MANDEM

'So to the person that broke my heart in 2021 by way of a casual voice-note. Thank you.' Told from the perspective of some of the finest contemporary Black writers and thinkers, MANDEM is an ode to the moments in our pasts that shape us, and gratitude at being able to appreciate these lessons in the present. In a beautiful blend of prose and lyricism, each essay sees its author tap into their most vulnerable place - engaging honestly in conversations often silently grappled with by Black British men because of socially enforced beliefs around Black masculinity. The themes in this essay collection range from the importance of male role-models, and the unique relationship between mother and son to the sexual pressure placed on young heterosexual men, while also asking the question: 'what does contemporary Black queerness actually look like?' Edited by award-winning artist Iggy London and featuring essays from Yomi Sode, Jeffrey Boakye, Christian Adofo, Ashley Hickson-Lovence, Athian Akec, Dipo Faloyin, Okechukwu Nzelu, Phil Samba, Sope Soetan, and Jordan Stephens, MANDEM is an unmissable, thoughtful anthology of Black male expression.

Iggy London is an award-winning filmmaker, artist and writer, whose work touches upon themes of identity, community, race and coming of age. Known for his distinctive style and telling gripping surreal stories, his work crosses many mediums from film to poetry. Signed to the award-winning production company Iconoclast, he has directed films for Nowness, Love Magazine, Nike and Adidas to name a few. He is best known for his short film, Velvet, which went on to win Best Experimental Film at the Thunderdance Cannes Film Festival. Ranging from moving image to stills, his eclectic work features the likes of Clara Amfo, Flohio, Shaquille-Aaron Keith and JNR Williams. Iggy has been covered by the likes of i-D, Highsnobiety, Hunger Magazine, Dazed The Guardian and many more.