BLACK IRISH CREATIVES TO CHECK OUT THIS BLACK HISTORY MONTH

By Cian PierceThis Black History Month, I thought it only appropriate to highlight some Black excellence through the following creatives you should check out!  Emma DabiriEmma Dabiri is a TV presenter, author, PhD researcher and teaching fellow in the Africa department at SOAS. Her book ‘Don’t Touch My Hair’ is an incredible investigation into black women and their hair as it pertains to race, gender, tradition, politics, and history among many other perspectives. Pints of Malt PodcastA podcast where “four Nigerian/Irish lads share their experiences growing up in Ireland.” The podcast is hilarious from the start and covers a range of interesting topics. Zithelo Bobby MthombeniZithelo Bobby Mthombeni is a Dublin-based photographer and filmmaker who directed ‘This Land’, a documentary about race, immigration and Irishness now featuring on Youtube. The piece also explores the impact of racism and Direct Provision through the people interviewed. Mona-LxsaMona-Lxsa is a DJ that has successfully progressed in the Irish music scene, playing many times at both Electric Picnic and Longitude. The 26-year-old also launched GXRL CODE, a collective of Irish creatives who provide a cross-industry platform for women. Boni OdoemeneBoni Odoeme (@bonbonod14) is the co-founder of the Black and Irish Podcast. On TikTok, he creates content covering topics from Black History to the legacy of black Irish around the world.Lydia GratisLydia Gratis is an advocate for the inclusion and understanding of deaf people in Irish society and in the hearing world. Gratis is now a youth and diversity board director with the Irish Deaf Society, and she says in line with the organisation’s values, her focus is to promote the equality and rights of deaf people in Ireland.CelaviedmaiMaimouna Salif (stage name Celaviedmai) is a Galway-based rapper who has been performing for the past seven years. The 27-year-old has opened for Lil Wayne at the O2 Arena, Mac Miller, Tinchy Strider, Sneakbo and Irish rapper Jafaris. Celaviedmai has been advocating to have black female voices amplified in the music industry in Ireland. “I want to see the push of women in music in Ireland,” she says.Jeanne Nicole Ni AinleJeanne is a 21-year-old model and aspiring actor. She has modelled for Confetti Magazine, and has had acting roles in the feature film Lily by Graham Cantwell and Amy Huberman ‘Finding Joy’. Her advice to black Irish women interested in modelling is to “not be afraid of your difference” and to embrace the features that “make you stand out”.