This year is my 53rd year as a Brent resident and it is going to be my favourite year and a year I am really looking forward to!

We are the London Borough of Cultures and I couldn't be prouder of what this means. Brent is my home and yours, but it is also the home of Rachel Yankey, Riz Ahmed, Zadie Smith, and a melting pot of hundreds of cultures that all make Brent what it is today and what it will be tomorrow. This year will put Brent on the map like never before as we highlight the people and places that make our borough so special. I am so pleased that so far we have funded more than 50 local projects that will celebrate Brent culture over the coming year.

We are also working with all local schools so that every young person in Brent is involved. With events across the borough, starting with Wembley, 2020 is Brent's year to showcase the talent and passion we have here. There is still time for you to get involved, details are here: brent2020.co.uk.

The first event of the year is RISE on January 18 on Olympic Way in Wembley Park. RISE is a large-scale outdoor display with a cast of hundreds from our diverse communities. This is the story of Brent. The story of how people from different countries, faiths and backgrounds came together to find a new life here and now call Brent home. This story will be told through dance, light projections and film with an incredible soundtrack. It's a tale of how our corner of the capital came from the margins to influence British culture. Everyone is welcome and I hope to see you there for what promises to be an unforgettable start to 2020!