Sir Professor Patrick Vernon OBE FRHistS

LEADING WINDRUSH campaigner Patrick Vernon OBE will receive a Knighthood for his services to racial equality.

Vernon was acknowledged in the King’s Birthday Honours List for services to social justice over the past 30 years.

Some of Vernon’s most notable work includes leading the successful national campaign to have 22 June recognised annually as Windrush Day, which was officially backed by the British government in 2018.

He is also a key campaigner supporting efforts to expose the Windrush Scandal, convening the Windrush 75 Network, leading the campaign and co-authoring 100 Great Black Britons to promote a more inclusive understanding of British history.

He told The Voice: “For me, it is a great honour to be recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours List for services to racial equality and social justice, reflecting more than 30 years of contribution across a range of sectors and issues.

“I see this recognition not simply as a personal achievement, but as an opportunity to further tackle inequality and promote greater dialogue and engagement across the UK around the ongoing injustices faced by the Windrush Generation and migrant communities.”

Windrush campaigning

The long-standing social commentator and campaigner says he remains “committed to promoting and preserving the history and legacy” of Black communities.

He added: “As we approach the 80th anniversary of the arrival of the Empire Windrush in 2028, I remain committed to promoting and preserving the history and legacy of Windrush and migrant communities, including the campaign for the recovery of the anchor from the Empire Windrush ship.

“This campaign represents an important shared history between the Jewish community and the Windrush Generation, reflecting how Britain has evolved since the Second World War.”

Committed to “unlocking the potential of Black communities”

During the pandemic, Vernon co-founded the Majonzi Fund to support communities disproportionately affected by COVID-19 bereavement and he says he has no plans to stop campaigning on behalf of the community.

He said: “I will continue supporting campaigns for dignity and rights for older people, including the establishment of an Older People’s Commissioner, improved health and social care services, better housing, and changing public attitudes towards ageing.

“I also remain committed to supporting leadership development and unlocking the potential of Black and minority ethnic communities, so that we are represented in boardrooms shaping policy and decisions, not simply cleaning them.”

Jamaican roots

Vernon was born in Wolverhampton to Jamaican parents, who moved to the UK in the 1950s.

He is currently supporting a campaign for a blue plaque in Wolverhampton for Clinton McCurbin – a Black man who died in police custody nearly 40 years ago.

He added: “I will continue to support campaigns for justice and remembrance, including the campaign for a blue plaque in Wolverhampton for Clinton McCurbin as we approach the 40th anniversary of his murder in 2027, while supporting his family’s call for the case to be reopened so that justice can finally be served and no longer denied after decades of silence.”

“I also remain committed to campaigning for national prostate cancer screening, particularly for Black men; improving mental health and bereavement support for Black and racialised communities; strengthening intergenerational work through arts, culture and heritage; promoting greater dialogue across African, Caribbean and South American diasporas around culture, wellbeing, learning and trade; and advancing restorative justice linked to the legacy of chattel slavery.”

“This honour belongs to all the communities, colleagues and campaigners I have worked alongside over many years.”

He was appointed an OBE in 2012, in recognition of his work to promote health equality for Black and minority ethnic communities.

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