Tribute to Dame Jocelyn Barrow OBE DBE

It is with deep sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Dame Jocelyn Barrow on Thursday 9 April 2020. Our deepest condolence go to her family at this difficult time.

Dame Jocelyn was our first Patron and the first of many things in her illustrious life as an Educator, Campaigner, Leader and Friend of BCA. 

She was the first black Governor of the BBC, also the founder and Deputy Chair of the Broadcasting Standards Council and it was around that time she had a key influence in the founding of Black Cultural Archives. Also known as the African People’s Historical Monument Foundation, Dame Jocelyn recognised the need for a national monument like BCA to educate future generations.

She was a driver for positive change throughout her life and made a huge impact on countless generations within her community.

As a teacher, she quickly mobilised the community around her to find positive ways to combat racism faced by pupils in the education system. She set up the "Each One Teach One" campaign to address the need for more tutoring and support for local parents. 

Dame Jocelyn was tireless in championing the cause for a better Britain,  maintaining that it was the key reason to wanting to travel to the United Kingdom as a Windrush pioneer, to join in the collective rebuild of the "mother country". 

Dawn Hill CBE,  Chair of Black Cultural Archives, said "Dame Jocelyn was a great pioneering spirit and was a true champion of racial equality and our history and culture. We will miss her very much..."