Newham Annual Windrush Day Event

The Newham Windrush Day event was funded by The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and, took place on August 2024, the day was a celebration of vibrant filled activities and entertainment including local business stalls, art workshops by Antonietta Torsiello and Sakafet London, and family storytelling. Local steel pan band Pan Vibrations provided amazing live music through the day, while DJ’s played Caribbean tunes. Tofi, a Grime Pays graduate performed a heartfelt poem on the day.

Tofi’s poem conveyed a message of resilience and identity, reflecting the multifaceted experience of the Windrush generation. It powerfully illustrated the struggle of assimilation, capturing the stark contrast between the hope of a new life in the UK and the harsh reality of being marginalised and misunderstood. Through evocative imagery, Tofi highlighted the sacrifices made by those who came in search of opportunity, only to find themselves confined to roles that did not reflect their skills or aspirations.

It urged the audience to recognize and honour the contributions of those who came before, fostering a sense of unity and understanding.