Logo designed by Al Bennett | Year 13
My name is Sherry Gardner, I’m an analyst in the Capital Markets division of RBC, and I’ve worked at the bank for 5 years. What I enjoy most about working at RBC are the opportunities I’ve had to work with great people and the bank’s continued support and commitment to drive forward the diversity and inclusion agenda, which makes us all feel valued and heard.
People from African and Caribbean backgrounds have been a fundamental part of British history for centuries.
The celebration of black history is important, it gives everyone the opportunity to share, reflect and understand the impact of black heritage and culture. Black history has received greater attention, since the emergence of the Windrush generation and the struggles some of them have faced and the Black Lives Matter movement, especially since the death of George Floyd in May 2020.
Black history should be important to all of us no matter what our heritage.
By Iggy Gill-Ces |Yr 11
No Woman No Cry Filmed By Ellis Griffith Yr 13
A very special version of No Woman No Cry from the Musical Get Up Stand Up filmed on the stage at The Lyric Theatre.
Sung by #alwaysBRIT Cleopatra Rey who plays Rita Marley and accompanied by #alwaysBRIT Liam Godwin Deputy Musical Director.
The video was filmed with the permission of Get Up Stand Up
Skankin' Sweet | Chronnix
Performed by: Sharai, Indi ,YJ, Liv, Rebecca, Ky, Aleks, Frank , Jude, Romaya, Matias, Ollie, Monarch, Sam
Black is Excellent by Jen-Tay Gen-One Yr10
My piece was inspired by the theme of this year's black history assembly, "Black Excellence". I titled the piece Black is Excellent based on the theme and lyrics from the song "Black" by Santan Dave.
I took images of some black figures that display excellence and I also used lyrics from Dave's song to create this piece you see before you.
My piece also pays homage to Mrs Nelson as she was a very big figure in black excellence here at the BRIT School.
Special thanks to the black history assembly organisers and Santan Dave for the inspiration!
Superpower by Godson Mangumbu-Nzeza Yr12
This poem focused on black people using their gifts to change the world hence why it’s called “Superpower”. It’s a piece that also aims to inspire people as well.
A Change is Gonna Come - Sam Cooke
Performed by: Nate, Indi, Andreza, Theo, Janayah (Lead Vocalist)
Song of Hope by Ollie Burton Learner Yr11
This piece includes a poem by Thomas Hardy, who Miss Nelson always praised greatly and gave plenty recommendations of to read. The title is named after the poem, 'Song of Hope', in which Hardy muses about how although skies are grey today, tomorrow the clouds may part. I also chose to include the Black Power fist because of how vocal Miss was about the importance of black history and literature.
Spoken Word by Chloe and Leo Yr12
Black Guitar Legends by Charlie Griffith Yr10
In honour of Miss Elaine Nelson, my submission to this edition of BRIT Now celebrates the genius of famous black guitarists from different genres throughout music history. I wrote and recorded backing tracks in the style of each of these musicians and then played guitar solos taking inspiration from each of their very different and distinctive techniques.
Identity by Leo Sioufi Yr12
My artwork is a self-portrait of my face which I have drawn stereotypical symbols of AAC culture and identity on to as if they are tattooed onto my face. To represent how people view symbols of stereotypical AAC culture as so part of AAC people and their identity that it is almost as if it is tattooed and engraved into their skin.
No Woman, No Cry
Performed by: Sharai, Indi ,YJ, Liv, Rebecca, Ky, Aleks, Frank , Jude, Romaya, Matias, Ollie, Monarch, Sam
In Memoriam written by Mojisayo Robson Yr13
Spoken Word by Kezia Yr10
AnSister by Naomi Shodimu Yr10
Inspired by the ancient Africans and the tribes of Africa before slavery; not many people know about black history before slavery, except from the Egyptians.
This is a depiction of a tribal woman from West Africa origin.
Flo Poem by Zach Mercier Yr10
The BRIT Queen: Ms Nelson by Tia Campbell Yr10
The night I found out of her passing, I was devastated and knew I had to do something to honour her. Drawing is my talent and ms encouraged me and loved every piece I showed her. This felt like the right way to honour her memory. Rest in peace…
Fugitive by Liz Ragana Yr11
A rap about the trials and tribulations that people of colour face every day.
Theatre Piece by Indi Joseph-Best, Kam Frederick, Glory Rafael and Anaelle Lubwa Yr10
The Beholder’s Vision by Glory Rafael Yr10
This piece was inspired by the stereotypes that black women face, and the struggles that they continue to overtake. Beauty is subjective but it can come with harmful connotations. There is more to something or someone that meets the eye.