Mel Chevannes and Lord Lieutenant Derrick Anderson CBE shaking hands in front of Mel’s bust at Wolverhampton Art Gallery
Dignitaries and members of the public joined together as the City of Wolverhampton Council celebrated Windrush Day with a flag raising and the unveiling of a bronze bust in honour of the city’s first African-Caribbean councillor, Mel Chevannes, on Sunday (22 June).
Windrush Day is celebrated annually and honours the contributions made by the Windrush generation and their descendants to British society.
Dignitaries and residents gathered outside the Civic Centre for the flag raising ceremony as speeches were made by the Mayor of Wolverhampton Craig Collingswood, Bishop Ruben King, Simone Stewart and Deputy Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands, Sandra Samuels OBE – the first person of African-Caribbean heritage to become Mayor of Wolverhampton.
This was then followed by an event at Wolverhampton Art Gallery hosted by Lord Lieutenant Derrick Anderson CBE where the bust was officially unveiled, with Mel and family members in attendance.
Mel said: “I am humbled to be honoured by a bronze bust in the city of Wolverhampton, which has been my home for the last 50 years. I am proud to be recognised for my professional, community and educational contributions to this wonderful city.
“It is truly amazing that this is the first such public recognition in England of a black woman who is very much alive.”
Mel was elected to Graiseley Ward in 1981 and served as a local councillor for 11 years, chairing the Social Services Committee in 1982. She later became the first African-Caribbean chairperson of The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust.
Mayor Councillor Collingswood said: “We were delighted to play our part in highlighting an important time in our history – and to celebrate the impact that the Windrush generation, and individuals such as Mel Chevannes, have had on our city and our nation.”
Windrush Day commemorates the arrival of the MV Empire Windrush at Tilbury Docks in 1948, bringing passengers from the Caribbean to the UK – an event which marked the beginning of significant migration from the Caribbean which enriched British culture and society.