"Creation isn’t always invention; sometimes it’s the art of reimagining the known in ways that make it feel brand new."

This week we sat down with Barbadian author and filmmaker, Shakirah Bourne, whose award-winning children’s books and screenwriting work have brought Caribbean folklore to global audiences.

In this episode, Shakirah shares how a last-minute writing challenge led to a book deal; her passion for preserving regional stories through fantasy and film; and why authenticity—not trend—is the secret to impactful storytelling. Brands and creatives alike will walk away with insights on repurposing legacy, taking creative risks, and staying true to your voice... especially when the world expects otherwise.

About our guest
Shakirah Bourne is a Barbadian writer and filmmaker whose debut children’s book, Josephine Against the Sea, was a Best Book of 2021 by the School Library Journal and the Black Caucus of the ALA, and an Ignite Award finalist. Her works Nightmare Island and Beware the Heart Man draw on Caribbean folklore and have been widely acclaimed. A former Commonwealth Short Story Prize finalist and recipient of the Governor General Award for literary fiction, Shakirah has also co-edited the YA nonfiction anthology Allies and continues to push Caribbean narratives onto the global stage through both literature and film.

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