Race equality champion, John Azah OBE, was made an Honorary Freeman of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames earlier this month (Tuesday, 8 July).

This is the highest civic honour the council can bestow, and it marks a significant milestone in a 36-year journey of unwavering dedication, leadership, and community-building.

From fighting for victims of discrimination to founding the beloved Kingston Carnival, Azah's impact expands beyond the borough.

And yet, speaking to Kingston Nub News, Azah is notably humble.

"It is not something that was on my radar," he said.

"I was just so humbled by the fact that somebody would even imagine that I was doing something that was worth mentioning."

Azah arrived in the UK from Ghana 50 years ago, and after settling in Kingston in the late 1980s he joined what was then the Kingston Group for Racial Understanding.

It later became the Kingston Race and Equalities Council (KREC), where he has served as CEO since its creation in 1990.

His work promotes equalities, protects rights, prevents discrimination, and encourages community cohesion.

Over the years he has helped launch many organisations such as Refugee Action Kingston, the Kingston Chinese Association, and the Milaap Multicultural Centre.

"When I came to the borough, the black and minority community was only 7.2% of the total. We had really unchartered territory," he recalled.

"I was fortunate enough to be given a blank canvas, some freedom and authority to run the organisation with the trustees, and to set up some targets."

Perhaps Azah's most vibrant legacy is Kingston Carnival, set to celebrate its 25^th anniversary this year on 7 September.

He says the idea grew from a desire to energise and unite Kingston's diverse communities.

"I used to perpetually go to Notting Hill Carnival, and I thought that there was actually something so unique about bringing communities together to celebrate the diversity of London," Azah said.

"I was told in no uncertain terms that this carnival would not work in Kingston, and for us, if they tell us something won't work, we want to prove them wrong."

The event started under the guise of an "Ethnic Health Fair," but the carnival has now evolved to be one of the highlights of the borough's calendar.

In 2013, the carnival drew such crowds that the even was temporarily paused for being "too successful".

"It is a town centre event, where we mix the culture with the people in the town and with food and music. We use it to promote the good things in Kingston really," he said.

Despite his accomplishments, Azah remains honest about the enduring challenges.

"Things are worse than they were 20 years ago. Communities are fractured, there is racism, there is harassment, there is intimidation. The internet has allowed people to become very angry."

Azah warns against complacency and says that there is still much work to be done.

"We are the only organisation of this kind in South London, because a number of them have closed in the region and around the country."

Azah has recently completed a three-year project setting up an anti-racist framework for the NHS's Southwest London Integrated Care Board, tackling barriers for healthcare access for marginalised groups.

He has spent decades working with police forces, serving on ethics boards, and was awarded an OBE in 2007 and an Honorary Doctorate from Kingston University in 2019.

Yet, his journey is not over.

Azah said: "We thought when we started this journey that in 30 years the job would be done, and we would have closed down KREC. Of course, now it is worse. It seems much worse than when I came in."

He stressed the importance of organisations like KREC receiving proper funding and feeling empowered to challenge inequality and bad practices.

"If we are going to take responsibility and take back what we have lost, then we need to be visible and be given the authority to work with the police and other local authorities and organisations to challenge illegal behaviour," he added.

Reflecting on his journey, from a small village in Ghana to a Freeman of the Borough, Azah offers a powerful message to young people.

"I came here as a migrant many years ago, and I've succeeded. I worked hard, and I succeeded. I am the first black person to be made a Freeman of the borough. That is progress, that is success.

"This is not really a job, it is a way of life. I am very excited to get out of bed in the morning and come to work. It is a privilege."