Black All Year

What happens when you speak out about racism within your own community? Steph Edusei is joined by Aiysha Saleemi , registered pharmacist, Senior Implementation Manager at UCL Partners Health Innovation Network, and founder of Green Diamond Boxing . A proud Muslim woman of Indian-Pakistani heritage, Aiysha isn’t afraid to tackle the uncomfortable reality of anti-Blackness and colourism in South Asi...

What does it take for white people to stop being “not racist” and start being anti-racist ? Steph Edusei sits down with Nikki Brooker , also known as the Anti-Racist Mum, in a fearless and deeply personal discussion exploring the uncomfortable, necessary, and transformative work of challenging white supremacy from the inside out. A white mother to a Black mixed-heritage daughter, Nikki shares how...

It’s been one year since the 2024 UK riots shook the country. In this raw and reflective solo episode, Steph Edusei unpacks the racialised fear, silence, and scapegoating that followed, and what it revealed about Britain’s ongoing relationship with race, justice, and belonging. Steph shares her personal reflections on: The impact of the riots on Black and minoritised communities The double standar...

Is it just hair, or is it something much deeper? In this episode, host Steph Edusei is joined by social entrepreneur and founder of Teakisi, Salha Kaitesi, for an insightful conversation about the cultural, political, and professional impact of Black hair discrimination. From school policies to workplace bias, and from childhood identity to adult self-worth, Salha shares her personal experiences a...

What happens when a young Black boy, newly arrived in the UK, faces racism, isolation, and nearly loses himself trying to fit in? In this deeply honest episode of Black All Year, Steph Edusei speaks with Ghanaian artist Kelvin Frimpong, whose journey from self-erasure to self-expression is as compelling as his art. Kelvin shares how cultural shock, racial trauma, and toxic messaging nearly radical...

Why does talking about race make so many white people uncomfortable, and what happens when that discomfort shuts the rest of us down? In this solo episode of Black All Year , Steph Edusei unpacks the concept of white fragility, a term coined by Dr. Robin DiAngelo, and explores how defensive reactions to conversations about racism can silence progress, dismiss lived experiences, and uphold structur...

What does it mean to die with dignity and who gets access to that dignity? In this deeply compassionate episode of Black All Year , host Steph Edusei speaks with Dr Karon Ornadel, a specialist palliative care physician and co-lead of the Hospice UK Race Equity ECHO. Together, they unpack the uncomfortable truths about race, access, and inequality in palliative and end-of-life care. This conversati...

How do racism, bias, and systemic inequality show up in our healthcare systems—and in our bodies? In this eye-opening episode of Black All Year , host Steph Edusei sits down with Dr. Tina Sikka, Reader in Technoscience and Intersectional Justice at Newcastle University, to unpack the often-invisible forces shaping medical care and outcomes for Black and minoritised people. From pulse oximeters tha...

Send us a text Jenny Kovacs, "The Queen of Being Seen," shares her expertise on visibility and how professionals can step into the spotlight authentically without feeling like show-offs. She unpacks her Visibility Vibe System, a powerful framework that helps individuals enhance their visibility through five essential pillars, while exploring the complex intersections between visibility, identity,...

Send us a text In this powerful solo episode, Steph Edusei reflects on what it means to be seen, but not fully yourself . Sparked by a moving interview with TV presenter Angelica Bell, Steph explores the complexities of visibility, the unspoken cost of code switching, and the emotional weight of being a role model when you’re just trying to survive. With honesty and vulnerability, Steph unpacks he...

Send us a text In this deeply personal solo episode of Black All Year , Steph Edusei shares a heartfelt reflection inspired by her upcoming book, A Little Book of Leadership Lessons . Drawing from her own journey as a Black woman in leadership, Steph unpacks the weight of imposter phenomenon, the pressures of perfection, and the power of reclaiming your worth. Whether you've ever questioned if you...

Send us a text Black All Year – Season 3 Trailer Host: Steph Edusei Steph Edusei is back with Season 3 of Black All Year ! Join us as we continue to centre the voices, stories, and experiences of Black and minoritised people—not just in October, but all year round. Expect powerful conversations, inspiring guests, and bold discussions that challenge, celebrate, and uplift. New episodes drop next we...

Send us a text The Emotional Burden of Being the Only Black Voice in the Room In this deeply personal episode of Black All Year, host Steph Edusei takes us back to September 2022 for a powerful reflection on the challenges of being the only Black person in predominantly white spaces. Originally recorded after a particularly frustrating experience, Steph opens up about the emotional toll of represe...

Send us a text In this inspiring episode of Black All Year, Steph Edusei sits down with Loveness Scott, the Positive Action Lead at the North East Ambulance Service and Vice Chair of the National Ambulance BME Forum. With a deep commitment to race equity and community wellbeing, Loveness shares her inspiring journey from answering 111 calls during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic to leading ini...

Send us a text In this week's compelling episode of Black All Year, host Steph Edusei sits down with an extraordinary 13-year-old playwright, Kayla Ayerty. Hailing from East London, Kayla has already made significant strides in the theatre world, having written and produced her first play at just nine years old. Now, she is gearing up for the premiere of her second play, "War Crown," set to debut...

Send us a text When did you first become aware of your race? Join me, Steph Edusei, along with writer, performer and producer, Risaria Langley, as, in the second part of our discussion, we explore the profound experiences that shaped our understanding of race and racism. Risaria recounts when she first became aware of her whiteness and I share my own journey, from enduring racial taunts to the uns...

Send us a text Is the idea of a "pure British lineage" nothing more than a myth? Join us for an eye-opening conversation as (in a release of an episode from 2022) I, Steph Edusei, am joined by Risaria Langley, and explore the complex layers of race and racism in the UK. Guided by Professor Ibram X. Kendi's Anti-racist deck, we share personal stories and insights rooted in our shared Geordie herita...

Send us a text What if the recent UK general election was more than just a competition between Labour and Conservative parties? Join me, Steph Edusei, as I try to make meaning of the election results and what they reveal about the state of British opinion. Using insights from renowned thinkers like Robert O. Paxton, Erich Fromm, and Noam Chomsky, I try to decode the rise of the Reform UK Party Lim...

Send us a text What happens when a traumatic incident in your youth shapes your entire worldview? Join Steph Edusei in conversation with James Carss, founder and chief executive of Castle Peak Group, as he recounts his poignant journey from his childhood in the predominantly white North East of England to his experiences in London, Hong Kong, and Canada. James opens up about a pivotal moment of ra...

Send us a text This week we share the keys to understanding power and privilege in our latest episode of Black All Year, featuring the insightful Ngozi Lyn Cole, one of our most popular topics and guests from Season 1. Together, we uncover how power often operates unseen among dominant groups and the systemic advantages this creates. We discuss how privilege manifests on multiple levels—personal,...

Send us a text Culinary Reinvention from Nissan to TikTok Who says life's second acts can't be as flavorful as the first? Nige Thompson, the culinary maestro behind "Tea with the Thompsons," graces our podcast with stories of his journey from Nissan supervisor to TikTok sensation. In discussion with Steph Edusei, discover how his Jamaican roots and the cherished memories of his family's kitchen ha...

Send us a text Inclusion with Humanity: Eradicating Workplace Bullying and Discrimination Can adopting "inclusion with humanity" truly eradicate workplace bullying and discrimination? Join Steph Edusei as she welcomes back Ranjit Kirton, founder of Behaviour Garage Limited, who left a 28-year NHS career to pursue a mission of transforming public sector organisations. Ranjit shares her journey and...

Send us a text Engagement and Equity: The Critical Role of Voting in Society How impactful is your vote really? Join Steph Edusei as she sits down with freelance journalist and non-executive director for Newcastle Creates, Loujane Alasi, to explore the profound importance for Black communities of voter registration and voting. We'll share personal stories that highlight why casting your ballot is...

Send us a text Rooted in Africa, Raised in the North East, United for Social Change Embark on a personal journey with me, Steph Edusei, as we navigate the intricate blend of my Black African Ghanaian roots and white Geordie upbringing in the industrial backdrop of 70s and 80s Newcastle. Picture the vibrant sounds of African music intermingling with the robust community spirit of the North East – t...

Send us a text After a bit of a break and a rethink about the format creator and host Steph Edusei is pleased to announced that Season 2 of Black All Year is coming very soon. Subscribe now to make sure you get it as soon as it launches. Steph Edusei LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/steph-edusei/ Steph Edusei Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stephedusei/ Original music by Wayne C McDonald,...