Celebrating 20 Years of an Afrocentric Small Scholarly Press
Universal Write Publications (UWP) is a Black- and female-owned small scholarly press that has been making waves in the publishing industry for the past 20 years. Founded by Ayo Sekai, UWP has been committed to amplifying the voices of African and African diaspora scholars through its publications. As the company celebrates its 20th anniversary, we had the opportunity to sit down with Ayo Sekai and discuss UWP’s past, present and future.
Q: Congratulations on UWP’s 20th anniversary! How does it feel to have reached this milestone?
A: Thank you! It feels incredible to have come this far. When I started UWP, I never imagined it would grow into what it is today. It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team and the support of our readers and authors.
Q: Can you tell us a bit about UWP’s beginnings?
A: UWP was born out of a need for more diverse voices in the publishing industry. As an African scholar myself, I was frustrated by the lack of representation in academic publishing. So, I decided to take matters into my own hands and create a platform for African and African diaspora scholars to share their research and ideas.
Q: How has UWP evolved over the past 20 years?
A: UWP has come a long way since its humble beginnings. We started with just a handful of titles, but now we have a diverse catalogue of over 100 books, covering a wide range of topics from history and sociology to literature and politics. We have also expanded our team and now have a dedicated team of editors, designers and marketers, all working towards our goal of promoting Afrocentric scholarship.
Q: What sets UWP apart from other publishing companies?
A: I believe our commitment to Afrocentric scholarship sets us apart. We are not just another publishing company, we are a platform for African and African diaspora voices to be heard. We also take great care in the quality of our publications, ensuring that our authors’ work is presented in the best possible way.
Q: What have been some of UWP’s biggest achievements over the past 20 years?
A: We have had many achievements over the years, but I would say our biggest achievement is the impact we have had on the publishing industry. We have shown that there is a demand for Afrocentric scholarship and have paved the way for other small presses to follow in our footsteps. We have also received numerous awards and recognition for our publications, which is a testament to the quality of our work.
Q: What can readers expect from UWP in the future?
A: We have big plans for the future! We want to continue to expand our catalogue and publish even more diverse and thought-provoking works. We also want to reach a wider audience and make our publications accessible to readers all over the world. We are also looking into branching out into digital publishing and exploring new ways to engage with our readers.
Q: As a Black- and female-owned company, what challenges have you faced in the publishing industry?
A: Unfortunately, there are still many challenges for Black- and female-owned companies in the publishing industry. We have faced discrimination and lack of representation, but we have also received a lot of support and encouragement from our peers and readers. We hope that by continuing to produce high-quality publications, we can break down these barriers and inspire others to do the same.
Q: What advice do you have for aspiring publishers, especially those from underrepresented communities?
A: My advice would be to never give up. Starting a publishing company is not easy, but if you are passionate about promoting underrepresented voices, then it is worth the hard work. Also, surround yourself with a supportive team and never be afraid to ask for help or advice. And most importantly, always stay true to your vision and never compromise on the quality of your publications.
As we celebrate 20 years of UWP, we are reminded of the importance of Afrocentric scholarship and the impact it can have on the world. UWP has been a pioneer in this field, and we look forward to seeing what the next 20 years will bring for this small but mighty scholarly press. Happy anniversary, UWP! Here’s to many more years of promoting diverse voices and ideas in the publishing industry.
