In December 1954, Winifred Atwell scored the first of her two UK no. 1s with Let’s Have Another Party. She enjoyed great popularity in the 1950s, with a series of boogie-woogie pop hits, selling over 20 million records in the process. Winifred Atwell was the first Black British artist to have a UK no.1, and remains the only female artist in history to have an Instrumental international no. 1 hit record. Her influence on pop music throughout the 20th century could be heard through many artists, including the likes of Elton John, whose autobiography cites her as his greatest inspiration.

As well as being an established recording artist, Winifred Atwell was also a successful business-woman. In 1956 she founded the first hair and beauty salon for African Caribbean women in the UK. She chose a premises in Brixton to deliver this service, which is currently the site of multicultural award winning Housing Association, ARHAG. To commemorate the six and a half decades since becoming a pop music phenomenon and pioneering businesswoman, Nubian Jak will be erecting a Blue Plaque at 82d Railton Road, Brixton, SE24 0LD.

The Blue Plaque is the final culmination of a Project done in partnership with Havas London Advertising Agency to raise awareness of Britain’s rich and diverse past. The initiative involves temporarily installing 30+ Black Plaques across the capital. The first of these Black Plaques to be turned into a permanent Blue Plaque will be Winifred Atwell’s.

DATE: 18th December 2020
TIME (Plaque Ceremony): 2:00pm
WHERE: 82d Railton Road, Brixton, SE24 0LD

Presentation starts 13:00 on Zoom:
 https://zoom.us/j/97254374116?pwd=cFlTQWxLZkZqZjlDam4wSHZxR3F0UT09
Meeting ID: 972 5437 4116 Passcode: 255252
Evening Reception Presentation starts 18:30 on Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86092189264
Meeting ID: 860 9218 9264

For more information visit www.blackplaqueproject.com or www.nubianjak.org
Email: info@nubianjak.org

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