Bringing it Black

Recorded just a few days before the 2023 London Marathon, I chat to Leon Parkes, founder of Wembley based run club The Nov Way. He talks us through his running playlist and how his trainings been going. Plus I learned a lot from Tyler Williams Green, founder of run club and youth charity The Outrunners. Coach Gloria Sarpong shares what they're working on for women who may have been put off fitness in the past. AND I heard from other Black runners taking on the 26.2 miles across the city. This episode will leave you feeling inspired to chuck your trainers on and to just give a long run a go. Also, shoutout to Chelsea Okung who is the new producer of Bringing it Black - so great to have her on the team! Wanna have your say on future episodes? Drop me a message on insta at @mary.mandefield or email at [email protected]. Until next week!

As it’s Virgo season, this episode has got a gift for the Beyhive 🤩 - a debrief of Beys 41st birthday, incl the questionable looks.

I’ve got a rundown of everything you need to know about the new star of Disney’s live action remake of ✨The Little Mermaid✨- Halle Bailey.

With a new King now on the throne I’m sharing everything I know about whether Jamaica will now move on from royals and become a republic.

We couldn’t do this episode without celebrating the Black women making big moves at the 2022 Emmy Awards and without recapping the heartbreaking story of Chris Kaba.

It's only right that Bringing it Black celebrates Mandela Day with an episode dedicated to the man himself, Nelson Mandela.

The former President of South Africa, Nobel Peace Prize winner and man that lives on as a leading figure in history, Nelson Mandela, was born in South Africa in 1918 and is best known for spending 27 years in prison for his fight for democracy and to end apartheid. 

This episode explores Mandela's legacy, with the help of my friend all the way from South Africa, Dikeledi Mokone and with words from the United Nations Chief and Price Harry.

Bringing it Black exists to celebrate, showcase and collaborate with the hottest talent from the UK's Black community 🙌

Connect with Dikeledi on Insta:@dikeledi_mokone

 Find me on: @Mary.Mandefield & [email protected]

This special episode delves into the topic of adoption in the Black community from the perspective of an incredible lineup of guests, including stories from adoptive parents and adoptees from across the world.

The show features an interview with Didi and Priscilla, an amazing example of Black adoptive parents from the LGBTQ+ community, who share their experience on everything from the steps to adoption and the process of matching a child with their parents to the reasoning behind wanting to match a child with parents that share their heritage. 

Joy Carter, a comedian, actor, speaker and adoptee from Nigeria joined me to chat all about her journey as an adoptee with a white family and the challenges that came with it.

Chatting with me all the way from the US were Jordyn and Mia, both with incredible advice and stories from their journeys as adoptees.

Bringing it Black exists to celebrate, showcase and collaborate with the hottest talent from the UK's Black community 🙌 

Connect with Didi and Priscilla on Insta: @that_a.c_life

Follow Joy on Insta: @joycartershow

Check out Mia on TikTok: @miathaicha

Hear Jordyn's story on TikTok: @jor.dynnnnnnnn

Find me on: @Mary.Mandefield & [email protected]

Bringing it Black has been blessed to have the Bratt Pitt of the Voiceover world on the show - award winning Black British Voiceover Artist, Jo Troy! Jo grew up in Walthamstow with a background in the creative industry, making music and then building a career from the corner of the room, with clients including Nike, Adidas, Samsung and Sony.

Jo and I chat about how he started a whole new career as a Voiceover Artist in the pandemic, and gives us a cheeky insight into how you can make a living from your voice, fees, charges and all that stuff that people don't usually talk about!

Jo give us useful tips on describing your voice, knowing your sound and how to prep your voice before a job. 

Bringing it Black exists to celebrate, showcase and collaborate with the hottest talent from the UK's Black community 🙌

Read Jo’s Ebook breaking down what to do to get your foot through the door: www.jotroy.com

Connect with Jo on insta: @JoTroyVO

Find me on: @Mary.Mandefield & [email protected]

We LOVE to see people with big dreams go out and make them a reality, and someone out here making things happen is Thea Hallow 🤩

Thea is a young creative from South-East London who’s making music and following her dreams. We chat about the importance of believing in yourself and knowing that you’re good enough to say YES to the amazing opportunities that come your way, the art of understanding how to make social media work for you and how to deal with anxiety about performing.

Check out Thea’s new single ‘Love Buddy’ and keep an eye out for the music video, coming very soon!

Bringing it Black exists to celebrate, showcase and collaborate with the hottest talent from the UK's Black community 🙌

Connect with Thea: @Thea.Hallow

Find me on: @Mary.Mandefield & [email protected]

Here at Bringing it Black you know it's all about shining a light on the people making waves in the world, and my latest guest, Shar, is the perfect example of this. 

Shar is a recent graduate from West London working for a TV production company and she joins me to chat about life as a Black creative. We talk about everything from her experience graduating in these crazy times and navigating workplace relationships, to the dehumanisation of 'diversity hires'.

Bringing it Black exists to celebrate, showcase and collaborate with the hottest talent from the UK's Black community 🙌

Connect with Shar: @sharloola/@sharloolart 

Follow Black in Britain: @blackinbritain

Find me on: @Mary.Mandefield & [email protected]

This week on Bringing it Black, joining us live and direct from an Enny gig is Mistar Alvin😂🤩. We chat all about his popular new show ‘Top 5 Replies’, which you need to check out on YouTube.

Top 5 Replies sees Mistar Alvin replying to your unfiltered, hilarious and sometimes outlandish comments from #JuliesTop5

Alvin and I chat all about his new show, how he makes sure everyones feelings are kept in tact in the process & who would be his ultimate artist for the show.

I also treat you to a lil rundown on everything you need to know about N-Dubz & the comeback that’s been blowing up my socials👀

Bringing it Black exists to celebrate, showcase and collaborate with the hottest talent from London's Black community 🙌

Connect with Mistar Alvin: @mistaralvin

Find me on: @Mary.Mandefield & [email protected]

This week we're chatting about a very exciting opportunity for new filmmakers called 'Black Britain Unspoken', and joining me on the show is the director of creative services at Warner Bro's Discovery - Emma Cassidy. 🎥

Emma and I chat all about the opportunity with Warner Bro’s Discovery X Media Trust, which is filmmaking initiative with a purpose of sharing perspectives and experiences of being black and British.

Emma discusses her role in the initiative, what she’s looking for from new talent and what to expect from the opportunity.

I am also joined by former Westside legend himself - Temi Jonah 🤩 We chat about all the juicy things trending over the last week from Catfish to Dr Who to Cara Delevingne at the BBMA’s *shudders*.

Bringing it Black exists to celebrate, showcase and collaborate with the hottest talent from London's Black community 🙌

Find out more about the Black Britain Unspoken opportunity here.

Find me on: @Mary.Mandefield & [email protected]

Time to meet two incredible women who are bringing their A game to the projects which they've seen through from conception to execution 💪

Afia: Behind the Gram

My first chat is with Afia, host of the new video series ‘Behind the Gram’ which delves into the lives of influential individuals in the world of music, arts and culture by examining their Instagram profiles.

Afia shares her inspo behind the show, her relationship with social media and her next steps to grow the series.

Beverley: On the Cards: Colourism

I then speak with Beverley Nderu, who produced and directed the new BBC iPlayer show ‘On the Cards: Colourism’, which unravels the nuances of colourism, race and identity.

Beverley explains the process of storytelling important subjects and how she chose the right guests for the show.

Bringing it Black exists to celebrate, showcase and collaborate with the hottest talent from London's Black community 🙌

Check out Afia on insta @afiakufuor

Follow Beverley:@videos.bybev

Find me on: @Mary.Mandefield & [email protected]