Barbara Dettering

Doctor of Letters

Thursday 1 August 2024 - Orator: Dr Marie-Annick Gournet

Listen to the full oration and honorary speech on SoundCloud.

"Pro Vice Chancellor, esteemed colleagues, distinguished guests, and students,

It is a great honour to introduce you to a remarkable individual whose lifelong dedication to civil rights and community development has profoundly impacted the city of Bristol and the United Kingdom. Barbara Dettering’s journey of advocacy began when she moved to Bristol from British Guyana in 1961. Upon her arrival, Barbara immersed herself in the city’s burgeoning civil rights movement, quickly establishing herself as a formidable force for change. Her commitment to social justice and equality has been unwavering for over six decades, and her efforts have help shaped the landscape of civil rights in Bristol and beyond.

In her early years in Bristol, Barbara worked as a Development Officer, a role in which she focused on teaching and social skills, helping individuals and communities to thrive. She then served as a Social Worker for 18 years, providing critical support and advocacy for those facing hardship. Her work embodied the very essence of community care and the notion that ‘it takes a village’.

One of Barbara's most notable contributions to the civil rights movement was her role as a co-founder of the Bristol West-Indian Parents and Friends Association. This organisation was instrumental in challenging housing discrimination, health inequality and racial segregation in Bristol. Under the aegis of this association and working alongside Paul Stephenson, Roy Hackett, Owen Henry, Guy Bailey, and others; the historic Bristol Bus Boycott of 1963 was launched. This pivotal event led to the introduction of the Race Relations Acts in 1965 and 1968.  Additionally, the Association established the Organisation for Sickle Cell Anaemia Research (OSCAR) 1984 and founded the United Housing Association in1985, Bristol’s first Black-led housing association.

Barbara's influence extended beyond activism into the realm of cultural celebration and preservation. In 1968, she co-founded the St Pauls Carnival, an annual event celebrating African and Caribbean culture. This global event is today one of Bristol's largest cultural gatherings, attracting over 100,000 attendees each year. In 2019, Barbara was honoured as one of the ‘Seven Saints of St Pauls,’ a series of murals celebrating contributions of Black Bristolians.

Her commitment to community service continues to this day. Barbara is a trustee of Bristol Black Carers, an organisation supporting carers within Caribbean, African, and Asian communities. Additionally, she serves as the secretary of the Malcolm X Elders Forum, a group dedicated to combating isolation and loneliness among older adults.

Recognising the power of storytelling, Barbara and her peers founded the Malcolm X Elders Theatre Company, which is affiliated with ACTA, a Bristol-based community theatre charity, where Barbara served as a trustee until 2023. Their production, "We Have Overcome - A Windrush Generation Story", beautifully captures and preserves the rich history and experiences of their generation, ensuring that their stories resonate with future generations.

Barbara’s efforts to anchor Caribbean intangible cultural heritage in Bristol have not only enriched the city's cultural tapestry but also ensured that future generations understand and appreciate the contributions of those who came before them.
Barbara was awarded the Freedom of the City by Bristol City Council in 2022, in recognition of her vital contributions to the city,

I hope you will agree that Barbara Dettering's life is a testament to the power of resilience, activism, and community. Her tireless efforts have not only advanced the cause of racial equality but have also enriched the cultural fabric of Bristol. She stands as an inspiration to us all, demonstrating that change is possible through dedication and collective action.

As we reflect on Barbara’s extraordinary journey, let us draw inspiration from her unwavering commitment to justice and her relentless pursuit of equality. Her story reminds us that each of us has the power to make a difference and that through unity and perseverance, we can overcome the challenges that lie before us.

Pro Vice Chancellor, I present to you Barbara Dettering as eminently worthy of the degree of Doctor of Letters Honoris causa."