I was captivated by their stories

When I started writing my debut book, The Good Ally, I was captivated by recurring themes of resistance from Black women, that I never learned about throughout my entire schooling. Intrigued to find out more and why their stories were untold, the seed for this show was sown. Born in Britain, of Jamaican heritage with lineage lost to slavery in West Africa - my relationship with Britain is complicated -  the interruption of slavery means that so much of mine and our shared history has been, often deliberately, erased. Through Hidden Histories with Nova Reid it has been an honour to unearth not just these women’s legacies, but their humanity and share more, not only about how they survived, but thrived, so that I can be here today, telling you their stories.

Because if we don’t record our histories - who will?

Through storytelling, personal insights, and new research, I travel from Leeds, to London to Jamaica to delve into the lives of pioneers, journalists, and rule-breakers - remarkable figures from the 18th to 20th centuries who made vital contributions to civil rights yet have been mythologised, are unknown, or erased from history.

From the legendary spiritual warrior Queen Nanny of the Maroons, who led Jamaica’s resistance against British colonial forces, to Cubah Cornwallis, a powerful healer who treated a future king of England, and ground-breaking journalist Barbara Blake-Hannah, I uncover some of their extraordinary legacies. We explore the revolutionary activism of Olive Morris and the profound impact of Trinidad and Tobago born Dame Jocelyn Barrow, whose work shaped modern British politics. The cultural influence of poet Louise "Miss Lou" Bennett-Coverley, who gave voice to Jamaican identity, is also highlighted, along with the pioneering work of Gertrude Paul, a Yorkshire based headteacher from St Kitts who fought for racial equality in education.

It was important for me to humanise these women, inviting listeners to see them not just as historical figures or activists, but as individuals – multi-dimensional, and deeply human. Linking their historical impact to present-day legacies, while analysing the complex centuries-old relationship between Britain and the Caribbean, with a particular focus on Jamaica. Bringing humanity and contemporary thinking to challenging histories, Hidden Histories with Nova Reid offers an opportunity to reflect on empire and identity, while learning from these remarkable Black women, their enduring spirits and the powerful roles they play in both our healing and our liberation. 

Journey with me.