Due to circumstances beyond our control, this event has been cancelled.

This event takes place in the British Library and will be simultaneously live streamed on the British Library platform. Tickets may be booked either to attend in person, or to watch on our platform (online) either live or within 48 hours on catch up. Viewing links will be sent out shortly before the event.

Join us in commemorating the 75th anniversary of Windrush—a milestone in our shared history. Celebrate the impact of the Windrush Generation with inspiring business talents in a dynamic panel discussion. Hear how these entrepreneurs shape a brighter future for British society, symbolically standing on the shoulders of their ancestors and drawing business inspiration from the rich tapestry of their heritage. Let's come together to honour the past and celebrate the Windrush generations' enduring contributions to modern Britain.

On the day, guests and attendees can expect to join a panel discussion where they will:

• Learn about the profound significance of the Windrush anniversary for Black business owners, gaining insight into their vital contributions to the UK
• Gain a deeper understanding of the reality of starting and growing a business for Black and Brown entrepreneurs
• Understand the need for documenting the rich history of Black British communities and learn about the platforms and resources available that showcase this heritage
• Learn about how Black businesses draw inspiration from historical events like Windrush and the Black Lives Matter movement and how they are adapting to change in a post-lockdown world
• Uncover the resilient strategies implemented by the panellists, gaining valuable insights on how they navigate challenges in their work
• Engage in discussions about the importance of representation in the business world and how these entrepreneurs actively contribute to fostering diversity and inclusivity.

Following this there will be a Q&A, plus an engaging and thought-provoking presentation on the documenting of Black British history by our host and moderator Diane Louise Jordan.

For those joining us in person, the event will be followed by a networking reception with drinks meeting with other attendees, as well as the speakers. For those joining us online, the panel and talk will run from 18.30 – 20.30

Panel talk:

Yemisi Mokuolu, award-winning independent producer and business consultant with over 17 years’ experience supporting creative, cultural and social entrepreneurs around the world to realise their initiatives for social impact and cultural change. As an independent producer, she is the co-founder of the ‘Asa Baako – One Dance’ festival in Ghana and Five Cowries arts education initiative in Nigeria. In 2021 she became a UK “Women of the Year” recipient and in 2022 she was recognised by the African Business Chamber as one of the 100 most influential African business leaders in the UK.  

Emeka Frederick and Ifeyinwa Frederick, co-founders of the critically-acclaimed world’s first Nigerian tapas restaurant, Chuku's.
Since leaving a career as an Strategy Consultant to grow Chuku’s brand, Emeka has grown as a pioneer in the restaurant industry alongside his sister, Ifeyinwa. Passionate about rewriting the global narrative around Africa and sharing stories on entrepreneurship, he has previously featured on Sky News, BBC Radio 4, in The Guardian to share his start-up journey. 
Ifeyinwa is featured on Forbes’ list of 100 Female Founders in Europe, in 2021 she was named one of the most influential women in hospitality and was winner of the 2019 Young British Foodie Awards in the food sharing category. Ifeyinwa is Head of Branding and Communications at Chuku's and has built the 30,000 strong digital community. Under her leadership, Chuku's has secured coverage in the UK from Vogue, BBC Radio 4 and Financial Times amongst others and is regularly featured in international press. 

Teleica Kirkland  is a fashion historian, lecturer in Cultural and Historical Studies (CHS) at the London College of Fashion, a PhD candidate at Goldsmiths University and the founder and Creative Director of the Costume Institute of the African Diaspora (CIAD); an organisation dedicated to developing resources and building curricula about dress and adornment cultures from the African Diaspora. Teleica has published a variety of academic works including pieces for the Fashion Studies Journal, Surface Design Journal, and the book Scotland’s Transnational Heritage, Legacies of Empire and Slavery.

Lois Wilson is the founder of Saint Aymes, named after her grandparents Eric and Thyra Aymes who immigrated from Barbados to the UK. Following popular edible art chocolates, in 2018, Saint Aymes launched an experience driven cafe that disrupted the market. Coined the prettiest cafe in London, Saint Aymes grew in popularity with pop-ups in Japan and Abu Dhabi. Saint Aymes is now raising investment to expand to the USA through franchising.

The panel will be moderated by Diane Louise Jordan a British television and radio presenter, as well as an author, singer and founder of The Making of Black Britain. In 1990, she made front-page news as the first Black presenter of BBC1’s Blue Peter and Songs of Praise. Over the last three years, Diane has been creating a legacy through her oral history archive, The Making of Black Britain, which recently launched on Google Arts and Culture. She also offers Digital Storytelling Workshops to create space for listening and provides the opportunity to digest information in a meaningful way.