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From Ivory Coast to Blackburn:
The Remarkable Journey of Tinta Ali

Tinta Ali

Born in the Ivory Coast in West Africa, Tinta Ali’s story is one of resilience, loss and an unwavering commitment to helping others.  Raised in a Muslim family during what he describes as one of the country’s most stable and prosperous periods in the 1980s, his early life was shaped by his father’s influence – a successful businessman trading coffee, cocoa, vehicles and mechanical goods.  His father’s international dealings, often with English-speaking partners from China, India and Taiwan, would later plant the seeds of a dream that changed the course of Tinta’s life.

Growing up, Tinta’s father often lamented the language barrier that limited his business ventures.  “He used to say, ‘I wish we had someone who could speak English,” Tinta recalls.  Recognising his eldest son’s potential, his father encouraged him to learn English, hoping one day he might study business in London and return to run the family enterprise.  For young Tinta, it was an exciting vision.  One filled with ambition and promise.

But life, as he would later learn, has a way of rewriting even the best laid plans.  In 2002, civil war erupted in the Ivory Coast.  The violence tore through communities, families and livelihoods.  Amidst the chaos, Tinta’s father was targeted by the regime and executed.  The loss was devastating.  “It broke me,” he says quietly.  “I lost not only my father but my entire world.”

The family’s business collapsed, their stability shattered.  What had once been a future filled with opportunity was replaced by grief and uncertainty.

Years later, in 2010, Tinta arrived in the United Kingdom.  A student with a dream to honour his father’s legacy.  He initially came to study English and Business, just as his father had envisioned, but the trauma of war and displacement followed him.  Eventually, he sought asylum, a process that tested his resilience yet again.  “The system was confusing, and I didn’t know who to trust,” he recalls.  “I just wanted to tell my story and prove what had happened.”

In 2011, the Home Office placed Tinta in Blackburn, a town he admits he hadn’t heard of before.  “At first, I was disappointed,” he says with a laugh.  “I thought it was too small.  I wanted to be in London or Manchester.”  But what he found in Blackburn would soon transform his perception of home.  The warmth and support of the local community helped him rebuild his life from the ground up.

“I came here alone, but I’m not alone anymore,” he says proudly.  “I found a new family in Blackburn.”

With limited work rights at first, Tinta turned to volunteering – something he had never imagined doing back home.  Fluent in French and Arabic, he began interpreting for asylum seekers and refugees who couldn’t speak English.  His skills quickly made him a valuable asset to local charities, police stations, councils and hospitals.  Over time, his name became known across Blackburn’s community networks.  “I had always been around business and money,” he reflects.  “But volunteering taught me the true value of giving back.  It changed me completely.”

Tinta’s work soon expanded to organisations like the British Red Cross and several refugee support groups.  His empathy, linguistic skills and deep understanding of displacement made him an anchor for others navigating the same system he once struggled through.  “Helping people who had stories like mine gave me purpose,” he says.  “It reminded me that even after tragedy, you can still be useful.”

In recognition of his community impact, Tinta received a prestigious scholarship from the Open University to study Politics, Philosophy and Economics, a course perfectly aligned with growing interest in governance, justice and development.  “When they asked why I deserved the scholarship, I just listed the charities I’d worked with,” he laughs.  “They checked every single one and then called to say I’d got it.  I couldn’t believe it.”

Studying part-time while continuing his community work, Tinta thrives on balancing academic challenge with service.  “I study online in the evenings after work,” he explains.  “It’s hard, but I’m doing it for free and that still feels like a miracle.”

In 2021, his efforts were formally recognised when he was named Man of the Year at the One Voice Awards, a celebration of community heroes across Blackburn and Lancashire.  The moment was both surreal and affirming.  “I never did any of this for recognition,” he says.  “But when people tell me that my story inspired them, it makes me realise that my pain has produced something positive.”

Tinta Ali receiving the 2021 One Voice Man of the Year Award

Despite his achievements, Tinta remains humble and grounded.  He’s quick to credit Blackburn’s people for his success.

“From the white English community to the South Asian community – everyone has supported me.  I’ve had moments when I wasn’t well and neighbours would show up with soup or food without me asking.  Where else could you find that?”

He acknowledges that occasional racism or ignorance exists everywhere, but he refuses to let it define his experience.  “I survived war.  So if someone calls me names, it doesn’t hurt me,” he says with quiet strength.  “Blackburn gave me friendship, belonging and peace, things I value more than anything.”

Today, Tinta is channelling his experiences into new creative pursuits.  He is writing a book that explores the intersections of migration, identity and belonging, blending historical insights with fiction.  “I’ve written about 20 to 30 pages,” he says smiling.  “It’s about people’s journeys between Europe and Africa, about displacement and resilience.  It’s my way of making sense of everything.”

When asked about the future, Tinta hesitates, not out of uncertainty, but gratitude.  “I’ve had chances to move away from Blackburn,” he admits.  “But every time I think about it, I realise my heart is here.  God wanted me to be here.”

His family remains scattered.  Some in Egypt, others elsewhere – but he stays in touch and visits when he can.  While they may never all reunite in England, he hopes one day they’ll see what he’s built.  “They think it’s too cold here,” he laughs.  “But I tell them, the warmth isn’t in the weather, it’s in the people.”

Through war, exile and rebirth, Tinta Ali’s journey from the Ivory Coast to Blackburn stands as a testament to endurance and hope.  What began as his father’s dream for him to learn English has grown into something far greater: a life dedicated to community, understanding and compassion.

“I lost everything once,” he says softly.  “But Blackburn gave me back something even more important – a reason to keep going.”

Article published in One Voice Blackburn, issue 16 Spring 2026.  Pages 41-43.
With thanks to One Voice Blackburn for permission to publish this article on Cotton Town.
Transcribed by Shazia Kasim. 

Published August 2026

Transcribed by Shazia Kasim