Dance group Diversity came back home to Dagenham, to film at the site of the future film studios. It was a special homecoming for the group as Ashley Banjo and most of the other dancers, are originally from the borough.

Working with Film LBBD, the council’s film office and Londoneast-uk, Diversity produced a moving performance in response to the recent Black Lives Matters protest across the world and showed their support for the Black Lives Matter movement.

In the film, which was shared by the group across social media, they do what they do best and used dance to portray a powerful message of justice and demonstrated their pursuit for equality.

Once again, Film LBBD is bringing something great to the borough and facilitating this powerful, moving performance from Diversity. It is wonderful to see these performers come back and create the film where they grew up - so thank you Diversity for choosing the site of the brand-new Dagenham Film Studios.

The group said: “Let’s keep talking openly and honestly. Even if the issues don’t directly affect you, try to be open to listening and perceiving the world through a different lens. Because the only way to right these wrongs are together. 

“We will continually use our voice and our art to spread love, not hate, regardless of our age, size, creed or colour. In this moment we are saying out loud that racism on all levels must be highlighted and destroyed.”

Ashley said the site where they filmed was “incredible” and that “this is where I and all the boys grew up and it is home for us.”

Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Social Housing, Cllr Cameron Geddes said: “Once again, Film LBBD is bringing something great to the borough and facilitating this powerful, moving performance from Diversity. It is wonderful to see these performers come back and create the film where they grew up - so thank you Diversity for choosing the site of the brand-new Dagenham Film Studios.”