Sofia Akel

Sofia Akel is an award-winning cultural historian, creative consultant, writer, producer, host and lecturer specialising in Black British history. She is also the founder of the non-profit, Free Books Campaign which gets books to those who can’t afford or access them for free. Spanning numerous industries her work has been featured in national and international press, such as BBC 1Xtra, Channel 4 News and ITV News. In addition to publishing sector-leading research exploring socio-political issues in the UK, she also lends her talent to music videos, podcasting, film and advertising, with credits including; Creative Archival Consultant (Dirt in the Diamond by Jords, selected for Tribeca Film Festival 2023), Race Equity Specialist (Teardrops by Kano and Oscar-winning director Aneil Karia, nominated for a UKMVA), Researcher and Casting Consultant. Sofia has worked with a multitude of companies, from broadcasting to fashion, including: Arsenal FC, Somesuch, Alexander McQueen, Ogilvy, Penguin, BBC, Dogwoof, Raindog Films, Monzo and more. In 2022 she became one of 30-under-30 in the Guap x Adidas Blacklist. With a focus on the creative, cultural renaissance in Britain today – from language to art, music to fashion, the shoobs to photography and everything in between, the book promises to archive and document the stories behind some of Black Britain’s most-loved contemporary cultural institutions, including those who created, explored, enjoyed and lived it. Packed with interviews, archival research and visual mediums, readers will be encouraged to see culture as the greatest teacher in this love letter to Black British communities.