Summer Speakers 2024: An evening of insight and community
Leroy spoke at the Summer Speakers 2024 series - hosted by St James Norlands Church. The event is part of a broader Speaker Programme aimed at bringing together the incredibly varied local community for an evening of stimulating discussion and shared values.
The programme has a history of featuring lively, provocative, and relevant speakers who resonate with the varied audience. Previous speakers include:
Alan Johnson, former Home Secretary, discussing his childhood in the area during the 1960s.
Craig Brown, speaking on satire in the age of Trump.
Nick Robinson, Today programme presenter, addressing the challenge of "Fake News".
Oliver McTernan, Middle East peace negotiator, sharing his experiences with Hamas.
Michael Cockerell, political documentary-maker, exploring the relationship between politicians and the news media.
Joanna Trollope and Antonia Fraser, notable writers, among others.
Leroy's talk: 'The Need To Be Dealers In Hope'
Leroy Logan's talk centered on 'The Need To Be Dealers In Hope'. The evening began with a BBC Bitesize video of Leroy discussing his story, Small Axe, and his career with the Metropolitan Police. The talk was followed by audience Q&A.
Leroy Logan shared the stage with Blacka Dread, a community activist featured in the Bitesize video. Their combined presentation brought a valuable community perspective to the discussion. Helen Bart, one of the Executive Producers of Small Axe, also attended and provided an introduction, further enriching the event.
Reflecting on the event, Leroy Logan expressed his gratitude for the opportunity and the positive reception. He noted that some of his most cherished speaking engagements have been in church settings, aligning with his spiritual journey as reflected in his book. The evening included a book signing session, where attendees eagerly queued to have their copies signed.
