Writing, Acting & Publishing Project for Youngsters (WAPPY) Patrons: Eric Huntley and Sally Baffour (Reg 8585040)

WAPPY AT QUESTORS !

Lindsay Warner (16), Cassius Jackson-Callen (15) and Effie Quansah-George (10), performed at Ealing Apprenticeship Awards Ceremony, Questors Theatre, November 2013

Before a packed audience at Ealing Central Library WAPPY in partnership with Hot Key Books and CCS Libraries on behalf of the London Borough of Ealing, hosted a child-centred and public dialogue with internationally acclaimed poet, author, musician and activist, Benjamin Zephaniah. To read the full Press Release click the following link: http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/news/11513175.Rastafarian_poet_and_author_takes_centre_stage_at_Ealing_Library/.

WAPPY CONTRIBUTE IN THE JUNIOR AUTHORS WRITERS CONFERENCE, MANOR HOUSE HOTEL, GUILDFORD!

In May 2014, Akuba and WAPPY members, Lindsay Warner (16), Ida Mwangi (12) and Mark Mwangi (7), Effie Quansah-Goerge (10), Maisa Abed (13) and Sara Abed (12) and Dhuh and Saja Alzhiad (11) and Maia Hicks (10) contributed to the Laura Thomas Communications (LTC) JA Writers Conference. Akuba ran her 'Imagine If' workshop, while the nine WAPPY youngsters performed some of their selected poems during the lunch break. For an account of conference click this link: http://laurathomascommunications.com/conference/london-uk/.

Congratulations to Lindsay Warner (16) for winning a writing internship with LTC, resulting in her writing two jaBlogs (http://laurathomascommunications.com/wappy-writing-acting-publishing-project-for-youngsters/#comment and http://laurathomascommunications.com/interview-with-author-and-storyteller-grace-quansah/).
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WAPPY is very sad to announce the passing of Guyanese – born publisher, Jessica Huntley, who co-founded Bogle-L’Ouverture Publications (BPL) and the world famed ‘Walter Rodney’ bookstore in West Ealing on 13th October 2013 at the age of 86. To read Grace Quansah's full obituary in the Ealing Gazette click this link: http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/news/local-news/ealing-bid-farewell-civil-rights-6243592.

SEARCH FOR A HERO

Sunday, 8th June 2014, Krik Krak, launched the Heritage Lottery funded Huntley Biography Project at the Victoria and Albert Museum, by hosting the ‘Search For a Hero’ cultural event (which included flautist, Keith Waithe, author Valerie Bloom MBE, introduced by 'Akuba', singer, Nataylia Roni, Explosive presenter poet, Imhotep Oyortey, Gospel vocalist, Celia Wickham-Anderson and screenwriter/poet, Onysha Collins. The Huntley Biography Project comprises the biographical book, ‘Doing Nothing Is Not an Option’ by Margaret Andrews (Chair of the Friends of the Huntley Archives at London Metropolitan Archives-FHALMA), an educational resource book, Speak Out, a DVD as well as the huntleyonline.com website. Click this link for full details of the Project and launch event: www.huntleyonline.com.

WAPPY BECOMES A SOCIAL ENTERPRISE!!!
26th June 2013 became a landmark day for WAPPY in our history as it took on its new structure as a registered company number, 8585040 and social enterprise. This means that as from this date WAPPY is automomous from Positive Awareness .

To mark its move towards organisational and fiscal autonomy as well as celebrate five years of the ‘WAPPY experience’ we brought together past and present members, volunteers and various distinguished artists, literary activists and community supporters (including the local Mayor) who work(ed) with and/or partner(ed) with WAPPY over the years for the 'Reunion and Rebirth’ celebratory Showcase at Hanwell Carnegie Library on Thursday, 22nd August 2013 between 4.00 – 6.30 pm.

Here are some U Tube links featuring various WAPPY members (2008-2013) performing at Hanwell Library for the Reunion & Rebirth 5th Anniversary event:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rt1wy-HQlLg (Shangwe Thomas, 6 years, 'Jesus, Jesus')

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfJCP9SCoV8 (Malak Allawi, 11 'Safe', Maisa Abed, 12, 'Too Late', Cassius Callen-Jackson 14, 'Don't Believe The Hype', Ida, 11 'Anansi, Anansi', and Benjamin Jasinski – Eshun, 15, 'Recycled Information')

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfiqUgfO88I (Tamzin Chapman, 9, 'The Was An Old Man From Leads', 'School, The Worst Years of My Life', Darcey Carter 9, 'There Was An Old Man From Leeds', 'Man On The Moon', Effie Quansah-George, 9, 'An Anansi Warning', Sara Abed 10, 'Safe' and Renee Dawkins, 11, 'A Rainbow').

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qmin4_R-p0o (Jai Ellis- Crook, 13. 'My Mother')

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2c93NIrC9E (Lindsay Warner, 15, 'Tell Me')

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keIF91UJHd8 (Nathan Warner, 18, 'One Eye Blind')

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqZnUZat8uA (Georgiana Jackson - Callen, 18 years old, 'Young, Black, British').