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Today Nelson Mandela celebrates his 95th birthday and Operation Black Vote would like to wish this amazing, yet humble, revolutionary a happy birthday.  Despite his ill health, Mandela’s name is a constant reminder of what it means to stand firm and never quit.  He reminds all of us in our personal journeys, that though the giants may seem big, perseverance and patience is worthwhile in the long run as there is always a hope for change.

A reception was hosted by Chancellor George Osborne to celebrate the remarkable achievements of Ugandan Asians, forty years since their arrival onto British shores. Held at 11 Downing Street last Tuesday evening, the swanky event brought together around 100 guests.

White people who kill black people in 'Stand Your Ground' states in America are 354 per cent more likely to be found justified in their killing than a white person who kills another white person, according to research.

The ‘Stand Your Gound’ law which a jury in Florida found difficult to bypass in the trial of George Zimmerman and convict him of Trayvon Martin’s murder has been denounced by the Country’s top legal official, Eric Holder.

In a powerful speech given at the NAACP conference, Holder stated:

I nearly forgot again.

17 years ago today, we launched OBV in the Grand Committee room at the House of Parliament. I seem to remember that it wasn’t hot as it is today, but it was a special moment. In 17 years I’ve seen many worthy organisations come and go, often through reasons way beyond the control of those who had great visions.

Tooting MP Sadiq Khan won the inaugural MP of the year awards last night. The charity Mosaic which organised the awards held the ceremony at a packed Speakers House at the House of Commons last night.

Accepting the highest award, the London MP, not normally known for being emotional, was visibly moved.

As we held our breath when the jury in the George Zimmerman trial returned its verdict, and screamed in anguish when “not guilty” was pronounced, it was clear to me America was guilty. Trayvon Martin would be alive today had this nation confronted its racial demons decades ago.

Representatives of Britain’s African and Caribbean Christian Communities will meet in London on Wednesday 17 July 2013, following the gruesome killing of army drummer Lee Rigby, who was hacked to death in broad daylight on a London street last month. The two young men charged with Rigby’s murder, Muslim converts Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale, are of Nigerian Christian heritage; and church leaders are concerned about an apparent trend towards radicalisation of former Christians.

Cafe owner warns customers

This is the sign the that Café owner Martha-Renee Kolleh, put in her window to stop customers coming in, seeing her then walking out.

The statement reads:

Attention! Everyone be aware, I am a black woman, and always will be. If you are allergic to black people, don't come in!"

After four days of deliberation, a jury delivered a majority verdict of nine to one that the Angolan man Jimmy Mubenga was unlawfully killed.

Mubenga died after being restrained by three G4S guards whilst being deported from the UK.

In one of the most distressing cases of its kind, passengers heard the man crying out: “They’re going to kill me”, and “I can’t breath.”

Adienna Kamana, Mr Mubenga’s wife, was relieved with the verdict yet still heart broken. She said outside the court:

It is truly amazing what we can do together.

Six months ago, the outline for history lessons in the draft National Curriculum looked very different to what it does today. As many of you are aware, Black icons such as Mary Seacole and Olaudah Equiano were to be erased from the classroom. Within weeks of that announcement nearly 40,000 signed a petition for those individuals to be replaced. The Secretary of State for Education Michael Gove said he was listening.