Come join us at Mere Green for a day filled with fun and educational activities. Explore a world of knowledge and discovery with interactive exhibits, engaging workshops, and inspiring speakers. Whether you’re a student, a teacher, or just curious about learning, there’s something here for everyone. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to expand your horizons and connect with fellow learners. See you there!
We are honoured to have the Mayor of Sutton Coldfield – Tony Briggs as part of this event, CEO of Potential Unlocked Awards – David C Hall and much more.
Silent Ebony explores Jesse Yaw’s most intimate, profound, and heartfelt collections of poetry and prose, which unravels and probes the most intricate and complex aspects of human nature, such as love, rejection, pain, trauma, faith, abuse, identity, war, relationships, family ties and pathology. It also explores racial injustice, trauma, using a myriad of carefully woven tactile and visual imagery, using personification as a means to allow readers to draw close to his mind, heart, spirit, and soul. Jesse’s poetry collection fearlessly addresses current political issues such as black political identity, the violation of black female pathology, and the struggle for freedom and racial equality. The collection of poetry serves as a sacred text, which provides healing, community, and an outpouring for the pure and unashamed voices of those who are marginalised, and those who seek rejuvenation. Providing a formidable social commentary on the state of modern society in the global village and life.
Author
Jesse Yaw is a Ghanaian intellectual, writer, poet, investor, political and economic theorist, and Businessman. He previously released his debut novel, The Deconstruction of Humanity’s Voice, But We Are Still Standing, which has been widely acclaimed and internationally recognised, and catalogued in the Schomburg Centre for Research in Black Culture in the United States of America, as well as the Black Cultural Archives in the United Kingdom. He is a racial equality activist and philanthropist, an advocate for global peace, social reform, and justice. Jesse was born in the United Kingdom, his heritage sewn into the fabric of the Royal Ashanti tribe of the Akan people.
Climbing Mountainsis the story about my journey to becoming a resilient leader – how I have faced life’s challenges head on, overcome them, survived and thrived.
It is an inspiring story about refusing to give up on my goals, being flexible about my methods in achieving them and taking others along with me whilst maximising their potential.
It is a moving reminder that whilst life is full of obstacles and curve balls, we need only continue taking one step at a time before we can look back and realise that we have climbed a mountain.
Venue: Jubilee Library, Jubilee Street Brighton BN1 1GE
Come along for a free arts and craft session with Afrori Books team followed by an interactive session with Kelechi Okafor.
An inspirational and engaging event based on the heart-warming debut picture-book “Strong Like Me” by Kelechi Okafor. An uplifting story about finding your own ways to be strong, discovering your power and championing yourself.
Kamara loves being super strong – it makes her feel fizzy and zappy! But her classmates and their negative words lead her to question herself and the confidence she has in her physical ability. With sports day and the Big Race looming, does Kamara have what it takes to reach the finish line?
Strong Like Me is a heart-warming story that sets out to help children discover their own strengths, champion themselves and be unapologetically secure in who they are. Join Kelechi for a fun and interactive event including a reading, a chance to create your very own story and to ask any questions!
Kelechi Okafor is a Nigerian-born Londoner – a writer, presenter, social commentator and tour de. force in challenging how we think about race, oppression, and femininity. Although Kelechi wears many hats, the head those hats are stylishly perched on is filled with incisive observations about. society, culture, and specifically Black womanhood.
OUT SOON! From the personal perspective and experiences of the only Black woman revered for her inroads into STEM and AI education and dissemination. SHE, DISRUPTS provides invaluable information on where those industries are and what needs to happen to include Black women and girls. A well researched and narrated book, SHE, DISRUPTS will disrupt Web 3.0 technology and those gatekeepers who have yet to be inclusive or stop those who do not look like them!
SHE, DISRUPTS is the first book of its kind, in areas that will shape our today and tomorrow. Paulette Watson is an award-winner, pioneer, entrepreneur, visionary and forward thinker, and an advocate for Black woman and girls to be included in the STEM and AI discussion. Paulette is a global leader in this new and dynamic field.
We live in a society where children have more access to social media. It is natural to compare yourself to others. By affirming to children that they are beautiful and wonderful just the way they are, we help boost their self- esteem allowing them to feel confident and self-sufficient in their own skin.
Kiki is just like any other girl but when some of her new class fellows point out that she needs to look more like the models on social media, Kiki feels insecure about her physical appearance. Go on this exciting journey with Kiki and find out how she learns to love herself so that you can do it too!
About the Author
Nateaya Brown is the new found author of ‘Beauty comes from yourself ‘a children’s book that touches on topics such as bullying, the impact social media can have on children and the importance of positive affirmation from parents / guardians. She is mult – talented , she’s very passionate about mental health and health and fitness. But like Kiki ( The Character in the children’s book) Nateaya’s uniqueness and self image was picked on in her childhood but it’s her self love and courageous personality which has led her to many of her accomplishments and achievements. On the topic of accomplishments and achievements she’s qualified within dance and sports leadership, fitness instructing and indoor cycling and that’s to name a few, In 2019 she managed to lose seventy-six pounds of body fat naturally it’s safe to say she really can do it all when she’s not dancing, exercising or running around after her two children she’s finding new hobbies or interest.
Playing his clarinet inside one of London’s most exclusive members’ clubs reminded him of the privilege the elites can enjoy, but also the illusive duality of his identity, as the echo of his clanging Ashanti beads around his wrist, the scent of shea butter and sandalwood oil immersed upon his mahogany brown skin, reminded him of his true African identity. Jesse Yaw takes us through his journey as a young black man, exploring the racial constructs of relationships and modern society. With its destructive perceptions of class, race, truth, and equality, coloured by the trajectory of historical discrimination, and prejudiced western norms that have been embraced by the global community, Jesse seeks to explore the psychological impact that assimilation to westernised ideologies of beauty, governance, education, economy, law, class, and politics has on humanity. And what that consequently means for his self-determination. He acknowledges that, for too long, negative perceptions have cast a dark shadow upon black lives and subdued black potential. For these destructive perceptions to be removed from the eyes, lips, minds, and hearts of the global village, the re-education of the human mind is central. Jesse deconstructs the subconscious voice of the human mind, and establishes the unaltered truth of who we really are.
Jesse is a Ghanaian conscientious writer, poet, political theorist and activist, who is an advocate for racial equality and global justice. He was born in the United Kingdom, his heritage sewn into the fabric of the royal Ashanti tribe of the Akan people. He regularly travels back to his motherland, Ghana. Having worked in the corporate finance world for many years and being educated in the United Kingdom, he has had first-hand experience of the perils of racism, assimilation and its adverse effects on black people; and more importantly its crippling impact on black potential. He seeks to unravel the psychology behind racism and to explore the power of manipulation upon the human mind, and hence its conditioning. He explores contemporary, as well as historical, political, psychological issues, particularly in relation to identity and stereotypes, in hopes of exposing false ideas that have been embraced globally about black people. Jesse, acknowledges that the re-education of the mind is central to the true emancipation of African descendants.
BEING INVISIBLE: Men of Colour Talk About Love, Life, and Fatherhood is a powerful insight into the views and thought processes of black fathers who openly talk about their innermost fears around their masculinity, sexist attitudes, parenting styles, family, love and relationships. Through countless interviews conducted at Black Fatherhood Groups, this book serves as a safe space to delve into the most challenging of subjects. Glimpse into their views on bringing up children, how men deal with emotions, their relationship to the world of work and why they sometimes struggle to show public affection to their partners.
Being a father is a lifetime responsibility, so how do fathers who have separated from their family cope, and what’s the impact on their emotional wellbeing? What effects do generational trauma, generational and cultural differences have on a man’s ability to parent, and how do black fathers deal with negative stereotypes?
At times you will laugh at their experiences of growing up in Britain as they struggle to admit to being wrong to their partners. On other occasions feel their pain when some fathers recall the discipline they endured from their fathers and the impact on future relationships. But most of all, this book emphasises the importance of learning from our experiences as a collective so we can become better fathers and improve the next generation.
When Milly accidentally meets Lily, her twin lookalike, her far-fetched fantasy of living as a princess becomes a reality. As the girls plot a scheme to switch places and experience each other’s life, everything is perfect. That is, until the evil, power-hungry, Debrian turns up with his mystical powers and threatens to take over the Kingdom. Can the girls stop this nightmare from happening and what will happen when their plot to switch lives is discovered?
About the Author
My name is Rexella, a 12-year-old upcoming writer. I am a 6th grader at the Turku International School, Finland, who likes dancing, gymnastics, and telling people to be appreciative of what they have, the people around them and to not always compare themselves to others. In my book, ‘Twin Switch Disaster’, Milly and Lily had to learn that the hard way, but at least they had the adventure of their life – finding their inner strength and overcoming challenges. Available on preorder very soon! Congratulations Rexella!
An alien planet ravaged by robot invaders, a city on Earth plagued by crime – and one extraordinary man who has the spirit to save them both.
Beats of War tells the story of Scotland’s first black comic book superhero, DJ E.T, and pays homage to the two countries his creator calls home.
Filmmaker and DJ Etienne Kubwabo began writing the comic in 2018 – seven years after moving to Glasgow from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
He was mesmerised by the falling snow and the high-flying motorways of his new landscape, but he struggled to find his place in the city when he first arrived.
“When I first came here, my English wasn’t that good,” he told STV entertainment show What’s On Scotland. “Trying to fit in was the hardest part and had me questioning whether I belonged here.
“I was stopped by the police a couple of times and was struggling at college. There was a lot of anxiety and frustration.
“I didn’t understand how I could deal with that. Eventually I created a comic book so I could escape from it.”
Beats of War sees DJ E.T take on gangs and features references to Scotland and African culture, including real landmarks from both Glasgow and Congo.
The comic has sold more than 15,000 copies since it launched last year and has seen Etienne host workshops in school classrooms around the country.
Etienne recalled his lifelong love of superheroes, but didn’t feel represented in the pages of Marvel and DC.
“I grew up watching Spiderman and Superman, but they didn’t look like me,” he said. “I wanted to inspire other kids who could see themselves in this character.
“I feel like I’ve helped kids of colour around the world who don’t feel represented.
“This has been my way of giving back. I wanted to help young people look at the world differently and maybe they can even create their own superheroes.”
Etienne said he wanted to capture all facets of Glasgow, from its architecture to its gangland history, in Beats of War.
More than a decade since he arrived as a refugee, he said the city was a great place to start a new life.
“You’ll meet some people who think you don’t belong in this country, but you’ll get that anywhere around the world,” he said.
“The good thing is that ‘people make Glasgow’. If you’re stranded at a bus stop, an old lady will point you in the right direction.
“People are lovely and welcoming here. It’s a melting pot of different cultures.”
What’s On Scotland is on STV and the STV Player at 7pm on Friday, September 23.
UK Black Writers Forum 