Sonia Bassey

Sonia Bassey MBE (also known as Sonia Bassey-Williams) from Liverpool, UK, is a community artist, organiser and has been Director of Public Sector Transformation Cheshire and Warrington for Cheshire East Council from 2020. Bassey was appointed an MBE in 2017 for service to the community

Career

Bassey became self-employed as a community artist when she was 19. In 2011 she curated the project Toxteth Riots – 30 Years On, a major photographic exhibition with Merseyside Black History Month that was installed at National Museums Liverpool International Slavery Museum.[1][2] She has subsequently worked for Cheshire West and Chester Council and in 2019 joined Cheshire East council to become Director of Public Sector Transformation for Cheshire and Warrington in 2020.[3]

She has been chair of the Merseyside Black History Month Group. In 2019 she was elected as chair of the board of trustees for the annual Africa Oyé festival in Liverpool, the biggest African live music event in the UK, after being a member of the board for eighteen months.[4] She is also chair of Mandela8, a charitable incorporated organisation with the objective of installing an artwork in Prince's Park, Liverpool to commemorate and celebrate the legacy of Nelson Mandela.[5][6] In October 2020 she was one of the people selected to be shown on posters around Liverpool in the You Cannot Be What You Cannot See campaign as part of Black History Month.[7] In 2021 she was elected the chair of the RESPECT group of National Museums Liverpool, set up in 2008 with the newly opened International Slavery Museum to consider race equality issues, community engagement and inclusive practices.[8]

Awards

Bassey was appointed an MBE in 2017 for service to the community.[5] She thought carefully before deciding to accept the award.[9] She was shortlisted for a Lifetime Achievers prize in the National Diversity Awards in 2020 in the context of her work promoting social justice and equality.[3] These awards were postponed until September 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[10]

Personal life

Bassey was born in 1965. She was brought up in the Toxteth area where there were low expectations for the career paths of young people.[3] She gained an MBA in Executive Leadership and Business Administration from Liverpool John Moores University in 2010.

References

  1. ^ Vulliamy, Ed (3 Jul 2011). "Toxteth revisited, 30 years after the riots". The Observer. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  2. ^ Kay, Dan (1 Jul 2011). "Toxteth riots 1981: New exhibition marks 30th anniversary plus a Liverpool 8 perspective". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  3. ^ a b c Flinn, Hayley. "Liverpool's Sonia Bassey MBE has been nominated for a Lifetime Achievers prize". National Diversity Awards. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  4. ^ "Sonia Bassey, MBE appointed Chair of Africa Oyé". UncoverLPL. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  5. ^ a b "25 inspirational Liverpool people whose stories will bring a smile to your face". The Guide Liverpool. 30 October 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  6. ^ "Delivering dreams for communities". Mandela8. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  7. ^ Rand, Lisa (5 October 2020). "Black History Month: Inspirational black Scousers celebrated in city billboard campaign". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  8. ^ "Sonia Bassey to Chair National Museums Liverpool's RESPECT group". National Museums Liverpool. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  9. ^ Fuller, Mike (5 January 2017). "Further New Year's Honours celebrate Cheshire West community champions". Cheshire Live. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  10. ^ "National Diversity Awards Important Announcement". National Diversity Awards. Retrieved 2 May 2021.