Archive

"You have a case here. This centre was wrongfully sold and now you need to contact a friend of a friend, or even a friend of a friend of a friend, because somebody knows somebody who can help." The room erupted with laughter. But underneath the humour was something deeper, as he was reminding us of the power of community, networks and collective action. That it's people, together, that can truly move mountains.

I discovered that my grandad, Carl Ince, taught weekly Kung Fu classes at the Nello James Centre during the 1990s and my dad, Craig Ince attended sessions there. That discovery made the project feel even more meaningful and personal.

"Together, we imagined a space that would explore Black storytelling while actively nurturing community..."

"I'm passionate about learning and documenting the real history of people from Global Majority backgrounds to ensure recorded history is more inclusive and representative..."

Whilst the story of the Nello James Centre will never not be a painful one, we now know better. So, we should do better. Let’s protect what’s left. Let’s build what’s missing..

"I imagined a space where women could learn real, practical self-defence in an environment filled with warmth, music, laughter and empowerment."

"So much of our heritage lives in our homes, in our kitchens, shared meals, in the stories exchanged while cooking side by side. Food allows knowledge to move naturally between generations..."

A round-up of the Rekindling Nello James so far, reflecting on the stories, community activations, oral history and the journey so far.

"Being part of this work allows me to honour the elders, educators and everyday people who built community here with heart and resistance."

"I hope the older generation who got to experience the Nello James Centre feels nostalgia and a sense of pride and self respect for building a community..."

Alieh shares how the Rekindling Nello James project has become more than heritage work — it’s an act of care, remembrance, and resistance for Manchester’s Black community.

"I’m only just discovering the story of the Nello James Centre, but learning about its legacy has revealed urgent truths..."

"the Nello James Centre is very close to my heart as a building that was quite significant in my childhood as a community space." - Keisha Thompson

Rekindling Nello James has officially launched at the Kath Locke Centre. Our first blog post shares highlights from the day and introduces this space, where each month you’ll hear new voices reflecting on the project, its history, and the community shaping it.