Maxine-Laurie

@cocobyname @podsavetheuk It's that politics air babe! p.s. you're always a stone cold babe

@BlackBalladUK @BlackWriters @GUAPMAG would love it if you could share this among your network. I did the placement years ago and really rate it

Aspiring journalists! The @guardian and @ObserverUK Positive Action Scheme 2023 has just launched! If you're Black, Asian or minority-ethnic (BAME), or a person with a disability, you can apply here workforus.theguardian.com/index.php/entr…

@lizuvie Hi Elizabeth, I'm a commissioning ed at Guardian Labs and dropped you an email about a couple of potential commissions. Wondered if you'd seen it? My email: maxine.marshall@theguardian.com

@lucyhedges hi Lucy, I've got a couple of features coming up for a tech client and I'd love to commission you to write them. Would you be up for a chat? my email: maxine.marshall@theguardian.com

I have literally just bought this... 😂🎄

If you know me, you know carnival is life. I LOVED talking all things #NHC with these ladies. 2021 on the road is going to be big, we missed you this year

@AnnaSulan @Leila_Latif Yeah I can't lie, my optimism is taking a little hit, as friends tell me about the ridiculous conversations they are having at work... BUT I'm holding out for every 10 ridiculous conversations, there has to be some genuine understanding that comes from this!

@Maxine_GLabs @Leila_Latif I think they do... but it's the lack of understanding, and not taking the time to understand. Esp now, with an onslaught of the requests w/o thinking why they want this (And sometimes it is done glibly, box check). I feel optimistic too though.

If you put on social media “I want more Black [or PoC] writers*! Get in touch!” Fuck off. Do your research, it won’t be hard, there are loads. By asking those that have been left out of the system, to come forward to be part of a system that has rejected them time and time again

@AnnaSulan @Leila_Latif Fair enough, slightly different things being asked then. There's a small optimist inside me hoping that these requests do start coming from a genuine space.

@Maxine_GLabs @Leila_Latif also, asking for recommendations is an entirely different thing than what has been happening which is - pitch me if you’re BAME / Black. Being specific about why (which you were, you said you wanted to broaden, you didn’t ask for pitches that could then be crushingly rejected)

@Leila_Latif @AnnaSulan For me, asking that question formed part of my research. I'm always looking for new (new to me) writing talent, but think it's valid to ask my network for recommendations too.

@Leila_Latif @AnnaSulan I asked Twitter this exact thing, got a great response & have commissioned several writers from that & have plans to commission more. Being vilified for asking a question isn't always helpful. Though I understand answering that ques regularly & seeing no change is frustrating

@ThePilatesPod Heya, Great to hear classes are going well via Zoom. Do you have any plans to reopen over the summer for socially distanced classes, or will you continue online only? Happy to chat on email if you like: maxine.marshall@theguardian.com

@Maxine_GLabs We adapted quickly and took our classes & 1:1s online via Zoom and they work brilliantly. We can now help people further around the UK with our expertise and training

Looking for SMEs (up to 50 employees) who are using tech (internet, phones) to survive, thrive and help communities during this time. Maybe they reinvented their business models or have adapted well thanks to tech. #journorequest #sme

@gingerbreadmaid Thanks for coming back to me. Unfortunately at the moment I'm looking for people who had a physical presence on a high street. Will be back in touch if anything changes though. Good luck with the membership launch!

@Maxine_GLabs Hi, thanks so much! Online only. Previously made-to-order commissions via my website and installed in person, but now postal gifts ordered via my website (while I build the platform for a membership which will hopefully launch next month)

@gingerbreadmaid Hi, your work is beautiful! Did/do you have a physical presence on a high street where shoppers could come in to buy your creations? Or do you work out of a studio/kitchen and just sell online?

@Maxine_GLabs Hi Maxine, I'm totally reinventing my business, switching from baking one-off, large-scale centrepieces to building an online membership platform! Spending my days getting to grips with all the tech involved, including video editing software and online advertising. Pls DM me.

@AnnaSulan Me 👋🏾

Been having a chat with a few journo friends (within the cultural and lifestyle space) recently and... none of us have a been edited by a WoC. Says a lot about the industry huh.

Took a walk into the latest to hire a cleaner or not argument... Should you ask a cleaner to your home during a global pandemic? Hard no. Should you hire a cleaner when it's safe to travel & be near people? If you like. Should your partner share the chores with you? Absolutely

@bg_bookclub @jasminejas_x @_LoveNosh yes, let me try this at the weekend. So far my mac n cheese just isn't quite right

If you have ever been to a BGBC party then you know that our food pops off! Now meet @jasminejas_x the face behind our plates. She's our resident caterer and owner of @_LoveNosh. I've been craving her food allll lockdown.

@NiellahArboine Ah really! I took it as a mixed race person talking about their experience of balancing both cultures and acknowledging the imbalance of those cultures that has occurred in their life

@NiellahArboine I thought it was an interesting piece, it's a complex topic to tackle. What did you make of it?