Women Speak Volumes in Conversation throws the spotlight on the work of pioneering creative older women whose stories need to be told. Over the course of seven weeks we will present seven ground-breaking women who have forged careers across different art forms and whose stories are an inspiration to us all.
Wednesday 30 April 2025 at 7.00–8.30pm
198 Contemporary Arts and Learning, 198 Railton Road, London SE24 0JT
£5
Despite the appearance of the first Black British publishers in the 1960s, there was only so much they could do to represent the UK’s burgeoning black population. In 1987, Dr Verna Allette Wilkins FRSL decided to join that fight for cultural equality, founding Tamarind Books to redress the balance in publishing for children of colour. It was an act that has led, nearly forty years later, to having inspired generations of young and old alike.
Verna Wilkins was born in Grenada. Her father was a headteacher who was instrumental in introducing Caribbean History to a curriculum dominated by Britain’s past. She said: ‘He told us stories relevant to our lives. Stories from Africa and the Caribbean – stories that included people like us. He worked hard to give his children and his pupils self-worth.’ This experience came back to her when bringing up her own children in London in the 1980s, who couldn’t find any books with black and brown characters. Thus Tamarind Books was born, with Verna penning many of the titles she published. She is the author of thirty picture books and eight biographies. Her books have featured on BBC children’s TV programmes, on National Curriculum reading lists and have been chosen among Children’s Books of the Year. Her many awards include the British Book Industry Decibel Award for Multicultural Publishing (2008), the European Federation of Women Business Owners Award and a Successful Business & Pioneer Windrush Award (2000).
Come and hear about the life and work of this groundbreaking publisher who has made a real difference to children in the UK; during a school visit, a young black girl told her: ‘I always wanted to be an author, but didn’t think I could be one until I met you today!’ Verna will be in conversation with literary activist and creative entrepreneur Joy Francis, co-founder of Words of Colour.
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These conversations are part of a wider project: Women Speak Volumes Between Generations. Produced in collaboration by Speaking Volumes, Words of Colour and the George Padmore Institute, in association with 198 Contemporary Arts and Learning and the University of Coastal Carolina.
This is the sixth of seven conversations running from 19 February to 14 May which will throw the spotlight on the work of pioneering creative older black women whose stories need to be shared.
The Women Speak Volumes project is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
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