October is Black History Month in the UK, but this October feels especially meaningful because we’re also celebrating our third birthday!

On the 21st of October 2022, our first Mixed Heritage Press (MHP) title was officially published. That book marked the beginning of what has since become a beautiful and purposeful journey – one that bridges cultures, continents, and generations through the power of words.

A human child at three is just beginning to develop a sense of self – discovering, growing, and celebrating their becoming. Mixed Heritage Press (MHP) feels a little like that this year. In three years, we’ve accomplished so much, but we’re only just beginning.

And when I say we, I mean the entire community of talented Mixed Heritage Press authors, editors, proofreaders, and creative collaborators who have poured their skill, care, and passion into the pages we’ve brought to life together.

Thank you for being part of this journey!

International Footprints Rooted in Diaspora

From the beginning, our mission has been to celebrate the voices of the Mixed, African, and Caribbean diaspora.

We’ve published five original MHP titles so far – each one contributing a unique perspective to the global storytelling landscape. Yet our stories also carry a part of the home we come from, as well as the one we’ve adopted or are yet to find. That’s the beauty of travelling both within ourselves and around the world through MHP pages.

Our authors have reached audiences within and beyond the UK. Their work has been featured on BBC (UK), CBC Canada, and CBC Barbados, as well as in cultural festivals, exhibitions, and other media platforms across Europe, North America, and even Jamaica.

Personally, I (MHP’s founder and lead editor) have not yet made it to the Caribbean, but through these books and through our authors, I feel as if I’ve travelled to Barbados and Jamaica across time.

This work continues to deepen my love for the power of storytelling and the importance of hearing other people’s stories – which brings me to one of my Black History Month reflections this year.

On my channel Afropean Monika, I revisited an iconic poem written by a figure I might never have “met” if it weren’t for Mixed Heritage Press: Louise Bennett Coverley, also known as Miss Lou.

In 1945, Miss Lou made history as the first Black student to attend the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London. In 1960, she was awarded an MBE – Member of the Order of the British Empire – for her contributions to culture and the arts.

Her influence on the UK stretches far beyond that; however, one creation of hers that feels particularly relevant today is the poem “Colonization in Reverse”, due to its connection to the Windrush generation.

Reflecting on it led me to think more deeply about the Windrush scandal and its resonance with today’s political climate in the UK. Please find the video and reflections here.

Beyond English and Books

While English remains our main language, our reach has expanded beyond the English-speaking world and even beyond the written word itself – not only through the celebration of Patois (Jamaican Creole) in one of our titles but also through the visual arts scene in France.

Last year, at the renowned Rencontres d’Arles in Arles, and again this year in Bordeaux, I collaborated with Institute Contemporary by contributing poetry in English and Polish, later translated into French and even Yorùbá (a Nigerian language) to On the Vastness of Our Identities art exhibition.

These cross-cultural collaborations remind us that cultural storytelling matters – heritage, identity, and language are not barriers but bridges connecting us all.

Beyond Publishing MHP Titles

Summarising, three years later, we stand as a small but mighty publishing consultancy connecting Europe and North America with Africa and the Caribbean – one story at a time.

However, when we’re not publishing our own titles, we’re busy helping others tell their stories – wherever they come from. I have personally edited, proofread, ghostwritten, and consulted on countless books and creative projects for clients around the world.

Culture-Driven Storytelling

Mixed Heritage Press remains a culture-driven publishing consultancy rooted in authenticity and creativity. We exist to honour beautifully told heritage stories – those that explore individual journeys, the spaces between cultures, the beauty of belonging, and the complexity of identity.

So, if you have a story to tell – if your life, your roots, or your voice straddle borders – we’d love to hear from you here. You don’t need a perfectly written manuscript. Just your story – one with heart, cross-cultural depth, and inspiration. We’ll take care of the rest.

To more voices, more bridges, and more stories that remind us who we are and how far we’ve come.

Happy Black History Month and Happy Third Birthday to Mixed Heritage Press!