Why do so many Black creatives and researchers walk away from the industries they once fought to be part of? In this second episode of Rigour & Flow, we examine the silencing, sanitising, and sidelining of Black thought within white-dominated systems - from academia to media.

Drawing from Tamanda’s experiences in research and Aiwan’s in TV production, we unpack the emotional and professional toll of being “the only one in the room.” We explore what happens when your work is deemed “too much,” your language policed, or your presence tolerated while your truth is erased. From cultural gatekeeping and due diligence dramas, to Serena Williams’ Crip Walk, and the power of the pen - we ask: who gets to decide what’s acceptable, respectable, or worthy of being heard?

Whether you're a Black academic, a creative producer, or simply someone tired of performative inclusion, we invite you to reflect, rethink, and maybe even reclaim your voice. This episode is a call to honour Black brilliance in all its forms - uncensored, unfiltered, and unapologetically loud.

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