Ghanaian born, Yaba Badoe is a graduate of
King’s College, Cambridge. In 2017, she became a fellow of The Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio
Center in Bellagio, Italy.
The Centre awards a month-long residency to fellows ‘to advance their
individual work while connecting with a stimulating mix of individuals from
across disciplines and across the globe.’ Presented to artists, academics,
thought leaders and policy makers and practitioners, the award is aimed at addressing
some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
An acclaimed documentary film maker, among
Badoe’s credits are: Black and White
(1987), an investigation into race and racism in Bristol using hidden video
cameras for BBC 1; The Art of Ama Ata
Aidoo (2014) which showcases the literary works of a remarkable and
under-sung African woman writer; The
Witches of Gambaga, co-produced with Amina Mama, which won Best
Documentary at the Black International Film Festival in 2010 and was awarded 2nd
Prize in the Documentary section of FESPACO 2011.
An accomplished creative
writer, Badoe’s first novel, True
Murder(2009) is published by
Jonathan Cape. Her debut children’s novel, Jigsaw
of Fire and Stars is published by Zephyr, the new children’s imprint at
Head of Zeus.
