Writing Black Joy

Tamara Gibson is the founder and artisan perfumer behind Native Caribbean— an artisan fragrance house handcrafted entirely in the Caribbean by women of the region. Based in Barbados, Tamara blends storytelling, ancestral knowledge with the sense of smell to archive the textures of Caribbean life—bush medicine, folklore, rituals, language, and cuisine. Her fragrances are rooted in heritage, layered...

Today in a recording of a blog post I wrote recently, I discuss whether my podcast can be considered art. You can read the post, and posts around other questions I have been asking myself - as well as reflections from 8 years of blogging over on my website! Link to the post is https://www.safiyarobinson.com/recent/can-my-podcast-be-art Take a read and enjoy! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz compan...

Today's guest is Kelly Morgan. Kelly Morgan is an author, publisher, and the founder of Bright Headed Publishing — a platform dedicated to bold storytelling and underrepresented voices, especially from BIPOC communities. She’s the author of Weight For It and You Sound White , and the host of The Author’s Mic , a podcast that supports indie authors with real talk and practical tools. Kelly also cre...

Today's guest is Aisha Shillingford.  Aisha Shillingford is an anti-disciplinary artist, experiential futurist, and world builder originally from Trinidad & Tobago. She is an archivist of Black futures. She is the Artistic Director of Intelligent Mischief, a creative studio unleashing the power of Black radical imagination to shape the future.  She is a former Fellow and Artist In Residence (Creat...

Host Safiya Robinson celebrates 4 years of Writing Black Joy with the lessons she has learned along the way. Learn about what lessons she has leared about creativity - and about herself - and hear from a listener!! Check out the blog post mentioned - https://www.safiyarobinson.com/recent/can-my-podcast-be-art and leave us a voicenote over on https://www.writingblackjoy.com/ letting us know - what...

Today's guest is Corinne Walker. Corinne is passionate about telling diverse, local stories with a political edge which shine a light on the South West and champion regional, underrepresented talent. She has also written for audio, animation and stage. Corinne recently completed the Channel 4 New Writers Scheme where she wrote her first full-length drama pilot. Her BFI NETWORK-funded film Homegrow...

Today's guest is Cher Terais Cher Terais is an acclaimed author known for her captivating love stories set in exotic destinations worldwide. She beautifully explores the complexities of Black love, blending rich cultural experiences with heartfelt romance. Her debut novel, Bali Blue, immerses readers in Bali’s lush landscapes, while Mess on the Mara intertwines modern dating with Kenya’s breathtak...

Today's guest is Keshia Sakarah. Keshia Sakarah is a food writer, recipe creator and former chef patron of Caribe' Caribbean Eating in Brixton. Raised in Leicester with Montserratian and Barbudan heritage, she developed a love of cooking from a young age. Named one of CODE's 100 influential women in food in 2021 and 2022, Keshia has contributed to publications like Waitrose Weekend, Guardian Feast...

Today's guest is Karla Marie Sweet Karla Marie Sweet is a British-American actor, screenwriter, novelist, and dramaturg born and based in Manchester, UK. She’s written for radio, TV, and stage, and her reimagining of Othello was praised as a “remarkable” thriller-paced adaptation by The Guardian . Her speculative fiction debut Another Life was released as an Audible Original in 2024, and her print...

Welcome to season 6 of Writing Black Joy! We are back with amazing guests and today's guest is no exception. Today’s guest is Bolu Babalola. Bolu Babalola is the author of the Sunday Times bestselling and Waterstones Book of the year shortlisted collection, Love in Colour. She is a London-based writer, and lover of love. In 2016, she was shortlisted in 4thEstate's B4ME competition for her short st...

Today's guest is Erin Corine Johnson.   Erin is “The Identity & Belonging Coach” (b. Chicago, Illinois, USA) is an award-winning multidisciplinary creative, DEI educator, member of ForbesBLK and founder of Hola Magnolia Identityworks (Est. 2018). Since 2022, she has emerged as an influential thought leader among impact leaders, change makers and antiracism activists on LinkedIn while drawing from...

Today’s guest is Hanna Adu-Boateng. Hannah is an innovative co-creator and dramaturg of Ghanaian descent, renowned for her transformative work in theatre with diverse communities in Bristol. With a deep commitment to exploring the intersections of race, power, and gender, Hanna’s work spans devised performances and contemporary texts, often challenging societal norms and sparking critical dialogue...

Today's guest is Danielle Boone.  Danielle believes that with resilience, anyone can rise above their circumstances-and that Everybody Has a Story worth sharing. Growing up, Danielle earned the nickname Hummingbird - for her small size and constant motion - qualities that helped her pivot through life’s unexpected challenges. After enduring years of personal loss, she chose to grow stronger from h...

My guest today is Monica Black - and here is some more about her. Monica is a writer who is enjoying a lifelong love affair with the power of words and the way we paint images with them. Her love of writing started when she began writing about the places she visited while she served in 2 branches of the military (Army and Air force). As a book coach, she has extended that love into teaching busine...

My guest today is Gregory "G-Wiz" Rutledge - and here is some more about him. Gregory is a high-performance coach, empowerment strategist, and the visionary behind the "Question Everything" brand. He’s not your typical speaker—he’s the one who digs deep, asking the hard questions that others avoid, and shattering the limitations that hold people back. With a dynamic blend of raw personal experienc...

Today's guest is Nailah Blades Wylie - here is some more about her. Nailah Blades Wiley is a Life & Leadership Coach who helps leaders tap into their power and build lives that are whole, good, and full of possibility. Through high touch coaching that integrates the outdoors, she teaches her clients how to go from feeling invisible to imitable in every area of their lives. She is also the author o...

Today's guest is Karen Roswell. I met Karen earlier this year in a call related to a class I took in the past, and we got along instantly. Since then I have seen her work in action as an amazing photographer and coach - in addition - she is the photographer behind my new cover art and we had an amazing photoshoot a few months ago. Working with Karen before the photography session was incredible as...

My guest today is Dionne Draper - and here is some more about her. Dionne Draper is the executive producer and host of DAWTA The Podcast, founder of Sing With Soul, and a professional writer, actor and singer. Winner of the Women of The West Award, and the Lord Mayors Medal , Sing With Soul’s productions include DAWTA The Podcast, DAWTA a one woman musical, Bristol Take The Knee (Online Protest 20...

My guest today is Shakirah Bourne - and here is a bit more about her. Shakirah Bourne is a Bajan author and filmmaker. She once shot a movie scene in a cave with bats during an earthquake, but is too scared to watch horror movies. She is a recipient of the Governor General Award for Excellence in Literary Fiction for her short fiction collection, IN TIME OF NEED. Her first children's book, JOSEPHI...

My guest today is Karen Walrond - and here is a bit more about her. Karen Walrond is the author of Radiant Rebellion and The Lightmakers Manifesto. She is a public speaker, lawyer, leadership coach. and activist. Karen and her work have been featured on Brené Brown's Unlocking Us podcast. PBS, Huffington Post, CNN.com, and The Oprah Winfrey Show. Karen holds a Bachelor of Science In civil engineer...

Welcome to writing Black Joy!!! A new season is here. It has been 3 years of this project and I am celebrating!! I have had amazing guests over the past 3 years! It continues to be an incredible ride, and this upcoming season is no exception. One of the guests that you will hear in a few weeks time is Dionne Draper and we had so much fun recording, that when she kindly offered to interview ME for...

Today we wrap this season up with Mikita Smith who is a fellow podcaster and the voice behind the "Thym 4 Tea with Mikita Podcast," where she invites us all to embrace the beautifully messy aspects of life. As a nurse, motivational speaker, and certified meditation instructor, she's not just talking the talk; she's walking the walk, daring others to live a beautifully unbalanced life. Her approach...

Today I talk with Ayesis Clay who is (among other things) an extraordinary playwright, poet and theatre professional as well as an educator and founder of Sculpted Clay Productions, where she uses innovative theatre-infused residencies and professional development workshops to help schools create trauma-sensitive, social-emotional focused learning environments for teachers and students. Ayesis and...

Today might be my favourite guest of the season so far - it’s my favourite little sister Talibah! Talibah is first and foremostly my sister, she is also a teacher, mom, wife, and an artist. She is also a lifelong journaler, collector of lovely journals and stationery, and a bibliophile who is fascinated by minimalism.  This series, I have enjoyed the opportunity to have some of my favourite people...

Today I have with me Ally Rose, and Javacia Harris Bowser. Ally Rose is a Writer, Rapid Transformational Therapy Practitioner, Certified Hypnotherapist, and Coach who brings more than a decade of experience to her work with a diverse range of clients worldwide. She has helped individuals from all walks of life overcome their obstacles and reach their goals. Javacia Harris Bowser is an award-winnin...