Here, look at these Black voices, isn't that enough?
It was Black History Month, and like many others, I was about to curate a list of exceptional Black authors. The more I sat with the idea, the more it felt like an oversimplification of Black excellence, or even tokenism.
What happens after the list goes out
A list highlighting ten people doing exceptional things is fine. But then it gets liked, celebrated and reposted, and it stops. The conversation slows, the spotlight is withdrawn and the momentum is gone.
Highlighting a few high achievers should not be a once-a-year thing. These voices should be woven into the everyday fabric of the industry, not surfaced in snapshots of momentary recognition.
Representation matters, but is it enough?
Growing up in Nigeria, being Black was just normal. It was moving to the UK that made skin colour something other people perceived first. In bookshops back home I never had to wonder whether stories reflecting my experience would be stocked.
Here, some narratives are still treated as niche rather than necessary. When we only celebrate Black authors during Black History Month, we reinforce the idea that these stories are special occasions rather than integral parts of the industry.
The numbers behind the problem
Publishing is not only about who writes books. It is about who decides which stories deserve to be told. Despite being based in London, where 40% of the population comes from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, publishing remains one of the least diverse creative industries in the UK, with around 95% of its workforce white.
Ethnic minority representation rose from 15% to 17% in 2022. Progress, but the picture is still incomplete.
Going beyond the list
We are not claiming to have the answers. Like many in the industry, we are still learning and questioning our approach. What we can commit to is treating inclusion as a year-round editorial and commissioning question rather than an October campaign.