The Nubian Jak Community Trust, in collaboration with Westway Trust and the next generation of The Mangrove Nine, are proud to announce the unveiling of a commemorative plaque in honour of Rhodan Gordon, Rothwell Kentish and Elton Anthony Inniss, three pioneering figures whose vision and enterprise shaped community life beneath the Westway.
The unveiling took place on Sunday 5 October at 2 Thrope Close under the Westway flyover in Ladbroke Grove, marking a historic recognition of the contributions Gordon, Kentish and Inniss made from the 1970s through to the 2000s.
As founders and operators of some of the very first community-led businesses established under the Westway, Gordon, Kentish and Inniss played a vital role in transforming the newly created units into vibrant spaces of commerce, culture, and social engagement. Their commitment not only provided economic opportunities but also gave local residents a sense of pride, identity, and belonging in an evolving area of West London.
This commemorative plaque is part of the wider Nubian Jak Community Trust Heritage Plaques Scheme, which celebrates unsung heroes from Black and minority ethnic communities who have left a lasting impact on British society.
Dr. Jak Beula, Founder of the Nubian Jak Community Trust, said:
“This plaque is an enduring tribute to the legacy of the Mangrove 9, Ladbroke Grove, especially to three of its members who provided employment and training to many young people in the workshop spaces under the Westway.”
Speaking on behalf of the Westway Trust, Venu Dhupa CEO at the Westway Trust said:
“It is important that those who have been part of making history in our communities are recognised and their experiences validated in a public space. This helps everyone understand that we can all make a contribution to our places. This is a marker for 3 of the Mangrove 9 but also a marker of community resilience in general, I’m glad we have played a small part in making this possible.”
Yinka Inniss-Charles & Jamila Bolton-Gordon of The Next Generation of The Mangrove Nine said:
“We are proud of our fathers, mothers, and the North Kensington community for standing up for what is right and just, and for the many legacies they have created, both as individuals and as a collective. It is our responsibility to learn from their experiences, to carry their legacies forward, and to build our own for the future.”
The unveiling ceremony was by family members, community leaders, and representatives from both Nubian Jak Community Trust and Westway Trust.