Challenging Britannia, which showcases seven ground-breaking older Black women creatives who have carved out remarkable careers in directing, photography, acting, dance/choreography, music, poetry, publishing and children’s books, is now on sale.
In 2025, creative entrepreneur and co-founder of Words of Colour Productions Joy Francis interviewed each of these inspirational women at public events which took place from February to May 2025. Director Paulette Randall, photographer Ingrid Pollard, actress and writer Anni Domingo, choreographer Sharon Watson, composer and musician Dominique Le Gendre, poet Valerie Bloom and children’s publisher Verna Wilkins all revealed the battles fought and won over their long and inspirational careers.
Published by the George Padmore Institute (GPI), Challenging Britannia echoes the spirit of the Life Experience With Britain series of publications produced by the GPI in the 1990s, including Changing Britannia and Building Britannia.
Challenging Britannia is published by the GPI as part of the Women Speak Volumes Between Generations project organised by Speaking Volumes Live Literature Productions. Funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Burroughs Fund at Coastal Carolina University. Partners include 198 Contemporary Arts and Learning Ltd, the GPI and Words of Colour Productions.
Challenging Britannia: Black British Women Speak Volumes – Seven Conversations with Joy Francis is edited by Sharmilla Beezmohun. Price: £13.99 plus p+p. Purchase your copy here.
