In 2003 Winsome Pinnock was described as the “Godmother of Black British playwrights” – and the label has stuck. She has a new play at the Royal Exchange theatre in Manchester which digs into attitudes in Britain to the historical slave trade between Africa and the Caribbean.
Pinnock has encountered several people lately who were convinced British playwrights had already written about British involvement in the African slave trade – finally outlawed in 1833.
“In fact until recently almost no one here had written about it,” she says. “I suspect people remember certain films or they think of the African American plays which have been produced over the years. But that’s not our story.”
By “our story” Pinnock means all Britons, regardless of skin colour. More
World Hearing Day is held on 3 March each year to raise awareness on how to prevent deafness and hearing loss and promote ear and hearing care across the world. With this in mind we have chosen Samantha Baines as our Inspirational Diversity Champion of the Month. Samantha is an award-winning comedian, actor, hearing aid wearer and Action on Hearing Loss Ambassador.
She compared the charity’s first ever Laughing to Deaf comedy fundraiser in 2018, has acted as a spokesperson in the national media, featured in multiple social media campaigns, and this year will be returning to compare Laughing to Deaf at London’s Comedy Store, headlined by John Bishop.
Samantha’s acting credits include The Crown, Silent Witness, Call the Midwife and several BBC Comedies and she currently stars in Magic Mike Live in London’s West End. Samantha is also a broadcaster and works regularly with BBC Radio stations as well as writing children’s books! She doesn’t let her hearing loss or tinnitus get in her way and is passionate about raising awareness of the signs of hearing loss and tinnitus as well as the mental health conditions that may stem from them.
