John Hollingsworth)
A graduate in business and finance from LJMU, and former Director of Public Sector Transformation for Cheshire and Warrington until retirement in 2022, Sonia earned an MBE for her community service in Liverpool and was winner of the LCRCA 2023 Inspiration Award – Lifetime Achiever for her 40+ years in promoting race equality and social justice through the arts and neighbourhood and regeneration services.
Her recent projects have included: Liverpool 8’s arts corridor, featuring the Nelson Mandela mural, transforming Princes Avenue embedding the Black community history into the very fabric of the design; becoming a founding member and Director of L8 Matters Community Land Trust and a Trustee of the National Community Land Trust Network; and leading the BLM March in Liverpool in 2020.
Sonia is the first Black Chair of LCVS and former Chair of Africa Oyé and is currently Chair and one of the founding members of Mandela8. Sonia has been instrumental in the Mandela Memorial installation in Princes Park, bringing the Mandela family to Liverpool, the annual Mandela Day celebrations and programmes in schools and for youth at risk of exclusion.
Tukwini Mandela (left) with Sonia Bassey during Mandela Week in Liverpool (Photo: John Hollingsworth)
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mark Power comments:“Our Fellowship is an exceptional roll call of individuals who participate in the life of the university and become our ambassadors. Fellows are drawn from all walks of life and numerous disciplines, many are alumni and return for the honour having established professional acclaim in their time since graduating. The cohort we will recognise this year is outstanding and I’m already proud of their association with LJMU and looking forward to how we can work with them in the future.”
Artistic Director of Africa Oyé and Mandela8 Trustee, Paul Duhaney said: “Everyone at Mandela8 is delighted to learn of this wonderful honour that Sonia is receiving from LJMU. It is testament to her tireless work and activism for her community and the arts in Liverpool that she has shown all her life.”
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First elected African-Caribbean female Government Minister becomes Mandela8 PatronMandela8 are delighted to partner with Inclusive Companies to deliver a webinar focusing on the My 67 Minutes Programme.
Nelson Mandela spent 67 years supporting social justice and human rights before he passed the baton to others on his 90th Birthday, 18th July – now officially named Mandela Day – asking them to spend 67 minutes of their time to do an act of kindness for someone else.
The ‘My 67 Minutes’ campaign encourages everyone to take 67 minutes out of their day – one minute for every year that Mandela fought for human rights and social justice – to do something for someone else or for their community.
We want to see thousands of individual acts of kindness all across the world, ideally on Mandela Day – Sunday 18th July, or in the week leading up to Mandela Day itself.
During this session, Sonia Bassey MBE, Mandela8 Chair, and Dawn Morris, Mandela8 Trustee, will share how you, your organisation or your communities can get involved. There will also be the opportunity for Q&A from the audience as we explore ideas to celebrate this commemorative occasion.
This webinar will provide you with an overview of the My 67 Minutes programme established by Mandela8 and what it entails.
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First elected African-Caribbean female Government Minister becomes Mandela8 PatronSonia Bassey MBE has been nominated for a Lifetime Achievers prize at this year’s National Diversity Awards.
The Chair of both Mandela8 and Africa Oyé will be recognised at a black-tie ceremony in Liverpool next year, showcasing organisations’ and individuals’ outstanding devotion to enhancing equality, diversity and inclusion in their field.
The National Diversity Awards – in association with ITV News – celebrates the achievements of grass-root communities that tackle the issues in today’s society, giving charities, role models and community heroes recognition for their dedication and hard work.
Growing up in the vibrant and active L8 area of Liverpool, Sonia became an entrepreneur at just 19 when she established herself as a community artist and director of her own business, which she still runs today. She now works as Director of Public Sector Transformation for Cheshire and Warrington, leading transformation of services across the sub region.
As well as chairing the Board of Trustees at Mandela8, Sonia is also Chair of Africa Oyé – the UK’s largest celebration of African music and culture, which takes place annually in Liverpool.
Sonia has also previously served as Chair for the Merseyside Black History Month Group and in 2017 was awarded an MBE for services to the community in Liverpool.
Sonia Bassey MBE, said:
“I come from a community that was written off by many institutions locally and its image destroyed by media perception nationally and around the world. A place where I and many of my peers were also written off. Yet I am here today celebrating having come this far in the National Diversity Awards. This is important, not only to me, but to young people who believe there is no hope for them. There is; you can aspire, you can achieve and you can be whoever you want to be. Dream big and there are people like me who have lived in your shoes here to support you.”
Dawn Morris of Mandela8, said:
“Sonia has such a heart for people and diversity and the values we have at Mandela8 are at the core of her spirit. Sonia is passionate about helping to bring an end to racial injustice and building a future filled with hope, especially for young people. Sonia’s nomination for this award is extremely well deserved and we at Mandela8 wish her all the very best on the awards night.”
The National Diversity Awards ceremony will take place on 26th February 2021 at the Anglican Cathedral in Liverpool. More information and tickets to the awards can be found at https://nationaldiversityawards.co.uk
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First elected African-Caribbean female Government Minister becomes Mandela8 PatronA message from our Chair, Sonia Bassey, MBE:
Following recent advice and direction by Government regarding Covid-19 that large gatherings should not take place and recent school, university and public venue closures, we have taken the decision to postpone Mandela Week and the Mandela family visit.
In agreement with Dr Maki and Tukwini Mandela and our partners and sponsors we will be organizing the visit to take place during July 2021, government guidelines permitting.
All our efforts at this time should be directed at our vulnerable and elderly in society and our health and emergency services.
Our programme for the visit included all schools across the Liverpool City Region, a range of public events across Cheshire and Merseyside and two major celebration events so understandably these cannot take place at this time.
Dr Maki and Tukwini Mandela said: “We are sorry we cannot be with you in July this year. It is important that we take all our Governments advice seriously and stay safe. We look forward to being with you all next year in Liverpool and you have a heartfelt and sincerest best wishes for you and your families during this difficult time”.
Your health and wellbeing remain our greatest priority and Mandela8 are currently revising a range of activities we are committed to so that people can still take part via social media or digital solutions. These include our Roots and Wings Young Leaders Programme and our National Heritage Lottery Fund Memorial and Legacy Programme.
We would like to thank you, our sponsors and funders for your ongoing support and want you to stay safe and look out for each other.
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