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. 5d ago

    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

  2. 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?

  3. 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?

  4. 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

  5. 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"?

  6. 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

  7. Jun 16

    Pure, cold rage: Is political violence getting normalised?

    Send us Fan Mail Summary In the wake of the sentencing of the killer of Henry Nowak, Nigel Farage took to the podium to do what he does best: dog-whistle politics. Only this time, his call for “pure, cold rage” incited a riot that has laid bare the communal fragility in the UK. This week, we look at two episodes of unrest, Southampton and Belfast, that share a logic: a single violent act, a social media fuse, and organised crowds looking for any excuse to start racial attacks.  We also look at the consequences of the government’s frequent U-turns on visa rules. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Context of Recent Events 03:01 The Fallout of Henry Novak's Murder 06:01 Political Exploitation and Racial Tensions 09:10 Belfast Unrest and Sectarian Divides 12:06 The Role of Media and Political Accountability 14:58 Concluding Thoughts on Justice and Society 21:38 Incitement and Political Opportunism 26:25 Immigration Policy and Its Consequences 32:40 The Need for Advocacy and Community Engagement 39:42 Building Inclusive Communities 43:25 The Black Paper.mp3 Support the show

    Pure, cold rage: Is political violence getting normalised?

  8. Jun 2

    Don't take it lying down: visa scams and prostate checks

    Send us Fan Mail Summary A landmark employment tribunal has awarded nearly £30,000 to a care worker who relocated to the UK under the post-Brexit visa scheme, only to receive zero days of work for an entire year. His case is not unusual. Thousands of workers - many from Nigeria and Zimbabwe - entered the same pipeline, paid thousands to agents, and were left stranded. We examine how many get caught up in this dilemma, and why it may not end any time soon. We also look at the UK National Screening Committee’s recommendation against the introduction of  targeted prostate cancer screening for Black men, despite Black men facing twice the risk of white men and 1 in 4 being diagnosed in their lifetime. The screening committee cited a lack of clinical trial data on Black patients. That data gap is itself a product of decades of under-recruitment of Black men in medical research. We discuss what this means in practice, the cultural barriers that already make Black men less likely to seek help, and what you can do right now without waiting for the system to catch up. Key topics Legal victory against an employer for unpaid workVisa dependency and exploitation risksLegal rights of migrant workers in the UKThe impact of systemic discrimination on healthProstate cancer risks and screening disparities for black men Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Context 01:08 The Case of Shravin Sharji 12:09 The Broader Implications of Immigration and Employment 21:34 Prostate Cancer Awareness and Community Health 26:22 Political Perspectives and Party Dynamics 28:44 Prostate Health Awareness and Cultural Stigmas 31:19 Prostate Cancer Screening: Disparities and Decisions 47:42 Structural Inequalities in Health and Employment 52:43 The Black Paper.mp3 Support the show

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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
    55
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Black Paper
  • Show Website
    The Black Paper

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