Black in America and Britain: Immigrant Narratives from the African Diaspora

Sleepova written by Nigerian British playwright Matilda Feyiṣayọ Ibini centers the story of four British girls originating from different African diaspora. In this thought-provoking panel, we will explore the complexities of identity, belonging, and race through the lens of the Black immigrant experience in both the United States and the United Kingdom. Drawing comparisons between these two countries, the conversation will unpack the distinct challenges faced by African immigrants to the U.S. and Black immigrants to the UK, and how these intersect with the experiences of native-born African Americans and British-born Black people. Join us for a conversation moderated by Suzan Jenkins that not only deepens our understanding of the play’s themes but also fosters a greater appreciation for the diversity within the global Black experience.

Speaker Bios

Bola Audena is a distinguished expert in Business Strategy, Growth, and Transformation with over 20 years of experience in management consulting. As the CEO and Managing Partner at MBA Growth Partners, Bola specializes in helping women and minority-owned businesses anticipate and navigate their business needs while leveraging best practices for strategic planning, go-to-market strategies, human capital development, operational efficiencies, and organizational transformation. Bola is committed to community and leadership, actively serving on the boards of Olney Theater Center and the Central Maryland Chamber of Commerce. Her dedication to empowering women and minority-owned businesses is reflected in her work, as she continues to drive positive change and foster sustainable growth in the business community.

Councilmember Will Jawando is an attorney, activist, and community leader with a lifelong dedication to public service. His career has been crafted by a unique combination of grit, compassion, and integrity. Born in Silver Spring, Maryland to a Nigerian father and white Kansan mother, Will’s bi-racial identity gave him an appreciation for the varied experiences life in America can bring. Raised in a low-income household, he was determined to secure a successful future for himself through the pathway of education.

Suzan E. Jenkins is a leader in the non-profit arts and culture sector, serving as CEO of the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County, MD, since 2008. She has held senior executive roles at the Rhythm and Blues Foundation, the Smithsonian Institution, and the Recording Industry Association of America. A Peabody Award-winning producer, Jenkins has been recognized for her leadership by organizations including the Gazette of Politics and Business, Women Business Leaders of Maryland, and the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival. She co-founded the Nonprofit Energy Alliance and won the Washingtonian Green Giant Award. Jenkins serves on the Board of Maryland Citizens for the Arts, mentors arts administrators, and is dedicated to anti-racist work. She holds an Honorary Degree in Public Service from Montgomery College, a BS in Psychology and Management, and an MBA from the University of Maryland.

Stephanie Shonekan is professor of ethnomusicology and dean of the College of Arts and Humanities at the University of Maryland. Shonekan earned a doctorate in ethnomusicology and folklore with a minor in African American studies in 2003 from Indiana University. Her dual heritage combining West Africa with the West Indies allows her to straddle the Black world comfortably. She has published articles and book chapters on afrobeat, Fela Kuti, Nigerian and African American hip-hop, soul music and country music. Her publications explore the nexus where identity, history, culture and music meet. Her books include The Life of Camilla Williams: African American Classical Singer and Opera Diva (2011), Soul, Country, and the USA: Race and Identity in American Music Culture (2015), Black Lives Matter & Music (2018) and Black Resistance in the Americas (2018). She also wrote and produced a short film based on the mother of Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Lioness of Lisabi. The film was awarded first prize at the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival in 2010 and by the Girls Inc. Film Festival in 2012. 

Dr. Rianna Walcott is an Assistant Professor of Communication at the University of Maryland, and Associate Director of the Black Communication and Technology (BCaT) Lab as part of the DISCO Network. Rianna received a PhD in Digital Humanities from King's College London for her research on Black (and specifically Black British) communication practices across social media platforms, locating the evolution of a hybrid ‘Black British’ identity against the wider Black diaspora. She combines digital research, Black feminist praxis, postcolonialism, arts and culture, and mental health advocacy in her work. In the time left over, she moonlights as a jazz singer.