George Mighty OD, MBE, HonMUniv, JP, M.Ed, IEng, MIET
George Mighty has a long and distinguished record as a champion of community relations and racial equality. Since he arrived in England from Jamaica over 60 years ago, he has sustained a remarkable commitment to working for the Caribbean communities in the city of Derby. He has been honoured locally and nationally for his services to the West Indian community and his contribution to racial harmony. George was awarded the MBE in 1990.
Early Years
George Mighty was born in Jamaica in 1936 and went to Bethany School in St Ann. In 1961, at the age of 25, he emigrated to England and obtained employment as a maintenance engineer with East Midlands Gas Board. At the same time he decided to strengthen his training and he enrolled at Derby College of Technology, a forerunner of the University of Derby, to study for a Technician Certificate. Over the next ten years he was employed by a Government training centre and then by Melbourne Engineering Company. He continued his part time training, gaining first an Ordinary National Certificate and then a Higher National Certificate.
Career
In 1972 George decided on a change of direction and he entered the teaching profession. He took a Certificate of Education at Wolverhampton Technical Teachers' College and obtained successive positions in several inner city schools in Derby teaching Craft Design Technology. He now focused on building his knowledge and understanding of community relations, as well as his professional expertise in Craft Design Technology.
He returned to Derby Lonsdale College of Higher Education which was part of Derby University, and took an Advanced Diploma in Multiracial Education and a Certificate of Further Professional Studies in Craft Design Technology. Then in the late 1980s he studied for a Master of Education at the University of Leicester where he specialised in multi-ethnic education, adult and community education and educational evaluation and assessment.
Community
Although he had already served in several roles including secretary to Hardwick School and Community Steel Band and as one of the founder members of Derby Caribbean Carnival, which began in 1975, George now devoted an increasing amount of his time to community relations both in his employed roles and in his own time. In 1987, he left Derby briefly and became Education Officer for the Afro Caribbean Teacher's Association in Birmingham. However, by 1989, he was back in Derby as advisory teacher in Equal Opportunities for Derbyshire County Council.
During the 1990s George took on numerous voluntary community roles. He became of chairman of East Midlands Carnival Arts Partnership, Vice - Chairman of Derby City Council Minority Ethnic Communities Advisory Committee, Member of Friendship Charnwood Housing and Care, Chairman of Derby Council for Racial Equality, Member of Southern Derbyshire Health Authority Minority Consultation and Advisory Forum, Member of the National Probation Board Derbyshire and a local magistrate, to name just a few.
Today he is a member of the newly formed Independent Community Inclusion Board of Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service, Vice - Chairman of Derby and Derbyshire Race Equality Commission, Chairman of the East Midlands Caribbean Carnival Arts Network, Member of Derby City Council Minority Communities Diversity Forum and he continues to serve as chairman of Derby West Indian Community Association after 36 years in this role.
George’s interest in community education development work is deeply influenced by the work of the Brazilian educational philosopher Paulo Freire, especially his work on Pedagogy of the oppressed and education as the practice of freedom. He is responsible for many initiatives. George initiated the annual summer school, the young people's conference, and he was involved in the supplementary Saturday school.
He is one of the founder members of the East Midlands Caribbean Carnival Arts Network, a national portfolio organisation that is recognised by the Arts Council England. George was also a founder member of the Derby West Indian Association Credit Union, the first black community economic project in the city and he established the Black Community Police Liaison Group and co - founded the Counselling and Advisory Service.
