Dora Boatemah MBE
Year conferred: 1996
In 1994, 14 years after moving to a flat in the heart of the Brixton's Angell Town Estate, Dora Boatemah was awarded an MBE for services to the community. Known for her straight-talking style, Dora's conviction that 'empowering people can lead to change' led to the transformation of her own neighbourhood, which developed an active business scheme and an ongoing renovation programme.
Three years after moving to the estate Dora became Chair of the tenants' association, and quickly realised that the problems facing her peers - unemployment, poor housing, and lack of facilities - could not be seen in isolation, rather they had to be dealt with simultaneously.
She went on to found the Angell Town Community Project, in 1987, and as its Director established a range of services, including a nursery, an old people's centre, a youth club, and numerous workshops. Dora died in 2001.
