A CARING SOUL…
It feels like I have known Jennifer forever! She was always present and in contact when I had reached milestones in my career and continued to champion me and what I believe in. There are many things that I will never forget about this amazing lady but the two that come to mind are these often repeated conversations…
I DON’T CARE WHAT YOUR NAME IS, I now name you **********! (Those who know, know) and I refuse to see you in any other way (This name has definitely stuck with me Jennifer lol) and the second is “NEVER GIVE AWAY YOUR VALUABLE I.P.”
Jennifer refers to Intellectual Property as we had some plans in motion to create an online training platform and she was keen to defend my value (LOVE) With endless thanks to you Jennifer, I present the final shoot we created together…
Thank you @KAMANZAA for getting jennifers make up just how she wanted it.
Jennifer was born on 14th of November 1971 to James Alexander Williams-Baffoe and Mabel Williams-Baffoe at Bearsted Hospital in Hackney, London. Jennifer was James and Mabel’s second daughter and she was named Jennifer ‘Molake’ Williams-Baffoe, which includes her Ghanaian day name, but also in namesake to her grandmother.
Jennifer’s father, James Williams-Baffoe is a retired electrical engineer of Chubb Limited. And Jennifer’s mother, Mabel Williams-Baffoe is a retired National Health Service (NHS) staff nurse at St Mary’s Hospital Paddington, London.
Jennifer was number three to be born of four siblings. The eldest the late James Alexander Williams-Baffoe (Jnr), Catherine Julia Williams-Baffoe and Albert Kwesi Williams-Baffoe, as well as her much loved nephew LeBron Kofi Williams-Baffoe.
Jennifer was described as being a very bubbly young child, who loved to laugh and dance when music was played. Our mother told us that during a trip to visit her family in Ghana, when Jennifer was approx. 18 months old, there are memories shared of Uncle Kwesi who would lovingly call out “Jenny” and Jennifer would reply “Faar” cleverly completing her full name ‘Jennifer’. At that age, Jennifer was inseparable from her toys and dolls, one of which would quote “I love you mummy, I love you daddy”. Well of course this then became her mantra at any given moment.
At 5 years old Jennifer returned to Ghana, this time with her mother and baby brother, Albert, to visit family and elder siblings James and Catherine who at this time were pupils at Achimota Primary School. Jennifer stayed at her grandmother Alice’s home in Kaneshie, Ghana. It was during this period that she met with some of her cousins Gloria, Padi and Anthony.
R.I.P. JENNIFER MOLAKE WILLIAMS-BAFFOE
Jennifer also spent time visiting her grandmother, Auntie Joan and Mr Obuobia. This is where she met her cousins Naki, Mamlie, Maku, Oboyo and Tete Oboubia.
Jennifer also visited her Uncle Alex, Auntie Grace and her cousins Mabel, Sybil and Michael. As well as positive relations with Uncle Gilbert and Auntie Rose and cousins Kofi Kumi, Mamie Jane, Molake, Nana Otema and Gilbert (Jnr).
During the 1980’s Jennifer and family travelled to Canada to visit paternal Auntie Gloria and Uncle Bob and cousins Stephen, Jennifer-Anne, Andrew and Pamela.
Jennifer spent her early years growing up in Stamford Hill, Hackney. She attended Sir Thomas Abney Nursery, Infant and Primary School with her younger brother, Albert. Jennifer loved being a Sir Thomas Abney pupil, not so long ago she shared conversations about all the wonderful things she had learnt from her education there. Describing her experiences of the many school trips over the years to places such as, Marchants Hill, Swanage and Beaulieh and how this peaked her initial interest in travelling. Jennifer spoke about visiting farms, learning about wildlife and nature, discovering an interest in Geography, Orienteering, Arts & Crafts and Textiles.
Her experiences would open the door and spark her interest for travel throughout her life and it was also noticed early on that Jennifer possessed a creative streak, which was developing into a desire to enter into the fashion industry.
JENNIFERS LIFE JOURNEY
STAMFORD HILL: Growing up in Stamford Hill in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s was ‘so cool’. There were a diverse variety of children and their families who all lived on or near Northfield Road. Jennifer became best friends with neighbour Irini Toufexis, whilst Irini’s elder sister, Marina, also hung out with Jennifer’s older siblings Catherine and James, as well as a posse of other really cool children who would congregate outside our family home in the middle of the street.
Jennifer being Jennifer, had a really likable way about her, and quickly made friendships with those around her, with that big warm smile, very similar to that of her paternal Auntie Kate, who she closely resembled. Jennifer was certainly a people person, and picked up on good vibes and positive energy, which is highly likely where she began to learn to tune her networking and social skills in later life.
In addition to this, Jennifer possessed a really funny sense of humour, which flitted between clever and intelligent retorts, and sometimes really silly, but funny, anecdotes and quotes that had you laughing for hours. Jennifer enjoyed history, arts, and pop culture and loved reminiscing about the past and absolutely adored London for all its best parts. Growing up in London Jennifer was spoilt for choice, being able to visit Oxford Street in the West End, Saville Row, and Covent Garden and many other fashion design houses with ambition at that time of becoming a fashion designer. Jennifer adored her friends and kept in touch with many following school such as Yvonne Beckford, Heidi and Hayley Leybourne, Minerva Brown, Clem Obinkwo, Lisa Weekes,
Coming from a large family, Jennifer developed a strong relationship with her Auntie Edith who has extensive knowledge of working within the fashion industry. Whilst visiting Auntie Edith and spending time with her cousins Papa, Kwaku, Jackie, and Lizzie. Auntie fed Jennifer slices of her ’famous blended fruit cake’, whilst sharing wonderful stories of her experiences, which really encouraged Jennifer, following her education at Skinners School (where she was Head Girl) and London College of Fashion (where she undertook a HND) to then complete a B.A in Fashion Design, Marketing & Management at Central St Martins. Her desire to further herself and learn continued and into 2021 when she completed an M.A in Academic Practice at The University of Arts London.
During the 80’s and 90’s Jennifer’s love for Art, Fashion and Creativity fused with a deep love for Pop, Soul, Hip-Hop and RnB Music. Jennifer loved raving and socialised with friends and family attending music clubs with cousins Jackie, Lizzie and Nerys, as well as with friends to concerts such as, De La Soul, Public Enemy, Mary J Bilge, and Jill Scott.
Jennifer secured a job with Apparel & Textile Challenge, a Design and Manufacturing company in the West End. This is also where she authored The British Fashion Council’s Designer Manufacturing Handbook and although she loved fashion, she was broadening her interest in teaching within the art and design arena and how this is channelled through the education system.
TRAVEL: Jennifer loved travelling and over the years both in a personal and business capacity. Visiting Thailand, New York, Kenya, Miami, St Lucia, Gambia and many other destinations, but her favourite was back home in Ghana, where she even lived for a number of years. Jennifer also worked as an Operations/Training Manager, for the United Nations/International Trade Centre. During this period she built a trusted and supportive relationship with Kofi Ansah (Uncle Fi) who was a pioneer in the fashion business in Ghana and propelled Ghana onto catwalks with haute couture.
Whilst Jennifer loved Ghana, she was already becoming a seasoned professional in resolving all manner of challenges Ghana would throw at her, like the time our home flooded and Jennifer was left in darkness bailing water out of the compound by herself, whilst her belongings casually floated by. Anyone who knows Jennifer would know she would have been absolutely furious by this, as she loved her clothes, shoes and accessories. But by then, Uncle Fi had already instilled a level of calm and ‘Ghana-Resilience’ in her, and would jokingly, reply “Ohhh chalay, what do you expect? Welcome to Ghana”.
Jennifer had several friends, forming a close working relationship with fashion designer Romero Bryan as his brand manager. Jennifer realised that she had a close bond with Romero and they have remained very close friends, and in fact ‘partners in crime’, on many trips abroad. Jennifer considered Romero more than a friend and would meet up regularly for a cheeky Nandos to catch up on all things current.
Jennifer also had plans to return to Ghana in March/April 2022 with her cousin Thelma and daughter Ruby. However, sadly this was not to be. Sometimes in life things happen that are unexplained, and whilst this is a very sad loss to her family and friends, we know that Jennifer lived her life fully. She spent this past year achieving and striving to seize every opportunity and goal she set, whilst sharing her special brand of positivity and passion for life. The things we will miss most about Jennifer are also the things that will forever bring us comfort; her laughter, her loyalty, her thoughtfulness, her energetic dance moves, and her ability to love in a way that made it feel important and special.
Jennifer, may you rest in eternal peace, until we meet again!
My impression from speaking with Jennifer was that in visiting others and picking up from their positive energy, she learnt so much about people, but also so much about herself. At the time of her passing, Jennifer was in a really good space, she had just travelled to St Lucia for her 50th Birthday with her friend Samantha. Her work was looking very positive, and she was enjoying undertaking many types of project-based work, as well as making steps to establish Willbaforce Ltd, her creative online teaching business.
Jennifer loved sharing knowledge, and enjoyed helping others, passing on ideas and sharing theories in person and on social media about e-learning, business development and online creative industries and how they aligned with fashion. Jennifer was a pioneer in her field and over the past three decades had supported and developed careers, through teaching and her consultancy, of countless creatives both nationally and internationally.
“Jennifer, Thank you for my new name that will stay with me forever!” AGENDA BROWN