Claudia Jones

Tomi Dixon returns home to London to tell the story of Trinidad-born journalist and political activist Claudia Jones, the woman who went toe to toe with the US government and fought just as hard when she found her way to Britain in the 1950s.

Communist, immigrant and vocal. She simultaneously became a target for imperial powers and a beacon of hope for marginalised communities, educating and uplifting so many of those she met.

Tomi investigates, with the help of academics Carole Boyce Davies and Colin Prescod, how the issues Claudia faced decades ago still prevail in modern Britain. He hears how she created celebration from tragedy, establishing Britain’s first major black newspaper and planting the seeds that grew into Europe’s biggest Caribbean carnival in the heart of Notting Hill.

Actors: Shvorne Marks, Lloyd Thomas, Matthew Durkan, Rita Estevanovich, Jonathan Forbes Technical Producers: Sarah Hockley, Keith Graham and Mike Etherden Production Mentors: Alasdair Cross and Ciaran Bermingham Executive Producers: Leanne Alie and Khaliq Meer Commissioned for BBC Sounds Audio Lab by Khaliq Meer Artwork by Tasia Graham