About Us

History

In July 1993, the idea of establishing DESCENDANTS came from overwhelming parental response following a performance by young people of African and Caribbean descent performing together at St. Vincent’s RC School in Acton, West London. The evening made such an impact, and created such positive feedback, that the founder members of DESCENDANTS (Margaret Noel, Collette Noel, Chantal Noel, Celestina Uzoka, Lorraine Neckles, Helen Manufor and Kisha Noel) held a meeting to look into the development of a sustainable cultural group.

Following a successful meeting and further research, which demonstrated that there was a definite need for this type of group, DESCENDANTS was established in September 1993, for children of African and Caribbean descent.

In 1993, the Rt. Hon. Mr Paul Boateng M.P was approached and agreed to become our Patron. Mrs Connie Mark B.E.M M.B.E became our second Patron in 1998. Dr John Roberts Q.C formally became our 3rd Patron in June 2007. Mrs Connie Mark passed away in June 2007; prior to her death she endorsed Dr John Robert’s Q.C’s appointment as our third Patron.

Aims

DESCENDANTS are an arts focused educational project. During the weekly sessions our main focus is on African and Caribbean culture; we explore history, we experiment with art, craft, music, drama and dance.

We aim to encourage our children and young people to develop:

• A sense of pride in their abilities
• Their self-confidence
• Knowledge of their history and ancestry
• An appreciation of the wealth of achievements accomplished by their ancestors
• Celebrate the achievements of positive role models in the community today.
• We aim to offer life-enhancing opportunities.

DESCENDANTS’ main aims are:

• To create an environment where children and young people, primarily but not exclusively of African and Caribbean descent, aged 4 – 18 years, can learn together to appreciate each other’s cultures and traditions
• To instil in them a sense of identity and to develop a true sense of pride in their heritage
• To engage with children, young people and parents
• To engage with schools on aspects of culture and black history
• To develop partnerships with organisations that work directly with children of African and Caribbean descent
• To establish links with the wider community
• To establish links with Africa and the Caribbean
• To counteract, as far as possible, negative images of the black community portrayed by the media.