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Writers

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Floella Benjamin (writer)

1949-

Trinidadian-British television presenter, writer, singer and politician, Baroness Floella Benjamin (b. 1949), was in foster care as a child. Floella Karen Yunies Benjamin was born in Pointe-a-Pierre, Trinidad. She was the second child of Veronica and Roy and remembers a happy secure childhood until her father decided to migrate to England. A year after Roy left, Veronica also left for England and Floella and siblings with left in foster care. When she was 10, and accompanied only by her siblings, Floella made the 15 day trip by sea from Trinidad to England. In 1976, Floella Benjamin became the presenter of Play School. This was the beginning of a long 30 year career in presenting and producing programs for children’s television. She was the first woman of African-Caribbean heritage to be appointed Chancellor of a British university, Exeter University, and served in the role for 10 years from 2006.

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