Black Girls with Accents

Prof. Natasha Gordon-Chipembere discusses her family’s relocation from New York to the paradisical island of Costa Rica. Ignoring the consternation of friends and family members who were skeptical of the move, eight years later, Natasha and her family continue to thrive and live life according to their own rules. Natasha is the author of numerous books and essays. Her most recent book, Finding La Negrita will be released this fall by Jaded Ibis Press. Natasha is also the founder and host of Tengo Sed (I am thirsty) annual writing retreat.

Trinidadian-born, British-based producer, Lesley-Ann Macfarlane discusses her experience twice migrating from the Caribbean to the U.K. and reverse migrating from the U.K. to the Caribbean for familial and professional obligations. Leslie-Ann shares her experience in the film industry in both locations and her passion for nurturing emerging homegrown talent through her organization Filmmakers Collaborative of Trinidad and Tobago, an organization that works to develop and produce local programming on the islands. Leslie-Ann also talks to us about the importance of community and inspires us to create our communities on our own terms wherever we reside.

Our guest, Constina Alston-Howley, shares how the pandemic instigated her relocation to Panama and Costa Rica. Constina drops pearls of wisdom about how she and her family made the big move (packing up her house and bringing only what was essential) and what it’s been like to adjust to a new culture that has given her the freedom to be her authentic self. Constina is owner and founder of @authenticflowbk

In this episode, former lawyer-turned-journalist, novelist, and poet Vanessa Walters, chats with us about her experiences traversing the globe. Walters, a black Brit of Jamaican heritage, is the ultimate cosmopolitan woman. She tells us how her career and romance took her to France, Indonesia, Nigeria, and America. As a black woman world traveller, Vanessa shares with us the challenges and triumphs of integrating into new cultures. Walters is the author of Rude Girls (1996) and Smoke Othello (2008) and a number of other publications. Her new book is a murder mystery wrapped in a tragic family saga. The new book The Nigerwife will be released next summer (2023) with Atria Books.

Follow Walters @venusrising

Clarissa Cummings, visual artist/founder and CEO of Urbanational discusses her passion for global exploration and the relationship between travel, growth, and freedom. Clarissa who has been traveling for over twenty years (mostly solo), explains her evolution from the typical backpacking tourist to a seasoned cultural traveler. Clarissa provides insight into the distinction between visiting a foreign nation versus fully immersing oneself in a foreign culture. As Clarissa says, if you want to learn about a place get to know the mothers because they are the lifeline and the heart of the community. Urbanational is a grassroots social justice organization committed to civic engagement. For more info contact: https://urbanationalinc.com/about

In this special episode, we celebrate vegan influencer @vegansouliscious (AKA Charlise Rookwood) and the release her new show - the Black Vegan Cooking Show, airing on MadameNoir (starting March 22, 2022). Before launching the show, we sat down with Charlise to talk about her passion for plant-based cooking and promoting a healthy lifestyle. The British-born culinary artist, who is equally proud of her Jamaican and Mauritian heritage, talks with us about her short stint as a fashion designer, her successful career in the music industry, and her eventual full-time occupation as a vegan chef and food vlogger. Follow Rookwood at @vegansouliscious.

Miriam discusses her migration from Germany to the United States and the life lessons which led to her self-discovery, independence, and entrepreneurship. Miriam, who is of Ghanaian and German heritage, reflects on how her cultural heritage shapes her views on identity politics, race, and family values. Miriam is the founder and director of BCakeNY, a popular Brooklyn Bakery specializing in unique custom cakes and treats. Miriam has baked cakes for some of the entertainment industry’s most iconic stars, from Wendy Williams and Swiss Beatz to Puff Daddy and Cynthia Erivo. For more info on BCakeNY, please contact: [email protected]

In this bonus episode, we discuss our views on holding space for the experience of Black women throughout the Diaspora.

two special episodes about our respective passion projects. In episode #2 Norma Diana Stanton shares with listeners a sneak peek of her new film, Half A Cent, chronicling the fascinating story of her grandmother Helena Geffries and the Independence of Suriname.

Black Girls with Accents brings two special episodes about our respective passion projects. In episode #1, Tracey Walters discusses her latest book: Not Your Mother’s Mammy: The Domestic Worker in Transatlantic Media (2019) available anywhere books are sold.