Calling Una Marson: The Extraordinary Life of a Forgotten Icon

The groundbreaking story of the BBC’s first Black woman broadcaster — finally brought to light. Una Marson was unstoppable—a poet whose words lit up hearts, a broadcaster who made history in 1941 as the first Black woman on the BBC, and an activist who fought fiercely for racial and gender equality. She brought Caribbean culture to the global stage, challenged prejudice head-on, and dared to imagine a better world. Yet history nearly erased her. From the streets of 1920s Kingston, Jamaica, to the heart of British broadcasting during World War II, Una’s journey was one of resilience, ambition, and brilliance. She shared ideas with George Orwell, held her ground with T.S. Eliot, and used her voice to amplify the silenced while navigating a world unprepared for her genius. Calling Una Marson restores this trailblazing woman to her rightful place in history. Through meticulous research and vivid storytelling, it celebrates her dazzling, difficult life and the legacy of courage, creativity, and justice she left behind. Calling Una Marson by June Sarpong is a meticulously researched biography that explores the life and legacy of Una Marson, a pioneer in radio and media, and a leading African journalist in the 20th century. The book provides a critical analysis of the social, cultural, and ethnic landscape of Britain during her time, making it an essential read for anyone interested in media studies, social justice, and cultural criticism. For fans of Reni Eddo-Lodge (Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race), Laura Bates (Fix the System, Not the Women), Darren Chetty (The Good Immigrant), Ibram X. Kendi (How To Be an Antiracist), and Sabrina Mahfouz (These Bodies of Water). HarperCollins 2025