Black All Year

Black All Year – Faith, Culture & Confronting Colourism

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 Asian communities. Together, Steph and Aiysha explore: * How colourism is rooted in the caste system and colonial history * The gap between Islamic teachings and cultural practice * The personal cost of challenging discrimination within your own community * Why diversity in friendships, workplaces, and marriage circles matters * How open conversation can break down stereotypes and build solidarity Aiysha’s honesty, passion, and refusal to “keep it under the radar” make this a vital listen for anyone committed to true equity, both within and across communities.

Black All Year – Unlearning Whiteness

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 her family’s experience of racism shattered her worldview, and how she turned that pain into action through radical accountability, learning, and allyship. Together, they unpack: * Why “I’m not racist” isn’t enough * The emotional toll of raising Black children in white spaces * What it means to unlearn your conditioning * How white tears, fragility, and silence uphold harm * The power of language, labels, and showing up with integrity This episode isn’t about comfort. It’s about truth, growth, and doing the real work.

Black All Year – Riots, Race & Reckonings

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 standards in media, protest, and safety narratives * Why Diane Abbott's words matter * The everyday emotional toll of existing in a racialised body * What it means to sit with discomfort, and to challenge it This episode is a reckoning and a call-in. Because racism doesn’t disappear when headlines fade, and real safety means truth, accountability, and solidarity.

Black All Year - More than hair

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 and why she launched a campaign to end hair discrimination, especially in places too often left out of the conversation. Together, Steph and Salha unpack: * How Afro hair is policed, politicised, and misunderstood * Why “professionalism” is too often coded in whiteness * The deep history and meaning behind Black hairstyles like braids and locs * The emotional labour of constantly defending Black Afro-textured hair * Why visibility, celebration, and education are key to real change This isn’t just about hairstyles. It’s about dignity, identity, and challenging the systems that tell us we must change to belong. Ban hair discrimination petition https://www.change.org/p/ban-hair-discrimination-in-the-north-east-cumbria-enforce-real-protection-now [https://www.change.org/p/ban-hair-discrimination-in-the-north-east-cumbria-enforce-real-protection-now] LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/teakisi [https://www.linkedin.com/company/teakisi] Website https://teakisi.com/ [https://teakisi.com/] Instagram https://www.instagram.com/teakisi/ [https://www.instagram.com/teakisi/] Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Teakisi/ [https://www.facebook.com/Teakisi/]

Black All Year – Art, Identity & Radicalisation

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 radicalised him, and how reconnecting with his Blackness through creativity helped him reclaim his identity. We explore: * The impact of racism on young Black minds * The dangerous link between white validation and self-worth * How art became a tool of healing, truth-telling, and resistance * Why rejecting whitewashed success is a radical act of self-love Kelvin’s story is raw, real, and necessary, and his art is a powerful reminder that our stories are worth telling on our own terms. Connect with Kelvin: On LinkedIn https://uk.linkedin.com/in/kelvin-frimpong-9158a2340 [https://uk.linkedin.com/in/kelvin-frimpong-9158a2340] On TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@kfrimpongart?lang=en-GB [https://www.tiktok.com/@kfrimpongart?lang=en-GB] On Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kelvinfrimpong_art/ [https://www.instagram.com/kelvinfrimpong_art/] On YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@kelvinfrimpong6863 [https://www.youtube.com/@kelvinfrimpong6863]