Enrico Stennett was a forceful figure who campaigned for racial equality until he died and has frequently been recalled as one of the most important activists in social justice and a member of the Windrush Generation. The website Itz Caribbean recalls Enrico as ‘…a great man, a true Jamaican hero and Ambassador. His talents and charm helped him dance his way through life’s journey, as a business man, activist, friend, father and husband. He was more than a mentor; he was a solid force that still reminds us of the Jamaican dream that must still be worked for.’
1926
2011
Village named Maroon Town, Montego Bay, Jamaica
Jamaican
1950 – Founded the Cosmopolitan Social Society
1952- Founded the African League
Enrico Stennett encountered racism and social injustice even before arriving in Britain. He came to Britain the year before SS Windrush arrived and perceived Britain as a country where he would be liberated from the injustices he had experienced in Jamaica. However, when he arrived in Britain he continued to experience racism and prejudice.
Stennett had several jobs throughout his lifetime. These included working in cafes and dancehalls, and self employment. However, his experiences of racial hostility and prejudice in both Jamaica and Britain made him determined to fight against prejudice and shaped the majority of his career. Shortly after he arrived in Britain he became a member of the League for Coloured People which was an organisation led by the Doctor Harold Moody. He also joined the Coloured Workers’ Association of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, led by the Robert Victor Mathews. Furthermore, he joined the Trade Union and Labour Movements and regularly spoke on issues of politics and race at Hyde Park Corner.
In 1950, Stennett and his first wife Margaret founded the Cosmopolitan Social Society, along with his Jewish friend Stanley Freeman. This organisation intended to cater for the social wellbeing of the Caribbean people who were arriving into the country at the time. It also catered for the wellbeing of various Caribbean ex-Army and ex-RAF personnel, who had not returned home as most did at the end of the war and were living in London.
This organisation became defunct in 1952, when Stennett, along with John Longmore from Sierra Leone and Mr Mubutto from Nigeria, founded the African League. Stennett was the Chairman of the League so he worked with all the African leaders in their struggle for freedom in their respective countries.
Stennett started the first Black Newspaper called The African Voice which is still running today and is Britain’s number one African Newspaper. A link to the online newspaper is cited below.
Stennett’s work against racial injustice was lifelong. He worked with North Wales Race Equality and continued to campaign at local, national and international levels up until his death.
Enrico married twice. Margaret was his first wife and Mary was his second. Stennett and Mary retired to Jamaica but returned to live in North Wales, which is where he remained.
Stennett was also well known as a dancer and for some time he was employed part time as a dance partner at the Mecca Ballroom in London. He was known as Mr Magic Feet and he was particularly good at dancing the bee-bop and the jitterbug.
https://africanvoiceonline.co.uk/
Enrico Stennett, Buckra Massa Pickney (UPSO: Oxford, 2006)
Spanglefish, ‘Enrico Stennett’s Story- 2018 focus’ Geriau Windrush Words – Reflections in Writing (Spanglefish, revised 2018)
ITZ CARIBBEAN, ‘Tribute to Enrico Stennett’, ITZ CARIBBEAN UK (ITZ CARIBBEAN, revised 2011) [accessed 24 February]
