The Foundation

Tony Cheeseman’s death in 2009 motivated 5 of his friends (Pearla Boyce, Harry Cumberbatch, Tony Gill, Ron Reid and Winston Pinder) to create a non-profit organisation. It would not only celebrate his life and contribution to the African and Caribbean community but celebrate the wider heritage of the Caribbean community in the East End of London and neighbouring Boroughs.

These are our Aims:

Organise an annual Tony Cheeseman lecture and hold regular events to celebrate the contributions of African Caribbean community activist.
To develop an African Caribbean Heritage Project that is primarily led by young people and which concentrates on preserving our communities’ contribution mainly through Reminiscence projects and Oral History
To inspire young African Caribbean people who may not have considered their heritage to explore the stories of older African Caribbean people.
To equip young people and other members of the community involved in the project with new heritage skills while building upon their creative interest.
To promote community cohesion and increase intergenerational relationships.

The Caribbean community structure has significantly changed over the last 50 years and many of its activists who helped promote it’s resilience have passed away. The Foundation has made a commitment to preserve that rich Heritage.

The community conferences/Lectures/Events organised by the Tony Cheeseman Foundation have been a great source of inspiration for those that have attended. It has provided elders with an opportunity to reminiscence and share stories of traditions that were a source of support during very difficult times. For the younger generation they provided new insight and knowledge about their heritage and community. Discovering and reminding the community of traditions that helped it overcome difficult times is very important particularly when the community is so often portrayed negatively both within and outside of the community.

Tony Cheeseman recognised the relevance of African and Caribbean traditions and culture as an important context for the development of African and Caribbean communities and an antidote against the devastating impact of racism that the community continues to face.

Most of the centres and institutions that were set up by the community in the 1960’s, 1970’s and 1980s in Britain, have disappeared and been lost. The Performing Arts Centre founded by Tony Cheeseman is now a McDonald’s fast food outlet. There is no reminder or plaque to mark its significance to the heritage of African and Caribbean communities.

‘Many studies that explore the African and Caribbean community life in the UK are often littered with negative stories and one where the community is viewed as a community of ‘need’ rather than one of ‘strengths and assets’. These studies have done little to understand how minority ethnic communities utilise their connections, networks and resources for collective and personal benefit.’

(Reynolds 2004)

The Tony Cheeseman Foundation is committed to celebrating the communities ability to come together, overcome challenges and tap into its collective strengths. Share stories that aim to inspire community resilience, foster greater intergenerational dialogue and a sense of hope for the future. In its mission to promote community resilience through presenting and promoting the rich heritage of the African and Caribbean communities’ experiences. Celebrating our rich heritage is an important foundation for a more resilient future.