Throughout my life, I have had quite a few different hairstyles. And it is clear to me now that each change of style represented a significant moment in my life, from my Afro to the wet look perm to my number one.

The Afro

Of all the styles I have had in my life thus far, my beloved Afro was the most labour-intensive for me. I spent at least an hour each night plaiting my hair and then a good twenty minutes each morning undoing it. All, so I could maintain its’ softness and shape. …

This and other advice for those about to start living in shared accommodation with strangers for the first time.

It all started at 720a Leytonstone High Road — my first address after completing my engineering degree and landing my first full-time job. Thirty- five years ago, I paid £38 per week to rent a single room in a house where the only shared space was a kitchen and a rather grubby bathroom.

It was the best I could find at the time living next door to a young man whose room permanently smelt of alcohol, unwashed clothes, and rotting food…

‘There are two gifts we should give our children one is roots, and the other is wings’ — Unknown

I first came across this beautiful quote four years ago, and it still resonates with me today as the mother of a young adult.

At the time, it also helped me to reach a decision about her schooling and recognise the importance of strong and supportive friendships, especially during that phase of her life.

And now more than ever if I wish this for my child, why would I not wish it for all? …

This incident happened when I was about ten years old but still puzzles me today, one of many ‘small’ episodes that show the everyday reality of living with racism.

It starts with three young girls, me, my sister and our friend, Angela, who just happened to be the only three children playing around the back of our flats in South London. Our ‘playing’ area was a grassy quadrangle overlooked by three blocks of flats, so as a parent all you needed to do was to glance out the window and you would easily spot your child.

On this occasion, we…

This story still makes me laugh, an old favourite that dates to the early 90s. I was a single woman with a new job and a newish car, happily house-sitting in Islington thanks to a good friend.

And in those days Islington, North London was considered an up and coming area, a desirable place to live.

After several years of renting and sharing with others, it was a huge privilege and relief to have some accommodation for myself. An incredible piece of good fortune, especially after some of the places I had lived in previously.

I remember returning home early…

Being random might be my superpower.

I am a quirky, random black woman, who can at times like a butterfly flit between projects and interests, in an instant. And then at other times, ponder overlong and drag my feet, when speed and decisiveness are needed.

I first wrote about the tussle between my tortoise and my hare, four years ago and today I find I’m at yet another place in my working life. My work is in flux, evolving as I seek to mix things up a bit and create the space where my coaching, writing and work in the…

It’s almost eight years since my mum died, and there isn’t a day that goes by without me thinking about her though the pain is not as acute, not quite as raw.

This article may trigger memories and stir emotions for some, and this might not be the right time to read it. And I’m sorry if this in any way adds to your pain, that is not my intention, but I wanted to write about how I felt at the time and how I still feel today. So, here are my lessons:

Life is strong; it wants to live…

I was amazed and very proud of my daughter, a few weeks ago, as we sat discussing her progress on her two- year college course. She is currently studying a mix of A’ levels and BTECs. But it was her comment on her Summer exams that floored me, and I’m paraphrasing here; ‘if I don’t do well, I can retake. I’m not going to worry about the outcome too much.’

Now before you all write in to put me straight, let me point out; clearly, I would prefer she does well and is happy with her result. Before GCSEs, both…