#0011 The Power of You

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Morning!

How we doing this week? Things have been intense but the highlight was recording the first two episodes of the newest season of The Black Female Narrative podcast. What was interesting is how a lot of the conversations were centred around power: who has it, how it’s won and how can we as Black women retain more of it.

I got the chance to sit down with Cultural Thinker Suzanne Alleyne who I adore. Suzanne has made it her life’s work to explore what power means in everyday life - whether in the workplace, in relationships, or any scenario. She is researching how people gain power, how it impacts our interactions and even how power and trauma make lasting changes to our brains.

That conversation was followed by me speaking to Subira Jones who is a Burnout specialist. Subira is a fountain of wisdom and I’ve always loved how knowledgeable she is. It’s one of those odd scenarios where I learn so much from her despite her being 10 years my junior. Subira talks about the need for us to secure our personal power to create, shape and experience the lives we want to live, laying the foundations for how we can ultimately thrive. Those episodes - and more - are coming soon!

It got me thinking about the power I want to hold in the world and I’ve started re-reading Robert Greene’s Seduction. Now if you’ve read any of his books before it can feel like an affront because it talks a lot about manipulation and control. I said as much to him as I produced an interview with him and national broadcaster, Angie Greaves, a year ago. As women, we’re taught to be good and virtuous. Our place in the world is to see how we can be of service and we can misconstrue how much we do as a reflection of our value.

What I’ve realised in the last week though is that no matter what scenario you’re in, power is always at play and having the knowledge and skills to navigate others is critical. And what's wrong with making someone feel good by appealing to their sensibilities, right? Books like Robert's offer an opportunity, a playbook to building an existence that fulfills a need and doesn't have to be negative. You can either spend your time complaining the world is unfair or…you can enhance your skills and secure what’s yours…

Post of the week

One of the things I love on Instagram is a meme so I’ve decided to start adding one of my favourites every week.

This one resonated particularly hard for me recently. Can someone have a word with the Universe and tell them I've learnt all the lessons I'll ever need please?! Ta.

Until Monday, Loved One

I loved reading this piece from Lisa Maynard-Atem who discusses how she went from a Marketing and Inclusion Director into the fashion industry. In a world where career progression can be considered a mark of social status it can be difficult to change and begin in a brand new industry. Lisa's leap is inspiring and a reminder that the priority is what lights you up.

On Tuesday 24th January 2023, I took a bold 'fashionable' step - I resigned from my job as Marketing & Inclusion Director. I had known for some months prior to resigning that it was time to venture out and do my own thing. Was I petrified? Most definitely. But I knew that I had to take the advice of Nike and just do it. And to think that it all started with the rental of a fabulous Rixo dress four years ago. Fast forward to May 2023, I officially launched one of my ventures - my first course 'Rent, Wear & Share - Turn Your Clothes into Cash'.

As I reflect on my journey, it's clear that what began as a modest side hustle - renting out pieces of my wardrobe - is now transforming into a significant career move. This transformation wasn't just about fashion; it was about personal finance, embracing the media spotlight, and penning my first book, Fashionable Steps to Financial Freedom.

Read the rest of Lisa's story

To me Zeinab Badawi is a journalistic legend that they don't really make any more? For those of us old enough to female journalists like Moira Stewart, I'm not sure that they're as revered as Uncle Trevor MacDonald? Anyway Zeinab has released her latest book, An African History of Africa.

Here's the synopsis:

Everyone is originally from Africa, and this book is therefore for everyone.
For too long, Africa’s history has been dominated by western narratives of slavery and colonialism, or simply ignored. Now, Zeinab Badawi sets the record straight.

In this fascinating book, Badawi guides us through Africa’s spectacular history – from the very origins of our species, through ancient civilisations and medieval empires with remarkable queens and kings, to the miseries of conquest and the elation of independence. Visiting more than thirty African countries to interview countless historians, anthropologists, archaeologists and local storytellers, she unearths buried histories from across the continent and gives Africa its rightful place in our global story.

The result is a gripping new account of Africa: an epic, sweeping history of the oldest inhabited continent on the planet, told through the voices of Africans themselves.

Congrats to father and son Paul and Mike Williams who have dominated my timeline with their Flake Bake Jamaican Patties. The businessmen from Peckham are giving other brands a run for their money by not only winning Channel 4 show ‘Aldi’s Next Big Thing’ but they’ve had customers leaving the shelves bare.

“I was just a guy making patties in a bakery in Peckham and selling them to anyone that wanted to buy and now we are going to be on a supermarket shelf. It’s such a great accomplishment.” said Mike when he spoke to MyLondon.

Here are some stories that piqued my interest from across the web:

• ‘Woke’ being misused by Government ministers, says first black female bishop - Central Fife Times

• First exhibition documenting 500 years of Black music in Britain to open at the British Library - The Line of Best Fit

• Sojo Debuts Pledge to Repair at the BFC’s Institute of Positive Fashion Forum - WWD

• Benin Bronzes should be returned’ to Nigeria, says artist Yinka Shonibare - Channel 4 News