CLARENCE MCKENZIE – The first Black Mayor of Croydon
Clarence McKenzie
Clarence was born in Guyana and came to the UK in the 1960s. He qualified as a teacher and progressed to become head of a Special Needs school, where his pupils included future boxing greats such as Lloyd Honeyghan and Frank Bruno. When he retired he continued to serve the Croydon community by becoming a local Councillor, and became Croydon’s first black mayor in 1995/6.
Retirement also enabled him to pursue his interest in public speaking where he became heavily involved in the Guild of British Toast Masters, particularly their work among young people promoting public speaking as an instrument of self-esteem.
He was an accomplished poet and a keen singer – singing bass for many years with the choir of Holy Saviour Church, West Croydon.
Nominated by Christopher Hunt
First Black Mayor of Croydon, who worked for the whole community, and was a role model for all – black and white.
Derek Cooper