Episode 109: Dean Atta, British Poet and Author of “I Can’t Even Think Straight”
British Author and Poet Dean Atta has been described as “the Gil Scott-Heron of his generation”. In 2014, his debut collection, I Am Nobody’s Nigger, was shortlisted for the Polari First Book Prize. Dean’s other literary works include his 2024 memoir, Person Unlimited: An Ode to My Black Queer Body, the young adult novels The Black Flamingo and Only on the Weekends, and the children’s book, Confetti: A Colourful Celebration of Love and Life. His latest YA novel is I Can’t Even Think Straight. Dean’s 2025 animated short, Two Black Boys in Paradise, is based on a poem and had its UK premiere this past March 2025 at the BFI Flare London: LGBTQIA+ Film Festival.
Episode 107: Vernal Scott, British Author and Consultant on EDI
Vernal Scott is a British author and consultant on EDI with over four decades of experience. Vernal was the Head of Equality & Diversity Unit at Oxford University and the Diversity and Inclusion Manager at Essex Police. In 1991, he organised the historic Reach Out and Touch HIV/AIDS Procession with Flowers—an event privately financed by George Michael and starring Whitney Houston. Vernal’s upcoming memoir, UK Black, will be published via Amazon on 16 April for the Kindle ebook and on 18 April for the paperback.