Slay in Your Lane
| Author | Yomi Adegoke and Elizabeth Uviebinené |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Published | 4th Estate (2018) |
| Pages | 384 pp. |
| ISBN | 978-0008235628 |
Slay In Your Lane is a series of books and a podcast by journalist Yomi Adegoke and marketing manager 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
Slay In Your Lane: The Black Girl Bible, is divided into the following sections: education, work, getting ahead, representation, dating, and health.[2] It is based on interviews the authors conducted with "39 successful black British women spanning different industries", namely: Ade Hassan, writer and broadcaster Afua Hirsch, Aj Odudu, Alexis Oladipo, Althea Efunshile, director Amma Asante, Anne-Marie Imafidon, Bola Agbaje, Charlene White, DJ Clara Amfo, Clare Anyiam-Osigwe, Cynthia Erivo, MP Dawn Butler, Denise Lewis, Estelle, Florence Adepoju, Funke Abimbola, Gemma Cairney, Irene Agbontaen, Jamelia, June Sarpong, Karen Blackett, Keisha Buchanan, Lady Leshurr, Lakwena, Laura Mvula, space scientist Maggie Aderin-Pockcock, author former Children's Laureate Malorie Blackman, Margaret Busby, Melanie Eusebe, Nicola Rollock, Patricia Bright, Sarah-Jane Crawford, Sharmadean Reid, Sharmaine Lovegrove, Ssuan Wokoma, British Vogue's publishing director Vanessa Kingori, Vanessa Amadi and 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
Funmi 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] She went on to write:
"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]
In July 2018 it was a BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week.[2][7]
Slay In Your Lane: The Journal
In 2019 Adegoke and Uviebinené published Slay In Your Lane: The Journal, illustrated by Sherida Kuffour.[8][9]
Slay in Your Lane: The Podcast
In April 2020, Uviebinené and Adegoke launched Slay in Your Lane: The Podcast which covered news and popular culture topics discussed in the book.[10]
References
- ^ 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 2020-06-06.
- ^ a b c d Fetto, Funmi (11 July 2018). "The Must-Read Book Empowering Young Black Women". British Vogue. Retrieved 2020-06-06.
- ^ 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 2020-06-06.
- ^ 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 2020-06-06 – via www.telegraph.co.uk.
- ^ "BBC 'plagiarised Slay in Your Lane' - author". BBC News. 28 May 2019. Retrieved 2020-06-06 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
- ^ Shaffi, Sarah (28 May 2019). "BBC Sport accused of plagiarism over Slay in Your Lane". Stylist. Retrieved 2020-06-06.
- ^ "BBC Radio 4 - Book of the Week, Slay in Your Lane". BBC. Retrieved 2020-06-06.
- ^ 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 2020-06-06.
- ^ King, Lollie. "'Slay In Your Lane's Authors Discuss Why Their Book Needed A Sequel". Bustle (magazine). Retrieved 2020-06-06.
- ^ Mtada, Chelsea. "Authors of Slay In Your Lane on New Book & Podcast". Retrieved 2020-06-06.
External links
- 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, 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)