Louisa Adjoa Parker
Louisa is the daughter of a Ghanaian man and white British woman. Born in the early 1970s, Louisa's early experiences of racism, combined with a difficult family life led her to want to write. Growing up, Louisa had no contact with Ghanaian culture, or that side of her family.
Having lived in Yorkshire, Cambridgeshire, Devon and now Dorset, Louisa is interested in exploring what it means to be 'different' to the community around you, whether that be because of ethnicity, gender, socio-economic position or other labels that serve as a disadvantage. Through her work she explores her own identity and encourages others to do the same - set against the backdrop of the beautiful South West of England.
Louisa, having been 'asked to leave' her sixth form college and going on to become a single mother at the age of nineteen, returned to education in her early twenties. An A-level in Sociology completed as a distance learner, opened up a whole new world for her and she went on to study with the Open University and then completed her degree at Exeter. This return to education also led to Louisa writing poetry about her early experiences, which she had not previously had the opportunity to express. She believes writing and other Art forms are theraputic and can change people's lives for the better - as can education.
Louisa has had a range of life experiences and mixed with people from all walks of life - from alcoholics, homeless people, drug addicts and travellers, to a range of professionals and artists. She thinks we all have a story to tell and believes we should address our prejudices, examine and acknowledge them and really examine who we are as people. We all have prejudices of some sort, and if we can begin to acknowledge them, where they come from and what we can do about them, we can begin to move forward.
Louisa is passionate about telling 'hidden' stories; of minority ethnic people in the West-country and the rest of the UK; of survivors of domestic violence; single parents; refugees; gypsies; the mentally ill and all other 'minority' groups whose stories so often are ignored. She is also passionate about anti-racist work, equality and human rights.
Louisa's first project after leaving Exeter University where she recieved a BA (hons) in Sociology, was to initiate the Ethnic Minorities Project with the Lyme Regis Museum and Lyme Regis Development Trust. This project produced an exhibition and book which explored the history of ethnic minorities in West Dorset for the first time. This led to the Black History in Dorset project 2007, and other ensuing projects to tell the stories of minority people that have been hidden.
Louisa's poetry collection Salt-sweat and Tears was published to critical acclaim in 2007 by Cinnamon Press. Click here to buy the book
Curriculum Vitae
Ms Louisa Adjoa Parker BA (hons)
Profile:
I am a graduate with varied experience as a writer. I completed my degree at the University of Exeter, where I gained a Sociology BA (hons). I have a range of experience writing articles, books, exhibitions, as well as delivering creative writing workshops to a range of participants. I have had a collection of poetry published to critical acclaim. My passions and areas of interest include writing (creative and non-fiction), human rights, social inclusion and exploring the 'hidden histories' of minority ethnic and ohter minority people. My personal experiences, including that of being mixed heritage, have led me to want to work with a diverse range of people.
Work History:
Currently: Freelance Poet, Writer, Diversity Consultant. Working as a Community Interviewer for University of Salford.
March-April 2009
Wrote flash fiction for website/book as part of the Consequences/Made in the South project with ACE and BBC South. See www.madeinthesouth.co.uk
January-July 2009
Writing workshops with Nepalese community and schools as part of ‘Return to Dancing Nepal’ dance and poetry project.
October 2008 – July 2009
Black and Minority Ethnic Community Development Worker NHS Dorset Mental Health.
September 2008
Poet in Residence at Holy Trinity school, Weymouth.
March –September 2008
December 2007
Ran schools’ workshops with the Global Education Centre, Exeter.
October 2007
Worked on the 'Recovered Histories' project with Anti-slavery International.
October 2006-October 2007
Project Leader on Black History in Dorset Projectrun by Development Education in Dorset.
July 2007
Workshop facilitator for African womens’ writing workshop - Arts 4 Survival.
January and May 2007
Creative writing workshops at Beaminster School.
February 2007
Debut poetry collection Salt-sweat and Tears published by Cinnamon Press to critical acclaim supported by Arts Council England and Dorset County Council. (www.cinnamonpress.com)
July 2006 - October 2006
Introduction to local black history, funded by UnLtd. Writing poetry collection.
April 2005-July 2006
Setting up black history project, and writing poetry collection.
July 2004-November 2004
Project Leader on Lyme Regis Ethnic Minorities project.
December 2003-March 2004
Commissioned by the Lyme Regis Museum to assess their extent of social inclusion.
June 2003-June 2004
Part-time Youth Worker for Dorset County Council.
January 2003-March 2003
Researcher commissioned by the Lyme Regis Development Trust to assess the needs of ethnic minority young people.
Prior to working I was studying with the Open University, and working part-time as a cleaner, as I was bringing up young children as a lone parent.
Education and Training
January 2009
Race Equality and Cultural Capability trainer for Mental Health services
October 2002-July 2004
University of Exeter Sociociology BA with Honours (2:1)
February 1999-October 2002
Open University courses all at grade 2
September 1997-June 1999
Weymouth College distance learning A-level Sociology (A)
September 1987-June 1989
King Edward VI College, Totnes 5 GCSEs (4 Bs, 1C)
Skills
I have many years experience of writing. An effective communicator, I am capable of working well with others as well as independently. I have a good grasp of the English language, and am capable of working under pressure and meeting deadlines. I have experience communicating with a range of people, of all social/cultural backgrounds. I am passionate about equality, the Arts, and the encouragement of a diverse audience. I have initiated four projects, secured funding for them and delivered them successfully. I have delivered talks and workshops in the community, schools, and a Young Offenders Institution.
References: Available on request.
