Kristen B

I still remember the first time I heard poet Sophia Thakur perform. It was a chilly October night in 2019. I was tired from a long day at work and slightly annoyed that none of my friends had been able to come with me to the Jazz Cafe in Camden that night. I’d definitely seen the name ‘Sophia Thakur’ thrown around in poetic circles and even seen a few videos and read snippets of her work, but seeing her bring her words to life, was nothing short of magical.

Read my article Shifting Spaces: Navigating British identity as a first generation immigrant on pages 74 to 77. This article was first published in the print edition of Onyx III: Transcend in December 2020.

Based on my own experiences and that of my interviewees, the piece explores how first generation immigrants have navigated the world of identity. I moved to the UK aged eight from South Africa yet most of my friends, although not of white British heritage had generations before them who had built a home in the UK. This has meant acute differences in the way we perceive Britishness.

Summertime is here and the beach is calling. It’s time to dig out your favorite swimsuit (or buy a new one), book that bikini wax, stock up on the essentials, like sunscreen and maybe even get your nails done. Have we missed anything? Oh of course, hair! No beach trip is complete without the perfect hairstyle to rock with that tan. Whether it’s Turks and Caicos, Cancun, California or Florida, a baecation, solo trip or getaway with your girls, you’ll want to look stylish...

From Beyonce’s afrocentric The Lion King: The Gift album, to WizKid selling out the O2 arena in London and Burna Boy scooping up Grammys in 2020, 2021 and 2022 – the world is finally starting to embrace art and culture emerging out of Africa. Although to some, this afrocentric vision is a trend, for those of African heritage it’s a story that is finally being recognised—those like designers Jodie Akinsanya and Adeola Adelakun.

Step aside Cardi B; short nails are having a moment — and a big one at that! From ombré shades to patterns, neutral tones to bright colors, square shapes to round, the choices are endless.
Not only are short nails really cute, they’re also easier to maintain, chip less frequently and are actually a lot more hygienic — it’s harder for dirt and debris to get trapped beneath short nails.

“Performing at the Oscars is much like performing on stage at Carnegie Hall. It’s a burst of adrenaline that is quite the norm for me. I live for pleasing an audience but I also know that these opportunities are very few of many for African American female artists such as myself.”
Lelia-Michelle Walker is a classical musician and performing artist hailing from Washington DC. Classically trained in both the viola and violin, Lelia is charting a career within classical music...

Sampling has been a key feature (sometimes subtle) in the music we’ve been listen to for decades. Artists have always been inspired by either those that came before them or their peers, and use their music to create something new…actually, they say there’s nothing new under the sun.

Quite simply for me, I tell visual stories with my images.
Andrea Pippins is a force in the world of art and design. With a vibrant, expressive and empowering style of illustration, her work is immediately recognisable and impactful due to the strong messaging it conveys. Now based in Stockholm and working as a freelance illustrator, Andrea’s work spans commissions for brands such as Nickelodeon, Sephora and ESPN, talks and seminars and a range of graphic publications including children’s boo...

On what was supposed to be a romantic trip to Italy, Tyra found herself on a tiny kayak in the middle of a volcanic lake. She was acutely aware of the dangers surrounding her and thoughts of the kayak tipping over rushed into her head… She was scared.
We’ve all been there. Maybe it’s not in the middle of a volcanic lake, but it’s a new job, a new city, leaving home for the first time, ending a relationship or starting a new one–that moment of uncomfortability, where we’re paralyzed to move on...

Easter is arguably the most poignant event on the Christian calendar. Foreshadowed with Lent, a 40 day period of prayer and fasting, Easter Sunday is the beginning of Eastertide which commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ and ends 7 weeks later on Pentecost Sunday.
Easter is traditionally marked with church services and a feast with family and friends. Depending on where you are in the world and the type of Christian you are, celebrations vary and music plays a huge part. The main foc...

Meet the black women who are broadening their career options with the apprenticeship route after completing undergraduate degrees.

Apprenticeships have evolved dramatically over the last few years. No longer are they predominantly low-paid roles that are only associated with skilled trade industries like plumbing, carpentry or scaffolding.

Every year the Grammy awards capture the attention and imagination of music fans across the world. We see the red carpet, the interviews, the fabulous outfits, the glam and of course those coveted and recognisable Grammy statuettes.
The Grammy awards honours and celebrates all kinds of genres, artists and specialists involved in the creation of a piece of music...

Braids are the kind of protective style that never goes out of fashion. Variations on twists, locs and other styles peak and trough in popularity, but braids are a classic style that Black women always come back to. This makes small knotless braids—emphasis on the small—the perfect choice for your next protective style. Of course knotless braids look stunning in any size, but the smaller braids give you more hair to play with and more versatility.

Other names for this protective style include...

Episode 133. Walking From West Ham (Ft. Kristen)
On the latest episode of Made In Chafford they are joined with Kristen! They take on: Books To Read William & Kate In Jamaica Shows With Too Many Seasons Kristen - @Kristenbingle 2Demz - @6thfeb Eman - @EmanG45 Cole - @ColeSanusi Please share & follow! - @MadeInChafford #MadeInChafford

Black hair is beautiful and unique; we know this. But sometimes taking care of our natural hair can be a process. This can especially be the case when you move to the other side of the world and it feels like you’re learning how to take care of your tresses all over again. As Black women we often also feel pressure to conform to our new surroundings in order to fit in. So it can be difficult navigating something like hair in a country that’s relatively homogenous, like South Korea.