Paula Akpan
Biography
Paula Akpan is a London-born and London-based historian, writer, and journalist whose work focuses on Black British history, race, gender, and queer identity. Her MA dissertation examined the personal, interpersonal, and political development of Black lesbian identity in the UK from 1978 to 1996. She has written for publications including British Vogue, Teen Vogue, The Independent, VICE, GAY TIMES, DIVA, and i-D.
Akpan co-founded The I'm Tired Project in 2015, a photography and workshop project examining racism, stereotypes, and everyday microaggressions. She also co-founded Black Girl Fest, a festival created to celebrate and empower Black women and girls, and served as a company director through 2020.
In 2025, Akpan published her debut book, When We Ruled: The Rise and Fall of Twelve African Queens and Warriors, examining the lives, leadership, and legacies of twelve African queens and warriors. She continues to work as a historian, writer, and journalist.
BQW Impact
Akpan's work contributes to the preservation and visibility of Black queer women's history in Britain. Her research into Black lesbian identity, journalism on Black British and LGBTQ+ experiences, and community-focused projects help document experiences often overlooked in mainstream historical and cultural narratives.
Notable Works
The I'm Tired Project (2015)
Co-founded the photography and workshop project exploring racism, stereotypes, and everyday microaggressions.
Black Girl Fest (2017 - 2020)
Co-founded the UK festival celebrating and empowering Black women and girls and served as a company director through 2020.
When We Ruled: The Rise and Fall of Twelve African Queens and Warriors (2025)
Her debut book examines the lives, leadership, and legacies of twelve African queens and warriors across Africa.
Learn More
Akpan's official site, including her biography, writing, research, and current projects.
Collection of Akpan's published journalism and writing across Black history, culture, race, gender, and queer identity.
Institutional profile documenting Akpan's historical research and work as a Black British historian and journalist.