Stormzy reveals the first independent title to be published on #Merky Books

Put together by Chelsea Kwakye and Ore Ogunbiyi, Taking Up Space is a "guide and a manifesto for change: tackling the challenges of access, unrepresentative curriculums, discrimination in the classroom, the problems of activism and life before and after university."

Chelsea Kwakye was the "only black girl in her year group of around 200 people studying History, making it a very difficult environment to navigate," while Ore Ogunbiyi is "hoping to become an international broadcast journalist."

Taking Up Space is due for release in June 2019, and "aims to shine a light on the university experience, preparing a new generation for the struggles inherent within the education system, and expanding a conversation on a subject of universal importance."

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‘Taking Up Space’ is a guide and a manifesto for change: tackling the challenges of access, unrepresentative curriculums, discrimination in the classroom, the problems of activism and life before and after university. As a minority in a predominantly white space, to take up space is itself an act of resistance. To constantly feel the need to justify your existence and make the best of an institution that wasn’t made for you is an ongoing struggle for many people in higher education. ‘Taking Up Space’ aims to shine a light on the university experience, preparing a new generation for the struggles inherent within the education system, and expanding a conversation on a subject of universal importance.

A post shared by Taking Up Space (@takingupspacebook) on Sep 27, 2018 at 7:56am PDT

Stormzy revealed his #Merky Books publishing imprint collaboration with Penguin back in July, and stated, “I know too many talented writers that don’t always have an outlet or a means to get their work seen and hopefully #Merky Books can now be a reference point for them to say ‘I can be an author’ and for that to be a realistic and achievable goal.”

The South London rapper's first book to be published on his #Merky Books imprint will be his own story, Rise Up: The #Merky Journey So Far which arrives on 1 November.