Sharing the stage with civil rights icon

Like the famous American politician Dave came from a poor background but managed to fight the prejudice he encountered due to the colour of his skin.

And on Sunday the pair will meet as Dave delivers a speech on inequality in the presence of the Rev Jackson in Sheffield.

He said: "I am going to talk about the things that I came across in my life. I grew up in Pitsmoor and have gone on to manage a large successful company."

That company, Gems Hygiene, is based in Leigh Street, Attercliffe and employs 45 people producing chemicals and hygiene products.

Dave started off 21 years ago selling cleaning products from his garage in Burncross, Chapeltown, and from there he branched out to London, Birmingham, Leicester, Leeds and elsewhere.

"I was literally just knocking on doors asking people if they would buy my products," he said. "And from there the business grew.

"I started off doing what I am doing because my ultimate goal was freedom and to be in charge of my own destiny. The only way that I could achieve that was through having my own company, so I decided to strike out on my own."

The 48-year-old, who now lives in a suburb in leafy western Sheffield, says he had to struggle against prejudice based upon the colour of his skin.

"Sports people are OK but in business you continuously have to prove yourself," he said. "As a young, black businessperson you have to overcome issues of trust. People look and you and think 'Can this guy deliver on his promises?'.

"You have to prove that over and over again. Some of the time you don't get given the same chances as other people. In my first job I was the only person doing my job that didn't have a company car. That was in 1979.

"I was actually told that the reason I wasn't getting a company car was on account of my colour. My employer said: 'We have never employed a black person before.'.

"I just said 'No problem' and set out to prove them wrong. Within three months I had been given a company car. My attitude was 'I'll show them!'."

But although he has managed to overcome the obstacles placed in his path Dave believes that not everyone would have the same strength and determination to break through similar barriers.

"I changed their attitude," he said. "But what about the other kids? What about those who don't have my kind of strength and stubbornness?

"Where I cross with Jesse Jackson is in trying to empower young people and give them the same chances that I had. He is someone I have listened to a lot over the years and respect. I am a little nervous, but I'll treat him just like anyone else when I meet him.

"It is possible to be successful but you have to have a level playing field. You have to give people an equal chance. I go into a lot of boardrooms and I do not see anyone like me. Why not? What are we saying if black people can't be represented in these places?"