As part of Black History Month, Joshua Olumodi, one of our Grow FM trainee producers, chats with Denny Anthony about Hogarth Youth Club’s involvement in our Black Chiswick through History project.

Hi Denny, tell us a little about yourself and the work that you do?

I have worked with local children and families for the last 27 years through Hogarth Youth Centre and as a Governor at Chiswick School. My passion is supporting the development of young people and helping them through the different stages of their life. My work at Hogarth Youth Centre involves working with young people through junior and senior programmes that provide activities all year round.

You worked on the ‘Black Chiswick through History’ project, can you tell us about any memories of that time?

I worked with Harvinder Bahra (our Community Participation Manager) to help bring in a group of young local people to take part in the Black Chiswick through History project at Chiswick House & Gardens. I think that what we have produced has been quite remarkable.

I remember being told by one of the children that I work with that I do not have an artistic bone in my body. I can’t argue with that. But the collage that has been produced, far outweighed my expectations.

What created this vision was a combination of support, communication and passion of the young people involved. It’s important to recognise that without those young people and the expertise of the artist, Ayesha, the outcome would not have been what it was. When I saw the artwork in the House, I was amazed. (Click here to read Ayesha’s blog about Black Chiswick through History)

Why is the ‘Black Chiswick through History’ display so important? 

Information is key to building a strong local community and Chiswick House & Gardens can help disseminate and share these fascinating insights into local history. I urge local people to visit the House and be curious about the history of Black Chiswick, even if it’s not something they’ve ever considered. Displays, such as Black Chiswick through History, can open the doors for people to think about local history in new ways. Everyone is welcome to find out more.

What does Chiswick House mean to you? 

Prior to the project, Chiswick House may not have been a place that many of the young people at Hogarth Youth Centre could not envisage themselves in. Since then, we have created a strong partnership and the opportunity that it now affords young people is very powerful, especially, young black people that live in and around Chiswick. Community projects like Black Chiswick through History enable us to build bridges locally.

As Joshua articulates so perfectly himself:

Black Chiswick through History has been dedicated to leaving an imprint and has determined a focus on inclusivity. Understanding that Black people have been a part of Chiswick, long before I was born, has given me a sense of hope and a sense of community which I did not feel before.

Don’t miss out on seeing the Black Chiswick through History exhibit before the House closes on Sunday 30 October. Entry is included in your House ticket (book now.)

If you would like to find out more about Denny and the work that he does with Hogarth Youth Centre, take a look at their website. (Linked here.)