NINE local figures will be recognised for their hard work at an awards ceremony in Bradford this Friday.

The community heroes will be honoured at the event, which will take place at City Library and is part of the wider Black History Month celebrations in the Bradford district.

The event, organised by community group Africa4U, will also feature a range of guest speakers.

Tony Tokunbo Eteka Fernandez, Africa4U founder, is looking forward to the occasion.

“It will be an amazing afternoon featuring inspirational talks,” said Tony, who lives in Wyke.

“It presents an opportunity for us to recognise these community heroes and promote their success stories.

“All the recipients will be receiving awards for the great work they’ve been doing in Bradford, in their various sectors, for many years.”

Among the winners is Vincent Destouche – affectionately known as ‘Mr MAPA’ – who has given over 30 years of service to the West Bowling community project.

A former resident of nearby Newby Square, Vincent began volunteering at MAPA in 1990.

He would later set up one of the first Black scout groups in Bradford and has also worked with the Bradford Youth Service.

Another recipient is Maureen Rowe, who has been a youth worker in the district for over 30 years.

She counts the African Caribbean Achievement Project (ACAP), MAPA and the Bradford Youth Service among the projects she has worked on.

The Dominica Association of Bradford will also receive an award in recognition of its services to the community.

Based on Worthington Street, the Association was first set up following Hurricane David in Dominica – a country where many Bradfordians of Caribbean descent can trace their roots to – in 1979.

Bradfordians of Dominican heritage got together to raise funds and, over 40 years later, the group is still going strong.

Community interest company 2tshirtgang will also receive an award.

The West Bowling-based organisation uses sport to help improve the mental well-being and self-esteem of young people in Bradford.

Bradford for Everyone ambassador and Citizen Coin officer with Braford Council, Jabu Phiri, will also be recognised for her work to tackle racial inequality.

Other recipients include Clementine Chitulangoma, a PHD Researcher at the University of Bradford, former profession rugby league star Bolu Fagborun, owner and co-founder of RISLondon Trey Terrelonge and host of the Inside View talk show Nana Abena Hagan.