BRING YOUR AUNTY – Our London Stakeholders Event, Authoring Our Own Stories

Dance, food and music were all crucial cultural elements woven into the presentation of our research findings at BRING YOUR AUNTY our recent stakeholder event at Guildhall, City of London. Rachel Adjekukor, Anuoluwapo Fadairo, Emmanuella Mamah (aka Ella), Rumaisa Mulji and Emmanuela Kumi all gave compelling evidence from our research project this year as to why we need to unpack the narrative of ‘The Strong Black Woman’ and examine the expectations placed on young Black and Brown women and the impact on their emotional health. BRING YOUR AUNTY was a response to the recommendation in our research findings to have more intergenerational events; particularly when exploring issues related to emotional wellbeing and ‘mental health’. This is a topic that still carries a lot of stigmas in Black and Brown communities.

The group shared a physical copy of a magazine called ‘XBX’ (Experts by Experience) which has articles, poems and paintings produced by the young leaders and young women from The Zone; one of the groups we delivered sessions to this year.

Articles

• Can we Have a Word with You? why it’s time to DITCH the term ‘mental health’ - Words by Rachel Adjekukor

• Fitting In and Perfection as Young Black and Brown Women - Words by Emmanuella Mamah

• Breaking The Glass Ceiling: When Empowerment Comes with Scars - Words by Emmanuela Kumi

• We Won’t ‘Cool it Down’ Words by Rumaisa Mulji

• Warrior Words by Anuoluwapo Fadairo

• The Pressure of Perfection by Anuoluwapo Fadairo

• We Carry by Anuoluwapo Fadairo

The magazine articles explore issues such as the pressure of perfectionism, breaking the glass ceiling, challenging role models and the need to expand the language we use to describe our emotional health. A digital version of the magazine, with user guide, will be shared in the New Year but readers can access PDF copies of the articles here.

2026 is the final year of Authoring Our Own Stories and we are focused on implementing the recommendations made by the young Black and Asian people who have contributed to this project – this will be our priority going forward.

Thanks to all the team!

For more information about Authoring Our Own Stories contact

Sandra.vacciana@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Ilaria Di Fiore  -  Artist and Youth Worker

Sharon Long – Director, Partnership for Young London

Drew Sinclair  - Graphic Designer

Caron Vacciana – Volunteer