Kaia Allen-Bevan is a writer, artist and TEDx speaker, as well as an anti-racism campaigner and racial justice advocate. Kaia is the founder of Youth The Gap, a CIC empowering young people from minoritised communities, and the Engagement Lead at diversity and inclusion consultancy Watch This Sp_ce.
What are the main challenges that impact your writing?
The main challenges that impact my writing are often when I reach writer’s block, where it feels like my creativity has burnt out, and it’s hard to spark new ideas! One way that I have tried to address this is to pick a random topic and write about it with different tones, contexts, and settings and see if I can awaken my creative flow.
What support has been valuable to you on your writing journey?
Being part of, creating space for, and surrounding myself with creatives has pushed me to improve my craft. The inspiration I get from seeing my fellow creatives – and furthermore, my friends – in their element and hearing their talent has been instrumental in refining my ideas.
Even hosting an event or workshop spotlighting creatives forces you to reflect upon your own craft, tending to and nourishing it.
What support do you wish had been available?
As a Black writer, I wish there was more representation growing up, outside of the assumptions, stereotypes and bias surrounding the characters which we would have read. Not only is it important to see diversity reflected in the characters we get to know, but also in the authors. Since 2020, despite seeing a sharp increase in Black authors and characters, representation has decreased each year since the social convenience of Black Lives Matter—and this is a trend that needs to be fully recognised and handled with the gravitas that it holds.
Why does it matter that we hear stories from diverse racial backgrounds?
Black authors offer narratives that reflect the lived experiences, cultures, and identities of the beautiful diaspora and community. This representation is vital for readers from those communities, as it allows them to see themselves in literature, providing validation and visibility, but also expands understanding of the diversity within Black lives.
By giving a spotlight to Black authors, we can present unique perspectives on universal themes like love, struggle, family, and resilience and reclaim the narratives written about us, not just solely writing about Black trauma but also our joy. These stories challenge stereotypes, dismantle harmful assumptions, and help readers understand the complexities of race, identity, and culture. As Nina Simone said, “An artist’s duty, as far as I’m concerned, is to reflect the times. That, to me, is my duty.” We can shed light on the realities of systemic racism, inequality, and the legacy of slavery, providing insights that mainstream narratives may overlook or erase in dominant cultural narratives.
This is not just about telling Black stories, it is telling OUR story as we contribute to the richness of global literature by introducing readers to diverse traditions, languages, and storytelling techniques. This enhances the literary canon and ensures that literature reflects the full spectrum of human experience. There is power in our stories, as they form platforms to push back against dominant ideologies and power structures, but also challenge readers to question social norms and think critically about issues of race, privilege, and inequality. It is about transforming allyship also into the literary world and building solidarity, encouraging deeper understanding and a commitment to social justice. It’s a way to speak truth to power, resist erasure, and celebrate the beauty and resilience of Black culture.
What writers do you admire who are telling these stories?
I really admire writers like Audre Lorde, Lorraine Hansberry, Mikaela Loach, Minna Salami and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
When do you write? Do you have a routine?
Writing has often helped me process and create non-judgemental spaces for myself in hard times, and has almost acted as a form of therapy for me! So I will usually find myself writing when thinking about the world, its systems at large and on a micro scale, but also if difficult periods are happening in my personal life.
What is the worst piece of advice given to Black writers?
One of the worst pieces of advice often given to Black writers is, “Avoid writing about race to be more inclusive…” or something along the lines of how reclaiming our narratives is “divisive”.
Race, identity, and culture are integral parts of many Black writers’ personal experiences. Suggesting that they avoid these topics implies that their stories are less valuable or less “universal” if they centre on race. It undermines their authentic voice and pressures them to distance themselves from their realities to fit a narrow standard of what is considered relatable. These stories on race are often labelled as “too specific”, which overlooks the fact that stories centred on whiteness are often seen as universal, while stories focused on Black experiences are labelled as niche or particular. This mindset perpetuates a harmful double standard, assuming that Black stories are only relevant to Black audiences while other stories are meant for everyone.
Is generative AI going to be the saviour or the destroyer of creative writing?
I think neither. I believe it is a tool you can use to your advantage… If you hold the belief that it will destroy your creativity or freedom, then you are giving it more power than it’s due credit for. AI can never be YOU—you are your own magic in this literary world, and your voice, style, form and works are more than deserving to have a place.
