February 25th, 2023

BUSINESS • Deserted Cactus - Deserted Cactus Homemade small batch vegan daily menu by @London_Afro_Vegan Holdron Arcade, 135A https://www.facebook.com/DesertedCactus • Uncle John's Bakery -Bakery and delivery to North London and surrounding areas/ When John and Emelia arrived in the UK in 1982 they missed the sweet aromas of fresh bread that Nana Mary used to bake and longed for warm bread straight out of the oven. They searched tirelessly, but only came across imports that weren’t as good as John’s mother’s recipe. That’s when he decided to bake it himself. He didn’t want other Ghanaians to miss out on the experience, and wanted to help them feel closer to home with his bread. At the time they couldn’t afford their own bakery and could only afford to use a local bakery at night when it was closed. Emelia’s mum – Mary Fofia Arthur worked in the hotel industry as a caterer and after work would go with Uncle John to the bakery to bake the bread with them at night. She taught them how to make delicious cakes, pies, pastries and donuts to broaden the menu. They baked all night and in the morning Uncle John drove his van to the local stores delivering fresh bread. He would be so tired from working nights that he’d take a nap and thieves would steal the bread from the van. His wife encouraged him and told him “Obeyeyie” – life will get better in Fanti (local Ghanaian dialect) and that gave him the strength to carry on. https://theunclejohnsbakery.com/ • Knots - Our headwraps are sourced all around the world. We are inspired by women and so only buy from women. Women also cut and sew our headwraps right here in London. They come in a range of different fabrics and colours and can be tied in various styles. They look great and are so easy to put on. Perfect for a beginner, as well as the advanced headwrapper, each headwrap comes with ‘How to knots’ easy-to-follow instructions. We want you to stand tall, feel empowered and divine when wearing one of our head wraps, like a Queen with a Crown. https://knots-uk.com/ • Black Girl Fest - We create new and authentic content that engages with our community. Brands and organisations regularly miss the mark when creating content for Black women and non-binary people. Too often our voices are missing from the conversation entirely. As experts in curating events and experiences, we place our community at the core and produce captivating content that sparks conversation. https://www.blackgirlfest.com/ • House of Lilah - Taste and smell are intimately entwined, and when scents and flavours are paired beautifully, they can create fantastic experiences. Our expertly paired scented soy candles and loose-leaf teas create beautiful atmospheres conducive to creativity. https://www.houseoflilah.co.uk/ EVENTS • Opening Night: The First Black Art Exhibition at London Business School 16 March London Business School -ILondon Business School, renowned for its top-tier MBA program, is breaking new ground with its First Black Art Exhibition. This exclusive event offers a rare chance to explore the world of Black art, while networking with some of the brightest minds. Immerse yourself in a captivating experience, discover new art and make meaningful connections. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/opening-night-the-first-black-art-exhibition-at-london-business-school-tickets-549240813057 •Trouble in Bute Town through the 25 March, Donmar Warehouse - In her illegal boarding house in Butetown, Cardiff, Gwyneth Mbanefo (Sarah Parish, Bancroft) toils tirelessly to keep afloat. It’s a port town during the war; home to souls from every corner of the globe. When Nate (BIFA winner Samuel Adewunmi), an African American GI, escapes his barracks and discovers this new world without segregation, can he find safe harbour in Tiger Bay? And with danger on every corner, who can he trust? TROUBLE IN BUTETOWN is a world premiere by the award-winning playwright Diana Nneka Atuona (Liberian Girl), directed by Tinuke Craig (Jitney, Old Vic).https://booking.donmarwarehouse.com/events/9201AHVHRSJHSLBLCDVNMMJTBCSRGGTMK?_ga=2.10331318.2024392257.1677350721-1310112596.1677350721&_gac=1.251491700.1677350721.Cj0KCQiAgOefBhDgARIsAMhqXA4HI-fWNw978cNXObP1uvXd8RxtcmHMebVTofHdznOxJH6zkT7KGMoaAvkeEALw_wcB • Booty Candy, Gate Theatre through March 11 -Sutter is on a journey. A sugar-exploding pilgrimage to understand himself, the world around him, and why his Old Granny calls his d*ck a “bootycandy”. But in continuing to discover all the parts that make him “him”… will he come to terms with what he finds? The UK premiere of Robert O’Hara's Bootycandy is a semi-autobiographical, kaleidoscopic, Black queer fever dream of connected vignettes, directed by Gate Theatre Associate Artist Tristan Fynn-Aiduenu (For Black Boys…) Exploring childhood, sexuality, fantasy and reality, Bootycandy licks the raw, encrusted parts of us that make us who we are and questions how we can even begin to honour them. https://www.gatetheatre.co.uk/whats-on/bootycandy/ • Emmanuel Sonubi (10 to 11 March, Soho Theatre) - Emmanuel Sonubi was born and raised in North London and this Edinburgh Comedy Award-nominated show looks at many of the elements of his life being raised the only boy and the youngest of six children, (that’s right – 5 OLDER sisters) We find out that looks can be very deceptive and what has led him to become the person he is today. ‘Emancipated’ also covers his time as a Doorman in some of the scariest clubs in London, his career in Musical Theatre and life as a parent to two young children. Through his hilarious storytelling, we look deeper into all the experiences that shaped his personality and opinions today. • Ballet Black (8 - 12 March, Barbican) - Now in their 21st year, this acclaimed ballet company presents award-winning choreographers Will Tuckett and Mthuthuzeli November in a captivating double bill of new and original work. Following regular sold-out runs, Cassa Pancho’s Ballet Black returns to our stage with this thrilling and imaginative double bill. Will Tuckett's Then Or Now, originally created in 2020, blends classical ballet, music and the poetry of Adrienne Rich to ask the question: in times like these, where do we belong? https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2023/event/ballet-black-2023-pioneers don WC2N 5BY BOOKS • I’m Not Yelling: A Black Woman’s Guide to Navigating the Workplace (Women in Business, Successful Business Woman, Image & Etiquette by Elizabeth Leiba - The Perfect Guide for Successful Business Women "What a gift to Black women in the workplace!…For those committed to challenging stereotypes and enhancing workplace inclusion, this book is a must-read." —Dana Brownlee, Forbes Careers senior contributor #1 New Release in Business Mentoring, Women in Business, and Coaching and Workplace Culture/ ’m Not Yelling provides a strategy for savvy black business women navigating a predominantly white corporate America. It empowers black women to find their voices in toxic work environments and succeed. Statistical and anecdotal evidence guide the way. Explore the data and hear the accounts of Black women in business who face, work through, and rise above workplace discrimination. Find your voice as a women entrepreneur. Successful business women use their voice to become strong Black leaders who instill positive change in the workplace culture. 4.8 out of 5 Amazon 4.7 out of 5 Goodreads • On Rotation by Shirlene Obuobi - Ghanaian-American Angela Appiah has checked off all the boxes for the 'Perfect Immigrant Daughter': enroll in an elite medical school; snag a suitable lawyer/doctor/engineer boyfriend, and surround herself with a gaggle of successful and/or loyal friends . . . But when her boyfriend dumps her, her best friend pulls away, and she bombs the most important exam of her medical career, Angie finds herself in the middle of a quarter life crisis of epic proportions. To make matters worse, her parents are suddenly a lot less proud of their daughter, now that she's not following through with the path they chose for her. Just when things couldn't get any more complicated, enter Ricky Gutierrez - brilliant, thoughtful, sexy, and most importantly, seems to see Angie for who she is instead of what she can represent. Unfortunately, he's also got 'wasteman' practically tattooed across his forehead, and Angie's done chasing mirages of men. Or so she thinks . . . For someone who's always been in control, Angie realizes that there's one thing she can't plan on: matters of her heart.

4.2 out of 5 Amazon

4.3 out of 5 Goodreads

• We Are Not Like Them - 'Riley and Jen have been best friends since they were children, and they thought their bond was unbreakable. It never mattered to them that Riley is black and Jen is white. And then Jen's husband, a Philadelphia police officer, is involved in the shooting of an unarmed black teenager and everything changes in an instant. This one act could destroy more than just Riley and Jen's friendship. As their community takes sides, so must Jen and Riley, and for the first time in their lives the lifelong friends find themselves on opposing sides. But can anyone win a fight like this? We Are Not Like Them is about friendship and love. It's about prejudice and betrayal. It's about standing up for what you believe in, no matter the cost.

4.3 out of 5 Amazon 4.1 out of 5 Goodreads

PODCASTS • Black All Year - Black History Month is all well and good and serves a purpose, but people are Black all year. So, we celebrate, recognise, support, educate and campaign all year round. Hosted by Steph Edusei, an Ashanti-Geordie woman who is a leader and coach, this podcast draws shares the content from Black All Year events as well as exclusive podcast material.https://www.blackallyear.co.uk/

•1000 Voices - 1000 Voices is a podcast on a mission to interview 1000 black British changemakers. Our goal is to empower a generation of black British changemakers and to eradicate racial wealth inequalities. Our long-term vision is to inspire others to make a positive impact in their own communities and beyond. We believe that stories of black excellence and resilience should be heard, and we strive to amplify the voices of those who are working to create a more just and equitable society. https://player.fm/series/3356738 RADIO • Feeling Good: The Nina Simone Story (BBC Sounds) - Nina Simone's daughter continues her exploration of her mother's extraordinary life and career - sharing her personal thoughts and providing a glimpse of the real woman behind the distinctive voice. This series features unreleased concert tracks and contributions from some of Nina's closest friends - including her high school friend Hannah Ferguson; her niece Joyce Stroud; her close friend Verta Mae Grosvenor; concert promoter Ron Delsener; her friend and Elektra Records A and R man Michael Alago, singer Patti Smith; and her drummer for 18 years - Paul Robinson. Nina started her musical life as Eunice Waymon, a 5-year-old child protégé, learning classical piano with the help of people in her home town. She won a place at New York's famous Juilliard School but was turned down by the elite Curtis Institute in Philadelphia. This was an incredible blow to the young Eunice Waymon, who turned to teaching piano and playing in bars to make ends meet. At this point she took the stage name Nina Simone.https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/b04bztpf

FILM/TV • Chevalier (Coming soon from Searchlight pictures) - Drama • History • Based on True Story With Kelvin Harrison Jr. • Ronke Adekoluejo. The illegitimate son of an African slave and a French plantation owner, Bologne rises to improbable heights in French society as a celebrated violinist-composer and fencer, complete with an ill-fated love affair and a falling out with Marie Antoinette and her court. Inspired by the incredible true story of composer Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges. Trailer •Truth Be Told (Apple TV)- Truth Be Told is an American legal/crime drama streaming television series on Apple TV+. The series was created by Nichelle Tramble Spellman, based on Kathleen Barber's 2017 debut novel Are You Sleeping. Spellman also acts as executive producer and writes for the show. Unlike the book, Poppy Parnell (Octavia Spencer) plays the main role, as a podcaster who revisits the case that made her famous with the hope of finally getting to the truth. https://tv.apple.com/us/show/truth-be-told/umc.cmc.6hegr60w8pjyfcblgocjek7oo •I am Bolt (Netflix) -I Am Bolt is an irresistible documentary about Usain Bolt, the Jamaican sprinter who won nine Olympic Gold Medals (in 2008, 2012, and 2016), breaking world records and becoming an icon. Most of the movie consists of scenes of demanding training sessions combined with moments revealing Bolt's charismatic personality and innate intelligence. •Black Jesus (Channel 4) - The scripted live-action comedy features Jesus Christ living in modern-day Compton, California, on a mission to spread love and kindness throughout the neighbourhood with his small group of followers. •Mahalia (Netflix) - The story of the New Orleans-born crooner who began singing at an early age and went on to become one of the most revered gospel figures in U.S. history, melding her music with the civil rights movement. •Caribbean: Billionaires paradise (My4) - A gloriously escapist look at how the Caribbean islands' well-heeled residents live, work and relax in a billionaire's playground WHO is WHO? • Jason Ardley - to become the youngest ever black professor at Cambridge. A renowned sociologist who was unable to read or write until the age of 18, and was working part-time in Sainsbury’s less than eight years ago, is to become the youngest black professor ever appointed at the University of Cambridge. Prof Jason Arday, 37, is a highly respected scholar of race, inequality and education, yet at three years old he was diagnosed with global development delay and autism spectrum disorder, and he did not learn to speak until he was 11. Next month he will take up the role of professor of sociology of education at Cambridge, and he hopes his extraordinary story will inspire others from under-represented backgrounds to progress into higher education. Arday will be building on his earlier work at the universities of Durham and Glasgow, addressing the paucity of black and minority ethnic people in higher education, their under-representation in academic careers, and the challenge of creating more equitable educational experiences and outcomes for all. (THE GUARDIAN). •Suzann McLean is the CEO and Artistic Director of Theatre Peckham. She is an award winning actress. Associate Artist at York Theatre Royal, an associate of Pilot Theatre and associate of the young people’s work at Theatre Royal Stratford East. Founder and director of the award-winning theatre School Young and Talented now in its 14th year. McLean was selected as a Torchbearer for the 2012 Olympics as a recognition of her work for the community. Other directing credits include Robin Hood (York Theatre Royal), Extremism (Dorfman Theatre /Connections 2017), Catcher (Pilot Theatre), Rebellion (Hackney Empire), The Sisterhood (in Bermuda) and most recently director for Platform Shift+ European Youth exchange in Italy. As an actress Suzann has worked extensively on both stage and screen, credits include Good Omens, The Honourable Woman, Dr. Who, Little Miss Jocelyn, Measure For Measure (National Theatre), A Raisin in the Sun (Synergy Theatre), Dog Beneath the Skin (Jermyn Street Theatre) and Winner of British Arrows Gold award for Best Performance 2017. Suzann trained in Acting at Italia Conti Academy and has an MA from Middlesex university in Directing and Producing theatre for social change. •Anthea Davy is a consultant orthopaedic surgeon with a specialist interest in hand and wrist surgery. She graduated from the University of Bristol Medical School with an intercalated BSc(Hons) in anatomical science (1992) and MB ChB in 1995. She undertook basic surgical training in Nottingham and higher specialist training in orthopaedics on the North West London rotation. Following FRCS(Tr& Orth) in 2007, she completed an advanced training programme fellowship in hand surgery in Birmingham and a reconstructive, microsurgery and hand surgery fellowship at the University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur. She was appointed to UCLH in 2012 and in 2013 was awarded the European Diploma in Hand Surgery. In addition to postgraduate training, she is involved in undergraduate teaching at UCL Medical School as a lecturer, personal and module tutor. She is a member of the Royal College of Surgeons teaching faculty, a college assessor and serves on the RCS Women in Surgery Committee. She is passionate about equality of opportunity and promoting diversity and inclusion in surgery and throughout healthcare.Michael Ward Article TOP 10 FOR MARCH 1. Get tickets for the hottest show in town 'Mandela the Musical'. 2. Go laugh with Emmanuel Sonobi at the Soho Theatre 10/11 March 3. Book a table at Tatale Restaurant in the Africa Centre. 4. Watch Riches on ITVX (Riches is about the beauty empire built by ruthless businessman Stephen Richards). 5. Book dinner at Parks Edge Bar & Kitchen 6. See the Lynette Yiadom-Boakye exhibition at the Tate Modern 7. See Will Smith's redemption in the well-reviewed movie Emancipation. 8. Book your tickets for John Legend at the Royal Albert Hall in April . 9. Have dinner and drinks at Idris Elba's Kings Cross restaurant Porte Noir (4.7 review on Google) 10. Book tickets for Ballet Black at the Barbican Theatre