Canerow: Threads of Intergenerational Leadership is a storytelling series capturing the wisdom, resilience, and vision of Black women leaders across generations. Rooted in the Canerow project, these reflections explore leadership, legacy, and community through the voices of those shaping the future. The full interviews will be included in a print publication and released for Black History Month 2025.
The Genesis of Loughborough Community Centre (LCC)
Constance Rose, a founding member and pivotal figure in the establishment of the Loughborough Community Centre (LCC), served as its manager from 1981 to 2009. Her efforts were central to driving community development initiatives led by Black individuals in Brixton, Lambeth. The LCC was a constructive response following the 1981 Brixton Uprisings, marked by tension and frustration over systemic suppression, employment challenges, and racial inequities.
The transition of the community centre’s management from predominantly White to Black leadership marked a significant shift post-riot, allowing greater access and involvement for Black residents. It highlights the grassroots nature of the initiative and the collective agency of the Black community in shaping their own destiny.
"You wouldn’t believe it now but there was a lot of racism by White people to Black people in Brixton. Before us the community centre was run by White people. Black people were not allowed to hire the community centre, that all changed after the riots. We Black people ran it!"
On Becoming a Community Leader
Despite not viewing herself as a leader, Connie was driven by a desire to make others proud, a hard work ethic, and her role's importance in people's lives. She transitioned from volunteer to manager, often serving as a source of advice and support.
"I don’t see myself as a leader, I see myself as one of the staff." However, her subsequent narrative reveals a gradual recognition of her leadership role, driven by her dedication and the community's perception of her abilities.
Leadership Style, Challenges, and Personal Growth
"I like to be well organised and disciplined; the same way I was at work was the same way I was at home." This reflects a strong work ethic and a commitment to structure, both in her professional and personal life. The influence of her upbringing and the challenges of raising boys in Brixton during the 70s and 80s shaped this approach, emphasizing the importance of stability and structure for her family.
"I progressed into leadership within LCC, the committee saw the potential in me. I was a hard worker and the quality of my work and what people thought of me was important to me."
"A leader to me should get more support than what I was getting, and I didn’t get any support. I didn’t have anyone. The management committee was at the time weak, they didn’t understand as much as I thought." and "Halfway through the year we started to fret about money. We were fearful of being closed down due to not having enough funding, luckily, we always got by."
A pivotal moment in Constance's journey was the realisation that her dedication to LCC was impacting her health: "My hair was falling out, I kept falling over and I got rashes over my skin, I thought I had lupus...Everything and everyone else was more important than me going to the doctor to check on my own health."
The experience led to her eventual departure from LCC, emphasizing the need for balance and prioritising personal well-being. Post-retirement, the lack of pay scale or raises was a point of contention, highlighting gender and racial inequities in community service roles..
Advice to Younger Women Leaders
Connie advises hard work, dedication, and continuous learning. She stresses the importance of seizing training opportunities, particularly those that are funded: "Work hard and stick at it! Take all the training opportunities that become available especially funded ones as when it’s gone it’s gone!"
Legacy and Success
Constance's desire to be remembered as "A person with good integrity that undertook and committed to the act of community service." The loss of the Loughborough Community Centre stands out as a significant event in her narrative, highlighting the challenges of preserving community-led initiatives and the importance of securing long-term sustainability.
Connie's legacy at LCC, particularly the establishment of a preschool named in her honour, represents a significant achievement for both race and gender equity. It highlights the importance of creating spaces that prioritize the voices and needs of marginalized communities while establishing a foundation for future generations. This legacy also reflects how women's contributions can be instrumental in nurturing community resilience and continuity.
Conclusion
Constance Rose’s story offers a poignant exploration of race and gender inequalities in community leadership. Her journey illustrates the profound impacts of systemic barriers that Black women face, as well as their resilience and capacity for creating meaningful change.
It underscores the resilience required in community leadership, the challenges of sustaining grassroots organisations, importance of recognising community contributions, and the necessity of formal support structures for sustainable development. It also sheds light on the importance of balancing dedication with self-care. Her story serves as a valuable lesson in leadership, resilience, and the enduring impact of community service.
This image of Constance Rose was illustrated by Tinuke Fagborun and commissioned by The Ubele Initiave.
