THE PLACE FOR ME: STORIES OF THE WINDRUSH GENERATION
The anthology will include contributions from OWN IT! family: Kevin George, Salena Godden, Ashley Hickson-Lovence, Jermain Jackman, Kirsty Latoya and Quincy The Comedian.
KEVIN GEORGE
Kevin George is a Clinical Consultant, professionally trained in Person-Centred Therapy (Counselling). Specialising in group programmes, to develop emotional literacy. These programs have been delivered in schools, prisons and Premier League football clubs nationally.
Kevin is the Author of the Amazon number one best selling book Soccology. A book about the psycho-emotional elements of football. Featuring 45 professional footballers from around the world and across generations, along with a Psychophysicist and a Senior Partner from KPMG. He has also written for international publications such as the British Council, Sky Sports and GQ, on all things mental health.
SALENA GODDEN
Salena Godden is a high-profile poet. She is also an activist, broadcaster, essayist and memoirist whose work has been widely anthologised. The Royal Society of Literature made her a fellow FRSL in November 2020.
Canongate published Salena’s debut novel Mrs Death Misses Death in 2021. A BBC documentary following the early work-in-progress was broadcast on Radio 4 and BBC World Service in 2018. It’s described by the publisher as “intoxicating and life-affirming” and in The Bookseller as “an original, exuberant novel, freewheeling from prose to poetry to non-fiction, truly one of a kind.”
ASHLEY HICKSON-LOVENCE
Ashley Hickson-Lovence is a former secondary school English teacher who grew up on a Hackney council estate and now resides in Norwich while he completes a Creative and Critical Writing PhD at the University of East Anglia. He is particularly interested in capturing the incessantly changing cultural landscape of urban Britain. Hickson-Lovence is also a poet, football referee and a keen marathon runner.
He is also the author of debut novel The 392, set entirely on a London bus travelling from Hoxton to Highbury and taking place over just 36 minutes.
JERMAIN JACKMAN
Jermain Jackman, born and raised in Hackney, East London, combines his musical talent with pursuing his role as a political activist. Jackman first caught the nation’s attention after winning BBC talent show The Voice in 2014.
Jermain is now actively using his voice to make political interventions which seek to create a fairer future for the children and young people in Hackney and beyond. Through his work as the Chair of the Young Futures Commission and advising capacity with the National Citizens Service, Jermain is raising awareness of how the youth of London are feeling disenfranchised and left without opportunities.
KIRSTY LATOYA
Kirsty Latoya, also known as KirzArt is a South London illustrator who specialises in mental health art. Having always drawn as a child Kirsty taught herself digital art 2 years ago and this is now her chosen medium. She uses her iPad to create art and uniquely uses her finger as a stylus. She draws on her own experiences with depression and anxiety to produce eye-catching digital paintings portraying her representation of mental health. Kirsty’s art has been recognised on reported on by the BBC, ITV, Channel 5, Huffington Post and Buzzfeed to name a few. Kirsty is driven by her passion and inspired by the unconventional beauty in the world.
Kirsty Latoya has published a book of art and poetry entitled Reflections of Me – made up of four sections – mental health, identity, womanhood and love – and images are accompanied by original poems from Kirsty.
QUINCY THE COMEDIAN
Award-winning Comedian Quincy, also known as the Cockney Prince, is a stand-up comic and radio talk show host. A regular on the British stand up circuit since 2005, Quincy has performed all over the world, including New York, Singapore, Dubai, India and Europe. He has supported the likes of an early Kevin Hart, Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle and other top comics from the USA.
In 2010 Quincy set up Quincy’s Comedy Lounge, enabling him to share his love of comedy by showcasing up and coming comedians from the mainstream and the black comedy scene. Catch him every Friday on Youtube/STOMPING PICTURES socials for EXTRA TIME FRIDAY.
