Kandace Chimbiri (writing as K.N. Chimbiri) started as a self-published author.

She didn’t grow up wanting to be a writer. However, she was greatly disturbed by the lack of diversity in children’s books, particularly in Black history.  In 2009, Kandace set up her own one-woman publishing house to address this inequity. Over the next decade, she researched, wrote, published and distributed four Black history books for children from her spare bedroom.

She has also worked with museums on children’s trails, workshops, outreach projects and tours.  In 2013 she was part of the community committee for the Origins of the Afro Comb, 6,000 Years Of Art and Culture exhibition at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge.

In 2020 Kandace signed a three-book deal with Scholastic, which included a reprint of The Story of Windrush.

Kandace joined Nikki Gamble to talk about her experience as a publisher and writer - and to explain the background to her most recent book, The Story of Britain's Black Airmen.

Purchase The Story of Britain's Black Airmen from our bookselling partner Best Books for Schools.

Publisher's Blurb
Explore the fascinating, rarely-heard stories of Black airmen during the First and Second World Wars. The Story of Britain's Black Airmen celebrates the inspiring contributions of people of African descent to British aviation. From pilots to ground crew, and with tales from across the globe, the story of Britain's Black airmen is an important part of the history of flying.

By aiming for the skies, many helped bring about changes that are still making our world a better place. Includes inspirational key figures such as Cy Grant, Errol Barrow, Sam King and John Henry Smythe With full-colour illustration by Grenadian illustrator Elizabeth Lander

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In the Reading Corner is presented by Nikki Gamble, Director of Just Imagine. It is produced by Alison Hughes.

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