‘Being black and gay, wasn't easy’ For this episode I was lucky to speak with filmmaker Dr Somina ‘Mena’ Fombo to discuss her latest short film ‘ SOME GIRLS HATE DRESSES’. An executive coach, experienced mentor and Diversity and Inclusion consultant delivering to clients across the USA, Europe and Asia. Winner of the first Iris Prize Documentary Film Fund and a global speaker with a brilliant TEDx Talk: ‘No you Cannot Touch My Hair’.  Some Girls Hate Dresses is a nostalgic look into the 90’s about their black British experience, which is told through the lens of queer black women. Where to watch:  https://www.froot.tv/  https://outtvglobal.com/  🚨Available on ALL PLATFORMS 🚨 Black Ink Cinema  https://youtu.be/heP5RmhCb9E  Rachael RnR https://youtu.be/sZ-NCyw6_gY  Guest: @menafombo Interviewer/Producer: @rachael_rnr  Editor: @blackinkcinema  https://linktr.ee/blackinkcinema 

Shortlisted at this year's Oscars for Uplifting Black Voices Through Documentary for I was honoured to speak with directing duo Joe Brewster and Michéle Stephenson to discuss two of their documentaries. ‘Black Girls Play: The Story of Hand Games' and ‘Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project', both documentaries simultaneously produce recognisable and relatable black women and girls stories. ‘Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project’ leaves you feeling inspired and in awe, whereas ‘Black Girls Play: The Story of Hand Games’ wraps you in nostalgia, while also raising some interesting questions. . ‘Black Girls Play: The Story of Hand Games’ An illuminating look at the influence that hand games played by Black girls has had on the American creative landscape.    ‘Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project’ A look at the life of legendary poet Nikki Giovanni as she reckons with the inevitable passing of time through a collision of memories, moments in American history, live readings, and visually innovative treatments of Giovanni’s poetry. Available: HBO and RADA Production Guest: Joe Brewster and Michéle Stephenson Interviewer/Producer: @rachael_rnr  Editor: @blackinkcinema  https://linktr.ee/blackinkcinema

‘I want to protect them, like they need to be protected, but, nobody was here to protect me’ I had the privilege to sit down with Writer/Director Savanah Leah to discuss her debut feature film, Earth Mama. Ms Leaf, an Olympian, delivers a beautiful, elegant love letter to mothers, in this heartwarming, vulnerable film displaying her signature style. Earth Mama is an intimate coming of age story of Gia, a pregnant single mother with two children in the foster care system. As she works to make a life for herself and her kids, she fights the system in hopes of reclaiming her family. An in-depth look at  young motherhood, the system and substance abuse.  EARTH MAMA OUT: 08.12.23 Guest: @savanahleaf Interviewer/Producer: @rachael_rnr  Editor: @blackinkcinema  https://linktr.ee/blackinkcinema

‘Who decides where we are born, the life we live?’   In this episode we are joined by writing extraordinaire Kay I. Jegede, a brilliant writer also known for shorts ‘I Am Mary (2020’) and ‘The Perfect Knight (2023)’. For this Black Ink Cinema episode we were lucky to have Kay breakdown ‘Gangs Of Lagos’ which is about ‘A group of friends who each have to navigate their own destiny, growing up on the bustling streets of Lagos. We discuss the film in full length, explore Kay’s ambitions as well as the dream actor he would love to work with.   🚨Available on ALL PLATFORMS 🚨 https://linktr.ee/blackinkcinema Guest: @kay.jegede  Interviewer: @rachael_rnr  Videographer & Editor: @blackinkcinema  Producer: @a.j.horton  Location: @jimandtonicdistillery

‘In moonlight, black boys look blue.You blue, that's what I'm gon' call you. Blue’   In this episode we are graced by the talented award winning Twayna Mayne. A stand up comedian, podcaster and writer. For this episode Twayna chose the award winning ‘Moonlight’, we explore why she loves this beautiful film and why she requests people to really listen to the dialogue. Twayna was open and discussed her transracial adoption upbringing and her personal experience, the Oscars Black-lash and stranger danger! Guest: @twaynamayne Interviewer: @rachael_rnr  Videographer & Editor: @blackinkcinema  Producer: @a.j.horton  Location: @jimandtonicdistillery ⁠https://linktr.ee/blackinkcinema⁠ 

‘Someone called for a Doctor!’   This episode we are graced with the multitalented Dr Michael Akadiri, for this episode Michael discusses balancing medicine and stand up. Who would play him in his biopic, his love for old school Nollywood movies and true crime.    🚨Available on ALL PLATFORMS 🚨 BIC https://youtu.be/xpXkES7qDlM  RNR  https://youtu.be/iOGtfdWWcn8 Guest: @michaelakadiri Interviewer: @rachael_rnr  Videographer & Editor: @blackinkcinema  Producer: @a.j.horton  Location: @jimandtonicdistillery https://linktr.ee/blackinkcinema

‘MESSAGE!’   We kick off series 5 of Black Ink Cinema Podcast with US sensation @monroeMartiniii, who has appeared on Comedy Central, Netflix, NBC and Amazon Prime.  For this episode Monroe chose the iconic spoof Don’t Be A Menace, why he loves it so much and the impact it had on him growing up along with the culture. Monroe also discusses his fostered upbringing, his favourite thing about comedy, and showcases his best British accent.   🚨Available on ALL PLATFORMS 🚨 Guest: @monroeMartiniii Interviewer: @rachael_rnr  Videographer & Editor: @blackinkcinema  Producer: @a.j.horton  Location: @jimandtonicdistillery www.blackinkcinema.com

‘Everyday we get to make a new choice’ In this episode we are joined by the super Kazeem Jamal, a fantastic comedian and SEN teacher. We learn how he juggles the two lives, teacher and comedian. Joining forces with fellow comedians Darran Griffiths and Michael Akadiri on their podcast, ‘Late Nights and Wet Wipes’.  For this Black Ink Cinema episode Kazeem chose ‘Farming’, a brilliant film highlighting the experience of thousands of Nigerian children who were ‘Farmed out’ out to white working class families in the UK during 1960’s-1980’s. Guest: @kazeem.jamal  Interviewer: @rachael_rnr  Videographer & Editor: @blackinkcinema  Producer: @a.j.horton  Location: @jimandtonicdistillery https://linktr.ee/blackinkcinema 

SPECIAL Black Ink Cinema & L’Oreal celebrated the release of live action ‘The Little Mermaid’. L’Oreal’s Ethnicity and multiculturalism committee sponsored the event and were gracias to supply luxury goodies and MUA’s for the event. Our guests received the usual treatment, a complimentary Prosecco and soft drink for the kiddies, cupcakes and popcorn.  After the screening, we hosted a live podcast reaction with @thanyiamoore and @theveronarose at the bar. 🔗 https://linktr.ee/blackinkcinema BIC x

Special guests: Andrew Mensah | Lola Jagun | Simon London | Adam Horton and Rachael RnR WAKANDA FOREVER: A beautiful tribute to our king Chadwick Boseman To celebrate the release of BLACK PANTHER 2 we hosted a special FREE screening where we partnered up with Adobe, Thomson Reuters and Magnite to celebrate the crescendo of Black History Month. Adobe, Thomson Reuters and Magnite sponsored this event to support Black professionals networking across all industries, from creative to tech. Black Ink Cinema along with these great sponsors wanted to mark another unprecedented moment in representation on the big screen as the kingdom of Wakanda trailblazers its way into another successful box-office run. Our generous sponsors ensured all guests received a complimentary drink, popcorn and cupcake, while listening to our carefully selected music playlist to compliment the film. Straight after the movie we filmed reactions from our special podcast guests Andrew Mensah, Lola Jagun and Simon London. Then completed the night with a Wakanda after party. Guests: @AndrewMensah_ @LolaJagun @SLondonuk Interviewer: @blackinkcinema @rachael_rnr Videographers & Edit: @forusfilms Producer: @a.j.horton www.blackinkcinema.com 🔗 https://linktr.ee/blackinkcinema