Cleaveland Fletcher is urgently calling on Birmingham City Council to take immediate action to reopen and protect Oakland Young People’s Centre, an important cultural and historic space that has served the youth and Black Caribbean community in Birmingham for generations. The centre has long been more than just a youth facility; it has been a creative and cultural hub for artistic expression, education, and community support. For decades, Oakland has played a significant role in the cultural fabric of the city, particularly in the Birmingham City Carnival, where it produced iconic costumes and helped nurture the creative talents of many young people.
The centre has been an essential space for young people to gain vital skills, access creative opportunities, and build a sense of community and belonging. It has supported countless individuals and organisations within the local community, particularly those from marginalised backgrounds. The sudden and unexplained closure of the centre has left many wondering about the future of such an important cultural institution and what impact its loss will have on the community that depends on it.
Since launching the petition, Cleaveland Fletcher has gathered more than 400 signatures, emphasising the urgency of this issue. “This isn’t just about buildings; it’s about erasing vital safe spaces that have supported generations,” Fletcher says. These closures not only impact the young people who rely on the centre for guidance and support but also undermine the cultural heritage of the Black Caribbean community in Birmingham, a community that has shaped the city’s identity over many years.
The petition calls on Birmingham City Council to reopen the centre immediately, reinstate its essential services, and ensure that young people can continue to benefit from the arts, education, and youth support programmes that have made the centre a cornerstone of the community. But Fletcher doesn’t just want the centre reopened; he believes that it deserves to be recognised for its deep cultural and historical significance. The petition demands that the centre be granted Heritage Protection Status to preserve its legacy for future generations. This will ensure that Oakland Young People’s Centre remains a protected space that can continue to serve the community for years to come.
Furthermore, Fletcher calls for a Community Asset Transfer to ensure that the centre is managed by local organisations that understand its value and are committed to its long-term sustainability. He stresses the need for ongoing investment in cultural and youth services at Oakland to keep providing the creative opportunities that have so positively impacted the lives of so many.
Additionally, Fletcher is adamant that the significant contributions of individuals such as Antony Vaughn and Professor Black, who dedicated decades of service to the centre, should be formally recognised. “My grandad, Tony Vaughn, dedicated years of his life to that centre before he passed away, and Professor Black, now 91 years old, has been a pillar of that space for decades, but will now be thrown out,” Fletcher said. Their work has been invaluable in shaping the legacy of Oakland, and it is only right that their contributions are honoured as part of the effort to preserve the centre’s history.
Fletcher’s campaign is not just about saving a building—it’s about preserving a community resource that has been central to the cultural development of young people, particularly within Birmingham’s Black Caribbean community. The closure of Oakland, along with the potential closure of other community centres across Birmingham and Nottingham, is seen as a devastating blow to the most vulnerable. As Fletcher points out, youth from different areas of the city won’t engage with centres outside their postcodes due to fears of gang reprisals and a lack of mediation, further isolating them from the very support systems they need.
“These closures disproportionately impact the most vulnerable,” Fletcher warns, adding that it is not just the young people who suffer but the entire community. Oakland Young People’s Centre is a place where people have found their voice, developed leadership skills, and created lasting friendships. Its loss would be felt not only by those who benefit from it today but also by future generations who could miss out on the opportunities it provides.
Now, the Marcus Garvey Centre in Nottingham is facing the same risk of closure, highlighting the widespread nature of this issue. Fletcher urges the Black community and the council to engage in discussions to prevent further closures and ensure that spaces like Oakland continue to serve and support local communities.
“Together, we must push for change and take action before we lose more of the spaces that matter most,” Fletcher says.
Sign the petition here: Reopen & Protect Oakland Young People’s Centre – A Vital Part of Birmingham’s Heritage