Black Love Bytes: Fatherhood, Motherhood, Singlehood
Following on from our 2020 series of intimate specially curated conversations between Black artists, activists and cultural thinkers on Brotherhood, Sistahood and Queerhood, we are excited to introduce our Black History Month 2021 special discussing the shared bonds found in Fatherhood, Motherhood and Singlehood.
FATHERHOOD
Mental health campaigner Lee Towsend and ‘Dad Coach’ Thomas Scannell discuss the critical role father’s play in shaping their children’s lives and the emotional challenges they face when estranged from their families.
– Lee Townsend is a London-based community engagement practitioner, mental health campaigner and chair of the Fathers’ Forum, a male support group for dads, godfathers, father figures and potential fathers.
– Thomas Scannel has been working with children and families for 20 years when he become increasingly aware of the recurring lack of support for men. Observing that “both society and the media have very specific definitions of what masculinity ‘should’ be”, he decided to become the ‘Dad Coach’.
MOTHERHOOD
The Black Love Project Co-founder Patsy Isle hosts an intergenerational discussion on motherhood, maternal health and being mothered with author Dr. Beverly Bryan and perinatal mental health coach Tracey Louis-Fernand.
– Mum to a 28 year old daughter, Patsy Isle is a freelance writer, editor and media skills trainer with more than 30 years of experience in book and magazine publishing.
– Dr Beverly Bryan was a founder member of the Brixton Black Women’s Group and the Organisation of Women of African and Asian Descent, alongside being a member of the British Black Panther Movement. She worked as a teacher in primary, secondary, tertiary and community settings in the UK, and is mother to two sons.
– Tracey Louis-Fernand is the Founder of Mothering the Mother; a perinatal support service providing antenatal education, infant feeding support, birth attendance and postnatal support.
SINGLEHOOD
Co-founder Joy Francis and author Ola Awonubi discuss how they are challenging the cultural and societal norms by being single, unmarried and non-parents in their 50s.
– Author Ola Awonubi has an MA in Creative writing and Imaginative Practice at the University of East London. Her short stories have been featured across various literary journals and blogs and she is currently working on a historical fiction.
– Co-founder Joy Francis’ diverse career covers journalism, policy development, academia, literature, digital enterprise, curation, production, film, PR and creative entrepreneurship, both here and abroad.