Sybil Phoenix, born Sybil Marshall in Georgetown, British Guiana, in 1927, moved to Britain and became a leading community worker in Lewisham, south-east London, dedicating decades of her life to supporting Black British youth.
Phoenix founded the Moonshot Club, a youth centre that grew to serve the whole community with facilities for sport, academic study, mechanics and the arts, and she registered as a foster carer, fostering over 100 children during her career.
In 1973 Phoenix was awarded the MBE for her services to the community, becoming the first Black woman in Britain to receive the honour, later also being appointed OBE for her continued work.
Phoenix continued her community leadership through decades of youth work in Lewisham, and her Moonshot Club became a cornerstone of Black British community life during a period of significant racial tension in London.
She has said she remains proud that her MBE recognised work she genuinely loved doing.
Sybil Phoenix's Moonshot Club became a vital institution for Black British youth in south-east London, and her 1973 MBE, the first awarded to a Black woman in Britain, marked a significant moment of formal recognition for community work by Black Britons.
- 1927Born in Georgetown, British Guiana.
- 1950sMoves to Britain.
- 1960sFounds the Moonshot Club in Lewisham.
- 1973Awarded the MBE, the first Black woman in Britain to receive the honour.
- ★ First Black woman in Britain awarded the MBE, 1973
- ★ Founded the Moonshot Club, a community and youth centre in Lewisham
- ★ Fostered over 100 children during her career
- ★ Decades of youth and community work in south-east London