RIP LEONARD JOHNSON ❤💛💚

I lived in on that estate in 1976 as a teen for a few years when the block I lived in was newly built. They were high quality warm, affordable luxurious flats internally. I never felt unsafe while indoors but the interlinking walkways and no CCTV technology back then made it very easy for criminals to strike and escape. Times were hard for just about everyone back then. Very few of us kids had any opportunity as school leavers and had to take whatever work was available - going to Uni was an option but studying for a degree seemed pointless as there was a deep recession on in the early 80s and no guarantee of getting a better job. School leavers had no support schemes available to them until later and it was the riots that raised awareness and the need for better opportunities via changes in the law. After that, the government figured out that young adults could not just be thrown to the wolves when they left school. It was a time when a lot of young girls would become single parents just to get housing and the fathers weren't chased for child support. Most of my friends on the estate took that route because they were rewarded for it so there were many children being raised without fatherly influence at home and those mothers could withold access indefinitely because the law at the time allowed them to. Brent was under great pressure to house many people all at one time and Stonebridge, St Raphaels, Chalkhill and South Kilburn estates were a fast track solution. They had no other cheap alternative to try to improve housing availability. We were however very lucky that we had easy access to central London for work so we could at least get jobs although I was strongly aware that those opportunities were, very unfairly, not open to all. There were regular muggings on the estate but no gangs and carrying a handbag alone out late at night or after dark was considered an invitation to it. Residents were being unfairly blamed for most of the muggings when it was clear that those from outside the area would visit the estate to commit crime. That's mainly how Stonebridge got its bad name. The residents were not the problem. Youths could not afford drugs back then so drugs were not to blame. It was clear that it was pure frustration at the blatant racial injustice, mainly of incessant stop and search and of police prejudice in those who were clearly and openly targeting young black men and youths. It was a vicious circle - this made it almost impossible for this group to get work because the press openly portrayed them as criminals at every opportunity and these stories made front page headlines. Racism was being stirred up in a big way by those in power as a consequence. Without the riots, little would have changed. They were truly shocking times. I remember feeling very proud that the smart people of Stonebridge had come together to make a difference to the community as an alternative to rioting. I wasn't directly involved with the group but was aware that the community leaders were making huge efforts to intervene and get the project off the ground as a viable solution. The local press were very encouraging towards the project as I recall. Looking at this great film I'm amazed that the HPCC did so much with so little resources and on such a huge scale but it's shocking and very sad that the project was ripped off on so many levels. I'm inspired to keep researching this story to learn about the final outcome. Many thanks for posting the film. It's a very important piece of NW London urban history.

I prefer the way people were back then. There was more togetherness. Now it's every man for themselves.

Leonard was dearly loved. He had a passion for his people few of his counterparts had. He was tall dark and handsome. He was intelligent. He was a passionate advocate for justice, equity and fairness for people of the black community in particular the young people who all loved him. He had a heart of gold. He was courageous and bold. He was no wimp. A born leader. He fought tooth and nail to retain Bridge Park for the people of the community but came up against the dark powers of this world who wanted Bridge Park for themselves. Against those who had sold their souls for greed. Leonard, you fought a good fight and you have finished your race. Thank you for your tireless labour of love for your community most of whom saw you as part of their extended family. May you be greatly reward by your loving Father, Yehweh and his Son, Yeshua (Jesus). You will always be greatly missed and will always have a special place in my heart and that of my family. Sleep on my dear friend and take your rest. Lay down your head upon the Saviour's breast. We love you well but Jesus love your best. Goodnight Goodnight Goodnight. RIP. Lorna Davis & Family!

Never knew the Black historic struggle of Stonebridge. Thanks for posting.

Lived in Stonebridge in the 80's, when I was homeless, originally was born in Chalkhill Estate...though always lived in NW. Stonebridge taught me the lessons I needed to survive. Thank you Bridge Park... Rise up in Paradise King 🌹🙏🏾🌹

Wow. Look at Stonebridge.Been a resident there most of my life. What a beautiful place it is now. But never forget the real place which so many different people have grown to experience. . I had a nice childhood there. Not all doom and gloom..

I’m 26 years old and i was born and raised in Stonebridge. I’m a proud Stonebridgiterian 😃😅...my friends and i will make sure we carry on these inspirational peoples LEGACY !!!! 1994-Present !!!

Oringinal Stonebridge Sistah in the house 🔥🔥💪🏾 From it’s foundation till present.

I had never even had a clue about this ... really inspiring . True community spirit working towards a common goal.... amazing

I knew some of the story but thank you for sharing this it explains a lot.

Parents lived in the Brent area in the early 90s. Lived in Wembley Central but had friends in Stonebridge, Harlesden, Kensal Green and Neasden, so they saw/heard things. Dad has lots of stories and some interesting encounters with the yardies.

2022 and nothing has changed and nothing ever will. WAKE! UP!

Produced by Franco Rosso, the guy was an overlooked genius and of course because he was doing a lot for Black Britain he was buried under all the garbage that superceded it later on. R.I.P.

Rolling back the curtains as to governments attitudes to the needs of the darker colour in the community., especially the recent activities in court. What the structural system policies and strategies plan we shpuls not prove we have learnt and change, too ambitious for darker skintone people. St Raphaels Estate on same strategic policy planning. Blessed love thanks for posting.

David Coley, Sean Hamilton, Fabian and Stanley. Foundation!

Wow fantastic documentary

It's so true! For so many decades it was one way & now I feel like a tourist 😔

Went to Willesden High lived in kensale rise hung out in stone Bridge....Good old days 70s-80s

Insightful information behind Stonebridge Complex. Stonebridge Complex's history and fight for this Centre to enhance and benefit the local community is commendable and refreshing. The HPCC deserve a big applause and massive respect👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽✊🏼🤝🏽. We thank-you HPCC. They never gave up or give in, remained consistent and stood together to accomplish a well used and great centre for the residents of Stonebridge and Brent❤🤎🖤🧡🤍. Local authorities always have their own way as they hold the purse strings. We see how they push out brown and black people as employees to work on the building development at Stonebridge Complex and failed to provide employment opportunities to those skilled & employable living in the local community. Unemployment still is a big issue. Regardless HPCC paved the way, initated the idea and project...they deserve huge recognition. Many good times and memories had at Complex including attending leisure facilties, meetings, wedding receptions , parties, music concerts, health & fitness and educational courses etc. STONEBRIDGE COMPLEX HAS TO REMAIN AND MUST FOR STONEBRIDGE & RESIDENTS OF BRENT!!

A young stonehead at 31.30 foundation yoot stonebridge family go school we all grow together. RIP LEONARD.

Big up HPCC

Thanks!

Interesting video

I grew up in stonebridge complex was the heart of nw10 foundation an history will neva change.

10:17-10:22 Watts is actually an district or neighbourhood Los Angeles city. 11:41-11:52 the data of the main concentration neighbourhoods of the London's Afro-Caribbean community from the United Kingdom census (5/4/1981) Brixton in the London borough of Lambeth, Dalston - London borough of Hackney, Tottenham - London borough of Haringey, Harlesden - London borough of Brent.

Brent Council corporate psychology is dis-respect, dis-regard and con the residents of the borough

Any more?

So as a outsider of London, did the project get finalized. An update would be good. 2021.

My home Harlesden brent🔥🔥🔥

Foundation days 💯

Wow that was a great video upload wonder if still going and building still there

No youth provision, clubs and centres have been closed down leaving young ppl with no option but to either stay indoors and interact with other young ppl through social-media/Internet, there isn't a Youth Service in Brent young ppl are not given an opportunity to widen their horizons and through projects/activities form relationships with peers from other areas of London, this I believe would have stopped alot of the "postcode" issues that young ppl are facing now

Want it all now

All I know is loads of money went missing, it was a going joke how Bridge Park was ripped off.

Interesting

The ends.. broke, no hope mindset.. little progression living around there...

Isn't it interesting how all their accents are perfectly English, no different from any other English person. I find it odd how that is no longer the case 75% of the time. Black British people have developed a distinct accent that is almost street/punkish. Today, if you put me on the phone to someone British, I would normally be able to tell if they are Black or White. But I bet I would have no such ability back then. Something seems to have disrupted integration and led it astray and my bet is the influx of criminal yardies followed by grime and rap culture coming from the USA.

Such a shame what happened to the once great London. Much better place when my grandparents grew up.

From back then these Blake ppl have been wanting to be gangsters

An area that could be totally improved with an A-bomb.

K Koke’s ends

Sis Burrows

LEONARD JOHNSON DELANEY BROWN JULIA SIMPSON LAWERENCE FERON 🖤❤️💚

I appreciate that there are many factors such as poverty, no guidance etc which can lead a youth to a life of crime but I have a question - is there any level of self accountability? I ask because your community causes a lot of pain and I speak from personal experience - as a youngster during my high school years, I was terrorized for no reason and although I went to a multicultural school, the people who bullied me and made my teen years hell were all black. And they terrorized me for no reason. Now as a successful man, who was raised by a single mother, I need to be be sympathetic to the pain of a community that destroyed my childhood. It’s ironic, we need to feel your suffering and pain but you lot don’t have no compassion for the suffering and pain of others who are not black. And I don’t think poverty is an excuse for the pain you cause others, when my mum came from Africa she was a single mum dealing with a lot of debt, which was not caused by her, she was raising 2 children and worked 3 jobs ….. but with all of this against her, she raised her 2 kids right and neither one of us went into a life of crime, although we were definitely victims of crime.