SEACA

South Essex African Caribbean Association

Who We Are

The South Essex African Caribbean Association (SEACA) is a Charitable Organisation. A recognized African Caribbean Association in Southend, that is easily accessible to the community. We celebrate and share exciting, colourful, warm and vibrant African and Caribbean culture. Also successfully acknowledging the African and Caribbean traditions through different medias, be it education, music, drama food, poetry and dances.
We collaborate with other societies and organisations and extend the diversity of the association, by openly welcoming those of different backgrounds, cultures and origins to contribute to helping the community.

We welcome any support that assists with, the progression of the African Caribbean Association.
South Essex African Caribbean Association (SEACA) seeks to share and celebrate our culture, heritage and arts with the wider community, promoting understanding, tolerance, community, and social cohesion.

MEET THE TEAM

Tanesha Baxter

Trustee

Tanesha comes from an educational background with a BA in Education and Community Development and works as a Child Specialist and is also a Senior Teacher for Inclusion and SENCO. She trains teachers on the new Code of Practice ensuring teachers are aware of Individual Support Plans. Tenesha is very passionate about teaching all year groups from nursery to Key Stage 4, and teaches pupils with various learning difficulties; Autism, ADHD and those with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties. Tanesha's attitude towards children and schooling is "Never limit a child, each child is an individual and should be taught accordingly.”

Shauna Creary

Trustee

Shauna has been involved with SEACA (South Essex African Caribbean Association) since it’s inception and has been a valued member for twelve years. Coming from a Caribbean background, originally from Jamaica, she settled in Southend with her family twenty-one years ago. Working as a Civil Servant for over 40 years in a variety of roles, in departments from Defence to Benefits. Shauna is passionate about creating a network, which is part of our Caribbean culture and making sure there is family to family support. She has watched her own child grow up with local families children and that has become an extended community connection. The future of Southend and the changing face of this corner of Essex, has become part of her mission to share and support the lives, stories and aspirations of the African and Caribbean community.

Josephine Melville

Founder / Chair

Josephine is coming from a creative background and has had an extremely varied career starting out as a dancer and making her transition to actress writer, director, archivist and producer working in the business for over 40 years. As founder of the South Essex African Caribbean Association, Josephine uses her combined skills and experience to create initiatives and community events to break down cultural barriers and enhance community cohesion for the ever-changing diversity of South Essex residents.

Sarah Jago

Trustee and Treasurer

For over 20 years Sarah has been involved in local activities via Milton Community Partnership and Sure Start. Living with her musician husband and teenage children, Sarah is a creative arts consultant, helping with project planning and funding, impact assessment and audience engagement, and has worked with local creatives and communities, including PinPoint Theatre and Southend choirs. Sarah is a Fellow of the RSA and received an MSc (with Merit) in Creative Industries Management from the University of Essex in January 2011. Sarah has been a board member for a range of organisations, including Signed Performances in Theatre, the Arts Marketing Association, JazzDev, Renaissance Southend and the Digital Exploration Centre.

Patrick Graham

Trustee and Secretary

A business analyst / project co-ordinator working within the Financial Services sector for over 30 years . Patrick has extensive stakeholder management and leadership skills but specialises in strategic project delivery for complex business needs. He enjoys working with young people within the community and has been involved with the project 'Coaching for Success' within Essex secondary schools, ABA boxing tutoring and mentoring for Southend Association of Voluntary Sector (SAVS) .