Dare to Dream: My Black Ballad Weekender Experience

Girls - anybody else out here just trying to be their best? Showing up and giving 100% or at least attempting to? And even when we’re on ‘vacation’, our minds seem to still be churning out the items on our to do list. Well, let me tell you about how my neural pathways had a reboot this weekend. I highly recommend you gather your girls and attend Black Ballad Weekender for two days of sisterhood, empowerment and inspiration. 

I initially went because I recently decided to take my writing more seriously and as they had a number of authors speaking at the event, I thought what a great way to invest in myself! However it exceeded my expectations and for me, it was more than just an event about learning about being an author. I felt like one of my girls had invited me round, sat me on her sofa, put a hot chocolate in my hand, put a charcuterie board in front of me (healthy snacks only) and given me a space to unwind and rest. A space where I could receive nuggets of wisdom, be empowered and be inspired. A space where I didn’t have to put on a mask, I didn’t have to perform nor did I have to try and prove my worth. As the mission statement says, it was a space to be able to dare to dream…

From the beginning the standard was set!

Upon entry, we received tote bags that held all sorts of goodies. Can I just say I have been to quite a few exhibitions, and bar the reading retreat I attended this year, this is the only event I have been to where I was excited about all the freebies they gave. The best thing was I honestly needed everything in the bag! It’s like my girl knew exactly what I needed! 

The L'Oreal and Valentino stands also helped me to not leave empty handed! Valentino were generous with their samples I have to say, and L'Oreal had sessions on shade matching and gave the opportunity to have one of their products. And it wasn't just big brand names present. There were a number of Black-owned businesses selling their products including Mama Soak, which sells organic skincare products. I've been trying to improve my skincare routine, so again, you know I had to make an investment! Other stands there included ORS and a nail bar. Although I did not have the opportunity to do any of these, they were definitely great spaces for self-care. I saw ladies getting their hair braided and nails did!

The author sessions were all on point! I learnt so much and it gave me a lot of food for thought concerning moving my writing forward. Ideas such as building my characters, how I layout the setting and how I develop the plot. And most importantly … it’s possible … it’s possible for me to write a book and take the routes to publication. To be in a room with authors like Christina Fonthes, Selina Brown, Laura Henry-Allain, Bolu Babalola and Jackson P. Brown, the Hamilton song kept coming to me, “I want to be in the room where it happens!” I was grateful to be in the room where I could learn and grow! 

Being there for 2 days, I thought - why not attend other sessions that may be of benefit? And girl, listen, every gem that was dropped - my bag was full of goodies and my mind was full of wisdom. There were speakers advising on finances, sisterhood,  AI, new businesses and I am just scratching the surface. There were so many take aways leaving me recharged and focused. When talking about Sisterhood, Renee Kapuku stated, "Stop minimising yourself" and in her own key note, Tamu Thomas shared, "Keeping your head down will result in you being overlooked". Over the two days, there was a golden thread that came from the speakers. Sisterhood and confidence. At some point my notes went from scribbling down ‘how to do’, to ‘how to be’, because that’s one thing I know I need to learn to do (no pun intended), just be. 

It just felt like everything that you would need was there. The book corner in the Book area was such a nice addition. It could even have been that space that automatically regulated my nervous system. The sight of books on bookshelves - insert the heart eyes and the Gen Z heart hand gesture.

Lit in Colour, a project very close to my heart, had an area there, where they were offering free books to attendees. Free books! I asked one of the ladies at the stall three times because I thought 'do my ears deceive me?' Launched by Penguin Books and in partnership with the Runnymede Trust, Lit in Colour is a campaign that promotes the use of more inclusive English literature in the curriculum. Round Table Books, a bookshop in Brixton, were also present selling books from various authors and if you know me, you know I didn't leave empty handed!

The event reminded me “Iron sharpens iron” and how important these spaces are - how important community is. Being around other women and having the opportunity to network was also amazing. Just having conversations with people and feeling uplifted by the words of wisdom they were sharing. A lady I sat next to shared that, "We know what we have to do; we just have to be brave."

I recommend you attend the Black Ballad Weekender and also to find and build your community. Find that space where you can just be and also create that space for someone else.