This week I have a lively conversation with author and literary activist Rasheda Ashanti Malcolm about building platforms for women of colour from the 1990s to today.

Rasheda traces her path from founding Candace magazine to writing fiction, creating the WILDE Foundation, running writing retreats in Jamaica, and launching the H&F Writers’ Festival in West London. We explore how technology and community remove old gatekeepers, the healing power of journaling, and WILDE’s future plans to expand retreats, mentorship, and international collaborations.

It is an inspiring story of creativity, persistence, and the ongoing work of empowering women’s voices through literature, activism, and connection.

Key takeaways:

• Community and craft can coexist and strengthen each other.

• Journaling helps survivors find voice and confidence.

• Technology widens access and continuity beyond physical events.

• WILDE seeks collaborators, mentors, and publishing partners to platform emerging writers.

We also spent time talking about Jamaica, where Rasheda runs her writing retreats and where I recently attended the Calabash Festival. Sadly, the country has since been hit by Hurricane Melissa and suffered devastating damage. Journalist Nadine White has compiled a helpful list of trusted aid sources here:

Hurricane Melissa – How Can We Help

Please do your due diligence before making any donation.

You can read more of Nadine White’s reporting here: https://www.independent.co.uk/author/nadine-white.

Explore more:

Talking Tech with Creatives – talkingtechwithcreatives.com

Podcast Instagram – @talkingtechwithcreatives

My author website – stellaonithewriter.com

Author Instagram – @stellaonithewriter

Rasheda Ashanti Malcolm – @ashantirashedaauthor

H&F Writers’ Festival – handfwritersfestival.co.uk

H&F Writers’ Festival Instagram – @hfwritersfest

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In this episode of Talking Tech with Creatives, I sit down with my literary agent, Francesca Riccardi of Kate Nash Literary Agency, to unpack how publishing really works. Drawing on her 15 years at publishers like Harper Collins, Atlantic Books, and Canelo, Francesca explains the differences between traditional, indie, and self-publishing; what agents actually do; and how deals, rights, and marketing come together. We also talk frankly about author income, why building community matters, and how AI is reshaping the industry and what protections authors need. If you’re a writer, or curious about the business of books—this conversation will help you navigate the landscape with clarity.

In this powerful episode of Talking Tech with Creatives, I’m joined by Dr. Carlton Brown, founder of the UK Black Business Entrepreneurs Conference (BBEC), business strategist, and author of the Black Entrepreneurs Report.

Dr. Brown shares his personal journey from watching his Jamaican mother run blues parties and the community padner financial schemes to becoming a leading voice for change in UK entrepreneurship. We discuss what’s really holding Black business owners back—and what must change, from biased lending to lack of market access.

We explore: • The “race paradox” and what the data reveals • His vision behind BBEC and its real impact (like a founder getting into 450 Tesco stores) • Why the US and UK differ in Black entrepreneurial culture • How tech and AI are being used to level the playing field • What the future of inclusive business could look like

If you care about innovation, inclusion, and building an equitable business landscape, this episode is a must-listen.

Mentioned in this episode:

Previous guests include:

• Ajay Chowdhury – Tech entrepreneur and author of the Kamil Rahman crime series • Nanna S. Soenya – Founder of Fundhership • Obi Asika – Creative industries leader and co-founder of Storm360 • Corina Goetz – Middle East business strategist and founder of Star-CaT • Jendella Benson – Author and Head of Editorial at Black Ballad

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Host: Stella Oni | Instagram : @stellaonithewriter, @talkingtechwithcreatives

Watch on YouTube: @TalkingTechWithCreatives

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