A BLACK youth group which performed to the Queen and at the Royal Albert Hall is writing a book about its experiences.
The Descendants' book, which has yet to be given a name, will be a collaborative effort with key luminaries like its patron Paul Boateng MP, Lord Soley and Britain's first black QC. Dr John Roberts, making contributions.
The book, with a publication date of February, will cover an amazing wealth of achievements from a group which sprang from a one-off performance by black youngsters at an Acton school in 1993.
Since then, guided by its founder Margaret Noel, it has produced films, plays and workshops, runs annual achievement awards, met Tony Blair and other top brass and raised funds for the victims of the Haiti earthquake among others. Its aim has always been to encourage youngsters of African and Caribbean descent to develop a sense of pride in its heritage through art, craft, drama and dance.
Margaret said: "I thought about doing this a while ago and thought it would be a good way to look at all the work the Descendants have been doing in the community for the last 19 years; the successes we have had. It's what people want to know, like the time when we performed at the Royal Albert Hall in 2000. That was a tremendous year.
"Then all the people we have been involved with along the way on different projects, such as Dr Roberts who comes to our achievement awards and is so inspiring, will make their contribution, as well as the young people and lots of volunteers. When you work with volunteers you never know how it will work out, but I have really brilliant volunteers at the moment, I hope the book will inspire other young people to get involved."
Editor Kevin Mahoney, a writer who runs his own publishing company, said: "I saw the ad to become involved on a volunteer website and I was interested in using my skills and working with kids in the community.I am also interested in history which is relevant here.
"Lots of people have been involved with the Descendants for nearly 20 years. They have done so many fantastic things like performing in front of the Queen. Hopefully it will have a wide market."
