Black Ink Cinema Podcast

‘Being black and gay, wasn't easy’ For this episode I was lucky to speak with filmmaker Dr Somina ‘Mena’ Fombo to discuss her latest short film ‘ SOME GIRLS HATE DRESSES ’. An executive coach, experienced mentor and Diversity and Inclusion consultant delivering to clients across the USA, Europe and Asia. Winner of the first Iris Prize Documentary Film Fund and a global speaker with a brilliant...

Shortlisted at this year's Oscars for Uplifting Black Voices Through Documentary for I was honoured to speak with directing duo Joe Brewster and Michéle Stephenson to discuss two of their documentaries. ‘Black Girls Play: The Story of Hand Games' and ‘Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project', both documentaries simultaneously produce recognisable and relatable black women and girls s...

‘ I want to protect them, like they need to be protected, but, nobody was here to protect me ’ I had the privilege to sit down with Writer/Director Savanah Leah to discuss her debut feature film, Earth Mama. Ms Leaf, an Olympian, delivers a beautiful, elegant love letter to mothers, in this heartwarming, vulnerable film displaying her signature style. Earth Mama is an intimate coming of age story...

‘Who decides where we are born, the life we live?’   In this episode we are joined by writing extraordinaire Kay I. Jegede, a brilliant writer also known for shorts ‘I Am Mary (2020’) and ‘The Perfect Knight (2023)’. For this Black Ink Cinema episode we were lucky to have Kay breakdown ‘Gangs Of Lagos’ which is about ‘A group of friends who each have to navigate their own destiny, growing up on th...

‘In moonlight, black boys look blue. You blue, that's what I'm gon' call you. Blue’   In this episode we are graced by the talented award winning Twayna Mayne. A stand up comedian, podcaster and writer. For this episode Twayna chose the award winning ‘Moonlight’, we explore why she loves this beautiful film and why she requests people to really listen to the dialogue. Twayna was open a...

‘Someone called for a Doctor!’   This episode we are graced with the multitalented Dr Michael Akadiri, for this episode Michael discusses balancing medicine and stand up. Who would play him in his biopic, his love for old school Nollywood movies and true crime.    🚨Available on ALL PLATFORMS 🚨 BIC https://youtu.be/xpXkES7qDlM   RNR  https://youtu.be/iOGtfdWWcn8 Guest: @michaelakadiri Interviewer...

‘MESSAGE!’   We kick off series 5 of Black Ink Cinema Podcast with US sensation @monroeMartiniii, who has appeared on Comedy Central, Netflix, NBC and Amazon Prime.  For this episode Monroe chose the iconic spoof Don’t Be A Menace, why he loves it so much and the impact it had on him growing up along with the culture. Monroe also discusses his fostered upbringing, his favourite thing about comedy,...

‘Everyday we get to make a new choice’ In this episode we are joined by the super Kazeem Jamal, a fantastic comedian and SEN teacher. We learn how he juggles the two lives, teacher and comedian. Joining forces with fellow comedians Darran Griffiths and Michael Akadiri on their podcast, ‘Late Nights and Wet Wipes’.  For this Black Ink Cinema episode Kazeem chose ‘Farming’, a brilliant film highligh...

SPECIAL Black Ink Cinema & L’Oreal celebrated the release of live action ‘The Little Mermaid’. L’Oreal’s Ethnicity and multiculturalism committee sponsored the event and were gracias to supply luxury goodies and MUA’s for the event. Our guests received the usual treatment, a complimentary Prosecco and soft drink for the kiddies, cupcakes and popcorn.  After the screening, we hosted a live podc...

Special guests: Andrew Mensah | Lola Jagun | Simon London | Adam Horton and Rachael RnR WAKANDA FOREVER: A beautiful tribute to our king Chadwick Boseman To celebrate the release of BLACK PANTHER 2 we hosted a special FREE screening where we partnered up with Adobe, Thomson Reuters and Magnite to celebrate the crescendo of Black History Month. Adobe, Thomson Reuters and Magnite sponsored this even...

Junior Booker | Simon London | Monet Morgan | Darran Griffiths | Adam Horton NOPE:  ‘Don’t look him in the eyes!’ To celebrate the release of NOPE we hosted a ‘Jordan Peele Takeover’ at @genesiscinema we had the usual 💁🏾‍♀️pre-screen reception drinks and goodie bags sponsored by @jimandtonicdistillery 🍸 followed by a live performance by @smp_code. Before @nopemovie we screened the timely a...

S4 EP.6 SPACE JAM:  ‘What’s up doc?’ Gbemi: “I love Steve Harvey!” Black Ink Cinema’s Podcast Episode 6, hosts the charismatic Gbemi Oladipo who chose to celebrate the childhood favourite ‘Space Jam’. Gbemi shares with us his interesting upbringing and his journey to comedy. We discuss his favourite comedians and  his biggest inspirations. SPACE JAM, In a desperate attempt to win a basketball matc...

S4 EP.5 BEVERLY HILLS COP:  ‘Get the f%ck out of here! Akemnji: “Can you believe he was only 22 when he did Beverly Hills Cop!” “No one can test me on Dre or James Bond” Black Ink Cinema’s Podcast Episode 5, hosts the multifaceted Akemnji Ndifornyen who chose to celebrate the cult classic ‘Beverly Hills Cop’. Akemnji shares his love for this classic film, no one can test him on Dre or James Bond,...

S4 EP4. SOUL ‘Can’t crush a soul here, that’s what life on earth is for’ Michael: “I found it very philosophical, which I have always been interested in” Black Ink Cinema’s Podcast Episode 4, hosts the creative talent Michael Odewale who chose to celebrate the award winning ‘Soul’. Michael shares how he relates to Joe Gardner, getting through lockdown and learning to appreciate the small things in...

S4 EP.3 PRECIOUS:  ‘The other day, I cried. But you know what? Fuck that day. That's why God, or whoever, makes other days.’ Fatiha  Quote: “She is something beautiful from something horribleness” Black Ink Cinema’s Podcast Episode 3, hosts the glorious resilient Fatiha ElGhorri who chose to celebrate ‘Precious’. Fatiha speaks about the hope she took from Precious, how important stories like t...

S4 EP2.  THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS:  ‘You got a dream... You gotta protect it’ ‘You could have left me in the What’s App group by myself, and I would have argued with myself’ - Darran Black Ink Cinema’s Podcast Episode 2 hosts the brilliant comedian Darran Griffiths. For this episode Darran chose the heartwarming ‘The Pursuit Of Happyness’, we explore the themes in the movie, the trials a...

S4 EP1.  BLACK PANTHER:  ‘Wakanda Forever!’ We are kicking off series 4 of Black Ink Cinema’s Podcast with’ Britain's Got Talent 2022 WINNER’ the talented and hilarious Axel Blake. For this episode Axel chose the iconic Black Panther, why he loves it soo much and the impact it had on the culture. Axel also discusses with me his other business ventures and why it is important to have vari...

BOXING DAY:  ‘Bruv, dem tings don’t work no more!’ Boxing Day follows Melvin (Ameen), a British author living in America, who returns home to London for Christmas to introduce his American fiancée, Lisa (King), to his eccentric British-Caribbean family. Their relationship is put to the test as she discovers the world her fiancée has left behind. I had a great discussion with the man of the ho...

Loved my chat with the inspiring Bobby Kasanga, after turning his life around father, community leader, author and founder of Hackney Wick FC has inspired others to follow suit. He chose the fresh Candyman which highlights themes of gentrification, police brutality and social inequality. https://theathletic.com/2677341/2021/06/28/how-hackney-wick-fcs-bobby-kasanga-went-from-a-life-of-crime-to-comm...

Had a great time speaking with the funny Joe Jacobs, rapper and stand up comedian. He celebrated black cinema by picking Oscar winning Best Picture ‘Moonlight’. He spoke about why this film is important for everyone to see, the way it was brilliantly made and the outstanding performances. While touching upon Joe's favourite rappers and comedians. A young boy with his identity and sexuality while e...

It was a pleasure speaking with news reporter Antoine Allen, who joined us to celebrate black cinema. He chose 1991 cult classic ‘New Jack City’. We explored the different themes in the movie from drugs, exploitation and power. While touching upon Antoine's very impressive career.    New  Jack city, A crime lord ascends to power and becomes megalomaniacal while a maverick polic...

Gorgeous 'Secret Crush ITV' presenter Verona Rose, joined us to celebrate black cinema she chose 2006 ‘Phat Girlz’. We explored themes of the film, allowing black women to show their vulnerability and getting comfortable in our own skin. PHAT GIRLZ, an edgy comedy about two frustrated plus-sized women struggling to find love and acceptance in a world full of "hot-bodied" babes. 🚨Available on ON A...

BROWN SUGAR, friends since childhood, a magazine editor and a hip-hop record executive, do they dare stumble into romantic territory.   Actor, comedian Babatunde’s film choice to celebrate black cinema is 2002 ‘Brown Sugar’. Unwillingly confessing his love for RomCom, unreasonable jealousy and his controversial top 5 favourite rappers.  Instagram:  @babatundecomdian @blackinkcinema...

EQUALIZER, A retired operative is forced out of retirement to take up the fight against injustice once again. This week I had the pleasure of chatting to the lovely Kyrah about her film choice ‘Equalizer’. Everything she loves about Denzel, people who blame their zodiac sign for being a crappy person and her newfound love for ‘Grey's Anatomy’. 🚨Available on ON ALL PLATFORMS 🚨 Instagram: @itskyra...

TRADING PLACES, A snobbish investor and a wily street con artist swap lives as part of a bet by two callous millionaires. I really enjoyed my chat with the lovely Dean, charming, insightful and easy to speak about a film we both love while visiting Eddie Murphy’s filmology. The infamous gorilla scene and tackling stereotypes. 🚨Available on ON ALL PLATFORMS 🚨 Instagram: @deanomac93 @blackinkcinem...