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Showing posts from March, 2018

Being Black in Britain

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I recently attended an event with two British-Ghanaians in the media, which shone a light on how some of us second generationers (I know it's not a word...yet) have dealt with feeling foreign in the country of our birth. June Sarpong MBE and lawyer and journalist Afua Hirsch promote their books: Diversify and Brit(ish):  On Race, Identity and Belonging    © MisBeee Writes The event was organised by The Media Society and Reed Smith LLP and was called Brit(ish) and Black - Growing Up in a Strange Land. It introduced former T4 presenter June Sarpong and lawyer and journalist Afua Hirsch and was called Brit(ish) and Black - Growing Up in a Strange Land. Both women are panellists on the Sky TV show The Pledge, both have launched new books and both have lived in Ghana at some points in their lives. June came from a well-to-do family in Ghana, grew up during the Rawlings years and had to flee with her immediate family to Britain in the 1980s. She initially lived in council

Guest blogger: Joana Nyantakyiwaa - an inspirational mum

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International Women's Day and Mother's Day have all too keenly focussed the world's attention on the amazing women in all of our lives. My inspiration is much closer to home and comes from my amazing mum. She is not only beautiful, extremely accomplished as a business woman, mother, healer, chef, and positive thinker - she is unafraid of trying new activities. Mama channelling Ghana's Next Top Model and doing it well! She taught herself to knit and sew when my brother and I were children, graduated to crocheting doilies and then to creating fantastic flower arrangements. She inspired my love for creativity and established her own jewellery-making enterprise - creating earrings, bracelets and necklaces. She set up her own business caring for elderly people for almost two decades and once that chapter in her life was drawing to an end, she went back to school and got a couple of GCSEs in English and Law (as you do!). Saying I am proud of her would be an u

Brixton exhibition preserves Ghana’s past

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An East London family had no idea that two bags of letters brought back from Ghana would become the subject of a groundbreaking exhibition. Promise Togobo-Adamah, seated right with BCA Director Paul Reid  and friend,  is flanked by Adamah family members © MisBeee Writes But when the Black Cultural Archives in Brixton got involved and enlisted the help of experts, these old documents - some dating back to 1894 - were deemed to be absolutely unique in Britain and a heritage asset that needed to be preserved. The Adamah Papers exhibition was launched on Ghana Independence Day (6th March) and showcased letters written by and sent to Ewe King Fia Togbui Adamah II, and celebrated elements Ewe culture. The link below highlights the journey of these papers from Ghana to the UK. And check out an interview with exhibition curator Natalie Fiawoo . The exhibition is on until September 2018. All comments are welcome on this page. If you are having trouble posting on the Go