ROB GREEN

Robert has been a member and chair of ABDF since its inception in 1996. He is a BA Hon. Combined Studies Graduate (Law major, English minor). Robert has 8 years experience as a manager in both the retail and voluntary sector, 2 years experience as a Home Office adviser to the Prison Service, 3  years experience as a consultant for Crime Concern, and 3  years experience as an equalities and diversity manager for Connexions Nottingham.

Robert was one of the founder members of the organization along with Paul Grant.  Their original idea was for an Afrikan Land Investment project. This developed into the Afrikan Business Development Fund which was officially inaugurated in November 1996 when Rob was elected as chair. He has remained as chair ever since and under his stewardship the organisation has grown from strength to strength.

Robert is a keen writer and excellent poet. In his spare time he has written various screenplays, pieces of prose and poetry. He has also performed some of his poetry and they have been extremely well-received.

He is a passionate advocate of Afrikan liberation and his actions reflect his words. Robert is a man of uncompromising principle, honesty and integrity who works arduously for the company. In addition to being the company Chair he is a member of the Property sub-group and is often involved in the manual and administrative tasks involved in property management.

Robert’s motivation for being a part of ABDF is not for personal benefit but for the empowerment of Afrikan people world-wide.

Robert loves to go to the gym and is a film buff. Although often ribbed about his height (5ft 6½”) his emotional and  mental stature are beyond measure.

He lives with his partner Nicola and his adorable children Ayanna and Ayodele. As a partner and father he is second to none: an absolute Afrikan king and warrior.

MARK DUNWELL 

NICOLA GRIGNON

Nicola has been a member of the ABDF since 1999 and currently serves as the Marketing Director and Membership Secretary. She qualified as a barrister in 1993 and practiced in London till 1997. Thereafter she undertook employment at Nottingham Law School on the Bar Vocational Course where she trains law graduates to qualify as barristers. Additionally she is a trainer on the Higher Rights courses for qualified solicitors. In addition to an LLB she has an LLM in advanced litigation.

Nicola is a committed advocate for Afrikan liberation and has a history of working in the voluntary sectory with organizations concerned with the advancement of Afrikan people. In this regard, amongst other things, she has been treasurer of the Hadhari-Nari Women’s group in Derby, chair of Unity Housing Association; joint co-ordinator of Omololu (a youth group for children of dual heritage) and co-ordinator for Circle of Sisters a meeting and empowerment group for Afrikan women. Nicola has also worked as a housing benefits officer and welfare rights and legal officer.

Nicola joined the ABDF because she believed in its ideology and principles and was impressed by the credibility and integrity of the members. She was the company’s first Company Secretary and was heavily involved in transforming the organisation from an unicorporated association to a company.

Nicola spent five years in Jamaica (from 14 to 19) where she completed her high school and college education. She has very positive memories of that experience and tries to bring the positives of that experience to bear on young people that she is in contact with here.

She is passionate about dance – particularly salsa dance -  and has visited Cuba on numerous occasions to expand her dance knowledge. Her trips to Cuba have also broadened her knowledge about Afrikan religion and cosmology and she has adapted some of the practices she has learnt into her life.

In addition to her job as a lecturer, Nicola runs a regular and successful salsa class in Nottingham.

She can be described as easy-going, fun and caring.

[ Home ]                                                                                                                                              

Send mail to admin@abdf.co.uk with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: February 17, 2008