Standing Up and Finding a Voice at The London Library, July 2020
Esuantsiwa Jane Goldsmith and Njambi McGrath, two of Jacaranda Books’ #TwentyIn2020 authors, discuss their astonishing new memoirs, tales of identity, courage, speaking up and speaking out. You can watch the full event below!
Esuantsiwa Jane Goldsmith’s The Space Between Black and White is her unique, and inspiring story of self-discovery, from the isolation of growing up mixed race in a white, working-class family, through her journey into activism. Tackling inequality wherever it exists, she has established a significant legacy in the Women’s Liberation and Black Power movements, all the while piecing together her own identity and the mysteries of her heritage.
Njambi McGrath’s Through the Leopard's Gaze, is a captivating memoir chronicling her life as a young girl in Kenya, through to her emergence as an award winning stand up comedian in the UK. Exploring identity, trauma, as well as the history of Kenya itself, this is a remarkable story of survival, courage and a searingly honest examination of human cruelty and strength in equal measure.
#TwentyIn2020 is a ground breaking initiative which will see Jacaranda Books publishing 20 titles by 20 Black British writers in one year across adult fiction, nonfiction and poetry. The initiative is in collaboration with Words of Colour and in partnership with The London Library.
Njambi McGrath is a Kenyan born, UK based comedian and author. She was nominated Best Newcomer Black Comedy Awards 2012 and recently won the prestigious Hackney Empire New Act of the Year (NATYS) 2019 Award. She has also appeared on BBC World New Years Comedy and BBC Radio 4 Extra, Saturday Live. Through the Leopard’s Gaze is her first book. Buy the book
Esuantsiwa Jane Goldsmith is a feminist and political activist. Following a career in women’s organisations and international development, she founded Anona Development Consultancy, working with over 100 organisations on five continents as a dynamic facilitator and strategist. In 2015, she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate for her work in Women’s Rights. Buy the book