The true embodiment of the spirit of Manchester
ACTIVIST and campaigner Professor Erinma Bell MBE DL was presented the Spirit of Manchester award by mayor Andy Burnham and Spice Girl Mel B.
Erinma, who has devoted her life to protecting young people from violent crime and giving them opportunities to build a bright future, said she saw the award as an opportunity to give ‘inspiration’ to other people.
“It’s not about me, it’s about the next generation,” she told the M.E.N.
“I see them [awards] as inspiration for other young black women and young black men. It’s encouraging for a whole community of people.”
The night was a double celebration for Erinma, who was elected to Manchester council to represent Moss Side just last week.
Mr Burnham, who earlier in the night described Erinma as the ‘true embodiment of the spirit of Manchester’ sang her praises as a Mancunian making a difference.
“I’ve never heard before, in all my time in politics, of a councillor standing for the first time getting a majority of over 2,000,” Burnham said. “It’s an amazing show of love from a community to someone who has made a difference.”
Erinma said it was ‘about time’ for the black community and other minority communities in the city to be taking up the places they deserve on Manchester’s decision-making bodies.
“Nobody’s stopping us from being there,” she said.
“We have to put ourselves forward. If we want to see change, we have to be part of that change.”
When asked what was coming next for her, Erinma said the sky was the limit.
“One day I might go for Prime Minister!” she said with a cheeky smile – while Mr Burnham, standing next to her, joked that the only way he was going near that race would be as her campaign manager.
“You’ve got it all, you go all the way!” he told her.