Conversation's Need To Be Had‪!‬ Chantelle Gabriella Jazz

DID YOU HEAR ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED IN PECKHAM? This topic was already on my radar. This episode was recorded earlier this year in April. Many of us already have felt displaced when it comes to black hair shops such as PAKS. So recent events just brings back what we already knew was occurring within our community.

We are joined by the one and only Marie Baker. She was born in Uganda. She is a truly beautiful soul, who own's Eurafro World in Eastbourne. She is a qualified hairdresser who has been in the industry for many years. 

Many of you may not know but I lived in East Sussex for a long time. Marie's shop was my saviour. Black women cannot live without gracing their crown. Going to London just to get my hair done would of been a mission. Marie's shop provides such services for all those in Eastbourne who are in desperate need for their afro hair to be blessed. 

On this episode we spoke about Marie's journey into hairdressing and how she studied to become the hairdresser she is today. How she ventured into the uk, Germany and Tanzania. She also shares about her childhood and her daughter Nicole. Marie also was passionate to speak about the toxicity within the black hair dressing industry and the products that are causing cancer. We also touched on many other topics regarding African culture and spirituality. This is a insightful episode which was a pleasure to create. 

Be sure to let us know if you enjoyed this episode.

Follow us on instagram @C.N.T.B.H 

As we learnt in part 1 Maya Matanah is a qualified in many areas. We delve deeper into Maya's education and musical theatre school on this episode.

Foundations within community:

"Created and managed a Performance Art Youth Theatre within Lewisham, (1987)  Kept it functioning for 12 years (named Lewisham Black Arts Group  then renamed Loco Bravura Arts Group).

Did some travelling and self development.

2005, Continued the works in the Arts with the introduction of health and wellbeing. The Spirited Palace was created.  Within that hub, plantbased Vegan food, natural products, music, books,  clothing, jewelry, healing workshops, yoga, meditation, massage and such, was prioritised on the premises. As well, I managed to extend parts of our healing process as projects which we share insights on such lifestyle to schools, colleges, youth clubs, elders centres and so on.

Life and trials came upon me so I took time out.

Returned with LoveGift Vegan 2013  with the same vision as was given for creating The Spirited Palace.

To date: Many lessons learnt.

My stability with the vision that was  given several years ago?... still my mission... which is,  the procedures to maintain principles for assisting communities,  wholistically."



Please follow Love Gift Vegan @lovegiftvegan on Instagram. Support in anyway you can as Maya Matanah is a beacon of a our community. As Maya was taught to respect her elders so was I. I have learnt so much from this episode and I hope you have too. Thank you for listening.

On this episode we had a Conversation with Maya Matanah. (The SoothSayer Who Cooks) I am so happy i had an opportunity to learn more about this incredible woman. It is a privilege to share this conversation with the world. Many currently in London may know Maya as the woman behind Love Gift Vegan. A vegan Carribean restaurant in South London. Maya also has My Inner Sanctuary right next door to Love Gift Vegan.  A space to receive healing such as massages, readings, crystals and collective gatherings. There is so much behind Maya and that is why we have two parts to this conversation, ha!  I wanted us to go right to the start of what made Maya become The Soothsayer who cooks and how she learnt to be at one with nature.

  We go right into Maya's humbling beginnings and her education on earth. Her family dynamic and how her mother lived for a party. We learn how Maya's grandmother played an important role to her life and how she saw the world especially spirituality. Maya was Born and raised in the Caribbean Island Grenada, Isle of Spice. We the learn how she came to London at 14. Maya then was faced with a new world but managed to always keep her connection to nature alive despite the conflict she may of had with authority in education or religion. 

"The season was returning to summer so seeing naked trees, high concrete buildings, when tropical country living was my homestead...There started confusion. 

2 days after arrival in London, I entered school for continued education, Me, a new teenager; a  secondary Catholic Girl School in Kensington, West London.

My Mother, my guardian whom I'd not seen for almost 9 year...a stranger to me.

Brought from the freedom and unity of island lifestyle; raised by Indigenous women; Women and Elder Men who taught me Holistic and Spiritual Practices ... understanding of natural medicines. Abilities to read signs of Natures Ways, including Indigenous Rituals for overall wellness...

Food habits... we ate what we grew.

To then be introduced to processed foods,  tin foods and packaged animal products... How was I to survive if this is to be my nourishment and continuous lifestyle?

Life was concrete hostility.

My daily  manoeuvres was to devise stability of mind and soul.

My mother was trying to manage parenting.

We lived, mother,  2 children in  a 1 bed basement room, with shared kitchen and bathroom.

Moved to South East London at the age of 14 to a better home.

My sister arrived to join us 3 years later.

I've lived south of the river ever since."

I hope you enjoy this episode and join us for part 2. As we go into more of Maya's Journey and where she currently is at now. This episode is also to support Maya in her business and contributions to our community. Please follow @Lovegift on instagram. Conversation's Need To Be Had! supports Maya and would urge everyone to donate to her Go Fund me Page.  Love Gift & My Inner Sanctuary are closed currently. Maya as we will discover in part two kept these two premises open during the pandemic without regular customers due to lockdown. She has been giving her heart to so many and now it is time we give back to Maya Matanah. A elder who has wisdom that not only nourishes the body but the mind , soul & spirit. 

It was a pleasure to have conversation with Andreena Leeanne on this episode. Andreena Leeanne is a Self-Employed Lived Experience Speaker, Writing Workshop Facilitator, Poet & Author of CHARRED: A survivor speaks her truth to inspire, a collection of poems published by Team Angelica in October 2020.

Andreena writes and performs poetry to come to terms with and speak out about her personal experiences with homelessness, mental health, childhood sexual abuse and the many other challenges she has faced in her life. By speaking her truth, she hopes to inspire and empower others to speak and write their truth.

Andreena delivers self-care writing workshops, performs her poetry at various events and facilitates two virtual open mic events specifically for the LGBT community (@PoetryLGBT) and adult survivors of abuse (@AdultSurvivorsOpenMic).

We delve right into Andreena's world and what made her into the woman she is today.



Trigger warning contains content of sexual abuse. 

We were honoured to have Teshay Makeda join us on Conversation's Need To Be Had! . Teshay Makeda is a Singer Songwriter and Vocal Healer. She has just released her debut EP " Omega Mother Goddess. "  Teshay Makeda has created her own sound called Roots and Soul influenced by her love for Reggae and Soul. Teshay Makeda allows us into her world and her heritage on this episode. Teshay Makeda shares her journey into music and how her Rastafarian up bringing influenced her. We also talk about gentrification, food health, spirituality and so much more. 

Teshay Makeda spoke openly on this podcast and it really filled this episode with so much wisdom. Be sure to keep in touch with her and follow her journey. @TeshayMakeda_

*Trigger warning*

contains sexual/ mental abuse.

We are back!!!  Chantelle is Joined by Monique. An ex-girlfriend she dated in her Late Teens. This reunion was unexpected from both sides but 2020 was a unexpected year.  Their Relationship was turbulent and Chantelle didn't know until this podcast they was "Official"  Monique played a significant part in Chantelle's Life journey. 

 Monique was studying at St Andrews University and invited Chantelle to live with her.  This experience opened Chantelle's mind who was 17 at the time. This is something Chantelle is grateful for as she experienced "university life" at St Andrews. However it was an intense and heartbreaking experience for Chantelle as she ran away from home to be with Monique.

This episode is about Forgiveness. Monique was not who she is today when they dated. As we discover on this podcast Monique was suffering from her own trauma and became the aggressor. Chantelle openly shares how she can now relate and forgive as she has a better understanding.  Chantelle and Monique delve into their past honestly and with a new perspective. This is truly a sacred moment of evolution between two beings who are just living and discovering each day. 

Monique is now a mother of two, a fiancé and is working for Support u a LGBT organisation in Reading. Chantelle was shocked to learn that Monique choose to be a single parent using IVF. This is what lead to Monique being asked to be on the Podcast. 

This episode we discuss many topics, I hope you're comfortable. Enjoy this open and honest conversation...