About Afiwe

Our Stories. Our Culture. Our Community.

Afiwe is a community-led print and digital publication celebrating the stories, voices, cultures, heritage and lived experiences of African, Caribbean and Black British communities.

More than a magazine, Afiwe is a platform for connection, creativity, cultural expression and collective storytelling.

We believe our stories matter — not only those written into history books, but the everyday experiences, achievements, struggles, traditions and contributions that shape who we are.

From the wisdom of our elders to the creativity of emerging generations, Afiwe connects our past with our present while looking confidently towards our future.

Rooted in community, with a vision that reaches beyond borders, we aim to connect people, places and stories across Waltham Forest, London, the UK, Africa, the Caribbean and the wider diaspora.

Afiwe is about us, for us, and shaped by us.

Our Story - Where It All Began

Afiwe was born from something very simple but powerful: people coming together.

Its roots lie in the collective efforts of Black and Caribbean community organisations in Waltham Forest, working alongside Waltham Forest Council to connect cultural events, celebrate heritage, share stories and strengthen the bonds between our communities.

There was a shared recognition that so much wonderful work was happening across the borough, with incredible people, organisations and untold stories deserving greater visibility.

By coming together, we could amplify one another’s voices, celebrate our collective achievements and create something meaningful for our communities.

The First Publication — Black History Month 2025

In 2025, Frank Sweeney of GB Carnival CIC brought forward the vision for a community publication celebrating Black History Month — bringing together local events, organisations, stories and culture in one place.

With the support of Waltham Forest Council, the publication was produced by GB Carnival CIC and Skills Within Developments CIC, with valuable contributions from other voluntary and community sector organisations.

Beautifully designed by the wonderfully talented Akil Wilson, the first publication saw 3,000 physical copies distributed across Waltham Forest.

It was a celebration of community, creativity and collaboration — and the beginning of something much bigger.

Growing Together -
The Windrush Community Consortium

Building on this success, GB Carnival CIC and Skills Within Developments CIC, in partnership with Waltham Forest Council, came together to establish the Waltham Forest Windrush Community Consortium.

The consortium brought together community organisations, creatives and individuals committed to connecting, supporting and celebrating Windrush heritage and activities across the borough.

Meeting monthly, the group shared ideas, resources, experience and a collective determination to create meaningful opportunities for the community.

Together, the consortium successfully secured funding from The National Lottery Community Fund to support Windrush 2026 activities across Waltham Forest.

These included the Windrush flag-raising ceremony at Fellowship Square, the Windrush Tent and activities at Leyton Mas Carnival, and opportunities for communities to come together to honour, remember and celebrate the Windrush generation and its lasting legacy.

Funding was also secured to develop the next edition of the publication.

And Then Came Afiwe...

Through community conversations, consultation and plenty of meetings, the publication began to take on a new identity.

The group recognised that this could become more than an events publication. It could be a space for our stories, our history, our culture, our creativity and our future.

And so, Afiwe — Our Stories. Our Culture. Our Community. was born.

A very special thank you goes to Elaine of Platinum Routes CIC, who brought forward the name Afiwe and shared invaluable knowledge, creativity, insight and expertise in helping the publication find its identity and shape what it has become today.

The wider group helped develop the vision, direction and content, generously giving their time, skills, energy and ideas.

Much of the work happened quietly behind the scenes, carried forward voluntarily by people who believed in what we were building together.

The first edition under the Afiwe name, celebrating Windrush 2026, was launched with a print run of 5,000 copies.

Our social media platform, @afiweconnect, also came to life with the help of community champion and marketing professional C86ers, helping our stories travel further, connect communities and reach new audiences.

From that point, Afiwe began to grow into a wider platform for community storytelling, cultural expression, creativity and collaboration.

The Next Chapter

Keeping the Afiwe Train Moving

As Afiwe moves beyond its initial National Lottery-funded phase, Skills Within Developments CIC has taken on the responsibility of owning, publishing and developing Afiwe, helping secure its future while staying true to the collective spirit in which it was created.

Our ambition is to build a sustainable, community-connected publication that can continue to grow, evolve and provide opportunities for writers, artists, photographers, creatives, organisations and storytellers across generations.

With the support of the exceptionally talented and professional filmmaker, photographer and website developer Sidney Sambu, we are delighted to launch our new digital home, www.afiwe.org.

This marks another exciting step forward, creating opportunities for stories to reach beyond the printed page and connect communities across Waltham Forest, London, the UK and the wider African and Caribbean diaspora.

We are exploring new ways to sustain and develop Afiwe, from partnerships, advertising and sponsorship to creative collaborations, community contributions and opportunities for emerging talent.

Our vision is to build something lasting — a publication and creative network where communities can tell their own stories, share knowledge, discover opportunities, challenge narratives and celebrate their achievements.

There is much to do, and many skills, talents and helping hands will be needed along the way.

We know that many hands make lighter work, and it truly does take a village.

We want Afiwe to be a platform where people feel welcome, valued and inspired to participate. A space that celebrates our roots while making room for new voices, new ideas and new possibilities.

The Afiwe train is moving forward, and there’s room for everyone aboard.

The People Behind Afiwe

Afiwe is owned and published by Skills Within Developments CIC, a community-focused organisation founded by Nathan Gabbidon, dedicated to creating opportunities through culture, heritage, creativity, wellbeing and collaboration.

Working alongside Natalie Sturge, Chief Operating Officer, Nathan leads Skills Within in developing inclusive, community-led initiatives that strengthen connections, celebrate identity and create lasting social value.

Skills Within works across youth development, community wellbeing, creative arts, cultural programmes, heritage preservation and collaborative partnerships.

Afiwe is a natural extension of this work — bringing together people, stories, creativity and shared experiences through an accessible and evolving media platform.

While Skills Within provides the organisational leadership and publishing infrastructure, Afiwe’s strength lies in the collective voices of its contributors, community partners, creatives and readers.

Nathan is a community leader with extensive experience in youth engagement, mentoring, community development and partnership building.

Having worked across education, youth services and community programmes, Nathan has dedicated much of his professional life to creating pathways for people, particularly young people, to realise their potential.

His approach is rooted in collaboration, cultural understanding and the belief that strong communities are built when people are given the space, support and opportunity to develop their skills and contribute their talents.

As Publisher and Executive Director, Nathan provides strategic leadership for Afiwe, developing partnerships, opportunities and the long-term vision for the publication as a platform for community empowerment and cultural connection.

Natalie brings over 30 years of experience across business management, events, marketing, creative production and community project development.

Her work brings together a passion for people, creativity, storytelling and building meaningful connections across communities.

Natalie believes in the power of authentic voices and the importance of creating accessible platforms where people can share their experiences, celebrate their identities and contribute to wider conversations.

As Managing Editor, Natalie oversees Afiwe’s editorial development, content planning, contributor relationships and creative direction, working collaboratively to ensure the publication remains engaging, inclusive and connected to the communities it represents.

Together, Nathan and Natalie are committed to nurturing Afiwe as a sustainable, inclusive and community-led publication, honouring its collective beginnings while creating opportunities for future generations of storytellers, creatives and community voices.

Our Vision

We envision Afiwe becoming a recognised and trusted cultural media platform, connecting African, Caribbean and Black British voices across generations and geographical boundaries.

A space where emerging writers and creatives find opportunities alongside established voices.

Where heritage is preserved, contemporary experiences are explored and communities are represented with authenticity, dignity and pride.

Where our elders’ stories are treasured, young people’s voices are encouraged, and our communities can share their experiences in their own words.

We want Afiwe to become a living archive of our collective experiences — documenting the stories of today for the generations of tomorrow.

Because when we tell our own stories, we help shape how our communities are seen, understood and remembered.

A Heartfelt Thank You

As we share our latest edition, Afiwe — Black History Month 2026, we want to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who has helped bring this journey to life.

To the community organisations and volunteers who have given countless hours, attended meetings, shared ideas, contributed expertise and worked tirelessly behind the scenes.

To the writers, storytellers, artists, photographers, designers and creatives who have shared their talents.

To the people who have trusted us with their stories, memories and experiences.

To the advertisers, supporters, partners and funders who have helped make the publication possible.

And, of course, to everyone who picks up a copy, reads, shares, contributes and helps our stories reach further.

Thank you. This publication would not exist without you.

Finally, a special and heartfelt thank you to Frank Sweeney, whose original vision planted the seed from which Afiwe has grown.

As Skills Within takes up the mantle of guiding the publication into its next chapter, we do so with sincere care, appreciation, love and a commitment to inclusion.

We recognise the time, creativity, trust and collective effort that have brought us to this point, and we promise to honour those foundations as we continue to build.

There are many more stories to tell, many more voices to hear and many more connections to make.

We hope you enjoy Afiwe, feel part of its journey and find a little of yourself within its pages.

Our Stories. Our Culture. Our Community.

With love and gratitude,

The Afiwe Team

Blessings.

Be Part of the Story

Afiwe is a publication shaped by the communities it represents, and we warmly invite you to become part of its journey.

Whether you’re a writer, photographer, artist, historian, community organiser, entrepreneur, young creative or simply someone with a story to share, we’d love to hear from you.

There are many ways to get involved — contributing stories, volunteering your skills, sharing community events, collaborating on projects, advertising, sponsoring or helping us reach new audiences.

Your Voice. Your Story. Our Afiwe.

Get in touch: office@afiwe.org

Follow our journey: Instagram @afiweconnect

Publication Information

Afiwe

A community-led print and online publication celebrating African, Caribbean and Black British stories, culture, heritage and lived experience.

Owned and published by:
Skills Within Developments CIC

Founder & CEO, Skills Within: Nathan Gabbidon
Publisher & Executive Director, Afiwe: Nathan Gabbidon
Managing Editor, Afiwe: Natalie Sturge

Company Registration No.: 14187533

Afiwe (Print): ISSN 2979-6261
Afiwe (Online): ISSN 2979-627X

Editorial & General Enquiries: office@afiwe.org