大象传媒

Two friends explore what it means to be young, black and female in the UK today.

Young black women are facing uniquely challenging experiences in all aspects of their lives. And these experiences are not necessarily the same in the UK as they are in the US. So, when best friends Yomi Adegoke and Elizabeth Uviebinen茅 searched for a book that addressed these challenges they realised there was nothing that specifically addressed being black, British, young and female - and you could add to that smart, ambitious and mostly invisible.

Slay in Your Lane is the love child of exasperation and optimism - part guide, part history, part snapshot of the state of the nation. Examining aspects of life including education, work, health, and everyday racism, it's an honest and provocative book offering advice alongside some startling statistics, as well as stories and anecdotes from interviewees including some of the most successful black women in Britain today.

In this third extract, Elizabeth Uviebinen茅 describes the way many workplaces are structured around expectations that black women are more likely to be cleaners than managers. Some advice from those who have succeeded is offered on how and when to call out racism.

Written and read by Yomi Adegoke and Elizabeth Uviebinen茅 with additional recorded interviews.
Abridged by Jill Waters and Isobel Creed
Produced by Jill Waters
A Waters Company production for 大象传媒 Radio 4.