Black British Culture

01/02/2025

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic blood disorder affecting approximately 12,000 to 15,000 individuals in the UK, predominantly among Black African and Caribbean communities. 

The NHS in England is introducing a groundbreaking gene-editing therapy for SCD, priced at £1.65 million, which will be available to eligible patients free of charge. 

This therapy, known as exagamglogene autotemcel (exa-cel), has been approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and is expected to benefit many patients.

27/01/2025

A 12-year-old girl died after drinking a milkshake made in an unwashed blender at a cafe in south-east London.

Mia St Hilaire had a tree nut allergy and had a severe reaction after her order was believed to contain traces of hazelnuts and almonds from a previous milkshake made in the same machine at the Pop Inn Cafe on Southwark Park Road.

She was taken to hospital where she died in August 2023.
The cafe has been fined £18,000 and its proprietor given 100 hours of community service after admitting six criminal charges related to the Food Safety Act.

Evidence provided by Southwark Council’s food safety team included CCTV evidence showing the cafe’s operator, Baris Yucel, had not cleaned the blender before making Mia’s drink and there were substances left behind from the preparation of a previous milkshake.

Southwark Council argued that this caused her to suffer a severe allergic reaction and that Mia’s death could have been avoided.

Mia’s parents, Adrian and Chanel St Hilaire, said they “think of Mia every day” and “knowing her death could potentially have been prevented so simply only adds to how heartbroken we are as a family”.

16/01/2025

😂😂😂😂

06/01/2025

30/12/2024

Marcus Fakana has started his jail term in Dubai. He is currently serving a one-year sentence after being convicted for engaging in a smexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl during a holiday in Dubai. The case has drawn significant international attention, and advocacy groups are pushing for clemency on his behalf.

In Dubai, the legal age of consent is 18, and s*xual activity with individuals under this age is illegal, regardless of consent.

18/12/2024

These are spot on 😂😂. Who does he resemble a lot more???
📹:

12/12/2024

Update on this case: , an 18-year-old from Tottenham, North London, was initially facing a potential 20-year prison sentence in Dubai after being accused of having a relationship with a 17-year-old British girl during a family holiday in August 2024. The girl’s mother reportedly discovered their relationship and alerted authorities, leading to his arrest.

Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai who is assisting the British teenager, shared that Marcus will be appealing the sentence. Writing on X, she said: “Marcus will appeal his sentence but has already been held in Dubai since September and now has a one year sentence to face.

08/12/2024

Aaron Conway, 39, and Joseph Barnes, 41, have been sentenced for their involvement in the death of 16-year-old Tafari Thompson-Mintah. The incident occurred on October 9, 2023, in St Paul’s Cray, Orpington, when Conway and Barnes pursued Tafari, who was riding a moped. Barnes, driving a stolen car with Conway as a passenger, swerved towards Tafari, deliberately knocking him off his scooter. This caused Tafari to be thrown into the path of an oncoming vehicle, resulting in fatal injuries. 

The motive for the chase stemmed from Conway’s desire to intimidate Tafari, who had been in a relationship with Conway’s daughter. The court heard that Conway was determined to threaten and intimidate Tafari following the breakdown of this relationship. 

At Woolwich Crown Court, Barnes was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 25 years. Conway was found guilty of manslaughter and received a 16-year prison sentence. 

Detective Chief Inspector Martin Thorpe, who led the investigation, stated: “Conway encouraged Barnes to drive recklessly and in doing so both played a part in the cruel and senseless ending of a young boy’s life.” He expressed hope that the lengthy sentences would provide some closure to Tafari’s family. 

A third individual charged in connection with the incident was found not guilty following a trial. 

07/12/2024

was a 10-year-old boy tragically killed in a violent attack in London on November 27, 2000. Originally from Nigeria, Damilola had recently moved to the UK with his family to pursue a better life and education. He was known for his bright spirit, love for learning, and aspirations of becoming a doctor.

On the evening of his death, Damilola was walking home from a library in Peckham, South London, when he was attacked by a group of youths. He was stabbed in the leg with a broken bottle, severing an artery. Despite his injuries, he attempted to seek help but collapsed and died in a stairwell.

The case garnered widespread attention, highlighting issues of youth violence and systemic failures in protecting vulnerable children. It took several years before two brothers, Ricky and Danny Preddie, were convicted of Damilola’s manslaughter in 2006, following advances in forensic evidence.

In his memory, the Damilola Taylor Trust was established by his parents to support young people and address issues of violence, inequality, and social exclusion. His story continues to serve as a catalyst for change, inspiring initiatives to create safer communities for children.

03/12/2024

In January 2022, two-year-old Mazeedat Adeoye tragically drowned in a garden bin in Dagenham, East London. Her mother, Balikis Adeoye, was forced to leave Mazeedat in the care of a stranger while tending to her three-month-old baby undergoing heart surgery.

Balikis, a recent immigrant from Nigeria, had repeatedly pleaded with Newham Council for foster care support for her daughter but was advised to rely on friends instead. The coroner concluded that the death resulted from a “gross failure” by both the council and those supervising the child, noting the tragedy could have been avoided with proper intervention.

Newham Council expressed devastation and has since implemented reforms to prevent such incidents. This heartbreaking case underscores the urgent need for effective social support systems for vulnerable families.

03/12/2024

The rainbow armband, a prominent symbol of inclusivity and support for the LGBTQ+ community, is worn by football captains during specific campaigns, such as the Premier League’s Rainbow Laces initiative. These campaigns aim to promote equality and combat discrimination in sports, fostering an environment where everyone feels welcome regardless of s*xual orientation or identity.

During a recent match, Crystal Palace captain Marc Guéhi wore the rainbow armband but added a personal message: “I love Jesus.” Guéhi, a devout Christian, is known for openly expressing his faith. By writing this statement, he likely intended to share a message of love and hope rooted in his religious beliefs. However, this act sparked controversy because it clashed with the Football Association’s (FA) regulations, which prohibit personal, political, or religious statements on players’ equipment.

The FA issued a formal warning to both Guéhi and Crystal Palace, citing a breach of these rules. While Guéhi’s intentions were likely personal and faith-driven, the FA emphasized the importance of maintaining the neutrality of symbols like the rainbow armband, particularly during initiatives designed to unify players and fans around a specific cause.

Though Guéhi will not face further disciplinary action, the warning serves as a reminder of the fine line athletes must walk between personal expression and adhering to league guidelines. His decision has sparked conversations about balancing individual beliefs with collective efforts to support inclusivity in sports.

01/12/2024

Madame Tussauds has honored the legendary Leticia Wright and her iconic role as Shuri from Black Panther with the unveiling of three stunning figures across Hollywood, Amsterdam and Sydney.

22/11/2024

Shared rooms??! THIS IS CRAZY!!

22/11/2024

Raekelle Powell, a 22-year-old professional volleyball player from Toronto, Canada, was sentenced to 15 months in prison in the UK after attempting to smuggle approximately 19 kilograms of cannabis into the country. Upon her arrival at Heathrow Airport on September 20, 2024, Border Force officers discovered the drugs in her luggage. Powell admitted to being paid 300 Canadian dollars to transport the suitcase containing the cannabis, which had an estimated UK street value of £600,000 (over $1 million). She pleaded guilty to smuggling Class B drugs and was sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court on October 24, 2024. 

This case underscores the severe legal consequences of drug smuggling, regardless of one’s background or profession.

22/11/2024

A social media user has gone viral for her views regarding Marcus Fakana, the young man who was detained in Dubai for engaging in a relationship with a then 17-year-old, of which they are now both 18. Do y’all agree with her views?

20/11/2024

An 18-year-old Briton faces up to 20 years in prison in Dubai after being charged with having an intimate relationship with a then-17-year-old girl during a family holiday.

Marcus joined his parents for a short holiday on August 26, where he struck up a romance with a girl just months away from turning 18. The pair spent as much time together as possible during their trip and hoped to further their relationship when they returned to London.

“We had a wonderful time together. We really liked each other, but she was secretive with her family because they were strict,” Marcus explained. “My parents knew about our relationship, but she couldn’t tell hers. She had to meet me without telling them it was to see a boy.”

Although Dubai recently reformed its laws regarding s*x outside of marriage for tourists, it still adheres to a strict Islamic legal system and has no specific ruling on the age of consent. Under local law, a child is defined as anyone under the age of 18.

The relationship, which would have been legal in the UK, has drawn scrutiny due to the girl’s age at the time. She has since turned 18.