Music legend Beverley Knight surprises Windrush heritage project with National Lottery grant announcement
31st October 2025
In a surprise appearance that moved attendees to tears, soul icon Beverley Knight took to the stage during Black History Month to announce a £244,452 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to a local project which aims to save irreplaceable stories from the Windrush generation before they're lost forever.
The acclaimed singer, a daughter of the Windrush generation, revealed the life-changing award to Diversity Music Community 1st during Together For Music, a packed community event at Wolverhampton Arts Centre.
The money will support their Windrush: The Music, The Sound, The Legacy project which explores the impact of the Windrush migration within the local area through the lens of the Caribbean community's contributions to the music and culture of the city from the 1950s to the 1980s.
Founded to honour the histories of Caribbean-born DJs, musicians and community leaders who have helped shape Wolverhampton’s cultural identity, Diversity Music Community 1st plays a vital role in capturing the stories of those whose influence continues to echo through British music.
The evening brought together generations of residents for an unforgettable evening of live music, DJ sets and performances from emerging talent. It was a celebration of resilience, creativity and cultural pride - and a testament to the power of community storytelling through music.
National Lottery Ambassador, Beverley Knight, said, "As someone whose family is part of the Windrush generation and a lifelong lover of music, it's inspiring to see National Lottery funding supporting organisations like Diversity Community Music 1st. This work is so close to my roots and heart, celebrating and preserving Caribbean culture and music. This success is all thanks to National Lottery players – because of you, this wouldn’t be possible!”
Wayne Blake, Chair Director of Diversity Music Community 1st said: “There’s a rich and vibrant heritage in our community, and this National Lottery funding helps us honour it: from the Windrush generation who laid the foundations to the future generations shaping what comes next. Having Beverley Knight surprise us with the announcement made it even more special. She’s a Wolverhampton local, a hometown hero, and a proud daughter of the Windrush generation. Her presence reminded us just how powerful our roots are, and how far they can reach.
“For us, it all starts with music, but what truly grows is connection, the relationships, the sense of belonging, and the community we build together. Thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund, we can continue to make our impact greater than ever and continue to celebrate our legacy.”
Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, added: “This grant award is more than funding, it is an investment in people, in stories that deserve to be heard, and in the connections that hold communities together.
“It will help preserve voices and traditions that risk being lost to time and honours unsung heroes like Wayne Blake and the Windrush generation whose contributions have shaped our nation.
“Thanks to National Lottery players, The National Lottery Heritage Fund awards an average of £28 million every month to organisations across the UK such as Diversity Community Music 1st who do extraordinary work to keep our shared heritage alive."
The announcement forms part of The National Lottery's "Because of You" campaign, fronted by Claudia Winkleman, celebrating brilliant projects run by extraordinary people which continue to change lives every day.
More projects are set to be surprised across the community, heritage, arts and sport sectors across the next month ahead of The National Lottery’s 31st Birthday in November.
Since National Lottery funding began in 1994, more than 650,000 projects have been funded with over £50 billion raised by players through those distinctive pink tickets and Scratchcards. Every week, on average, National Lottery players raise more than £30M which fund projects across every postcode area in the UK, with £9.5 billion supporting more than 53,000 heritage projects nationwide.
