20 Stories High are thrilled to announce the final instalment of their ‘Black with a Capital B’ project, a powerful collection of seven exclusive works by Black Liverpool artists.
Their 4-year journey, led by the then Associate Artistic Director Nathan Powell (currently Creative Director at the Everyman and Playhouse Theatres), began in response to the murder of George Floyd in America in 2020. Like many individuals and organisations, 20 Stories High processed the murder of George Floyd and the subsequent events with a mix of anger, grief, and reflection. These events amplified the spotlight on racism in the UK, creating an urgent call to action for systemic change.
While diversity, equity and inclusion have always been central to their work, 20 Stories High recognised that we had an even greater role to play in becoming a truly proactive and anti-racist organisation. The organisation decided to use this difficult time to celebrate the achievements and highlight the struggles of Black artists, showcasing their depth, range of experience, and insight, giving them a platform to create and share their artistry.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, 7 artists channelled their voices into compelling pieces using a variety of art-forms such as music, poetry, visual art and film making and using a range of DIY tools such as smartphones, home studios, and ancestry kits. The films, made by Brodie Arthur,
Tia Hume-Jennings, Malik Lidgett, Anita Welsh, Amber Akaunu and Dorcas Sebuyange were all created and released over the course of the pandemic, each with a unique voice and powerful story to tell.
The final piece, created by Paislie Reid, marks the culmination of this journey. Paislie’s project has been four years in the making, creating the music and lyrics in 2020, Paislie had a vision for what this film could eventually become.
Paislie says:
“My Black with a Capital B project is a love letter to Liverpool’s Black community and beyond. It is an uplifting garage song written and directed by me with Isaiah Burnett-Egeonu as Director of Cinematography and Editor, Instrumental by Malik Lidgett and Mixed and Mastered by Kofi Owusu for GoPlay Studio. The lyrics of the song speak about the Black experience, and how despite any obstacles we face, we frequently rise above people’s expectations and do wonderful things. We are worthy and valuable just as we are – regardless of what we achieve – we are worthy when we are playing, when we are looking after our children and when we are resting – regardless of where we are from or how light or dark our skin is. We have captured many people from Liverpool’s Black community and can’t wait to show it to them. I hope that it brings as much joy as possible.”
Her work celebrates the vibrant Black community of Liverpool, pulling together a narrative that is as much about collective identity as it is about personal expression.
Lemn Sissay, renowned author and patron of 20 Stories High, shared his thoughts on the project: “Black with a Capital B is not just important for this moment but for all moments. Liverpool’s Black history is unique, with generations of families and communities that have cultivated a rich cultural heritage. These emerging artists are a vital part of that tapestry—bold, imaginative, and truthful. Their work resonates on a local, national, and global scale.”
Keith Saha, Co-CEO/Artistic Director of 20 Stories High says:
“Black with a capital B is such an important project for us. We gave the artists a blank canvas to create whatever they wanted, and what they come up with was truly remarkable. This city still has a long way to go in terms of racial equality, and for many there feels there has been a huge set back in recent months. It’s even more important than ever that global majority artists are able to create work on their own terms to explore a plethora of personal. political, painful, joyful and uplifting stories.”
Nathan Powell, former Associate Director of 20 Stories High, emphasised the personal and collective impact of the project says:
“Too often, our stories are told by those who perpetuate the very ideas that harm us. ‘Black With a Capital B’ gives us the opportunity to reclaim our narratives and do what we do best as artists—tell our stories. Our proud, painful, powerful, hilarious, bruised, joyous Black stories.”
Paislie’s film, now completed after four years, is the final instalment of the ‘Black With a Capital B’ project and all the films are available to watch now on 20 Stories High social media, YouTube and website.
