Manny Uchegbu
Liverpool
I made many good life-long friends from
my Blackie days, both Black and White.
We always knew that we would clash
with white guys on our way back, but
despite this the Blackie remained our
meeting point. I cannot remember any
trouble amongst ourselves. The place
was an inspiration to me since I had
always been interested in diverse arts.
The Sunday disco was the best in the
city. Radio Doom played American
imports and tunes we all loved. Every-
body dressed to impress. The new dances,
the colours, James Brown “Say It Loud”
would be ringing in my ears. We'd walk
home up Duke Street,or Upper Parliament
Street, either way ended up with fish
and chips from Berkley St.
The Blackie gave me the opportunity to
meet the Jackson Five and invited me
to the Lat Poets'workshop. Even though
I was in my forties the Blackie never
forgot me. They gave me support when
they could, despite struggling financially
themselves. I got my photographic skills
from the Blackie and the use of video. I
am indebted to the staff and volunteers.
We established an Arts and Cultural
Centre in Grove Street in Liverpool 8.
There was no doubt the centre was
influenced by the Blackie, who
supported our programme. We provided
a mix of arts activities for youth.
The Blackie staff had taught us that
there were different ways to
achieve your objectives.
My work with the Black Media Group
saw the publication of “Black Links”
a newsletter on issues in the Black
community. We produced “They Haven’t
Done Nothing” a documentary giving a
grass-roots perspective on the
aftermath of the 1981 riots. It was
screened on Channel 4, stimulating
debate across the country.
I will always cherish my involvement
in the original Caribbean Carnivals.
Then, Carnival was like a community
get-together, you would meet people
you had not seen for years. It was
the type of community atmosphere that
is missing today in Liverpool 8. I
still exhibit photographs of the 1981
riots and Liverpool’s Black community.