Margaret Busby: Britain's first black female publisher on the power of passing it on

Margaret Busby: Britain's first black female publisher on the power of passing it on

From The Shift with Sam Baker by sam baker

April 20, 2026 · 1h 9m · Season 21 · Episode 288

About this episode

Margaret Busby discusses her pioneering role in the publishing industry and the importance of mentorship for black women.

My guest today is the pioneering publisher, Margaret Busby. It is safe to say that without Margaret’s lifelong work the publishing industry today- and indeed our bookshelves - might look very different. In 1965, at just 22, she became Britain’s youngest first black female publisher, when she formed Allison and busby with Clive Allison, who she met at a party at university. Margaret was editorial director there for 20 years - when the business was bought, the buyers retained Allison, but not Busby. Hmmm... Since then she has been a publisher, editor, writer, interviewer, scriptwriter, presenter and awards judge, including chairing the Booker Prize. She has also compiled two groundbreaking anthologies to champion the work of women of African descent, Daughters of Africa and New Daughters of Africa. “[She] helped change the landscape of both UK publishing and arts coverage and so many black British artists owe her a debt. I know I do,” wrote Zadie Smith Her career has been the very definition of paying it forward, or as she puts it passing it on. At her home in North London, Margaret took me back through the incredible life she documents in her autobiography Part Of The Story. She…

People in this episode

Host: Sam Baker

Guest: Margaret Busby

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Allison and Busby

Books & works: Part Of The Story, Daughters of Africa, New Daughters of Africa

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