Some Achievements of Black Wulfrunians in Wolverhampton and Elsewhere during 2011

2011 was another year of high achievement and history making for Black Wulfrunians. It is also the year when we lost one of our greatest achievers. A full month before the 2011 local elections, Sandra Samuels joined the ranks of local Black history makers by becoming the first councillor in Wolverhampton’s history to win a seat before a vote is cast. The Conservative Party candidate’s nomination was rejected because it contained errors. The Liberal Democrats Party did not nominate a candidate. In April Paige Smith burst onto our TV screens when she appeared in the finals of the BBC 1 show ‘So You Think You Can Dance’. The talented 18 year old has a string of titles to her name. She is the European Champion in disco freestyle and rock ‘n’ roll; the All England Dance Champion; and the British Isles Dance Champion. Paige is among the current generation of talented youngsters from Wolverhampton, who have gone on to establish themselves as top achievers and role models.

Clifford Price continued his television career with a three part BBC 2 series: Goldie’s Band; By Royal Appointment. In June Goldie was in town filming a documentary about his life. He took time out to speak against gang violence in Wolverhampton.

MJ Mytton-Sanneh, the talented young man from Finchfield, reached the finals of television’s Britain’s Got Talent competition. MJ and the other members of his group, New Bounce, delighted millions of viewers with their stunning performances before finishing overall thrid. This is a phenomenal rise by 13 year old MJ who attends Smestow School. MJ Mytton-Sanneh has a great future ahead of him.

Natacha Gohagen competed her way to the semi-finals of the British Top Model competition. The 19 year old from Dunstall Hill is a student at Walsall College.

Karl Henry – the first Black captain of a Wolves Premier League team, excelled during the 2010/2011 season. Karl was an ever present in the Wolves mid field. Originally from Dovecotes in Pendeford, Karl was an ever present in the Wolves mid field. He was stripped of the captaincy shortly after the arrival of new signing Roger Johnson. Karl also joined the ranks of Wolves players who have played for the club over 200 times during their respective careers. On Friday May 11th, Elvis Gordon passed away after losing his battle against cancer. Elvis will be remembered as one of Wolverhampton’s greatest sporting heroes. In his heyday, Elvis was a giant in the sport of Judo. He won numerous titles at national, international and world level. Elvis Gordon put Wolverhampton on the map during the 1980s and 1990s. 3 x Olympian World Silver Medalist European Champion Double Commonwealth Champion Shoriki Cup Champion 2 x Paris Tournament Medalist British Open Champion British Champion

Moses Murandu, a senior lecturer in adult nursing at the University of Wolverhampton is pioneering a revolutionary treatment for wounds. Mr Murandu learnt about the use of sugar in African Medicine when, as a child in Zimbabwe, he observed his father using sugar to heal wounds. The treatment works because the application of sugar on wounds draws away water from the wound thus preventing bacteria from reproducing.

Three more young stars shone on the Karate scene. Amelia, Curtis and Connor Harvey struck gold, in their respective age groups, at the European Karate Championships. Amelia, aged 16 – a recipient of an award at the 2010 Black History Makers Awards Gala, her brother Curtis aged 15 are both from Oxley. Their cousin, 11 year old Curtis lives in Parkfields. All three are members of the Central England Wado-Ryu Karate Academy.

page 32. Alex Nwenwu who runs for Wolverhampton & Bilston Athletics Club began his bid for a place in the next Olympic Games. Popular hairdresser Louise Johnson, who runs Louise’s Salon in Queen Street, emerged as one of the unsung heroes and heroines of 2011 Summer riots. Miss Johnson was featured on television and the internet standing alone and defending her business from rioters and looters. Miss Johnson’s heroism not only saved her shop, but also the next store from any riot damage or looting. She has since been awarded an Express & Star Local Heroes Award, and a West Midlands Police Community Award.

Beverley Knight released her seventh album, ‘Soul UK’ . The album debuted at number 13 in the UK album charts.

Many people do not realise that 19 year old Me’sha Bryan (Misha B on The X Factor) schooled in Wolverhampton. In 2001 Me’sha, then a 15 year old student at Wolverhampton Grammar School, beat more than 3,600 young people to earn a place in the National Youth Theatre’s production of ‘Creation’. She is one of a host talented and intelligent young people from Wolverhampton, who can go to the very top. The Express & Star newspaper referred to the bullying of Me’sha B in its 9th December edition.