It must have taken a real lesson in soul- searching for mainstream commercial institutions such as Lloyds Bank, Barclays Bank and other corporate entities, to publicly apologise for building their empire on the abominable slave trade (system) that destroyed millions of lives and left generations of African people scarred; culturally, psychologically and socially.
Indeed, it was huge profits from the trafficking and utility of slave labour that contributed tremendously, to the industrial revolution in Britain and Europe during much of the 16th and 17th centuries respectively (Dalrymple-Smith 2017). We can only applaud banks like Lloyds for taking the reins to launch their own initiatives outlining and inviting entrepreneurs from the black community to participate in this important project.
Interestingly, Barclays, Lloyds and NatWest and the Bank of England, all sponsored university-inspired studies into the lack of investment capital that impeded the orderly growth and development of minority firms, especially Caribbean businesses (Bank of England, 1999). Barclays praised minority business startups stating that 11% of these firms came from the Caribbean community even though at the time, sections of this community, has the lowest self-employment rate of 7% (Barclays 2005). This particular institution also produced a type of start-up enterprise manual titled, Business Opportunities Profile’ (which provided an A to Z on all business start-ups). This manual is still relevant today than it was in the 1990s.
The genesis of the Phoenix Newspaper is based on the defunct Enterprise Newspaper, a publication that demonstrated creativity, innovation and commitment to inclusivity and representation across the cultural, ethnic, faith/non-faith and socio-economic spectrum. Now described as a people’s news organ, the Phoenix is designed to inform, educate, entertain, stimulate and advocate for both the current and future generation of readers and the wider public(s). Since its inception in 1990, this ground-breaking newspaper has given many communities a chance to connect with each other – nationally and internationally- sharing ideas, experiences, skills and expertise.
In doing so, this media has broken cultural, ethnic and social barriers whilst promoting the virtues of non-biased, non sensational, non-violent as well as objective journalism that offers a true commentary of Great Britain. By its presence, the Phoenix is a gamechanger, as it has taken a leap of faith to address the positive impact that migrants from the Caribbean and across the African continent combined with our British brothers and sisters, have made. An object lesson learned, not forcefully done, but purposefully brought about to inform our readers. With this and more in mind, there is hope that our future remains precious and positive for those who make up our diverse communities.
It is the 'Great' in Great Britain that enforces what it means to be one. The UK has always led the way in diversity inclusion and equality and our paper, or in fact, your paper, will continue to build even stronger on the dynamics of representation through our wider coverage of information, news, features and more. Here we finally have a newspaper that teaches you how to understand your neighbours. One that gives you the chance to be part of a growing community. We celebrate diversity, and we celebrate change. In the words of Martin Luther King, “We may be economically rich, he would say, but we are morally destitute. We must rapidly begin the shift from a 'thing‐oriented' society to a 'person‐oriented' society”.
The words of the great Muhammed Ali ring very true, "Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth." and "It isn’t the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it’s the pebble in your shoe.” The teachings of Marcus Garvey are useful here, “The ends you serve that are selfish will take you no further than yourself, but the ends you serve that are for all, in common, will take you into eternity”. The inspiration of Gandhi is also worth citing here, “Be the change you want to see in the world”.
The Phoenix Newspaper has risen to that challenge and over the last 10 years with the exposure via the internet The Phoenix Newspaper has taken flight and risen to heights of an exclusive degree. Positive news is needed across the world, so let us continue to unite and understand what makes us ultimately all the same when we speak with one voice. We appreciate and applaud banks like Lloyds Banking who have taken that first step to say we are sorry. Where do we go from here? We at The Phoenix Newspaper are ready to tell the story. We are ready to connect you with the readers. 30 years of experience and knowledge of community cohesion.
We invite you to join us and celebrate what connects us, not separates us. The apology is out there big and bold, we want a slice of the action and the time is now. We invite Lloyds Bank, Barclays, and other financial institutions that have expressed their support, to work with us consistently, to attract those African and Caribbean entrepreneurs they are looking for. The platform is ready. What’s next?
