The truth is, everyone is going to hurt you. You just got to find the ones worth suffering for.
Bob Marley
Nubian
Jak
Jak Beula
Founder & CEO
Jak Beula is an artist, musician, inventor, publisher and Ceo of Nubian Jak Community Trust. He founded the Nubian Jak Group in 1994, inspired to pass on historical knowledge that he had gained while creating the award-winning Black HIstory board game "Nubian Jak". The Nubian Jak Community Trust is an international plaque and sculpture scheme which concretely honours Britain's diverse past.
Along with numerous plaque unveilings, he created the African and Caribbean War Memorial aka Brixton Cenotaph on Windrush Square, Brixton, London on 22nd June 2017. Over 2000 people along with government ministers, military and marching band attended the official unveiling.
Jak also designed the NHS Windrush and Commonwealth Nurses and Midwives Memorial statue, which was installed at Whittington Hospital in July 2021.
It takes a team to do all this, and behind the scenes are a lively team of NJCT associates and volunteers. To them all, past and present, there is endless gratitude.
Our local history is global history.
Board Members
Professor Doirean Wilson
Chair
Dr. Doirean Wilson is a Senior Lecturer specialising in Strategic HRM, Professional Practioner and Community Engagement at Middlesex University.
Theresa Joseph
Trustee & Secretary
Theresa MJ Joseph is a community organiser, creative planner, and skilled volunteer manager with a passion for heritage, equity, and cultural celebration. Founder of Black Pound Takeover, she has led events and programmes that amplify underrepresented voices and strengthen community ties.
As a Trustee of the Nubian Jak Community Trust, she is committed to honouring Black and minority ethnic communities through education, visibility, and legacy.
Vincent Onuchi
Trustee & Treasurer
Vincent Onuchi is an independent financial professional specialising in corporate governance, compliance and technical accounting matters with a particular focus on the respective financing and fundraising needs of scaling, global fin-tech businesses and non-for-profit organisations. He is also a School Governor as well the Treasurer for the Nubian Jak Charitable Trust.
Carol Wilson-Frith
Trustee
Carol Wilson-Frith is a passionate and personable Visionary, renowned for her pioneering work in preserving and elevating Black British heritage. With over 20 years of experience as an award-winning designer and Community Engagement lead, she is the founder of The Carmen Constantine Legacy Foundation and has forged impactful partnerships while championing the stories of those historically overlooked. She also serves as Public Relations Director to several prominent Windrush Commonwealth settlers, and her longstanding dedication to cultural equity continues to inspire and empower communities across generations.
Jacqueline Morrison
Trustee
Neal Long
Trustee
Joanne Jarrett
Honorary Trustee
Joanne previously ran a business support agency and currently works on various diverse projects. As one of NJCT’s trustees, Joanne helps to direct and develop existing and future schemes – as well as assisting the Treasurer with the financial running of the charity.
Kesheniwa Aghaji
Honorary Trustee
Kesheniwa Aghaji (alongside Jak Beula and Jay Mastin) was a founding trustee of the Nubian Jak Community Trust. She is a former actress who starred alongside the likes of Danny Glover, Michael Caine, and played the wife of Denzel Washington in the multi-award winning film Cry Freedom. She is a well respected Cultural Advocate, and is often referred to as "The First Lady of the African & Caribbean War Memorial".
Josephine Beaton
Honorary Trustee
Josephine is a former Headteacher of Norlington Sch. for Boys, Leyton. She is also an editor and writer.
Professor Gus John
Honorary President
Augustine John is a Grenadian-born award-winning writer, education campaigner, consultant, lecturer and researcher. He has done notable work in the fields of education policy, management and international development and currently resides in Wales.
Dr Yvonne Thompson CBE
Ambassador
Yvonne Thompson, CBE, FRSA, is a British business leader, who was a founding member of radio station Choice FM, music editor of Root Magazine, managing director of marketing and PR company ASAP Communications.
Dr. Margaret Busby
Patron
Margaret Busby, CBE, Hon. FRSL, is a major cultural figure in Britain and around the world. She became Britain’s then youngest and first black African woman publisher when she co-founded Allison & Busby in the late 1960s. A writer, editor, critic and broadcaster, she edited the pioneering Daughters of Africa: An International Anthology of Words and Writings by Women of African Descent (1992) and its 2019 follow-up New Daughters of Africa.
Paul Boateng
Patron
Baron Paul Yaw Boateng is a British Labour Party Politician, who was the Member of Parliament for Brent South from 1987-2005. He became the UK's first Black Cabinet Minister in 2002. when he was appointed as Chief Secretary to the Treasury. When he left the House of Commons he served as the British High Commissioner to South Africa from March 2005 to May 2009. He was introduced as a member of the House of Lords in 2010.
We must never forget our historic heroes and acknowledge their contributions to the ongoing struggle for equality and justice for all.
Extensive
Awards
London and South East Prestige Awards
Acquisition International Non Profit Organisation Awards
The Blac Awards
Eurobest Awards
Drum Awards
One Show (advertising awards in Cannes)
Winner of Gold Lion award for design.
Campaign Big Awards
Winner of Experiential - The Black Plaque Project
Data & Marketing Association Awards
Winner of Best Use of Out of Home [silver]
Winner of Best Integrated Campaign [silver]
NUBIAN JAK
COMMUNITY TRUST
The Nubian Jak Community Trust is proud to collaborate with a diverse network of partners who share our commitment to celebrating Britain’s multicultural heritage. From local councils and cultural institutions to educational bodies and community groups, our partners play a vital role in helping us deliver plaque unveilings, memorials, and public history initiatives that honour the legacy of underrepresented communities. Together, we make history visible.
