Soul Purpose 360 CEO recognised by Croydon Civic Mayor

Palma Black was given a Certificate of Recognition from the Mayor of Croydon at a formal ceremony on Tuesday 6 May at the Town Hall along with a host of other community volunteers.

After moving into the borough in 1993, Palma who was already an active member of the Labour Party, the Labour Party Black Sections and the Labour Party Black & Asian Socialist Society became actively involved in the Croydon North Labour Party and the community as a volunteer. Earlier in the year, she was instrumental in supporting the family of Stephen Lawrence launch their campaign to raise awareness of his racist murder through her work as Assistant National Secretary of the Anti-Racist Alliance (ARA). Moving to Croydon, Palma found numerous opportunities to become engaged in community life, supporting residents, community organisations and elected Councillors and Council Officers. By 2000, she was working as a Community Development & Social Policy Officer for Croydon People's Housing Association (CPHA) which enabled her to both work and volunteer in the community simultaneously. Many of the structures, policies, organisations and community groups that exist today can be traced back to Palma's influence and activism in the borough.

In 2020, supported by long-time ally and friend, Councillor Karen Jewitt, Soul Purpose 360 Croydon was launched and has grown in strength across the UK and beyond. Despite moving out of borough a while ago, Palma is still very active through Soul Purpose 360 Croydon through regular workshops and events and participating in Council initiatives.

"Knowing the borough so well and my connection to it, it made sense to reconnect with residents and Councillors to launch Soul Purpose 360 there."

Soul Purpose 360 held its first hugely successful International Women's Day Conference and Pop-Up Market in March 2022 and also delivered a very popular and successful 2-year funded programme 'Resilient Women Build Communities' in Croydon between 2023-2025.

Palma was surprised to receive an email from the Civic Mayor's office in April informing her that Cllr Karen Jewitt had nominated her for a community award.

Cllr Patsy Cummings and colleague, Aminah Black, Cllr Kola Agboola Civic Mayor, Palma Black, Cllr Karen Jewitt, and Toni Letts OBE

"I am deeply honoured to be recognised for my three decades long contribution to community. There is still much to do and through Soul Purpose 360 we are enabling other Black women to have their voices heard and supporting them contribute to community life."