Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 20, 2026

Taking Up Space

Taking Up Space: The Black Girl's Manifesto for Change is a 2019 book by Cambridge University graduates Chelsea Kwakye, who is British-Ghanaian, and Ore Ogunbiyi, who is Nigerian-British.

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Jul 20, 2026
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Taking Up Space: The Black Girl's Manifesto for Change
AuthorChelsea Kwakye and Ore Ogunbiyi
LanguageEnglish
PublisherMerky Books
Publication date27 June 2019
Publication placeUnited Kingdom

Taking Up Space: The Black Girl's Manifesto for Change is a 2019 book by Cambridge University graduates Chelsea Kwakye, who is British-Ghanaian,1 and Ore Ogunbiyi, who is Nigerian-British.23

It discusses the lack of diversity in higher education, and addresses topics such as decolonising the curriculum, access, mental health, relationships and activism.34 The book includes interviews with students from UK universities about their experiences.5 Kwakye holds a degree in history and Ogunbiyi in human, social and political sciences. Taking Up Space was the first independent book to be published by #Merky Books, an imprint with the publishing house Penguin Random House in collaboration with grime artist Stormzy, who has a scholarship programme that funds black British students to go to Cambridge University.678

In 2020, Sid Gentle Films acquired the television rights to the book.910

References

References

  1. "Chelsea Kwakye". Felicity Bryan Associates.
  2. "Ore Ogunbiyi". Penguin Books.
  3. Sethi, Anita (15 June 2019). "What Cambridge University taught us about racism". The Observer. ISSN 0029-7712. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  4. Ayodeji, Victoria (8 November 2019). "In Taking Up Space, Chelsea Kwakye and Ore Ogunbiyi bring stories by Black women to the centre stage". Varsity Online. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  5. Crisell, Hattie (25 June 2019). "'Hardly Anyone Looked Like Us': The Reality Of Being A Black Woman At Cambridge". Grazia. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  6. "Stormzy launches Cambridge scholarship for black students". BBC. 16 August 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  7. Owoseje, Toyin (1 October 2018). "Stormzy will tackle diversity with first independent title released by #Merky Books". Metro. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  8. Cowdrey, Katherine (1 October 2018). "Stormzy's first acquisition tackles diversity and inclusion in higher education". The Bookseller. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  9. Ntim, Zac (14 February 2020). "Cambridge alumni's critically acclaimed book to be adapted for the small screen". Varsity Online. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  10. Mansfield, Katie (11 February 2020). "Sid Gentle Films wins auction for Taking Up Space TV rights". The Bookseller. Retrieved 10 June 2020.