Welcome to my website. I’m a journalist, author, lecturer, social entrepreneur and PhD student (from October 2010), whose professional interests and activities are driven by a commitment to social justice and equality. I have a passion for learning and teaching, I’m self-motivated and driven – and seek to empower individuals through education and training .
I’m a multi-media journalist, with experience of establishing and managing online publications. I hold a BA in Journalism Studies and have worked in the Caribbean and Africa as well as the UK and have produced documentaries and produced and presented TV programmes overseas. I have six years experience as an editor, both at Colourful (formerly Black Britain) and People with Voices and have had articles published in a variety of publications including Red Pepper and The Parliamentary Monitor.
I hold the Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching in Higher Education and have taught undergraduate courses in journalism at Birkbeck, University of London since October 2008. I have also guest lectured at other higher education institutions including The University of Essex, University of the Arts London and London Metropolitan University.
I’m the founder of People with Voices, a social enterprise that aims to widen access to professional journalism for groups that are under-represented in the mainstream media. This is achieved by providing high-quality, affordable journalism training for adults and young people combined with work experience and mentoring.
My first book, Layers of Blackness: Colourism in the African Diaspora was published in September 2007 and launched at the London College of Communication. You can read more about this in books.
In October 2010 I will begin studies at The University of Salford in Manchester for a PhD in journalism – more details on my project can be found on MyPhD page. I also worked as a Freelance Research Assistant at the Centre for Learning and Teaching in Art and Design (CLTAD) at University of the Arts London between 2008 and 2010. I was appointed as the research interviewer on the Researching Lives 3 project, which examined the experiences of black and minority ethnic students studying art and design at the university. I was also a member of the university’s consultancy group for the HEA Summit to Promote Student Success.
I have been involved in a number of projects involving young people. This includes leading a career development workshop with pupils from a secondary girl’s school in South London, organised by the social enterprise Ignite Leadership, (2010) delivering a journalism presentation and writing workshop for secondary school pupils in Birmingham for Birmingham City Council, organised by Dr Lorna Cork (2007) and providing training in documentary film making for young people as part of a Lottery Heritage project led by Dr Lez Henry of Nu-beyond. (2006)
I have been an invited guest speaker at numerous events including:
NUJ Black Members Conference March 2008
London Metropolitan University’s Annual Learning & Teaching Conference July 2008
Barking and Dagenham BME Workers Conference November 2008
University of Essex Human Rights Centre Speaker Series Jan 2007
Islington Council’s International Women’s Day Event March 2007
International Dalit Social Action Forum Launch event December 2007
