Danzie Stewart is a local person from a Caribbean and Christian background. His father was a prominent preacher and founded one of the first black churches in Birmingham. He attended local Junior and Secondary modern schools close by and from there a Birmingham College of further education. There he gained seven O-levels, six A-levels, and the title of the great taker and a scholarship. He went on to university and to his knowledge was the first pupil from his secondary modern school to go to university. Following university he pursued a career in social work, both as a practitioner and manager, and remained in the profession for over 30 years but had to undertake early retirement because of a number of strokes. Whilst he was in good health he was heavily involved in Community work and at one stage managed several community organisations until his health declined.