Planet Diaspora

Brenda Bekoe, set up Apparent Pathway (www.apparentpathway.com) to support and empower the parents of neurodiverse children and young people with conditions such ADHD and Autism.  

She has expertise in working with social services, schools, families and first knowledge of the conditions and needs for the child and parent.  

Here Brenda discusses the challenges faced by families and how her organisation has supported clients to navigate through the forms, entitlements and services whilst maintaining their wellbeing. 

 Brenda's Icebreaker selections were:

 1) Bugsy Malone (1976 dir. Alan Parker) https://g.co/kgs/jxW8AJ  

2) A House Through Time (2018 dir. David Olusoga) https://g.co/kgs/Y3eagY  

3) Who do you think you are? (2004 BBC) https://g.co/kgs/Gs496K

Philanthropy, History and Legacy at The Pepper Pot Day Centre | Ep 5 | Planet Diaspora Podcast  It was a real delight to spend time with the chairperson, My Howard Jeffrey MBE, and two members, Norma and Joan, at The Pepper Pot Day Centre, which has been going for over 40 years. A brilliant example of history and legacy through giving back.  

The centre's aim is to provide a culturally-sensitive drop in centre for older African Caribbean residences, who may be vulnerable or at risk of isolation. Its services are directed at supporting as well as empowering older people through providing meals, entertainment, wellbeing and therapeutic treatments or classes and IT access and training. 

 It was also wonderful to have Jacquline Munro on the show and we will be sharing additional poetry written by Jacquline in the days to come, in the meantime please listen to 'Interview' in the third segment. 

 If you would like to volunteer at The Pepper Pot Day Centre, please reach out by phone: 020 8968 6940 or visit their website at https://www.pepperpotcentre.org.uk/contact.   

Much love!  

 Subscribe! Comment! Share!  x #blackhistorymonth #thepepperpotdaycentre #africancaribbean #westlondon #charity

Sandra talks to Naomi Ventour on the pink sofa in n this episode.  

Naomi Ventour is an Administrative Business Partner (ABP) at Google joining them in 2017 after an 8-year stint in Burberry as Executive Assistant to the CEO Americas and EMEIA. Naomi is currently an ABP in Sales, UK Lead for State of Black Women (a space for Black women at Google of all levels to build community and align on a shared agenda) and Lead of a Empathy, Race & Belonging DEI initiative (ERB).   

After the tragic death of her sister Natalie in July 2014 to an Amniotic Fluid Embolism, Naomi has campaigned for greater research into AFE and better maternal healthcare and research for black women in the UK. She was recently appointed to the AFE Foundation Board of Directors where she will advise on cultural and racial inclusivity in the United Kingdom.   

Naomi has held various roles in the tech, legal, and publishing world and has lived and worked in Australia and Bermuda. She is married to Rodrigo Ventour and is a mother to two wonderful children.

Sandra sits down with the playwright, director, actor and Artistic Director and Joint CEO of Brixton House, Gbolahan Obisesan to talk about creativity, growth and legacy.  Brixton House will be rehoused in a beautiful new two-theatre building on Coldharbour Lane from October 2021 and this was a wonderful opportunity to catch up and discuss his experiences and thoughts about the past, present and what's to come.  

If you would like to read  his play Zaida and Aadam (2016) which was performed at the Bush Theatre, please email planetdiasporapodcast@gmail.com.  

Gbolahan's top three films are: 

 La Haine (1995)  https://g.co/kgs/H1vdB1 

City of God (2002) https://g.co/kgs/PzopxS 

Bicycle Thieves https://g.co/kgs/Fd6vno

His favourite African titles are:  

Tsotsi (2005) https://g.co/kgs/9xGEuh   

Serafina! (1992) https://g.co/kgs/BjTf5n

In this episode (part 1 of 2) we are discussing the controversial acronym BAME which stands for Black Asian and Minority Ethnic, successor to BME Black Minority Ethnic. Sandra speaks to Alison Wiggins, a university lecturer, activist and secondary school teacher about the term, its use, impact and wider issues around stereotyping and race in the UK.