Portrait of a Londoner

Date: April 25th 2020Episode: 1Title: Introducing ourselves and Portrait of a LondonerIn this very brief episode of Portrait of a Londoner we introduce ourselves!Catriona and Muna met in 2013 playing netball in Honor Oak Park, SE London. In December 2019 they met for a coffee and decided to launch a podcast exploring their local community. They hope their conversations will reflect the diversity of their neighbourhood and give people a greater understanding of who lives on their doorstep!In the first series we will be talking to people who live or work in Forest Hill, South-East London https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forest_Hill,_London. If you are a new listener to Portrait of a Londoner,  we would love to hear from you! Contact details are below Join the ConversationOur favourite part of recording a live podcast each week is participating in the greatconversations that happen on social media, and in our comments section.This week’s question is:Question: Who are you and what would you like us to discuss in this podcast?Please join the conversation by:  Visiting our Instagram @portrait_of_a_londoner  Facebook @Portrait of a Londoner Twitter @portraitpodcastor email us portraitofalondoner@gmail.comPlease rate review and subscribe to our podcast!

Date: 5th March 2020Episode: 2Title: Nick Merriman CEO of Horniman Museum Forest Hill on improving accessibility and diversity in museums.In this episode of Portrait of a Londoner we speak to Nick Merriman who is CEO of the Horniman Museum in South East London https://www.horniman.ac.uk/. He was formerly Director of the Manchester Museum. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_MerrimanPortrait of a Londoner is a South-east London based podcast and in the first series we will be talking to people who live or work in Forest Hill, South-East London https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forest_Hill,_London. If you are a new listener to Portrait of a Londoner,  we would love to hear from you! Contact details are below In this episode, you we discuss:Diversity and accessibility in the museum world in general but also at the Horniman museum (02.00)Other museums in the UK and globally that are working to involve their local communities and improve accessibility including the Anacostia museum https://anacostia.si.edu/, Derby museums  https://www.derbymuseums.org/, and Glasgow’s Kelvingrove https://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/museums/venues/kelvingrove-art-gallery-and-museum (11.08)His childhood (12.50)The relationship and influence of his wife who is director of The Tate https://www.tate.org.uk/ (17.13)Some of the places he goes to relax including Kettle’s Yard in Cambridge https://www.kettlesyard.co.uk/ (20.38)We close with plans for the Horniman for the remainder of 2020 and the role the Horniman plays in Lewisham Borough of Culture 2021 https://www.gold.ac.uk/news/lewisham-borough-of-culture-2021/If you would like to find out more about the Horniman museum you can check them out on:  their Instagram @hornimanmuseumgardensTwitter @hornimanmuseumJoin the ConversationOur favourite part of recording a live podcast each week is participating in the greatconversations that happen on on social media, and in our comments section.This weeks question is:Question: What is your experience or views on diversity and accessibility with respect to museums and galleries? Please join the conversation by:  Visiting our Instagram @portrait_of_a_londoner  Facebook @Portrait of a Londoner Twitter @portraitpodcastor email us portraitofalondoner@gmail.comhttps://www.patreon.com/user?u=34411265Please rate review and subscribe to our podcast!Production: Guavabanana.com

Date: 30th January 2020Episode: 3Title: Karen Arthur:  Fashion Designer, Sewing Tutor on mental health, fashion and increasing diversity and visibility for older women in the mediaIn this episode of Portrait of a Londoner we talk to Karen Arthur who is a former teacher turned fashion designer at www.reddskin.co.ukPortrait of a Londoner is a South East London based podcast and in the first series we will be talking to people who live or work in Forest Hill, South East London https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forest_Hill,_London. If you are a new listener to Portrait of a Londoner, we would love to hear from you! Contact details are below In this episode, we talk to Karen about:How meditation and yoga have helped in her recovery after a breakdown in 2015 and how a book by Jon Kabat Zin helped her on the road to recovery (3.05) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Full-Catastrophe-Living-Revised-mindfulness/dp/0749958413Becoming a role model to a wider community and how this started with her daughters (11.43)Opening up conversations about the menopause (14.00)How crafting/making which started in childhood has become cathartic in challenging times (17.00)Places Karen loves to visit in Forest Hill including Brown and Green Cafe in Mayow Park (19.59) https://www.brownandgreencafe.com/mayow-park  If you would like to find out more about the Karen she is on the following socials Instagram @thekarenarthurTwitter @ReddskinUKwww.reddskin.co.uk  Join the Conversation!Our favourite part of recording a live podcast each week is participating in the greatconversations that happen on social media, and in our comments section.This week’s question is:Question: Do you feel there are enough women of colour being represented in the media currently?Please join the conversation by visiting our socialsInstagram @portrait_of_a_londoner Facebook @Portrait of a Londoner Twitter @portraitpodcastor email us portraitofalondoner@gmail.comPatreon id: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=34411265Please rate review and subscribe to our podcast!Production: Guavabanana.com

Episode 4 – Francisco GarciaTitle: Francisco Garcia on navigating grief and loss at a young age and how these events and a connection with Forest Hill have shaped him.Francisco Garcia is a writer and journalist. His book ‘If you were there’ will be published by Harper Collins in 2021Portrait of a Londoner is a South-East London based podcast and in the first series we will be talking to people who live or work in Forest Hill, South-East Londonhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forest_Hill,_London.If you are a new listener to Portrait of a Londoner, we would love to hear from you! Contact details belowIn this episode, we discuss:His childhood and how a great teacher supported the family through the loss of his mother (1.24)The missing persons crisis in the UK (11.21) https://www.vice.com/en_uk/article/yw8eey/inside-britains-escalating-missing-persons-problemHis relationship with the area that he grew up in Forest Hill and the famous ‘ship’ at Dawson’s Heights  (25.14)https://www.architecture.com/image-library/features/dawsons-heights.html?collection=feature-dawsons-heightsHow his grandmother’ s love of books and her favourite poem If you would like to find out more about Francisco he is represented by www.curtisbrown.co.ukTwitter @ffansiscodgfJoin the Conversation by Visiting our Instagram @portrait_of_a_londonerFacebook @Portrait of a LondonerTwitter @portraitpodcast or email us portraitofalondoner@gmail.comhttps://www.patreon.com/user?u=34411265Please rate review and subscribe to our podcast!Production: Guavabanana.com

Aga Czarnota, Deli owner talks about her childhood in Poland, early career in London, thoughts on Brexit and why she loves Forest Hill! Aga is owner of Aga’s little deli and co-owner of zero waste store Beetroot and BeansFind information on Aga’s deli here: https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g186338-d5570135-Reviews-Aga_s_Little_Deli-London_England.htmlBeetroot and Beans here: https://www.lewishamlocal.com/places/united-kingdom/greater-london/london/water-refill-station/beetroot-beans/ Portrait of a Londoner is a South-east London based podcast and in the first series we will be talking to people who live or work in Forest Hill, South-East London https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forest_Hill,_London.If you are a new listener to Portrait of a Londoner,  we would love to hear from you! Contact details are below In this episode, we discuss:What she loves about her deli (0.00-03.00)Early career in London (3.00-6.00)Helping to establish Polish Magazine Cooltura (7.15)Her thoughts on Brexit (8.03)Her childhood (11.53)Raising her children in the UK and maintaining links with Poland (17.56)Working at Neal’s Yard dairy (20.00)Her favourite places to go in Forest Hill (21.30) If you would like to find out more about Aga you can check her out on Instagram @agas_little_deliTwitter @AgasLittleDeliJoin the ConversationOur favourite part of recording a live podcast each week is participating in the greatconversations that happen on on social media, and in our comments section. Please contact us by…Visiting our Instagram @portrait_of_a_londoner Facebook @Portrait of a Londoner Twitter @portraitpodcastor email us portraitofalondoner@gmail.comhttps://www.patreon.com/user?u=34411265Please rate review and subscribe to our podcast! Production: Guavabanana.com  

In this episode of Portrait of a Londoner we speak to Melissa Thompson owner of the food and recipe project and popular Instagram account Fowl Mouths Food https://www.fowlmouths.co.uk/Portrait of a Londoner is a South-east London based podcast and in the first series we will be talking to people who live or work in Forest Hill, South-East London https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forest_Hill,_London.If you are a new listener to Portrait of a Londoner,  we would love to hear from you! Contact details are below In this episode,  we discuss:Her parents and their influence Growing up in Dorset and early experiences of racismHer early years as a journalist at The MirrorTransitioning to working in food, running supper clubs and founding Fowl mouthsComing out to her parentsHer LGBT activismHer experience of being a parent as a gay, black woman.  If you would like to find out more about Melissa you can check her out on:  Instagram @fowlmouthsfoodTwitter @fowlmouthsfoodJoin the ConversationVisiting our Instagram @portrait_of_a_londoner Facebook @Portrait of a Londoner Twitter @portraitpodcastor email us portraitofalondoner@gmail.comhttps://www.patreon.com/user?u=34411265Please rate review and subscribe to our podcast!Production: Guavabanana.com

Brock Elbank Photographer on his career in fashion, shooting the Beards series to raise awareness of melanoma and more recent work taking portraits of people with skin conditions including vitiligo and CMNPortrait of a Londoner is a South-east London based podcast and in the first series we will be talking to people who live or work in Forest Hill, South-East London https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forest_Hill,_London.If you are a new listener to Portrait of a Londoner,  we would love to hear from you! Contact details are below In this episode,  we discuss:Brock’s early career in fashion inspired by photographer Anton Corbijn https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anton_CorbijnHis work on the Beards series to raise awareness of melanoma https://www.somersethouse.org.uk/whats-on/beardhttps://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2014/aug/08/project60-the-worlds-best-beards-in-picturesShooting Harnaam Kaur who has PCOS for Beards series https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harnaam_Kaurhttps://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/author/harnaam-kaur/Work on vitiligo series and talking at the Vitligo society https://vitiligosociety.org/ If you would like to find out more about Brock you can check him out on:   Instagram: @mrelbank Website: https://www.mrelbank.com/ Join the ConversationVisiting our Instagram @portrait_of_a_londoner Facebook @Portrait of a Londoner Twitter @portraitpodcastor email us portraitofalondoner@gmail.comhttps://www.patreon.com/user?u=34411265Please rate review and subscribe to our podcast!  

Portrait of a Londoner is a South-East London based podcast and in this mini-series we will be talking to people who live in London about racism in the UK. In this episode we speak to Stephen Ismail Thomas a certified M.I.S.P mindfulness teacher of programmes running  in primary and secondary schools. Research into Mindfulness has reported success in areas such as improving awareness, focus, concentration and supporting emotional regulation.https://www.mindbubbles.co.uk/home-1Stephen also works with a number of other projects including Upward bound https://www.londonmet.ac.uk/about/school-programmes-and-outreach/upward-bound-programme/If you are a new listener to Portrait of a Londoner, we would love to hear from you!  Join the Conversation by Visiting our Instagram @portrait_of_a_londonerFacebook @Portrait of a LondonerTwitter @portraitpodcast or email us portraitofalondoner@gmail.comhttps://www.patreon.com/user?u=34411265Please rate review and subscribe to our podcast!Production: Guavabanana.com 

Portrait of a Londoner is a South-East London based podcast and in this mini-series we will be talking to people who live in London about racism in the UK. In this episode we speak to Jason Page @jasonwhpageJason  has a portfolio career. He works as Operations Manager at the Migration Museum in Lewisham.  https://www.migrationmuseum.org/about-our-project/He also runs the South East Salon @selondonsalon  which serves as a South East london creative exchange bringing creativity, enterprise and resources to new and exciting spaces throughout south east London and works with gourmandizing @gourmandizing who paint murals focussed around food in SE london He talks to us about early childhood and moving around the USA as he father worked for the national urban league  https://nul.org/ and the influence of his parents and growing up with activism. The political situation in the USA and the election of Trump to give context to the death of George Floyd and protests in the USA. The discussion of real world  events in an online space His experiences of racism in childhood in the US and as an adult in LondonSetting up the South East London Salon If you are a new listener to Portrait of a Londoner, we would LOVE to hear from you! Join the Conversation or give us feedback by Visiting our Instagram @portrait_of_a_londonerFacebook @Portrait of a LondonerTwitter @portraitpodcast or email us portraitofalondoner@gmail.comhttps://www.patreon.com/user?u=34411265Please rate review and subscribe to our podcast!Production: Guavabanana.com 

Portrait of a Londoner is a South-East London based podcast and in this mini-series we will be talking to people who live in London about racism within the UK education system. In this episode we speak to Jason Arday who is an assistant professor in the department of Sociology at the University of Durham https://www.dur.ac.uk/sociology/staff/profile/?id=18558https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjNQbRKDXbgJason is also a trustee of the Runnymede Trust the UK’s leading race equality think tank https://www.runnymedetrust.org/Jason’s academic work has included the Aiming Higher report written with Professor Claire Alexander from the University of Manchesterhttps://www.runnymedetrust.org/uploads/Aiming%20Higher.pdfhttps://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/claire.alexander.htmlJason has written for The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/profile/jason-ardayAnd also appeared on BBC Radio 4  https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000k3grJason talks to us about: 0-15-minutes his research on the experience of BAME academics in the UK15.00 - His role as a trustee of the Runnymede Trust16.00- Working with Professor Claire Alexander to write the Aiming Higher Report24.30 -His childhood growing up in South London28.00 His experience of growing up with Aspergers and global development delay33.00 His hopes for the futureIf you are a new listener to Portrait of a Londoner, we would LOVE to hear from you! Join the Conversation or give us feedback by Visiting our Instagram @portrait_of_a_londonerFacebook @Portrait of a LondonerTwitter @portraitpodcast or email us portraitofalondoner@gmail.comWe are self funded so if you feel like supporting us we would be extremely grateful!https://www.patreon.com/user?u=34411265Please rate review and subscribe to our podcast!Production: Guavabanana.com  

Lavinya talks to us about growing up in South london, being excluded from school but managing to sit her GCSEs and A levels at the same time @merton college before heading to @soasuni to get her degree. During her time at SOAS Lavinya started @theblackcurriculum and she explains her motivation and drive for doing this. She discusses how her parents influenced her creativity and also some of the famous women that inspire her including @michelleobama @dinaashersmith and @adwoaaboah and hear our reaction when she tells us she is only 23 years old!  

 Portrait of a Londoner is a South-East London based podcast and in this mini-series we will be talking to people who live in London about racism within the UK education system. In this episode we speak to Naheeda Maharasingham who is headteacher at Rathfern Primary School, a diverse inner London primary. As head Naheeda took the school from special measures to outstanding. https://www.rathfern.lewisham.sch.uk/team-member/naheeda-maharasingam/Naheeda is also passionate about research in education and in particular the value of metacognition. https://www.lewishammarg.co.uk/443808729Naheeda talks to us about: Her early childhoodHer political awakening at universityMetacognition in practice and the Lewisham metacognition group  https://www.lewishammarg.co.uk/443808729Her work with the Chartered College of teaching https://chartered.college/Her hopes for the future If you are a new listener to Portrait of a Londoner, we would LOVE to hear from you! Join the Conversation or give us feedback by Visiting our Instagram @portrait_of_a_londonerFacebook @Portrait of a LondonerTwitter @portraitpodcast or email us portraitofalondoner@gmail.comWe are self funded so if you feel like supporting us we would be extremely grateful!https://www.patreon.com/user?u=34411265Please rate review and subscribe to our podcast!Production: Guavabanana.com    

Portrait of a Londoner is a South-East London based podcast. In this episode we speak to Rebecca Vincent, tattoo artist at Parliament tattoo https://www.patreon.com/RebeccaVincentRebecca  talks to us about: Her childhoodThe challenges of living with her dad’s alcoholism and ill healthHer postnatal depressionReturning to art to help her mental health recoveryThe #rvartclub where she is teaching people to draw online Her hopes for the future If you are a new listener to Portrait of a Londoner, we would LOVE to hear from you! Join the Conversation or give us feedback by Visiting our Instagram @portrait_of_a_londonerFacebook @Portrait of a LondonerTwitter @portraitpodcast or email us portraitofalondoner@gmail.comWe are self funded so if you feel like supporting us we would be extremely grateful!https://www.patreon.com/user?u=34411265Please rate review and subscribe to our podcast!Production: Guavabanana.com 

In this episode we talk to each other about why we decided to make a podcast inspired in part by the work of Action for Refugees in Lewisham.   We use some of the questions provided by the Campaign for Empahy menu for conversation including  Out today on the podcast we speak to each other! Earlier in the year when we spoke to @nick.merriman CEO of @hornimanmuseumgardens and he mentioned to us that he loved visiting @kettlesyard in Cambridge.  Kettle's Yard are running a Campaign for Empathy which is the world’s first community-centred campaign to promote empathy as a way to foster a sense of community and connection in a time of physical distancing and social isolation.Inspired by their project, in our conversation we ask some of the questions included in the Campaign for Empathy menu for conversation including..   What 3 things do you always have in your fridge?What memory stands out from your childhood?When did you last feel empathy towards someone?What advise would you give to your 20-year-old self?Do you have an unfulfilled dream?What does a happy life mean to you? 

This week we talk to Jasmine Pradissitto, artist and physicist.  Jasmine introduces her self below in her biography, you can find out more on  Jasmine on her website https://www.pradissitto.com/ and she is on instagram and twitter.  “Just be you; everyone else is already taken.” Oscar WildeParadoxically, just being ‘you’ is the hardest thing to be, especially when you feel compelled to change the system. For many, I am an artist; but my family would tell you, I am simply a dreamer. I was lucky as, from a very early age; my dreams were shaped by the intense colours of Italy. We had an Italian painter friend then, Eliot, who I apparently watched sitting from a step, for hours. I have never stopped drawing and making since.Born in Taunton to an Italian father and French mother, we moved to South London, where I still live and where my practice is based. My path to art was through the sciences, working for ICI for a brief stint and finally culminating with a Ph. D from UCL in 1996 on the Quantum behaviour of silicon. But I was also attending Goldsmiths College in the evening to study fine art. Like a lost melody that kept resonating in my head, the two worlds just seemed linked.In addition to painting, I then set up a successful, consultancy delivering creative science and maths to children and teachers and STEAM too, has crossed into my practise. Children are the most creative of all thinkers as they simply don’t get ‘impossible’. In 2006, I finished a BA in Fine Art and since then, have shown extensively as well as taught and lectured at all levels including for companies such as Glaxo and The BBC. I am currently a Visiting Fellow, delivering a new body of lectures on Creativity, to Engineers and Scientists. This is leading me onto exciting new collaborations with businesses as well as more public speaking. Creativity and 'play' in any arena, really does strike me as a necessary evolution in an age of such scientific and technological possibilities. I believe that Artists and Art have an enormous responsibility in presenting a different perspective on the 21st Century Renaissance which is happening so very fast, especially now post-Covid.Apart my passion for making connections, I love open space, speed, simplicity yet paradox, time spent in the 'art cave', mind minestrone, good friends, belly laughs, nature and the sun on my back.We really are just the sum of all the things we experience and the people we meet. This holds truer for artists than for most. I have been so fortunate in the people who have added to the sum of my parts. I cannot thank you enough.“Every good artist paints what he is.” Jackson Pollock  Her path to art was through science.  Whilst completing a PhD from UCL on the Quantum behaviour of silicon in 1996 she was also attending Goldsmiths College in the evenings studying fine art. Art has always been her passion.Her ‘Flower Girl’ sculpture currently displayed in the Horniman Museum garden uses pioneering pollution absorbing materials to clean the air around it.We talk to Jasmine about:What joy means to herHow she curates joy in her own lifeHow a tutor at art college gave her the freedom to merge science with artHer childhoodClimate change and living sustainablyIf you are a new listener to Portrait of a Londoner we would LOVE to hear from you!Join the conversation or give us feedback by contacting us on:Instagram: @portrait_of_a_londonerFacebook:  @Portrait of a LondonerTwitter: @portraitpodcast Or email us at portraitofalondoner@gmail.comWe are completely self funded so if you would like to support us we would be extremely gratefulhttps://www.patreon.com/user?u=34411265As always please rate review and subscribe! 

This week we speak to Rob Lowe AKA Supermundane, an artist based in South East London. Rob’s signature geometric images that play with line, colour and optical effects, have been published and exhibited worldwide. https://www.instagram.com/supermundane/As part of our series on joy, we sit down with Rob to discuss where joy can be found in his work, and why creating joyful art is so important to him. We also find out how he finds joy in his personal life through music, film and cold water swimming. In this episode, we talk about: Finding joy in cold water swimming and Tooting Bec Lido (0:20)The importance of joy in Rob’s work as an artist and how this has changed during lockdown (2:49)Rob’s introduction into art and professional journey as an artist (09:00)Why we should be challenging ourselves to say no and slow down in today’s world (10:50)Favourite films and the joy of watching them again and again (12:37) The music and playlist making currently bringing Rob joy (15:10) The places that Rob visits to feel joy and what he looks out when going to exhibitions (18:10)If you want to find out more about Rob, check out his website https://supermundane.com/ and follow him on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/supermundane/, where he posts details of when you can visit him at his studio in Forest Hill. Be part of the conversationWe’d love to know, how does art bring you joy? Find us on Instagram @portrait_of_a_londoner Facebook @Portrait of a Londoner Twitter @portraitpodcastor email us at portraitofalondoner@gmail.comWe are completely self funded so if you would like to support us we would be extremely grateful: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=34411265Please rate, review and subscribe to our podcast! If you’ve enjoyed this episode, why not send it to a friend? 

Episode SummaryNext up in our JOY series, we chat to Dominique Beverton about walking, sustainable fashion and music. Episode notes We continue our search for joy in lockdown in London as we speak with Dominique Beverton AKA @irrelevant_styling about her various passions. https://www.instagram.com/irrelevant_styling/Dominique is a force for good on instagram, documenting her colourful life in South East London and her impeccable taste in sustainable clothes. We discuss what brings Dominique joy, including nature and walking, slow fashion and music. In this episode, we talk about: Finding peace in walking in nature (3.08) The joy of reconnecting and spending quality time with her daughter in lockdown (6.28) Sustainable clothing and why Dominique has an aversion to the word ‘fashion’ (7.25) What Dominique’s perfect day in lockdown looks like (10.08) Dominique’s joyful music favourites (11.20)Which clothes bring her joy, and where to find one off pieces in charity shops in South East London - including the art of a good window display (12.23) If you want to find out more about Dominique and take a look at her outfits, find her at https://www.instagram.com/irrelevant_styling/. Be part of the conversationWe’d love to know, do you find joy in second hand shopping? What are your top tips?Find us on Instagram @portrait_of_a_londoner Facebook @Portrait of a Londoner Twitter @portraitpodcastor email us at portraitofalondoner@gmail.comWe are completely self funded so if you would like to support us we would be extremely grateful: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=34411265Please rate, review and subscribe to our podcast! If you’ve enjoyed this episode, why not send it to a friend? 

Jane Martin, or @JaneCanDoSE4 on Twitter, has her hand in many of the local initiatives which have helped create strong community ties in Crofton Park and South East London - including the netball team where Muna and Catriona first met. Jane has lived in South East London for almost 40 years and tweets and blogs constantly about the area. She is passionate about the community and supporting local businesses. She has played an integral role in lots of local activities and festivals, as well as local sports. We speak to Jane about building strong local ties, the importance of sport and how she finds joy. In this episode, we talk about: The start of the netball team, which is where our podcasts host first met (1:04)Jane’s resilience and optimism, where this comes from and how she maintains it (3:55)Being a community champion in South East London (6:29) The Crofton Column - Jane’s blog and finding new things to report on during lockdown (7:54) How Jane has maintained joy during lockdown through cycling and playing tennis (9:15)Finding joy through the rediscovery of jigsaw puzzles (11:40) Volunteering initiatives Jane has joined this year to help during the pandemic (12:48) The influence of Jane’s family on how she finds joy in sport now (15:11) If you want to find out more about Jane, take a look at her Twitter @JaneCanDoSE4 where you’ll also find links to her blog. Be part of the conversationWhich sports bring you joy, and how has finding joy changed for you this year?Find us on Instagram @portrait_of_a_londoner Facebook @Portrait of a Londoner Twitter @portraitpodcastor email us at portraitofalondoner@gmail.comWe are completely self funded so if you would like to support us we would be extremely grateful: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=34411265Please rate, review and subscribe to our podcast! If you’ve enjoyed this episode, why not send it to a friend? 

 In this episode of our JOY series, we talk to Kenya Hunt whose new book GIRL: Essays on Black Womanhood was released in November 2020. Episode notes Kenya Hunt is an American editor and writer based in London. She is currently the Fashion Director at Grazia UK and previous positions include Deputy Editor at ELLE. Kenya also founded R.O.O.M. Mentoring, which provides support for those trying to get into the fashion industry and works to help the sector become more diverse. Kenya’s book GIRL: Essays on Black Womanhood is a collection of essays about what it means to be a black woman in our time, told through her own story and experiences and those of some of her peers. It was published in November 2020. In this episode, we talk about: Why writing this book was so important for Kenya (0:35)Who Kenya had in mind when writing the book and the mantra ‘For us, by us’ she kept returning to (1:56)Social media and hashtag culture, and the role of women in social movements and the recent US election (2:51)Kenya’s experience starting out in the fashion industry and the importance of dedicating time to try to shift the industry to be more inclusive (7:33)How Kenya thinks about the experience of being a black woman today, and her hopes for how she would like this to evolve (12:15)The initiative Kenya started in response to the homogenous publishing and fashion industry she encountered in the UK, which helps graduates break into the industry and gives them support to progress within it (13:25)The influence of Kenya’s parents, and how they continue to impact her own approach to parenting (16:04)How Kenya finds joy spending time with family and writing (18:23)The music and magazines Kenya uses to lift her mood and find joy (20:08)You can find Kenya @kenyahunt on Instagram and her book is available to buy online and in bookshops. We can’t recommend it enough. Be part of the conversationWe would love to know how this conversation resonates with you - have you read Kenya’s book or are you planning to? Find us on Instagram @portrait_of_a_londoner Facebook @Portrait of a Londoner Twitter @portraitpodcastor email us at portraitofalondoner@gmail.comWe are completely self funded so if you would like to support us we would be extremely grateful: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=34411265Please rate, review and subscribe to our podcast! If you’ve enjoyed this episode, why not send it to a friend? 

In this episode, we talk about: What a County Line is (01.58)Pupil Referral Units (03.00)The county lines worker demographic: 91% teenage boys (06.00)The story of the boy who inspired the film (09.00)Why they decided to make the film and how they went about getting it to production (12.30)How Conrad Khan was chosen for the role and prepared to play Tyler (16.00)How youth violence was reduced in Glasgow by limiting school exclusion (24.00)The impact of loss of community (30.00)What they love about living in South East London (31.00)If you want to watch the film - all screenings of the film will be listed at:https://www.bfi.org.uk/whats-on/bfi-film-releases/county-linesIf you want to find out more about the film: Instagram:@COUNTYLINESfilmFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/COUNTYLINESfilm/Twitter:@COUNTYLINESfilmBe part of the conversationIf you have watched county lines please let us know what you think by contacting us on social media or via email. Find us on Instagram @portrait_of_a_londoner Facebook @Portrait of a Londoner Twitter @portraitpodcastor email us at portraitofalondoner@gmail.comWe are completely self funded so if you would like to support us we would be extremely grateful: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=34411265Please rate, review and subscribe to our podcast! If you’ve enjoyed this episode, why not send it to a friend?