Margaret Busby | Part of the Story – writings from half a century
Sat 25 Apr 2026 | 6:00pm - 7:00pm
We are truly honoured to welcome Margaret Busby back to the Festival. A pioneering writer and cultural activist, Margaret founded publishing house Allison & Busby in her 20s and became the UK’s first Black female publisher. She later edited the ground-breaking anthologies Daughters of Africa (1992) and New Daughters of Africa (2019). Come and be inspired by Margaret, a true trailblazer, who has had such a galvanising, positive impact on British culture.
With little attention previously given to her own skills as a writer, Part of the Story is a unique opportunity to enjoy her own remarkable literary output. It brings together her writings on people, places, politics and publishing, and provides a rich insight into the many elements that have contributed to shaping her life, from her childhood in Ghana to the Black writers, intellectuals, artists and activists she has worked with, befriended, supported and championed for over half a century.
Venue: TTP Stage (Cambridge Union)
Duration: 1 hour
Event supported by
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Author Biography
Margaret Busby CBE, Hon. FRSL (Nana Akua Ackon) is a major cultural figure around the world. Her career has spanned work as a publisher, editor, interviewer, reviewer, scriptwriter, lyricist, radio and TV presenter, activist and mentor. She has judged prestigious literary prizes, including the Booker, and served on the boards of such organisations as the Royal Literary Fund, Wasafiri magazine, Tomorrow’s Warriors, and the Africa Centre in London. She has been a guest on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs. In 2023 she was appointed President of English PEN.
