A memorial service will be held for civil rights pioneer and Bristol legend Dr Paul Stephenson at the end of January. Dr Stephenson, who was one of the three leaders behind the Bristol Bus Boycott, died at the age of 87in November last year.
The service at Bristol Cathedral will celebrate his life and give thanks for his numerous achievements, in Bristol and in Coventry and London.
The service will also feature music reflecting Dr Stephenson’s music tastes, including gospel standards and classical choral music. Speakers at the service will include Lord Paul Boateng and Lord Simon Woolley. It will be attended by civic leaders and dignitaries including the Lord Lieutenant Peaches Golding.
The Dean of Bristol, the Very Revd Dr Mandy Ford said: “It is a great privilege and honour for us to be hosting this service to give thanks for the legacy of Paul Stephenson. Paul was a true giant who leaves a lasting legacy in the city of Bristol and beyond. We very much look forward to welcoming Paul’s family, friends and colleagues to this service at Bristol Cathedral.”
In 1963, Dr Stephenson led the bus boycott alongside Guy Bailey OBE and Roy Hacket MBE after the Bristol Omnibus Company refused to hire Guy Reid-Bailey from Jamaica. A 60-day boycott ensued and the boycott helped spark changes in legislation in the 1960s and 1970s outlawing racial discrimination.
A year after the Bristol Bus Boycott, Dr Stephenson made headlines by staging a one-man sit-in at the Bay Horse pub in the city centre of Bristol, after a manager refused to serve him. He was arrested for refusing to leave the pub and later charged before his case was dismissed at trial.
Dr Stephenson was Bristol’s first black social worker and was later awarded an OBE in 2009 for services to equal opportunities and community relations in Bristol. In 2017, he received a Pride of Britain Award for Lifetime Achievement from Lenny Henry.
His children, Fumi and Paul Jr paid tribute to their late father: “Despite the demands of his work, dad’s love and support for our family never wavered. He encouraged our independence and growth, always striving to ensure that we could forge our paths.
“Dad’s unwavering commitment to improving the lives and experiences of people in our community was truly infectious. His tireless work and activism touched the lives of so many, both locally and on a broader national and global scale.
“Beyond his impactful contributions, he cherished long conversations, in particular over a nice glass of white wine, where his warmth, wisdom, and passion for meaningful change always shone through. Ultimately, our father’s legacy extends far beyond the awards and accolades he received.
“It is embodied in the lives he touched, the barriers he broke down, and the generations he inspired to fight for a more just and equitable world. Our relationship was one of deep respect, understanding, and a shared passion for knowledge and intellectual discourse.
“We are forever grateful and proud to have had him as our father, greatest supporter, inspiration and legend! He will be deeply missed, but his spirit and his impact will continue to live on.”
The service will take place on Friday, January 31, at 2pm. Representatives of organisations supporting young people and the black community in Bristol, together with the public, are invited to register to attend the service via Eventbrite. Tickets can be found here.