Remembering and honouring the African and Caribbean heroes of WW2 with special guest speaker David Lawrence. The talks commence at 11am until 3.30pm, free lunch served from 12.30 until 2pm.

As a first generation Windrush child born in East London to Caribbean parents who arrived at Tilbury Docks in the 1950's and like many others, David was exposed to two worlds, the Caribbean home and British Society.

He brings a unique insight into his life as a black British Caribbean. Born to legendary Calypsonian and Jazz musicians, David was exposed to music, the arts and food at a very early age. He attended a number of schools in and around North London, where his education helped him to decide what he wanted to do.

On leaving school, he worked in a number of jobs including Junior Chef for Trusthouse Forte and The West Indian World Newspaper, but ultimately chose music as his career.

In the 1980's he went on to become one of the first Black British Caribbean DJ's in St Heliers, Jersey, The Channel Islands working at Thackerys Nightclub and the Elisa Club and on his return he joined the African Drum ensemble 'Afro International' who went on to work with the World Famous Paul Simons Graceland Tour. Afro International introduced David to Sky TV. David went on to work on a number of TV Projects where he wrote, directed and produced a number of TV shows inluding BET, SKY, Channel 5, VH1, MTV and the GOD Channel.

David owned and ran his Record Shop (Destiny Records) which was recognized by the acid jazz and rare groove community as being instrumental in the birth of what we now know as the genre 'Neo Soul'. David also had a breakfast show on WNK Radio and Tony Monsons Solar Radio. He also worked alongside Doctor Bob Jones, Sunday Night Show, Soul Surgery on Kiss FM.

David was also headhunted by various independent Record labels in and around Europe (Buju Records, Holland and Booya Records, Germany) in the 1990s' which he successfully helped to sign both Labels to Warners and Universal UK.

David was invited to the United States where he met Chaka Khan, the children of Marvin Gaye, MC Hammer who all helped to introduce David to the African American Music Fraternity. He was introduced to the Filmaker Bobby Garibidian who took him under his wing and David became his Assistant at 333 Records at Universal working for the acclaimed FilmakersTom Shadyiac and Jim Brubaker.

At 333 David worked alongside Bands such as Blind Melon, Pearl Jam, Unified Theory, Killing Heidi to name a few.

From there, David had the opportunity to travel around the world. Whilst on those journeys his love for collecting items connected to Black History and his heritage became a passion.

David also held his own Black History, Windrush Exhibition at the Chatham Historic Dockyard Museum in Kent in November 2024 working in partnership with MACA (Medway African & Caribbean Association) where he was able to showcase part of his collection. He currently shares his unique perspective on Black History in schools, organisations and events around Kent.

David is a natural, inspirational speaker who engages his audience and encourages interactive participation.

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