CLAPA Welcomes YolanDa Brown as Patron
We are delighted to announce YolanDa Brown has become a Patron of the Cleft Lip and Palate Association.
YolanDa Brown OBE DL is a double MOBO-Award-winning artist. She was awarded an OBE for services to music, music education and broadcasting in the 2023 New Year Honours List by His Majesty the King. In July 2022, YolanDa was appointed Chair of BPI – the representative voice for UK record labels and organises The BRIT Awards & Mercury Prize.
A champion for the importance of music education and the Music Week Women in Music Award Winner, YolanDa is Chair of Youth Music, sits on the Arts Council National Council, is a trustee of the PRS Foundation, an ambassador for the Prince’s Trust and London Music Fund. A BAFTA-nominated broadcaster, her eponymous series for CBeebies, “YolanDa’s Band Jam, ” won the RTSNW Best Children’s Programme award. She’s a presenter on Songs of Praise and BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year. Over on the airways, she hosts YolanDa Brown on Saturday on Jazz FM, classical music every Sunday on Scala Radio, Radio 4’s ‘Loose Ends’ with Clive Anderson and across many shows on Radio 2 and Magic FM.
“The journey of my younger daughter, born with a cleft of the soft palate, has taught me the strength behind every smile and the stories they hold.”
YolanDa is also a mother of two daughters, the younger of whom was born with a cleft of the soft palate. She said, “On World Smile Day, a day that celebrates the joy and beauty of a simple smile, I am profoundly honoured to be announced as a patron for CLAPA.
“The journey of my younger daughter, born with a cleft of the soft palate, has taught me the strength behind every smile and the stories they hold. Together, we’ll ensure that every smile, every story and every family touched by cleft is met with understanding, love, resource and unwavering support.
“Together, we’ll ensure no one affected by cleft lip and palate goes their journey alone’”
We are thrilled to have YolanDa’s support and look forward to working with her to raise awareness of cleft lip and palate in the United Kingdom.
YolanDa joins Carol Vorderman, who has been a Patron of CLAPA since 2001. Read about our Patrons.
World Smile Day is all about acts of kindness that can put a smile on someone’s face. This year, let your act of kindness be to make a donation of any amount to help us continue our life-changing support services for people affected by cleft in the UK.
