Black Girls with Accents

Prof. Natasha Gordon-Chipembere discusses her family’s relocation from New York to the paradisical island of Costa Rica. Ignoring the consternation of friends and family members who were skeptical of the move, eight years later, Natasha and her family continue to thrive and live life according to their own rules. Natasha is the author of numerous books and essays. Her most recent book, Finding La Negrita will be released this fall by Jaded Ibis Press. Natasha is also the founder and host of Tengo Sed (I am thirsty) annual writing retreat.

Trinidadian-born, British-based producer, Lesley-Ann Macfarlane discusses her experience twice migrating from the Caribbean to the U.K. and reverse migrating from the U.K. to the Caribbean for familial and professional obligations. Leslie-Ann shares her experience in the film industry in both locations and her passion for nurturing emerging homegrown talent through her organization Filmmakers Collaborative of Trinidad and Tobago, an organization that works to develop and produce local programming on the islands. Leslie-Ann also talks to us about the importance of community and inspires us to create our communities on our own terms wherever we reside.

Our guest, Constina Alston-Howley, shares how the pandemic instigated her relocation to Panama and Costa Rica. Constina drops pearls of wisdom about how she and her family made the big move (packing up her house and bringing only what was essential) and what it’s been like to adjust to a new culture that has given her the freedom to be her authentic self. Constina is owner and founder of @authenticflowbk

In this episode, former lawyer-turned-journalist, novelist, and poet Vanessa Walters, chats with us about her experiences traversing the globe. Walters, a black Brit of Jamaican heritage, is the ultimate cosmopolitan woman. She tells us how her career and romance took her to France, Indonesia, Nigeria, and America. As a black woman world traveller, Vanessa shares with us the challenges and triumphs of integrating into new cultures. Walters is the author of Rude Girls (1996) and Smoke Othello (2008) and a number of other publications. Her new book is a murder mystery wrapped in a tragic family saga. The new book The Nigerwife will be released next summer (2023) with Atria Books.
Follow Walters @venusrising

In this special episode, we celebrate vegan influencer @vegansouliscious (AKA Charlise Rookwood) and the release her new show - the Black Vegan Cooking Show, airing on MadameNoir (starting March 22, 2022). Before launching the show, we sat down with Charlise to talk about her passion for plant-based cooking and promoting a healthy lifestyle. The British-born culinary artist, who is equally proud of her Jamaican and Mauritian heritage, talks with us about her short stint as a fashion designer, her successful career in the music industry, and her eventual full-time occupation as a vegan chef and food vlogger. Follow Rookwood at @vegansouliscious.

In this bonus episode, we discuss our views on holding space for the experience of Black women throughout the Diaspora.

two special episodes about our respective passion projects. In episode #2 Norma Diana Stanton shares with listeners a sneak peek of her new film, Half A Cent, chronicling the fascinating story of her grandmother Helena Geffries and the Independence of Suriname.

Black Girls with Accents brings two special episodes about our respective passion projects. In episode #1, Tracey Walters discusses her latest book: Not Your Mother’s Mammy: The Domestic Worker in Transatlantic Media (2019) available anywhere books are sold.

In this final review of Steve McQueen’s Small Axe series, we discuss how black children with (and without) learning differences are unfairly targeted and disregarded by educational professionals who are quick to dismiss our children, especially black boys as, inept, lazy, and difficult.

In Episode 4 of our summation of Small Axe, we turn our attention to McQueen’s adaption of Alex Wheatle’s coming-of-age novel, Brixton Rock. As foreigners, were relate to Wheatle’s fish-out-of-water experience, as Black girls entering into a unfamiliar environment.

Ha ha. Do you see the ep? In light of all In this episode, we discuss the “police episode” in Small Axe’s “Red, White, and Blue.” McQueen’s portrayal of excessive policing in the black community and the tensions between the police and the black community is discussed in relationship to our own experiences with the law enforcement.

We reminisce about our experiences as young women out on the town, high on life and oblivious to the dangers of sexual predators and personal assault

Tracey and Norma reflect on the similarities in their real life experiences and that of the cast of Mangrove, the first episode in the Steve McQueen’s mini series, Small Axe.

On this special episode, we revisit our conversation about the British royals and the Mexit controversy. We discuss our views on race and the monarchy, royal protocol, and false expectations from non-royals.

It’s a new year and we have new podcasts for your enjoyment. As we celebrate second year of BGWA, we run down our NYE traditions (Florida Water anyone?) and goals for 2021. We encourage you to take care of yourselves and enjoy the things you love and cherish. We thank you for sticking with us for a year!

Tracey and Norma discuss the differences of voting in the US and their home countries and their experience of becoming a US citizen

Black Girls with Accents interviews social justice/culture warrior Simone Zeefuik. Zeefuik discusses her mission to decolonize knowledge Institutes.

Tracey and Norma discuss the fervor around the new film.

2020 is making us miss out on a lot! Tracey and Norma discuss Carnival season during the pandemic.

Tracey and Norma discuss the series with special guest @michaela_coel_fanpage.

Bittersweet! We discuss the final two episodes of IMDY. Does Arabella finish her book? Will Kwame ever find love? Can Terry be the friend Arabella deserves?

In this episode, we are joined by special guest Delmar ( one of our male listeners) for a discussion about Arabella’s friendship with Kwame and Terry, Arabella’s relationship with her family, the Burden of Black womanhood, and the power of forgiveness.

In this installment we discuss unexpected plot twists and the boundaries crossed by Arabella, Terry, and Kwame. Don’t forget to take the poll on our IG page!

Tracey and Norma dive into the roller coaster of emotions that are brought up by this series and their stellar characters.

Spoiler alert! We discuss episodes 3-4 of I May Destroy You. In these episodes, questions are answered and curiosities are satisfied. Listen to our podcast and then take the quiz on our IG stories.

Calling all fans of Michaela Cole’s I May Destroy You. Black Girls with Accents is devoting the next couple of episodes of our podcast to this amazing show. Folllow this discussion about Representation, sexuality, sexual liberation, self-sabotage, microaggressions, and respectability Politics. We start with eps. 1-2.

Tracey and Norma reminisce about their European childhood summer breaks, and compare the interesting differences between their own and their children’s summer time.

Tracey and Norma reflect on the history of structural racism in Europe and our ignorance as children about the true nature of our countries.

Tracey and Norma discuss black identity through the politics of hair.

Award season is in full effect. Tracey and Norma discuss the issues of diversity and inclusion within award shows.

In episode 4, we weigh in on the controversy about foreign black actors supposedly “taking away” roles from African American actors.

Other than skin tone and hair, what makes you black? Who gets to judge whats black enough? Tracey and Norma discuss the challenge of defining blackness in Europe and the USA.

Tracey and Norma discuss what it’s like to explain your accent and backgrounds to people new to your accent, plus share some background story on who they are and where they’re from.

We take a look and compare which traditions we kept, tossed or even banned over the years while spending our holidays in the United States.