8th July 2025

The 2025 Windrush Day Thanksgiving Gathering & Awards

On Saturday, 21 June, the Society hosted and celebrated another annual Windrush Day Thanksgiving Gathering, WDTG. On that day the Society welcomed almost 70 family members and friends, and virtually all were qualified professionals.

Everyone once again enjoyed a wonderful authentic Caribbean buffet, in the company of a cohort of Windrush Nation Awards recipients who were there to be honoured for their exceptional contributions to British society.

Perhaps the most evocative moments in the Gathering were the telling of many family stories by five speakers, namely: Giles Speid, Nerima Wandera, Daniel Yamoah, Lee Xavier, and Mark Mantock who talked about the last four generations of their families. These stories were heard by a group of teenagers, young adults, and groups of families, some of whom had brought their aged parents (of the Windrush pioneers’ generation).

This year Angela Clarke, RAFFA CEO and church minister, lead the singing of the song “Windrush Nation,” which is the anthem for the Windrush Nation aka the Black community.

There was ample time to network with each other and the recipients of the Windrush Nation Awards (WNA) which were presented by Nerima Wandera, EY, Assistant Director Global Executive Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

The 2025 Award recipients were: the Bishop of Dover, Rose Hudson-Wilkin; Rev Joe Aldred; Dr Felicia Kwaku OBE; Marsha Jones; Pat Carvalho; and Dr Rev Trevor Adams. Guests were also pleased to hear their evocative acceptance messages.

With the sudden passing of Mike Johnson, the Life Radio CEO, and a passionate supporters of the Windrush Nation Awards, the Gathering also paid tribute to our friends who left us in May. The Society’s online tribute to him was read by Koral Neil.

We were delighted to note that once again some guests chose to bring their children and parents or a senior relative to experience the occasion. The post event feedback indicated that the Gathering was another truly enjoyable and memorable occasion for celebrating cultural esteem or pride in the community.

Dr Dwain Neil OBE

Reach Society, Chairman