A bronze bust in honour of Wolverhampton’s first African-Caribbean councillor, Mel Chevannes, will be unveiled during Windrush Day celebrations this Sunday (22 June, 2025).
Following the publishing of a biography of Mel’s life, her husband, Frank Reeves, proposed the idea of a permanent recognition of her achievements and contributions to the city of Wolverhampton.
Friends, family members and former colleagues welcomed the suggestion and the Mel Chevannes Statue Circle Group was formed with the purpose of commissioning a commemorative art piece – and it will be officially unveiled on Sunday as the city marks Windrush Day.
The commemorations begin with a flag raising ceremony outside the Civic Centre at 10.30am, which will feature speeches from representatives of the Windrush community, the Mayor of Wolverhampton Craig Collingswood and the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands, Sandra Samuels OBE, who in 2022 became the first person of African-Caribbean heritage to become Mayor of Wolverhampton.
Then, attention turns to Wolverhampton Art Gallery where the bust will be unveiled during an event introduced by Lord Lieutenant Derrick Anderson CBE.
Mel, who elected to Graiseley Ward in 1981 and served as a local councillor for 11 years and later became the first African-Caribbean chairperson of The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, said: "I am humbled to be honoured by a bronze bust in the city of Wolverhampton, which has been my home for the last 50 years. I am proud to be recognised for my professional, community and educational contributions to this wonderful city.”
Celebrated annually, Windrush Day honours the contributions which the Windrush generation and their descendants have made to British society.
It commemorates the arrival of the MV Empire Windrush at Tilbury Docks in 1948, bringing passengers from the Caribbean to the UK – an event which marked the beginning of significant migration from the Caribbean which enriched British culture and society.
Mayor Councillor Collingswood said: "We are delighted to play our part in highlighting an important time in our history – and to celebrate the impact that the Windrush generation, and individuals such as Mel Chevannes, have had on our city and our nation.
"Everyone is welcome to join us for the commemorations as possible and I hope that as many residents as possible are able to come along and help us celebrate Windrush Day 2025."
