Slay in Your Lane is a series of books and a podcast by journalist Yomi Adegoke and brand strategist Elizabeth Uviebinené. The first book in the series, Slay in Your Lane: The Black Girl Bible (2018),[1] is based on interviews the pair conducted with "39 successful black British women spanning different industries".[2] The Daily Telegraph described it as "one of the most satisfying attempts in recent years to answer the question: why do black British women feel that their success is hindered?"[3]
The second book in the series, Slay in Your Lane: The Journal, was published in 2019.
Slay in Your Lane: The Black Girl Bible
edit First edition | |
| Author | Yomi Adegoke and Elizabeth Uviebinené |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Published | 4th Estate (2018) |
| Publication place | United Kingdom |
| Pages | 384 pp. |
| ISBN | 978-0008235628 |
Slay in Your Lane: The Black Girl Bible covers education, work, getting ahead, representation, dating, and health.[2]
"Over 341 pages, [Adegoke] and her best friend, Elizabeth Uviebinené, succinctly address why black girls are more likely to fall behind in education (black pupils have the lowest rate of achieving five A*-C grades of any ethnic group); why they earn less, even when they are as qualified, than their white counterparts ("black graduates are, on average, paid £4.30 an hour less than white graduates"); why black women find it so hard to date (only five per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds have dated outside their race, and on dating apps, black men are more likely to pick white women than black); and why so many black women are battling mental health problems in secret."[3]
It is based on interviews the authors conducted with "39 successful black British women spanning different industries", namely: businesswoman Ade Hassan; writer and broadcaster Afua Hirsch; Aj Odudu; Alexis Oladipo; public sector executive Althea Efunshile; director Amma Asante; computing, mathematics and language child prodigy Anne-Marie Imafidon; playwright Bola Agbaje; journalist and newsreader Charlene White; radio DJ and television presenter Clara Amfo; Clare Anyiam-Osigwe; actress, singer and songwriter Cynthia Erivo; Labour Party MP Dawn Butler; sports presenter and former track and field athlete Denise Lewis; singer, songwriter, rapper, record producer, and actress Estelle; Florence Adepoju; businesswoman, lawyer and public speaker Funke Abimbola; television and radio presenter Gemma Cairney; Irene Agbontaen; singer, songwriter and TV presenter Jamelia; TV broadcaster June Sarpong; advertising industry professional and chair of MediaCom UK Karen Blackett; singer and songwriter Keisha Buchanan; rapper, singer, and producer Lady Leshurr; Lakwena, recording artist, songwriter and composer Laura Mvula; space scientist Maggie Aderin-Pocock; author and former Children's Laureate Malorie Blackman; publisher, editor, writer and broadcaster Margaret Busby; entrepreneur and author Melanie Eusebe; author and Reader in Equality & Education at Goldsmiths College, University of London, Nicola Rollock; Patricia Bright, TV and radio presenter, actress, voice-over artist, and DJ Sarah-Jane Crawford; entrepreneur Sharmadean Reid; Sharmaine Lovegrove; actress and writer Susan Wokoma; publishing director of British Vogue Vanessa Kingori; Vanessa Amadi; and singer-songwriter, model and record producer V V Brown. It has a foreword by Karen Blackett.
In 2019 the book's authors accused the BBC of plagiarism for using their trademarked slogan "Slay in Your Lane" in a women's sport promotion.[4][5][6]
Reception
editFunmi Fetto described the book in British Vogue as "a comprehensive, inspirational tool book [...] that is bound to resonate with many black British women seeking to assimilate the heritage of their parents with their sense of place in British society."[2]
Corrine Corrodus, reviewing the book in The Daily Telegraph, described it as "one of the most satisfying attempts in recent years to answer the question: why do black British women feel that their success is hindered? [...] This book is as much a rallying cry to black women across the British Isles as it is a solid foundation for serious discussions about modern race relations."[3]
In July 2018 it was a BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week.[2][7]
Slay in Your Lane: The Journal
edit| Author | Yomi Adegoke and Elizabeth Uviebinené |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Published | 4th Estate (2019) |
| Publication place | United Kingdom |
| Pages | 176 pp. |
| ISBN | 978-0008342609 |
In 2019 Adegoke and Uviebinené published Slay in Your Lane: The Journal, illustrated by Sherida Kuffour.[8][9]
Slay in Your Lane: The Podcast
editIn April 2020, Adegoke and Uviebinené launched Slay in Your Lane: The Podcast, which covers news and popular culture topics discussed in the book.[10]
References
edit- ^ Akbar, Arifa (24 June 2018). "How to be a black woman and succeed: two friends who have written the manual". The Observer. ISSN 0029-7712. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- ^ a b c d Fetto, Funmi (11 July 2018). "The Must-Read Book Empowering Young Black Women". British Vogue. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- ^ a b c Corrodus, Corrine (7 August 2018). "Why do Black British women feel that their path to success is blocked?". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- ^ Lyons, Izzy (28 May 2019). "BBC accused of breaching trademarked 'Slay in Your Lane' book title in #ChangeTheSport campaign". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- ^ "BBC 'plagiarised Slay in Your Lane' - author". BBC News. 28 May 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- ^ Shaffi, Sarah (28 May 2019). "BBC Sport accused of plagiarism over Slay in Your Lane". Stylist. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- ^ "BBC Radio 4 - Book of the Week, Slay in Your Lane". BBC. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- ^ Ivey, Christina (29 August 2019). "Need To Spark Change In Your Life? The Slay In Your Lane Power-Duo Are Here To Help". Elle. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- ^ King, Lollie (10 September 2019). "'Slay In Your Lane's Authors Discuss Why Their Book Needed A Sequel". Bustle. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- ^ Mtada, Chelsea (8 May 2020). "Authors of Slay In Your Lane on New Book & Podcast". Retrieved 6 June 2020.
External links
edit- Slay in Your Lane on Twitter
- "The Slay in Your Lane Authors' Guide To Black Girl Magic Online: Elizabeth and Yomi share the virtual spaces that have influenced them", Elle, 23 July 2018.
- "Slay in Your Lane authors: 'We wanted to reflect everything black women can be' | Fresh Voices", interview with Adegoke and Uviebinené on YouTube (video).