The Voice Newspaper Launches 'A Song for Stephen' Lawrence Songwriting Competition
29 Nov, 2013, 18:02 GMT
LONDON, November 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --
This year marks the twentieth anniversary of Stephen Lawrence's death and the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jnr's 'I have a dream' speech.
The Voice Newspaper launches today a nationwide UK songwriting competition to mark 20 years of the passing of Stephen Lawrence.
The idea for 'A Song for Stephen' was conceived by The Voice newspaper, as part of its efforts to bring unity across Britain's communities, regardless of differences in 'colour, creed or class'.
Marlene Davis, Head of Strategy and Operations for GV Media Group said:
"'A Song for Stephen' really is a competition that pays tribute to phenomenal writers like Lou Reed, Michael Jackson, Bob Marley, Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Nina Simone, Sade, Freddie Mercury, Marvin Gaye - who used the medium of songwriting to 'rock the boat', with classics like 'Inner City Blues' (Make Me Wanna Holler).
She added: "It's also an open invitation to songwriters across the UK to participate irrespective of colour, class, age or creed - who have one thing in common - the ability to craft a song that brings us together on the dance floor - regardless of our differences."
Jacqueline Asafu-Adjaye, Sponsored Features Editor, The Voice Newspaper, said:
"We are delighted that The Voice Newspaper's brand new songwriting competition - 'A Song for Stephen' is being backed by the TUC and is being sponsored by Unison, Unite the Union, NASUWT, ATL, Communication Workers Union, together they represent some of Britain's biggest and most influential trade unions."
Explaining the inspiration behind the conception of the songwriting competition, she said:
"Iconic songwriters like Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson, who penned 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough' and Dolly Parton's 'I will Always Love You' are certainly songs, for me, that go some way to express the emotions that sustained what became a twenty-year campaign effort, to achieve justice for Stephen.
She continued:
"The ultimate goal is to attract multi-ethnic talent, get them to collaborate on the 'Song for Stephen' winners album.
Wilf Sullivan, Race Equality Officer for the TUC said:
"The Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust, like other organisations, is facing hard times due to cuts to grant funding in the voluntary sector. The TUC and the trade unions believe that it is vital for the Trust to survive. That is why the TUC is working with The Voice and the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust and is proud to back 'A Song for Stephen'.
He added:
"The winners of The Voice Newspaper's 'A Song for Stephen' competition will be featured on a CD and a significant part of the proceeds from its sale will be donated to the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust.
Marlene said:
"The Gleaner Company (Jamaica) is very pleased to be able to offer a young person, irrespective of race, a career in journalism with the opportunity to intern with them.
We believe the Stephen & Neville Lawrence journalism bursary is a great way to capture Stephen's legacy in Jamaica."
Notes for the Editor:
For more info on the competition please visit-
Marlene Davis and Jacqueline Asafu-Adjaye
Executive Producers, A Song for Stephen (L.O.V.E)
For more information please contact:
competitions@gvmedia.co.uk
Annette.Nuwagira@gvmedia.co.uk or call +44-(0)207-510-0340
SOURCE The Voice Newspaper