How Shanghai made us feel like international superstars
New family adventures should be wonderful, unique and special, and that’s the way I’d always…
Honouring Our Elders – Memories of the Caribbean home
Today (22 June) marks the 78th anniversary of the arrival of the HMT Empire Windrush. This historic moment brought the first large group of Caribbean migrants to post-war Britain. Windrush day is a time to remember and pay homage to the contributions of our Caribbean elders who paved the way for us to have a…
How the city of Bath welcomed an Ethiopian Emperor
It was a weekend like no other. Feeling adventurous with nothing much planned, so a weekend break to the historical city of Bath sounded perfect. But what we didn’t know, was that the UNESCO world heritage city had a unique and sacred gem in the palm of its hand.
Transatlantic Slave Trade recognised as ‘gravest crime against humanity’
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has officially recognised the trafficking of enslaved Africans and the racialised chattel enslavement of Africans as the gravest crime against humanity. Ghana’s president, John Dramani Mahama, spearheaded the resolution, which was put forward to 193 countries to cast their vote on March 25- an International Day of Remembrance for…
Top 8 historical landmarks to visit in Barbados
Barbados is an exceptional family holiday destination, providing ample opportunity to create unforgettable memories. With absolutely no shortage of things to see and explore on this beautiful Caribbean island, there’s no room for boredom or wishing you’d opted for another holiday destination. From the wonderful year-round warm and sunny weather, perfect for water sports and…
How Shanghai made us feel like international superstars
New family adventures should be wonderful, unique and special, and that’s the way I’d always like ours to be! But while the vast majority of trips have been, venturing to Shanghai proved that there’s just some things you cannot prepare for. Although Shanghai is widely regarded as mainland China’s most cosmopolitan and modernised city, cultural…
Where to find Black history and culture in NYC
Travelling to New York City as a family felt like the perfect way to celebrate my birthday. I was excited to explore what one of the greatest cities in the world had to offer, and eager to fulfil a jam-packed to-do list during a short and special stay. From an adrenaline pumping shopping scene, to…
Why Rwanda was the perfect family vacation
Travelling to Rwanda as a family has been one of our most culturally enriching vacations by far. We pursued Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda, because we wanted to venture out to somewhere unusual, somewhere rich in culture, deep in history and somewhere away from the popular sun, sea and sand holiday destinations. Kigali ticked…
9 things to NOT do in Japan
The ‘Land of the Rising Sun’ was all that we expected it to be. Modern yet traditional, bustling yet peaceful. Stepping into Japan felt like entering a safe and futuristic world where High-Tech innovation fused nicely with ancient traditions. On the shinkansen (Japan’s high-speed bullet train) a touch of Japanese hospitality saw us warmly greeted…
How to NOT lose your child in NYC
Out of all the destinations we’ve travelled to as a family, New York City felt like the most unsafe place for young children to be. It’s busy, congested with people and cars, and while I had an instant reaction to hold on to my children and not let them out of my sight, we were…
Emotional visit to Rwanda’s Kigali Genocide Memorial
On the 16th of February 2024, I visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial in Rwanda. While children are allowed to enter the memorial site including the café, restaurant and the beautiful grounds, they are understandably restricted from the main exhibition rooms. I did the tour alone and although I knew it was going to be an…
Why we should stand with Diane!
Let’s continue to salute and stand by our sisters! For way too long, Black women in the public domain have been on the receiving end of verbal abuse. Abuse often perpetrated by the likes of an ignorant minority who know and understand little about Black people, Black history, culture and more specifically, Black women. Earlier…
Why Journalism needs more diverse voices
As a young Black graduate, it wasn’t particularly easy for me starting out in the field of Journalism. I received a fair share of rejection letters before I landed my first unpaid work placement with a national newspaper. And as excited as I was about the prospect of entering a newsroom for the first time,…
Graduation at 80- Why age is nothing but a number
Most of us wouldn’t dream of studying at the age of 80, but highly ambitious Antonette Clarke-Akalanne, saw age as no barrier when she enrolled on a MA in Black Humanities at Bristol University. Graduating at 81 years-old, was a massive and inspiring milestone and Antonette continues to embrace work in the community through her…
Is it ok to ask “Where are you really from?”
Questions of ‘belonging’ ran deep this week after the late Queen’s lady-in-waiting Lady Susan Hussey, repeatedly asked a Black British charity boss: “where are you really from?” during a palace charity reception. It was reported that Ms Ngozi Fulani, a charity founder of the domestic violence charity, Sistah Space, had her long dreadlocks moved to one side…
What the killing of George Floyd taught me
The unexpected and intense events of summer 2020 were like no other in my living memory. First there was Covid-19, the pandemic that swept the nation, then there was George Floyd, the African American killed by a white police officer in the US city of Minneapolis. What followed was an explosion of anti-racist riots across…
How my first trip to Barbados made me feel
Barbados, or as it is often referred to as ‘Little England’, was the first country I fell in love with as a young adult (many years before I became a mum) when I set out exploring the world. I was enthralled, not for the island’s historical landmarks and parish names of English saints, but the…
How we made the most of a family staycation in York
Covid-19 restrictions created a real urge for outdoor adventure after months of being locked indoors. While essential online grocery shopping was once considered an exciting queue- dodging experience, it became a repetitive and boring chore. DIY home decor lost its novelty within days, creating a bundle of unfinished tasks. And, an overindulgence on Netflix kept…
Why Black history should be taught in British schools
With October just being around the corner, some schools across the country are preparing to welcome and celebrate Black History Month, a time of reflection and remembrance, honouring the positive and profound contributions that Black people have made and continue to make in Britain. But we are also reminded of the controversy that comes…
Why Bristol’s Colonial Edward Colston statue must fall
From as far afield as the South Africa Rhodes Must Fall movement to the former British slave ports of Bristol, symbols of colonial oppression have adorned and occupied public space for centuries. But it was the pulling down of Bristol’s Edward Colston statue that really struck a chord with the British people, opening old wounds…