Denyce Blackman

 

Denyce Blackman is a Caribbean creative working primarily in film and video production as well as film exhibition. She is the founder of Caribbean Pop-Up Cinema and works independently to bring West Indian stories to UK audiences, thus supporting minority filmmakers as well as providing a catalyst for greater cultural insight and understanding. She is passionate about Caribbean culture and rhythms, minority advocacy and authentic storytelling in all forms. Denyce worked professionally as a writer then journalist for 7 years before arriving in the West Midlands, where she gained a Masters in Film and Television at the University of Birmingham, where she produced a snapshot documentary on the Caribbean's migrant queer communities.

 

Sonia Parnell BEM

 

Sonia Parnell has been working within Social Care and Health since 1992. With a background in hair, beauty and creative arts, Sonia discovered a passion and an aptitude for working with people with learning disabilities, and people using mental health services, whilst providing creative arts and beauty therapy for people at a local residential home.  After working as a residential care officer for several years, Sonia progressed through managerial positions in health and social care. Sonia has 28 years’ experience working within the sector, 21 of which she has worked, as a registered manager of a successful residential home for adults with learning disabilities, based in Birmingham. 

 

The pursuit of learning, self and organisational development and improvement is a fundamental characteristic and value that Sonia holds dear and excels at. She has recently received her latest award amongst many others, a BEM (British Empire Mental) for her contribution to the community and the care sector.  Sonia is an accomplished businesswoman. She has successfully grown her own care business from scratch and is able to use her experience to assist others. Sonia has developed many years of experience in successfully coaching, mentoring and developing people including managers and frontline staff.

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Reverend Canon Eve Pitts –Community Supporter & Activist

 

Passionate community supporter and activist.

Vicar of the Parish Church of Holy Trinity, Birchfield.

Leads a multi-cultural congregation, though predominantly Afro-Caribbean, with people from all the islands. It is a well-established congregation, with a wide age range.

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Her prayer for our church is this:

That God will pour out his love on us
That we will grow together and support each other
To be part of the wider community in every way
To know our neighbour
To attract people of all ages
To proclaim in every way that Jesus Christ is Lord
That we may have a full and vibrant Church
That we may attract people who want to be active in our Church

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