Knighthood for Wolverhampton race-equality campaigner in King's birthday honours

A race-equality campaigner from Wolverhampton has spoken of his pride after being awarded a knighthood in the King’s Birthday Honours List.

Patrick Vernon, who grew up in the All Saints and Penn Fields areas of the city, received the honour for services to racial equality and social justice.

He led the successful campaign for June 22 to be recognised as Windrush Day, honouring the contributions of migrants to postwar Britain, and founded the 100 Great Black Britons poll. He also co-founded the Majonzi Fund to support communities disproportionately affected by coronavirus fatalities.

Sir Patrick said: “It is a great honour to be recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours List for services to racial equality and social justice, reflecting more than 30 years of contribution across a range of sectors and issues.

“I see this recognition not simply as a personal achievement, but as an opportunity to further tackle inequality and promote greater dialogue and engagement across the UK around the ongoing injustices faced by the Windrush Generation and migrant communities.”

“This honour belongs to all the communities, colleagues and campaigners I have worked alongside over many years.”

Sir Patrick was born in Wolverhampton in 1961, the son of Norris and Avis Vernon. As a child attending the recently built Grove Junior School, he was part of a welcoming party for local MP Enoch Powell, just months after his infamous Rivers of Blood speech in 1968. He later went on to attend Colton Hills School and attended Wulfrun College.

He studied law at Manchester Metropolitan University, before postgraduate study at Warwick University.

He worked in health and social care, managing a branch of the Citizens Advice Bureau, later working for the Department of Health and Local Government Association. He served as director of the Brent Health Action Zone, and as regional director for mental health charity Mind.

He also served as a Labour councillor in Hackney, and worked for a number of organisations focussing on the mental health of refugees, immigrants and prisoners.

At present Sir Patrick is pro-chancellor for health at Wolverhampton University, commissioner for the UK Commission on Bereavement, and chairman of the Windrush Advisory Group for the Black Equity Organisation.

He caused controversy in 2015 when he said he found the Black Country flag to be offensive because of its depiction of chains

Sir Patrick added: “As we approach the 80th anniversary of the arrival of the Empire Windrush in 2028, I remain committed to promoting and preserving the history and legacy of Windrush and migrant communities, including the campaign for the recovery of the anchor from the Empire Windrush ship.

“This campaign represents an important shared history between the Jewish community and the Windrush Generation, reflecting how Britain has evolved since the Second World War.

“I will continue supporting campaigns for dignity and rights for older people, including the establishment of an Older People’s Commissioner, improved health and social care services, better housing, and changing public attitudes towards ageing.”

He added that he remained committed to supporting leadership development and unlocking the potential of minority communities, so they are represented in boardrooms shaping policy and decisions, not simply cleaning them.

Sir Patrick said he would continue supporting campaigns for justice and remembrance, including one for a blue plaque in Wolverhampton in memory of Clinton McCurbin. Mr McCurbin died from asphyxiation in 1987 after being restrained by police officers at Wolverhampton’s Next store, and Sir Patrick said he would continue to support the McCurbin family’s quest for his case to be reopened.

“I also remain committed to campaigning for national prostate cancer screening, particularly for black men, improving mental health and bereavement support for black and racialised communities and strengthening intergenerational work through arts, culture and heritage,” he said.

Sir Patrick added that he would continue to promote greater dialogue across African, Caribbean and South American communities surrounding culture, wellbeing, learning and trade.