The Black Paper

We Are Griots and WDV
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Hosted by Ndukwe Onuoha and Cheta Nwanze, The Black Paper looks at UK politics through the lens of African heritage communities, many of whom are recent migrants.

  1. 4d ago

    Black in, Black out: The struggles of being Black in Britain

    Send us Fan Mail Summary The resignation of Cambridge professor Jason Arday raises difficult questions about race, excellence, representation and the burden placed on Black success. Meanwhile, a new NHS report exposes a rise in racist abuse against Black and migrant healthcare workers, many of whom keep Britain's health service running. What connects these stories? A society that celebrates Black achievement when it's convenient, depends on Black labour when it's necessary, yet too often fails to protect either. This week, we ask what these stories tell us about Britain—and what they should mean for African heritage communities. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the episode and main themes 02:01 Background of Prof. Jason Hardy and his rise at Cambridge 04:08 The investigation into his credentials and the fallout 07:48 The role of societal narratives and political rhetoric 12:05 The rise of racist abuse against NHS staff 20:04 Institutional failures and community responses 30:11 Historical context of racism and societal progress 39:55 Preparing the next generation for societal challenges 43:01 Conclusion and call to action Support the show

    Black in, Black out: The struggles of being Black in Britain

  2. Aug 5

    My son is a plumber: Are African communities ready for apprenticeship?

    Send us Fan Mail Summary Andy Burnham wants to put apprenticeships on the same footing as university. But will African families buy into the vision? This week, we explore why university education has long been seen as the safest path to success in many African heritage households, and the likelihood of the community buying into Britain's education reforms. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the UK’s Education Policy Shift 02:08 Cultural Attitudes Toward Labour and Education in Nigeria 03:56 UK’s New Apprenticeship and Vocational Training Plans 06:00 The Value of Technical Skills and Labour Markets 08:07 Concerns About Educational Stratification and Bias 09:56 The Role of University Education in Society 11:56 Impacts of AI and Automation on Future Jobs 13:50 Cultural and Systemic Barriers to Vocational Training 15:58 Migration, Education, and Economic Opportunities 18:03 The Nigerian Context and Brain Drain 20:09 Implementation Risks and Community Concerns 21:57 The Role of Encouragement and Opportunity in Education 23:50 The Future of Work and Skills Development 25:48 Global Trends in Education and Employment 28:10 Conclusion and Community Perspectives Support the show

    My son is a plumber: Are African communities ready for apprenticeship?

  3. Jul 29

    Rev. Clive Foster: On Windrush, community, and faith

    Send us Fan Mail Summary In this episode, we speak with Reverend Clive Foster, the UK's first Windrush Commissioner, about justice, community engagement, and the importance of advocacy for marginalised communities. We explore his background, the Windrush scandal, and how faith and community participation can drive change. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Reverend Clive Foster and his role 02:06 Reverend Foster's background and upbringing 05:41 Impact of race relations and education on his life 07:35 The UK government's push for technical education 09:16 The role and urgency of the Windrush Commissioner 12:12 Responsibilities and challenges of the Windrush role 13:39 The Wendy Williams Lessons Learned Review 15:32 Legal support and bureaucratic challenges in Windrush scheme 17:00 Full-time commitment and working with the government 18:09 Legal support and community engagement efforts 20:30 Reforming the Windrush Compensation Scheme 23:20 Scrutiny of the Home Office and future reforms 25:39 Faith and its influence on his work 40:20 Faith, justice, and community service 45:30 Community participation and advocacy advice 47:48 Engagement between African communities and institutions 49:05 Building resilience and community support 51:00 Reflections on his tenure and future hopes 52:02 Encouragement for young African heritage individuals 54:19 Closing remarks and next steps Support the show

    Rev. Clive Foster: On Windrush, community, and faith

  4. Jul 23

    Burnham Begins: But, is he for us?

    Send us Fan Mail Summary Andy Burnham is in Downing Street. The mood has changed, but what about the direction? This week, we examine the first 48 hours of the Burnham government through the lens of African and migrant communities. We look at his Cabinet, his first policy announcements, and what they really mean. There are reasons for optimism. Miatta Fahnbulleh - born in Liberia, arrived in Britain as an asylum seeker, now Secretary of State for Energy - is in Cabinet with real power. That matters for how our community is viewed. But Shabana Mahmood remains at the Home Office, and that is a sore point for us. We wait and see. Burnham is not Starmer. But has the system changed, or just the tone? That's the question we're asking. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to UK political landscape and recent changes 02:03 Discussion on UK leadership and parliamentary system 05:07 Analysis of Boris Johnson's tenure and leadership style 09:02 The rise of Rishi Sunak and political implications 12:48 The appointment of key ministers and their impact 17:00 UK's immigration policies and community effects 21:01 UK's relationship with Europe and Brexit considerations 24:58 Political strategies and personalities shaping the future 29:59 Cost of living, public works, and economic policies 34:58 The role of migrant communities in UK politics 39:56 Final thoughts on UK political stability and future Support the show

    Burnham Begins: But, is he for us?

  5. Jul 14

    Garbage in, garbage out: Is Farage in the dumps?

    Send us Fan Mail Summary Nigel Farage has resigned his parliamentary seat - and immediately announced he is standing again in the resulting by-election. The reason? A formal parliamentary investigation into a £5 million gift from a cryptocurrency billionaire he never declared, plus a second probe into undisclosed benefits from a convicted fraudster. Every major party has refused to contest the vote, calling it a vanity stunt. Which means the main challenger to the man who wants to be Prime Minister is Count Binface: a 5,900-year-old intergalactic space warrior from planet Sigma IX, whose policies include capping the price of a Flake 99 at 99p and building at least one affordable house. A national poll has him 12 points ahead of Farage in public preference. He has never kept his deposit. Clacton may be his moment. We also talk about something harder. The deaths of Nothabo Zandile Tshuma, her daughter Natalie, 15, and Nala, five years old, at their home in Bedfordshire, and the conversation about men’s mental health that our community keeps deferring until it is too late. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to UK political antics and community issues 01:50 Nigel Farage's summer plans and political controversies 03:53 The rise of Count Binface and political satire in the UK 07:58 The UK crypto scandal involving Nigel Farage 12:02 The implications of Farage's political moves and by-election strategies 16:01 Community reflections on UK politics and diaspora experiences 19:58 The fall of Farage and the emergence of new political figures 23:49 Mental health, community support, and seeking help 28:01 Community issues: a tragic case and reflections on relationships 40:10 The importance of mental health awareness and community support 43:56 Closing thoughts and summer holiday tips Support the show

    Garbage in, garbage out: Is Farage in the dumps?

  6. Jul 8

    Do no harm: Dr. Fatima Eltinay on the Baroness Amos report

    Send us Fan Mail Summary Dr Fatima Eltinay is a Consultant Anaesthetist, Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for Derbyshire, and Chair of Derbyshire Neighbourhood Watch. Her work spans healthcare, public safety and community leadership, with a focus on women’s safety, public trust and tackling inequalities. In this episode, she brings both clinical expertise and public leadership to the Baroness Amos report, exploring not only what went wrong in maternity care, but what it reveals about culture, racism, accountability, staff support and the need to rebuild trust with women, families and communities. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Dr. Fatima Elteney 02:31 Understanding the Baroness Amos Report 05:27 Dr. Fatima's Personal Journey and Advocacy 08:05 Listening to Women's Voices in Maternity Care 12:14 Clinical Safety and Patient Advocacy 14:47 Racialised Assumptions in Pain Management 19:12 The Role of Community in Maternity Care 25:00 Dr. Fatima's Role as Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner 34:52 Addressing Emerging Trends in Child Welfare 36:46 The Importance of Accessible Support Services 39:24 Advocacy and Community Engagement 40:30 Hope for Institutional Change 41:28 Empowering Voices for Change 42:25 Advocating for Self and Community 45:30 The Political Landscape and Accountability 56:50 Insisting on Rights and Support Support the show

    Do no harm: Dr. Fatima Eltinay on the Baroness Amos report

  7. Jun 30

    All hail the King: Is Andy Burnham "for us"?

    Send us Fan Mail Summary Less than two years after Labour’s landslide, Keir Starmer is out. This week on The Black Paper, we go beyond the Westminster headlines to ask what really brought his government down, whether Labour’s shift on immigration achieved anything, and what lies ahead in the UK’s choppy political waters. And with Andy Burnham now set to take over as Prime Minister, we ask the question that matters most: is he really “for us”? Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Context Setting 02:52 Political Landscape in the UK 05:54 Keir Starmer's Resignation and Its Implications 11:47 Analysis of Starmer's Leadership 17:59 Media Influence and Public Perception 27:09 Real Politics and International Relations 30:15 Navigating Leadership and Mandates 34:12 The State of British Politics 36:09 Cautious Optimism for Andy Burnham 39:25 The Need for Power Distribution 41:54 Immigration Policy and Political Strategy 46:26 The Role of the Migrant Community 48:38 Engagement and Political Agency 52:38 The Black Paper.mp3 Support the show

    All hail the King: Is Andy Burnham "for us"?

  8. Jun 23

    Bayo Alaba MP: Representation still matters

    Send us Fan Mail Summary In this episode of The Black Paper, we sit down with Bayo Alaba, the first Labour MP to represent Southend East and Rochford, to explore his journey from growing up in East London to serving in Parliament. Bayo reflects on how being raised in one of the UK’s most diverse communities shaped his worldview, political values, and understanding of identity, class and belonging. We discuss the changing nature of Britain’s Black communities, the importance of representation in politics and media, and why understanding the nuances within African and Caribbean communities is essential for effective political engagement. The conversation also examines the Labour Party’s historic relationship with ethnic minority voters, the challenges of maintaining that trust in a changing political landscape, and what political disengagement means for communities seeking greater influence and representation. We explore immigration, social media, cultural storytelling, and the role they play in shaping public opinion and political outcomes. Looking to the future, Bayo shares his thoughts on the next generation of Black political leaders, the opportunities available to young people interested in public service, and why participation in politics remains one of the most powerful tools for creating change. This is a wide-ranging conversation about identity, representation, leadership, community power and what it means to build a more inclusive political future for Britain. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Bayo Alaba 01:58 Growing Up in East London 05:10 Political Awakening and Community Impact 08:10 Labour Party's Understanding of Black Communities 12:03 Blind Spots in Political Representation 13:07 Political Disengagement and Its Consequences 16:02 Labour Party's Current Instability 20:58 Criticism and Loyalty in Politics 27:02 Influence of Minority MPs in Labour Party 28:39 Influence of Ethnic Minorities in Politics 34:07 Cultural Representation and Storytelling 40:52 Navigating Immigration Policies 45:10 Engagement with Constituents 49:49 The Future of Representation in Politics 53:55 The Black Paper.mp3 Support the show

    Bayo Alaba MP: Representation still matters
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About

Hosted by Ndukwe Onuoha and Cheta Nwanze, The Black Paper looks at UK politics through the lens of African heritage communities, many of whom are recent migrants.

Information

  • Creator
    We Are Griots and WDV
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    57
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Black Paper
  • Show Website
    The Black Paper

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