I can’t believe it’s only about 3 weeks left to the second annual Teakisi Woman Talk. With the year we are having, it just simply feels strange and at times overwhelming – but we must push on. However hard at times it is, we have to hope for better days.

For those who don’t know Teakisi Woman Talk, it is our Black History Month talk session that allows African and black women, including the general public to have a conversation on topics that really matter to us – however uncomfortable they may be. The event also centres and celebrates the cultures and heritage of Africa, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities, including people of African descent. Though this year’s event will be different due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, It’s our hope that this will carry on to be an annual event that has different themes and topics that set the tone for the day, including time allocated to Q&A. With this year’s event being held online, the Q&A will be replaced by viewers leaving comments under the live feed via our Facebook page. Please like the page so you don’t miss out! This year’s theme? Is the narrative of the strong black woman preventing good healthcare? And the hashtag to follow on social media is #TeakisiTalk20

To help address this year’s theme, we have Doctor Andrew Ntanda, an experienced Psychiatrist who has demonstrated a history of working in the hospital & health care industry. Dr. Ntanda is a strong healthcare services professional, skilled in inpatient care, medical education, hospitals, psychopharmacology, and mental health.

Dr. Ntanda will be joined by Amneet Graham, Founder and Chair of a charity based in Newcastle ‘Willow’s Rainbow Box’ that supports families through a new pregnancy after a loss of a baby. She is also Chair of the Newcastle Maternity Voices Partnership, listening to people’s views and experiences of maternity care in Newcastle and working with professionals to transform maternity services. Amneet is a mother of 1 daughter Willow, expecting another in November 2020. Furthermore, she is passionate about amplifying voices and making change happen.

I am also pleased to announce that Doctor Daniel Jefferson, a GP Lecturer at Newcastle University and doctor with the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) during the COVID-19 crisis will be joining us on the day. Dr. Jefferson has training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), with other interests lying in Mental Health (as a generalist), with knowledge on its huge problems and impacts on people’s lives. On top of that, the proud father of two daughters enjoys boxing, reading and lots of vinyl (a part time Dj), has studied inequalities since 1995 and feels particularly strong about how unjust they are, and how they limit people so unfairly.

Last and by no means least is Chantal Herbert, the Young Women’s Network Coordinator at The Angelou Centre in Newcastle upon Tyne. Chantal is a feminist and activist who is active in promoting women’s rights. She is the founder of Sister Shack – A CIC that focuses on working with and promoting women entrepreneurs, creatives, artists, musicians, and DJs. Chantal encourages women to take up as much space as possible and does not shy away from tackling subjects such as feminism boundaries, consent and racism. She is also a DJ and will soon graduate with a MA in Radio Production.

The 2020 Teakisi Woman Talk will take place online and accessible on the 17th of October from 1:30-4:30 pm (UK time) via our Facebook page. Registration to attend the event is via this link. We encourage all who work in health, including service users to join us on the day. Attendees will be empowered through informative speeches, learn from each other in the hope of making a positive change in our society.

Will you be joining us?