AWARD-WINNING SOCIAL JUSTICE ADVOCATE,
AUTHOR & SPEAKER
Distinguished social justice advocate Steve Stephenson MBE is an award-winning, multi-sector pioneer, youth advocate, human rights campaigner and academic.
Often stopped and recognised on UK city streets and all over Jamaica, by people he has never met, that have heard of his greatly impactful work, Steve has been lauded by world-famous political, sporting and cultural figures, including Queen Elizabeth II, former Jamaican prime minister PJ Patterson, the late Lord Herman Ouseley, Chris Gayle, John Barnes and Rudolph Walker.
The multi-award winner was born on Human Rights Day in 1953, in Kingston, Jamaica. He moved to Britain in 1971 and began an impactful career, serving as director of the Race Equality and Human Rights Service in Bristol, changing lives through social, youth and community work, academic lecturing, sport event promotion and charity fundraising, encouraging many young people, including those who went on to become famous sportsmen.
Steve began his career as a youth worker, then went to become a social worker and Principal Equality Officer in the Chief Executive departments of two local authorities. His last substantive post was Director of the Race Equality & Human Rights Service in Bristol.
Whilst working in local government within Bristol, Bedford, Luton, Birmingham, Northampton and Swindon, Steve Stephenson has extended his support and influence back home to the Caribbean, raising £25,000 in 1988 for the recovery of Jamaica after Hurricane Gilbert.
He is one of the few Individuals to have the distinction of being honoured by both the British and Jamaican Governments. Steve has received 18 local, national and international awards to date, including an MBE in 1996 and the Jamaican Prime Minister’s Medal of Appreciation in 2003.
SOCIAL JUSTICE
✶
WRITING AND ACADEMIA
✶
PUBLIC SPEAKING
✶
Sport, culture & charity
✶
SOCIAL JUSTICE ✶ WRITING AND ACADEMIA ✶ PUBLIC SPEAKING ✶ Sport, culture & charity ✶
WINDRUSH PIONEER
Steve Stephenson MBE authored Cold Arrival: Life in a Second Homeland, (edited by Olive Robinson), chronicling the experiences of first-generation Windrush Caribbean elders in pre- and post-war Britain—published in 1998, long before the term ‘Windrush’ gained popularity.
A WORD FROM STEVE…
“My work and achievements are dedicated to my wife Pamela and my two daughters Andrea and Simone, whose understanding and sacrifies made it all possible.”
STEVE’S AREAS OF INFLUENCE –
KEEP SCROLLING FOR MORE
SOCIAL JUSTICE
WRITING & ACADEMIA
SOCIAL & COMMUNITY
CHARITY, SPORT & CULTURE
QUOTES ON STEVE
“He has been dogged, determined and forthright in his quest for improving the lot of the West Indian community...”
“He has earned his credibility and respect from unstinting, selfless and dedicated work.”
“We want to again thank Steve for what he has done and will continue to do for the cricketers, the game of cricket and the people of the West Indies.”
“He is the indispensable Mr West Indies Cricket UK. ”
“With the advent of Black Lives Matter, whilst most people in the community Talked the Talk, Steve have surely Walked the Walk.”
some AWARDS & honours
Testimonial from Chief Constable of Bedfordshire Police for Steve’s contribution to restoring peace after the uprising, 1981 (UK)
Cobra Award, Luton, 1990 (UK)
Caribbean Times Newspaper, Hansib Award, 1991 (UK)
The Gleaner, Merit Award, 1993 (Jamaica)
The Voice Newspaper, 1995 (UK)
The Commission for Racial Equality & The Institute of Citizenship Studies, Citizenship, 1995 (UK)
Member of the Order of the British Empire, 1996 (UK)
The Voice Newspaper, Most Influential category, 1998 (UK)
Black Who’s Who, New Nation & Caribbean Times, 1999 (UK)
Prime Minister’s Medal of Appreciation, 2003 (Jamaica)
Jamaica 50th Anniversary, Services to Sports, 2012 (UK)
MOBO Awards, Community category nomination (2015)
Friends of the Caribbean, Services to Community in UK and Caribbean, 2019 (UK)
The Gleaner & RJR, Sports, 2022 (UK)
Black Children in Care, 2024 (UK)
SOCIAL JUSTICE
One of Steve’s most impactful achievements relates to human rights and a miscarriage of justice. He was directly involved in the freeing of David Anthony Grant, who was imprisoned in Jamaica for his involvement in a murder. He was only 14 at the time, and in charge with three adults. He spent 18 years in prison.
After civil rights groups and celebrated MP Bernie Grant and others sadly failed to secure David’s release, Steve enlisted lawyer Rudy Narayan. This lead to a successful bid directly to former Jamaican prime minister PJ Patterson Prime, who freed David in 1988.
WRITING & ACADEMIA
For those unfamiliar with Steve’s social justice achievements, which reached high points between the 1970s and 1990s, he is often thought to be a sports professional, due to his links with cricket, football and high-profile athletes.
As a rare multi-hypenate, Steve is also a published author and academic, lecturing in Equalities and Multi-Ethnic Studies, and publishing the titles Cold Arrival: Life in a Second Homeland (edited by Olive Robinson) which tells of the experience of first generation (Windrush) Caribbean elders in pre and post-war Britain. This book was published in 1998, Windrush’s 45th anniversary year, long before the term ‘Windrush’ was fully recognised.
Steve recalls, “Some people had never heard of the Ship Windrush when we launched the book at Northampton Town Hall.”
Accolades
For his second book, Unbeaten Innings, the following tribute was made to Steve by his former colleague, the late Lord Herman Ouesley:
“Steve has been involved professionally in community development, local government administration and policy development and social and community activism over several decades. His wealth of considerable relevant experience qualifies him to write expertly on these matters. He has earned his credibility and respect from unstinting, selfless, and dedicated work.
“Of most significance in recent time, is the role adopted by Steve in providing support to others in leadership positions, using his wealth of experience to provide expert advice on decision-making matters, guiding victims of discrimination to secure just outcomes and being a role model for many vulnerable young people in deprived communities.”
Celebrated actor Rudolph Walker wrote in the book’s introduction:
“With the advent of Black Lives Matter, whilst most people in the community ‘Talked the Talk’ Steve have surely ‘Walked the Walk.’
SOCIAL
Impact at Starlight Youth Club (Luton, Bedfordshire, UK, 1974 to 1986)
From 1981, Steve played a significant role in uniting the Black, Asian, and White communities in Luton following the civil unrest. He personally funded the reopening of the Starlight Youth Club and spearheaded Community Football and Cricket initiatives in collaboration with the Bedfordshire Police to restore peace after the 1981 riots. His efforts were pivotal in enhancing race relations and fostering community cohesion in Luton.
Steve’s early work laid the groundwork for a Cricket World Cup, featuring local teams representing England, India, Pakistan, and the West Indies, following a request from his colleague Bob Baker to bring test cricketers to Luton. For his impact, he received a Testimonial from the Chief Constable of Bedfordshire, acknowledging his contributions to Bringing Back the Peace in 1981.
He co-founded the Luton Caribbean Carnival with Harry Bruce from Trinidad, now one of the UK’s largest one-day carnivals. Additionally, Steve was the inaugural Cultural Adviser for BBC Radio Bedfordshire, paving the way for presenters Crucial Robbie and Man Ezke.
In 1976, long before the establishment of Black History Month in London in October 1987, Steve continued his efforts to teach Black history, (which he began doing in 1976), and established the first Black Resource Library at Starlight Youth Club.
Notable alumni of Starlight Youth Club include members of the Ex-Factor group Voices with Soul, who began their journey there, and Venol John, a dancer who previously performed with Kylie Minogue. Venol competed in the World Championships in London, where he secured second place, later meeting Kylie Minogue and teaching her to dance, becoming part of her group.
Bedford (1984 to 1986, 1990 to 1992)
In Bedford, Steve became the first Black Caribbean social worker at the Kingsway Office (1984 to 1986). He returned in 1990 as Senior Social Worker for Ethnic Minorities. During this time, he established Asian and Caribbean Luncheon Clubs and conducted the first six-week Black History Course for the Education Department in Bedford in 1992, a program that was also replicated in Luton. He spoke at Chicksands US Base for the USA Black History Month, presenting Black Heroes in the Hall of Fame.
Steve provided support for the Bedford West Indian Club's Lottery Application and assisted the Asante Cultural Group with the local Caribbean Carnival.
Ashanti House, Luton (1999 to 2000)
Returning to Luton in 1999, Steve served as the Manager of Ashanti, a service for Black and Asian individuals with mental health challenges. He played a vital role in saving Ashanti from closure.
Birmingham (1986 to 1990)
Steve was the first Black social worker employed in the Home Finding Team in Handsworth (1986), tasked with recruiting Black and Asian foster carers. He also became one of the first Black lecturers at Birmingham Polytechnic (now the University of Central England), where he taught equality issues.
Following Hurricane Gilbert in 1989, Steve co-coordinated the Jamaican Disaster Fund (Birmingham), which raised £25,000—the largest amount raised in the UK. He personally swam 100 lengths in the Newtown swimming pool and walked five miles in the snow around Handsworth Park alongside Ron and Dean Headley and Cyrille Regis. Additionally, he co-founded the Institute of Jamaica Birmingham (now the AJN).
In 2024, Steve’s impact on the sector and Birmingham was still felt. He was awarded in 2024 for his work in Birmingham at the Black in Care Conference where he was a keynote speaker, and his perspective on the time was documented by The Black Care Experience founder Judith Denton.
Northampton (1992 to 1998)
In Northampton, Steve made history as the first Black Caribbean Principal Race Equalities Officer for the Social Services Department. He contributed to a significant research project titled Who Cares for the Black Community alongside Ray Wright. Though often linked to sports, he is an accomplished academic, serving as a Lecturer in Equalities and Multi-Ethnic Studies. He authored Cold Arrival: Life in a Second Homeland, edited by Olive Robinson at the ACES Centre in Northampton, chronicling the experiences of first-generation Windrush Caribbean elders in pre- and post-war Britain—published in 1998, long before the term ‘Windrush’ gained popularity.
Milton Keynes (1998)
As a former Director of the Milton Keynes Racial Equality Council, Steve played an essential role in preventing its closure in 1998.
Swindon (2001 to 2006)
In Swindon, Steve served as the first Principal Equalities Officer (Race) for the Borough Council and was the former Chair of Swindon’s Race Hate Crime Forum, focusing on implementing the 70 recommendations from the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry.
Bristol (2007-2009 & 2015-2016)
Steve was the first Black Caribbean Director of the Race Equality & Human Rights Service in Bristol, where he worked with Lord Marvin Reece, the former Mayor of Bristol.
Steve was also a member of the Avon & Somerset Race Equality Panel, where he sat with fellow panelist Colin Port, former Chief Constable for the region.
Steve designed and delivered race and equality training for voluntary sector organisations in Bristol and trained the Bristol Caribbean Carnival Committee.
He managed the iconic Malcolm X Community Centre in St Paul’s Bristol too. Steve worked at the Centre during a difficult period, but despite adversity, made a positive contribution. Some of his efforts at the Centre included writing a business plan to help the organisation raise funds and further progress, and he was instrumental in stopping its closure.
Steve was also Chair for the Black Southwest Network (BSWN) from 2015-2017, where he supported Director Sado Jirde, whilst the organisation was in a period of transition and rebuilding.
In addition, he has a long history with Bristol West Indian Cricket Club as the Chair of Victoria Mutual Caribbean Cup National Cricket Competition. Bristol was the first and last winner of this prestigious Cup, during the time when Courtney Walsh was President of the Cup. Guy Bailey, who participated in the Bristol Bus Boycott with Steve and colleague Paul Stephenson, was another notable member of the Victoria Mutual National Cricket Committee.
Cricket team manager
Former joint manager, alongside Geoff Pullar, of the Birmingham Cavaliers, Steve has always used cricket and football as vehicles for change, as it transcends race, religion, culture, and ethnicity. He initiated a Cricket World Cup in Luton with Bob Baker in the early 1980s, with local teams from India, England, Pakistan, and the West Indies.
He has a decades-long history of supporting West Indian cricketers and organising various functions for the West Indies team when they are in England and is the founder of the Winston Davis Annual Benefit Match.
Steve has conducted charity work, including putting on 14 official receptions with the full West Indies team to raise money on behalf of young cricketers for almost 40 years, donating and using money from events to help disadvantaged young sportspersons access equipment. Two such recipients of this equipment were cricketers Chris Gayle and Stefanie Taylor.
Sir Vivian Richards, Brian Lara, Franklyn Rose, Gordon Greenwich, Courtney Walsh, Jimmy Adams, Richie Richardson, Devon Malcolm and dentist John Maynard were all among those players instrumental in these efforts, and they continue to support charitable efforts today.
Steve is the former Chair of the Victoria Mutual Caribbean Cup National Cricket Competition, working alongside President Courtney Walsh from 1992 to 2007.
He is also the founder of the Winston Davis Annual Benefit Match and long-time supporter of the Jamaican under-15s cricket team .
Role model
In addition, Steve was often selected as a speaker and positive role model at the launch of two Ace Programme events in Birmingham and Bristol, respectively. Steve was instrumental in getting Troy Henry one of the last places on the Ace Programme. Troy later became the team’s captain and was given a two-year ECB contract to join a first-class county in 2025.
In addition, he has also supported the JA under 15s Cricket Team for over 35 years to date, as well as young Caribbean cricketers who play in England.
Steve and his Cricket Committee also supported disasters in various Caribbean islands, raising thousands of pounds for various charitable causes; through his work with Chris Gayle, Courtney Walsh, Jimmy Adams, Richie Richardson, Sir Vivian Richards, Gordon Greenidge, Devon Malcolm and the West Indies Cricket Team.
Football
His charitable endeavours have also received support from Black footballers like John Barnes and Cyril Regis, and other celebrities such as Rudolph Walker.
Steve was chair of Ebony Starlight Football club, which was founded in 1973. He made two major contributions to Racism in Football in 1998, giving evidence to David Mellor’s task force on racism in football at the House of Commons. He also put on the groundbreaking Tribute to the Pioneers of Black British Football event in 1998, amidst a climate of racism and a lack of support from the mainstream media.
This historic, groundbreaking event was attended by over 300 people and footballers, as well as a galaxy of stars from various fields, including Garth Crooks, the late Cyril Regis, Luther Blissett, Ricky Hill, Mark Walters, Brian Stein, and Paul Elliott. Also, Clyde Best, former West Ham FC legend flew in from Bermuda to attend, and Steve Mokone, the first Black professional footballer from South Africa, came in to reminisce on his time playing for Coventry City FC.
Creating opportunities
Steve is Equality Officer on a voluntary basis, for charity Friends of the Caribbean (FOTC) in Milton Keynes, where he works with FOTC leaders Wayne Mackintosh and FOTC patron Reverend Rose Hudson-Wilkin, facilitating young people to play in a cricket match each year with former Test cricketers. Steve has organised the FOTC Family Fun Day Cricket Match for many years. FOTC is a local charity established in 2008, whose primary objective is to promote cultural, social, educational, health and economic activities in Milton Keynes, the wider UK and the Caribbean.
Steve has been a prominent member of the Jamaican Diaspora group. He was the first coordinator for the eastern UK region, and attended the first conference in Jamaica in 2004, where he was elected to deputise for Travis Johnson.
Before the establishment of the Jamaican Diaspora group, Steve supported the JA Welfare Fund at the embassy. He worked with Delores Cooper and several high commissioners who were regular attendees at the Victoria Mutual Cricket Cup Annual Dinner. He worked with Mrs Cooper in coordinating the visit of Burchell Whiteman to Swindon. Mrs Cooper also called on Steve in November 2008 to assist and support two Jamaican soldiers who were based at Watchfield in Oxfordshire. He supported both, and their families, for 12 months.
During Mr Heaven’s tenure, Steve was given the privilege of reading the National Prayer at St Martins in the Field. Steve was also a founder member of the Institute of Jamaica Birmingham (Now the Association of Jamaica Nationals).
National Lottery Charities Board (1995 to 1998)
Steve was among the first Black Caribbean grants officers for the National Lottery.
SPORT, charity & CULTURE
GALLERY
