REW!ND: Desmond's

Starring the late, great Norman Beaton, Desmond's was a classic sitcom set in a barber shop in Peckham, London. An important part of British cultural history, the comedy features a predominantly Black British Guyanese cast, it was first shown in 1989 and ran for six years.

The hub of the community's social scene, Desmond Ambrose runs the barbershop, with his wife Shirley and children Michael, Sean and Gloria. Desmond's old friend Porkpie and Gambian student Matthew add to the family dynamics.

The character Desmond, has a dream of retiring and returning to Guyana; the actor Norman Beaton who was born in Guyana, did just that and retired to his home city of Georgetown. Sadly he collapsed at the airport as he reached Guyana, from a heart attack and later died.

Desmond’s provided a positive insight into Black family life, different from what had been seen before on British TV.

!CON: Diahann Carroll

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Pioneering actress and singer Diahann Carroll was born in 1935, in The Bronx, New York. She made a number of films during her career and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her work in Claudine in 1974. She starred in No Strings (1962) and also appeared in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1979). Her lead role in Julia in 1968, made her the first African-American woman to star in her own television series.

Diahann was an award winning actress, a successful entrepreneur, and a devoted humanitarian.

!CON: Sidney Poitier

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Bahamian and American actor and film director, Sidney Poitier had an intensity and grace that was magnetic. His presence in film during the 50s and 60s paved the way for other Black performers.

From his humble beginnings in the Bahamas, his father was a tomato farmer, and the family was very poor. At age 16, Sidney left for New York and while working as a dishwasher in a restaurant, he saw an ad for actors for the American Negro Theatre. The theatre cofounder became impatient with his Caribbean accent and poor reading skills, and marched Sidney out of the building. Sidney later returned to the theatre and was hired as a janitor in exchange for acting lessons.

Breaking down barriers, Sidney Poitier received acclaim for Porgy and Bess (1959), A Raisin in the Sun (1961), and A Patch of Blue (1965), because of his strong roles as epic African American male characters. He continued to break ground in three successful 1967 films which dealt with issues of race and race relations: To Sir, with Love; Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, and In the Heat of the Night.

Sidney Poitier passed away aged 94. A true icon and legend.