Episodes
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For this Black History Month bonus episode, Leah is joined by Stuart Lawrence, brother of Stephen Lawrence, a teenager murdered in a racially motivated attack in 1993.
In Growing Up Black In Britain, Stuart talks to seven inspirational figures about their childhood experiences, as well as sharing insight into his own story. Contributors include, Alison Hammond, Kye Whyte and Lolly Adefope.
This is a collection of courageous, thought-provoking and ultimately hopeful pieces set to educate and inspire young people.
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Leah is joined by rapper, author and broadcaster Guvna B to discuss his children's books 'Where Grandad Lives'.
In 2017, Guvna B lost his dad unexpectedly and had to explain what had happened to his son Ezra. In response to this difficult time he decided with his wife Emma to write a story to help other parents and children discuss grief and loss together.
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Missing episodes?
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Leah is joined by change makers, sisters and founders of Everyday Racism Natalie & Naomi Evans.
In this inspiring guide readers are delivered empowering advice for dealing with the issues we see, hear about and face every day, from racism and sexism to homophobia and ableism, providing you with achievable everyday actions to create change!
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Leah is joined this week by podcaster, writer & actress Kelechi Okafor.
Her debut story collection Edge Of Here combines the ancient and the ultramodern to explore tales of contemporary Black womanhood, asking questions about the way we live now and offering a glimpse into our near future. A thought provoking read for fans of TV series like Black Mirror.
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Leah is joined by Dawn Butler, the trailblazing Labour MP for Brent Central to speak about her book A Purposeful Life.
She reveals a fascinating insight into both the personal and political sides of her journey and spills some tea along the way!
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Leah is joined by Tskenya Frazer, an award-winning Forbes featured business leader and diversity, branding and sustainability specialist to speak about her new book.
With the powerful rise of Black British culture, Black British entrepreneurship has rapidly become a point of great conversation. A Quick Ting On: Black British Businesses looks back on significant moments in Black British entrepreneurship, exploring the struggles, success and unique circumstances that face Black British businesses
Reading List:
A Quick Ting On: Black British Businesses - Tskenya Frazer
Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald
Rosewater - Liv Little
Hunger - Roxane Gay
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Leah is joined by food critic and writer Jimi Famurewa. His book Settlers journeys through the hidden yet vibrant world of African London, exploring what it is to be Black, African and British.
Reading List:
Settlers - Jimi Famurewa
The Lonely Londoners - Same Selvon
Cross Roads - Jonathon Franzen
White Teeth - Zadie Smith
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Leah is joined by entrepreneur, author, and social commentator Kenny Imafidon to speak about That Peckham Boy.
Kenny was charged with a murder on joint enterprise aged just 18, he spent 6 long months in prison before being freed. His real-life manifesto That Peckham Boy details it all and calls for positive change for those on the fringes of society
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Leah is joined by author Catherine Joy White for a conversation about her book 'This Thread Of Gold' .
She weaves together narratives that celebrate the triumph of Black female resistance, Catherine Joy White takes us on a unique journey through the eyes of positive and inspiring disruptors.
From Alice Walker to Beyoncé, from Aretha Franklin to Zendaya, Catherine charts her own journey to self-discovery through the prism of extraordinary women to create a beautiful tapestry of Black joy.
Reading List:
This Thread Of Gold - Catherine Joy White
A Daughter Like Me - Jacqueline Roy
Jazz - Toni Morrison
Complicit - Winnie M Li
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Leah is joined by legendary author Mike Gayle to discuss his brand new release A Song Of Me And You.
Two heartbroken 18 year-olds part ways and meet again 20 years later, one a successful rockstar, the other a part time teacher in the lowest point of their life. Friendship, love, heartache and hope collide in this unforgettable emotional journey.
Plus, Leah celebrates 25 years of Mike's incredible writing career.
Reading List:
Mike Gayle - A Song Of Me And You
Unreliable Memoirs - Clive James
In The Blink Of An Eye - Jo Callaghan
Generation X - Douglas Coupeland
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In this episode Leah is joined by artist, writer & poet Rachel Eliza Griffiths.
Promise, her debut novel took 7 years to write and is a story of resistance and hope. A rich, evocative and universal celebration of sisterhood, family, mothers and daughters, music, food, joy and love; it is also an unflinching exploration of race, class, identity and power, and the search for freedom and belonging.
Reading List:
Rachel Eliza Griffiths - Promise
Toni Morrison - Song Of Solomon
Toni Morrison - Sula
Safiya Sinclair - How To Say Babylon
Zora Neale Hurston - Their Eyes Were Watching God
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Season 3 has arrived and Leah kicks things off with a brilliant read from social media megastar and comedian Fats Timbo.
Her debut 'Main Character Energy' is 10 commandments for living fearlessly as Fats shares how she came to love her body and face down challenges in her manifesto for all those who struggle with a fear of their own difference.
Reading List:
Fats Timbo - Main Character Energy
Rhonda Byrne - The Secret
Mark Manson - How To Not Give A F***
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The Capital XTRA Book Club Podcast with Leah Davis returns for the summer! If you're about to jet off and need a new holiday read or just an escape from your busy summer schedule then Leah has you covered with a whole list of exciting releases.
New episodes every Monday starring both fresh and legendary black authors - starting Monday 7th August with Fats Timbo.
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For the final episode of season 2 I am joined by a force to be reckoned with, the incredibly inspiring Mikaela Loach. She is fighting for climate justice, providing a voice for the voiceless and inspiring change without spreading fear. Her new book 'It's Not That Radical' is out 6th April and it's perfect if you're scared of everything you hear about climate change but don't quite know where to begin.
Reading List:
It's Not That Radical - Mikaela Loach
The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins
We Will Not Cancel Us - Adrienne Maree Brown
Crooked Kingdom - Leigh Bardugo
What White People Can Do Next - Emma Dabiri
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Leah is joined this week by Iggy London, an award winning British filmmaker, artist and writer to chat all about 'Mandem'. The book is a collection of essays from his creative friends exploring what it means to be a Black man in contemporary Britain, a fascinating read!
Reading List:
Americana - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
The Sellout by Paul Beatty
Poor - Caleb Femi
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This week we are joined by Krystle Zara Appiah whose debut novel Rootless is about to take the world by storm. This complex love story is full of bumps in the road and family shaped obstacles that our loveable protagonists have to navigate. We got to know Krystle the British Ghanaian first time author this week, what a lovely way to celebrate IWD!
Reading List:
Krystle Appiah - Rootless
Taiye Selasi - Ghana must go
Monica Heisey - Really Good Actually
Arundhati Roy - The God of Small Things
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This week we get to know Nikki May the author of Wahala. Inspired by wanting to see more stories like her own on the page she created Ronke, Simi and Boo and just as their lives were looking a little too boring the whirlwind that is Isobel is thrown into the mix. This is Nikki's first novel and it's already set to be adapted for TV, no surprises there!
Reading List:
Wahala - Nikki May
Nearly All the Men in Lagos are Mad - Damilare Kuku
Station Eleven - Emily St. John Mandel
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Sophia Thakur is one of the most important young voices in modern poetry and now she has gifted us with 'Wearing My Mother's Heart' a beautiful anthology dedicated to her Mother and the matriarchs in her life. Everything Sophia says feels like poetry and speaking to her was a joy, what a woman, what a mind.
Reading List:
Wearing My Mother’s Heart - Sophia Thakur
All About Love - Bell Hooks
Teaching my Mother to Give Birth - Warsan Shire
Deaf republic - Ilya Kaminsky
The Forty Rules of Love - Elif Shafak
Scribble Boy - Philip Ridley
2pac - The Rose That Grew From Concrete
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This week we meet Jessica George, her novel Maame is one of the most exciting books out right now and rightly so. Maame tells the story of Maddie, an introverted young woman finding her way in the world one 'first' at a time. Fall in love with the author here first and then fall in love with Maame!
Reading List:
Maame - Jessica George
An American Marriage - Tayari Jones
Rootless - Krystle Zara Appiah
Queenie - Candice Carty Williams -
In Derek Owusu's second novel Losing The Plot he paints a picture of a complex relationship between a young British boy and his Ghanaian mother. From the physical toll life in the UK takes on a hard working woman to the unspoken psychological impact. In this episode Owusu sheds light on his incredible creation.
Reading List:
Losing The Plot - Derek Owusu
Mama Can't Raise No Man - Robyn Travis
The Double - Jose Saramago
The Great Gatsby - F.Scott Fitzgerald
The Last White Man - Mohsin Hamid
Invisible Man Ralph Ellison
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