THE BBC’S award-winning Sista Collective podcast is back for a third series on BBC Sounds this week. 

The show is a BBC England, BBC Radio 5 Live, and BBC Sound’s production offering candid conversation by women of colour, for all to enjoy.

The Sista Collective is executive produced and presented by Jessie Aru-Phillips and will see a stellar line-up of three new co-presenters from across the country, continuing to reflect the true diversity of the black British experience in the UK.

They include Simone Riley, a presenter on BBC Radio Manchester and a host on one of the oldest black radio stations in the north;  Letitia George, a presenter on BBC CWR and former contestant on The Voice; and Aminata Kamara, presenter on BBC Radio Leicester. 

Each episode will deliver a conversation that is both thought-provoking and funny reflecting the black British experience.

Winner of the BBC Radio & Music Award for ‘Best Initiative for Reaching New Audiences’ in 2019, the podcast was also nominated for the ARIA Awards (formerly The Sony’s) this year in the category of ‘Best Community Programming’.

This season is bigger and bolder with voices and perspectives from around the UK, from Bristol to Birmingham, Sheffield to Stockport, Leeds to London with a variety of topics explored and discussed throughout the series such as ‘Tracing my ancestry’, ‘Managing Misogynoir’ and ‘Covid and Colour’.

The season is laden with exclusive conversations with many well-known guests opening up in a way like they never have before.

There’s an exclusive interview with Amanda Foster, the UK’s first black British stuntwoman who has stunt doubled for Beyonce, Halle Berry and has stunt film credits such as the Bond movie,  Die Another Day, the Da Vinci Code, and Johnny English to name a few.

Amanda lets listeners into the elite world of stunt doubling with some startling revelations.

The season features Ivor Novello nominated songwriter and Brit nominee Janee ‘Jin Jin” Bennett. Hailing from Manchester, she is one of the UK’s most successful songwriters and wrote numerous number one hits for Jess Glynne, as well as writing songs for artists including Little Mix, Tinie Tempah and RAYE.

She shares her challenges of breaking into the music industry and what it takes to make it as an international songwriter as a black female from the north.  

They also speak to Dawn Butler, Labour MP who has accused the Metropolitan Police of racial profiling after being stopped by officers. She claims there is ‘institutional racism’ in police. She talks to The Sista Collective about the incident.

Lead presenter Jessie Aru Phillips who is also the Saturday Breakfast presenter at BBC Radio Merseyside said: “I’m so proud that ‘The Sista Collective’ is back for a third series. I still recall when this was an embryo of an idea.

“Recent events have continued to illustrate the need for important dialogue between and from Britain’s black community to demonstrate that being a person of colour is not a monolithic experience”.

Rozina Breen, Head of North for BBC England said: “This is a vital offer from women of colour. Stories told through a diverse lens, with diverse perspectives and a diversity of voice.

“Never has it been more important for us to work in partnership to showcase the best and most diverse talent from across England, on the BBC.”

Richard Maddock, Commissioning Editor for BBC Radio 5 Live said: “The award-winning Sista Collective is a really important podcast that gives a unique platform to discuss topics and issues that affect women of colour across the UK.

“It is great it’s returning for a third series with a new team of co-presenters and producers to tackle head-on conversations that others shy away from.”

‘The Sista Collective’ podcast available from September 3, 2020 on BBC Sounds.