Paulette Henry

Black Rootz is the first multigenerational Black-led growing project in the UK, where the older generation share their expertise on growing whilst also supporting youth engagement in their surrounding natural environment. It was established in Spring 2019, incubated by the Ubele Initiative with its home at Wolves Lane Horticultural Centre.

I’ve lived in Wood Green almost all my life – for the last 45 year at least. I worked in the Children and Young People’s service at Haringey Council for around 30 years, I had responsibility for ensuring young people’s voices across the borough were heard, as well as supporting the development of several different community organisations. I came to work at Wolves Lane in 2019. It started off with me as a volunteer advising on community engagement, project management. With the support of Ubele and other black growers I then became a co-founder of Black Rootz.

Haringey for me is just an amazing creative space because of the representation of so many different cultures. From that you can get lots of different exposure to experiences and learn so much; finding similarities and sharing cultures and languages. It’s a big celebration.

Black Rootz’s motto is “inspired globally, grown locally” – the inspiration has come from our ancestors, interactions with different cultures and what they grow, and what has been brought into London - into Haringey.

At Black Rootz we try to grow produce embracing  the cultures around us. To do that we need to engage with people, look at the kind of foods they eat and have grown in their own allotments, in gardens and in growing projects. We have had many people bring things to us and ask if we can grow them here. This is our impact – not just proving that we can grow foods you wouldn’t expect to see in the UK – but also the impact on our carbon footprint. E.g. we were able to grow seasoning peppers last year here in Wolves Lane which would usually be imported. We encourage and support people to grow their own now which reduces their food costs and environmental impact.

I was thinking of this question, and I spoke to a young man who said: “a rebel is someone who gets the work done”. I would add that a rebel is someone who speaks the truth. I used to say to people: it’s about not compromising your integrity – you shouldn’t be for sale. You shouldn’t be distracted from your aim or work by promises of grandeur.

A young woman once said to me: “givers need to have boundaries because takers don’t.” I need to develop even more boundaries than I have already. Most of my career I have served the community – when you see great need and you have knowledge or experience you want to do something about it – however there are always individuals who want to take advantage of your knowledge and goodwill.

I feel at my most powerful when I am in nature, working with the plants - growing and looking after plants and the environment.

My dream contribution would probably be support for the development of a real cultural festival. A celebration of sharing that would span over a number of days – because of the huge number of cultures we have in the borough. It would be something that we could pass down to future generations through the way it is documented. Maybe a London Borough of Culture cookbook so people can share recipes from their cultures?

It will take a number of different things to ensure that Haringey’s year as the London Borough of Culture experience has a lasting legacy, but that would be my contribution.

A few times I’ve been referred to as a “master gardener” – and while I have knowledge of growing, I’m always learning – from elders and others. So I wouldn’t give myself that title.

I would say my favourite at the moment is Wolves Lane.

It’s something special - in what it provides both educationally for children and young people, and also for their families and the local community.

It has an amazing welcoming energy – and it has stood proud for many years, providing a sanctuary for plants that have been held in the Palm House and Cactus House from the 1970’s. It provides a safe space for people to come and learn,  share information about cultural food growing, as well as experiencing some of the plant-based food we cook every Thursday when we have our Black Rootz community growers’ day.

There’s a young man - Verral Paul-Walcott – an amazing man that really serves his community. He’s organised a range of initiatives to give food to people in need, including through his cycling initiative C86ERZ. He doesn’t compromise in serving his community and does so much for people who need support. There’s a rebel we should celebrate!