Alex Wheatle MBE

Alex Wheatle and Bud Johnston, Black at Sussex Project Lead

Alex Wheatle and Amy Glass, CEO and Founder of Writing Our Legacy

Alex Alphonso Wheatle MBE, the award-winning novelist, playwright, and youth mentor, passed away on 16 March 2025, leaving behind a rich legacy of literature and activism. His work has inspired generations, from Brixton to Crongton and beyond.

Wheatle’s journey was extraordinary—shaped by hardship, resilience and a steadfast commitment to truth-telling. Born in London to Jamaican parents and raised in care, he turned his lived experience into art, documenting the realities of Black British life with unparalleled depth and authenticity. His books, including Brixton Rock, East of Acre Lane, Crongton Knights, and Cane Warriors, gave voice to the struggles and triumphs of young Black people navigating a complex world. His storytelling was raw, poetic, and deeply human, resonating across cultures and generations.

Beyond his novels, Wheatle was an educator and advocate. A Member of English PEN, he worked tirelessly in schools, prisons, and literary institutions, empowering young people to tell their own stories. His influence stretched far beyond the page—his life itself became a powerful narrative, captured in Alex Wheatle, the Steve McQueen-directed installment of the Small Axe anthology.

Wheatle’s contributions were widely recognised. In 2008, he was awarded an MBE for services to literature, and in 2022, the University of Sussex proudly conferred upon him an honorary degree for his outstanding work in literature and social advocacy. His impact on Black Britons is profound, Black at Sussex Project Lead Bud Johnston comments: "I was lucky enough to interview Alex in 2024 thanks to a collaboration with ‘writing our legacy’, his ability to engage really stuck with me. I wish we were able to have delivered this to a bigger audience in Sussex, his resilience and character will always be honoured".

As we mourn his passing, we also celebrate the vast contributions he made across literature, youth mentorship, and cultural activism. His words live on, his stories remain, and his influence will continue shaping Black British literature and identity for years to come.

Rest in power, Alex Wheatle MBE. Your legacy endures.