Pride of first African-Caribbean councillor

Wolverhampton's first African-Caribbean councillor has said she is "proud" to be recognised for her contributions, ahead of a bronze bust being unveiled during Windrush Day celebrations.

Mel Chevannes, who was elected in Graiseley in 1981 and served as a councillor for 11 years, later chaired The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust.

Friends, family and ex-colleagues welcomed her husband's idea to permanently recognise her achievements and a group was formed with the purpose of commissioning a commemorative art piece.

Ms Chevannes said she was proud to be recognised for her "professional, community and educational contributions to this wonderful city".

She also stated she was "humbled to be honoured" by a bronze bust in the city that has been her home for 50 years.

Her husband, Frank Reeves, proposed the idea of a permanent recognition of her contributions to Wolverhampton, after a biography of her life was published.

A flag-raising ceremony outside the Civic Centre at 10:30 BST on Sunday will feature speeches from representatives of the Windrush community, Wolverhampton mayor Craig Collingswood and Deputy Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands Sandra Samuels.

She became the first person of African-Caribbean heritage to become mayor of the city in 2022.

The bust will be unveiled at Wolverhampton Art Gallery during an event introduced by Lord-Lieutenant Derrick Anderson.

HMT Empire Windrush docked in Tilbury, Essex, on 22 June 1948, bringing hundreds of passengers from the Caribbean to the UK, who were invited to rebuild post-war Britain.

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