If Beale Street Could Talk + ScreenTalk with Dr Kesewa John, Barrister Danielle Manson and Barry Jenkins (via Zoom), short intro by Clive Nwonka

Dr Kesewa John is a Lecturer in Black British History at Goldsmiths, University of London where she is convenor of the MA Black British History, and co-coordinates History on Film, a series of free monthly film screenings run by the history department at Goldsmiths exploring history, historic moments and how they’re represented in cinema in vibrant post-film discussions with guest panelists and attendees in conversation together. Every other month the History on Film screening is Black history themed. Kesewa John is a historian focused on the overlaps between Black radicalism, intellectual history, and gender. Her teaching and research explores liberation movements, and are attentive to transatlantic, multilingual linkages between Afro-Caribbean activists and the evolution and circulation of Black radical thought.

Danielle Manson is a barrister at Matrix Chambers where she practises primarily in serious crime, protest law and inquests and inquiries. She has appeared in cases of murder, attempted murder, rape, serious violence, fraud, the sale and supply of drugs and firearms offences as well regularly appearing in the Court of Appeal of England and Wales. She has particular expertise in representing children and young people and previously sat on JUSTICE’s racial disparity in the Youth Justice system working party. 

Danielle also has experience of Public Inquiries, having previously worked on the Undercover Policing Inquiry and the Covid Inquiry, as well as representing bereaved families at inquests into the death of an individual at the hands of the state.

In addition, Danielle is a member of the Art Not Evidence coalition and is currently working on a campaign for legislative reform that would preclude creative forms of expression (such as song lyrics) being admissible as evidence in criminal proceedings.