DT had a brief chat with Tottenham-born singer, songwriter and author Natasha John-Baptiste.

You’re a singer, songwriter and author. Can you give us a brief overview of your career so far?

I have worked in the music industry for 27 years and writing books, The One Thing About History series, since 2007.

I run writers workshops in the Tottenham area and an Own The Mic session in Walthamstow for up and coming singers, songwriters, poets, musicians and entertainers. I am also part of a Supremes Tribute band.

Can you tell us about the writing workshops you run at 639 Enterprise Centre?

The workshops that I run at 639 Enterprise Centre, High Road, Tottenham, are affordable courses for anyone that has a love of writing. Those who want a heads up on how to write, get published and monetise their projects. We discuss the avenues of writing and how it is possible to finish a book and take it to the next level.

What’s the One Thing About History project all about?

The concept of One Thing About History came to me as I was driving. As a lover of reading, I realised that there is a limited range of children’s books relating to world history and the developments that have been made by black and indigenous people. These books are written in a poetic fashion, including a history on the topic enabling the book to be a useful tool when it comes to research.

As well as the One Thing About History series, I am in the process of completing a children’s novel for the summer.

Under the One Thing About History umbrella we also tackle youth gang culture. I’d like proceeds from the book, Do you wanna be in my gang, to go to The Kings Peace Treaty.

What’s your connection to Tottenham?

I grew up on Philip Lane in Tottenham, then moved to Hackney and then back to Tottenham. Since 1992, I’ve live in Tottenham Hale and love the area. I write in Markfield Park and on the hill in Springfield Park.

What have you got planned for 2019?

There is a lot in the pipeline for 2019. The Own The Mic sessions are on the last Friday of the month at William Morris Bar & Restaurant, 807-811 Forest Road, E17 4JD. I have a writer’s workshop in February and a publisher’s workshop in May. I am hoping to start a foundation for women and have an invention that is ready to get underway.

For further information visit onethingabouthistory.com or follow on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.