Dr. William 'Lez' Henry was born in Lewisham, South east London, England of Jamaican Parents and is a poet, writer and is Lezlee Lyrix, one of the pioneer, British, Reggae-dancehall Deejays. Dr. Henry is a Social Anthropologist, a researcher, consultant and staff trainer for Nu-Beyond Ltd: Learning By Choice! He is an Associate Professor in Criminology and Sociology at University of West London's, School of Law and Criminology* and is an effective motivator and community engagement specialist with expertise as a practitioner in the fields of Social Anthropology, Sociology, Criminology, Cultural Studies, Black History, Community Development, Project Management, Race and Education, Equality and Diversity and Unconscious Bias Training.
* http://www.uwl.ac.uk/users/william-henry
Dr Lez delivers various educational/training programmes, specialising in race, ethnicity, diversity, equality, education and black history. Dr Henry is currently delivering Equality & Diversity training/talks for various public and private sector organisations including the NHS. He is also delivering his ‘GOAL MODELS: striving for self excellence’ and ‘GUNS, GANGS FAMILIES & COMMUNITIES’ empowerment programmes on behalf of various Youth Offending Teams, as well as in secondary schools and colleges in Lewisham and other London boroughs. He works in partnership with Black History Studies, regularly delivering lectures and seminars as well as teaching his introductory courses to social studies: see www.blackhistorystudies.com for details. He is a founder member of the National Independent Education Coalition and The Lewisham Black Fathers Support Group and has led study tours to Egypt.
Due to his dynamic and engaging style of presentation, Dr Lez is renowned as a first class public speaker and as such has lectured/spoken nationally in several universities, schools, colleges, as well as on behalf of various public and private organisations. He also has an impressive international profile as a public speaker and has delivered talks at various institutions, including: The African American Studies Department, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA: Department of Humanities, Howard University, Washington DC, USA: African And African American Studies Program, University Of Oklahoma: Tulsa, USA. University Of The West Indies, Department of Literature-Reggae Studies Unit, Mona Campus, Kingston, Jamaica, WI. University of Gothenburg: Centre for Cultural Studies, Gothenburg, Sweden. Queens University Belfast: Department of Ethnomusicology, Belfast, Northern Ireland. Dr Lez also led THE INFOCATION study tours to Egypt in 2008 with Rey Bowen and on his own in 2010 and will be leading a group with the Amsterdam Based 'House of Khepera' in October 2018.
Dr Lez has been interviewed nationally and internationally on several TV and Radio stations and features in several documentaries including 'Whitey Blighty', Channel 4, 2003; Bang bang in da manor' , BBC 3, 2005; 'Bleach my skin white', ITV 2005; Ghost Town', BBC 2, 2006, 'Inside Out', BBC1, 2007, and Have Your Say programme on the Abolition of Slavery, BBC World 2007. He was featured on Channel 4’s ‘Race and Intelligence: Science’s Last Taboo’, which was broadcast on 26th October 2009 and appeared on 'The Big Questions' 12th May 2011 and on the 8th May 2014, BBC1, discussing religion. He also features in Channel 4's 'The Life of Rhyme' 2012, 'Exodus: finding shelter' - Rototom Sunsplash Production 2011, as well as in 'The Lovers Rock Story' which was in cinemas on national release in the UK in 2011. He has also produced an independent film entitled 'Resisting The System: Reggae in the 21st century' 2010 which was screened at the British Film Institute.
Dr Lez has published in the areas of African/Black History and identity, Whiteness, Race, Ethnicity, Youth Culture, Music and Education:- see publications page for more info.
Dr Lez is a keen Martial Artist and is a 2nd Degree Black Belt Instructor in Hung Kuen, Five Animals Shaolin Kung Fu. He is also a Shodan (1st Dan) Blacck Belt in Kyokushinkai, Full contact Karate. He occasionally delivers health, fitness and well being sessions and introductions to self defence for all ages and abilities with his partner Dee as part of their 'True Fitness' programme.
Dr Lez is available for consultancy and speaking engagements and for further details on any of the above please see contacts page.