Maya Elese

Hello! Bonjour! Oi!


I detest writing in the third person, so here it goes. 


I'm Maya Elese - a multilingual multimedia journalist, podcaster. I have recently dipped my toe into freelance journalism, writing features for a range of outlets including The Independent, Huff Post and The Metro. I write mostly about race, identity, gender and popular culture. 


I won the Print Futures Award 2020 acknowledging the 'rising stars' in journalism. 


I occasionally produce audio documentaries. My highlight is In Reverse which was screened at the Uniqlo Tate Late in 2017. In Reverse uncovers the resilience and intimate connections between an unassuming elderly Afro-Caribbean social group and pivotal events in Black British history such as the Brixton Riots and New Cross Fire. All told through a mélange of dub records of the time, personal anecdotes and archived sounds. I have also produced and presented documentaries about the Drum & Bass scene in China and the commercialisation of indigenous music in Central America. I was also a researcher on the documentary feature-length film Generation Revolution which highlighted the new generation of Black & brown activists in the UK - it is now available to stream on Netflix. 


I was a Young Producer at the Royal Albert Hall where I programmed a 2-day music festival celebrating DIY culture in London. 


I have recently co-founded a PR agency - Say What- delivering bespoke campaigns + focusing on diversity & inclusion in the media industry.


I recently graduated from University College London (UCL) where I studied European Languages (Portuguese & French). I'm currently studying for a MA Broadcast Journalism at City University. 

YouTube •

Black Lives Matter Protestors Gather in Brixton Commemorating George Floyd's Birthday

In honour of George Floyd’s 47th birthday, a vigil was held in Brixton's Windrush Square on 14th October. George Floyd was an African American man who was killed by a police officer whilst under arrest. This sparked international outrage and prompted Black Lives Matter movements across London over the past few months. Has the #BLM movement shone a light on the UK's own problems with systemic racism? Maya Elese reports.
Clyp •

Diaspora Digs: Garifuna, Globalisation & Afro-Indigenous Resistance

Welcome to the latest edition of Diaspora Digs, digging deeper. This show is centred on the indigenous Garifuna peoples of Belize and their music. This program explores the complex intricacies of the Garifuna’s history, culture through their rich musical tradition. Revealing in the process, the global fight that indigenous people face to preserve culture and tradition against globalization and westernization.
inews.co.uk •

The Labour Party took Black voters for granted and now I feel politically homeless

Keir Starmer apologised for his comments describing the Black Lives Matter movement as “a moment” and later appealed for Black members to not leave the party Keir Starmer apologised this week for his comments describing the Black Lives Matter global movement as “a moment” and later appealed for Black members to not leave the party. However, for me, his complacency has only revealed how much the Labour party takes Black voters for granted.
I Am Hip-Hop Magazine •

INTERVIEW | APPLE MUSIC’S REBECCA JUDD “I WANNA BE THE ELLEN OF RADIO”

After eight years present­ing on com­munity radio sta­tions such as The Break Lon­don and West­side FM. In Janu­ary 2020, Rebecca Judd secured her own show, the eponym­ous, Rebecca Judd Show on Apple Music , Monday to Thursday, 2 to 4pm. Here she talks to I Am Hip Hop’s Maya Elese about hust­ling in her broad­cast­ing jour­ney, up and com­ing break­out female voices in the music industry and how to suc­ceed in radio.