Sisters, Friends & Guests Podcast

Gangs and gang culture, is all over the news and on the increase. As a parent, how do you know if your child is involved in a gang? What signs should you look out for? Who do you turn to for help and support and how do you help them to get out? In this episode Jackie, Caroline and Krissi speak to Gideon Buabeng who was in a gang and found himself in hospital after being stabbed 14 times, Akua Ofosuhene who to managed to get her son out of a gang after four years of heartache and struggle and gang specialist Lamar. We hear their perspectives on how and why our children are recruited into gangs, the impact gangs have  families, and the wider community and how they have managed to overcome. Gideon Buabeng: In 2015, while Gideon was studying at university, he got caught up in a situation which left him with 14 stab wounds fighting for his life.  In his own words he said “with the right support system and determination, I was able to turn my post-traumatic stress disorder into post-traumatic growth and turn my Pain into my Power". He is now an award-winning motivational speaker, founder of Our Pain 2 Power, Prince’s Trust ambassador, Chairman of the Violent Crime Prevention Youth Board and Representee of the Prince’s Trust Youth Advisory Board. Email: gideonseibuabeng@gmail.com Instagram: @Gideonsnetwork Twitter: @Gideonsnetwork | OurPain2Power LinkedIn: Gideon Buabeng You Tube: Our Pain 2   Power Akua Ofosuhene Akua believes that we can change our current unjust world through the use of psychedelics with the simple intention to let go of all deeply held beliefs that prop up our current white supremacist world order. She holds so many badges of honour; mother, a designer creating bespoke tailoring under the #MyLocalDressMaker" label, documentary story consultant for the hotline documentary series on Joy FM Radio and MD of A Serendipitous Production, a film and video production company specialising in short feature length dramas and documentaries. Email: ofosuhene.akua@gmail.com Instagram: @akuaofosuhene Twitter: @AkuaOfosuhene Radio: UJR Talk Radio Website and UJR Radio LinkedIn: Akua Ofosuhene Lamar Lamar works for the Public Sector as a gangs analyst and provides strategic interaction with key stakeholders in relation to gang culture and advocates for change within the community.  Sisters Friends and Guests is a podcast that seeks to redress the imbalance in the representation of Black Women from diverse backgrounds and their voices in the media and more widely within society. Join the conversation. Disclaimer: During this conversation we discuss the use of drugs for the purpose of education only. Drugs are classified into several categories based on their likelihood to lead to negative activities or bad health and we do not condone the use or possession of illegal drugs which is a crime in the UK. Please see the resources on our website, sfgpod.com, which provides additional support for his episode.

In this Episode we are joined by Sonia Harris who is a relationship coach and founder of Relationships A-Z and her husband Rob. We discuss relationships, dating and marriage. We explore what each of those things can look like, what they should look like and the things we can practice to become our best selves and strengthen the relationships we have in our lives. Sonia Harris is a Relationship Coach with over 15 years' experience. She specialises in preparing singles for dating and marriage and enables many to achieve life-changing results. She is a published author of two books – "PlusOne = 3" and "Rooted for Relationships" and also hosts the popular podcast: The A-Z of Godly Relationships. Sonia contact details Email: info@relationshipsatoz.com Instagram: @soniaharris71 | @relationshipsatoz Facebook: Relationshipsatoz Website: www.relationshipsatoz.com LinkedIn: Sonia Harris Resources Dating Apps:  Are black women invisible and hypervisible on dating apps?  The Dating Divide is the first comprehensive look at digital sexual racism.  February 2021 The reality of Black Men's Love Lives and Marriages is very different than what's usually shown on TV.  The Conversation – December 2020 Resetting the Image of Black Men in Relationships:  Black Love Matters – Authentic Men's Voices on Marriages and Romantic Relationships.  Arnon R. Perry How Childhood Trauma May Affect Adult Relationships.  June 2021 Disclaimer: Whilst in this episode the conversation is centred around heterosexual relationships(i.e. that between a man and a woman), we recognise that this is not how everyone may wish to identify. We acknowledge that there are people who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transexual, pansexual, asexual, queer, non-binary or questioning (or, may define their gender and sexuality in different ways). Sisters Friends and Guests is a podcast that seeks to redress the imbalance in the representation of Black women and their voices in the media and more widely within society. Join the conversation. Twitter: sfgpod Instagram: sfg_pod LinkedIn: The Sisters, Friends and Guests Podcast Email: sfgpod@gmail.com

Money begets more money, so the saying goes. But with research from the Runnymede Trust showing that for every £1 a white British family has, black Caribbean households have about 20p and black African households approximately 10p, the odds seem stacked against us. In this week's episode, we speak to Sharmayne Pitkin, Vernice Wint and Lois Brown, three ladies who are on a mission to change the status quo for their families through trading and investing. Not only for the additional income, but also as a means of creating a legacy of wealth for their children and for future generations. In the conversation they discuss the different ways of investing and how they manage to balance their trading activities with their responsibilities as mothers and career women. Vernice Wint is a mother of two, a trader and an entrepreneur. Working from home, she runs Mums on a Mission where she helps mums and women learn a new skill so they can become the best versions of themselves and attain freedom in all areas of their lives. Instagram - Mums on a mission Facebook – Mums on a Mission Sharmayne Pitkin is a Senior Manager in the healthcare industry specialising in governance and data quality.  She sees trading as a stream of income that can grow and secure her family's future. Her aim is to show others how a duplicating strategy can change your life and create generational wealth even though the economic climate would have you think otherwise. As a woman of God her dream is to see people secure and fulfilled to the point where they can help others on their journeys too. Instagram- Shar_Dionne Lois Brown is a devout Christian, wife, mother to four boys, a property Investor and wealth educator and mentor. Lois is a PA by profession, and also the founder of 2 Sweet Occasions and The Fleur Academy Event planning & Event Décor companies, specialising in Flowers, Balloons, Gift Hampers, Catering, and Training. She describes her journey into the crypto world as life changing and now dedicates large amounts of her time spreading the word to others so they too can be impacted. Instagram: iamloisband 2sweetoccasions Facebook: www.facebook.com/lois.brown.716 Twitter: Lois2SO Sisters Friends and Guests is a podcast that seeks to redress the imbalance in the representation of Black women and their voices in the media and more widely within society. Join the conversation. Twitter: sfgpod Instagram: sfg_pod LinkedIn: The Sisters, Friends and Guests Podcast Email: sfgpod@gmail.com DISCLAIMER Any information provided in this episode is not intended nor does it constitute financial, tax, legal, investment, or other type of advice, and should not be wholly relied upon. Sisters, Friends & Guests have taken every care to ensure the information provided in this episode and the resources linked on our website, sfgpod.com, are correct at the time of recording and therefore disclaims liability for any advice acted upon.

Carole Williams has been a Hackney Councillor for Hoxton and then Hoxton West Ward since 2002. In 2016 Carole became Hackney’s first ever Cabinet Member for Employment, Skills and Human Resources. She is also the lead  Member for Equalities and in 2019 became the Lead Member for Hackney’s response to the Windrush scandal - and the first lead Member for Windrush across the country. Carole is at the forefront of efforts to increase diversity across the public sector, and plays a central role in delivering on the Mayor’s priority of tackling inequality in the Borough. Carole also leads on Hackney’s Ways into Work job brokerage service, promoting and securing apprenticeships for young people; maximising job opportunities for residents and working to deliver flexible working to support parents to enter the workforce and progress their own careers. Contact details Email: Carole.williams@hackney.gov.uk Twitter: @carolewilliams Sisters Friends and Guests is a podcast that seeks to redress the imbalance in the representation of Black women from diverse backgrounds and their voices in the media and more widely within society. Join the conversation. SFG   Contact details Twitter: sfgpod Instagram: sfg_pod LinkedIn The   Sisters, Friends and Guests Podcast Email: hello@sfgpod.com SFG   Spotify Playlist The   Sisters, Friends & Guests Podcast Playlist

In this episode we are joined by our friend Tokunbo Koiki to discuss mental health within the black community. We share our personal experiences with mental health, how it has affected us and those around us and how we have coped. We also discuss the reluctance of the black community to talk about mental health, share some tips on how to identify when we need help and what organisations we can turn to for help. We consider this conversation to be informative, positive and nurturing but we acknowledge that there may be those who find this difficult in parts. Our priority is to ensure we as women care for our well-being and there are resources linked to this episode on our website, sfgpod.com, to encourage and support us all. Tokunbo Koiki was born in London but spent her early formative years in the vibrant city of Lagos, Nigeria. A self-proclaimed ‘accidental entrepreneur’ she is the founder of Tokunbo's Kitchen, an award-winning food brand and Styled by Toks, a personal styling service for creative entrepreneurs and a social worker. Tokunbo has a powerful story, but more importantly, she personally believes that everyone else does too. Through the Tokunbo Chronicles podcast, she combines insightful solo episodes with riveting interviews to share transformational stories that educate, entertain and empower her audience. Guest contact details: Websites: https://tokunbokoiki.com/ https://www.tokunboskitchen.com/ Instagram – Styledbytoks Twitter @Toksy27 Sisters Friends and Guests is a podcast that seeks to redress the imbalance in the representation of Black Women from diverse backgrounds and their voices in the media and more widely within society.  Join the conversation. Twitter: sfgpod Instagram: sfg_pod LinkedIn: The Sisters, Friends and Guests   Podcast Email: hello@sfgpod.com

In this episode we focus on women's awareness of their sensuality and their right to enjoy sex and pleasure (as adults). We cover all elements of sexual health from physical, emotional to mental and social aspects.  We also delve into the cultural and societal factors that prevent us from lying back and enjoying sex. We consider this conversation to be informative, positive and nurturing but we acknowledge that there may be those who find this difficult in parts. Our priority is to ensure we as women care for our well-being and there are resources linked to this episode and on our website, sfgpod.com, to encourage and support us all. Gender is traditionally used to describe the characteristics of women and men that are socially constructed, while sex refers to those that are biologically determined.  We will refer to gender as women throughout this conversation but recognise that this is not how everyone may wish to identify. Jodie Slee is a trauma informed relationship and psychosexual therapist and has over 12 years' experience helping couples and individuals successfully overcome relationship issues or to achieve their sexual goals.  She has extensive knowledge in theories and strategies in psychology, behavioural sciences and sexology.  Jodie has trained with globally recognised institutions such as The Tavistock and The Relate Institutes and has been featured in numerous mainstream media articles and blogs as a subject matter expert. Email jodie@sensatetherapy.com Twitter: @sensatetherapy Website: https://www.sensatetherapy.com/ Nicole Noir is a leading entrepreneur, founder of Noir Naughty a sexual wellness brand focussing on serving the sensuality of Black bodies. She is a prolific storyteller under the guise of the NoirNaughty Podcast; narrating erotic anthologies which centre the pleasures and fantasies of Black Women and women of colour.  If you want to be entertained, educated and enthralled make sure you connect with the Brand. At the age of 26 Nicole was able to build her dream and continues to work towards the recognition and celebration of authentic black female sexuality.  She is the epitome of Black Girl Magic Email: info@noirnaughty.com Instagram: Noir.Naughty Facebook: NoirNaughty Twitter: @NoirNaughty Website: https://noirnaughty.co.uk/ Podcast: Noir Naughty: Erotic Anthology Sisters Friends and Guests is a podcast that seeks to redress the imbalance in the representation of Black Women from diverse backgrounds and their voices in the media and more widely within society.  Join the conversation. Email: hello@sfgpod.com   Instagram: sfg_pod  Twitter: sfgpod

Bitcoin, Ethereum, dodge coin and blockchain, we have all heard about them recently. But what are they? What they are the rewards and risks of investing in them and how do you get started?  In this episode Jacqueline and Caroline are joined by Jonathan Lilley and Ijeoma Nwokolo of the Stock Pickers Academy to discuss all things cryptocurrency. Jonathan Lilley Bio Jonathan is a father, an investor, a martial arts teacher and life coach.  He believes that obtaining wealth is a skill which can be taught and learnt over time, and that  fulfilment, completeness and divine wholeness is a manifestation of your choices. He encourages everyone to make the right choices to transform their lives through planning, research, taking it one word and step at a time. Contact details: Website: https://www.jonathanlilleywrites.com/ YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/sosostandsup Telegram:  https://t.me/joinchat/TgArTrjQ3JrwB8gl Publications: https://www.amazon.co.uk/JonathanLilley/e/B08T8RTL62?ref_=dbs_p_ebk_r00_abau_000000 Ijeoma Nwokolo is an IT professional specialising in cyber security and data analytics. She is also the Co-founder and CTO at eWorker a recruitment platform which seeks to give exceptional black talent access to opportunities in world-class companies. Her investment journey started with stocks but now focuses more on cryptocurrency which she believes she understands better because of her programming background. Website: https://www.eworker.co/ Twitter- https://twitter.com/ije_nwok Sisters Friends and Guests is a podcast that seeks to redress the imbalance in the representation of Black women and their voices in the media and more widely within society. Join the conversation. Twitter:  sfgpod Instagram:  sfg_pod LinkedIn: The Sisters, Friends and Guests Podcast Email:   sfgpod@gmail.com Disclaimer: Any information provided in this episode is not intended nor does it constitute financial, tax, legal, investment, or other type of advice, and should not be wholly relied upon.  Sisters, Friends & Guests have taken every care to ensure the information provided in this episode and the resources linked on our website, sfgpod.com, are correct at the time of recording and therefore disclaims liability for any advice acted upon

In this Episode Jacqueline is joined by Abena Oppong- Asare MP for Erith and Thamesmead. In the conversation, they discuss Abena’s journey into politics, the day-to-day role of an MP and the challenges that she has faced as a black woman in the public arena, and the need for us black women to get involved in politics to get our views and voices heard in order to bring about change. Abena Oppong-Asare is the Labour Member of Parliament for Erith and Thamesmead. She currently serves as Shadow Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury and Chair of the Labour Women's Network. Previously, she served as Deputy Leader and Education Spokesperson on Bexley Council and worked for the Greater London Authority. Abena was elected as the Member of Parliament for Erith and Thamesmead in December 2019 and is proud to serve the community in which she has lived in for over 30 years. She made history to become one of Labour’s first two female British-Ghanaian Members of Parliament.  Abena has spent her career working for local people, speaking truth to power on behalf of some of the most vulnerable in her communities. She represented Erith on Bexley Council, speaking up for her area at the town hall and helping to lead the Labour group of Bexley councillors as deputy leader and spokesperson for education. She worked at the Greater London Authority, supporting GLA members to effectively represent the people of London. In the aftermath of the Grenfell tragedy, she led community engagement work for the GLA and Mayor Sadiq Khan, making sure that the people of London were heard to stop anything like that from ever happening again. Before she was elected as an MP, she led resident engagement for a local authority, ensuring the voices of residents helped to shape local services. Guest contact details  Email: abena.oppongasare.mp@parliament.uk Website: https://www.abenaoppongasare.com Sisters Friends and Guests is a podcast that seeks to redress the imbalance in the representation of Black women and their voices in the media and more widely within society.  Join the conversation Twitter: sfgpod Instagram: sfg_pod LinkedIn The Sisters, Friends and Guests Podcast Email: hello@sfgpod.com For links to resources referred to in the episode please check our website sfgpod.com.

In this episode we are joined by investment experts Tanya Daye and Stephanie Taylor. Both Tanya and Stephanie are passionate about the property industry and constantly seek opportunities to extend their knowledge and share resources. In the conversation we focus on the cultural influence and attitudes to home ownership and property investment.  We highlight and raise awareness of the social impact of home ownership as individuals and the importance of building property portfolios to create a legacy of generational wealth.  Get ready to re-write the narrative! Tanya Daye is a daughter and grand-daughter to Jamaican parents and grandparents, mother and step-mother to amazingly talented children. Based in South London she has a passion for promoting, encouraging and building legacy and generational wealth through the purchase of property.  She is a landlord, property investor, ARLA qualified Letting Agent and a bespoke personal Estate Agent. Email:    tanyaestateagent.co.uk Tel:    07904 471402 Website:    tanyaestateagent.co.uk Instagram:    TanyaEstateAgent Facebook:    TanyaEstateAgent Stephanie Taylor, mother, daughter, entrepreneur (featured in Entrepreneur Magazine, The Telegraph, Property Investor Today), podcast host, published writer (#1 Best-selling Author of Rent 2 Rent Success) … in fact so many accolades!  Together with her sister, Nicky, they have become game changers in ethical property investment and have developed the Rent 2 Rent Kickstarter Programme to enable many others to achieve life-changing results Email:        support@rent2rentsuccess.com Websites:    www.rent2rentsuccess.com and www.hmoheaven.co.uk Instagram:    stephanietproperty LinkedIn:    linkedin.com/in/missstephanietaylor Facebook:    Rent 2 Rent Success Disclaimer: Any information provided in this episode is not intended nor does it constitute financial, tax, legal, investment, or other type of advice, and should not be wholly relied upon.  Sisters, Friends & Guests have taken every care to ensure the information provided in this episode and the resources linked on our website, sfgpod.com, are correct at the time of recording and therefore disclaims liability for any advice acted upon.

In this Episode Krissi is joined by counsellor and author Shirley Anstis. Shirley shares some insights on the trends she has observed in the mental health space, since the death of George Floyd. She shares tips on how to manage our mental wellbeing, how to identify when you need help, what things to look for when sourcing a counsellor and how to actively become involved with your local NHS Trust. Shirley Anstis is a member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists specialising in integrative and soulful counselling through her practice Envision Counselling. For more than 10 years she has been supporting her clients to work through their past, connect to their present and step into the future they envision. Shirley Anstis contact Details Twitter: https://twitter.com/shirleyanstis Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shirleyanstis/ Website: https://envisioncounselling.co.uk/ Sisters Friends and Guests is a podcast that seeks to redress the imbalance in the representation of Black women and their voices in the media and more widely within society. Join the conversation. Twitter: @sfgpod Instagram: sfg_pod Email: sfgpod@gmail.com

We have come a long way since the days of Rasta Mouse and Trevor McDonald being the only black presence on TV.  With the advent of social media, platforms like Netflix, and shows like Love Island have things changed? Or are we still victims? In Welcome to Hollywood, we discuss how black women are presented in the media from Hollywood to British Television. Sisters Friends and Guests is a podcast that seeks to redress the imbalance in the representation  of Black women and their voices in the media and more widely within  society. Join the conversation Twitter: @sfgpod Instagram: sfg_pod Email: sfgpod@gmail.com

Who runs a tech company?  Which sister is a fashion designer? What is it like to work with Johnnie Cochran the legendary civil rights activist? What is a multipotentialite?  And what topics are included in series two? All is revealed in this getting to know you episode where your hosts reveal all.  Sisters Friends and Guests is a podcast that seeks to redress the imbalance in the representation of Black women and their voices in the media and more widely within society.  Join the conversation. www.sfgpod.com Twitter: @sfgpod Instagram: sfg_pod Email: sfgpod@gmail.com

In this special episode we talk to two representatives of the Women's Equality Party about their careers, their party and their vision for women in London. Christine Dean is a child of Caribbean migrants, mother of two and wife and deputy leader of the Women’s Equality Party. Instagram: wepchristine @legaleagle24 Maureen Ngozi Obi-Ezekpazu is a Barrister with over 30 years experience  of holding the State to account when it has interfered with the lives of individuals. children and lives in London. @maureenwep http://familymatters.uk.com/ http://thisonefamilymatters.org.uk/ https://www.womensequality.org.uk Connect with us: www.sfgpod.com Twitter: @sfgpod Instagram: sfg_pod Email: sfgpod@gmail.com

Continuing the women in leadership series, this episode focuses on achieving success in the workplace. During this conversation we will discuss the challenges that black women face at work, and share ideas on how to overcome these. Guests Yvonne Nyabango and Dr. Mariam Adegoke share steps that we can use to not only take control of our careers but to also help us advance into senior leadership positions. Guest contact information:- Yvonne Email - ynyabango@gmail.com Twitter @YNyabango Instagram -Y Nyabango Mariam Instagram – drmariamadegoke or @ilenetwork Resources and further reading: - https://www.ft.com/content/409ae838-1040-11e9-b2f2-f4c566a4fc5f - Colour of Power - http://www.thecolourofpower.com/ - https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/som/expertise/changing-world-of-work/gender-and-leadership/female-ftse-index - Book - Beyond the Old Boys Club - Suzanne Doyle Morris Email us with your feedback at sfgpod@gmail.com Connect with us: Instagram: @sfg_pod Twitter: @sfgpod

In this episode we are in conversation with Hope Okeny; learning about her role as the Director of Karin Community Initiatives Uganda; an NGO that she has lead since the late 90s. Website - https://karincommunity.org Instagram - @kciu_uganda Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/KCIUganda/ Email us with your feedback at sfgpod@gmail.com Connect with us: Instagram: @sfg_pod Twitter: @sfgpod

Leading Black Women   Angela Davis, Josephine Baker, and Winnie Mandela - three black women of great influence and leadership. In this episode we discuss their achievements and how they have inspired us, what lessons we can learn from them and generally explore society's expections of women as leaders. Resources Josephine Baker https://www.biography.com/search?query=black+activists https://www.britannica.com/biography/Josephine-Baker Winnie Mandela https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4QC4X1uElY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fv-4INlFbFk Books - 491 days / part of my Soul went with him https://youtu.be/KP7p5hwniw0 Angela Davis Black Power Mixtape https://youtu.be/SwD3LGo3a7o   Email us with your feedback at sfgpod@gmail.com Connect with us: Instagram: @sfg_pod Twitter: @sfgpod

In this episode we speak with Cecilia Makinde about her journey to self employment as a life coach and leading by example. Cecilia Makinde contact details: Instagram - @ceciliamakinde Email us with your feedback at sfgpod@gmail.com Connect with us: Instagram: @sfg_pod Twitter: @sfgpod

In the very first episode of SFG, we are in conversation with Karen Lanlehin, Business Change Practitioner and Equality & Diversity Manager talking about the importance of mentoring. Karen strongly believes in the power of mentoring and coaching for career and professional development. In fact, Karen spearheaded an inclusive mentoring programme designed to break down the barriers to progression at her organisation, particularly for people from BAME groups. Karen shares with us some really good tips on why and how to get a mentor.   Email us with your feedback at sfgpod@gmail.com Connect with us: Instagram: @sfg_pod Twitter: @sfgpod

We are black women in conversation with other black women.                                                   Talking about, and opining on all things black womanhood.  Sharing our journeys and learning from each other.  Sisters, Friends, and Guests is a podcast where we  bring those conversations to you. Join the conversation on;- Instagram: @sfg_pod Twitter: @sfgpod Email: sfgpod@gmail.com