Windrush: Wise Words - Growing Up in Yorkshire with Wendy Knight

Growing up as the only Black child in a small Yorkshire town, Wendy Knight’s childhood was a tapestry of contrasts, freedom and friction, belonging and difference. From the streets of Brighouse to the heart of Huddersfield’s diverse community, his story is one of resilience, identity, and the quiet power of carving out your own space in a world that doesn’t always make room.

A daughter of Guyanese and Bajan parents, Wendy’s roots stretch across oceans, yet her journey is deeply Yorkshire. She remembers the sting of racism at her doorstep, the shouts, the slurs, but also the sanctuary of home: the smell of her mother’s okra stew, the strict love that shaped her, and the front-room ornaments that whispered of a homeland she’d never seen.

But this isn’t just a story of survival. It’s about finding your voice and your people. From navigating local authority corridors to standing in Downing Street, Wendy’s tenacity turned barriers into stepping stones. And in Huddersfield’s melting pot, she discovered something unexpected: a place where her fractured sense of identity could finally begin to heal.

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Wise Words is a collection of authentic voices from the Huddersfield African Caribbean Windrush generation and their descendants.

They share with us their journeys, from leaving the Caribbean to arriving, living and working here in England. These stories feature adventure, love, determination, challenges and a celebration of their heritage and culture.

You can learn more about Windrush Wise Words on KLTV here: https://kirkleeslocaltv.com/news/kltv...

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