Bayo Adelaja

Black Then, Black Now is an intergenerational podcast that engages young Black people between the ages of 18 and 24, and their parents and grandparents over the age of 60, in recorded conversations on their lives. Through these conversations, younger and older people share stories of racial identity, discrimination, triumph and togetherness. The project will go offline too, as older people share their experiences with younger people, and vice versa, in talks around the UK.

Bayo spent much of her youth as the only Black person in the room, which has inspired her to create projects that edify and empower the Black experience so that it can be better understood by people from other backgrounds.

In 2018, Bayo was named one of the most influential women in social entrepreneurship in the UK, by Natwest bank. In 2019, Bayo was chosen by The Financial Times as one of the most influential people of colour in tech. She is the founder of Do it Now Now - an organisation bringing social empowerment to Black communities.

Bayo applied to The Multiplier because she was keen to create an intergenerational project and wanted guidance from The Cares Family and others on the programme.

Black families experience additional family pressures as a result of systemic racism and inequality. Bayo hopes recording the podcast will provide a healing space where different generations can speak, listen and share. Like The Cares Family, Bayo sees the value in intergenerational conversations and wants to inspire others to seek these relationships.