The unveiling of a Blue Plaque, in commemoration of the contribution of Birmingham’s first Black elected Councillor, the late Alderman Egbert Sylvester Carless OBE - fondly known as Bert, and who was first elected in 1979 to represent the ward of Aston, where he was elected as a Labour member – is set to take place in Handsworth.
The Birmingham Empowerment Forum has teamed up with South and City College Birmingham (SCCB), The Windrush National Organisation and Nubian Jak Trust to arrange for the development, manufacture and installation of the Blue Plaque at the SCCB (Handsworth Campus), where Bert, who became the second city's first Black Councillor, served as Chair of Governors from 1985 until 2002 (both whilst Handsworth College and also City College) shortly before his death in 2003. He served on the city’s education committee for nearly two decades.
A father of five, Bert is a native Jamaican, who arrived in the UK in 1956, just aged 21 after leaving his job as a diesel mechanic in a sugar manufacturing plant. Despite facing racism long before he made history as Birmingham's first Black councillor, his rise to political prominence has help change the face of the Council on so many levels.
Bishop Dr. Jaddoo MBE of thee Birmingham Empowerment Forum, who has constantly called on the council to place Bert’s name on a plaque alongside a portrait at the Council House in the city’s Victoria Square, said: "The significance of these contributions should have been commemorated sooner.
“His contribution to the city has been immense and every counsellor who is not white in this city and country and, for that matter, every MP who is not white owes a debt of gratitude to Bert. The contribution of Windrush pioneers, like Bert, has never been appreciated in this country and it should have been, because it helps to put the 'great' back into Great Britain."
Principal and Chief Executive of South & City College, Mike Hopkins MBE, said: "As this blue plaque is unveiled in honour of the late Alderman Egbert Carlesst, we pay tribute to an extraordinary individual whose legacy resonates profoundly within our community.
“His dedication to education, his pioneering spirit and remarkable resilience against adversity continue to inspire us.” The unveiling commemorates the contributions of Councillor Ber Carless OBE, who was a trailblazer, who led the way in changing the representation in Birmingham City Council.
The ceremony is taking place today (Friday 15th December) at South & City College Birmingham, Handsworth Campus, Soho Rd, Handsworth, in Birmingham (12.00pm).
