Courtney Laws spent four decades of his life uplifting the black community from the thriving cornerstone of black culture – Brixton. He helped thousands known as the Windrush Generation to adjust to life in Britain from as early as the 1950’s and sought to support, empower, inspire and represent them, utilizing a phenomenal skill set developed through his political aspirations as a teenager in Jamaica.
Since his death in 1996 his legacy exists solely in the memories of those who benefitted from or witnessed his work, both locally and nationally. Sadly, his contribution to British Black History was tarnished in the last few years of his life leading to his untimely death. But 28 years later his daughter, Claudette Parry Laws, has had enough and following years of in-depth research has completed a podcast series documenting her father’s life and investigating the circumstances around his death. The final episode dropped on May 15th 2024.
The story of Courtney Laws, as told in the podcast, has been hailed as an important missing legacy of the Windrush generation.
“I saw my position as important for my people. They were suffering and someone had to assume leadership and be responsible for their destiny. I made that sacrifice” Courtney Laws – Caribbean Times 1994.
As June 22nd approaches, Claudette Parry Laws spoke in London to pay tribute to her father who amongst other things pioneered the development of the UK’s largest black voluntary organization, The Brixton Neighbourhood Community Association, during the 1970s. She explained: “The rich legacy of my father Courtney Laws symbolises the success and the challenges faced by black leaders during a pivotal period of race relations in this country. Born into humble beginnings he was inspired to strive for the empowerment of black people. He had a voice and a vision which he utilized to impact the lives of thousands but his name remains unknown to many. His story is an inspiring yet cautionary tale as his rise to a position of influence ultimately left his legacy tarnished. In the face of this injustice it is time to unveil the truth and share a compelling story of black excellence, endurance and leadership, rarely included in the narrative of the Windrush experience.”
My Dad Mr Brixton is a 9 part in depth investigative series written, researched and produced by Claudette Parry Laws, the daughter of Courtney Laws OD, OBE. From the beginning, Claudette embarks on an emotional journey to uncover the legacy of her father, revealed through archive material she discovers and multiple interviews she has conducted. The series spans 4 decades, 3 generations and 2 continents, bringing to life a unique Windrush experience and its phenomenal impact. Created with music reflective of the culture, listeners are transported to a world rich with the history of the black experience in Britain from 1955 until 1996 and are tuned in to an investigation unfolding in real time.
My Dad Mr Brixton is a unique podcast experience and has so far garnered 5,000 downloads. It is available on all podcast platforms including Apple and Spotify. The podcast has been included in the Independent’s Top Windrush Resources when it was launched.
Claudette is available for interviews.
Website: https://www.mydadmrbrixton.com/
E:Mail: [email protected]
Audio Snippet: Episode one – 17 minutes
Assets: Image bundle
