I’m a writer and researcher interested in history, culture and communications as well as literature and queer identity, particularly with reference to Africa and its place in the world. I’m currently Head of Communications at the Royal African Society, and the current and founding editor ofWhat’s On Africa, an Africa-focused event listings blog on business, culture and development. My non-fiction writing has appeared in a variety of publications include The Guardian, New Black Magazine, Modern African Generation, New African Woman, and the New African. My stories and poetry have been published in a variety of publications including the anthology Velocity: The Best of Apples & Snakes, and in magazines such as Saraba, and Open Road Review. I was a founding member of Mythical Syllables, and an early active member of Malika’s Kitchen, both poetry collectives based in London, with whom I performed at various venues, including the prestigious Battersea Arts Centre, for Apples & Snakes. In 2005 I was appointed founding editor of Modern African Generation, a print magazine aimed at young Africans in the Diaspora. Until 2012 I was a communications executive for the world’s largest education company, Pearson – responsible for promoting the organisation’s diversity & inclusion work, including an award-winning graduate internship programme.
I was a founding member of the Save The Africa Centre Campaign to revitalise the Africa Centre, one of London’s oldest Africa focused charities, spearheading the campaign’s communications and digital strategy, and publication of the campaign’s report, ‘Bring What You Love’. I also recently founded the Yoruba Conversation Club initiative, and have an ongoing interest in the development and health of African languages, and Yoruba culture.
I graduated from the School of Oriental African Studies, with a degree in African Studies and Politics (BA) – where I re-established the School’s student newspaper, The SOAS Spirit in 2003/4. I also hold a Masters degree in Sociology from City University, London.
I’m a member and also trustee of the Britain Nigeria Educational Trust, and was recently invited (and accepted) to join an expert advisory panel for the British Library’s exhibition on West African literary culture, Word, Symbol, Song.
