History was made in Cambridge this
year, when the first all black and all
female cast graced the stage for the
production of Ntozake Shange’s ‘For
Coloured Girls’.
The Fitzpatrick Hall theatre also
witnessed a record breaking evening as
its late show sold out for the first (and
second time) in its history! Justina, who
produced, directed and acted in the
production, was unperturbed when the
main student theatre refused to host
her show, but fought to ensure that the
message of the play went out to an
audience in Cambridge.
‘For Coloured Girls’ also provided a platform for Justina to
parade her two primordial passions: women’s issues and the arts.
Last year, Justina won the University Category of the Benjamin
Zephaniah Poetry Competition for a poem submitted on the
topic of female genital mutilation and also reached the regional
finals of the Hammer and Tongue Slam Poetry competition.
Justina has recently released YouTube poetry videos on the
subjects of being a British Nigerian and on the Sex Trafficking
Industry, performed at the first ever Black History Month event
in King’s College, Cambridge and was a co‑winner of the
Reinstein Jazz Prize 2013 awarded by St. John’s College.
Justina, who says that she has had her “heart broken for
women’s issues”, continues to use poetry, spoken word
and women’s groups to challenge perceptions and raise
awareness of issues facing women today. While in Cambridge,
Justina co‑founded ‘Fly’, a weekly discussion forum for
female Cambridge University students from ethnic minority
backgrounds to meet, network and discuss issues concerning
politics, education and most importantly women.
Alex is in pre-production for his debut short film which is being
Before starting at Cambridge, Justina was part of her secondary
school’s award winning Gospel Choir, which sang at the
Royal Albert Hall and Royal Opera House, and for the former
archbishop Desmond Tutu. Justina’s public speaking skills have
twice won her an award from the Rotary Club as the Best Public
Speaker in Great Britain.
Justina is currently the Creative Editor for the women’s
magazine ‘Magnify Musings’ and is set to bring her production
of ‘For Coloured Girls’ to London in September 2013, so be
sure to get your ticket while you still can!
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