This Is My Voice

Today I'm talking to the the multi-talented author Catherine Johnson 

She's written everything - from books for children and historical fiction, to working on a screenplay for a new series, focusing on the lives of Black Tudors in 17th century London.

We talk, in particular, about how Black History Month is still vitally important when it comes to diversifying education.

Today I'm talking to Young Adult and Children's author Patrice Lawrence - who has written books like Orangeboy, and her newest release, 8 Pieces of Silva.

We discuss feeling seen as people of colour within literature, and the importance of libraries...

Today I'm talking to award winning novelist Sara Collins - whose debut - 'The Confessions of Frannie Langton' is a glorious gothic romance - set to get the TV treatment. 

We discuss the need for black and non-white heroines in literature, and the struggles of creating that first novel.

Today we're chatting from Actor, DJ and musician Wayne C McDonald - who is set to become the first black actor to take on the role of Macbeth in the North East 

We talk about his concerns about the role - and the future of theatre, and how a love of music kick started everything.

Today I'm crossing the Atlantic - to speak to novelist Elaine Castillo in California.

We talk about her debut book - America is Not The heart - and everything from food and family to politics and Anime.

Today we're talking to the poet and writer Sunayna B-gharva - who - just days before we spoke, officially finished her PHD in astrophysics 

We talk about leading a double life between poetry and science, and fighting to be heard in both industries. 

Today we're chatting to Krishna Muthurangu - a filmmaker and director from the North East of England 

He tells us about growing up - in his words! - in the middle of nowhere, and how he came to film-making from a love of skateboarding and heavy metal.... 

We talk about all things film - and the potential future of the industry post-Covid 19

Today we're chatting to playwright Olivia Hannah - who's first full length play; Braids was due to take to the stage earlier this year, before lockdown began, after she was named one of Live Theatre's Associate Artists for 2018/19.

We talk about the state of the Theatre world due to the pandemic - and what her hopes are for the future of the industry.

Today we're talking food - as we sit down with food writer and activist Riaz Phillips - who's coordinated a collective recipe book called Community Comfort - raising money for Black and Asian people affected by the Coronavirus Pandemic 

Riaz tells me how he gathered together over a hundred cooks - all with migrant heritage - to put together the collection - and what his go to comfort meal is... 

Community Comfort is a e-book collection of over a hundred recipes from chefs with migrant heritage - raising money for the families of Black, Asian and minority victims of Covid-19, available from Tezeta Press.

We welcome poet and writer Rachel Long - founder of Octavia, Poetry Collective for Womxn of Colour, who's about to release her first collection of poems "My Darling From The Lions" on August 6th.

Due to lockdown we wrangled with technology to speak over Zoom - where I was very jealous of Rachel's ability not to kill plants - and the sunshine streaming in through her window!