‘Mr Mighty’ has become a powerful advocate for the city’s Caribbean community
PART OF THE WINDRUSH GENERATION, GEORGE HAS MADE WEST INDIAN ASSOCIATION HIS LIFE’S WORK
DURING Black History Month, which draws to a close today, many will look to the United States for their civil rights heroes. However, the city of Derby has many local black inspirations that have made notable contributions to black people’s lives in British society.
One such figure is George Mighty. chairman of the Derby West Indian Community Association (DWICA), referred to by all as “Mr Mighty”, who has improved the lives of the black community in the city and proved an important advocate on its behalf for well over three decades.
Born in St Anne’s, Jamaica in 1936, a strong sense of community was built into Mr Mighty from a young age. One of 13 siblings, Mr Mighty recalls his family life as something akin to growing up in a community rather than a traditional home environment.
Soon he would join thousands of other West Indians on the journey from the Caribbean to England in the post-war immigrant wave known as the Windrush Generation.
Arriving in 1961 to join two of his siblings, a fresh-faced Mr Mighty had little thought of community building. Instead, he was just trying to figure out how to get from Heathrow Airport to Derby railway station. “I had never been on a train before”, he remembers.
Once settled, he began working for British Gas. After a while, he decided a career change was needed and applied at a fitting shop to become an upholsterer.
Yet, before he could even submit his application, Mr Mighty was told that he need not apply as union officials had decided no black people were allowed to take this role, a common occurrence at the time.
Undeterred, he applied anyway. Fortunately for him, an Irish foreman called Steve Luke decided he would overrule the union’s decision and give Mr Mighty the position in spite of the uproar and backlash at the time.
As many Windrush arrivals found out the hard way, many things, like renting rooms, getting certain jobs and even in the case of Paul Stephenson, having a drink at a pub could all be denied based on the colour of their skin.
It was not lost on Mr Mighty that he was the lucky one; his opportunity was the exception, not the rule.
“I knew we had to fight,” he says.
“And I knew I had some fight in me so that’s why I decided to put my energy into the DWICA.”
The association had been set up in 1961 as the numbers of West Indian immigrants rose in Derby. Initially founded as a way to liaise and connect the community, the group began growing in scope and services in the subsequent years.
An integral moment in the association’s history came in 1982 when they gained the rights to the land and the hall in Carrington Street in the city centre.
“We knew our community needed a base, and it took some time, a lot of fights, but we finally succeeded and that is the highlight of my time here,” said Mr Mighty.
Since the opening of the building, the association has gone from strength to strength. Its summer school has been educating and serving the younger generation for well over three decades and several services are put on for the older generation.
Indeed, during this year’s coronavirus emergency, the centre has been delivering hot meals twice a week for its most vulnerable members and food parcels for the wider Derby community.
It also hosts various activities through its Big Lottery-funded Stronger Together project including weekly computer classes, tai chi and chair exercises.
However, the event with which it is most associated is the Derby Caribbean Carnival. Vibrant costumes and an eclectic mix of music typify the event which has become a mainstay of the city’s summer calendar with the parade making its way from the city centre to Osmaston Park every July.
The association has come a long way since its founding in the 1960s and much of that is down to Mr
Mighty. In 1990, he received an MBE for his services to the community, something he said was a surprise after initially thinking the government letter was something to do with his taxes.
But it is the recognition from the community that Mr Mighty enjoys the most, recalling an encounter with a neighbour who said: “Fancy having someone with an MBE from Mackworth Estate!” This he remembers more fondly than the MBE medal, which he has never worn.
This year saw more awards for his work. In August, as part of their Independence Day celebrations, the Jamaican government awarded him the sixth-highest honour a Jamaican citizen can receive – the Order of Distinction (Officer rank). It has been a long standing award since 1968. Other recipients for the lower class of officer in the past include sports stars Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Chris Gayle as well as musicians like Sean Paul and Shabba Ranks (Rexton Gordon).
Talking about this achievement makes Mr Mighty swell with pride.
“It’s always nice to be recognised by your country even if you haven’t lived there for a while,” he said. “And it is an incredibly humbling and proud moment for my family and myself.”
All these awards and adulations have not stopped the fire burning inside Mr Mighty. The 84-year-old is still working in his role as chairman of the association, 34 years after he first started.
“This centre is my home, I basically live here. I just want to make this organisation functional and I have made it my life’s work,” he says.
Having been a teacher for many years, Mr Mighty recognises the importance of the youth in building a community and its spirit.
He had some advice for the next generation, urging them to “do your best, that’s all you can do. Make your contribution to the community, it matters.”
Mr Mighty has certainly made his contribution, let’s hope someone can continue to carry the torch for the black community in Derby when he finally calls it a day.