Hackney is a borough defined by its diversity. It's the people's borough, built with contributions from migrant cultures and enriched by a long, proud and radical history of welcome, solidarity and refuge. Fittingly, this month, Hackney has been officially recognised as a Borough of Sanctuary.
But as all working in local government know, success can prove a double-edged sword. Hackney has become one of London's most exciting places to live, but the gap between those who are thriving and those who are struggling remains stubbornly wide.
