The Nello James Centre

The Nello James Centre was more than a building — it was a lifeline.

Based in Whalley Range, Manchester, the Centre served African and Caribbean communities across South Manchester as a place for radical education, youth work, support groups, legal advice, cultural organising and political activism. For many, it was a first point of safety, learning and collective power.

Named after the Trinidadian historian, activist and writer C. L. R. James, the Centre opened in the early 1970s and was gifted to the community through a donation from Vanessa Redgrave. It became a vital social hub during a period of racial injustice, political organising and Black community self-determination.

In recent years, the sale of the building to private developers — despite widespread belief that it had been gifted to the community in perpetuity — caused deep concern and anger locally. With little formally recorded about the Centre’s 30-year history, there was a real risk that its legacy would disappear.

Rekindling Nello James exists to change that.

By capturing personal stories and lived memories, the project ensures this history is preserved and safeguarded at the Ahmed Iqbal Ullah RACE Centre, where it will remain accessible for future generations.