"Already being a second generation immigrant from a Jamaican family, I never really felt British because of the unexplained institutionalised racism that we faced. My parents never explained why it was so important for us to be highly educated and be one step ahead of the rest of society. Growing up in a society that was not open to allowing immigrants to thrive, my parents did not want us to feel the effect of a lack of higher education on black children.
When I first thought about moving to the UAE, I mainly wanted to move out of Europe as I felt that the European society was not mentally equipt to cater for a thriving black population.
I wanted my kids to experience everything they needed to thrive in any and every situation, rather than be restrained by a close-minded society"
-Derek Holland