The Team
Rekindle Manchester
Rekindling Nello James is powered by a dedicated team at Rekindle School and a powerful multi-faceted steering group, friends and ambassadors. Together, we’re shaping a living archive rooted in African and Caribbean community memory.
Supported by Ahmed Iqbal Ullah Trust and Contact Theatre.
Ruth Ibegbuna
Rekindle Founder and CEO
Bianca Danielle
Project Manager
Nicole Panton
Project Coordinator
Project Steering Group
We have also put together an advisory group of local leaders, elders, activists, educators and creatives who ensure this project stays true to the South Manchester community. They guide decisions, shape direction, and hold the project’s roots. Learn more about them below.
Jackie McNeish
I am founder of Women of Worth, an organisation that empowers Black women who have experienced abuse and trauma; I also facilitate creative workshops for local women and serve as the parade lead for the Manchester Caribbean Carnival.
Siarka ‘Simeon’ Murisanga
I am a Certified boxing coach and personal trainer with over 2 decades of experience of training and competing in the amateurs. Other passions include field research in African history which has brought me to over 10 countries documenting the rich legacy of black people world wide.
Lorraine Ballintine
Lorraine Ballintine is an experienced person-centred therapist in private practice and a creative practitioner who helps individuals and groups develop self-awareness and cultivate emotional resilience.
Otis Thomas
I’m an African Centred, venture building, social entrepreneur. Focused on empowering continental Africans and the African Diaspora.
Keisha Thompson
Freelance artist, producer and researcher. Currently the Programme Manager for Legacies of Enslavement (The Guardian), Co-chair of Independent Theatre Council and Trustee for Olympias Music Foundation.
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I joined the Nello James Centre steering group because this historic community space, once owned by Manchester's African Caribbean community, holds deep personal memories for me and represents a vital part of our cultural heritage.
Jackie McNeish
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I joined the steering group as I have positive memories of the Nello James and can contribute my creative ideas, applying my research skills to discover interesting facts about NJ that honours the memory.
Siarka 'Simeon' Murisanga
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The reason I got involved in this project is that we have a lack of Black owned centres in Manchester and this project could inspire the next generation to continue the mission our elders started.
Otis Thomas
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I joined the steering group because the Nello James Centre is very close to my heart as a building that was quite significant in my childhood as a community space. Here is a poem that I wrote about it – https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04b1b9n
Keisha Thompson