I’ve always grown up with a positive sense of ‘self’ and an ability to clearly define who I am. During secondary school our ‘black history’ lesson aroused an incurable curiosity as to how and why my history started on a boat somewhere across the Atlantic and ended in the Southern U.S. This was to be the beginning and the end of my secondary education in ‘black history’.
Born and raised in Southall West London, I grew up among a rich cultural community, one which was defined by their clothes, food, religion and vernacular. My desire to learn more about my own cultural heritage in the Caribbean began in 2004 when I studied African and Caribbean Studies at Kensington and Chelsea College. My evolution of knowledge continued at London Metropolitan University where my BA (Hons) in Caribbean Studies and History confirmed a desire to encourage, empower and provide a forum where students have the opportunity to learn more about the Caribbean Diaspora and in turn, their cultural heritage.
i-dentity was launched in December 2009 and has received positive recognition and interest from students, teachers, parents, authors, play writers, radio stations, entrepreneurs in the fashion and music industry and local education authorities.
I’m passionate about i-dentity and have personally designed each workshop to be engaging and interactive. The workshops take students on a journey of self development, where they learn about their Caribbean history but also, who they are as individuals.
i-dentity has been blessed with fantastic guest speakers who have voluntarily donated their time and effort to the programme. Sharing their personal journeys with the students they have given an insight into how incredible, rich and diverse our Caribbean history is in London.
I hope you enjoy the i-dentity website and look forward to speaking to you soon.
Charlene Wilkinson
Managing Director
email: cwilkinson_01@hotmail.co.uk
Mob: 07946 659 014
