How Brixton went from riots to riches | Mike Urban | TEDxBrixton

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Expressive long-time Brixton resident Mike Urban, contrasted Brixton of yesteryear, a very radicalised place with that of today and points out the tender truth that whilst ‘Brixton has always been about change, it’s now about exclusive change’. And he leaves us with the poignant reminder that at a soup kitchen and champagne bar opened at around the same time in the area.
Mike has been documenting Brixton's changes for the past 20 years. He runs the hugely popular urban75.com, now one of the UK’s longest running independent sites. Crowdfunded for 15 years, the site carries no advertising, and includes a very active Brixton-based forum, as well as local photo resources, features on Brixton life and activism archives. In 2012, he co-founded BrixtonBuzz.com, a non-profit local listings and news site, which is heavily involved in supporting local issues. Mike also runs one of Brixton’s longest running club nights, Offline, with live music, Brixton performers and DJs. The nights are always free.
Follow him on Twitter @brixtonbuzz
About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[@tinjarir]

If no one in your estate knows it's happening, why didn't you invite them?

[@askaniuk]

You have made my thoughts manifest. ...great speech and hope one day to meet up and shake your hand ....

[@LouisePlusOne]

Nice one Mike. Good on you. I really did believe it and was horrified when you said Brixton was going to be renamed East Clapham and I only found out the other day that it was an April Fool's joke.

[@admirald2680]

Excellent - never stop.

[@johnpyne4994]

Great speech - learned quite a bit. Brixton = Brooklyn.

[@ivymayreynolds5787]

This is what is so fantastic about the New Brixton a man with 'Rasta-dreadlocks' explaining gentrification. Brixton Buzz-ing but the afro-caribbean people are missing from the audience.

[@NiallOSullivan]

He does address it at the end when he says that none of the people from the Barrier Block were invited to the TED talk and he nearly didn't agree to do it because of that.

[@SouthLondonCyclist]

dreadlocks have been around long long before rastas - stop your cultural appropriation and do some research

[@stevensibbet5869]

They said the same about the Swedish female architect who designed my old estate.

[@EmilyHaston]

Well said!

[@WickedWaiata]

Damn! Brixton is where most of my DJ music originated from ... gentrification is a scourge wiping out all culture and identity

[@originaldeftom]

The guy looks a bit Britney Spears meets Bryan Ferry and Eddy Grant. However, one must never judge a book by its cover: great history lesson.

[@mikeurban75]

I've been called worse things, so I'll see if I can fine tune my Britney Ferry Grant look.

[@marioneal]

Mmmm..Brixton in the 70s and 80s was a dangerous place. All my family were mugged at one point or another. There were streets i would not walk down as a teenager. Fast forward to now, its much safer, there has been a lot of investment and the price of property and gone through the roof. Perhaps it would be worth asking them for charitable donations.

[@ajs41]

Until about 15 years ago there probably weren't enough people doing talks like this. Now you get the feeling that there are far too many people giving talks like this! No offence to this particular speaker who I'm sure is giving an interesting talk.

[@lordharry423]

1:54 Hardly saw any hot chicks in england like her

[@stevensibbet5869]

There are none.

[@kyrokyro2343]

I apologize I see them,.. ( in the back )...

[@kyrokyro2343]

Ironically I don't see any ' Afro/carribean', people in the audience,
Very strange indeed...wow ! ...shocking ...it looks very bad ...not a good look "....

[@Uk_bigboss11]

This is the problem white wash

[@fasthracing]

Wonder where Swampy went

[@nickmiller76]

He runs a diesel van now. Boo hiss....

[@petervankas1352]

Brixton =Bush land of Orcs

[@nickmiller76]

Sorry, can't take anyone seriously who looks like that.

[@stevensibbet5869]

Utter poser.

[@reggievonzugbach2609]

What a waste of an inner city borough, with all these losers taking up valuable space. Roll on gentrification.

[@stevensibbet5869]

The audience looked bored.